Hang Or Pain

Chapter VII: The Past and The Curious

The dark sky flooded above daring anyone to enter unfamiliar territory with no clouds in sight. The truck smelled like cigarettes as Piper kept smoking one after another, trying to convince the others to smoke as well. Joy mocked Piper saying she's disgusting for stealing her moms cigarettes and smoking them so casually. The entire car ride was nothing but cigarettes and confusion.

"So what do we do once we enter Birchwood? It's way past our curfew it's almost 12." Leroy says in a deep concern.

"Well maybe we can do research?" Grey states looking around the truck.

Piper and Grey were in the front while Joy and Leroy were in the back.

"Do research? At 11:45 at night? What the hell's open at this time of the night!" Joy asks.

"I heard rumors that their library is open all day and all night! I mean it's Birchwood, theres a fucking reason why they're nerds and winning fucking awards for educational purposes!" Piper says sounding annoyed.

"Ok so heres the plan we go to the library and research what?! 'Evil Black Shadow man!' " Joy now mocking Piper.

"Our we read books and see if he's any ancient monster. This library is large I'm pretty sure we can find some help." Grey says looking directly at Joy.

"Fine whatever I don't think this is going to work." Joy shrugs her shoulders.

"Stop being negative, what else can we do! You can't go home your parents are dead!" Piper shouts.

" Shut the fuck up!" Joy screams.

"Hey! As of now were a team, we are the only ones who believe each other, we are the only ones who seen what happened! Nobody else will believe us! We need to stick together and stop this thing! We can't afford to be enemies anymore! Both of you drop your fucking drama you have and make up!" Grey commands the both of them.

In shock Piper stares at Grey and glares at Joy.

"I don't know what this little skank did to you, or what she did to convince you she's good, was it the fake tears, was it the hand holding! I don't know but i don't care and i don't like her!"

"Well I don't like you either!" Joy screams back at Piper!

"This arguing isn't going to get us anywhere, let's just find the library and do our job, we'll figure out a plan later on!" Leroy now raising his voice.

The gang see's streets lights and tall buildings. Piper just keeps driving straight, turning right every other street. It's almost midnight and it's almost a ghost town. The gang spots a group of kids walking on the sidewalk. Joy suggests that they ask for directions to the library, Piper pulls over and rolls down Grey's window.

"Hey! Uh do you guys know where the library is?"

The oldest looking one from the group steps forward to confront Grey. This kid had a scar on his eye. There were four other boys behind this kid on the sidewalk still, they seemed harmless compared to this guy.

"Why do you want to go to the library? At this time of night for!" The eldest teen spoke.

"We need to do um.." grey stumbled with his words.

"We're doing a research project and we need to use the most praised library in the county" Joy spoke up winking at the teen.

"Listen we the Puppet Gang don't allow newbies into the library like that, you can come in the day time like the rest of the people."

Piper was already frustrated and this made her lose her patience even more. Joy was trying to use her charm on the teen but he remained unfazed by her. Leroy noticed the boys in the back standing in an organized line, not moving an inch out of formation, they were looking straight down. The teen with the scar kept denying Joy access to the library.