Part 10

Danny was very quiet that night. Both Claire and Mac tried to talk to him but he ended up going to his room saying he was tired. He could barely look Mac in the face, how could the man pretend that he liked him. He came out of his room to go to the bathroom.

"Mac," he heard. "You need to tell him the truth." So Claire knew as well. Well scr** them he thought. They were as bad as each other . He didn't care anymore. He went back into his room and packed his backpack, instead of books, he packed some clothes. He didn't feel guilty taking the things they'd bought for him. After all Mac owed him for 15 years. His father. He was going to speak with his mother and soon. He'd always known his Papa didn't like him but he'd never understood why until now. This would be his last night here and he was glad of that. He got into bed.

"I know Claire but I was waiting for the right time. I don't want him running off."

"Maybe tonight is the night then," she said. "Go on." She pushed him towards Danny's door.

He opened the door, Danny firmly closed his eyes. Mac backed out. "He's sleeping," he said closing the door. "Why don't we have a pizza night tomorrow and I'll tell him then."

"Just as long as you do it."

Mac bent down and kissed her. "I will. You're sure you don't mind becoming mother to a 15 year old hormone driven teenager with anger problems."

"I'm sure. I couldn't love him any more if he was my own."

The next morning Danny got up early, he took his backpack and started for the door. "Danny, is that you?" Claire asked from the kitchen. "You're early."

"I've got some research to do at the school library and I need to get it done before class."

"Eat something first." She laid a piece of toast in front of him. He knew he couldn't eat it. He felt like crying and he didn't know why. These people had deceived him, they deserved whatever he did. "I'm leaving early as well, want a lift?"

"No, I'm fine." She put a hand to his forehead," Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

He pulled back from her hand. "Yes." Pretending you care he thought. Maybe it would spoil their plans of getting rid of him if he was unwell. "I'd better go." He got up grabbed his backpack and left.

He ran down the stairs. He was grabbed from behind. "Trying to avoid me, little brother?"

"No. Just didn't want to stay there any longer than I had to." Louie grabbed his arm and led him into the alley beside the apartment building.

"Got your keys?"

"Yes." Louie started searching his pockets.

"Give," he said.

"Maybe we should just leave them, I don't want anything to do with them."

"Well I don't think so. This is going to be easy pickings. We'll sit in the car until they leave."

An hour later Mac and Claire left planning the evening.

"Let's go." Louie grabbed Danny's arm and they went round to the front of the building. A couple of others from the Tanglewoods joined them. "You get us in and we'll do the rest."

The man at the desk waved to Danny as he entered. He got up when he saw the other boys enter behind him. "Stop!" he shouted.

"It's okay," Danny said," they're with me. Friends from school." The man looked at him suspiciously.

"You sure?"

"Yes, we were walking to school and I remembered I'd forgotten a book I need. We won't be long."

They took the lift up to the apartment and Danny opened the door. They rushed in. Some headed for the drinks cabinet. "He got a gun here?" Sonny asked.

"No. Just when he's here."

"Right, take what we can sell and then trash the place." It didn't take long. Danny stood at the door. Then he heard a key turn in the lock.

The door opened and Mac stood there. "What the....?"

Frank lifted up the vase and brought it down on the back of Mac's head. Mac fell to the floor. Danny could see blood dripping to the floor. He hadn't wanted this. "Get moving," Louie shouted.

"We need to phone an ambulance," Danny said. They all laughed.

"Get moving kid," Sonny said. "You sure we can trust him, Louie?"

"Course we can, can't we Danny?" He gave him a warning look. Danny knew what happened to people who double crossed the Tanglewood Boys.

They ran out of the building, the man at the desk shouting after them. He had been suspicious and had phoned Mac at work. He started up the stairs. Louie pushed him into the car. Danny took out his cell phone and rang for an ambulance. "What the f**k are you doing?" Louie asked.

"I can't leave him like that." He told the operator where to send the ambulance and hung up. There was no going back now. He was a Tanglewood Boy now and that was it.

TBC