Mr. Viper

Hunter

    New town. New life again. That is what I keep telling myself as I saw the sign to the new neighborhood I will be living in. I will give it a month tops before I have to move again. Ever since I could remember, it was always my mom and I. My mom would get placed into another headquarter, but in different areas. We would move every month or four on a good day. I never had a stable life and I had to adapt to change so quick at a young age. I know my mom does everything she can to let me have a good life and have food at the table, but I can never have a stable life with friends or a girlfriend. I had a girlfriend a couple years ago and moving kept us apart. I don't even bother becoming attached to anyone anymore. I just end up leaving. I never have a permanent place in anyone's life and I don't want to hurt them by leaving. I don't want it to hurt. I stared at the sign Orchid Hills. Interesting name. We pulled up an average size house. It was made of dark gray, gray, and light gray bricks and had an almost black roof with a white door. It wasn't really small, but it wasn't big either.
"Welcome home my love." Mom smiled at me as her head was turn towards me. I could see the sadness in her eyes behind the smile as I knew she was just as much hurting as I was, considering we both have to go through the changes in our lives so many times. I smiled at her as I looked at her brown, chocolate eyes as I reach out for her hand and give it a squeeze.
"I know it has not been easy the last seven years, but thank you for always being understanding. You mean so much to me Hunter." She said, as tears welled up into her eyes. I squeezed her hand again.
"I know." That's all I said because I know she felt bad and how much it pains to see her drag me away from school to school, from house to house, to cities to cities. It's been hard on her too.
"I love you." She stayed. I nodded and repeated the same thing to her.

    I was settled in my room. It was just plain white and all of our boxes were just sitting in the middle of the room. We barely had any stuff, so it was not much boxes. We never knew if we were going to get transferred, but we mostly keep some things in the boxes so it is easier to pack just incase. I only unpack my bedding and nightstand. The house was furnished and it's only a rental. I got a queen sized bed with a dresser. It was fairly small, but I didn't really care. It was cozy and I actually liked it. I couldn't help this gut feeling that something good is coming. After unpacking for a good hour, my room was looking pretty good. All my clothes were in the dresser and the boxes of stuff was just in my closet. I didn't really know what to do. I went downstairs to see what my mom was doing. I peered over the living room and so she was fast asleep curled in the couch. I stared at her with pity. She does everything for me and she can never catch a break. I saw a throw blanket and put it on her. I quietly grabbed my phone and keys and walked out of the house. It wasn't that cold for an October. It was breezy, but not chilly. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and just walked, exploring the neighborhood. I do this every time I move. I like to explore what the town has. I walked at a good pace and saw a couple buildings. I looked around and saw a place called Marino's: Drink and Play, I'm guessing it's a bar, but I wanted to check it out anyways.

     I opened the doors and was greeted by bright pink and red lights flashing. I walked in a bit more and looked around. Everyone was wearing black biker jackets. I peered at a group of guys with the jackets on, but locked eyes with one of them. He glared at me and did some sort of growl, then turned away. What the fuck? I turned away and saw a stage with a pole and saw a couple of girls, barely in clothes just swaying back and forth. Am I in a strip club or something? I thought to myself.
"What is a pretty boy like you doing in a club like this?" I heard a voice behind me. It was very feminine, so it is probably a girl. Also, the guys here probably want to pounce on me. I turn around and see it is a female. She was wearing one of those jackets and her hair was jet black. She had a red T-shirt on underneath and black leather pants with some boots. She looked like she was twenty one. "Well, are you going to say something pretty boy or are you gonna stare at me until this club closes." That snapped me back into reality.
"Oh sorry. Um I'm new to this neighborhood and was just exploring. I was walking-" She cut me off before I could finish.
"You were just exploring? Anyways, you found the club. Owned by Lawrence Marino. Okay, I gave you a background. You should leave." I stared at her in disbelief. She rolled her eyes and sighed. "What's your name?"
"Hunter Mason." She looked at me and laughed.
"Okay, Hunter Mason. This club is for the Vipers." The what? She could see the confusion written on my face. "Wow, you really are new. Did you do your research on Orchid Hills? Anyways, the Vipers is the town gang. We're a family and we protect the family. We are permanent people for life. The leader was Viper aka Lawrence Marino, but now it's his daughter and my best friend, Ruby Jade." The world permanent was the only thing that made me spike up and look fairly interested. I don't know why, but my gut is telling me something. This isn't me. I don't think of joining gangs, but my mouth opens anyways.
"Can I join?" The girl bursts out into laughter and I think she thought I was joking, until she saw how serious I was.
"Think before you speak Hunter. We are a dangerous gang." She explained and she was right, but I wanted to feel important for once.
"I know but I want in. I want to be part of something permanent for once and become something I know I can be." She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Then, join a club or join the peace corps. The gang is not for you." She hissed, but I was not letting her give me hell for joining.
"No." I snarled. She popped her eyebrow at me. "Let me join." She smirked at me and I'm guessing she realized she underestimated me.
"Let me get Ruby." She said, then walked away leaving me with my thoughts again. The realization that I just put myself in a dangerous gang. Holy shit. What did I do?