Chapter 2

Dave was torn away from his thoughts by the sound of fists hitting flesh. It was the sound of the school bullies beating up his friend John Egbert, again. He got up with a smile and a slight shake of his head and made his way to the back of the bus. He grabbed the nearest guy and spun him around.

" You dumbasses never learn, do you?" he said with a smirk, as he hauled his fist back and punched the guy in the face. " When you mess with Egbert, you gotta deal with me."

" What the fuck dude?! I think you broke my nose!" the guy said as his friends turned towards Dave.

It was at that moment when they completely forgot about John and went after Dave. Of course if they had been thinking, which they hadn't, they would have realized that was a mistake. Dave quickly incapacitated them and hauled John to his feet, bruises and all.

" Uh, thanks Dave, again." Said John shyly, looking at the floor. " That was right in the nick of time. I thought for sure they were about break my arm."

Dave shook his head. " I told you Egbert. When we're on the bus, you gotta stick by me. Unless you like constantly getting your ass kicked by those guys. Then you can do whatever you want."

John looked at the floor and shook his head that no, he did not like getting beat up. Dave sighed and put his arm around John's shoulders, leading him back to where he had been sitting. He sat down and noticed John staring at him.

"What? Is there something on my face?" he asked.

"No. I was just wondering how you got so good at fighting." John said curiously, " You probably take karate or something. Yeah, that's it. You take karate." He said as he turned to face forward.

Dave smiled and thought, 'If you only knew Egbert. If you only knew.'

Jake English walked into the front office of Derse Middle School, with a handheld computer hacker in his pocket. He walked up to the front desk and smiled at the secretary, who gave him a what-the-hell-does-this-asshole-want look.

"Hello. I'm here to pick up a David Strider." He said as he held the hacker under the table.

"What's your name?" she sighed, wanting this conversation to be over already.

"English. Jake English." He stated, smiling a bit at the James Bond reference.

The secretary looked at her computer and sighed. " I don't see anything about a Jake English picking up a David Strider."

"Are you sure? His brother should have sent you an email informing you of the situation." He said as the fake email from Dirk popped up on the screen.

The lady sighed as she read the email and called Dave down to the office, glad the conversation was over.

When Dave reached the office and saw Jake standing there. He knew something was wrong. The last time Jake showed up, it was two days after Dirk had died, when he had come to warn Dave about the danger he was in. He had a feeling that it was the reason Jake was here today.

"God fucking dammit." Dave cursed under his breath, hopping Jake hadn't heard him. He had.

Jake gave Dave a quick dirty look, and then plastered a smile on his face, hoping the secretary hadn't heard Dave. If she had, she would know something was up. Luckily, she hadn't.

"Come on Dave. Wouldn't want to keep your brother waiting." He said, trying to mask the lie in his voice.

Dave's eyes widened beneath his sunglasses, making the scar feel tight. If Jake was flat out lying about his brother waiting, it must be important. The last time Jake had used a lie like that, it was to warn Dave about the Midnight Crew. He quickly shook his head and followed Jake out to his car.

"What's up?" Dave asked once they were safely in the car and driving away from the school.

Jake turned and looked at Dave, saying in the most serious tone the two words Dave had hoped he would never have to hear.

"They know"

Spades Slick and Diamonds Droog walked into the office ten minutes after Jake and Dave had left. They sashayed up to the secretary who was trying to figure out why her computer had crashed, with Diamonds pulling out his gun. She began to ask them what the hell they wanted, but stopped when she saw the firearm.

"I'm looking for David Strider. Tell me where he is or so help me I will have my associate blow your brains out!" Slick yelled.

"You just missed him. He left with a Jake English." She said, her voice shaking.

Damn it! Spades walked off but made sure to have Diamonds knock the secretary out beforehand. He was going to find that kid if was the last thing he ever did. It was either that, or the Midnight Crew would never have total control. He had only one member of the notorious Strider mob family left to kill, and that kid was David Strider.

Uh oh. It looks like Slick has a hatred of the Striders. Also, apparently the Striders are in the mob! I'm so glad to see all the views on my story! Shout out to my first follower BlackFeathers 17! So happy to have someone follow this. Also, shout out to my Canadian readers! You guys are important to this story too! I'll try to answer everyone's questions in the author's notes and might even do shout outs!

Reviews are appreciated, and who knows? Maybe I'll use your ideas in my next update.