Growing Up

Chapter 2

His oldest brother, Jamal came and stood over him as he stared at the frame of the top bunk. "What, Jamal?" He felt like some comment about him not fighting back earlier was going to be made. "I'm sorry I didn't stop them. Your lip good?" Caleb looked over, somewhat confused. Even though Jamal was only 3 years older than Caleb, he was always the one that made sure Caleb was taken care of. "Yea, just a little busted. Nothing I ain't had before." Jamal nodded his head "Just take care of yourself." He walked away and went to change into his pajamas.

Caleb took his bloodied shirt off and threw the blanket over himself so he could try to sleep. The day he had was pretty normal, unfortunately. He had done things most people never do in their lifetimes, and knew that the things he had done and seen would forever burn in his mind as a reminder of who he is and what he couldn't avoid if he wanted to survive. He attempted to sleep, only to be kept up by the yelling from Derek's sister and her husband upstairs along with his mom running back and forth to the bathroom.

By the time he dozed off, his mom was standing in front of the 2 bunk beds him and his brothers shared. "Time to get up, I don't need another call saying y'all missed school." Caleb got himself out of bed, ready for another repeat of yesterday. He put on the bloodied shirt he needed to wear for at least 4 more days and walked out the door.

The walk to his school was about 20 minutes, but he left early so he didn't have to talk to anyone and could clear his head before class. He walked past the same donut shop everyday on his usual route, and had been trying to avoid it recently. Three weeks before, 4 older guys had jumped him and taken his sketchbook. Caleb usually carried a 6 inch titanium pocket knife with him, but had forgotten it the day he was jumped. He hadn't forgotten the knife since, but he still didn't want to go near the shop.

He arrived at school and sat outside with the honey bun he stole from some girls backpack in science class the day before. He stared off into the distance at the park across the street, and was reminded of his initiation almost a year ago. It was cool the night he was initiated, just like it was that morning before school. The tree he stood under was now gone, but no matter how the scenery changed, the memory remained.

Joining a crew was the only real way to survive where he lived, as there was a crew that ran almost every street where he lived. His crew was called Salvation. There were about 10 crews where he lived, but Salvation was one of the largest crews. There was one crew which was slightly larger, Demon. Demon was also Salvation's rival, so membership was a major focus for Salvation, especially Caleb. 

Since Caleb was coming up on his 1 year with his crew, his mission was to recruit 15 people in order to stay in. Caleb had 3 days to hit that number, but he so far only had 6. His school was Demon territory, which meant anyone knowing he was with Salvation could possibly get him killed. Members of Salvation had been found drugged and stuffed into lockers overnight and 'marked' by Demon in the past couple months, so Caleb was watching his back more than ever.

"Hey, Kid!" A deep voice rang out from around the corner of the building. Caleb stood up and opened his knife. He quietly put his backpack on the front of him and walked around the corner only to find his leader, Chris standing there. "Jesus, kid. You don't know my voice by now?" He chuckled at Caleb's backback on his chest. "What's with the bag?" Caleb looked down, slightly embarrassed. He put his backpack on the ground "My books are pretty thick, would at least slow a bullet down if they don't stop it." Chris nodded "Clever."

Chris leaned in closer "Hey, how's recruitment going?" Caleb looked at the ground, afraid of getting beat again "Only got 6. They found Slim and Brian drugged in lockers last Tuesday, then Russell and JT got marked by Demon Friday night after the football game. Just trying to play it safe." Chris raised an eyebrow "Marked?" Caleb was surprised Chris didn't know what marking was. "Yea, you know. Demon carved their symbol into their sides with a knife." Chris slowly nodded "I know what it means to mark someone, but I wasn't told. I need 9 more by this Friday. If you don't hit that number, we are going to have an issue. You know Jamal doesn't want to hurt you, but he is one of my veterans. Do what you gotta do. Got it?"

Caleb swallowed hard "Yes sir. I'm going to my aunt's tonight, family shit. Pretty sure I can get a couple there." Chris smirked "I knew you were smart, I'll catch up with you tomorrow, see how you made out. Later." Chris darted off and got into his bright red Subaru. He had spent months working on it for drag races held on the outskirts of town.

Caleb heard the bell ring and rushed to class. Time seemed to go so slow, but finally 3:15 came and the final bell sounded. Caleb darted out faster than anyone and went straight to his Aunt Alicia's house. He knocked on the door, and his Uncle Darren answered.

"Why do you knock, boy? You're family." His uncle Darren stepped out of the doorway and he walked in. The smell of ribs filled the air, but was muted by his uncle's Newport. He walked into the kitchen and saw his aunt dancing to the radio and cleaning the silk off of corn "Well, hey nephew. How are you?" Caleb smiled "I'm alright, Auntie. How've you been?"

She looked at his shirt and jumped up from the table to check on him "What happened to you? Are you hurt?" Caleb nervously laughed "I just got in a little fight. I'm good, promise." He knew his aunt Alicia always worried about him since he was the youngest until his mom found out she was pregnant about 8 ½ months ago. "Why is your shirt still bloody, then?" Her stare began to burn through the stained fabric.

"Mom didn't have bleach, so I had to wait to wash it." His aunt didn't know about their living situation either, so Caleb had to bluff a little bit. "Do you have clean clothes, baby?" Caleb nodded "Yea, was just half asleep and grabbed the wrong shirt this morning." His aunt looked at him with that look like she knew he was lying, but she went back to the table and sat down. "Alright. I'll call your mom and let her know you're here. Go find your cousins and play, I'll yell when everything's ready." Caleb smiled and ran out to go find people to recruit. By dinner, Caleb had gotten 4.