0 4

B R U I S E S

MY FEET TAP on the concrete floor as I walk through the alley. My footsteps echoing through the long Alley. I flick the cigarette out of my hands, watching as it lands in a puddle of dirty water. Muffled music gets louder as I approach a small building. Two men stand there, arms crossed and eyebrows creased.

I ignore their stare and push the door open, ready to be hit with blasting music. Before I could fully open it, someone grabs my shoulder and pushes me back. I stumble back, glaring at the two men. "No kids aloud." one of them Spat, shooting daggers at me.

"I'm here for Charlie." was all I said. The man on the left scoffed, rolling his brown eyes. "Is your name on the list?" The man on the right raised a brow.

"It doesn't need to be on the list. Let me talk to Charlie." I took a step forward as I balled my fist.

"Get out of here, kid." The man on the left said, avoiding eye contact.

I took another step forward and stood my full height which was the same height as the two men. "This is what's gonna happen." I lowly said. "You're going to move out of the way, let me in and guide me to Charlie. Is that clear?" I ask, reaching for my hip.

Their dark eyes follow my hand, furrowing their eyebrows in confusion. "Leave." one of the men said in a warning tone.

"Listen, I'm not in the mood to be fucked with right now. I have to go somewhere after this and I'm pretty sure Charlie will be pissed if I'm late. So you either let me in or you want a bullet going straight through your heads?" I warned, pulling out the heavy object.

"You choose" I mumbled, pointing the gun to the man on the rights head. The man gulped, his brown eyes widened with fear as he stares at the gun.

He moved, signaling for me to walk in. I release the gun from his head and tucked it into my waistband. I cleared my throats before walking in.

Loud music erupted my ears as I walked into the building. Flashing lights filled my vision, making me squint my eyes. Jumping body's on the dance floor. Girls dancing on stages with nothing but a bra and underwear, making me grimace.

I move through the crowd only to be touched by many woman. A girl tried dancing on me but I simply declined. I squeezed through the crowd, shoving some people out of the way.

The deeper I got, the less crowded it was. I could finally see with the red light glowing through the room. The music got lower and lower every step I took and I found myself in an empty room. A dark door was in front of me, muffled rap music coming from it.

I slowly walk towards it with caution, reaching for the door knob and twisting it.

Deep chuckles were heard as I push the door open. "Pay up," an amused voice said. I fully push the door open to see Charlie chuckling with a deck of cards in his hands. "Micheal!" The middle aged man stands up and jogs up to me. He squeezes me in a hug, patting my back with force as he does.

"Come on, Join us." he said, releasing me and sitting back down on his chair. "No. I'm here to talk to you."

Charlie glances up at me with a smirk on his lips. "And what would you like to talk about?" He asked amused.

"Money." I simply said. I glance at the clock on the wall to see it's 9:43 AM. I don't know why people party this early...

"Alright. Let's talk" he twists his body to face me. "Not here." I eyed the people in this room. "Get the fuck out." Charlie ordered and once he did, everyone scrambled out. But the guards remained standing.

"You haven't been giving me the drugs. I need money." I sighed as i sit down on the couch.

"Well Michael," Charlie tangled his fingers together as he looks at me. "Nick hasn't been giving me as much drugs as he used to and You know why? Because you beat up one of his members, Michael." He glared at me.

"What do you want me to do, huh?. Alexander threw the first punch." I furrowed my eyebrows, annoyance building up in me.

"I don't know, Fix it! I don't care if you struggle. As long as it doesn't involve me or my gang then I'm fine with it but this is not okay. Fix this shit. Like I said a few days ago, I'm sick of these teenagers fucking up my plans!" He raised his voice. A vain showing on his forehead showing the anger in him. I'm surprised he hasn't shot me yet.

"Get the fuck out of here, Michael." Charlie sighed exhaustedly. He rests his head in his hands and closes his eyes.

I sighed, pulling myself up and leaving the room.

• • •

People stare as I walk into the cafeteria. The room suddenly goes quiet, Scared expressions on everyone's faces. I rolled my eyes and walked through the room only to hear my own footsteps. I push the back door open,
A cold breeze hitting my body like a punching bag. No one is seated outside which is a relief.

I sigh and plop down on a table. Days have been slow. Police have been circling town. I don't know what's going on but I choose to ignore. I don't know why I go to school. I can easily skip it. I'm just planning on leaving with a diploma in my hands and at least a little bit of money.

Skipping isn't going to help but I do it anyways because fuck school.

I hear a loud groan, making me raise an eyebrow in confusion. I hear another groan coming from the trash cans. I pull myself up and stalk towards the trash cans. "Bitch!" Someone yells.

"You deserve this!" Another person shouts. I furrowed my eyebrows, quickening my pace to the trash cans. A group of guys are in a circle, kicking something in the middle.

I jog up to them, curiosity taking over. I push one of the guys away to get a glimpse of what's happening. He falls back, cussing me out as he does. "Hey! What the fuck?!" He shouts. I turn and glare at him which shuts him up. He widens his eyes and backs away "S-sorry dude" the boy stutters.

I glance at the group of guys as they continue to attack whatever is in the middle of the circle they formed. "Bitch!" They shout.

Anger bubbles up in me suddenly. "Get the fuck out of here!" I shout loudly, power coming from my voice. They all stop, fear plastered on their faces. It only took seconds till they ran off. Leaving me with this person.

I sighed and glanced at the body on the floor. It was a guy. A hoodie on his head, covering his face. He groaned, twisting his body around to face me.

I widen my eyes at the sight. A person I haven't seen in years. A person who hasn't even crossed my mind. A person who probably hates me.

"Andrew?"

Word count: 1237
Finally updated lol.

Comment-vote-Follow :)