Heading towards Little Hank's house, Carl wondered what his best friend had planned for them tonight. They hadn't seen each other in two months. Judge Hudson made sure to separate them when they went to juvie, so it was time to celebrate their release. Hank always threw the best parties. Carl knew that Hank's parties usually had drugs and alcohol, but as long as he got home by Fiona's deadline, what's the worst that could happen?
Rounding the corner to Hank's street, Carl was surprised at how loud the music was. He could hear it from down the street. Judging by how many cars were parked on the street, Hank must have invited the entire neighborhood. Getting to the door, Carl used both of his fists to bang on the door, he doubted that anyone would hear him otherwise. Banging once more Carl was about to head back home when the door opened.
"Sup man." Hank said as he saw Carl standing in front of him. Closing the door so they could hear over the music.
Doing a quick once over, Carl noticed Hank's bloodshot eyes and the joint he held between his fingers. He had a crazy smile plastered on his face. He was barefoot and only had a pair of shorts on. His hair was everywhere and his nose was red, probably from to many lines of coke. He looked like he'd been partying since he was released.
"I see you started without me man." Carl said, taking the joint from Hank. After taking a hit he passed it back.
"Yeah man, had to have some fun right?" Hank asked taking his last hit from the joint, before throwing it into the grass.
"How longs the party been going on?" Carl asked grabbing a cigarette from his pocket. "Hope I didn't miss all the fun."
"You ain't missed nothing yet. Running low on supplies though." Hank said with a smile. All the drugs he was on was probably the reason the party was low on supplies.
"I'm about to go on a beer run." Hank said pulling a pair of keys from his pocket. "You in?"
Carl had no idea who's car Hank had stolen this time, but he knew he was in for one wild night.
"Yeah man but I'm driving." Carl said snatching the car keys. He knew his best friend wasn't in any shape to be driving.
On the drive to the gas station, Carl couldn't help but notice how different Hank was. Carl didn't think someone could change so much in such little time. Hank grew his hair out longer, his voice had gotten deeper, and he'd even gained a little muscle while in juvie. It was like he was a different person.
"So was your dad mad when you got locked up?" Carl asked, trying to make conversation at the red light.
"No, he was proud. Told me I was becoming a man now." Hank said. "Why, did your family throw a fit?" Hank asked looking over at Carl who had began driving again.
"A fit?" Carl laughed out. "Hell it was more like the apocalypse. Fiona almost disowned me, Liam wouldn't stop crying, Debbie just gave me this look, Lip wasn't there, business trip I think, and Ian just ignored me like I wasn't even there." Carl said pulling into the gas station. "It was crazy having no one come visit me at first."
"Dude that's fucked up. Family isn't supposed to treat you like that." Hank says while pulling his cut off shirt over his head.
"They were just a little disappointed in me. It wasn't too bad." Carl said turning the car off. "You want me to come in with you?"
"Naw man just wait for me out here. I got a little business I gotta handle." Hank said pulling a gun from the glove compartment.
As Carl watched Hank hide the gun in the waistband of his pants, he felt his stomach turn. The last time Hank brought a gun with them, was to a drug deal. The drug deal had gone wrong and Hank tried shooting the kid for not having enough money. Carl knew shit was going to be crazy tonight, but he didn't expect to be a getaway driver.
"Hank dude what the fuck are you doing?" Carl asked staring at Hank with a confused look. "I thought you said this was a beer run."
"Carl calm down. It is a beer run, but the guy who works nights owes me for some oxy's and xanax he got off me before we got locked up." Hank said stepping out the car.
"Then why do you need the gun?" Carl asked trying to figure out where this situation was going.
"This" Hank said patting the hidden gun, "this is just a little support just in case things get a little crazy."
Watching Hank go into the store was like watching a car crash in the works. Carl knew the possibility of Hank getting into trouble was high when he was normal, but today he was high and had a gun. Hank always tended to go overboard when he was high, and Carl feared for the worst. Laying his head against the steering wheel, Carl couldn't help but notice the time on his watch. It was well past 12:00, and Fiona told him to be back by 1:00. At the rate Hank was taking to get out of the store, Carl wouldn't even get one drink fucking drink. At this rate he'd be lucky to get home on time.
The flashing lights of two police cars was what got Carl to look up, the sound of two gun shots is what got Carl to get out of the car, and the sight of Hank running out of the store towards him, clutching his bloody chest, screaming run, is what made him run for his life.
