Murdoc's first month on his own was hard.

Not wanting to spend any money, he slept outside for a few nights before finally going to a cheap motel. He would always take valuable items with him when he went out, just in case someone were to rob his room.

He tried getting a job and keeping it, but he'd end up quitting or getting fired.

The teen had many options at this age, many of them practical and almost guaranteeing success, money, and power. The sky was the limit.

He chose a less practical one instead and wasted time to become a rock star.

It's always been a dream of Murdoc's to be famous. He was Hell bent on making that happen. He started forming bands when he was sixteen. All he'd have to do is tell his future bandmates that with his help, they'd become famous and have everything they could possibly think of. Most of them being poor, they'd immediately say okay, agreeing to terms and conditions they couldn't accept or follow, ultimately having a huge fallout with Murdoc and quitting. Or they'd start to slack due to being too focused on the future, making Murdoc abandon them.

And it was on to the next band.

Most of his bands didn't do so great. After a spell of binge drinking and smoking cigarettes and weed, he'd bounce back and start over. On another one of his attempts he met a man named Joel Gill.

Joel Gill was a talented young man who played guitar and sung. His lyrics were very morbid. Murdoc saw him perform and the pub one muggy summer night. After the show Murdoc approached the man.

"Hey, the name's Murdoc." He extended his hand for Joel to shake.

"Hello. I'm Joel." He shook the latter's hand.

"You're pretty good."

Joel nodded. "Thanks man."

The teen moved in for the kill. "I have a band, would you like to join it?"

Joel paused to think. Murdoc didn't give him enough time to answer.

"Imagine how successful we'll be in the future. We'll have everything we ever wanted and more."

Joel thought for a second. "I want to check you guys out first."

Grinning in satisfaction, Murdoc told him were they'd be performing and what time they would do so and was on his way.

The day Murdoc's band Broiled Leash played, Joel showed up to the show. Seeing how the band was 'rubbish' after getting booed off the stage Joel declined. Angry, Murdoc quit the band.

As Murdoc was walking to the motel, his stomach growled. He hadn't ate in a couple of days, and he didn't want to die before becoming successful, so he went to the nearest fast food place and ordered a meal to suffice him for the night. Once the teen was safely in his room he counted his money. It was still a lot, but at the rate he was going he'd spend it all or starve saving it.

And Lord knows he didn't want to do that.

He needed money, and fast. Searching for the phone in his small room, he dialed his friend's number.

"Oi, Scott, it's Murdoc."

Scott sounded on the other line. "Murdoc? It's been a while."

"Yeah, long time since we last spoke, huh."

"Way too long. So, what do you want this time? Dust? Mary? Codeine? Ex? You name it, it's yours."

Murdoc chuckled. "Heh, not this time mate; this is a business call, but I need you to get me a large supply."

Murdoc could almost hear Scott's eyebrows go up. "How much are we talkin'?"

He hesitated before speaking again. "5 kilos of coke should be enough."

"Five kilograms?" Scott repeated. "What are you tryin' to do, sell the shit?!"

Murdoc laughed throatily. "Yeah, mate. I need cash."

The latter chortled. "Followin' in ya father's footsteps, eh?"

Murdoc gritted his teeth. "Don't fucking compare me to him…" He snarled through clenched teeth.

"Aye, I didn't mean to hit a nerve. Sorry." Scott apologized. "Meet me at the usual spot in 10."

Murdoc nodded, despite Scott not being able to see or hear it. "Okay." He hung up.

The teen collapsed onto the bed and let out a sigh. He really didn't want to deal drugs, but he had to in order to get money. Regular jobs weren't working out for him, and until he could form a decent band the money from that was miles away. He glanced at the clock and sighed again before getting up from his spot and walking out of the door.

He met Scott in the usual spot they met at.

"Niccals." Scott acknowledged.

"Wells." Murdoc nodded.

Scott handed Murdoc a duffle bag. "I want £200 for it."

Murdoc dug in his pocket and gave the latter the desired amount.

"See ya 'round the block Niccals. And remember to watch out for the pigs."

The teen nodded and turned around to go back to his room.

Murdoc never quit trying to form successful bands. He was just selling drugs to get money easily until he formed the one band that would take him to the top of the charts.

One band in particular almost got popular locally.

Having high hopes for Booze Of Fuel, Murdoc thought this was his big break.

This band led him to meet Alexander Robinson, a dark haired man with tired, melancholic eyes and a smile that seemed a bit forced, despite how much it appeared on his features. He was the same height as Murdoc and had pale skin, a slightly thin frame, and a short Caesar cut. It was something about him that drew Murdoc to him. He was, different from the other band members.

Just like Murdoc, he had a very rough past. Being bounced from orphanage to orphanage, getting raped at the age of 3 all the way until he was 12, and being physically and verbally abused all of his life, it was a wonder how he still managed to smile, even if it was forced.

The only escape from his reality was playing guitar and the anti-depressants that would often have him dopey for a while.

He and the teen instantly became friends. Alex and Murdoc looked out for each other, Murdoc especially kept an eye on Alex because he was the only human being he'd ever considered a friend. Alex convinced Murdoc to stop dealing drugs and focus more in the band.

He was like Hannibal in a way, just more compassionate and supporting.

Unlike most of Murdoc's past failed bands, this band consisted of members with some talent. Every show they had was hype for an amateur band, and loads of people would come to see them. Murdoc was confident in this band.

Happiness never lasts forever though…