Lost in the Shadows

Chapter 2

"Hey, buddy, wake up!"

I opened my eyes as the police officers slapped my arm. I knew it wouldn't be long until I was in prison for twenty years. The officer then realized I was awake then pulled me into the police station. They handcuffed me to a chair as I waited to go into the questioning room.  After about thirty minutes of waiting, the police officers called me in and had me take a seat. The room was very dark except for a table light which casted a erie glow on the officers face. I could tell he wasn't happy with what the others said.

"Listen closly because I am only going to say this once." The officer seemed to pause as if he decided to ask a different question. I could tell the anger on his face turned into a sigh as he then looked back at me. "Kids like you are young and shouldn't be hanging around gangs like this. This isn't good for people your age." He took a deep breath and took another pause. He must have had quite a few things going through his head. "I know I shouldn't be doing this, but I am gonna let you go. This time only! But, if I ever catch you doing this again, you'll be thrown in the slammer with the rest of your buddies. Are you clear?" By now, I couldn't tell if he was angry or just talking loud to impress the cheif.

"Whatever," I replied.

"Now get your face out of hear, kids like you make me sick!" he yelled.

I was taken out the door to a phone as one of the other officers dialed my parents. Like always, they didn't answer and the officer had to drive me home. Once I arrived I opened the old latch on the door and went to my room. The room reeked of beer knowing that my parents must have been home lately, but left again to hit the bars and have sex with the people they met. As I entered my room, I hopped on my bed, which I might as well call a matress since it only has a matress and broken bed frame. I grabbed a cigarette off my dresser and light it. This was my only sign of relief.

Three Days Later...

I got a call this morning from the police that said that Mad Dog was somehow bailed out. Probably by his newest girlfriend who remains nameless to me. After his fifteenth one, I just stop keeping track. I met up in the ally where Mad Dog was along with Scarface and another new guy who they probably found off the street. Mad Dog approached me and as he got closer, the room reaked of booze. 

"Ayy Kid," he called. "Come here!"

I got closer to him and he started to laugh, obviously he was high on something. 

"Slugface, this is Little Mikey, newest addition to the group."

As I took a closer look at the kid, he seemed shy and was very small to be a gang member. He nodded at me sheepishly as he raised the collar on his leather jacket. Beneath the collar, I saw he was hiding a large red mark on his cheek, thats what happens when you mess with Mad Dog and his booze. I wonder why he dragged in this kid.

"What happened to Bloodshot and Pitbull," I asked.

"Ehh, they gonna be in the slammer for a while, ain't they have a girl like mine to bust em' loose." He started to laugh again then looked back at me. "Listen, I ain't called you here to talk 'bout old Bloodshot. I need you to do a favor."

I looked at him first confused but then responded. "What do you need me to do for you?" At first I figured he wanted me to grab him some beer or cigarettes from one of the stores he was banned from, but I wasn't prepared for what he really was going to say.

"I don't need ya to do somethin for me, its for the gang. We would have gotten away last night if it wern't for that curly-haired burnette. What a kiss up. If we get rid of her, the Cheif won't be botherin us no more. And the only person who could get rid of her is you!"

"Why me?" I really wasn't understanding what he was asking me to do.

"Your in the same school and could easily get near her. I want you to suger coat her, get her to like you, and then when you are in complete privacy you need to strike."

"Strike?"

"I want you to kill Stephanie Jones!"