Return & Redemption

Part 1

"Steve!"

"Whoa, what the hell!" I shouted, pulling up the blanket over my bare chest.

"Ew!" the kid that opened the door screeched, covering his eyes.

"Steve, wake up, you idiot!" I hit his sleeping form in the shoulder.

"What?" he asked groggily.

I eyed the curly-haired child in the doorway. "Can I open my eyes now?"

"Dustin, get out!" Steve shouted, finally coming to his senses.

"Ugh!" he slammed the door behind him before retreating down the stairs.

"Really, Steve?" I demanded; the annoyance was visible on my face. I tossed his blanket back and stood up, pulling my jeans on. "Where is my shirt?" He tossed my bright pink button up from the floor near his feet. "Who was that kid?" I asked, shimmying the shirt on.

"It's Dustin. He's a friend," Steve answered as he put on his shorts and T-shirt. "I should probably see what he wants." I nodded and made my way to his bedroom door. "Wait," he grabbed my elbow and twisted me around. "I had fun tonight."

"That makes one of us," I smirked at the stupefied look on his face. I turned back around and glided quickly down the stairs, unworried, knowing Steve's parents were out of town. I slipped through the front door and passed Dustin who was waiting near his bike. "See you, kid," I waved before getting into my car. His toothless smile made me grin as I turned the ignition and started down the driveway.

I took the back routes, knowing Main St would be crowded on a Friday night. My lame headlights barely lit up the black asphalt ahead of me. I looked down on my stereo to turn on the radio. Looking up, I noticed a weird form up ahead, near the woods that lined the empty street. I squinted, thinking it was some animal. Then it moved to the middle of the street and I realized it was a human.

"Shit!" I slammed the brake and yanked the steering to the left. I sighed heavily as my car skidded to a halt. My eyes widened at the sight of the man. I lowered my driverside window a crack and yelled, "hey, you okay?" Suddenly, I saw the form tumble to the ground and fall with a thump. "Crap!"