"Surprised?"

An understatement. Here he was, sweating and half awake in a room style most familiar. He put two and two together instantly, knowing more than ever that Richie was involved.

His stupid brother had no idea how to plan something by himself. He was too coked up, living in his friend's basement. He hadn't seen him in 3 years, ever since his mother kicked him out of the house and refused to let him see his drunkard brother – a decision, at the time, seemed harsh but now seemed entirely appropriate.

Terrance orbited his chair like a lion on the prowl, his crooked tooth grin forever engraved in his mind. Terrance looked a great deal older, but not much better.

From the get-go, Terrance had only been 3 years older than Mac – putting him currently at 20. He certainly didn't look it, and his cracking voice did little to even itself out. It hadn't gotten much deeper, but distinctly more raspy. If you have ever heard growling dog using its teeth to play a weathered record, you would definitely mistake Terrance for it.

Mac could only stare in hatred and exhaustion at his poor excuse of a brother, trying to sound like any kind of charming. It was failing miserably, not that Mac could form coherent sentences.

"You're probably wondering where you are, right?

Mac dully nodded.

"And why?"

Mac repeated the gesture.

"Well, to make a long story short – I am supposed to tell you that some rich kid wants you to date him and to hold you hear till' he gets back… but I also took your wallet."

Mac could only grimace – how could he get to the library without his bus card? How could he get a book without his library card? And how could he pay for lunch there without money?

It was all just too bothersome, if he just had avoided Richie and never allowed him to pull him into that car… just maybe he wouldn't be in this mess right now.

"…n-..na-no…"

Terrance sarcastically cupped a hand around his overly large ear, getting closer to the struggling Mac who choked on words he desperately wished would come through for him.

"N-no."

Mac sputtered weakly, causing a grinch-like smile to crawl over his pimple-dotted features. Mac wasn't sure what he was saying 'No' to, but he figured it was pretty universal for all the questions. No to Richie's advances and No to Terrance mugging him.

However, his plea's were ignored and Terrance was left to chuckle to himself and cruelly pinch Mac's nose shut – causing him to breathe with hard, labored breaths from the toll of the drug weighing heavily on his chest.

Once Terrance had gotten his fun out of making his brother struggle to breath, he unclasped his fingers and wagged the wallet in front of the boy's face, sticking out his tongue in a juvenile taunt before pocketing it in worn-down, beer stained jeans.

"Right bro, good luck with your new boyfriend!"

He cackled, exiting from a door invisible to Mac, leaving him to wait and worry about what was to come just moments afterwards.

--

The next morning confirmed his worst fears, Mac did not show up at his 3:00 scheduled time and again Mac's mother had stopped by to ask of his whereabouts. Except this time, a more intricate lie was placed that a friend had seen him walking to school and that they would call as soon as he returned to the house. Already late to work, Mac's mother bought the story at retail value and had left Bloo with even more questions.

To cope, he had been wearing the watch all day waiting, actually doing chores and helping in subtle ways. When the clock struck 3, and then 3:30 however, he was unable to contain his worry and frustration and dropped whatever activity had been up to at the moment to start a rage-filled, determined march to Mr.Herriman's office, where he hoped to demand, and ultimately receive answers.

Just as he was about to throw the door open and reveal the culprit, he was stopped.

A firm hand on his shoulder caused him to whip around, immediately wishing he had not.

"Hello friend."


Author's note:

I said on Monday but its... Thursday of the next week. Again, no time. XX

Sorry for the late, and short chapter. This next one I will be doing imedetatily after this one. It will take a bit more time. If its not done by tonight - I apologize. It should be done within the next two weeks.