The Dying Generation

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Hey, brother!" I heard a voice exclaim.
"You've been away for a while. I have to say, I was amazed you wanted to come over. Thought you were still sore at me from the other day."

I assumed it was Sal.

"Yeah well you can't hold too many grudges when you have no other choice.." Alton mumbled.

"So what happened? I've taken notice that you've became quite.... popular lately.."

"For some stupid shit. My dad was doing something..... anyways, it involved a life and-"

"Aaaaand you got attached." Sal butted in.

"I don't know if I would really say that.." Alton trailed off.

"Dude, look. We use to hang out like everyday and then suddenly, you stopped showing up and now when we do see you, you're more distant than you were with us. All from that pip squeak and if any of us comes near it then you kick into Mother Hen mode."

"Don't even say that word to describe me." Alton growled.
"I'm still the same! I'm just..... helping someone who is...... more defenseless.."

"I rest my case." Sal said.
"When were you ever like that? Before this, you wouldn't even help me jump the gate to get into Mrs. Jefferson's yard! I always had to get Milo to help me."

"That's different."

"Oh really?"

"That was dealing with doing things we weren't suppose to. With Clay, it's life or death. It wouldn't take much to get her killed."
Alton defended.

There was silence for a few moments. Then Sal spoke.

"Is she here now?"

Alton's grip slightly tightened around me from his words. But he didn't say a response back to Sal.

"Is that Mother Hen instinct kicking in?" Sal laughed.

Alton huffed, frustrated.
"Promise you won't touch her then.."

Sal groaned.
"I promise I won't harm a hair on her head."

It took a few seconds for Alton to comply. He easily pulled me out, keeping me close to him. I nervously looked towards Sal who stared me down.

Sal's eyes went from me to Alton a few times.
"Well, set her down. You don't have to restrict her like that the whole time." Sal backed away.

"Can I even trust you?"

"You were the one that came into my house, asking to stay here for a little while, and made me promise. What's the point of all of this if you didn't trust me."

Alton hesitated for a moment then looked down to me with no real emotion. I assumed he wasn't sure what he should do.
I honestly preferred to stay with him.

"Can you tell the others to back off while we're at it?" Alton slowly lowered me down to the bed.
I stepped down onto the soft bed with uncertainty. I didn't feel all that comfortable being away from Alton like that. Especially if the leader of these young thugs was right here in front of me.

Sal shrugged.
"I only have so much control over my boys. I'll do what I can but you might have to also talk to them. They're practically all rebels."

"Fine, and your Mom knows I'm staying right?" Alton tucked his hands into his jean pockets.

"Yeah, she knows. She don't really give a shit. Not like she really cares what I do." Sal looked away from Alton and down to me. With his sudden attention gained, it made Alton's eyes go down to me.

I nervously took some steps back, fiddling my hands together.

"So, your Dad is trying to hunt you down to get after the little girl you have here?" Sal pointed towards me.

"Yeah, he's been calling me none stop lately." Alton rolled his eyes.

"And she's the last human?" Sal crouched down in front of me, making me take even more steps away with my eyes locked onto him.

"As far as we know. Most of them were killed off by cannibals and anyone else's status is unknown. I think there's still some out there. They're just gonna be hard to find."

"Well aren't you just special." Sal picked up his hand, poking me in the chest, making me trip and fall backwards. I guess I'm lucky I was on something soft.

"Didn't you say you wasn't gonna touch her?" Alton inserted himself back into the conversation.

Sal looked back up to Alton, remaining in his position near me.
"No, I promised I wouldn't harm a hair on her head. Her hair is fine." He smiled, knowing he was causing Alton frustration.

Alton grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him up.
"Don't screw with me, Smartass."he growled threateningly.

Sal chuckled, not even seeming threatened by Alton.
"You're such a weakling, Alton." Sal pulled away.
"I didn't even hurt her."
Sal looked towards me then returned his gaze to Alton.
"Look,"
Sal lowered his voice like he didn't want me to hear.
"With you having her around is only gonna make you weaker. Are you sure you want to be tied up in this bullshit? I mean, the longer you're with her, you get even more attached, and you're gaining a weak spot. Anyone would be able to bring you down to your knees if they involved her."
He paused for a moment.
"My group is not meant to have any weak spots." Sal sternly told Alton.

"I got it, would you shut the hell up already." Alton rolled his eyes.
"No one will know about her, she is gonna stay out of sight, and mostly with me."

Sal backed up with his hands up in defense.
"Fine, do what you want. But don't come crying to me if something happens to her."
Sal walked to the other side of the room.

Alton walked closer to the side of the bed.
"I'm not.. but is it fine for me to stay here or not?"

Sal turned to face Alton.
"You're one of my boys, and I help my gang out. Sure, stay for however long. I have no problem in hiding a wanted person." Sal took a seat in a chair, going onto his phone.

It scared me when the bed jumped suddenly, from Alton taking a seat onto the bed.
By the time I looked back to him, he grabbed the back of my shirt. Pulling me back, my feet left the 'ground' momentarily before being placed into his huge hand. I adjusted my glasses and brushed my fading hair out of my face.

I could barely make out Sal smiling in amusement from Alton's actions around me.
I turned my head the other way, awkwardly.
I wasn't too sure about the new setting. With having to be around Sal was nerve wracking, not to mention having to be around all the others?
That's even worse.
It would make me wonder, what would be better?
Being around a bunch of people in a lab?
Or being around a bunch of teenager boys that occasionally likes to break the law and have no restrictions or have a conscience?