matt's pov
i was just about to go get food with zack to clear my head when i heard it, the dog whistle. i knew who it was before i even turned around; benji. the maddens both treated me like shit, but benji, he was the worst of the two. see joel only said dhit to me, but benji, that fucker had nerve to lay hands on me. i think he got off on it, the whole "power" he thought he had over me. he has no idea what's gonna happen to him.
i saw zacky turn, hate in his eyes, towards the maddens. it made me feel good to see someone actually caring about me. with a long sigh i turned to head over to the bastards, but zacky grabbed me, trying to pull me back towards him. ha, god bless the kid for thinking he could move me.
"why do you listen to them? you could crush them, yet you let them treat you like that?" his eyes were wide, full of confusion. and there it was again, another dog whistle. fucking benji i looked down at zacky, and leaned my head against his ear. no one could hear what i was going to say.
"trust me, this dog will have his day," i whispered. i could see his mouth curve up in a smile a little bit as i walked away. the kid then turned around towards the lunchroom. i knew he'd save me a seat, so i didnt bother telling him to.
i made my way to the maddens slowly, full of aggrivation. what did they want now. pretty soon i was directly in front of them. they were so short from up here! i tried not to laugh at the sight of them. little joel was going for the more stern look, and even littler benji was going for the angry look. how cute. as i tried to hold back my laughter even more, i felt a swift crack on the right side of my face. my head whipped to the side a bit. benji. i glared at him, and i could tell he was trying to hold back his terror. he'll get his.
"what the fuck do you think you were doing over there?" joel asked angrily, pointing over to where me and zacky were standing before.
"i was lifting weights." duh!
benji grabbed me by my shirt collar. i'm surprised he could reach that high! "dont be a fucking smartass!" he said, doing as best he could to shake me. i just stared down at him, not even budging.
"i'm talking about you and that baker kid," joel said. benji still held my shirt collar.
"i was talking to him. he's my friend."
"friend? FRIEND?!!!" joel laughed, benji joining him.
"monsters don't have friends. monsters don't deserve friends," benji smirked. i swatted his arm of my collar.
"well guess what, this monster has one," i said sternly.
"not anymore you don't"
"what the fuck do you mean?"
joel put an arm around me, patting me lightly on the shoulder. he was gonna try to pull his smooth negotiator bullshit.
"listen, nobody's gonna be afraid of a guy who they see talking to some kid. they expect you to crush guys like him! we need your protection, and you need us," he said, rubbing my shoulder.
i pushed his hand off. "i dont need you."
"oh really? why do you think your still alive matt?"
i stared at him, confused.
"what are you talking about? california doesn't have the death penalty."
benji laughed. "you think that would stop the warden from having the guards kill you?"
"the warden's been wanting you dead since you got in this place. he don't wanna have to worry about a psycho like you! the guards were supposed to whack you the first week while you slept, but we had a little talk with the bossman, saying we needed your protection from any enemies we had in here. so with a little negotiating and some big fucking bills, here you are, alive," joel's words sent chills up my spine. i was supposed to have been killed in my sleep? how fucking sick is that?!
"so," joel began,"you need to break off ties with this baker kid in a big way, one that'll make the others forget about you deciding to be human."
"and if i dont."
they both glared at me. "you'll be getting a late night visit from every damn guard in this place," benji threatened. i knew they were telling the truth.
i put head head down, looking at my feet. "and how do i make the others forget about me being human?" i asked running a hand through my hair.
"you beat the living fuck out of baker, worse than tony."
no, i wont do that! he's my friend, and i cant do that to him. i'd rather die! i wish i had said that, but instead i nodded. i fucking nodded. i had to, i knew i had to. it was either him or my life, and well, i wanted to live. besides, i didn't have to kill him or anything, just bang him up a bit right? but then i won't have anybody. i'l go back to being "it".
i turned around, making my way towards the lunchroom. the maddens trailed behind, watching my every move. they had to make sure i went through with it. i took a big sigh as i neared the table where zacky sat. he heard me coming, and faced me with a smile on his face. damn him for smiling. i looked back at the maddens who nodded to me. sorry about this, kid.
