The Rules of the Red - 2014 Watty Award Winner |✓|

Chapter Two - Part Five

"But really though," Adelle said at one point, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial fashion, and effectively darkening the mood of the moment. "I'm just glad to find out that you aren't dead. For a while, there was such the awful rumor going around that you were. But, I see you're alive, so..."

"Yeah, not dead - just foster care." I replied, smiling but failing to catch the amusement. "Hey, I should probably head out soon. I've been out all day, and I skipped lunch so I'm pretty much awake, but dreaming about dinner."

"Stay," Adelle encouraged, with an unfamiliar firmness behind her usually warm tone. "My limo's behind the store. We can go there to talk about... other things. And you can meet my friend mary-jane while we do it."

Instantly, I was intrigued.

"Fine, I'm in. Let's go."

*  *  *

I sat with Adelle in the backseat of her stretch, admiring its cushioned, leather interior. Meanwhile, she opened one of the consoles between our two seats, and produced a small bag of green, with a pink lighter, and a pincher designed to look like a cigarette. And straightaway, the car was filled with the rich aroma of skunky oranges - a scent that was unfamiliar but definitely not unwelcome.

"Like that?" Adelle asked, grinning toothily. "Kush. It's called 'Hawaiian Fire.' It's got a hard kick, with a kind of orange-y aftertaste - grade-A product, I can assure you."

Politely, and as a part of smoker etiquette, Adelle handed me the bag and pincher. Expertly, I loaded it and then set the flame to its tip, inhaling deeply. I hadn't smoked in months so the waves hit me quick. I leaned back with a contented sigh, feeling relaxed and at peace. I handed the materials back to Adelle and she took a hit as well, skillfully blowing rings up in small puffs.

"So, here's the thing..." she said slowly, eyes still trained on the ceiling, watching the thick, white smoke as it rippled and vanished. "I tell you this, and it makes me a traitor. I mean, you're a Noble, but you're not really a part of this Pack. Technically, you're still an outsider. But, on the other hand, if I don't tell you this it'll make me ask myself questions that I seriously do not wanna fuckin' answer.

"Hey, I get it." I said, as Adelle passed me the pincher and the bag again. "Rock and a hard place, right? That kinda shit?"

Adelle nodded.

"Well, technically, you aren't a rat yet because you haven't picked a side: there's Charles, and then there's me. And I may not be Pack yet, but this town knows my name - and I haven't even had to lift a finger yet to get them to do it."

I paused after re-loading, inhaling deep and quick. I blew out the smoke, and then surveyed Adelle coolly through the haze.

"So you can choose a side, here, now." I continued, still reserved but relaxed as well too. And whether it was from the high or the power, I couldn't tell and didn't care to. I would make more friends and I would make more enemies no matter what it was this girl decided.

"It's either him, or me. You can say it now, or I can just leave."

I tried to hand her the pincher again, but she sat still, remaining motionless and silent. So I set it down in the console instead, and placed a hand on the door handle.

"Either way, I won't hold this against you." I said.

And just as my hand was about to squeeze down, she chose to speak at literally the last second.

"He asked me to be your friend and keep any eye on you, but I knew what he really meant: he wants me to spy and report back to him. And he threw around some bullshit about how my dad is such an asset, and that the Leadership really needs him, and that it would be such a shame to lose him... And then he told me to take some time, and get back to him."