Abandoned

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Hey again,

Well, this is my next chapter i guess...

Ruby x

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After two hours in the police station and interrogation that seemed unnecessary, I was finally giving a crisp piece of paper for a court hearing that would happen in juvenile court. I was still seventeen and six months shy of being eighteen and an adult.

I knew this was the straw that had broken the camels back as I had never been issued a court order before. Truth be told, I had been in the station numerous times before and given stern warnings but let off due to my 'situation'. You see, I got leniency due to the fact that my mother was an alcoholic who spent more times on the streets than she did at home and I didn't know who my father was. Cliché, I know. But hey, sometimes those things don't just happen in the movies.

The chief police officer knew me and had many talks late at night when I had been picked up. He had warned me that if it went too far they had no choice but to send me off to juvy. I ignored his threats and went about my usual ways.

At four thirty, I heard the heavy door of the station open and winced at the scraping noise at the metal clashed with the concrete. I saw Carlos walk through the door and give me an unreadable look. After his quick glance, he turned to the reception desk and muttered a few words to the officer who was sitting there. After a moment or so, Carlos turned back to me and gave me a nod. I stood up with my head down still and followed him outside.

A rush of cold air flew into my face, like an icy kiss and I followed Carlos to his car. Not a word was said and I was left with my thoughts as we trudged along the path.

Once we were in the car, I threw my backpack on the backseat and sighed heavily. Carlos started the car and his silence was painful. I wanted him to say something. Anything. Finally, I turned to him and stared. He looked back once we reached a red light and he pursed his lips.

"What?" I asked him finally. He didn't answer and turned back to the road. He was thinking and I didn't like the fact he was ignoring me.

Carlos was the leader of a street gang I was involved with. He had picked me up when I was fourteen and had successfully stolen a few things from a corner store. He had caught me and I was so worried he would turn me in, I dropped the things and ran. He caught me before I could leave and explained he wanted to help me. he knew of my situation at home and explained how he had a similar situation. He told me he was able to care for me and provide money. Being young and stupid I had agreed without questions. The deal was that he would provide necessary money and needs and I would do errands for him. Drugs were his main income. I was the mule. I would deliver and collect. Nothing further.

Carlos became a brotherly figure and then a father figure. He took a certain interest in me and kept that eye on me that extra minute or two when he was meant to be watching another member. He felt he had to protect me that little bit more than the others. Not that making me deliver drugs was necessarily putting me in a safe situation but he meant well.

He was staring back at me and opened his mouth to say something but then shook his head.

"What?!" I demanded. He shook his head and looked down at his lap for a second.

"What're you doing Ol?" he asked me. He looked at me and his bright blue eyes that almost looked grey/white burned into me. I had to turn away from his fierce glance.

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you doing this to yourself?"

"What are you on about C?"

"Why are you ruining you're chances at a life, huh? Don't you want to do something with yourself?" he asked and turned back to the road to continue driving. He had taken me of guard. He had never cared much about my school life before and I had assumed he didn't care.

"I am doing something. I'm helping you"

"Ha, right. Being a drug mule is a great career choice Oliver huh?" he said and shook his head.

"Where is this coming from C? You've never cared before about what I did at school"

"Yes that is true but I do care when you beat the crap out of you're teacher"

"But he start-"

"I dont care, Oliver, who started it" he sighed heavily and rubbed his temples with his thumb on one side and his pointer finger on the other. His face was in a grimace and he looked like he was putting his brain in maximum revs. "Look, the real point is, you're attracting unwanted attention. To me. now I know how this sounds but honestly I'm already under close surveillance with the cops. I can't have them buzzing around you because of this and snatching me in the process"

I looked at him with shock and then looked out the window and leaned my head on the glass. I didn't know what to say or where he was going with the conversation.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is... you're out of the gang Oliver" he said and I shot up and looked at him with astonishment. What?

"What?" I voiced my thoughts. "What do you mean I'm out of the gang? The gang is my life! My friends are all there, you're there. Without the gang..." I trailed off as I tried to think of a life without the boys.

"Look I know this is hard but it has to happen. There is no discussing" he said and all the softness had left his voice and was replaced by firm words. "You will stop all communication with all members and you will not be associated with our gang. All enemy gangs will take no notice of you and you will not be recognised. Understood?" he asked and looked back at me. I didn't answer just looked straight through the windshield.

"Oliver you better be listening to me cause I will not say this twice. I've set up an account for you. There's enough money for you to rent an apartment for a month. After that you'll have to pay yourself. The school called and said you were expelled so school isn't a priority right now. I'm going to organise for you to get a job at this bookstore over in Hurstville. You're gonna start behaving, understand me?" he asked and waited for an answer. I left him in silence as I was thinking about what was happening. "Oliver, are you listening?" he yelled. I nodded slowly and he continued.

"Well, I'm taking you to your apartment now and your stuff will be there already. It's a five minute walk to the bookstore so you won't need a car. Oh and Oliver?"

"Yeah?"

"If you get into any more trouble, you're done. You'll be in that juvy cell before you can even spell jail. Now, I've spoken around and I think I can wave these court hearings but there are no solid promises ok? I'll get a message to you soon but no direct contact ok? I'm sorry to spring this on you but you've really left me no choice"

As he finished his last sentence, he pulled up outside an apartment block. He left the car idling and turned to me. I looked up at the rising tower and back to him.

"Here's your key. You're number 7 on the second floor. Be good ok Oliver?" he said and dropped the key in my open palm. He held out his hand for me to shake but I ignored it and got out. I was angry with Carlos. After all these years he was just abandoning me. I slammed the door and he saw it as his cue to leave. He did a U-turn and stopped in front of me and chucked my backpack out the open window. It fell into the dust and created a storm of swirls and clouds to erupt from the ground. I reached over and grabbed it before making my way inside. Well, this should be interesting.

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