Kids In the Dark

A Nice Walk

Aidan's P.O.V
Already 4? I think as I stand in front of my vanity. I adjust my tie, making sure it's completely perfect. I run a comb through my hair and style it into a side-swept look. Making a last check, I nod at myself and pull a gray hoodie over my head. Quietly opening my bedroom door, I notice no one else is awake yet. I silently celebrate, then slip out of my room and into the hallway. Creeping down the stairs, I hear a glass shatter and someone curse in a weird language.

"Merde!" Someone whispers

It's quiet, I almost can't hear it, but I think it's a girl. I tilt my head, trying to hear more, and end up tripping. There's a small thump as I readjust my footing on the carpeted stairs.

"Huh? What was that?" The girls voice comes again, but this time there's another one.

"I'm sure it was nothing, don't worry babe." Another girls voice, this time it sounds familiar.

I suppress a laugh as I realize it was Shannon. But who was she with? She called her babe, so probably someone really close. That's when I realize, holy shit. Does Shannon have a girlfriend? Completely forgetting about the people below me, I let out a guffaw that echoes through the hallway. Realizing what I did, I quickly scurry away from where I was hiding and into the bathroom at the end of the hallway. Locking the door, I back up against the wall, a hand over my heart. I hear light footsteps ascend the stairs and stop in the middle of the hall. Holding my breath, I freeze with wide eyes glued to the door. Finally the footsteps retreat back the way they came, stopping every now and then. I let out my breathe and double over, wiping sweat from my forehead. I go to the sink and check my hair. Perfect. Unlocking the door, I scamper down the hall and turn left, towards the window. Opening the window, I quickly scramble out onto the fire escape. When I get to the sidewalk, I look around and put my hood up. Slipping away into the crowd, I make my way to the subway. Getting off the subway at the docks, I see my destination, a dilipated warehouse with its roof sagging in. Walking up to it, I spot a metal box resting on the doorstep. I pick it up, place down a manila envelope, and make my way home. Walking up to the Sweet Tooth, I check my phone. It's 5:45. People are gonna be up by now. At least I could have a little duel with Patrick before breakfast. I think as I shift the box to hold it in one hand and take out my keys with the other. As I'm about to unlock the door, it swings inward and I look up to see the menacing figure of Shannon. I can't really see her face because it's shrouded in shadow, but I have a feeling she's glaring at me. I do a little half smile and wave with my key hand. She opens the door wider and gestures me in. I hurry past her, slipping my keys back into my pocket and grabbing the box with both hands again. As she shuts the door, I notice a girl sitting on the couch, hands clenched in her lap. She rises when I notice her and walks over to me.

"Hi! I'm Rose! Who are you? And what's the box for?" She asks.

I inch around her towards the stairs and say "Sorry, that's confidential. Nice to meet you, gotta go!"

I dash up the stairs before Shannon can question me and take shelter in my room. Breathing a sigh of relief, I take my box into the closet and hide it. I hear my door open, but think nothing of it, probably just Tatum. Sure enough, when I leave the closet, I see the file on my dresser. Double checking that there's no evidence left, I leave my room and go to bother Patrick.