Lights Out Boys

Chapter Twenty One: A Forlorn Glance

Song: Scars 

Artist: Michael Malarkey

A Forlorn Glance

Blake

I felt terrible that Lana didn't know what went on in her own house. However, it was for her own safety. She's been through a lot, and I think her dad just wanted her to know that she'd be safe even if she's in another state. We've all been through a lot the past year, not only because of school but also our friendships have been tested many times. When I went to that school, I didn't think I'd be friends with so many different people. I didn't think I'd still be friends with Lana in the end. Our group of friends, which included the older crowd would always be complicated because that's just us, we're all different in some way that made us superior one time or another.

I've seen Keene play his role many times especially when he's around Lana or Levi. They're like his little siblings who are taking their first real steps into the big world. Unfortunately, he was thrown into the big world, so he knew from experience. Though neither of them was here and I wasn't as persuasive as Lana or Levi.

"What is this place?" I asked as we stepped into an old building that somehow still reeked. We walked past a sign, but it was too rusty and chipped to see anything.

"An abandoned factory, damn this place looks like it's gonna' collapse any second," Keene said as he observed the damaged bricks on one side of the building.

"Maybe that's why James chose this place," I said as we chuckled even though I could tell he was nervous. When I looked at him, my eyes trailed down at the big black duffle bag he held. Detective Kale gave it to us and said we shouldn't open it no matter what, it should only be opened when they check the bag. Whoever, they were. I wondered if James would've risked coming to an abandoned factory just to collect money. He must've sent someone.

"They just gave an address, no further instruction," Keene said as I snapped out of my thoughts. I nodded and continued to follow him as we walked through the front. The afternoon sun shone through the smashed windows and onto the broken concrete. There was barely any furniture around, but a large rusty machine stood in the corner. I hadn't seen one like it before, so it was too old pick out. "Look."

I followed his gaze and stiffened when I saw the footprints located on the ground that led to a white door, but over the years it became old and chipped on the sides. Keene and I exchanged wry looks before he stepped forward and placed his hand on the doorknob. He twisted the doorknob, and it quickly turned, so they had to be here.

"Hold this." He mumbled and gave me the bag before he continued. When I took it, I noticed how heavy it felt like a pile of books was in them. I hoped I wasn't the one to hand over the money, as far as I know, I'm here for moral support.

Keene slowly pushed the door open and almost fell if I hadn't yanked him back by the arm. He quickly recovered from the rapid breaths he took and looked down the steep stairs which could've ended him. They were wooden stairs which I hated and went on forever so we couldn't exactly see the end.

"Let's go," I whispered and noticed how Keene's hands shook as he tried to look for something to hold while we walked down the stairs. Thankfully, there were two walls which guided us as we walked.

"Sh*t!" Keene hissed once we were sixteen steps down, I had to count to distract myself from what we're about to be confronted by. I slightly bumped into him but quickly regained my balance before both of us toppled over. Keene looked over his shoulder and huffed with an annoyed expression, "Don't worry it was just a rat."

I rolled my eyes as we silently continued with our footsteps that creaked against the wooden stairs. The only audible sound that seemed like the whole world would've heard us coming. I did hear a rat scurry past us and hoped he was the only one, I wasn't afraid but rats were gross.