Deal With The Devil

Chapter 28

Javier's POV

"You know what this is about, right?" Manny asked as we walked away from Celeste and Junior.

"I'm assuming it has something to do with what happened Thursday." I replied nonchalantly.

We headed out to the backyard where about 15 people were hanging out. They all looked like they were waiting around for something, like they'd been summoned.

"Good guess." He grinned.

Everyone in the backyard came over to us, forming a circle. I stood on the outside of it until Manny shoved me into the middle.

"When you came to the trap last week I saw your potential, but had to test you before any propositions were made, you feel? You held your own on Thursday so now we're recruiting you to be a new member of the Sureños. If you've got any experience around gangs you should know that this isn't really optional." Manny explained, cracking his knuckles.

This was it, no going back. If I was going to find Miguel I had to have these connections. My heart ached thinking of Celeste and what she would think if only she knew. The people around me looked like they were ready for a fight. Girls with their hair tied back, guys sizing me up. I spotted Joker and the guys from the house Miguel had the address to smiling at me like they were about to see me get baptized or something. Baptized with blood into their twisted world.

"I figured that." I nodded, "Well? A qué están esperando, eh? 13 segundos, no?"

I put up a tough front, asking what they were waiting for. They were going to jump me in. 13 seconds. Dozens of fists. Hopefully none would make too much contact with my face.

"Nothing above my neck. Everything else is fair game." I stated, staring hard at Manny in the eyes.

He thought about it for a moment, "Only if you do a job for me along with Joker."

"Deal." I nodded.

I'd worry about what the job was later; at that moment the only thing I was worried about was getting through the next 13 seconds alive. Alive and seemingly unharmed to the rest of the world.

"Go."

With Manny's command a few who had been standing around in the circle rushed me. The rest stayed back to block off what was happening from the party even though they must've known. Blows met my body quickly, knocking wind from my lungs and causing me to double over and then quickly snap back up when firsts pounded into my back. Someone's fist slipped and hit my bottom lip, splitting it open. Whether it was accidentally or "accidentally", I wasn't sure.

"...Cinco... Seis..." Everyone watching slowly counted up to 13.

I stood up straight, trying desperately not to fall over while they continued to beat me. My legs gave out and I was on my knees for a few seconds before Joker and Flaco lifted me up so everyone could have easier access to land their last blows.

"... Once.. Doce... Trece!" My whole body relaxed when thirteen seconds was finally over.

Now that that was over so was my normal life. I couldn't help but think of how disappointed my mom would be. She thought I was playing video games in a friend's basement. It'd kill her to know I was on the opposite side of town getting jumped into a gang.

It's for a good cause, I told myself, You're going to get answers about Miguel.

Joker and Flaco helped me up again and patted me on the back, making me flinch.

"Felicidades, güey!" Joker exclaimed.

"Shit's official now, you're one of us." Flaco chimed in.