The Life and Struggle of an Eternal Dragon

[Shadow Dragon]

That's the problem. I'm also stuck on ideas for further chapters. Most of them came from dreams I have while I sleep, but I forget them right away when I wake up every morning.

[chaostro101]

Well....shoot.

[Shadow Dragon]

I sort of rushed this part because I wanted to get it out of the way. The stuff on this chapter were part of my dreams I had recently.

Chapter 4

My head was aching with pain as I continued walking. My legs felt like worn-out rubber due to me being exhausted from walking, but I couldn’t sit down. The ground was still damp from the rain earlier, but when I took another step, I fell to my knees. I let out a sigh as I tried to stand back up, but I felt dizzy and fell back down. My jeans were getting damp from the wet grass, but I couldn’t get up.

Finally, I fell on my back, and as I stared at the grey cloudy sky, I found myself dozing off to sleep.

---

A soft breeze blew and it woke me up. I didn’t know how long I had been asleep, but I guessed it had been two hours. Well, at least I got some of my energy back, but I’m still hungry and my mouth was dry. The bad thing is that there’s nothing around to eat and there’s no fresh water anywhere, despite rain water, which I’m not willing to try.

I sat up and waited until my vision cleared before I went off to look for food and water. My back was damp from the wet grass. I also need to know how to make a fire without actually hurting myself like I did the last time I tried.

Suddenly, I heard a stream nearby. I ran toward it and saw clear water running over some earth-colored stones. I bent down and filled my hands with the water, then I splashed it on my face. It was pretty cold, too. I guess it was because of the rain earlier. I took another scoop in my hands and poured it into my mouth. I repeated the same thing a few more times before I stood up. Now the only thing left for me to do is look for some food.

I walked away from the stream and began my search. All around me was pretty quiet, except the occasional breeze blowing on the trees. As I continued walking, I suddenly smelt something burning. I couldn’t fully tell what it was, but it had some sort of a charcoal and fishy scent.

As I followed the smell, I found its source. There was a fish on a long stick over a charcoal-bedded fire. Normally, something like that would belong to someone else, but I didn’t know any better, and I was too hungry to care. I approached the fish and grabbed it, only to be burned by the fire. I shouted and lost my grip of the fish. I moved my hand rapidly to cool it off.

“Coming to steal my catch, eh?” I heard a voice say.

I looked to my right and saw a young man in hunter’s clothing, sitting on a log. He didn’t look mad, which, believe it or not, really scared me.

“Sorry, I didn’t know it belonged to anyone.” I said, still moving my hand around.

“Sure you didn’t!” he told me, “Now go away!!”

He grabbed a pebble and threw it at me. I ducked to avoid it, but it ended up hitting my hair. I sighed in relief and grabbed a stick that had the fish.

“Put that down, you thief!!” he shouted. I saw a shotgun in his hands, which made my heart pound.

“Oh sh!t…” I murmured.

I ran off with the fish rack, and I heard a gunshot behind me. Luckily it didn’t hit me, but I continued running as fast and as far as I could.

----

As I continued to run, I looked back to realize that the place was far out of my sight. I stopped and sat down in the lush grass, panting. My heart pounded against my chest from running. I used my shirt to wipe away the sweat from my face.

I took a fish off the stick and looked at it. To make sure it was cooked real good, I ripped open the fish and looked at it. Everything but the meat and bones were gone.

----

As soon as I finished eating, I went walking again. I didn’t know where I was going and why. I just wandered the area like there’s no tomorrow. I didn’t know where I was going and why. Maybe if I changed shape and flew around, I would be able to find one.

I found myself in a dense forest. I didn’t know how long I had been walking because my mind seemed to have wandered off. I decided to sit down on a large, flat rock to rest. The sky was getting dark and stars filled the dark blue sky. Somehow, it reminded me about what happened back at the village. I still can’t believe I haven’t forgotten about that yet.

“For nearly 20 years I had a nice life.” I said to myself, “All of that was taken away from me. Why am I the only one who survived?”

My vision became blurry with unreleased tears and I bit my lip, trying to stop the pain, but it wasn’t working. My heart literally began to ache with the painful memories I had going on in my mind. I still couldn’t cope with it. I lowered my head as my breathing became shaky and my body began trembling.

“Why me? Why just me?” I said as I began to cry. For some reason, I was still unable to fight back. Tears fell down my face. Pulling my knees up to my chest and burying my face on them, I sobbed before I decided to lie down and sleep twenty minutes later.

---

The sun broke through the clouds and I woke up with a start. I was feeling a little better from last night, but I had a headache. I sat up, trying to clear my vision from sleep. The cool breeze blew against my body. I sighed.

I stood up and dusted myself off. I looked around, wondering what to do next. I walked up a hill and looked down from it. I saw someone near a stream.

I walked down the hill as carefully as I could, but I soon lost my footing. I rolled down the hill, and I felt something hit my head. I blacked out.

---

“Hey, wake up!”

I heard a very faint voice in my head.

“Who’s there?” I said in my mind.

“I said wake up!!”

I sat up, then I let out a scream. I felt my body being pushed to the ground on my back and hands pinning my shoulders down.

“Calm down!!” someone said, which sounded very familiar.

I felt a thick liquid trickle down my face. I lifted my finger on it and tasted it with my tongue. It was blood.

“Are you ok?” the person asked.

“I can’t see!” I cried out, “My eyes! They won’t open!”

“What the hell did you do to them?” he asked, then he sighed, “Ok, follow me!”

The boy grabbed my wrist to guide me. I didn’t know where I was going, but I had to trust him, as I feel rather helpless right now. My instincts told me it was safe, so I decided to follow.

“You’re not like the others I’ve met.” he told me, “You seem to be…more unique.”

“Yeah I get that a lot!” I said, “By the way, where are you taking me?”

“The blood in your eyes literally glued them shut!” he said, “I know someone who can help you.”

“Who?”

“She use to be a nurse at her village for nearly 34 years.” he said, “Even though she’s retired, she still helps fellow strangers.”

“That doesn’t sound right.” I said.

The boy stopped and I heard a knock.

“Excuse me ma’am!” he said, “I have a patient!”

I heard the door open.

“Hello.” I heard a soft voice say.

[ganondorf2]

It's fine to me.

[Shadow Dragon]

Thank you. I know it gets a little boring, but that's because I just throw in whatever comes to my mind. As far as coming up with ideas, I wish I can come up with a title while I'm at it. I'm good with RolePlaying, and I'm kinda new with stories I suppose, and I think I'm doing a good job, but I can't even come up with a simple title for either of them! I wasn't always good with titles from the begining, anyway, but I still find that kinda pethetic!

[ganondorf2]

I didn't find it boring and it is hard to think of a title of a story.

[Shadow Dragon]

The new title may be a little cheezy, but it's the only thing that fits...at least until I can think of something better. I wasn't always good with titles, as you can tell.

Chapter 5

I just stood in one spot. I didn’t move a muscle.

“I found this boy lying in a field.” I heard someone say, “His eyes are bloody and he can’t seem to open them.”

“Oh dear, how did that happen?” the woman asked.

“I fell down a hill, and I guess I slammed into something.” I answered, “That’s all I remember.”

“Let me take a look.” she said. She gently tried to open my right eye, but it wouldn’t move. She ran her finger across my eye.

“You can’t open them because the blood dried your eyes shut very tightly.” she said.

“Do you have anything to help him?” the person asked.

“I may have something.”

The woman took my hand and guided me inside her house.

“Sit down here.” she said.

I plopped down onto a soft chair. I heard water run and it shut off. I then felt a wet rag run gently on my eyelashes.

“I thought they were bleeding on the inside.” I said.

“I have to clean up the outside of your eyes first.” she answered.

I heard the boy sigh and his back plop against the wall.

“Why are you still here?” I asked him.

“Bored.” he answered me, “Besides, I have no where else to go.”

I felt my left eye being forced open by the woman, then I felt something cold and wet hit my eyeball, which caused it to shut tightly again, but this time, it stung my eye. I could feel tiny bubbles popping in my eye. I grew scared, as I didn’t know what was going on.

“That will help clean and free your eyes.” the woman said as she forced open my right eye just a crack and did the same thing. I wiped the access moister from my face.

“It’s still popping!” I said.

“It’s cleaning away the blood.” she said, “But you still have to keep them closed.”

“When can I open them?”

“When it stops bubbling.”

I waited for ten more minutes, then everything was quiet. I opened my eyes, and the liquid trailed down my cheeks. I used my shirt to dry them, then my vision went from blurry to clear. I smiled.

“I can see!” I said.

“Good!” the boy said, smiling.

I turned to him. He looked like he was in his mid teens, probably 15 years old. I smiled at him.

“Thanks for helping me.” I said.

“No problem.”

“So tell me boy, where were you heading?” the woman asked.

“I don’t know.” I said, “Where am I, anyway?”

“See for yourself.” The boy said, opening the door for me.

I stepped outside and noticed I was in a small village. The houses were made of logs, and there were small, grass huts as well. Humans were outside working; tending their crops and their animals, or cattle, which were sheep, goats, and chicken, even though chicken didn’t quite count as part of cattle. The smell of animals, animal feces, and burning wood filled the air, and it made me sick to my stomach. I gagged. How in the world can these humans live in a place like this?!

“If this is how people live in this place,” I thought to myself, “Then there’s no bloody way I’m gonna stay for long.”

“Do you need anything, sir?” a young woman, probably in her early 20’s, said to me.

“A mask, please!” I said, not caring if it was rude or not.

“I know it’s a little smelly here; that’s just something you’ll have to get use to.”

“Why is it like this?”

“People don’t take care of their cattle, and the village has been falling apart lately.”

“I don’t where to go.” I said.

“Well, this is no place for you.” she said.

I didn’t say anything, but I decided to leave anyway.

----

I had left the village ten minutes ago, and already my legs were getting sore from walking too much. As I kept walking, I saw a city up ahead. I sighed with relief, but then grew confused.

“What’s this?” I ask myself.

I decided to check it out. As I entered the city, the smell of diesel and gas filled the air. I didn’t know which was worse; this smell, or the smell back at the small village.

Everything was so different here; the buildings, the atmosphere, everything seemed brand new to me. And there were a lot of humans walking around, and I’ve even seen a lot of machines on the road. The word ‘cars’ came out of nowhere and into my mind, which was kinda weird.

I walked around, checking the place out, until I came across a dark ally. I walked inside it, and something grabbed me by my wrist. It pulled me in and wrapped its arm around my neck. I felt a blade on my throat, and something told me it wasn’t good.

“Where do you think your going?” I heard a voice say, which sent a shiver down my spine.

I was so scared that I couldn’t speak. I saw five other boys, possibly my age, out of the corner of my eye.

“You got business in this part of town, kid?” one of them said.

“Who are you?” I managed to say.

“Give us your money!”

“My what?!”

“Wait a sec!” I heard another say, “Let him go!”

The guy dropped me to the ground. I began coughing, then I stood up. One of the boys walked up to me and checked me out. He walked around me, then stopped and crossed his arms.

“How would you like to be part of our group?” he asked.

The boys were dressed in leather jackets and tight jeans with chains hanging from their waist. Two had long hair down to their shoulders, one was a dirty blonde and the other was brown. The other three had short hair; two had black hair and one had black with blonde on the top and was slicked back. Three of them had pierced eyebrows and the other two had pierced ears.

“I don’t know.” I said.

“I’m Joseph.” the brown haired boy said.

“I’m Phil; his brother.” the blonde said.

“I’m Sparky.” the one of the black haired guys said.

“I’m his cousin, Derek!” the other said.

“You look like a real blackblood.” Sparky said.

“Blackblood?” I asked.

“I’m the leader of the Blackblood gang, names Bulldog!” a guy said, stepping out from the group, “You look like a great addition to our gang.”

I didn’t say anything.

“C’mon, join us!” one said.

“Don’t pressure him, Phil!” the leader said.

“I…uh…” I stopped.

“Take your time.”

“What do you guys do?”

“You’ll see if you join us.”

I was afraid they were gonna say that. I sighed.

“No!” I said.

“It’ll be good for ya!”

“I said no!”

“Why not, kid?” the leader asked me.

“Because….I….I…”

I knew what I wanted to say, but I just couldn’t get the words out. I gave in.

“All right, I’ll join.” I said regretfully.

“Cool!” Derek said.

Bulldog motioned us to follow him. We were lead into another dark ally, and we stopped at a door. Bulldog opened it and allowed us to go inside first. I hesitated.

“Move it!!” Phil said as he pushed me inside.

The rest got inside and Bulldog shut the door.

“Welcome to our hangout.” he said.

I couldn’t quite place it, but the theme of the hangout looked like a place where gang members hang out, and it was a little messy. Then again, why am I not surprised? Phil sat in a large beanbag chair while Derek sat in a torn up chair. The others just stood.

“Make yourself at home.” Derek said to me.

I pulled a scratched up wooden chair close to me and sat down.

“Hey Sparky, bring me the gun, would ya?” I heard Bulldog say.

I didn’t know what a gun was, but something told me it wasn’t a good item.

“Wh-what are you gonna do?” I ask.

“Pierce your ear.” he said.

I jumped up and took a few steps back, “What do you mean?!”

“Don’t worry, it’s not gonna hurt…much.”

As soon as I saw the gun in his hand, I grew even more confused. The ‘gun’ looked different than what I imagined.

“Ear piercing is traditional in our group.” The leader said, “It shows that you’re an honorary member.”

I hesitated before asking, “Will it hurt?”

“Just for a short while, but don’t worry.” he said, “We have something to sooth it after words, and it’ll get rid of infection, too.”

I sighed and thought about it for a moment. I clinched my fists.

“Fine, do it.” I said.

“Sit down!” Bulldog said, “Sparky!”

Sparky walked over to me with the piercing gun. He placed it on my left ear, and already, I could feel the hair on the back of my neck start to stiffen up. I heard a loud click, and almost immediately, I was screaming in pain.

“Uh…told ya it’ll hurt.” Bulldog said as he flinched.

I clinched my fists as tight as I could, still screaming. Tears of pain formed in the corner of my eyes as I shut them tightly. I felt something cold and wet hit my earlobe and it stayed there.

“You have to apply this on your ear to avoid infection, kid.” Sparky said to me, “You really don’t want that to happen, trust me!”

I held the rag on my ear and I opened my eyes, and I quickly dried them with my shirt.

“I know it hurts, but you’ll have to get use it.” Bulldog told me, “The pain will stop in a few moments.”

I let out a shaky sigh. I took the wet rag off and saw the bloodstain. My earlobe was still in a bit of pain.

"We'll get you your earing in a little bit." Bulldog said.

“Are you hungry, kid?” Phil asked me.

“I have too much on my mind to thinking about food right now.” I said. My stomach let out a growl, and I let out a heavy sigh.

“Here.” Derek said, throwing something at me. I caught it with my left hand and looked at it. It was a long yellowish fruit. I didn’t know what it was, but the moment I tried to sink my teeth into it, it was hard to tear off.

“Uh…dude, bananas are meant to be peeled.” Joseph told me. The gang looked at me, and my face grew red with embarrassment.

“Sorry, I don’t get out much.” I said as I snapped the stem of the banana and peeled off the skin.

“You mean to tell me you were living indoors all this time and didn’t go to any school?” Bulldog asked me.

“School?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, that answers my question.”

“Your parents never home schooled you?” Phil asked me.

“My parents are dead.” I said with a bit of regret.

“Dang….how old was you when you lost them?”

“I never got the chance to see them.” I said, “I was raised by…someone else.”

“A relative?” Sparky asked.

“No.”

“You mean to tell me you were raised by a complete stranger?!” Bulldog asked me.

“Yeah, but he wasn’t bad at all.”

“All of us are orphans, too. That’s the main reason why we started this gang. It’s like an alternative family, and we stick together no matter what.”

All that sappy talk was making me ill, but I didn’t say anything. I took one bite of the fruit and swallowed.

“What’s your name?” Bulldog asked me.

“Eric.” I said. Even though the others had nicknames, I still wanted to keep my human name.

“Well, Eric, welcome to our gang!"

I smiled sheepishly, then turned away. Was it really a good idea to stay with them? I ignored my fear and relaxed.

[ganondorf2]

Pretty good.

[The Melee Master]

Good story so far! Uh...I have a question? Does ear peircing really hurt that bad? I got my ears peirced when I was very, very young, so I don't really know.

[Shadow Dragon]

My character was in pain because Sparky, the guy who did the piercing, wasn't a professional, and the item he used to pierce my character's ear wasn't a real piercing gun; it was homemade. Sorry, I forgot to explain that in the story.

In real life, I got my left ear peirced when I was 13, and it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. This chapter was a bit rushed, by the way.

Chapter 6

The next day, the gang decided to show me around the city. As we walked, I looked around. People were walking on sidewalks; there were large buildings everywhere we turn, and several roads that had cars on them. It looked really easy to get lost, but my curiosity grew.

“I take it you’ve never seen a city this big before, huh?” Bulldog asked me.

“Actually, I’ve never been to a city.” I answered.

“I see; you must be a country boy.”

“I guess.”

“The city isn’t exactly the perfect place to live, but it still has its good points.”

“What are the bad points?”

“Air pollution, risk of getting hit by a car, gang shootouts.” Sparky said, “There’s a million things that can do harm to a person in the city.”

“Then why do people choose to live here?” I ask.

“Because some of them are actually able to get by it.” Derek said.

“I see.” I lie.

“Shoot, I’m hungry!” Phil said, “Where’s that one burger place? Ya know, where they have that drive through and karaoke inside the building?”

“Forget burgers, I want a pizza!” Sparky said.

“I vote pizza, too!” Derek said, “Besides, we had burgers the other day!”

“Burgers sound all right to me.” said Joseph.

“And I vote pizza.” Bulldog said, then he turned to me, “What about you Eric?”

I hesitated. I didn’t even know what a burger or a pizza was. I was afraid to ask them, but if I don’t, they’ll get angry. I decided to ask.

“What’s a burger and what’s a pizza?” I ask.

“What?!” Phil asked, "You gotta be kidding me!"

“A Pizza is round bread covered with tomato sauce, cheese, and sometimes other toppings.” Bulldog said, “A burger is a sandwich with ground meat, buns, and condiments like lettuce, tomato, and cheese.”

“You’ll regret it if you don’t choose pizza!” Sparky said.

“Burgers are more filling!” Phil shouted.

“Ok, knock it off!” Bulldog shouted.

I tried to think of what I wanted, but then I got an idea, “Why don’t we go for burgers today, then pizza tomorrow?”

“Sounds like a plan!” Bulldog said, then he turned to the rest of the group, “You guys?”

They agreed. Bulldog then led us to a place called The Greasy Kitchen, then after we ordered what we wanted, we left the restaurant and into an abandon area in the city. Bulldog leaned up against a brick wall, while the others sat down. I just stood. Bulldog threw the foil wrapped burgers to each of us. I caught it in my hands, then dropped it because the tin foil was hot. I picked it back up and unwrapped it. It looked awfully greasy, but I took a bite anyway.

“Doesn’t have much taste, but it’s better than the meat I’m use to.” I said.

“It’s the best you can get around here, I’m afraid.” Phil said as he took a bite of his own burger.

I heard sirens in the distance.

“Looks like the police caught another gang of thieves.” Bulldog said.

“Thieves?” I ask.

He nodded, “We’re lucky there are no shootouts right now.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“This part of town is a very bad place.” Sparky said.

“Then why are you guys living here?” I ask.

“We get by it, I told you!” Bulldog said.

I let out a huff. As soon as I finished eating, I threw the foil away. The gang stood up.

“Once we get back to our hangout, I have something to give to you, Eric.” Bulldog said.

I didn’t say anything. I stood up, and we were lead back to the hangout. Bulldog walked toward the couch and lifted a pillow. He pulled out something.

“You’ll need this pretty soon.” he said as he handed me the item. It felt a little heavy, and the outside was cold and metal.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Pocket knife.” he answered.

I pressed a button, and sure enough, a sharp blade popped open. It looked like it had never been used before.

“Why are you giving this to me?” I ask.

“If your going to stay here, then you’ll need that for protection.” he said, “Don’t use it unless you really need it, otherwise, you’ll go to jail for having it. Got it?”

“So what’s the point of having this if I’m gonna get in trouble anyway?”

“Just trust me, you’ll really need it.”

I closed the blade and placed it in my back pocket. I looked to the side and saw a man and a few police officers heading toward a police car.

“One crime after another.” I heard Phil say, “There’s never a quiet moment in this town.”

“Where do the police take them after they’re captured?” I ask.

“Prison.” Derek said, “But that mostly depends on what they’ve done.”

“Like what?”

“A minor crime can get you sent off to prison, sometimes for life, but too much of a bad thing can get you killed.” Bulldog said.

“They won’t hesitate to do it, either.” Sparky said, “Even if you beg for mercy, so be careful.”

“I will.” I said.

I saw Derek take out something called a cigarette and lit it. I could immediately smell the smoke that he had blown out. It was a bad smell, but I didn’t say anything.

“Where’s that Pub I heard so much about?” Joseph asked.

“You mean the one they just built?” Derek asks as he blew out smoke from his mouth, “Down the street somewhere, I suppose.”

Sparky took out a cigarette and lit it, “Down the street where?”

“How should I know?!”

“What are those?” I ask, “In your mouths?”

“Cigarettes.” Derek said, “Why? You want one?”

I shook my head, “Why do you have them?”

“We don’t know, we just like them.”

“Good answer.” I thought sarcastically.

Derek took his cigarette out, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it. I started coughing.

“Yeah, that’s why I don’t smoke, either.” Bulldog said, “Too tough for my lungs.”

I backed away to catch my breath.

“Weakling.” Sparky murmured as smoke came out of his mouth.

“I heard that, Sparks!” Bulldog said.

“How did you know I was talking about you?”

“Because you just told me, idiot!”

Sparky glared at Bulldog. He just turned away.

“Tonight, we’ll be doing something we haven’t done in a long time.” he said, “So you all better be prepared.”

“And what will we be doing?” I ask.

“You’ll see.”

I don’t know why, but what he said really sent a shiver down my spine. I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I felt sick. Suddenly, I bolted away from the others.

“Where are you going?” Bulldog shouted.

“Those burgers go right through you, ya know?” Sparky said, laughing, “Either that, or he can’t keep them down.”

Derek shook his head at his cousin’s lame response, “D*mn little idiot.”

---

I stopped running after I got far from the gang. I fell to my knees, panting.

“What was that?” I thought, “I haven’t felt this nervous before. I wonder…”

I looked back, then sighed.

“Should I make a run for it and forget about them?” I thought to myself, then I shook my head, “No. I’ll give it a chance, despite what my instincts tell me.”

I felt dizzy, but I managed to stand up to walk back to the hangout, then I heard a gunshot. I stopped.

“What the?!”

The sound came from up ahead. I ran toward the hangout and opened it, only to notice that Sparky’s arm was covered in blood and he was groaning.

“What happened?!” I ask.

Shots rang out and a bullet hit a trash can near me with a spark, I dove down inside the hangout, covering my head with my arms.

Derek grabbed a gun and shot it out the window. My blood ran cold from extreme fear, and my mind clouded by confusion.

“Remember what I said about shootouts?!” Bulldog asked, “The police found us!”

“What?!” I shout.

I tried to bring my Dragon instinct back, but I was so scared, it felt like that side of me doesn’t exist anymore. My human side was in full control now. Suddenly, a heavy item crashed through the window. It looked like a grenade, and when I took a closer look, I found out that it was a grenade.

“Everybody out!” Bulldog shouted.

All of us ran out from the hangout, then it was turned into a ball of fire. We looked at the ruins.

“Aw man!” Sparky said.

“Wait a minute, that wasn’t the police!” Bulldog said, “That was-”

“You better watch yourselves, spineless Black Ravens!!” we turned and saw a red van drive by.

“The name's Black Blood!” Sparky said. Derek jabbed him in the side with his elbow.

“Black Ravens?” I ask, “Who are they?”

“I’ll…tell you later.” Bulldog said.

“Aw man, now what are we gonna do?!” Sparky asked.

“Calm down Sparky!” Joseph said, “We can still go to my cousin’s place. It’s not that far of a walk!”

Another gunshot made me jump.

“Ok, but can we please hurry?!” I ask.

Suddenly, Joseph pulled out a gun and shot it, causing someone to fall to the ground.

“Let’s go now!” he said.

All of us ran off.

[ganondorf2]

Pretty good to me.

[Shadow Dragon]

{Do keep in mind that I haven't touched this in a couple years due to my RP's. Sorry if anyone was waiting for an update this whole time. Inspiration just hit me, and the last part of this chapter was a last minute thing, so it may be confusing at first.}

Chapter 7

The gang and I went into the first empty ally we came across. In this part of town, any empty ally was a perfect place for an ambush. Muggings, car-jackings, anything could happen here, which is why I had to stay alert, no matter how quiet places may be.

As soon as we managed to catch our breath and calm ourselves down, I was the first to speak up.

"Why were they shooting at us?" I question, "What did they want?"

"They wanted revenge," Derek said, "see, we got into a fight with one of their members a year ago. He attempted to stab Bulldog, but Joseph got to him before our leader was hurt. Now they want revenge for killing their member."

"We didn't mean to kill him, but when a friend is in danger, you do everything you can to protect them," Sparky said, "you understand, Eric?"

"No," I said, shaking my head, "no, I don't."

I was sheltered when I lived with my master because I didn't take on my human form until just recently. It was strange how I was raised by a human and not once, did I ever think of him as a parent; just someone who took me in and helped me survive. I was still just getting use to my new form, and personality, but lucky for me, when it came to other human stuff, I was a pretty quick learner. I wonder how long it would take for the gang to realize I'm not human? I'm pretty sure that would just get me into more trouble than I think, so I continued to play along.

I attempted to sit down, but the pocket knife made it uncomfortable, so it took it out and placed it in my front pocket, then sat down tiredly. I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.

"So...how do you guys get the money for all that stuff in your hangout...and for food?" I couldn't help but ask.

"We don't steal, if that's what your thinking," Bulldog said, "we don't steal, we don't kill...not unless we have to. All in all, we're not that type of gang."

"All right, so where do you get your money from?"

"That's our little secret, and we're not going to tell you for a while."

The way he said that sent chills down my body. I decided to change the subject, "You never did tell me what the Black Ravens were."

The group fell silent.

"Guys?"

Derek sighed, "Ok, see, we use to be known as the Black Ravens several years ago. We had more members than this back then, but then some of them got arrested, and some got killed by police because they were threatening them."

"We managed to escape jail or execution, but we had to change our gang name to protect us further." Bulldog said, "because I was still leader, I also had to make a name change."

"Wait," I was puzzled, "Bulldog isn't your real name?"

"Nope."

"Then what is it?"

"I haven't been around you long enough to fully trust you, so that information is mine, and mine alone."

"You mean the others don't know it?"

"Nope."

"Like we give a d*mn anyway," I heard Joseph say to him.

"Watch yourself, Joseph!" Bulldog said.

For a gang who was suppose to 'stick together', they sure do argue a lot. I got a little bit of humor from it, and luckily, there weren't any serious conflicts between any of them...at least not yet.

"Can I ask another question?" I spoke up.

"Ask away," Bulldog said.

"How was this group formed in the first place?"

A sudden silence followed, and I never got the answer to my question. All of a sudden, I felt my arms tighten a little, but I did my best to ignore them.

"You look like your in pain," Sparky said to me, "you all right, man?"

"I'm fine," I lied. Of course I wasn't all right. The muscles in my arms were cramping up on me, and I didn't understand why.

I tried to pretend it wasn't bothering me and continued to follow them. Soon, they walked ahead and I stayed behind, and the pain shot throughout my body. I collapsed onto my knees, teeth clinched and eyes shut tightly. I tried to quiet my loud groaning, but the pain was too much to bear. My arms, my legs...my entire body felt like it was tightening up, like I was getting multiple charlie horses...all at the very same time. I tried to stretch out to ease the pain, but it wasn't working, and I wasn't a flexible being to begin with.

Soon, the pain faded away, and I was able to relax, but man, did that hurt! I laid on the pavement, eyes closed and my breathing eased up. A minute later, I opened my eyes and slowly sat myself up. I was still sore, but at least the worst is over, I hope.

Thank god I was alone, as the last thing I wanted was commotion and attention, especially in a strange city like this. Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I placed my hands in my pockets and pretended like nothing happened. There was a reason behind that excruciating pain, and for a while, even I wasn't aware of the cause.

I got up and ran, trying to locate the gang, and pretty soon, I bumped into Derek.

"Hey, watch it!" he said, shoving me back.

"Sorry," I said, dusting of my shoulder.

"What happened to you? Your cloths are dirty!"

D*mn!

"I tripped on...a crack in the pavement," I lied. Derek laughed.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"You are! Your pathetic enough to trip on a crack?!"

I didn't speak as Derek continued to make fun of me as he walked away. I sighed and followed after him, then I caught sight of Bulldog walking up to me.

"I can tell you don't have any street smarts," he said to me.

"What?" I ask.

"You know; knowledge of urban life. You look to be more book smart to me."

I actually didn't have any knowledge of the cities or those other fancy educations, like what Bulldog said. Some things I learned from my master, and the rest I had to learn on my own.

"I'm afraid you need to get your eyes and ears checked," I said, "I told you that I never went to school, and do I look like a booksmart kind of guy??"

"No, you look more like a gentle yet defensive kind of guy."

Ok, this conversation was going no where fast. I'm starting to wonder who's really the smart one here. Bulldog just walked away from me, and I followed him, at a healthy distance, of course. That was before he stopped and turned to me.

"I know what it's like to try to survive without your family," he said, "I ran away from home when I was 6 years old because I couldn't stand the constant fights they were always getting into. That's when I met everyone here and we formed this gang. Anyone can leave us at any time." he continued, "we're not forcing you to stay. We're not forcing you to do anything. What you do is based upon your own choices, because it's your life. You better remember that, all right?"

Bulldog turned around and left right after finishing his talk, not giving me the chance to speak to him again. Why did he just tell me that? And more importantly, if his words were true, then why did he ask me to join his gang?

I continued to follow him until I saw an ally out of the corner of my eye. Before I knew it, my arm was grabbed and my back was forced onto the brick wall. I looked up and realized that it was Joseph. He had pressed his hands against my shoulders.

"You really think you have what it takes to be a member of this gang, don't ya?" His voice sounded like he intended to kill me.

"Well you listen here, Eric," I then heard Phil's voice, "we don't take kindly to weaklings, you hear?"

"What are you talking about?" I ask, only to have Joseph press harder on my shoulders. It was pretty painful.

"That," he said after seeing the look on my face, "either toughen up, or your history."

I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but before I could question him, I received a hard punch to my face, forcing me to the ground, followed by a kick to my ribs, and causing me to cry out.

"Now, see what we mean?" Phil asked, "If you don't learn to toughen up, then how do you expect to be a part of this group and survive?!"

I groaned, but I managed to speak, "Is that what this is all about?"

"Mark my words, Eric, if you do anything to mess up our gang, we will hunt you down, and you'll wish you'll never crossed paths with us!" Joseph said.

I didn't say a word to them as they left me lying in the ally. With my body throbbing, I tried to piece together what just happened. Before I could even move from my injured position, I saw Sparky standing in the corner of the ally entrance. Being cornered like this, I just tried to curl up and defend myself for whatever the punk had in store for me.

But he never made a move. He just stood there quietly, staring at me as if he was waiting for something to happen. Perhaps he was waiting for me to make the first punch, or did he think I was a weak guy, too?

"Those guys just beat you into submission," he told me.

I lowered my arms and didn't say a word, but he continued.

"They do that to new members because they don't think you guys are really capable of being in our gang, so they take advantage of you. Don't let them do that. Whenever possible, fight back!"

I somehow believed his words, "If I do that, wouldn't I betray them?"

"Look, Eric, Joseph and Phil don't care what happens to the new members," Sparky said, "to them, your just a poseur looking for a place to fit in. I doubt you can take those two by yourself."

I didn't speak.

"They will go out of their way to break you anyway they can. They did the same with my cousin, Derek, and believe me, you wouldn't want to know what he had to go through with those two."

It sounded like those two were actual criminals or something more dangerous.

"Does Bulldog know about them?" I ask, as I still couldn't move.

"No, he doesn't, and I wouldn't tell him, either, not unless you want those two to hunt you down like a dog and murder you." Sparky replied, "They will know you ratted on them, because as far as they know, you were the only one they saw here."

I could understand that Sparky didn't want to be in the middle of this, but at least he was warning me.

"I just don't understand; they seemed so..." I couldn't finish.

"Nice? Yeah right," the gang member said, "some people look good on the outside, but they're practically beasts on the inside."

Can't say I'm not one of them, literally.

"Just watch your back when it comes to them, all right? Do not tell them that I told you all this." he said to me, "if somehow they find out, you didn't hear it from me."

"Noted," I said.

"Its about to get dark, and you really wouldn't want to wander the streets at night."

Sparky walked off, but I still didn't move from my spot. Now I was scared to even face the two again. If I went to the hangout now...I just didn't want to think about what would happen. Instead of getting up, I laid there, my aching body curled in a fetal position. Slowly, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to get some rest. If the others worried about me later, Sparky would show them where I was.

But would they know if I was still alive in the morning? I didn't really give that much thought, yet at the same time, I didn't really give a d*mn, but now after that experience, I was frightened of them.

Despite Sparky's words, those two cousins got what they wanted.

[ganondorf2]

Ouch, nice job.

[The Melee Master]

Sheesh, I feel sorry for your guy, Shadow.

[Shadow Dragon]

I got the family mixed up. Joseph and Phil are brothers. Sparky and Derek are the cousins! It's been a couple years since I worked on this, again, so I do apologize for the delay, and any possible things that might not make sense here. I still have my roleplay story to work on, after all.

Chapter 8

Morning came along and I was still in the same position I was in last night; my legs pressed against my body and my arms wrapped around my legs. My body ached as I awoke; the sunlight stung my eyes so I shut them again. Slowly, I moved from the fetal position and laid on my back. I felt dizzy, not wanting to stand up, but I knew I had to eventually. The worst pain that landed on my body was in my ribs. While I was suprised I didn't recieve any broken bones, I was still bruised and aching, still having a hard time moving as it is. Slowly, I sat up, and waited a few more minutes before getting up and moving again. I was still sleepy, but at the same time, I was too angry to even go back to sleep. Using the brick wall to help support my balance, I shakily stood up from the cold cement ground.

With my body still throbbing with pain, I limped away from the ally and began my search for the gang, until I heard a voice ring in my ears, "Eric!"

I turned to the source to see Bulldog running toward me. He looked shocked as he saw the condition I was in. I had bruises on my arms and face, and a bit of dry blood along with them. My hair was a mess (more than usual) and my eyes were black and bloodshot from lack of sleep. Basically, I looked like a walking zombie.

"What the hell happened to you?" he asked.

"I..." I started, but was quickly inturrupted.

"Who did this to you?!"

I didn't want to tell him what really happened. Actually, I wanted to, but then I feared that would get me in even more trouble if the two found out. To my suprise, Bulldog quickly lifted me over his shoulders.

"Hey, what are you doing??" I ask.

"Well you don't look like you're in any shape to walk," he said to me, "and the quicker we get back to the others, the better."

Bulldog ran off as fast as he could, his arm wrapped around the back of my legs. This was embarassing; to be carried around town like this, but I got to admit, his loyalty was more than I expected from him. I think it was safe to assume that, despite being the more tough guy of the group, he was all right, unlike those backstabbers who beat me up in the ally last night. Still, a part of me said it was too soon to get comfortable. My body was screaming with pain, even though I myself remained quiet. Soon, I was getting annoyed, and spoke out to the leader.

"Bulldog, you can put me down," I said, "I can walk fine on my own!"

He did what I told him to, and I was able to stand, but not without staggering a little bit. I managed to catch myself on a building's outer wall to prevent from falling again.

"All right, let's go," he commanded as he took off.

I followed as fast as my legs allowed me to. It almost felt like they were going to give out any second, but I toughed it out. We went into the same back ally we came across when the hideout was destroyed. Finally, after getting to safety, I allowed myself to slide down the wall, tired from lack of sleep.

"It's about time you found him!" I heard Phil's voice, which in turn, made my blood boil with anger, but I managed to supress every bit of rage I had against the jerk.

"Yeah, we were starting to get worried." Joseph then said, in a mocking tone.

I shot a cold hard glare at the two brothers and snarled, "Listen you-"

"You look like you got ran over by a train, Eric!" Derek said, "What happened?"

"I got jumped, that's what happened!"

"By who?"

"Yeah, you never told me, and I was the first to ask," Bulldog said, then slammed his fist into the brick wall that I was leaning against, "I demand to know! No one get's away with hurting our partners!!"

Phil and Joseph looked at me like they were going to literally tear me apart if I spoke a word, but Bulldog had a look in his eyes telling me to speak the truth, or he'd do the same thing. I wanted to, but before I could, my body hit pavement.

"D*mn it, he passed out!" Bulldog said.

"Man that guy is weak," Phil said, rolling his eyes.

"Don't you talk about our new member that way, Phil. A few weeks of hanging with us, and he'll be just as tough as we are."

Derek grabbed and hosted me over his shoulder. The group took off, completly ignoring the onlookers who thought it was awfully suspicious to have someone carry a limp body around the city...

...especially since one of the members was still armed with a concealed gun.

---

The next thing I knew, my eyes met the blue sky above me. I didn't know how long I was out, but my body was still aching. I felt bandages wrapped around my shoulders, my torso, my stomach, and my arms. I guess I fainted on the count of the injuries I had, but who knows why it really happened. If I could only tell the leader the truth without letting the brothers know that I was the one who told. Easy right? I wish.

I know they only want to toughen me up, but I don't know how much more pain I can take in from them. I know Sparky told me to fight back, whatever the cost, but I...wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do. My mind was in a state of conflict of doing the right thing, or doing whatever insured my survival. That was the problem with having a human nature, as animals don't have to worry about doing the right thing. I found myself lying on pavement in an ally where we went to after our hideout was destroyed. I carefully stood up, trying to shake off the pain, and peeked out the corner of a brick wall. That's when I overheard Sparky and Derek talking to the two brothers.

"You'd better straighten up or your going to be disbanded from the group." I overheard Derek's voice.

"Oh yeah?" Phil said, "I don't think being disbanded will solve anything."

"Every time we have a new member in our gang, you and your dumbass bro always find some way to ruin things and make them leave, or be injured!" Sparky's voice was next, "Toughening them up by beating them to a pulp won't help anyone."

"C'mon, like you didn't do your share of beatings, Sparks?"

No answer was heard for a while.

"I learn from my mistakes," I later heard Sparky say, "and I can tell you two haven't yet. If Bulldog finds out about this, he's going to kill you two. But lucky for you lot, I'm not one to squeal."

"You better not." Joseph growled with a threatening tone in his voice, "And you tell Eric he better keep his mouth shut, too!"

Joseph and Phil left without saying another word. They were coming my way, so I had to make a run for it before they spotted me. I managed to hide behind a few trash cans, and luckily, they just walked past me. Derek and Sparky did the same and didn't notice me at all. The good news is: I can fully trust Derek and Sparky, but the bad news is: Joseph and Phil will still be a problem. Bulldog...I've yet to figure him out, so I think he'll be the one I'll keep an eye on for a while.

They beat up new members to toughen them up...? Well, that explains how they were found out, I guess.

A sudden tap on my shoulder almost made me jump out of my skin. Bulldog was standing behind me with something draped over his right arm.

"Here's your shirt," he said, handing it to me, "it's still wet from the broken hydrant I had to use, but you'll survive, won't ya?"

I slowly took the damp shirt in my hands and said, "Yeah, sure. Thanks."

Keeping the bandages wrapped around my body, I put my shirt back on and straightened it out as best as I could.

"I really wish you'd tell me what happened." he said.

I didn't speak.

"I don't want this incident to be repeated." he then looked over his shoulder, "The gang and I know where Joseph's and Phil's cousin lives, and she agreed to take us in for a while. Ya coming?"

"Uh, yeah sure," I said. Great, another blood family member. Hopefully, she won't be a jackass like her cousins. Bulldog left, and I tailed behind the leader.

---

By the time we finally reached a house, my legs felt like sheer lead. I didn't think anyone in the group had a driver's license, let alone knew how to drive in the first place. I sure as hell don't know how, not that I wanted to or anything. Money and gas were a huge issue when it comes to cars, at least that's what I heard from a lady at a drug store we stopped by on our way to the house. I was able to buy a pair of sunglasses with the money that Bulldog gave me. They looked good on me, but even if they didn't, I didn't care. I was just tired of the sun light getting into my eyes all the time. The place I live in, what the people here call Miami Florida, was very well known for it's sun and beaches, I guess. Right now, I just kept the glasses in my front jean pocket.

Joseph walked up to the door of the house and pressed a button, which I assumed it to be a doorbell after hearing it ring from the inside of the house.

A couple minutes of waiting, and there was no answer.

"Think she's gone out?" asked Derek.

"Doubtful, since the car is still here," answered Joseph.

I looked to my left, and indeed, a shiny red sports car sat in the driveway.

"D*mn it, where the hell is she?" asked Joseph.

So the woman left on such short notice. Why? Because of me? No, there was no time to start thinking like that. I had to keep my chin up, reguardless of this issue.

A heavy but angry sigh was heard from Joseph as he said, "Well guys, I hate to say this, but we're either gonna have to shell out some extra cash for a motel, or just tough it out here, cause it looks like my cousin really did step out."

"Without her car?" asked Sparky, picking at the wrapping on his arm where he had been shot a while ago.

"People can still walk, doofuss," joked Phil.

"Correction," said Bulldog, pointing out to a chainlink fence, "her bike is gone. Must've gone out for her paper delivery route. And Sparky, leave that wrap alone if you want your arm healed, for pete's sake!"

I didn't know people these days still do that. I usually see cars on the road more than anything, let alone see people throw papers at other people's doors.

"At this hour? Don't they usually do that in the mornings??" asked Phil.

"So what, do we wait here until he gets back?" I ask, disreguaridng Phil's question.

"It could be hours before he does," said Joseph, "let's just head back to the city. Better than to sit, wait, and be bored out of our skulls."

I couldn't argue with that.

---

After making it back to the city, Sparky and Derek broke away from the group and into a store. Afterwards, they came out with antibiotics, bandages, and a water bottle, which I assumed would be for Sparky's arm. We went back to an ally and the two took care of the wound. The bullet was taken out.

"D*mn it, hold still," said Derek as Sparky winced after having water poured onto the wound.

I just couldn't watch this. I've seen more than enough blood as it is. The two manage to wrap the wound up, and Sparky pulled his shirt sleeve down, covering up half the bandage.

"You all right now?" asked Bulldog.

"Yeah," he replied, "I'll be fine, thanks."

Lucky for us, there were still extra bandages and medications left over. In the future, they would be very useful in case something were to happen, and judging by what I've seen so far, I have no doubt in my mind that something can and will happen.

[ganondorf2]

Nicely done! It was worth the wait.

[Shadow Dragon]

Thanks. I worked on this for two nights straight. I kind of rushed it, even though it doesn't look rushed. Just take my word for it.

And I won't apologize for being a dark writer, especially since I wrote the last part while feeling sad myself. You've known me for years, so you should know by now how my writing style is.

Chapter 9

My body was beginning to feel much better after a few hours, though I still had some visible bruises. The bandages were restricting most of my movement; I couldn't bend my arms or waist very well. But for the rest of the day, I simply kept to myself, not saying a word to anyone, unless they talk to me first.

I slowly and lightly moved my fingernails over my arm bandage for a bit, just out of boredom.

"Don't do that," said Bulldog, "you want your arm healed, you'll need to leave it alone until we can change out your bandages."

I still didn't speak, but I complied to the leader. Though I still couldn't see how wrapping my upper body would help my bruises at all. Maybe to protect them from being hit, or something? I didn't bother asking about it, thinking it was no big deal.

Sparky's arm was a bigger deal than mine. I only had bruises and cuts. He took a bullet to the arm. I'd say that was the most cause for attention. He had his bandages changed out and medicine put on every couple hours.

The sun's heat above was beating down on all of us. The sweat dripping down my body wasn't doing any favors for my wounds.

"I think there's a bar in this area where we can go and cool down for a while," said Bulldog, "maybe we can get something to eat while we're at it."

"How much money we got left?" asked Derek.

"I'm too hot to count it right now," said Phil, sweat dripping down the back of his neck.

"Maybe if you would cut your hair, hippie, you wouldn't be so hot." teased Derek.

"Hey hey hey, don't you be making fun of my hair style!"

For once, I had to agree with Derek on that, but I didn't say anything out loud. I know there's a time and place to speak.

"Uh...maybe I could go for a haircut, but I don't know about spending the money." he said.

"I hear ya," said Phil about his own long hair.

"I know a barber who gives haircuts for a good price," said Bulldog, "I can set you up, if you want."

"Thanks, man!"

"Yeah, sure." said Derek.

OK, so while Bulldog took the two away, I was left with Joseph and Sparky. Speaking of which, curiosity struck me, and I turned to him.

"Hey, Sparky, is that your real name, or just a nickname?"

"Nah man, Sparky's a nickname I got from Bulldog," he said, "my real name's Shawn Jaylin, but I'd rather be called Sparky, if you don't mind."

"I can respect that," I said, "and Bulldog?"

"Frank Thurman, but you better not call him that either," said Sparky, "he actually abandoned his real name for a very private reason."

"Ok..." I said with a bit of hesitation.

"I mean it dude, don't tell him I told you this!"

"All right, I won't,"

"Thank you."

"The rest of us kept our names," said Derek, "we don't see the point in having nicknames, really."

"Speak for yourself," I thought.

The sound of a gunshot was heard not too far from here, and soon enough, the people who were just casually walking up and down the street, went into a frenzy of panic.

"Sh*t, not again!" said Derek.

"How the hell did they find us this time?!" asked Sparky.

What? Who found us?

"We need to get out of here!" a voice was heard from behind us. Bulldog and the others were seen running toward us.

"What's going on?!" I ask.

"A few members of our rival gang found us," he replied, "we need to move, NOW!"

Everyone took off and I just followed. This is just great. If we had guns stashed away, why not use them instead of running away like cowards? Bulldog answered before I was able to even ask.

"They're the ones who threw that bomb in our hideout," he panted, still running, "they...they're a lot more dangerous than you might think. Don't ask questions, just keep running!"

We were soon run into an ally. I looked around to see nothing but walls all around us.

"Dammit, those goons got us cornered!" said Derek.

"Well, look who's here," a voice said.

I could see a few men on the outside of the ally, all dressed in black leather and steel boots. I could recognize them as the same goons who destroyed our hideout the other day. The group had the same number of members as ours, but they looked tougher, and more vicious.

"Back off, we don't want any trouble," said Bulldog.

"Really?" one of the rival members asked, "Because you caused us a lot of trouble back at Fort Lauderdale two weeks ago, don't ya remember, puppy?"

"Wow, what a comeback," I thought sarcastically. Other than that, I remained quiet.

"I see you got fresh meat," another said, pushing the rest of the Black Blood aside and walking over to me. He managed to get so close, my back was pinned to the wall; the knife in my back pocket could easily be felt, but I couldn't grab it right away.

"So...who are you?" he asked.

"Leave him alone, Greg," said Derek.

"No, no, I'm curious. I mean, I would like to get to know this guy a little more. What's your name?"

I didn't answer, which made the guy turn around, facing our gang leader.

"You're losing your touch, Bulldog," he said, "this guy doesn't look like Blackblood material at all."

"That's what you think, Greg," said Bulldog in a stern voice.

My fight or flight responses were getting to me. I knew this guy was going to pull something, unless I made the first move. I shoved the guy away from me, who then grabbed me by my shirt, and threw me against the brick wall. My head was struck, and I fell to the ground. It didn't knock me out, but it stunned me enough that I couldn't get myself to move.

"You put some of our members in jail, even killed a few," a guy said, "well, how would you like it if you lose anymore of your friends, Bulldog?!"

The guy pulled out a knife, attempting to stab my neck, but I managed to get myself together and roll out of the way, and the knife hit concrete. The other members of my gang went all out with the opposite.

So it was revenge they were after.

I notice one of the opposite members run away, attempting to flee. I followed in pursuit, and managed to catch up with him. He turned around and said, "I'm armed. Don't come any closer!"

I looked at his right hand to see a bloody knife clinched in it. Then I heard a gunshot, followed by a scream. The sound of one of OUR own. I turned tail and ran, to see what was going on and if anyone was all right, but was grabbed by the neck and thrown down. The guy managed to pin me, placing the blade across my throat.

"You're not going anywhere," he hissed.

I kicked him off and stood, then took off running without hesitation. As I reached the gang at last, I felt my blood freeze when I heard a gunshot and one of our own fall to the ground. The scent of blood filled my nose, and it was a strong scent. I ran for the group as fast as my legs could take me. Some of the opposite members had scattered away, and several others were lying on the ground, apparently dead. I ran and jumped onto the guy who injured Joseph, and both of us began to duke it out, but I was so angry, I couldn't think straight. My anger, mixed with the instinct to insure my own survival, I delivered a few punches to his face. After I feel he's had enough, I took the gun out of his hand, pointed it to his face, and pulled the trigger.

Nothing happened.

It seems the gun was out of ammunition. He threw me off and we both got into another fist fight. I managed to swipe myself behind him and wrap my arm around his neck, trying to get him to submit. The two of us were knocked into a few trash cans, knocking them over, and we were on the ground. The guy was trying to throw me off, but I held on with all my might. I reached for my pocket knife, only to find it laying on the other side of us. It must've flew out of my pocket without my knowledge, so instead, I wrapped my hands around his neck, and he began to struggle to break free of my grip. Eventually, I could hear him trying to take in a breath, but I still wouldn't let go. My anger was in full control now. As I tightened my grip on his neck, his body grew weaker from underneath me. I could see that his struggling was slowing down. He made several ragged gasps before I further tightened my grip, trying to break his neck, and my eyes blood red from anger. Finally, his chest stopped moving as his expression calmed, and his head dropped to the side. I waited a while, thinking he had finally submitted. I released my grip from his neck, but he didn't respond.

At first, I didn't know what was going on. I then found out that the guy wasn't breathing, and he wasn't moving; his eyes were still opened up, but they were deprived of life. Wait... Was he...dead? Really?? After checking for any vital signs, it was very well confirmed that he was. I...had actually just committed my first murder by strangulation.

"Eric?" I heard Phil's voice say.

I turned my head to see him rush over to me, "Are you all ri-" it was then he saw the guy's body, "you did this??"

I couldn't speak. Instead, I quickly got off the guy's body and dragged myself away from him. Phil looked around, and I could hear a small cry of terror when he noticed Joseph, who was lying on the ground. Phil inched his way toward his brother, and saw that he was in the same condition: lifeless, staring at nothing, and bleeding out.

"Joseph??" Phil spoke, but no answer came.

Phil carefully picked up Joseph's body and studied him for a while. Indeed, no signs of life were evident, though a wound in his chest could clearly be seen. That was the sound I heard, the sound of a gunshot.

After what I've done, I failed to save Joseph at the end. Phil let out a scream and pressed his forehead against his dead brother's. I could hear him crying, so I tried to calm him, after getting off and away from the carnage I caused.

"Phil," I spoke up.

No answer.

"Phil, I'm sorry," I said again, "I tried to save him, I really did."

"Shut up," he hissed, "just shut the f*ck up, Eric!"

I flinched at that. He couldn't of been mad at me because I was telling the truth.

"Phil, I-" I reached my hand out, but was slapped back. Why the hell was he mad at ME? Didn't he see me kill the d*mn guy who killed his brother?!

"Get away from me!!" he screamed, taking out his gun, but before he had the chance to shoot it off, Bulldog ran to him and kicked it out of his hand.

Startled, Phil looked at the leader.

"Is this any way to handle the situation?" he asked.

Phil didn't answer.

"I...I tried to save him, Bulldog," I said shakily.

Phil sharply turned to me and barked, "No, you didn't! You fled! You fled just when Joseph needed help, you filthy son of a b*tch!"

"I was going after a rival member!!" I then shouted back, "I didn't know this would happen!!!"

He stood and managed to tackle me back down on the ground. The two of us thrashed around before Bulldog had to step in and pull us apart with sheer force.

"That's enough, both of you!!" he yelled.

We both scooted away from one another, staring and panting. There was a minute of silence before Phil slammed his fists into the ground and cried.

"This isn't the place to talk right now." Bulldog walked over and lifted Joseph's body over his shoulder, "Everyone else ran to safety, and right now, they're worried about us, so let's-"

He took a look at Joseph's body, and shook his head.

"Let's just get out of here," he finished, not knowing what to say about it, "and if I catch you two duking it out again, I'll settle it MY way, and believe me, you wouldn't want that."

He left, and after Phil regained his composure, he followed after him. I trailed behind the two, with Phil occasionally looking back at me. He was either still furious, or thinking I was going to do something behind his back, which I wasn't.

---

After making it back to the gang, I had the chance to explain my side of the story to the gang leader.

"...And that's what happened," I said, "Bulldog, I swear, if I-"

"Eric, be quiet for a second," he said to me in a stern voice, "whatever happened to Joseph was not your fault! You did everything you could, even took revenge to the guy who killed him. There was nothing you could've done, no matter what his brother said to you."

Bulldog didn't seem to be very upset about all this. Guess he's the type to move on very quickly. Either that, or he had been in so many of these kind of situations, that he might be use to it. I didn't know for sure. I decided to go out to get some fresh air, to clear my head a little. That's when I was taken by surprise when I felt myself being grabbed by Phil, who then threw me to the ground.

"Hey, hey, stop this!!" shouted Bulldog, but to no avail.

After receiving a few blows in the chest and stomach, I managed to get back on my feet and roundhouse kick Phil in the face, knocking him over. Unable to take it anymore, I rushed over and kicked his face in multiple times, in an attempt to release my anger.

"Eric, that's enough!!" shouted Bulldog as he and Sparky grabbed the two of us and pulled us apart.

We looked at one another, both of us panting and wounded. Phil had that look in his eyes saying 'I told you so', about it being my fault, especially since I started the fight.

That must be it.

Unable to take it anymore, I struggled out of Bulldog's grip and ran away, to get away from everyone, and to get away from the pain and guilt. I ran blindly, but I didn't know where I wanted to go to find refuge from all the hurt, maybe not from the physical sense, but the emotional sense. Suddenly, I saw an abandoned, run down drug store, and I entered it without even thinking.

---

I felt so bad about what had happened earlier, that I couldn't sleep that night. The distant wailing of police sirens filled my ears as I shifted into a more comfortable position against the store wall, sitting down. I guess the police were called about the earlier fight. I don't know.

Phil was right, actually. It was my fault his brother was dead. Had I have rushed out to stop that guy, I could've saved him. But no, I was being controlled by my own fear of dying, to save my own skin rather than to throw it away for someone else's sake. That was either a smart move, considering that I still don't know the group well, or a very selfish move. Whatever it was, it continued to play me like a broken record.

"Hey man, you all right?" I heard Derek's voice beside me.

I gasped and turned to him.

"Leave me alone!" I growled, but he looked as though he was worried about me.

"I want you to listen to me, Eric," he said with a stern voice, "Disregard what Phil said to you. What happened to Joseph was not your fault."

"I've heard that from Bulldog; I don't need to hear it from you, too," I said, as I couldn't get myself to believe such a thing, no matter how hard I tried.

"I'm sure Phil knows it wasn't your fault, too. He's just taking his feelings out on anyone he can. He did it to me after you left, too." he said, as it was evident by his black left eye, "Don't let any of the sh*t he said go to your head, understand?"

I turned away from him, still too upset to even speak to him at the moment.

"Eric?"

I tried to keep in mind about what he said. Don't let it go to my head. Yeah right. I'm afraid that's easier said than done. I stayed in the building for quite a while, afraid to go back to the group because of Phil, despite what Derek had said to me. Hell, I didn't really care what he said.

A familiar, emotional feeling came over me, and tears were already filling my eyes.

"Hey," said, Derek as he turned to me.

"I'm fine," I lied. The feeling of guilt was tearing me apart, "I'm just..." Eventually, I pulled my knees to my chest, pressing my face against them and broke down crying, though I managed to speak out through sobs, "I'm just not feeling well."

Sadness and crying were still very new to me, so I couldn't properly control it just yet, and mix that with the situation itself...it became more than I could possibly handle. I've already suffered the loss of my home, and now the loss of one of my friends. How much more of this must I go through?!

I could sense that Derek understood exactly how I felt. He quietly walked away without questioning me, probably to give me some time for myself. After all the crap I've been through, this release was needed for me right now. Eventually, I've exhausted myself. My head pounded, my eyes were burning, and my throat was dry. I was still a bit depressed, but I couldn't shed anymore tears. My body wouldn't let me. After a few minutes, I started to feel a bit better. Sure, I was still upset about what had happened to Joseph and the situation, but...still...

Now I was faced with another issue: trying to move on after everything that's happened.

[ganondorf2]

Wow, that moved me there.

[Shadow Dragon]

Then I guess I did something right there, huh?

Hmm, perhaps I was too quick to kill Joseph off, but the gang fight is what happened in a dream I had one night, so I knew I had to add it to the story eventually. Bear in mind that I haven't touched this story in a long ass time, so I'm sorry if it seems rushed or whatever.


Chapter 10

The sleepless night has completed its cycle, and the sun’s light was beating down on the city. I had decided to stay the ally, again, and sleep behind a few trashcans. I just didn’t have the courage to go back to everyone that night. Slowly, I attempted to move my aching body, feeling my wounds begin to pull apart. It stung, but I managed to stand with the help of a brick wall for support. As I slowly walked out of the ally, I gathered the courage to go back to the gang, and met with a crime scene that the police had made, after they had shown up. Both Joseph's and the other gang’s dead members bodies were put in body bags loaded up onto flat beds with wheels. I didn’t know what they plan to do with them, nor did I ask about it.

Turning my head, I could see Bulldog having a discussion with the authorities over the issue. I brushed it off and moved my way through a crowd of people who were watching, to find the rest of the gang. Far from the bloodied area, I found them sitting on a curb near the road. They looked like they hadn’t moved on from the event last night, either. As soon as I built up enough courage, I made my way back to the group.

Everyone was quiet.

Sparky was the first to notice me, however. As he looked up and met me eye to eye, he spoke gently, "We thought that, after what happened, you’d leave us for good."

I shook my head, which began to throb, but I ignored it. I was thinking about doing just that, actually, but...I don’t know. Phil purposely didn't acknowledge me, so in turn; I didn't speak or even look at him.

"Are you all right, Eric?" asked the leader of the BlackBlood, who walked in from behind me.

I nodded without saying a word. I didn't get much sleep last night, as I said. In fact, the event scared me so bad that I might have trouble sleeping for a while now, not just because nightmares might plague my mind, but I’ll be worried for my own personal safety. Emotional wise, I'll get over it, I mean, but I just couldn't keep doing this. Even though I had nowhere else to go, if this is how I'll live my life, to be put in danger every single day, then I'll have to think of something quickly. Anything would be better than this living hell.

But he spoke before I had the chance.

"I just had a talk with the police," he said to everyone, "they need all of us to head to the station and explain."

"Oh, screw that!" said Sparky, almost raising his voice, "I am NOT going to jail again!"

Wait, did he just say 'again'?! So, how many times has he been arrested, and for what? Or do I even want to know??

"It's OK,” he raised his hands, “for once; we're not in any trouble."

"But before we do that," said Derek, turning to me. I flinched, then saw that he had retained the black eye from last night.

"Eric, Sparky told Bulldog he saw you and the 'dumb-brothers' beating you up at the ally," he said in a heavy tone, "why didn't you say anything?! You could have ratted them out!"

Again, I didn’t speak, then Bulldog gave me a look saying 'you should've told me'. I just blinked and kept my mouth shut. Bulldog sighed heavily and turned to Phil, grabbing him by the shirt collar and slamming him against a brick wall of an old building.

"Hey man, what the hell?!" he protested.

"I know you're hurting, Phillip, but what you and your brother did to Eric that night was inexcusable." said Bulldog, "I know I can't punish Joseph now, so yours will be doubled later.” He shoved him away, “The police are going to take the bodies to a morgue, and while that’s being done, right now, we're seriously being expected down at the police station ASAP."

Ok, so I couldn't bring myself to leave them. I just couldn't do it. I owe them for everything they have done for me, even though I got beat down before. Besides, if I leave now, then where would I go? I haven't planned that far ahead just yet.

---

The talk with the police took over an hour, maybe two hours, but thank god it was done now. Bulldog had explained the entire situation he had with the other group, well, minus the things that got the Black Bloods in trouble before, of course. We got off easier than I expected, but were warned that any more troubles like that again, and all of us would get a 5 year prison sentence. Personally, I thought that was a little extreme, and I really don't believe I'll do well in jail, either.

The police did ask Phil what to do with his brother's body. I think I heard him say 'let me have a word with Anna', but I wasn't sure. Who's Anna? Was she his female cousin who has the paper delivery job? I don't know what difference that would make, really, but I didn't question him. He's been through enough, and so have I and the rest of the gang, a reason for us to move on now.

I was never able to retrieve my pocketknife either. I wouldn’t doubt that the police took it for evidence, but I didn't worry about that anymore. Hell, I've killed a guy with my bare hands, for pete's sake! I still think I should have some kind of weapon, though, maybe something more powerful than a mere knife, but I'll think about that when the time comes.

"Well guys," I heard Bulldog say, "other than that earlier hell, we don't have any money left since we used it all on supplies for our wounds.”

That very well reminded me to change out my own bandages once I get the chance.

"I'll go see if my cousin's back from her job," said Phil, walking away.

"Phil-" said Bulldog, but he was quickly interrupted.

"She's family, Frank," I was surprised when Phil mentioned the leader's real name, who in return, gave Phil a disgruntled look, "I have to tell her."

Wait, I thought Bulldog said no one knew his real name anyway. I wonder if he lied about that to prevent me from asking around. Oh well.

All of us watched Phil walk away, and the leader himself didn't even bother to stop him after that. Surely, he wasn't scared after getting a black eye from him, was he? No, I'm pretty sure he wasn't. Maybe it was just a respect of space at this time.

---

While the rest of us left Phil alone for a while to look for his cousin, we walked around the city to burn up some daylight. I'd say it was probably around 12 in the afternoon at this time, at least judging by the sun's position. No, I didn’t have a watch or planned to get one.

With our tattered and bloodied clothing, I couldn't help but notice other people giving us strange and fearful looks. I could even feel some nervousness from them, even from Sparky and Bulldog. You'd think in a town like this, the onlookers would be used to this sort of thing.

Eventually, we sat down on some benches at a local park to rest for a while. Bulldog was looking around for Phil; while I got curious and watched some of the other humans at the park do some various activities: throwing a disc around for others to catch, walking dogs, and some even jogging with headphones on.

Phil managed to catch up with the rest of us, as Bulldog saw him walking on a sidewalk, coming toward us.

"So how'd it go with your cousin?" asked the leader.

"She made it back home around 11 pm last night," said Phil, "she...well, she-"

"Didn't take the news well, huh?" asked Derek.

"No." he answered, shaking his head, "She's a complete wreck. I just had to leave her alone."

As bad as I felt, I didn't want to risk saying anything about it.

"Later, she and I are going to decide what to do with Joseph’s body, and it'll be just us, so I don't want anyone tagging along."

"We understand," said the leader gently.

In an attempt to take his mind off it, Phil walked away, saying, "And maybe later, I'll hit the bar and have a few drinks afterwards.”

“Hey hey hey,” shouted Derek, standing up and grabbing Phil’s shoulder, forcefully turning him around, “you’re not going to blow off your remaining money getting drunk out the ass, you hear me?!”

Phil shoved him away, saying angrily, “Don’t you tell me what I can and can’t do, man!”

Bulldog didn’t bother to intervene, unless a fight was to break out. Luckily, that didn’t happen. Phil threw his hair behind his shoulders, straightened out his jacket, and walked away from us, not saying another word.

“I swear, if he comes back and he’s walking funny, I’ll beat that funny walk right out of him,” Derek said.

“Derek...” Bulldog warned.

“What?! I know he’s upset; we’re all upset, but getting wasted isn’t going to help any of us get over what happened!”

Right now, if I had to stay with a gang, then I couldn’t be happier to be with one who doesn’t resort to drugs and alcohol for everything, for the most part, though smoking was still an issue with most of them. Luckily, I never took up the disgusting habit. I mean, what purpose would it truly serve? I know there are other, safer ways to get rid of unwanted stress. I also had to agree with Derek’s statement, but I kept my mouth shut anyway. As I said, there are other ways to resolve stress.

“I’m not waiting any longer,” he said with a huff, “I’m going to go find and drag his ass back here.”

“No, Derek, leave him be,” said Sparky.

“Well, in the meantime, we need to come up with a plan,” said Bulldog, “Eric, what do you think we should do?”

My ears didn’t catch Bulldog’s words as I was deep in my own thoughts. The memories of that night, the night I lost my home, came back to me. I clinched my eyes shut, I an attempt to shake it off.

“Eric, you all right??”

Bulldog’s voice snapped me out of it and I opened my eyes. Comparing the loss of a friend to the loss of my home...why the hell would I do that??

“Eric,” I felt Sparky’s hand drop on my left shoulder, and I flinched from the sudden pain, “what’s wrong?”

I lied to him and just shook my head.

“Well,” he took his hand off, “Right now, we need to come up with a plan, so... I got enough pocket change to fetch all of us something to eat, but nothing fancy, so about it?”

“What you got in in mind, Sparky?” asked Bulldog.

“Just some burgers or dogs at a fast food place down the street...” he sounded like he was ashamed.

“Ugh, no offense, dude, but I’m sick of ground meat, and...whatever the hell’s in a hotdog,” said Derek, scratching his head.

Sparky snapped at him, “Well, I don’t hear you coming up with suggestions!”

“We can’t afford anything too fancy, as stated once already, so we’ll have to make do with whatever we got,” Bulldog said, “now, we had burgers the other day, so...how about we each split a large pizza?”

“Oh all right, I got just enough for one large pizza, anyway,”

Wait, what was a pizza again? Oh well, I’ll find out, hopefully better than that overcooked burger I had the other day.

“All right then, it’s settled.” said Bulldog, “We’ll go to the nearest pizza place instead of arguing what we all want. There’s no time for that.”

“Fine, fine,” Sparky said.

“What kind of pizza parlors are here in Miami, anyway?” Derek asked.

“Too many to name right off the bat,” Bulldog admitted, “so as I said, we’ll just settle for the nearest one, first one we happen to pass by.”

“Yeah, most of them serve good pizza, so we’re not picky,”

I could see Bulldog playfully giving him a look saying ‘yeah right’.

“Let’s keep it simple and basic,” he said, “how does pepperoni sound?”

“Pepperoni is everyone’s favorite, so I’m down with it,” Sparky said.

“You know me, Dog, I’m game for any pizza as long as it doesn’t contain olives,” Derek mentioned.

“Yeah, I remember you being allergic to olives,” said the leader.

“Can we add goat cheese instead of the usual?” said Sparky again.

“No, not again!” Derek barked, “I want applewood this time!”

Sparky and Bulldog looked at Derek with a dumbfounded look on their faces, making him shrug his shoulders, “What?!”

“Who puts applewood cheese on pizza??” asked Sparky.

Well, so much for simplicity.

“OK, you know what?” Bulldog decided enough was enough, “We’ll just get the usual! A pepperoni pizza with mozzarella cheese, once again. It’s original, but it’s a d*mn good one.”

“Whatever,” both Sparky and Derek said to Bulldog as I turned back around to face them.

I could already tell that this was going to be a very long day.

---

Derek, Sparky, and I, went outside the parlor as Bulldog stayed inside and waited for the pizza to be complete. The two cousins stood around, Derek was leaned up against a streetlight, while Sparky had his hands in his jacket pockets, standing around.

I was sitting near the curb staring into the street where several cars came and went. Soon, I could feel a little uneasiness. I quickly turned around, but nothing was there; nothing but the pizza building behind me.

I don’t know how long I’ve sat here. I’d say almost an hour. How long does it take for a pizza to be finished up, anyway?? I was ready to head into the building myself and ask what’s taking so long, when Derek called out, “Phil?”

Indeed, Phil was walking, or stumbling rather, toward us.

“Hi there!” he said back, and fell flat on his face. I cringed at the sight, and Derek grabbed his arms to help him back on his feet.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Neva betta,” he said, his speech slurred somewhat, “neva...ugh, my head...”

Bulldog came out from behind me with two boxes of fresh pizza in hand, but when he saw the condition that Phil was in, he was close to dropping the boxes.

“There you are!” he said, handing the pizza to me and forcefully grabbing his gang mate, “Where the hell have you been?!”

“Let meh go!” Phil attempted to take a swing at the leader, but missed and stumbled.

“Oh no, Phil, you didn’t!” he said as he released him.

“What’s wrong?” Derek asked.

“Isn’t it obvious enough?” he replied, shoving Phil to the ground “The bastard got himself drunk!”

Phil shook his fist in the air as he stated, “I ain’t drunk, ya hear meh?” it was almost as if the fall didn’t affect him, “I...I am...”

“You’re what, an idiot??” screeched Derek, “Yeah, we all know that!”

Phil ran at Derek in an attempt to lay the beat-down on him, but was forcefully grabbed by Bulldog by the back of his neck, before putting him in a headlock and began dragging him, “Let’s just go before he does something even more stupid.”

I just shook my head and rolled my eyes. As I watched the leader walk away, still having Phil in a headlock, I knew that was the first time I’ve ever seen anyone drunk before, which lead to my curiosity being in the danger zone. I wonder what it feels like... Nah, Bulldog’s mad at Phil right now, so I’ll give it a try later when he’s calmed down. I didn't want to get into any more trouble.

Still not bothering to say a single word, I waited a few seconds before tailing behind the gang.

[ganondorf2]

That was amusing! XD

[Shadow Dragon]

Thank you, I try! And yes, I'm still, very slowly, working on this, so don't think even for a second that I've given up.

Chapter 11

I had no clue as to where we were going at the time, but I continued to follow without a second thought. Eventually, we made our way toward another bricked off ally. It was then that Bulldog slammed Phil into the chain-link fence, forcing him to bounce off it and onto the ground. He then grabbed Phil and threw him against the brick wall, and again, he fell to the ground soon after.

"Thought you'd get away with what you've done, didn't you?" hissed the leader, "I told you what would happen if you pulled that stunt with one of our own again!"

"I was-" Phil lied, struggled to stand, "toughening him up!"

"Bullsh*t!!" the leader bellowed out, his face bright red, "bull.f*cking.sh*t!"

The rest of us stood back, as we knew better than to get in between the leader and his temper, even when he was beating up his own gang members. I just stood back because everyone else was. Bulldog then threw Phil down onto the hard pavement.

"Let that be a lesson to you, son of a b*tch! I know I can no longer punish Joseph, so yours will be doubled the moment you sober up!"

Phil just laid there, curled up and shaking, but wasn't crying. I felt a little sorry for Phillip, but at the same time, I can't say the bastard didn't deserve all this bad treatment. Losing a family member was no excuse for his behavior. After all, I knew how it felt, to lose someone you cared for. That was still no reason to take it out on others, despite what I've done.

"Now get up!" said the leader, "You reek of alcohol and cigarettes and its making me sick! Oh, and if I ever catch you or even hear from anyone else in the gang of you beating up one of our own, you'll be walking with a limp for the rest of your life! Understand?!" Then to us, "And that goes for the rest of you!"

We didn't say anything. Phil didn't make a response, which made Bulldog sigh and grab his friend by the arm, "Get up, will ya?" But then he was shoved aside.

Ignoring the rest of the commotion, I took a slice myself and sat back in the corner, taking a small bite. I wasn't really that hungry, but it'd be rude not to eat it after going through the trouble of deciding, and then having our leader pay for the whole thing. Besides, I knew I'd regret it if I didn't have anything in my stomach right now. The taste was all right, could've used some more meat, but at least it was much better than the charred burger from yesterday. That much, I have to give it credit for.

I then look out the corner of my eye to see Phil limping back toward us. He slammed his back against the brick wall and slid down. He remained stationary as he stared at the brick wall on the opposite side.

"Hey Phil, there's still plenty of pizza left, you want some?" asked Derek.

Phil didn't make a motion toward him, let alone a reply. He just took out a cigerate and lit it, storing the lighter away afterward.

"C'mon man, you gotta eat something," said Sparky to Phil, "especially after drinking so heavily like you did. You don't wanna get sick, do you?"

"Nah, not possible," said Derek, "he's smoking, so he's fine."

Phil shot a glare in Derek's direction, "What was that?"

"You heard me,"

"Don't you start with me now,"

"Oh yeah? Me fight a drunk bastard like you? Ha!" Derek said.

"Please, motherf*cker, I can run circles around your ass right now and all day, if I wanted,"

"Oh yeah?!"

"Yeah!!"

"Well then, come at me!"

"Shut up, both of you!" Bulldog commanded, "Don't make me go after your ass again!"

Phil let out a huff, expelling a cloud of smoke, and ignored everyone now. All the arguing finally hit it's mark for me, but I didn't do or say anything. My stomach churned, so I continued to eat. Now I see what the hype for pizza was all about. And yes, it was better than the overcooked burger from the other day. 

Phil tossed the cig butt onto the ground, got up, and walked over to grab a slice himself, but not before snatching the pizza out of my hands and smearing it against the wall, sneering at me as he did. I looked at him in shock, but he retained the angry yet smug look on his face, as if he was proud of what he did. If looks could kill, I'd probably be dead right now.

How long is this going to go on for? Drunk or sober, his attitude toward me obviously didn't change.

"You jackass!" said Derek, fighting to remain stationary.

The only response he and I received was Phil flipping us off, or rather flipping ME off more than anything. Derek quickly grabbed the last slice of pizza from the box and offered it to me. I looked at Derek for a moment, and after a nod of thanks, I slowly took the food and bit into it.

I know humans have to cook their meat to eat it, but sometimes, I miss the taste of raw, fresh meat. Too bad I can't eat raw meat in this form. I've tried, and it was terrible, but more importantly, my immune system in human form can't handle it. What a horrible feeling, and I DID swear I'd never make that mistake again. It wasn't worth getting ill over.

I could see Derek keeping an eye on Phil in case he repeated that move toward me.

"After you all get your fill, we gotta keep moving," said the leader.

"Hold on," countered Derek, turning to Bulldog, "but we've just-"

"An event like last night isn't without it's repercussions," Bulldog explained, "surely, the others will be back to retaliate."

"An eye for an eye, 'Dog," said Sparky, "they killed one of our own, so we killed one of them! So what's the matter??"

I nearly choked on my pizza hearing that. Is that really their way of thinking? How blackhearted could they possibly be?

"What's the matter?" countered Bulldog, "The problem is that after such a fight, I'm sure they'll be back. Remember, they were after us last night because one of their own was killed by one of us way back when, so..."

"So they'll retaliate even harder this time," finished Sparky.

"Exactly!"

"Shouldn't WE be the ones after THEM for killing Joseph?"

"I wish it were that simple, Shawn," Bulldog mentioned Sparky's real name, "but with THEM, it's a different story, remember?"

"I say throw Eric in with the wolves and the rest of us get out of here," said Phil, "HE'S the one who strangled the guy to death, not US!"

I sneered at him for that remark, but he didn't appear to be phased.

"You KNOW he did that to avenge your brother!" said Derek.

"NOT REALLY 'AVENGING' WHEN JOSEPH WAS ALREADY DEAD, YOU DUMB-F*CK!!"

Everyone silenced themselves right then and there, not knowing what else to say. I clinched my fists hard, trying to prevent myself from getting upset again. Now wasn't the time.

Phil quickly changed the subject.

"Fine, fine, I'll go back and see if Anna's still home. Surely, she's had enough time to let everything sink in by now," Phil didn't sound happy about it at all, but who can blame him?

Phil then walked away, and the rest of us followed after him. After I calmed myself, my head was swimming in doubt. What if Phil bent the truth and said that I was responsible for her cousin's death? What if she despised me as much as Phil did right now?

What if...?

I shook my head to clear that thought away. Like I said, I don't blame Phil for being upset, especially with me for my hesitation, and even I know I had just enough time to prevent it all. I don't even count what I've done as 'avenging' Joseph, because I had no idea he was the one shot before I took off for the killer. I did see him get his neck sliced open, but even so, he was still alive after that, and probably even had a chance to survive with medical attention. The gunshot just finished him off, and I could tell he died instantly from it. After all, they could've just left him to bleed out from the knife attack, but obviously, they didn't.

Vengeance wasn't really my forte, not now anyway, but I wonder if Phil feels the same. Whether he'd go after the remaining rival gang members...or come back after me when I least expected it. They were brothers, after all, and I'm sure losing a brother hurts just as bad, if not worse, than losing a friend...right? Although I guess he was my brother too, seeing that they took me in and everything...right?? Kind of hard to think like that after being beaten to a pulp by the guy.

No, now's not the time to think like that.

It's done. It's over. Nothing is going to rewind the tragedy and nothing is going to bring Joseph back, no matter how hard we wish for it.

"What's wrong, Eric?" asked Derek, snapping me out of my thoughts, "Cat got your tongue? You haven't said a word all day."

And it took them how long to notice that, exactly?

"Eventually, you're gonna have to grow some thick skin, dude,"

"Derek-" Bulldog was stopped.

"No, 'dog, even you know it's true! If he becomes traumatized with every shootout that happens, with every bad thing here, then he obviously don't have what it takes to survive out here in the streets! He won't live long enough to see next year, I'm sure."

"You got me there," then Bulldog turned to me, "Sorry, Eric, but he's right."

"The more you hang around with us, the more street-smarts you'll gain, and the more street-smarts you gain, the more you have what it takes to survive out here." Derek told me, "Otherwise, today may very well be your last day before kicking the bucket."

I still didn't say anything.

"You can't go around feeling sorry for yourself all the time. You want to make up for what happened back there? Then I repeat: grow some thick skin and when the time comes, don't second-guess it: just act!" Derek then walked away, saying, "I'll be right back; I gotta talk to Phil."

Bulldog and Sparky didn't say anything, but I could tell they had their eyes on me.

I placed my hand on the brick wall and pressed my head against it, sighing. He was right, though: I have GOT to pull myself together and move on, and as much as I don't want another bloodshed like that to happen, nor have blood on my hands again, it's inevitable. If I'm to protect those I care about, I have to toughen up and do the job.

If I have to kill to protect, then so be it, and I'll deal with the consequences later.

"Eric," said Bulldog, "what's going on in that head of yours right now?" I didn't respond.

Murder has it's downsides, but so does hesitation, and of course, I've learned that the hard way. Out here, it's killed or be killed, so from here on out, I vowed to myself to never make that mistake again-

-all while not realizing that mentality would eventually screw my head up even further than it already is.

And yes, that is a very bad thing, as I would find out soon enough.

[ganondorf2]

Nice job!