Later That Night

Deryck walked cautiously through the dark streets of the City. He knew this was the bad part...the crime rate was the highest here. Not to mention the whole Drug Cartel thing. Deryck had put on dark navy blue jeans and a black hoodie. Dark clothes were always good when you wanted to go unnoticed. Deryck went into a nearby park. There were trash can fires lit up. Graffiti was sprayed all over the public bathroom walls. Deryck knew how to spot a drug dealer. Stereotypically, they were middle-aged males in lime green trench coats. And that's exactly what he spotted sitting on a bark bench.

"Hey, buddy...I'm looking for some, uh..." Deryck was trying to come up with the proper term. "...Cold medicine. If you catch my drift."

The man pulled a white plastic bag out of his coat. "Two keys enough?"

"Should be. How much?"

"50 bucks."

"50? Jesus Christ, that's expensive. Eh, to hell with it." Deryck said as he fished out the money. "Here."

The man handed him the bag. "Pleasure doin' business with ya."

Deryck walked away calmly.

Deryck was at the entrance to the police station. The time was 9:14 exactly. He walked in, the cocaine discreetly hidden in a brown bag under a ham sandwich and bag of salt and vinegar chips.

"Hey, can I help you, ki- wait, you're Dawson's kid aren't you? What're you doing here?"

"Just bringing my awesome stepdad a late night snack! He didn't tell me what he put in it though." lied Deryck.

"Alright. He's patrolling right now, but you can put in his locker for when he comes back. The combo is 6-39-24."

"Thanks!"

"Why didn't he tell you what was in the bag?"

"I don't know...but he's a respective guy right? He's not hiding anything." Deryck felt that if he lied any longer he would start to vomit blood. He speed-walked down the hallway and went up to the respective locker and opened it. He put the bag into the locker, and made sure the crack was position where it was exposed so guard dogs would pick up the scent. He bolted out of the station. It was only a matter of time now.

Dawson walked into the station. He was pleased yet also surprised when the officer at the desk told him about the "late night snack" Deryck had left him. He went and retrieved it. He started eating the chips when the Chief of Police approached him.

"Dawson! I need your help feeding the guard dogs."

"Uergh. Do I have to? I got a shitload of paper work that needs doing..."

"It'll only take a few minutes. Come on."

Dawson was led to the dog cages. As soon as they walked in, the dogs started barking up a storm.

"What's wrong?" said the Chief, "They never get jumpy like this."

"They usually only start barking like that is when there's drugs nearby." said Dawson.

"Right, but there aren't any drugs here...wait a minute..."

"What?"

"What's in the bag, Dawson?"

"Are you crazy? This is just my snack. There isn't any drugs in here, I swear! I know I look like the Cartel Leader but I swear I'm not him!"

"Give me the bag, Dawson."

"I'm telling you, I'm-"

"Give the bag or I'll have your badge!"

"...Fine." Dawson handed him the brown bag. "But you're not gonna find anything in the-"

The cocaine fell on the ground and got anywhere. The Chief smelled it with two fingers.

"Two keys of 'Ol Fashioned Columbian Bam-Bam. You're going away for a long time, Dawson. If that's your real name!"

"You don't understand! That's not mine! I'm being framed!"

"Tell it to the judge, scumbag." said the Chief as he put Dawson in cuffs.

2 Weeks Later.

Deryck woke up. It was Saturday morning, 10 AM. He had to say, living in the Orphanage was a hell of a better life than living in the apartment. He hit the showers, and put on his clothes. On his way to breakfast, the manager of the Orphanage stopped him.

"Deryck, we need to talk."

"What's up, Mr. Hawkins?"

"Well, you see...couples these days...tend to adopt little kids. Not teenagers."

"And?"

"We need space for the younger orphans."

"So you're kicking me out?" said Deryck, starting to get angry.

"I'm sorry son. We'll keep you another week...if no one adopts you by then...I'm afraid you'll be on the streets."

"Are you fucking serious!?"

"Language, Deryck! There are kids here!"

"I just got out of an abusive home, my life is FINALLY starting to get back on track, and now you're telling me I'm going back on the streets!?"

"Afraid so. But hey, you have a chance! The annual Parent event is on Friday. Maybe a couple will take you."

Deryck grunted and walked away.

I'm fucked... thought Deryck.