"Oh yeah, you sure do." My body tensed up and I felt multiple shades of rage. Why was he here? How did he find me and how did he get in?
"Scott, this should give you the slightest clue of why I was in Germany."
"Why, so you could break into people's houses?" I began to sweat. What if he was here to kill me?
"Not exactly, more or less I guess you could say criminal work." He was now facing me itching to see my reaction.
"O- oh," I was trembling, still in shock of finding him here.
"Now you don't tell anyone, okay? How would you feel about joining my friends and I sometime?" He walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder in what seemed like efforts to keep me still.
All I could do was nod "yes." He took this as a valid response and patted my shoulder before making his way out the door whistling to some strange upbeat tune. I stood there shaking, too shocked to say or do anything.
***
"What've you been up to?" John asked while cutting my hair.
I hesitated to reply, "Oh, just the usual."
"What about that Colin guy, have you seen him?"
"No." I lied.
"That's a shame." A piece of my hair fell onto my face.
"John-" I took a moment to think, "If I were a criminal, would you tell the police?"
He stopped cutting my hair for a moment and put his hand on his chin as if in an effort to think. "Well, I mean-, I guess-, It depends." He began to clear the hair off my shoulders.
"Like breaking into houses and shit."
"Are you saying you do that?"
"No!" I turned around to face him. "I mean no... I'm just curious." I turned back to the mirror.
"Fair enough." He began to set out the dye. "Or should I say hair enough." I turned around and slapped him in the face.
As I shut the door behind John as he left I sighed. I had wanted to tell him about my encounters with Colin but just mentioning the sound of his name made me uneasy. The vibes he let out certainly were powerful, and made whoever befriended him listen to everything he said with anticipation. I wasn't too sure what to expect whenever I'd happen to meet his friends; if I ever did that was. Maybe they were just like him, or maybe they were just like me; mesmerized by his character. It seemed hard to imagine him friends with people weaker than himself, though. Which was why I was confused he even decided to befriend me in the first place since I'm not the strongest guy in the world, or the tallest. Perhaps he just thought I looked tough with my studded leather jacket and punk charisma, or maybe he just felt bad. Either way, it seemed like it would be hard to get away from him.
Two hours later I was greeted with a call from Colin. He told me to meet him at a parking garage at 3am in town the next day and then abruptly hung up. Confused, I had to sit down and let out a heavy sigh whilst rubbing my face in exhaustion. What would happen if I didn't come? Why so late? Or early I should say. Colin bewildered me; how we met, conversed, and acted around each other was all somewhat of a weary thing to me. Around him I felt weaker and more uncomfortable; all signs I shouldn't be friends with him. Yet somehow I always came back. That was his trick; hypnotizing people with his manipulative ways. A talent I could only wish to possess. I released yet another gloomy sigh and slouched forward, hands covering my face. There went my plans of getting a good nights sleep.
***
As I wandered about the parking garage I realized how oddly quiet and empty the place was. The only noises I could possibly hear were the sounds of crickets and cicadas chirping under the moonlight. I put my hands in the pocket of my jacket, head down as I continued walked around hoping to catch a glimpse of another human being. Just then, out the corner of my eye I saw Colin standing with three other men and one woman. Through the faint glint of the fluorescent lights I could just barely make out their features.
The woman, standing closely to the right side of Colin had bright pink hair, practically glowing in the light, and was wearing a grey tank top with black leggings, somehow managing the chilling night time weather. The man standing to his left possessed short, black hair that was crew cut styled and was wearing a form-fitting black shirt and jeans. Next to the man stood another , scrawny, pale, and covered in what seemed to be prison tattoos on every inch of his body that complimented his buzzed head. Next to him, with an elbow on the scrawny mans shoulder stood yet another man, chubby and older than the rest of them, he wore a blue button up shirt and slacks; practically seemed to be at first glance a friendly father. These must've been Colin's friends. Scott felt intimidated by them too, yet not as much nor did it feel like the same intimidation he felt while chatting with Colin. He wearily walked up to the group, tired and noticeably suspicious.
"Hello," Colin grinned.
"Meet my friends." He motioned towards each of them, "Bela," he said pointing towards the pink haired woman. "Daniel," He pointed towards the man to his left. "and Nathan and Felix!" He smiled, motioning towards the scrawny and chubby men.
"H- hello." I stuttered, giving a small wave to the unfamiliar faces. The anxiety poked at me as I felt their eyes ripping into my soul.
"This is Scott!" Colin exclaimed, madly grinning at his friends as he motioned towards me.
I felt as if I were naked by the way they looked at me; their eyes piercing my flesh, watching my every move; I wanted to scream. Yet I kept silent as they judged me, looking up and down examining every pore in my skin. There was a brief silence as they stared, Colin madly grinned, and myself, well I was terribly shook.
"I'm sorry, uhm, so crime?" I awkwardly started, just making things worse.
"What about it?" The scrawny man, Nathan, asked sneering.
"I- uhm," I awkwardly stood there, sweating like a mad man as all five pairs of eyes stared at me.
"I think our dear comrade here, Scott, means he wants to join us sometime!" Colin exclaimed, walking over to me, putting his hand on my shoulder.
"Uh yeah, sure." I mumbled, not completely in love with the idea.
The four others gave just as menacing smiles as Colin's and cheered at the idea and began to crowd around me.
Felix gave a big laugh and put his arm around my shoulder, "Welcome to our gang, comrade!" He smiled.
"Er, thanks." I shrunk back as hands touched my face and body. Did these people have any idea of personal space? I sighed as the affection continued to flow. Just moments ago they all looked as if they were about to kill me.
"Shalt we rob a store now then?" Colin exclaimed, raising a fist in the air.
The 'gang' or whatever they were cheerfully agreed and began to drag me with them. At this point I didn't even try fighting back.
What seemed like seconds passed before we were all crowded around a small store.
"Alright; Nathan, Felix, and Bela, I want you all to get all the stuff you can carry whilst Daniel and I hold the employees at gunpoint!" He cheerfully exclaimed. Who needed that many people for a robbery?
"What about me?" I asked, secretly hoping they would just let me stand outside. Maybe then I'd have a chance to run off.
"You stand outside." Colin replied in a rather stern voice. As he said that he and the others quickly turned their backs to me talking amongst themselves. I didn't even try listening; I knew the outcome anyway. Yet to my surprise, Colin turned back to me, a grin planted on his face.
"Scott, why don't you write about all of this? Record our adventures?" He asked. I'll admit the idea seemed delightful.
"I don't have a notebook." I obliged, staring at the ground nervously.
"Then remember this and write about it when you get home, damn it!" He manically laughed. I'd never seen him this happy before, or crazy. Was he drunk?
"Okay." I scoffed, crossing my arms.
"Great!" He smiled, quickly turning back to the others, whispering what I could only guess were their plans.
Just moments after their brief whisperings they hustled inside. I saw a gun in Daniel and Colin's hands and stood paralyzed for a moment. I hear shouting and yelling coming for inside, bottles breaking, glass shattering; it was manic. A few minutes later they ran out, alcohol bottles piled in their arms and money stuffed in their pockets as they scurried off, Colin firmly grabbing my wrist. We found ourselves in the abandoned house Colin frequently visited and lived at, all sweating and panting, bent over with our hands on our knees, laughing; even I. I smiled and plopped onto the mattress, Colin and Bela falling next to me. Before I knew it I was fast asleep, passed out from the exhaustion of running so quickly.
