Kids in the Dark

Chapter 13

Ryder's P.O.V

"Um, Theo?" I questioned as we drew near the dark front of the tattoo parlor.

"Relax, Zeke is usually shut on Wednesdays. He's open just for us" Ryder explained. I slid my skateboard to a halt kicking it up and catching its end. Theo stepped towards the door and knocked 3 times. The door almost immediately burst open and a man, not much older than Theo, revealed himself. The two greeted each other like old friends. Theo called me over to introduce me to Zeke.

"Zeke this is my brother Ryder." He introduced us. I nodded in Zeke's direction before he lead us inside. We were ushered over to a mall consulting area, I could hear Tank panting behind me. Drawings and photos of tattoos plastered the wall, mixed in with band posters and vinyl sleeves. The 3 of us took seats on worn out leather sofas, and we began to discuss tattoo ideas.

"So Ryder, what do you want?" Zeke asked pulling out a sketch pad from behind a pillow.

"I'm just gonna keep safe and go for an armband," I said, having wanted one for a while. I gestured to where I wanted it, and Zeke bobbed his head up and down in agreement to my idea.

"I assume you want black?" Zeke said standing up to print the stencil and collect the ink.

"Yep," I replied, a knot of nerves building in my stomach. 

"Ok then let's begin." Zeke clapped his hands together, and I followed him, Theo trailing behind with the dog. I took my place in the parlor chair, and Zeke applied the tattoos outline just below my elbow joint. Theo sat in a plastic chair opposite and pulled out his phone to do god knows what. I heard the needle buzz into life and turned to see Zeke wielding it like a pen.

"Ready?" He asked pulling his stool in close. I nodded and prepared myself of the imminent sting. I felt the needle touch my skin with a sharp prick and winced slightly causing Zeke to chuckle.

The dull pain in my arm was bearable after I became used to it, the tattoo taking shape on my arm.

"Hey Zeke, can I put some music on?" Theo asked, indicating a record player in the corner. Zeke nodded too focused on my tattoo to speak. Theo got to his feet, hooking the loop of Tank's lead over my shoe and wandered off to pick some music. Some moments later Guns N Roses began to spurt from the speakers. I hummed along, so distracted I didn't notice the buzzing had stopped.

"All done." Zeke smiled wiping away the excess blood and then bandaging the fresh ink up.

"Not quite," Theo said, and an evil smirk playing on his lips. I sighed in exasperation knowing he had an idea stuck in his head. "Ryder here wants a new lip piercing." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but secretly agree.

"Alright then." And with that he vanished to get his kit, returning moments later. About ten minutes passes, but in no time, and with little pain I had a brand new lip ring. My lip throbbed slightly as I slid out of the chair, and Theo replaced me.

"I'm gonna take a stroll. Text me when you're done here. I said grasping the lead and swung my backpack over my shoulder. I left Theo and Zeke behind me pushing my way out the door and into the bright sunlight. I slipped my sunglasses down my head and stepped onto the deck of my skateboard. "You wanna go for a run bud?" I asked the massive dog staring up at me. With a bark I jolted forwards, the wheels spinning beneath me.

I steered the two of us towards the boardwalk that ran along the edge of a sand white beach. "Whoa boy," I said slowing Tank to a stop and hopping off my board, picking it up and continuing to walk. I was busy taking in my surroundings when my arm was almost pulled out of its socket. My eyes followed the length of the lead to where Tank stood to sniff around another dog. I looked up, shot a quick smile at the owner, and tugged on the lead, pulling Tank along.

We continued our walk, my mindset on ice cream, thinking it might soothe my lip. My eyes spent the next 5 minutes scanning shop fronts until they spotted the colorful exterior of an ice cream parlor.

"Come on buddy," I said leading Tank towards the quiet road, slipping between 2 cars, but Tank stopped short. "Let's go Tank," I said tugging lightly on the leash, but he still refused to cross. That's when something clicked in my brain. Tank was refusing to walk between 2 cars.

"You're scared of cars aren't you." I sighed knowing what I had to do if I ever wanted to get my Ice cream. I slotted my board behind my back as I made my way back over to Tank, then bent down beside him. I scooped the wolf up in my arms and headed out across the quiet stretch of tarmac.

"Why couldn't you have been a chihuahua." I groaned my muscles aching under his weight. The other side could not have come soon enough, a feeling of weightlessness washing over me as I set him down. He barked cheekily up at me grinning in a doggy way. I rolled my eyes and continued towards the Ice cream shop.

A blonde kid fell into step beside me and said, "Cool dog." He smiled.

"Thanks." I laughed. "The big wuss is scared of cars."

"Yeah, I saw you carrying him across. I'm Marc by the way."

"Ryder." I smiled. "You want an ice cream by any chance?" I offered, but that's when I spotted the 2 cops walking towards us.

"Quick this way." We said in unison heading down a side street splattered in graffiti.

"What did you do?" I asked Marc.

"I could ask you the same thing he retorted. I shook my head and sighed heading off in the direction of Zeke's. "Where are we going?" I rolled my eyes wondering why he was following me in the first place. I stepped out of the alleys dim light before turning to face Marc.

"You're clearly trying to hide from the cops so shut your mouth and trust me." I snapped but almost instantly regretted it. The boys glacial blue eyes lost all their color, becoming stormy gray, as he pushed my up against the wall.

"Listen, just tell me where we're going." He growled. He opened his lips to speak some more when Tank growled, teeth bared. Marc released me and muttered, "Lead the way." His lips forming a slight smirk.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and that you like Marc as a character. His story will unfold along the way. Keep reading. Vote if you liked it. I would love to hear what you have to say about the story so far.