Bully

Chapter 17

My knuckles rapped against the large white door, and memories filled my head of the first time I had been at this house and snuck through the window. If I had turned away I wouldn't be in this mess, I reflected. Maybe I could have pestered Rogue for another way to get that gun or persuaded the officer I wasn't in possession of a firearm.

The door swung open, snapping me out of my train of thoughts. I wasn't the least bit surprised to see Brawn answer - I had suspected that most of Bug's men would be around. They needed to wrap their heads around the latest twist to Moseby's actions.

"Byker," he greeted with a hint of a smile on his lips. "Nice to see you out of hospital - what did you tell the police?"

I pushed my way past his bulky body so I was out of view in the street. "Nothing, I ran out before they could speak to me," I informed him briskly, wanting to get straight to business. I didn't care for any idle chatter or pleasantries - the only thing my mind was set on was capturing Lewis Moseby. After seeing that corpse something inside of me had snapped. Something that I had no idea was lurking inside of me.

Something dark. It scared me at first but this darkness came with a certain determination. I wanted nothing more than to plant a bullet into Moseby's twisted brain. I was no longer scared, nor did I want to worm my way out like I had earlier. I didn't want to solely be the brains behind the plan I also wanted to be involved. After that stunt, I wanted to be the very person to put an end to Moseby's miserable life.

"Welcome back, sleeping beauty," Someone said with a smug grin as I walked past the kitchen. I paused in my tracks and studied him - I didn't know his name but he did look slightly familiar. He was one of the thugs in the grave yard. No doubt they'd all try and tease me for passing out. Oh well, let them. I'll soon put a stop to it; after all I'm their boss now. I let a small smile tug at my lips - I liked that title. It felt good to be in charge of all these thugs. It felt powerful. It felt right.

"If you're quite finished, we've got some business to attend to," I responded, filling my voice with authority. The man didn't say anything and only quirked an eyebrow but followed me none the less.

I didn't bother exploring the house; I had a feeling I knew where everyone will be. Remembering my way from the first time I had been in Bug's house, I made my way towards the basement. I was aware of both Brawn and the other man following close to my heels like lapdogs. Sure enough, everyone was gathered in the dimly lit basement.

Bugs was sitting at the top of the table, a cigarette hanging from his thin lips as he flicked through some documents on the table. There were about three other men around the table, as well as a tough looking woman with a surly expression on her face. I was quite surprised that one of Bug's top thugs was a woman but I kept my mouth shut - she looked like she would cut my tongue off with that dagger she was twirling in between her dainty fingers if I said anything.

"Byker, glad to see you're back," Bugs smirked as he spotted me in the entrance. Everyone else in the room immediately snapped their heads up at the mention of the name Byker, most likely expecting my father. Their faces sunk when they saw it was only his scrawny, beat up kid. I couldn't miss the look of hope and shock on their faces, as if they couldn't believe that my father may back. Again, I found myself remembering how Brawn had referred to him in past tense. I couldn't help the uneasy feeling which churned my stomach at the thought he might be dead.