6

13

Getting over my embarrassment and actually getting ready for tonight was hard. I had spoken the minimal amount with Aubrey and none with Jace all day.

I wasn't sure why I was so mortified, I wasn't doing anything wrong. Maybe just the fact that they thought I was.

I sighed and slipped on a black pair of pants and a black hoodie. I didn't think I was going out of an of these "hunts" with them but Aubrey brought me black clothing and said I would be joining. I sucked in as I button the tight pants. Aubrey obviously thought I was skinnier than I actually was. Once I finally got them buttoned, I walked out of the bathroom and joined the boys.

"Okay, I'm ready." I crossed my arms.

"Jace." Aubrey looked over at him, expecting him to say something. It was crazy to think Jace was ranked over Aubrey. Aubrey just had this demanding presence and took lead in most situations.

"Fine," Jace rolled his eyes. "Emerson, I'm sorry about earlier. If you say you weren't masturbating then you weren't. I didn't mean to embarrass you or anything." His apology was forced, but I knew he wasn't going to do it again.

"It's fine." I sighed.

"Alright, now that we have that settled let's move on." Aubrey threw a bookbag over his back and threw on a black cap. "Here's the rules." He looked directly at me. "Do not talk to anyone you don't know. Especially you Em, I don't need you getting hurt. And stay close to everyone, no wandering off."

"Okay, why do I feel like this is all directed towards me?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Because, you'd be the one to do it." Jace mumbled. "We're used to this sort of stuff. And Em, do you really think you could survive yourself?"

"Well... yes, yes I do." I crossed my arms. "I can fend for myself."

"I'd love to see that." He muttered under his breath.

"If you two are done with your petty argument, we have business to handle." Aubrey said annoyed. "Like I said, stay close. And last, go unnoticed. We don't do anything to draw attention to ourselves. Got everything?"

"Yeah." Jace threw a bag over his shoulders.

"Yes, I got everything." I looked down at my shoes, making sure they were firmly tied. "Do I have a bag too?"

"No, you don't need one." I didn't bother wondering that meant, mostly because I didn't have enough time. They started making their way out of the room and I followed.

"Almost forgot." Aubrey turned towards me and looked me in the eye. "If you get separated, come back here and lock the doors, okay?"

"Yes sir!" I mocked him. I was tired of being treated like a stupid child. I saw his jaw clench and he turned and caught up with Jace.

~~

"Did you hear that?" I whispered and turned to look over my shoulder.

"Emerson, for the thousandth time; it was nothing. Shut up please." Jace said annoyed. Aubrey stayed silent and continued walking behind me.

My feet were killing me and my eyes were trying their best to stay open. I was terrified and had a good reason to be, we were in one of the shadiest dirtiest parts of town. We'd been out here for four hours, stopping at multiple places and to me, felt like a lost cause. Jace or Aubrey would go inside, talk to someone, come out and we'd keep walking. No one said anything, we just left. It was going on 1:30 in the morning and I was ready to lay down.

"Aubrey." I turned towards him and looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Are we almost done?" I tried to stay silent, because I didn't want Jace to hear my complaining. He would surely yell at me for it.

"One more stop, then we'll head back." I smiled at the good news and picked up my pace. We approached a small building that was full of bright colorful lights. Music was blasting out of the places and a few people were outside. No doubt, there party was going on. "Jace, I'll handle this one."

"Alright man, we'll wait here." Aubrey walked ahead of us and right into the crowd of people. I sighed and leaned against the lamp post, closing my eyes.

"Stay alert Emerson." Jace nudged my side. "We both have to keep watch." I sighed and pushed myself off on the post. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I heard a noise. It was short, but I knew exactly what it was. It was followed my more. I was frozen, I couldn't move. "Shit Em, we gotta go."

"What?!"

"We have to go. Come on." He grabbed my arm and pulled me down the street as many people came running from the house.

"Jace, we can't leave Aubrey in there." I yelled. "Those gun shots could've hit him." I dug my heels into the ground.

"Edwards, we have to go. Aubrey will meet us at the hotel." I wasn't leaving, I needed to make sure he was okay.

"I'll stay you can go." I tried pulling my arm out of his grip, but is was no use. He wasn't going to let go.

"I'm not leaving you here."

"Then you'll stay and we'll see if he's okay." By now the people that came from the house were running past us. I glared at him, letting him know I wasn't budging.

"You think you can make it out here?" He released my arm and began walking away. "Fine, have it your way. You stay and I'll go. When you get killed it's not on me." I turned away from him and crossed my arms. "Emerson Edwards, this is your last chance." I stayed turned and I heard him huff. "Fine, I'm leaving." I keep my eyes focused on the people running by, trying to spot Aubrey.

I watched a few people and none of them where him. Maybe Jace was right, he'd meet us back at the room. I sighed and turned around, expecting him to be there waiting. My heart dropped when I didn't see him. He'd actually left. I was alone in this shady ass neighborhood. I felt fear slowly build up inside me. My eyes began to water.

No, I wasn't going to cry right now. I shook my head and straighten my posture. I was going to find Aubrey and go back.

There was only one problem, I didn't see Aubrey anywhere and I didn't know my way back.

**

Will Emerson and Aubrey be okay?

Was Jace wrong for leaving Emerson?

Leave feedback!
Thanks for the comments of the last chapter, I enjoyed reading them!
-KingOfOctober