Red Roses ~Marcus Lopez Arguello

26~ Adolescence

Lost Innovence Comics, Dec 19th, 4 pm

Scarlett scattered the photos all along the comic book counter. Thankfully, today had been a slow day for the two employees, which made this the perfect spot to talk off campus.

Marcus picked up one of the black and white photos, grimacing at the image in front of him. "Jesus. Is that Shabnam's dad?" He looks up at Scarlett who stood on the other side of the counter, tapping her nails on the glass case.

Maria shakes her head, sifting through a stack of photos in her hands. "His mom could be in there as well."

Billy moves the picture closer to get a better look at the photo. "All the more reason we have to do this now."

Scarlett stares down at the collection of photos. "Shabnam's house is rigged with traps.Chester has seven to eight people inside helping him."

"You're sure he has Chico?" Maria looks up at the girl, not fully believing he has her ex's head.

Saya throws the photo back onto the counter. "It's no bluff, he knows everything. He has to be getting information from someone inside of King's."

Marcus points to the obvious answer. "Shabnam's parents."

Maria's eyebrows furrow. "There's another problem. El Diablo. If this animal sends him Chico's head, if he finds out it was me-"

"We're gonna need some serious firepower." Saya mentions.

Marcus starts a list. "Guns, explosives."

Willie shakes his head, finally saying what's been on his mind. "Y'all must be out of your damn minds." He looks at the group, before walking out of the comic book shop, the bells ringing as he exits. Scarlett and Marcus look at one another, before Marcus walks out after the boy.

Marcus spots him walking down the alley and he yells out to him, causing the taller boy to turn. "Hey! You know, I didn't mean to bring this into our lives, but it's here, and we have-"

Willie yells back. "We ain't no damn SWAT team!"

Marcus justifies. "No, we're better trained. It's not just our asses, okay? Killing Chester? We'll be saving people, man."

Willie stops. "There are many causes I'd die for, There ain't a single cause I'd kill for." He starts to walk away again.

"Oh, pacifism. It's a nice idea, but if you don't help one side fight, then you help the other side win."

"This hero shit. It's just a mask you wear to justify the chaos." He continues on. "You wanna know what I think? I think maybe you lookin' to get yourself killed."

"Yeah, well, maybe pretending to be a hero is better than accepting that you're not one."

Willie laughs and shakes his head. "Gabby's right. So used to living in toxic air, I can't even see straight anymore."

"What about your friends?"

"Shit. Marcus, if this is what being your friend gets me," Willie continues walking, his decision made.

"Willie's out?" Scarlett asks as Marcus steps back into the shop. He stays silent, giving her an answer and she continues discussing her observations. "Okay, the backyard and all the doors are booby-trapped, the windows are reinforced, but if we get some C-4-"

Billy jokes. "Yeah, yeah, they sell that at Costco, right? Next to the big bags of popcorn."

Scarlett looks up at the boy before continuing. "There's only one person I know who can get it."