chapter word count: 436

noir heart: fifty-four

So, with what Jack assumed to be the threat of jail time in the back of the young boy's mind (possession as a juvenile means he'll only get community service, house arrest or tagging, but the kid obviously doesn't know that) and under the stern eyes of Coach Calhoun, Sid confesses all.

It's classic popularity. The kids Sid hangs out with are all from troubled families, so it reflects in their behaviour. Disobedience here. Vandalism, bullying, stuff like that there. Only, this particular group likes to dabble in marijuana - so here's young Sid, eager to prove himself in the clique.

And the easiest way to do that, in his mind? Get hold of a controlled substance.

"He said his name was J-Gun, and he could hook me up with some meth." Sid mumbles.

Jack absorbs the information, while controlling the ire about someone actively selling to high school kids. Attempting a calm a voice as possible, he says, "How much did you pay for it?"

Sid shrugs, but his eyes remain low like a thoroughly scolded child. "About twenty bucks."

Jack quirks his lips sideways, while letting loose a quick and sharp breath through his nose. "Figures." he sighs.

Calhoun cocks an eyebrow as she looks at him in mild confusion. "What?" she enquires curiously.

"Meth is expensive, way more than your average high school kid can afford. That's why it's usually impure; the cheaper the meth, the more impure it is. All kinds of stuff is mixed in - so the cheap stuff kills you quicker." Jack explains, pocketing his hands as he eyes the bag between Calhoun's fingertips. She glances suspiciously at it, just before he adds "...but that's not the worst part."

"What's worse than that?" she gapes incredulously. Oh, Coach, if only you knew.

"This J-Gun probably gave Sid a sample. Some of the good stuff. He hands it around to his friends, they get hooked, they want more, Sid goes back to J-Gun, who then sells him the cheap stuff and doesn't tell him. Sid starts selling, gives J-Gun the profit minus a small cut. Meaning - J-Gun starts his own little narcotics empire in high schools."

Calhoun's face twists into a furious scowl. Yeesh, how Jack didn't miss that expression. "Son of a bitch…" she snarls, and her hand threatens to crush the bag of meth. Jack's lips quirk once more, and he nods - grim and slow.

"So...what happens to me now?" Sid asks plaintively, looking up at Jack's stern gaze.

this little arc will be over shortly, promise! Oni, all will be revealed. *waves madly to zulka*. thank you so much, jelsashipper!

special thanks to: jpbake, doomstone, scottydog, lunasnoir, stefalove, hornedgoddess, jelsashipper, oninoko, heartonfire and zulka for the reviews!