Reign of the Rancid

Chapter 10: Rick & Dan

Friday March 15, 2014 11:36 PM 70 Days Before Outbreak

"Yo Ryota, toss me another beer!" Rick slurred drunkenly.

"Yes sah!" An Asian boy said bowing comically drawing laughter from the plethora of drunken teens in the house. Rick snatched the can of Bud Light, cracked it open and drank with vigor.

"Yo Rick my man!" Anthony called out pushing his way through a group of giggling girls. " 'Scuse me…" he muttered gently elbowing his way though.

"Hey Anthony!" Rick hiccupped. They slapped hands, Anthony smiled. "I'd love tah get in on that!" he said motioning to the group of girls. Rick nodded taking a drink.

"Hey where's that dude…Rooney your always with?"

"Rodney." Anthony corrected. "He doesn't care much for these things."

"How? Who doesn't like to party? WOOAH!" He screamed enthusiastically. His scream was met with even more drunken hoots and hollars. "See what I mean?"

"Pretty drunk huh?"

"Hell yeah! How 'bout you?"

"I'm gettin there." Anthony said scanning the room. "Where's Dan at?" Rick sipped on his beer.

"He went upstairs with some chick named Kelly." Rick caught Anthony's eye who grinned knowingly.

"Get that shit Dan!" He raised his beer clashing cans with Rick. He grew serious. "Speaking of getting laid did you see who Hanks was talkin to?" He motioned over towards a large muscled teenage boy. He leaned against the wall with one hand, the other resting on an attractive girl with striking blonde hair and icy blue eyes.

"Your friends with her right? Ain't her name Jennifer?"

"Yeah." Rick mumbled over the top of his beer.

"It ain't really my place but you know how he is with the girls man. Just givin you the heads up." Rick watched as Hanks ran his hand through Jennifer's hair she laughed slapping his chest playfully.

"That asshole…" Rick crunched the beer can and threw it to the floor.

"Hey hey!" Anthony placed a restraining hand across Rick's chest. "This is Hanks's house man, we're drinking his beer come on don't be an idiot. Besides he'll kick your ass." Rick stood still for a few moments before storming off upstairs.

Rick knocked furiously on the bedroom door. Slowly the door opened revealing a slightly inebriated Dan zippering up his pants. Behind him was a girl kneeling beside a king sized bed.

"What the fuck Rick?" He said sounding somewhat relieved. "I thought you were Hanks you know he'd flip if he knew I was in…"

"He's fuckin with Jenn!" Rick said angrily.

"What, Hanks?"

"Yeah."

"Did you try talking to Jenn about it? Dan huffed.

"After she sucked his dick last week, I told her all about that prick and she told me to fuck off. Hasn't talked to me since. You know he's just gunna…"

"I know what he does…" Dan sighed. "Hell I basically do the same thing…"

"Nah dude." Rick shook his head stumbling a bit. "With Hanks he plays them so hard. You know Jenn told me "he's different" fuck that you know he'll fuck 'er and leave her cryin' when he's done and move on to some other girl. With you girls come to you for a good fuck cuz they know you can give it." Rick smiled a little. Dan clasped his hand over his face.

" That's one of he most uncomfortable things you've ever said to me."

"I'm going back downstairs." The brunette girl brushed by the pair briskly.

"Whatever." Dan said seemingly not caring.

"Shit man…" Rick said starting to apologize.

"Fuck it man don't worry bout her." Dan said waving his arm.

"I'm goin to ass his kick." Rick slurred heading for the stairs.

"Your to fucked up" Dan said chasing his friend. "He'll crush you! Besides I'm sorta friends with him in a way!"

"Your friends with everyone!" Rick spat.

"What can I say I'm a likeable guy." Rick stopped half way down the flight of stairs and turned staring Dan in the face.

"I can't believe I have to ask. DO you have my back on this Dan?" Dan was taken aback, and slightly hurt.

"Of course, I'm just saying man think about it for a second. Your in his house surrounded by his boys for the most part."

"Fuck thinking, we'll fuck'em all up you, me, Anthony, Ryota, Jim and some other dudes are down there. They got us."

"No they don't they don't know what the hell your doing, your acting like an idiot!"

"Fuck it." Dan sighed again and followed certain he knew he was going to regret being a part of whatever happened next.

"HEY Hanks you faggot!" Rick yelled tripping off the bottom step. No one paid attention they thought it to be playful drunken banter. Rick straightened up and yelled again.

"Hey, faggot!" He threw an empty can that landed at Hanks's feet. The room became suddenly quiet. The only noise that could be heard was the loud rap music blaring and some unfortunate person vomiting outside the house.

"Hey, hey what up buddy it's Rick right?" Ronald Hanks contorted his face. He was still under the impression that this was drunken banter. Either that or he was just being a dick. Rick bet on the latter.

"I know what your doin you asshole." he said staggering up to Hanks. Hanks was big, he had a tree trunk of a chest and massive arms. Rick looked to Jennifer. "Can't you see what this prick is doing!"

"Stay out of my business!" she shrieked, Jennifer had had a couple drinks as well.

"You better watch yourself!" Hanks said aggressively. "Fernandez, get your friend away from me or out of my house real quick before something happens to him!"

"Alright, alright we'll leave just leave Jenn alone." Hanks looked surprised as well as Jennifer. She made an attempt to speak.

"Dan…"

"Jenn I know this guy ok." He turned back to Hanks. "Just stay away man." Hanks was more surprised than angry now. He wouldn't never have suspected Dan to say something like that. Then again he really didn't know him.

"Are you serious Fernandez?" Hanks was unable to speak another word because Rick's fist had collided with his jaw. Hanks staggered back recovered almost instantly and lunged at Rick knocking him to the floor. He jumped atop Rick, straddling him throwing punches at the boy's face.

"Let'em sort it out!" Yelled one of Hanks's friends trying to make a circle and keep out anyone from jumping in.

"Fuck that." Dan yelled. He knew Rick would be going to the hospital if he didn't do anything. He ran forward and delivered a powerful kick into the side of Hanks's head. There were a few screams, a chorus of "oohs" and the shrieking of Jennifer trying to end the fight. One of Hanks's friends swore and threw a punch as Dan helped Rick to his feet. Anthony stumbled through feigning drunkenness, taking the punch. As he recoiled from the blow he hissed at Dan.

"Get him out of here!" He turned back to his attacker. "What the fuck!"

"Shit! Shit! You got in the way!"

"Fuck you!"

Thanks to Anthony's ploy along with a few others who offered a hand the pair was able to make it out of the house before anyone was able to apprehend them.

"What the hell…" Rick mumbled leaning against Dan. "I could of taken him."

"Your bleeding all over me, he was punching your face in your lucky I stepped in and we're both lucky there were some people there who helped us out or we'd both be getting stomped out." There was a moments silence. "How's your nose man?"

"It's fine, it's not broke. Thanks though for savin my ass. He smiled blood covered his face."

"Anytime man."