A/N: Well, here comes another chapter! Fair warning, there will be some violence (and language) in this chapter but hopefully nothing too graphic for you guys. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 3
Today was not Mark's lucky day. Alex and his buddies were after him because he'd had the audacity to help Alex's girlfriend pick her books up off the floor when they slipped from her hands. She had smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek before running off to class. Apparently one of Alex's buddies had watched the whole thing and told Alex.
Alex had slammed Mark up against a locker between classes and warned him about what to expect after school. That fun little meeting had ended with Mark doubled over and out of breath from the punch Alex landed on his gut. And now the end of the day was ticking closer and Mark hoped he'd be able to make a run for it.
With the final bell Mark launched out of his seat and towards the front exit. He didn't bother stopping at his locker – he had all his books at home or in his bag. With a small sigh of relief he made it out of the school without incident and took off running towards home.
They were waiting for him in an alley they knew he had to pass to get home – they had skipped their final class to make sure they could ambush him. Johns, the biggest guy, grabbed Mark as he passed and pulled him into the alley. He threw Mark to the ground, Mark felt his chin catch something sharp on the ground; the gash started bleeding profusely. Mark turned around and scrambled backwards trying to get away. He jumped when he shuffled into what felt like a pair of legs. Glancing up confirmed his suspicions and his stomach sank. Alex and the rest of his buddies were waiting for him. Johns yanked him to his feet and held his arms immobile. Alex approached with a vicious smile on his face.
"What you think you're doin' with my girl Reynolds?"
Mark refused to answer, instead leveling his gaze with Alex's, keeping his face neutral. He was trying not to show fear. Alex narrowed his eyes at Mark, his temper rising.
"I'm gonna ask you again and you better fucking answer! What were you doing with my girl?" Alex snarled.
Still, Mark refused to answer, his face showing nothing. He wouldn't cower, he wouldn't beg, nor would he incite their anger even more. He stayed silent and continued to stare at Alex. Alex got within inches of Mark's face, his hand gripping Mark's chin, making the gash sting, and his fingers were digging into Mark's cheeks.
"You're gonna regret this." Alex growled, tearing the rebreather off Mark's face and crushing it under his foot. Mark's nose and lungs burned from the very first breath of dirty air. Alex back handed him across the face and then began throwing punches into Mark's chest and stomach. Johns held Mark tight until Alex told him to release him. He let go and Mark collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood. It wasn't over yet.
Alex and his cronies began kicking him as hard as they could. Mark could only curl up and wait for it to be over, trying to make as little noise as possible. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of hearing him cry out or beg for mercy.
Mark could feel the darkness coming. He didn't want to die, not like this. He didn't want to leave his grandfather all alone or leave his dreams unfulfilled. He didn't want to die but if this was it, he welcomed the darkness if only to get away from the pain. A sharp pain in his lower back brought him back and he cried out. He could feel warmth pouring from the spot and realized with a jolt that it must be blood.
His whole body hurt, no, throbbed to be more precise. His vision was blurry, his head was pounding, lungs were burning, and the pain in his lower back was terrible. He was still curled up on the ground, shaking and bleeding. He cried out again when a foot pressed onto his back, a hand grabbed his hair, pulling back, and he heard Alex hissing in his ear.
"You stay away from my girl, got it?"
Mark was in so much pain and so disoriented he could only nod his head as best he could. Alex grinned and slammed his face into the ground and then they left. Mark didn't move for several long moments. He didn't know if he'd ever be able to move again but if he didn't, he'd die here. Groaning he rolled onto his knees and nearly passed out from the pain but made himself keep going. Using the alley wall he managed to stand up; hunched over, but standing nonetheless. Mark knew he wouldn't make it far but if he could just make it out of the alley to the main road he might have a chance of getting someone's attention.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he trudged forward. He was out of breath and gasping for air but he was getting closer. When he reached the alley opening Mark spotted two figures approaching. He couldn't really make them out, his vision was so blurry. He reached out to them as he collapsed to the ground, the darkness finally taking him.
A/N: Bwa ha ha ha! Cliff hanger! I was going to continue but I just couldn't help but end it here. I'm evil I know. :D Worry not though, the next chapter will be up soon and it'll have a nice little surprise too. Review? I love to hear your thoughts.
-Silver
