It had been summer for quite a long time and Drake hadn't found a better way of spending his time than playing violent video games. He had wanted to buy himself a pet, like a hamster or a mouse. The animal probably wouldn't survive for very long, which was the whole point. Unfortunately the salesman had told him he needed permission from his parents. And they knew that Drake wasn't the kind of kid who hugs and pets hamsters so he didn't bother asking.

Drake wouldn't admit it, but maybe it wasn't that bad that the summer was almost over. It wasn't like they could actually make him do something productive at Coates, and he missed beating up stupid kids. He hadn't been able to find any victims here in Perdido Beach.

His mom had bored him by telling him that he should clean his room. Make some friends. Try to get his father away from the alcohol, something she wouldn't succeed in. Luckily Drake never had to be afraid of his mother. Not only because he was stronger than her, but because she was his mother and would never use violence. His father would've been a different story, but then again, he didn't care enough to be a thread.

Today it was Sunday. A new attempt for Mrs. Merwin. She couldn't make the whole family have breakfast together, but she had given up on that a long time ago. Just like she had given up on church. She could make the family do hardly anything together. Which was why she spent most of her time and energy in her work. While Mr. Merwin spent most of his time and energy in hunting and drinking.

She heard the sound of the TV even before she entered the room. She always avoided coming into his room. Since they had a cleaning lady coming over every week she hardly had to. But for some reason the girl had stopped cleaning Drake's room. It wouldn't surprise Mrs. Merwin if Drake had threatened the girl and told her to stay out of his room. But the state of Drake's room was not her problem anymore.

As she walked in she found the boy leaning against the side of his bed. His eyes fixed on the TV. In one hand a console and in the other a bag with potato chips. The floor of his room was covered by rubbish and clothes and unfinished food. The first thing Mrs. Merwin thought of was how he got the food, since she obviously didn't buy it. She looked back at her son who didn't seem to notice her walking in. The second thing was how he could eat all the crap without gaining any weight.

'Drake, would you please just get yourself dressed and go outside? The weather is wonderful and you haven't been outside for at least a week!'

The blonde boy finally turned his head to face her. 'And what the fuck do you expect me to do outside then? Lick the driveway or something? Why don't you just fucking let me play video games in my own room?'

It was not how all 12-year old boy's talked to their mothers, but Drake was different. His mother knew that. Not just since Drake had grabbed his father's gun, but before that too. She had seen young Drake's eyes filled with pleasure when he threw salt on a snail. A few years later she had found him in front of the TV at 1 a.m. watching a horror movie. As some man was losing both his legs, Drake only chuckled. When he had noticed his mother standing in the living room, he had slowly turned around. Then he had asked her, still smiling, whether he could get a sawing machine for his next birthday too.

Drake was definitely different.

But his mother would help him. She would try to make him as normal as she could. She wouldn't stop until they were as much of a perfect family as possible.

'You know, there's a new family that just moved in three houses away. They have kids and there's a boy who's just a little younger than you are.'

Drake couldn't hide the grin appearing on his face, so he turned his head pretending he was continuing his game. 'Well maybe I can ask him to come over to play some games.'

'That sounds like a great idea to me.'

She knew it was maybe better for everyone if Drake stayed in his room for the rest of the summer. Or even for the rest of his life. But she wouldn't let anyone think Drake was some hermit. No. She wanted people to think he was just a normal, sympathetic kid who was making friends. Even if he wasn't.

Drake had even showered. He had even taken the effort of showering before meeting the new neighbors. That meant a lot since he couldn't remember the last time he had washed himself.

He knew which house his mother had talked about. It had been for sale for ages and he wondered who would ever want to live in the hovel. Well maybe the house wasn't too bad but only pathetic compared to the houses it was surrounded by.

Drake hadn't planned on ringing the doorbell so when he saw a small boy playing on the lawn controlling a toy car with a remote he considered himself lucky. There was nobody else to be seen in the street. The street was always very quiet during the summer though. But still he didn't want to take the risk of being seen by anybody.

He walked up to the boy who had become curious. 'Hello.'

Now that Drake came closer he noticed the St. Bernard laying on the porch. He raised his head shortly when he noticed Drake, but showed little interest and continued his sleep.

Drake stepped on the lawn that was rather yellow instead of green. 'Hey there. You must be new here. I heard a family just moved in here. I'm Drake.'

The boy smiled. His hair was brown and his eyes were very blue. It didn't seem to match him but who cared.

'O hello,' the boy answered, 'I'm David.' Another smile. This was probably one of those good kids who help grannies cross the road and bake a pie for teachers. Playing sympathetic wasn't Drake's thing, yet it went so smoothly with this kid.

'I'm glad there are some kids living here you know. How old are you?'

'I'm ten, and you?'

'Twelve. So I see you like cars? I have some controllable cars at home. Do you want to come over to check them out?'

The small boy really seemed to appreciate the offer. So he nodded, again a smile appearing on his face. Then he added: 'Yeah, that sound good.'

The boy was very friendly. Very genuine. But very stupid too. It was almost too easy.

'Alright then, this way.'

My first fanfiction ever! So this was more like an introduction, more will happen. Feel free to tell me if I've made any spelling/grammar mistakes since I'm still practicing my English. Plus I don't have the books with me so the background could be all wrong but oh well...