The boys had been talking about Marko visiting their place since the night they had met. Besides that, Marko had gotten to know them pretty well. His favorite, however, was Paul. Paul was a definite with his hair and clothes and tendency to air guitar with every Def Leppard song. Dwayne was quiet, and was the right hand man to David. Star and Laddie did not make conversation with Marko at all.
But that's okay, Marko thought to himself as the group trudged down to the place where five bikes leaned against a wall, waiting. As long as I'm on David's good side, I don't give a damn about their opinions.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Allie asked as everyone climbed onto their bikes. James, who seemed too drunk to even start the bike, went onto Ty's bike, and Marko got onto James's bike, as he hadn't brought his. Star went with David, Laddie went with Dwayne, and Allie clutched Marko around the waist. Paul was alone on his bike.
"Yeah," Marko said, then he revved the engine and followed David and the others, speeding away from the boardwalk. Allie shrieked and clung into Marko.
"Woo - hoo!" David cried, laughing. Marko joined in, and soon everyone was whooping and hollering. Except Allie, who was practically glued to Marko. David made a sharp turn to the right, and suddenly, there was a cliff. Marko yelled with surprise and veered to the side. He stopped the bike then clambered off and helped Allie.
"You okay?" he asked. Allie nodded, though she was shaking all over. David had gotten off his motorcycle and was walking towards a small entryway in the top of the cliff.
"Welcome home, boys," he called. Paul and Dwayne chuckled. They and David then disappeared down the wooden steps.
"We're going in there?" Allie asked, staring at the entryway where the three had gone. "They live there?"
"Guess so," Marko said, and he and Ty jogged to keep up with James, who was already stumbling down the steps.
It was incredible. A huge cave filled with all sorts of items. Dwayne helped Laddie hop off the ledge that they arrived on, and Marko followed, trying to take in everything that was in the cave.
"Anyone hungry?" David asked the cave at large.
"Hell yeah!" Paul said, who was tuning a dusty guitar. David nodded at Dwayne, who disappeared behind a few drapes. Star led Laddie to a corner that held a small bed, where she sat him down.
"This is too cool!" Ty said, his voice filled with awe. "And I thought Santa Carla was nothing but a cursed name!"
"It still is," Marko reminded him. "Did you hear? Liam MacDonald went missing a few days ago."
"Damn," Ty said, shaking his head. "No wonder James has been down. They used to be an item."
"Alright," Paul said, looking up from his guitar. Dwayne had reappeared, holding a cardboard box full of smaller containers.
"Chinese food," Dwayne announced, tossing boxes to everyone, except the girls, who were standing together, looking tense. Marko caught the box that was thrown his way and opened it. It was full of noodles with vegetables and pieces of meat.
Marko waited until the others had begun to eat before he did. Allie and Star watched with cold eyes as the boys ate, laughing and joking.
"Wow, this is so good!" Marko said after a while.
"Never had Chinese takeout before?" David asked. Marko shook his head and pointed at his sister.
"She always insists on cooking," he explained.
"You like her cooking?" David pressed on.
"It's fine, but she makes vegetarian shit. No meat at all, just stuff you'd feed to a rabbit."
Paul laughed, then caught David's eye. Davis nodded lightly, and Paul jumped up and went to the drapes.
"Hey, do you guys have water?" James asked. He seemed to have sobered up a bit.
"Of course. Paul's getting some now," David said. Paul reappeared with a bottle of water, but in his other hand he held a big, ornate bottle. There were red jewels encrusted in the silver plate that ran around the center of the bottle. Marko could see red liquid inside, sloshing against the opaque glass. Paul thrust the water to James, who popped off the cap and drank deeply.
David took the other bottle while James and Ty were laughing and splashing water at eachother. He took a swig, locked his lips, then handed the bottle to Marko.
"Here, Marko. Good stuff."
Marko raised the bottle to his lips and caught a tangy scent, not unlike metal. He took a mouthful, swallowed, then gagged. It was thick and warm in his mouth and throat, and it had such a bitter and metallic taste that Marko dropped the bottle, coughing. Allie ran to his side, glaring at the boys.
"You pricks! What was that?" she yelled.
"A drink," Paul said, simply. Marko has stood up, his stomach churning.
"C'mon," Ty said. "You should get fresh air."
Marko allowed Ty to lead him up the wooden steps. They arrived in the warm air, but there was little time to enjoy it. Marko leaned over and vomited all over the sand. But even when his stomach was empty, he could still taste the red drink on tongue and lips.
"Jesus," Ty said, staring at his friend. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Marko mumbled.
Allie was coming up the stairs. Marko glared at her.
"What's your deal?" he said, his voice low. "Why did you have to call David a prick?"
"You could've just swallowed poison!" Allie said, her stare just as icy and cold as her brother's. "All you want to do is impress the guy. But you don't need to get killed for it!"
"Just fuck off," Marko said. "I don't get why you always have to be here and there, embarrassing me."
"Marko, I can't believe you! You wander around for four days without me, and the one time I come-"
"Shut up, whore!" Marko said, cutting her off. He saw, with a small spark of satisfaction, that Allie had been hurt by the word. But she quickly masked that and glared her eyes deadly.
"East shit and die, Marko," Allie hissed.
"Eat shit and live," Marko said. Allie turned into her heel and stomped away into the dark.
"You okay?" Ty asked after a moment of silence.
"I'm fine," Marko said, though it seemed it was more to himself than his friend. Then he turned and went back down to the stairs.
He didn't want to keep David waiting.