More Than Just A Tag (Slow Updates)

Chapter 12: Weirdest Scenario of my Life

I'm still getting used to the new schedule. But! I have updated on time! So that's a plus! I'm pretty sure though that once school starts, I'm gonna lose the schedule completely again... We'll one can only hope I don't!

~Enjoy!

..........

'Dragon? What's he doing here? He never shows himself around me. Says that people could become suspicious about Karma.'

My thoughts run around in my head, trying to find a possible answer as to why the leader of the most notorious gang in our city is in my hospital room. I keep looking at his dark brown, almost black eyes, trying to read them. But that doesn't help at all. His eyes are guarded all the time. The only time he's shown emotion is when he's angry, and when he first met me.

*Flashback*

Honk! Honk!

I hear cars honk at me as I run across the street, not bothering to look for oncoming cars. My lungs burn as I make it to the other side of the road, panting and out of breath. I look behind me to see the kids that were chasing me look around in confusion as I look on from the crowded street. I then look around and turn into an alley.

Just as I thought I was safe, I feel a strong force push against my back and the next thing I know, I'm falling. I turn around in the air and land on my backside. I look up to see that it was Chase, the guy that I had beaten up just a tiny bit when he was messing with Riley outside of the orphanage. Let's just say that I kicked where the sun doesn't shine and then punched him until he fell over. After that his friends ran over to see what was happening when he cried out in pain.

So I told Riley to run and we bolted in the opposite direction, they could only chase one of us. They chose me. And so I ran and ran like nobody's business. But I guess running only takes you so far. I quickly get back up and stand guard ready to bolt if anything happens. Just then Chase takes a step forward and I take one back to compensate for lost space between us.

I do NOT want to be in close distance so he could grab me, let's just say I don't think I'll be able to survive if he did. As he takes one more step towards me, I take another one back, but bump into someone. I turn my head to find one of Chase's friends blocking my escape. I take a look around and find myself in a circle. Why oh why did I get myself into this?!

"Hah! Look at you now. I thought you were this big bad tough little girl?" Chase's stupid mocking voice grates against my ears.

I open my mouth to speak.

"She may not be, but I am." A gruff voice replies.

I close my mouth and look around confused. Whoever that was, was not me. Chase and his friends look around as well. Just then a guy steps out of the shadows, behind Chase. Every single one of his friends spot him and freeze.

"What is it guys?" I hear Chase ask.

They just bolt out of the alleyway, eager to get out of there. That's when Chase notices me staring at the man behind him. He turns around and looks the guy in the eyes. Since I couldn't see the secret message the man conveyed, I assumed that it was something with malice because the next thing you know, Chase turns around and practically runs me over in his obvious escape.

I open my eyes to find the man's hand held out towards me. I trace his hand back  to his arm and eventually his face. His ghost white skin stands out more in the black hoodie. His face is shadowed by his hood that he's wearing. And a black bandana seems to cover half of his face. The only other color besides black and white is the dark brown, almost black nothingness that is his eyes. I look at his hands, then his face and come to the conclusion that he obviously isn't here to kidnap me or hurt me in any way. He already would have by now.

So, I take his hand and stand up. I brush all the dust off myself and turn back around to face the man. I open my mouth to ask the obvious question, when the man suddenly shakes his head and turns around, gesturing to follow him. I look back out at the alleyway, suddenly suspicious, yet curious at the same time. In the end, curiosity wins and I turn back towards the man to follow him.

He takes a few turns until we're both standing at a very impressively concealed door. He knocks three short times and then four long times and then waits. The door swings open and he gestures me to follow him inside. Again, I am conflicted, but I continue onward. I walk inside to find a small room warmly lit with candles. I look around and find a few wooden tables and chairs and a couch. People are seated everywhere and playing what seems to be poker. I look back at the man as he cough loudly and gains everyone's attention in a matter of a few seconds. I watched mesmerized as I watch him take his bandana off and address the crowd still staring at him and then at me as they begin to notice I'm standing there.

"Hello everyone, o have found a new recruit, from now on you are to treat her with respect and look out for she is our youngest member."

As he says that sentence, I look at him confused.

'Recruit? For what?!'

I tune back to hear what he says next.

"If you'll now excuse us, the new recruit and I need to talk."

With that he turns to me and leads me into another room I failed to notice. This room is filled with bunk beds. I turn back to the man, pelting him with numerous questions.

"Who are you? Why am I here? What is this place? Who are all those people? What do you mean new recruit?!"

The man holds up his hands and I quickly stop. Then he answers my questions in order in his deep gruff voice.

"I am Zane Dragon. You are here so we can talk and I can explain. This place is my headquarters a.k.a safe haven, according to others. These people are all part of a group that I have put together called the Masked Taggers, we create "art" around the city. I'll explain more in that later. And by "new recruit" I mean that I have decided to let you into our group and learn many things."

I ask the only question I knew how to ask.

"Why?"

"Because you show potential, and you remind me of someone."

Just then his eyes flashed with, fatherly affection?! I know that look. That's the look my dad used to give only to my twin sister, never me. But that's another story for another time. I do the only thing I know to do at that moment. I nod.

And that one nod, changed my entire life. Through a series of weeks, and, months, and eventually years, Dragon taught me how to tag, how to parkour and how to always find a way. Because no matter what anyone says, there's always a way out. He taught me how to express myself in a different way and stay out of trouble, he also taught me how to control me anger and stay hidden and inconspicuous. Dragon even helped me with my name and signature. But most importantly, he showed me a new definition of family. An for that, I've always been grateful.

*End of Flashback*

I'm jolted back into reality when I hear Riley gasp really loudly. I look back at the weirdest scenario that is happening in the weirdest place of all, my hospital room. I look at everybody as they turn to look at me. I'm absolutely turned speechless and the only thing I can is,

"This is the weirdest thing ever."

..........

I know that I left off  on a very weird spot, but I was updating yesterday at 11:00 in the evening. I was stuck writing til 12:00 midnight! And honestly? I was just getting tired. Still, I hope this was up to your expectations! Don't be afraid to tell me what you think.

Bye!

~Swashbukler3000