"Sugar, We're Goin' Down"

(Fall Out Boy song. B/c my friend wants to read this asap and i need to come up with a title. lol)

ALEX'S POINT OF VIEW

"Where are we going?" Jack asked.

"To Carlos's house. See what exactly the situation is." So we got there, and, yes, technically broke in. But we weren't alone. Carlos's father was home, asleep in his recliner. I awoke him by pretty much smacking him. I didn't know he'd recognize me, or remember me. "Yo." I said casually, despite the fact I just bitch-slapped him. "Where is Carlos?" He didn't answer. I pulled him out of his chair, to show I ain't messin' with this dude. "Where!"

"None of your business. He's my son. Now get out of my house. Hey, I know you."

"Damn right you do. Now tell me where Carlos is. What did you do with him? Where is he? I heard you took him away. So why are you here now, but he isn't?"

"Carlos ran off."

"Why?"

"Because he hates me. Because he sides with his whore of a sister." He payed for that one. That was a mistake on his part.

"WHERE IS HE?"

"Off with his friends somewhere. I don't know. Something about his friends, and I think they're gangbangers. Something about rivals."

"A gang war?" Jack asked.

"It's a possibility." I told him. I turned back to Carlos's father. "Do you have any idea where they would be?"

"No. He has a girlfriend. Ask that little bitch." I slapped him again. Carlos was an okay kid, just with some bad influences. I'm sure his girlfriend couldn't be that bad. Plus I was a little caught in the moment. I really hated this guy. But he wasn't the threat, or the concern here. It was keeping Carlos safe that was important. I'll be damned if I let another person I love die.

KERRIE'S POINT OF VIEW

Tyler came back today. Something was up. We were still going over what had happened. I wasn't sure what was wrong, or if anything was wrong, maybe he just had to deal with something, chat about it, no biggie. But anyway, he came back, and there was ANOTHER cheesy flashback. Oh, MY God. Who's in charge of these things! Oh well. It WAS a good story. And important. Really, props to the author. Anyway, now for the story. Where was I? Oh yes, flashback.

cheesy flashback sequence

TYLER'S POINT OF VIEW

My cell phone rang. I answered. Henry. He was, crying, blubbering, just blurting out things inaudible. No idea what he was talking about. He and I had been hanging out a lot lately, and learning he was gay, I didn't acknowledge it, I just, treated him like a person. No different if I was talking to, say, Will. So when he called, I told him to come right over, we'd talk then. So I amazingly opened the door (mainly cuz I saw him running up, and pretty much figured how long it would take) right as he walked in, and into my arms. He was like a little brother to me now, and I knew somethng was up. And when a brother needs a hug, give a brother a hug. Especially a kid as sensitive as Henry, and I could tell he was on the verge of a serious breakdown. He cried there for a second, me hoping he knew that I would not think any less of him as a man because of his crying. So when he had totally pulled himself together, he looked at me. Holy hell, he was bleeding. I got him cleaned up and asked what happened.

"Oh well let's see. First, my boyfriend breaks up with me. He's got himself someone new. A girl. But you know, that's not even the biggest problem. Yeah, it hurt. I loved him, and he tears out my heart, and just beats the crap out of it. Oh God, Tyler. Man, my parents kicked me out yesterday. I was staying at Ben's place. But since he kicked me out, I have no where, Tyler, no where. Ty, do you mind...?"

"Oh no man. Make yourself at home. Take my bed even. The couch is good for me. You look like you need a good night's sleep."

"Oh my God, man, you are a lifesaver. But THEN it gets worse."

"Yeah you wanna explain that busted lip to me man?"

"Hmm. Yeah. Ben shoved me, I punched him, he socked me back. I just left. I didn't need this. But some punks mugged me on my way over here. The whole 'fag' thing. My money's all gone, not that there was much, my dignity is pretty much self-explanatory, I mean look at me. My friends are limited to you and my sister, since everyone is on my boyfriend's side. And my sister is busy getting busy with one of her five or six boyfriends, contracting God knows what."

I had to laugh at that. I'm sorry, it was funny. And it got him to crack a smile, which made me feel better.

"Anyway. That's how I ended up here. And again, thank you man. I'm having a really freaking bad day. I am eternally grateful. And, incrediby tired."

"Yeah man just crash on my bed. Go for it. Like I said, I'll take the couch."

"Thanks." He walked into my room. Then I made myself a makeshift bed on my couch. When I walked in to get blankets from my bedroom closet, he was out cold. I crashed on my couch, and did the same. ZZZZzzzzzz...

When I woke up, I heard water running. Henry must have been in the shower. I took a carton of orange juice out of the fridge. Trying to cut back on alcoholic beverages. Wow, it had quite the kick to it. I grimaced, and Henry laughed at me. He was standing there in a towel. I gave a sarcastic smug smile.

"Hey, man, can I ask you a question?"

He got dressed.

"Man that shirt's got blood all on the front. Borrow one of mine." I went to my closet. "Here man." I pulled out a dark blue shirt, and tossed it to him.

"Hey, thanks. The god-ness that is Tyler Malcolm just grows and grows."

"I know. I'm amazing, aren't I?"

"You have no idea."

Somehow, and DO NOT ask how, but somehow Henry and I were now standing like, only a foot away from each other. Which is a lot when it's two dudes, one gay, and currently shirtless. It tends to get a little discomforting. But, trying to shake it off, I laughed, walked by, and put my hand on his shoulder, you know, playfully, not gayfully. But yet, he was SHIRTLESS. And I just kinda, stopped. Oh God. And this would be my fault. I would have started it all. And I fucking did. I kissed my friend, Henry. I stuck my tongue in his mouth, too. I freaking jumped him. Me, 22, him, 17 (yep, turns out he graduated early), both male. Life is funny that way. Haha. Yeah, that was not a sincere laugh. Quickly I pulled away from Henry.

"Oh Jesus." I ran my hand through my hair, and walked into my living room, pacing."Shit. Shit shit shit shit."

"Yeah. No shit." Henry said as he followed me, leaning on the doorframe between my bedroom and the rest of the apartment.

"But, I, and, you, and, I, huh...?"

"I didn't know you um, were, and you, for me. You know what? We need to speak clearly. Let's talk. First of all, I just broke up with my boyfriend. You can't just go making out with gay boys. I'm not even on the rebound yet. I mean, maybe tomorrow, but--"

"Okay wait! I don't, didn't mean to do that to you. I'm sorry. Very, very wrong. Um, not good. I should go. Um, I gotta...go."

end flashback, for now

SOFI'S POINT OF VIEW

Ugh, I hate those guys. I'm so glad Angel went to take care of them. And Bobby. I didn't expect that from him. At least I don't think so. I never really thought about it. I went to the window to see what was going on down there now, how bad those guys were getting their asses kicked. Shit. Bobby and Angel, they were on the ground. "Oh my God, Baby!" Where were the scumbags? Had they taken it a step up? Was it just worse now? How did they get past Angel and Bobby? What the hell do I do now? I heard footsteps clompering (is that even a word?) down the hallway, and yelling. Oh, God. They were coming for me. They were knocking on my door, saying things like "Hey, Baby. Wanna let us in? We can party." and "Shut up. We can't. You heard the boss." Shit. They banged on the door for about a minute, me just standing there, shaken. Trying to think of where to take my latin ass where I won't get raped OR kidnapped. I heard some voices from outside my door. "Fuck it, let's break it down." Ad so they tried. I ran. Out my window, onto my fire escape, and down, and down. I was still on my way down, when they appeared, heads protruding from my window. They had guns, but couldn't use them. Either way, there'd be a bullet, a fall, and my death. Just in different orders. And for some reason, I couldn't die. At least not yet. So they followed me. I reached the ground, and ran with all that I had. I jumped right over an unconscious Bobby, and kept going. Thank God I wasn't in heels. But the boots weren't great either. But when I had to, I could run. And I did. I ran for a while turning down alleys and not looking back, I didn't want to see how close they were. But I knew they were behind me. Soon they might get annoyed, and try to shoot me anyway. I hoped to God I could make it in time. I hoped to God I didn't stumble and fall. I hoped to God I'd live to see Angel again. And Bobby. As much as that son of a bitch annoyed me, he helped me, or tried to. I wanted a chance to thank him. Cuz I like to think I'm a bigger person than him. I know he's not a total dick, but sometimes he just won't shut up. And I wanted to see Alex, and Jack. Alex treated me like she needed my approval to become part of the family as well, like I was part of the family. She was like a sister to me. The closest thing I've had in years. The rest of my family is scattered across the country. But these people in Detroit, I knew they all cared about me in some way, and vice versa. I wanted to get married, or know if I'd ever have opportunity to. And children. Possibly. I don't know, I suppose. But for now, just to save my own life. That was my goal, and my plan. I ran and finally reached a very familiar spot. Only about a block, and I'd be at Angel's. I kept going, finally reached the house, and went inside. I figured I had about two minutes before they showed up. And I'd be waiting for them.

I searched frantically for guns. Which, I'm not surprised, was a search that didn't take me long. Soon I had a small armory right there on the coffee table. I've seen Bobby and Angel load guns enought times to know how to myself. Mierda. I heard shouting from outside. They were gonna try to get in. The first two tried breaking down the door. I had two guns in hand, and was scared to death. I didn't want to shoot anyone. But I could if I had to. Angel and Bobby would be back soon enough. They'd come to, and rush home. I could just hold these guys off. One came in, and I shot him in the leg. I figured they were only, what, five? I was wrong. Fucking seven or eight of them. I was pretty sure I would lose. But only one came in at first, and trying to fight him, he just made me mad. So I shot him. It was easier than I had expected it to be. But the fight went on, them firing 'warning' shots, me just firing. I don't remember what all happened, but, I do know, in the end, I did not prevail. I know they came in, and I was taken. I know there was a call, and a van. I know no one noticed, or cared, or was scared for their own lives, which is understandable. I know there was a note. I don't know if I screamed.