Kids in the Dark

Chapter 1

Ryder's P.O.V

A troublemaker: a person who causes difficulties, distress, worry, etc., for others, especially one who does so habitually as a matter of malice.  

To say that I'd heard that word repeated to me a lot over the years was an understatement. But in my defense, I never planned for my life to become the downward spiral that it did. If I'd had it my way I'd most likely have spent that Sunday evening watching Youtube videos on my phone or doodling in my sketchbook. Fate. Fate, on the other hand, had very different plans indeed. 

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I stood in my room staring at my scruffy reflection. My knees were visible through my ripped jeans, and my dark Nirvana t-shirt contrasted sharply with my pale skin. My eyes were the same dark blue they had always been, except there was now a bruise was forming a ring around my right eye. I had been staring at the mirror for quite some time when I heard shouting echoing up the stairs. My dad had been bickering for almost an hour with someone on the phone, but now his voice was beginning to rise. I kicked my door shut as an attempt to dull the noise, but I could still hear him quite clearly.

I could no longer take the fighting and screaming, So, grabbing a jacket and my phone, I went over to my window and flung it open. I backed out the window and hooked my foot on the drainpipe supports. I slowly worked my way down until I was about 3 feet from the ground. I jumped, landing with a squelch on the rain-soaked ground.

"Dammit." I moaned as water filled my shoes, soaking my feet. I started to walk, my wet shoes squeaking Pulling my phone out of my pocket, and unwinding my headphones I placed them in my ears. Pressing play my head was soon full of the loud lyrics of Black veil Brides I was walking to the beat of the music, and in no time I was 3 blocks from where I had started.

I walked down the wet pavement with my hands shoved in the pockets of my torn up jeans. I stared down at my muddy Vans as they traced the path I walked almost every day. I turned off of the paved sidewalk and onto a muddy path hidden amongst a group of slowly dying bushes. Only someone who knew where to find it would have been able to spot it.

I took this route every time I had to think, or needed to clear my head. My brain was overflowing with worried thoughts about my dad, and what would happen if things continued the way they were.

Too busy thinking about my dad I misplaced my foot, and it slipped in the rain-slickened mud. I frantically reached for a nearby tree but I didn't reach it in time. My feet slid out from under me and I landed on my butt, the mud squelching beneath me.

Regaining my balance I Inspected my backside. My black jeans were brown and damp but I managed to wipe away the worst of it with my hand. From then on I was careful to watch where I stepped, being sure to stick close to the dryer sides. I nearly lost my balance once again when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Fumbling for it I swiped my finger across the home screen to unlock it. I had received a text from my older brother Theo: Ryder, get your skinny ass over to Devils plunge right now! we need to talk. I let out a long sigh; Devils plunge wasn't far but Theo's idea of a talk differed from most.

I'm on my way now. I replied before pocketing my phone and continuing down the muddy path.

The further I walked the darker it got as the greenery around me got denser, the trees casting ghostly shadows in the glow of the setting sun. Glancing at my watch I was surprised to find it was half eight already. Looking up again I could just make out the end of the path, and the clearing it opened on to. 4 shadowy figures stood in the center, visible only because of their flashlights.

As I jogged up to them the tallest shadow stepped away from the others and towards me.

"Took you long enough." Theo laughed. "Where the hell have you been?"