Bandits with Feelings

bandits with feelings (part 2)

 The next morning, I wake up to loud chatter. I sit up in bed and look around. I'm not in jail, I'm with this stranger, Nick. I yawn and get out of bed. I consider changing, but I don't want to intrude his sister's privacy anymore. Anyways, I showered yesterday, I shouldn't smell too bad. I check my shoulder that's covered in dry blood, but at least it's not bleeding anymore.

I walk out the room, when I hear loud footsteps running towards me. I see Nick jogging his way over to me, wearing a tight white T-shirt and black A.D.I.D.A.S sweatpants. He slides on the hardwood floor and nearly crashes into me. His socks stop gliding right before reaching me and once again, we are only inches away from each other. I hear his breath quicken. "You stayed." He breathes. Did he think I was going to leave during the night? I nod, trying not to look stupid. "The gang is here right now. They're real nice people. You'll get along just fine." Nick explains. I nod again and walk to washroom when he leaves. I brush my teeth and wash my face with just water. I tell myself to keep calm and that Nick kept his promise.

I walk out and into the living room where I see 8-9 people packed inside. They all seem to be my age and look like Danny. I recognize Reid and Danny sitting on the couch. Nick is in the kitchen, I assume, is making breakfast. Danny notices me first and his face lights up. "You look so much better clean." He says. The gang falls silent and they all turn to stare at me. I look and observe each one of them. "Is you Nick's new girlfriend?" One of them blurts out. He has crooked teeth and hard brown eyes. "Shut up, Steven." Nick yells from the kitchen. Steven bursts out in laughter, which makes most of the others laugh as well. "I wonder what Nick sees in you. You is all tiny and shy. I bet she ain't able to rob an elderly lady." Steven continues. Yeah right, 'all nice people'. "Steven." Danny starts. "You don't look so tough, lady." He jokes. I can barely hear Danny and Nick over the laughter. My blood starts boiling and I take a step towards Steven. "You probably don't know how survive one hour in the wild. Huh? Name one time you got in trouble with the police." He challenges. I fight back against my brain, which is begging me to stay calm and not to say one word.

"Murder."

The whole room falls silent. "What did she say?" Someone asks. "Murder." Steven spits. For a second, I think they believe me, but they all start laughing again. I feel so annoyed right now. Before thinking, I shove Steven backwards, sending him straight on his ass. I sit down at the dining table and ignore all the stares. I can see Nick smiling to himself from the corner of my eye. "Breakfast is ready, guys." He announces. Immediately, two of the men help him bring the bowls to the dining table. All the other guys come and sit. Danny sits across from me and they all seem to not want to sit with me.

Finally, the oldest one sits down beside me. "Is you serious?" He asks. I nod. "I'm Joshua, Danny's brother. I just need to make sure of some things." He says. I let him talk, while Nick slides in beside on my left. "When did you kill?" Joshua asks. "Yesterday." I whisper. All of the guys quiet their conversations to eavesdrop on mine. "Are the police on your tail? Where is you from?" Joshua asks. I shake my head, not daring to answer his question and I take a big bite of the scrambled egg. Nick's cooking is so good. Joshua looks at Nick. They share a weird glance and Joshua looks back at me. "We is pretty familiar with the police too. We don't want you to draw more attention to us than you need to." He says. I nod. I just don't want them to kick me out of the house. I've had experience with being homeless before.

Joshua seems satisfied with his tiny interrogation and settles into his seat. After that, each and everyone of the gang introduce themselves. Michael is the small mousy one. He has a big scar on his neck and long black hair. He's one of the youngest of the gang and apparently the stealth master. Matthew is his brother and two years older. He looks nothing like his brother, with pale skin and almost blonde hair. He is the brains of the group and plans most of the crimes. Next, a man named Robert introduces himself. He is my age, 19, with a big build. He could probably ram through a concrete wall. The gang calls him the 'Meticulous', since he's never missed a shot. Finally, there's Steven. He's Matthew's age, so a few years older than me. If you need him to get a job done, he'll do it.