Senka had spent the morning going through her mother's belongings. Her brother, Steven, and her were busy cleaning the apartment out so the landlord could rent it out to someone else. As Senka was sorting through boxes she came across a letter addressed to the child following her footsteps. Instinctively she knew this was for her, and her alone so she put it into her pocket until later when she could read it alone.

As the hours passed by, Steven and her finished up everything before dinner time. Steven headed back home to his wife and children while Senka arranged for the stuff to go into storage and she took a walk around the city. She knew she'd go to a special spot just outside the city limits. It was beautiful evening and the sun was hanging on just a little longer.

Settling into the field Senka began to read the letter.

"To the child that follows my footsteps,

If you are reading this than I have finally passed on. Let me start off by saying both of you are very dear to me but only one of you will be continuing the work that I was doing. Even if you don't know it yet, you will be entering a different lifestyle from here on in. It will be hard work to get to where I once was but I have faith that you can do it. I reckon that it will be you, Senka, that receives this letter. Steven is already married and he would never risk his family for the type of work that I do. No matter how much money he could make, but you.. I see a lot of you in me and that fire will burn bright. "

Senka paused momentarily to smile at the words. Dusty had been very busy but she could always recall her mother making time for her. They had always spent Sunday nights together just hanging out and talking about everything. She had known her mother had secrets from her but she never felt like pressing it. Now she was discovering the secret in this letter and was grateful she was the one that got to find out about how her mother really was.

Senka continued reading then.

"Senka, do you remember all those people we met as we walked around Detroit? Some would smile at you and others would stick up their noses? Well child, you are going to see more of them. Both the friendly and the unfriendly alike. Keep your head up. I have three words that can hold so much meaning to them. Smile, laugh, and love.  Let me explain how they can carry so much weight for me (and hopefully, now you.).

Always smile. You have a fire that burns bright and there will always be people trying to put it out. Smile because you never know whose day you will brighten up. Does this make me less tough in this community? Perhaps but happy workers, usually work so much better than those that are praying to remove your head from your shoulders. So keep smiling no matter what and let no one's words turn it into a frown.

Laugh loud and at everything. Laugh at the people that despise you, because for them to take so much time out of their day thinking about you is laughable. Laugh with friends and family, and you will have more family than you know what to do with soon enough. So laugh, be happy.

Love those that value you. Love those people the most and well. These will be your rocks and those that you will learn the most from.

Now onto the important things. These are some things you will need to always keep in mind as well darling. Loyalty, Honesty, Passion, Hard work, and family. You will need to know these words and what they will mean to you may differ from how they mean to me. We will see, but I will explain them to you.

Loyalty is the most important thing. Who should you be loyal to? Your Crewleader, first and foremost, and your city. People will tell you that it's important to be loyal to the Godfather Chairman and there is nothing wrong with that. Just make sure that your crew leader is put ahead of yourself. They are the ones taking the time to teach you directly, to help you grow and basically spending the most time with you. Your crewleader may end up being the Godfather Chairman and that's great too.

Honesty is important. Be honest with yourself with your goals, thoughts and feelings. Be honest with your crewleader. Do not shy away from things just because you think they may not want to hear it. They may not but as long as you bring things up politely you should be able to address your concerns nonetheless. Leaders are people too and sometimes they may miss something, although most would never admit to it.

Passion is your fire, child. Do not allow it to be put out otherwise you will burn out and become miserable. This is what will keep your working your hardest. Find something you love doing in this path and keep at it.

Hard work is very important to maintain. If you ever have goals you need to keep doing this always, even when you reach those goals. No one likes a slacker too much unless they are cliquey friends. Hard work may not feel like it pays off but eventually if you keep chipping away at it, it will. Trust me, I would know.

Family is all the people in whatever crew you choose to join. This word has many different meanings. Most will place it on the Mades up but the low ranks are just as important. These are the people that will eventually grow to join the ranks of the inner circle. They will work the hardest because most seem to think it is an easy road after they reach such a monumental rank, not you child. You will keep on remembering that everyone in that crew is family. Everyone will grow into the family that surrounds, helps and encourages you. Do not forget that everyone is of value.

These words are so much more than I can explain to you, but you will learn. Take your time and make the right choices for yourself. Just remember all that I have said to you and you will be started with a great deal more than others.

Love always,

Dusty"

Senka folded the paper up and put it back in her pocket. She sat in silence as she thought about the things that her mother had said. She wondered if her mother had chosen differently for her but she didn't think so. Turning her head towards the city and in the direction of The Intensity Trials, Senka knew she had made the wisest of choices.