Surrender Love

Two

Pete

The meeting area was already full once we reached it. The smell was already overwhelming me, making my stomach turn. Ryan noticed and nudged my arm, trying to make me feel better. All I did was to smile weakly and try not to focus on the big breakfast I had earlier today. Everyone was milling around, mingling and eating some pastries that were either bought or stolen. Knowing Gerard, who was in charge of the food, it could be either one.

Ryan's face lit up suddenly. "Bren!" He called.

A brown head popped up. "Ryan!" Brendon appeared out of no where and tackled Ryan to the ground, kissing him roughly. I watched them, not uncomfortably because I was used to this, but because I felt a sense of loneliness in my heart. Everyone had someone to love unconditionally. And then there was me.

Ryan and Brendon stood up, arms wrapped around each other. "Did you guys hear about the new kid?" Brendon asked.

"Kid?" I raised my eyebrow. I didn't want a new kid, much less a new gang member. I was just a kid when I joined, and looked how fucked up I am now.

"Well, he claims to be on the 'bad side of 25' or something, but he looks like a junior in high school."

I nodded in reply. I watched Ryan snake his arm down Brendon's back and grab his ass, making Bren squeal and smack Ryan. He began laughing hysterically as Brendon's face reddened. I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Let's go. I think we're starting to gather."

We made our way to the front of the room. It wasn't very big, much like the gang, but it was still crowded. I kept bumping into everyone, causing my anxiety to grow by the second. Thankfully we made it up to the front without any major incidents. I looked around to see if Mikey was standing with the new guy. Before I could get a good look Frank ran into me, knocking me back.

"What the fuck, dude?!" I yelled, holding my arm which had been rammed into the wall.

He shrugged. "Gotta see the new guy." I mumbled some choice words under my breath and sat down next to Ryan.

Mikey walked out on the little stage he had us set up for him. He was alone, meaning he had probably left the new kid backstage and was planning on talking to us before bringing him out. He waited for the chatter to die down, which didn't take very long considering the cold hard stare he held on his audience. Mikey allowed the tense silence to linger for a few extra moments before he started to speak.

"I'm sure you've all gotten wind of the news that we have a new member joining us," he announced. Ryan, Brendon and I exchanged a glance, completely unsure of what to expect from this new guy. Was he going to be one of Mikey's typical recruits, bloodthirsty and hungry for war? Or... or was he going to be more like us? I was beyond eager to find out.

"This young man is an escapee from the prison just down the street," Mikey continued. A collection of curious murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Apparently he was arrested a few years ago for being a part of a drug raid."

I cringed. Prison escapee? A drug raid? This information was making this new guy seem less like me and my friends and more like what Mikey actually wanted by the second. I didn't expect to like him at all.

"He hasn't spoken much since I found him," Mikey continued. "I discovered him earlier today, trying to find refuge in our building. He looked hungry and frustrated, and he had a particular dangerous gleam in his eyes, much like that of a wild animal." A cold smile spread across our leader's face. "I have great plans for him, and I want you all to welcome him with open arms."

I doubt that was going to happen, at least in my case. I looked over at Brendon and Ry and I could tell they were thinking the same thing.

Just get this over with and bring him out, I thought. I was growing impatient and I wanted to see what this new recruit looked like. I was imagining a large, intimidating man covered in tattoos and scars - and then I remembered Brendon telling us that he looked like a junior in high school and that just increased my curiosity even more.