Seemingly unavoidable cliches

37 - Gangs

This lovely chapter was inspired by me starting to read Two Gangs and A Golden Girl or (TGAAGG)

ALSO HUNTING FOR SILENCE ENDED AAA thank god there's another book coming soon

The sleepy streets of Wattburg. The street lamps barely flicker. 2 am is a good time for mischief, no?

"Pay up." Ethan Reubenson growled, pushing the man in debt against the brick alleyway walls.

"I swear, I'll get it to you next week!" The man pleaded. "I have a wife and kids!"

"A wife that you cheat and kids that you beat." Ethan pressed the barrel of his gun to the man's temple. The metal was cold and unforgiving.

"Shit!" A feminine voice hissed from the sidewalk. Ethan, still pressing the gun against the man's temple, glances over.

There, standing in all her glory, is Edith Greenburg, staring at her phone she just dropped. She picked it up, gave a sigh of relief, then stopped dead in her tracks.

Was that Ethan Reubenson holding a man at gunpoint?

Yes. Yes, it was.

Ethan quickly shoots the man. Edith is frozen in place.

"H-hi..." She stutters, still getting over the fact she just watched a boy she's known of since kindergarten kill a man more easily than it should've been.

Ethan Reubenson was the school's bad boy, but he only broke school rules and was dubbed "king of detention". 

"Edith Greenburg? This is the west side of town." He sneered. "Shouldn't you be on the hills of Wattburg gated community enjoying the view of the people who work for you?"

Edith bit her lip. She didn't live on the hill, she lived in the apartment building known as "Huts for Hobos" at school. 

"I-I live here." She managed to utter. Ethan looked around and saw the building. "West Side Living" was painted on the old brick.

Ethan softened a little. He knew what the kids called that place.

"Why are you out here?"  He pressed angrily, worry implied. "It's late!"

"I-I, uh..." Edith didn't want to tell him she'd just come from the rehab center. "I took a walk."

"Girls like you don't take walks out here,"  Ethan muttered. He ran a hand through his hair.

"Can I go home?" Edith pleaded. "Please?"

"I'm walking you," Ethan growled a little. He'd just spotted a gnarly old addict smoking outside the liquor store.

Edith nodded and kept walking. Ethan followed.

The apartment's inside smelled like old furniture, tobacco, and the lingering smells of tenants that didn't shower.

Edith always took the stairs. The elevators were too dangerous to go on.

Ethan followed her, saying nothing as he realized where her apartment was.

The fifth floor. 

"You can go now if you want," Edith said quietly. "I can take the rest."

Ethan said nothing and urged her to continue.

Edith quietly walked down the hallway.

505, 506, 507, 508, 509...

Ethan's heart almost stopped.

The 510 hallway. It used rooms 510-515. 

"It smells a little strong here." Edith turned the corner. "Sorry about that."

The smell of booze attacked his nostrils mockingly.

Edith passed door 510, to door 511.

"I should go-" Ethan began. 

"Wait." Edith blurted. 

Ethan stopped and looked at her quizzingly.

"Do you do this every night?" Edith asked cautiously.

Ethan had a two-second debate on whether he should tell this girl his career choice.

"Can't avoid the night life when you rule it."

Ethan walked away, but not fast enough. Just before he turned the corner, Edith saw a crown on his back. Thin white shirts I suppose.

In West Side, crowns meant you were a force to be reckoned with. Just a little warning hint to any passerby.

The only problem was when a crown had the word "Rey" etched into the design.

That meant you were a king, and if it weren't for the puzzles in place, Edith would have to sleep on it.

But now she was positive.

Ethan Reubenson was the gang leader of West Side.

Wattpad has a very prominent obsession with gangs.

Odd. 

**koff** the leaders are always hot **koff**

How to avoid?: I think thats an easy fix.