"I know!" I yelled back even though by now he were right in front of my face because he and Spot had crossed the room.

"What is it?" Spot asked, "Is it dat guy?"

I nodded, "He showed up on my bed." Jack's face hardened, "Oh no, it's fine," then I added with a chuckle, "He couldn't do anything to me if he tried."

"But what about dat utter guy?" Jack asked confused, the whole room was still listening as he pointed to Spots arm (he was leaning on his cane).

"She did most of da damage, I jist helped," he retorted. I smiled at him, How moods change.

"You wanna talk about it?" Mush asked and I shook my head. Talk is definitely low on my list.

"Den what do ya wanna do?" asked Blink just in time. He, Racetrack, Skittery and two other boys I didn't recognize were playing Poker. My eyes lit up.

"Play," I said as I walked over and made myself comfy inbetween Race and Skittery.

"Oo Ow ow oo eh?" Racetrack said behind his cigar.

"What?"

"Oo Ow ow oo eh?" he repeated.

"What?" I repeated.

"Ooo de er somin'?"

I bit my lip, "What?" I asked once more.

Race plucked the cigar out of his mouth and said, "You know how to play?"

"Yep."

"Thank you." He said, and inserted the death tube in his mouth once more. He shuffled the cards he had collected during his lack of communication.

By the time curfew came and Kloppman came up to say lights out I had almost won everything, and was about to go for strip poker.

"Ah come on Klop, let us finish dis one game huh?" begged Race. Kloppy nodded and said he'd be up in 15 minutes. Race's cigar is starting to tick me off.

"Those things'll kill ya." I said as I plucked it from his mouth and put it out under my foot. The two other boys (both of which I still didn't know names) stated to laugh. Blink just smiled.

"Those cost 50 cents!" cried Race, "That's 100 papes!"

"Oh well," I said, "It'll be $50 or illegal in the future." I couldn't help it, it's the cop inside me. "I don't know your names yet," I told the other two, "I'm Ivory."

"I'm Ace, and did is Hopscotch."

"Hey Ace and Hopscotch, you boys done losin'?"

"I think I'm done," Said Skittery throwing down his hand. "I'se got nothin' left."

"I'm beat." Said Hopscotch. I looked over at the other two as Blink threw down his cards.

"Shit," Racetrack whispered, "We haven't even begun dis game yet."

"How many?" Asked Ace. Ah, so they're still playing.

"None," I replied looking at my four queens.

"Alright. Bet me shoit." Ace said.

"I'm out," said Race looking ashamed.

"I'll take your shirt, and raise you my thong," I said back.

"I'll take…that, and raise you me pants."

"I'll see that and raise my bra," I said smiling as the room filled with Oooo's. "There's nothing left." I added.

"Alright, show me." He said calmly.

I laid down my hand, "Let's see yours'."

He laid down his…FOUR ACES'! The room filled with laughter as I sat there shocked. He lay back in his chair with a smug smile on his face.

"I lost? I lost. I lost. Wait a minute, I don't loose. I never loose."

"Here," Jack threw me a pair of his pants and a shirt, "Washroom's ova dere." He said pointing.

I went into the room and traded clothes. When I came back I threw my stuff at Ace. "Be happy," I told him, "That's my favorite thong." I looked around, "Where do I sleep."

"You can take mine, I'se a ready got you're clothes," Ace said, still smiling.

I made a face as I mocked him noticeably and got a few laughs as I climbed up into his bed. The boy on top was already asleep. I got under the sheets. Ever though it's summer I'm still cold. I'm always cold. The lights went out, and I am alone, once again, through the endless night.

I'm not sure how long I laid there, but the voices came to me. Crying to me, screaming because of me, and all at once, the blood spilled all over my hands, and I jerked awake trembling.