Chapter 6

A few hours later, River, Alex, Zach and I were walking to the school; I was walking ahead of all of them, in case other Jets were in the area. Everything would be ruined instantly if I was walking with them, instead of against. The three of them were lined up behind me, shooting me looks of disgust, whispering a plan to one another. I reached the front steps, sitting down on rock steps, eyes darting around the area, to see if anyone was around to pay attention.

The plan was, to be spotted in a crowed area, where we would have witnesses. That way if the Jets questioned the motives, we would have a crowed of clueless idiots backing us up, without even knowing about it. Zach would then walk up to be demanding a payment that I had owed him months ago, to which I would have a smartass response to, then Alex and River would threaten me with past family issues, starting the fight. In a perfect world a Jet member would take me in as their own, in a more reality based setting, we would look like lunatics in front of a group of people who knew my brothers.

I pulled out my switchblade for comfort; it was one of the blades I had stolen a few weeks ago. I began swiping the edge of the blade against a stick, carving out tiny details, trying to pass time. Soon enough a shadow loomed over me, the small carvings vanishing in the darkness. I took my time raising my eyes; I had to tilt my head back to reach Zach's eyes. To any stranger he would look terrifying, his golden locks falling over his eyes, shadowing his face, he muscles bulged, standing tense and ready for any blow. I slowly stood up, making myself eye level with him.

"What?" I drawled out, a snap twisting into my tone.

Zach's arm shot out like a snake, pushing me back into the school's brick wall, his thick arm held in place at my throat, sharp edges kissed my back, I let a small grunt slip out, pretending to struggle for air. His head cocked to the side, a deadly smile playing at his lips.

"I'm still waiting for my money boy, you've been playing at me for weeks and we both know I am not a patient person" he spoke loudly, sounding intimidating, out of the corner of my eye I saw some people turning our way, the loud conversations around us turned into soft whispers.

"You should work on that, I hear patience is a turn on for the ladies" I grunted out, smiling.

Zach let out a yell of frustration, slamming me back into the wall, River and Alex were then at his side, holding blades in their hands.

"You really want to play this game kid?" Alex asked

"You remember what happened to the last Urban to cross us?" River taunted his eyes sparkling with a twisted memory,

"If I remember correctly, it ended with an orphaned boy" Zach piped in,

The three of them laughed, making a secret promise, the sunlight reflected off the blades in their large hands. I pretended to look sick, I let my body start shaking with rage, I lunged forward knocking Alex back.

"Stay away! I'll have your money!" he snapped back at them

"We want it now punk" River snapped back grabbing my wrist yanking me away from the walls, a larger crowed was starting to form now. I saw a flash of recognition run through Alex's eyes, a Jet was watching.

I pulled my wrist, fighting River's grip but he wouldn't give in, Zach then came closer punching me in the face, causing my body to snap back but I wouldn't drop to the ground. River still had me locked in place. Alex came to my other side spitting at my shoes letting his blade trace imaginary lines on my arm. Blood pooled down my arm, it wasn't deep, or even painful, but I heard someone gasp in the crowed.

Alex's head gave a soft jerk, and then suddenly I was flying down the white steps, blood leaving a trail behind me. I landed on the cement, the air flying out of my lungs; I stayed there gasping for air, trying to remember how to breathe. Alex had stepped over me, followed by River; Zach squatted down by my ear.

"Watch your back punk, we're coming for you" he spoke roughly, and then followed Alex and River's trail through the crowd of people.

I slowly pulled myself up into a sitting position, wincing, pain shooting through my back, running through my arms and legs. I took a few deep breaths, and then I noticed someone squatting down next to me, she had long blonde hair, it was spilling over her shoulders like a platinum waterfall, her skin was a soft cream colour, making her blue eyes look like sapphires. She held a hand out for me, I let her pull me to my feet, I was a lot taller than she was, her head only reached my chest, she kept her hand in mine and began pulling me with her, away from the school.

She lead me through the park, the grass was growing tall, it brushed against my skin exposed from the rips in my jeans, she lead me past the entryway to my camp ground and down a path I had never noticed. It broke off into four spate pathways; she stopped and turned to face me.

"What's your name?" she asked. Her voice was compelling; I felt a small need to please her

I hesitated for a second, wanting to push on the whole innocent act, I remembered when I use to have my gang protect me after I had been jumped. I was always shaken up after, my face white, my voice trapped. I tried to find those buried feelings and try to make them look real again. She gave me a soft smile, making her look even more beautiful.

"It's okay, the bad guys are gone now, I can protect you from them, you can trust me" she batted her thick eyelashes at me.

"It's M-Michael" I fake stuttered.

"Michael what? You don't look like a familiar." Her voice was so sweet, like honey, maybe this was how the Jets always got their victims alone. They got this girl to get them to drop their guard and then they would attack.

Keeping my alias in mind I took a deep breath, looking into her eyes and said softly,

"Urban, My name is Michael Urban, and um well I'm new here." I finished lamely, trying to seem flustered.

"Why did you come here Michael?" her fingers traced my arm, the blood staining her fingers.

"New start, my family wanted a new start, so we came here" my eyes watching her fingers on my arm.

She nodded, eyes moving up my arm, I saw her take a small look over my shoulder, she blinked twice and then turned back to me. Smiling again,

"Why did those boys attack you? You don't seem like the type to cause any trouble"

I shook my head, swallowing again, her fingers had moved from my arm and both hands now lay on my chest, her fingers tracing the hard lines on my stomach.

"I'm not, we had a rough start, we needed some spare cash and well those three guys helped out. Every day we were late to pay a chunk of the money they killed someone in my family. I'm the only one left now." I said softly, letting some rage slip into my voice.

She nodded, eyes gazing past my arm, again she blinked twice, and then smiled looking back up into my eyes. She looked pleased, I heard the bushes whisper and I let my body react in shock, her grin widened.

"Don't be afraid, I told you I would protect you and I will, I think it's time you meet your new family Michael" her voice was high in excitement, I felt my heart stutter for a second, the plan was working.

Two people walked out of the trees surrounding the area, they both wore all black, their eyes eyeing me, trying to figure out if I was a ploy, someone who was going to turn around a slit their throats. In theory they were right, but hey baby steps for now. They walked up to me extending their hands; I slowly reacted shaking the blonde hair hand first. It felt small in mine, and I knew he felt it too. I let my hand slip through, shaking the other boy's hand too. With both I kept eye contact, not flinching back, they were trying to test me, see if I was worth being in their gang.

They then lead me down the farthest path to the right, the girl stayed by my side, locking her hand in mine, still smiling slightly. They lead me to a beach, there were a few other people there, they looked up at us, eyebrows raising slightly, taking in the scene of a newcomer on their beach.

Here we go I thought to myself.