Author's Rant: Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the songs mentioned.

Warning: Mild to Graphic Violence.

Awakened Demons

One of the most thrilling and probably most terrifying qualities I loved about the Boom was that the atmosphere was in a constant change. There's always a new horde of people to surround the fast food chains downtown and slews of boys and girls flooding the streets and parking lots. It's too damn easy to score out here. I could literally have my pick of whoever I wanted, ranging from ages sixteen to thirty, any color, any gender.

I wasn't into looking for a fling tonight. I just needed to absorb the tainted air of evil, maybe loosen up the tightness in my muscles from having to deal with the drama in school. Even though it's kind of stupid to think that the trouble wouldn't appear out here, I'd like to believe me and my friends could escape here and not worry.

I settled back in my seat, watching the heavy activity outside the passenger's window. Phoenix and I decided to chill in the car while Hassleberry went inside McDonalds. It's his turn to pay for our grub since I took care of it the last three times.

Phoenix leaned from the back, in between the two front seats to turn up the music when he heard one Shop Boys, Party like a Rockstar. This, normally, is one of my favorite songs to bob my head on, but not this time. Keep in mind, remember where we are; songs around here played out as fast as a used condom after a quick nut. I reached out to switch the stations, which earned me a proper pout.

I smiled at him in the rearview mirror. "Come on, bro. We're in the middle of no man's land. If they heard us, we'd be the laughing stock of the whole school."

Phoenix rolled his eyes and flippantly rolled his wrist. "Since when have I given thought to what others think of me? Unless their name's on my birth certificate, I don't see any reason in caring what they say about me." And then he proceeded to turn the station right back to catch the tail end of the song as the radio host cut to a commercial break. Phoenix sucked his teeth. "See what you've done? Dumbass." He kicked my seat and folded his arms, looking every bit like a five-year-old.

I shrugged, inwardly relieved. He could say what he wanted, but I had a reputation to maintain at school. Who would want to cheer for the famous baseball player who didn't have good taste in music? As if the talk around school wasn't already fucked up as it is. Word about Atem slapping the tar out of me spread like wildfire and the kids from our rivaling schools even got a hint of the gossip.

How did I know? It's easy to tell when everywhere you turned you caught a pair of eyes or a whole group of people staring, pointing and giggling behind their hands because they knew a secret you supposedly didn't know. This kind of attention was way different from the fan base.

Atem made me into an outright bitch and half the school knew about it. My cheek still tingled from remembering how his wide hand slapped me. Every fiber in my being wanted to return the favor, I swear to God I did. But I promised myself to be the role model kids could look up too. I didn't want to get caught up in any criminal drama that could potentially mess up my career. I only have two years left in this dumb of a city.

As soon as I received my contract from whichever team picked me up, I'm taking me, Yugi and my Grandpa to Atlanta to start all over. I just had to be patient and that meant enduring whatever bullshit Atem and his pack of flunkies might throw at me.

"Atem and his jolly band of hoes are here."

Speak of the devil. Why wasn't I surprised? I turned my head to the side where I knew the Blue Bloods frequented the Boom. They took up a good portion of the front McDonalds and Burger King parking lots with their customized cars. I couldn't hear the radio over the oversized speakers echoing from five of the cars filing into the entrance. They parked wherever they found space, in the grass, an open parking space, or bullied someone else to move somewhere else.

The Red Bloods used to own the whole McDonald's lot, but thanks to Atem, that was history. I hadn't seen a Red Blood in weeks and there's no telling why. I doubt he killed them all. He couldn't wipe out a thousand-man crew. Right?

Somewhere between me watching the Blue Bloods pour out of their cars and suddenly realizing one of the dudes coming forth was Yami, Phoenix had snuck up to the front seat and rolled the volume to full blast just as Avril Lavigne's chorus, Keep Holding On, screamed through the windows.

All eyes turned to us, but mostly on Phoenix as he sung way off key and howled with one of his favorite singers. I turned every shade of red imaginable and sunk as low as I could in my seat. Please, for the love of God—where the hell is Hassleberry? This is one of those times I don't mind him cussing and acting an ass to Phoenix, because this idiot deserved it.

I reached up to turn down the music, but Phoenix smacked my hand away and cut his eyes as if to dare me to do it again. I did and succeeded in saving some of our shattered dignity.

"What's wrong with you dude?"

"What? It's Avril Lavigne!"

I sighed and dragged my hands over my eyes. I chanced a peek over the edge of the window and the Blue Bloods were still staring at our car.

All of them were, not just one, two or three. Every single of them were. That put me on edge. I sat up taller and stared back, wondering what the deal was. Then I remembered when Atem appeared from around the car with Seth and that blonde chick from school—Mai I think her name is.

She had her wrap snaked around one of the cheerleaders with long dark hair, skin like soft mahogany and almond shaped eyes. She had some of Atem's Egyptian features, which automatically meant she had some rank.

She focused on us inside the car too. Atem mumbled something that had the rest of his cronies chuckling. He snapped his fingers, pointed and I watched the switchblades wink under the streetlights like they already knew what's to come.

No guns, no bats, nothing big and loud to drew attention. Atem had that look of revenge in his eyes, a sneaky glare meant for me. Fuck, if that didn't spike some kind of fire in my gut, because that ass was good-looking, but he was on his way toward us and ready for bloodshed.

I chewed my bottom lip, thinking, debating and wondering what my next course of action is. Hassleberry's slow ass is still inside the restaurant and I can hear Phoenix's breath catching in his throat. He finally realized the consequences of his actions. A little late for that, but this wasn't the time to play the blame game.

"Shit," I hissed and checked the McDonald's entryway. "Where the hell is Hassleberry?"

"He should've been back by now," Phoenix harshly whispered. "He's probably hitting on a girl instead of worrying about his starving-and-soon-to-be-dead-best-friends!"

Like hell if I was going out like a punk. Yugi wasn't around to see, but I'll be damn if he heard about his big brother being murdered without a fight. With the decision cemented in my head—and knowing how utterly stupid this was going to be—I unlocked the door and stepped out when they were about twenty feet away.

My actions surprised Atem and Seth, but they hadn't stopped coming. I held my ground, folding my arms over my chest, but my attempt to intimidate failed miserably. Atem maneuvered himself in front of the pack as he pulled out a set of brass knuckles. He had that look of a hungry wolf out for the kill.

I sucked in, held my breath and as he reached out for my collar, his hand is slapped away and I found my chest shoved so hard, I fell on my ass. I blinked up and looked both ways. It all happened so fast, I lost track of everything going on. Then I realized Yami is standing between me and Atem with his arms folded, legs wide and a sour glare in those perfect red eyes.

"What the hell are you doin'?" Atem growled. "Move!"

Yami narrowed his eyes.

Atem grit his teeth like a Rottweiler. He took a step to the left, trying to get to me. Yami matched it with two more, wearing the same expression.

"Yami, move outta the way!" Atem snapped.

Yami didn't and he barely seemed concerned about the pissy attitude.

I looked between them, confused. What the hell is going on? Had I missed something?

Atem paced back and forth, balling up his lips, anger reaching its boiling point. He snapped his wrist forward with the brass knuckles aimed at Yami's face. "Are you fuckin' with me right now? Move before I knock your ass out too!"

Yami's eyes thinned to knife slits. Atem's arm shook after minutes of staying levitated in the air. He dropped it at his side and snapped his head to the side. He looked over his shoulder and snapped his fingers, flipping his wrist with haste. The followers fell away—except for Seth and that dark skinned girl with Mai. I stayed quiet, unsure whether I could move or speak.

Atem sighed, sliding the knuckles off his hand and shoving them in his pocket. He crossed his arms, matching Yami's stance and spoke in a calmer tone that still carried fire in my ears.

"You mind explainin' yourself? Because I remember saying I wanted this guy's dick hangin' in the school hall."

I quietly crossed my legs.

"Leave him alone." Yami spoke and it is like someone struck a tuning fork in my chest.

Atem gawked at me and then at Yami. "Why?" His eyes grew wide as the wrong conclusion reared its ugly head. "You fuckin' him?"

Yami rolled his eyes. "No." And from how his fingers squeezed in the junction of his elbow spoke volumes of how pissed he was of being accused of adultery. "I know how to keep my shit zipped. Unlike some of us."

Atem blanched, saying nothing.

Yami kept his eyes on Atem moment longer before looking down at me. "Get up."

Damn those eyes were hypnotic. I climbed up to my feet, dusting off my clothes. I grinned at him and he stared back. I lost my friendly smile and decided it'd be best to stay on neutral grounds.

"Where's the card?"

"Card?" I frowned. "What card?"

"The one Duke gave you."

That tattoo card. Oh. I reached in my pocket, secretly glad I had it on me and pulled it out. Yami plucked it from my fingers and held it out in front of Atem and the others.

"See this?" Yami barked with an out-of-nowhere authority that had the entire parking lot looking in our direction. "His protection is solid, meaning Pegasus wants him alive. We take him out, that'll be heat on our asses we don't need! Especially for what we have about to go down, Atem! Do you want your old man breathing down our necks wonderin' why we didn't get our assignment done? Grow the fuck up and calm. We don't need this shit!"

Atem looked like he was ready to chew through steel. His entire face crunched into an ugly scowl. He wasn't looking at Yami anymore, but me and that card.

"You done now?" said Yami.

Atem balled up his bottom lip, angrily and slowly shaking his head, before he jerkily nodded. "Yeah." He cast a nasty look my way. I shot him one right back. "I'll deal with you later."

"Fine by me," I shot back. "I'll see you when that later comes."

Yami sneered at the both of us and we looked in different directions. Atem sucked his teeth before barking at everyone to leave. "Hurry up, Yami!"

Yami stalled in front of me. I shifted uncomfortably in the silence to follow because now that I was saved and my savior happened to be somebody I had no business crushing on, what the hell was I supposed to do?

"Here." Yami's hand slammed like a brick into my chest with the card in between. The force almost knocked me off my feet. "Keep ahold of that in case he jumps stupid again." His hand slid away, falling to his side. He didn't look at me, and try as I might, I couldn't get him to look at me again.

I sighed a few moments later as I put the card away. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me," he mumbled. "I owned you. Our debts are dissolved."

"Debts? I never did anything for you."

"You did," he softly argued and shrugged. "But I don't expect you to remember."

I tilted my head. "I do remember you. Those eyes aren't easy to forget." They've haunted me in my sleep since he came back in my life, but that's information I'll never get to tell him.

Yami briefly chuckled before granting my wish and slipping me a sly look. My stomach felt heavy and so did my dick. "Anyway," he started slowly, looking off at Atem. Jealousy rolled over me like a foul smell that wouldn't go away. "Take care of yourself. Stay away from us. The next time Atem comes after you, you're on your own."

"I thought you said Pegasus wanted me alive."

"He does, but so does your family, the police and baseball fans. You think my crew gives a damn about that? Wanted blood is wanted blood."

I bit my bottom lip. I guess the reality of the situation wasn't ready to hit me quite yet. My mind was still concentrating on the bass in Yami's voice. I loved how it kept striking those invisible chords inside me.

"Stay out of trouble," Yami said and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

He stopped and frowned at me for having shouted in his ear. I cheesed uneasily, unable to think of a damn thing to say because of how intensely he stared.

"You wanna hang out sometime?"

I blinked.

So did Yami. He turned around slowly to fully face me and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Clearly you've forgotten how fuckin' nuts my boyfriend is; unless you like livin' the dangerous life."

"He wouldn't have to know."

Yami gave another deep, soul-tearing look. "I don't fuck behind his back."

"But he does it to you."

Yami tisked his teeth. "Mind your own business. I'm not down with that two-wrongs-make-it-right-anyway bullshit."

"I could treat you better."

"I don't doubt that at all. You're nice to look at but at the end of the day, my eyes will stray for better."

"I don't see that happening."

"Regardless, I'm no good for you and it's best we keep it that way."

"Yami—"

"Look," he sharply snapped. "I'm good with mines, alright? Get back in the car and mind yours."

I promptly shut my mouth. Inside, I'm reeling with disappointment and anger. Atem doesn't deserve someone like Yami. He's no good for him and yet, Yami just sat here telling me he's not interested. That bothered the hell out of me. I tucked my hands in my pockets and looked away.

Yami's feet echoed as loud as my heartbeat as he walked back over to where his friends were and into Atem's arms. I snuck a look and caught a gleam of violet ensnare me in their depths. Atem smirked evilly ringing a snarl from within me.

Fuck it.

I sunk back in the car, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the whole frame. I didn't say anything to Phoenix and he wisely kept his mouth shut after quietly witnessing the exchange between me and Yami. Hassleberry finally came out with our bags of food, but I gave away my share.

I didn't have the stomach for it.

Rejection had a way of doing that to you.

Wednesday practices are always the best part of the week. I needed this today, the release from being around my teammates and coach. It's where I could get my A-game on and get rid of the tension inside. I'm a hero, a prodigy of the baseball world, and everything in my baby brother's eyes.

Too bad Yami chose this as one of the days to be here as well. And right now, Black Jack, our team's supposed ace in the hole and I saw why. He could hit, yeah, but run, catch, tag outs and pretty much everything else as well. It pissed me off to no ends and thrilled me.

I want that challenge. I love a challenge and better yet when that particular challenge rejected me for a lowlife. Yeah, I'm a little bitter. So sue me. Who doesn't want to chance to prove how much a badass they are compared to an obvious failure?

"Muto, batter up!"

That's my cue. I hopped off the bench in the dugout, dragging my bat. I promised Yugi I'd use the one he had autographed by his favorite player at practice. Hassleberry brought his dad's cam recorder to show Yugi when we returned. I would've brought him with me this time, but Granddad needed the extra help at the shop today. It was either me missing practice, leaving him alone, or Yugi having to stay home for once.

I staggered up to the home plate and slapped the ground with my bat. Coach had Phoenix on the mound, pitching with his weak left. He wanted everyone versatile on batting, pitching and catching. That wasn't a picnic either. I'm a right hander; swinging with my left wrecked the power in my hits.

Phoenix took position, thinking he discreetly signaled the catcher for a Slider, but I caught that move. He stretched his leg high, reeled back and slung the throw. It came fast, marked at 88 mph by the speedometer. I took the swing, let the ball snap against my bat and watched it sail to next Sunday.

"Whew, you see that shit? That bitch is outta there!" I heard Hassleberry shout over the whoops and pissed off grunts.

I dropped the bat and sprinted around the bases. First, second, third, and home, popping high fives left and right and a few good ass pats. I jogged up and took a squat near home plate.

"Good job, Muto. Keep your feet steady next time. You need a firmer stance. Got it?"

"Yeah coach!"

Hassleberry loudly whistled across the field. "Coach, I say we're more than ready for next Friday! Let's get out of practice early!"

Coach lowered his clipboard, shooting all of us his signature eyebrow. "You wanna get out early?" He grunted. Uh-oh. I looked around. I hope nobody falls for this.

"Hell yeah!" Hassleberry grinned. "I'm down. Who's with me?"

No one raised their hands. Smart boys. Let him be an idiot by himself.

Coach shrugged his hefty shoulders. "Fine. Hassleberry, you can go home."

Everyone blinked, especially me. Did he really let this dude go home without incident?

"Anyone else wanna go home?"

Three more hands raised up.

"Good job. Love your honesty. I like that. So you three and Hassleberry, beat the dirt!"

"The hell?!" Hassleberry screeched and I threw my head back cackling. He flipped me off. "Coach you said we could go home! What gives?"

"You will, Hassleberry, at 5 o'clock time like everybody else. Now start the stroll. You can stop running when it's time to go home."

"Ain't this a bitch?" Hassleberry stalked out of the dugout dragging his feet against the dirt, caking up the front of his cleats. He walked by me, shoving his shoulder against my back and hissed. "You could've took one for the team, man."

"Hell no."

"I thought we were friends."

"I am."

"A real friend would take this run with me."

"A real friend would stand here and laugh at your fool self for getting in trouble. Enjoy that stroll, man!"

He flipped me off a second time before beckoning the other three to start the run around the field. Two more batters on my team came up, hitting an outfield ball and the second hit a couple of fouls. I left to take a drink from the side fountain.

"Sennen, you're up!"

I cracked the back of my neck trying to look up in time to see Yami stepping away the fence. It's the first time he'd moved and the sight of him looking from under his Snapback caused a cease fire in conversation and movements for everybody. I snuck up to the edge of the field and folded my arms. He climbed up to his feet wearing a blue Nike spandex t-shirt and black Jordan jersey shorts with Nike Elites.

Damn I wish I didn't have it bad for this guy, but everything he did made me shiver. And his ass was something extra nice to look at. No one I knew had a butt that sat up and stuck out like his—except Hassleberry, but no one wants to look at all that muscle.

Yami took the plate, held up his bat and hunched down, ready. I looked over to Phoenix and the other out fielders. To my surprise half of them backed away. They started walking off or edged off as far against the fence.

"What the hell is this?" Coach shouted. "Get back on the field!" No one moved. I figured this would happen and Yami did too. Still, he stayed in position, glaring straight to the Pitcher's Mound at Phoenix, the only one who hadn't budged an inch.

I glanced between them nervously because I wasn't sure if it was me, but I sensed hostility going down between them. If that's the case then—Shit! I know that stance.

Phoenix spread his legs shoulder length, pulled his arm far back and went for the throw.

A palm fastball. He used his right arm to toss that pitch. The speedometer clocked it at 98 mph. That's the fastest he ever took. It was going straight for Yami's head.

I cupped my hands over my mouth and called out "Hey, tuck low, Sennen!"

Yami either didn't hear me or ignored my warning. He stayed where he was, tightened his grip and swung his bat around. The ball and wood connected, sending a loud clack over the silence. The ball soared up and out, blending with the sky. I lost track of it over the school building.

When I glanced back, Yami jogged around all the bases. No one was there to stop him or attempt it. He came up to home and slowed down, walking back to his spot by the fence. But the whole time, he and Phoenix locked eyes, killing each other five times over in their heads.

"Excellent, Black Jack, same results, better swing. Straighten your posture for the under swing or you'll risk your back strength," Coach said. "Next up, Richardson."

I didn't pay attention to anyone else hitting after Yami's swing. The power behind that hit was on chaotic levels. Imagine him using that same force on someone's head. There'd be nothing left but shoulders. I had to say something to him about it.

As fool hardy as it sounded, I just had to. Yeah, I didn't forget about my rejection. No man ever does. Just call me an idiot.

I walked up to him, slowing my stride. He had his eyes on his cell phone, texting with his thumb. He shot me a quick glance before looking down at the screen.

"What do you want?" he grunted.

I shifted to my other foot, unsure how to say something without coming off as a fan. "Where'd you learn to hit like that?"

He gave me a sharp look, conveying his disbelief toward that being the reason why I came over. Yami shrugged his shoulders before tucking his phone in his pocket. "Practice."

"I see that, but where?"

Yami sighed. "Didn't I tell you to stay away?"

"No," I settled for squatting down in front of him and grinned. Yami blinked at me like I lost my mind and I probably did. "You said, 'I'm good with mines, alright? Get back in the car and mind yours.'" I mocked in his baritone voice. "You never said I couldn't ask about your skills."

Yami chuckled deeply. "You're either dumb as hell or dumb as fuck."

"I'll go with the dumb as hell guy who likes looking at pretty eyes." I pulled my knee up, bracing my back on the fence. "How have you been since when I saw you in the hospital?"

Yami didn't say again.

"I guess that's a stupid question since you're right here. You look in good health anyway." I scratched under my cap uneasily. A cough staggered up my chest and into my palm. I brought my hand back with red specks spotted inside. What the hell? Was I sick? "Hm." I wiped on my shirt. I must be coming down with something.

Yami shifted next to me, bumping my shoulder. He pulled out his cell phone again after it noisily vibrated in his pocket. I'd bet my future contract that was Atem probably hounding him. It annoyed me just thinking that. When Yami finished returning the message, my mouth shot off before my brain had a chance to process.

"What do you see in that guy?"

"I could say the same to you," Yami returned to my surprise because I'd expected a silent treatment.

I shook off the shock. "What's that supposed to me. I don't want Atem."

"What do you see in me? I'm as bad as he is."

"You're not like him," I argued. "That guy doesn't have a conscience or care for anybody. He's out for number one and could give a rat's ass who's stepped on."

"Atem doesn't owe the world anything." Yami gapped his knees and hung his arms over them. "Shut your mouth about things you don't understand before shootin' off at the mouth."

I snorted. "What I don't know? Right, like there's really an excuse for why he's treating people the way he does. If you're justifying his actions because of some past incident, then you're right. You are as bad as he is."

I meant what I said too. I climbed to my feet. His attitude soured my image of him. Now all I wanted to do was get as far away as humanly possible. Raping, murdering, stealing, lying, nothing on this planet can give reason for cruelty that severe. Hassleberry warned me not to take to Yami, but me being so stupid did anyway.

I made the mistake of looking back, from halfway across the field. Just a glare, a mutinous glance that said exactly what he thought of Yami. A glare that crumpled into confused frustration when instead of an uncaring gang banger, I saw something that for a moment, I couldn't reconcile with this cold-hearted bastard.

Eyes strangely fixed, Yami's gaze seemed to blindly search the sudden expanse of distance between us, like he didn't know how it had gotten there. The attitude was gone from his expression; his flawless demeanor vanished. His fingers twitched, his lips parted, but instead of words there was just a soft exhale of breath, and his head lowered almost imperceptibly under his Snapback. Then it was he was gone, getting up from the fence, gathering his equipment and leaving.

"Damn," why did I feel bad? I wasn't in the wrong for what I said. I meant everything. Shouldn't he be the one who cared less what others thought? Turning back, I stomped angrily back to Yami, pissed off, confused, and more than a little angry with myself.

I reached him and caught his wrist. "Wait a sec—"

Yami swung around and punched me in my face, hard. Blood filled my mouth where I'd bit my tongue. I stumbled back, holding my throbbing cheek, stunned. Yami just stared at me, unblinking and cold.

"Stay away from me," he said icily.

I gawked. "I'm trying to apologize, asshole!"

"Save it." He started walking away again.

I dropped my hand and caught up to him, grabbing his shoulder. I swung him around. His fist came flying and clocked me in the face—again.

"Ow, fuck!" I yowled, holding my face. My fist clenched. I saw red. My nails ate into my palm. Before I knew what happened, my hand rose and slammed across his face, bone connecting to bone. Through angry eyes I saw Yami stumble and down on the ground.

Common sense raced back to me in a flash. The collective gasp of the field told me I'd gone too far. I looked at my teammates. All of their eyes were gapping wide with fear and surprise. I looked down. Yami hadn't moved an inch. His eyes were froze in a stunned stupor, staring off at nothing.

"Yami, I—I didn't." But I couldn't apologize. It wouldn't come. Maybe because I knew if I had, it wouldn't mean anything. I fucked up big time. And I'd meant for it to happen. Fuck him, fuck Atem and the rest of what I thought I knew about him.

Yami finally came to life and slowly sat up, hand cupped to his face. I didn't feel sorry for him. He'd gotten what he deserved. I turned on my heel and left him on the ground. I've probably signed my life. I coughed again, rubbing the redness away from my mouth.

A pile of cars met me when I arrived home. My heart clogged my throat. I gazed at each one, noting the color, models and years. Red bloods. I swore under my breath, threw my book bag and tore down the dirt road. Why here? Why now? They'd been MIA all this time and to suddenly come out of nowhere?

My mind raced. My heart was on the verge of punching it's way of my chest. I couldn't believe how many cars were out here; at a least a dozen and they always rolled three or four deep in a pack. I raced by the cars and went towards the side of the house where we always kept extra bats and crowbars for protection.

I grabbed one and went to the front. The door hung off it's hinges. I walked in, scared off my ass. The front of the shop was wrecked, playing cards ripped and stepped on. Windows and glass cases were shattered, the register was cracked open and all the money gone.

There wasn't a soul in the front. All the voices came from the back of the store, Yugi crying, screaming a sound I'd never heard from him and Grandpa howling in pain. My feet slammed like concrete blocks on the floor as I tore down the hall toward the storage room.

Men my age, some older and a few middle school grunts were piled from wall to wall, cheering, stomping and whooping like spectators at a cock fight. They encircled a ring around the activity taking place. The attraction, Granddad being kicked senseless in the side, his hands locked behind his back by a pair of rusty handcuffs and his feet bound with an extension cord.

Yugi, I didn't see him. I thought I had. The kid wasn't anywhere. Did they take him somewhere. Granddad groaned a long a dry sound that sent a sick feeling in my chest.

"'Bout time you showed up, Shawty."

'What in the actual fuck?' I looked towards that voice. My eyes almost fell out of my head. "Shadi?"

It was him, wearing the same royal blue and white to represent his loyalty to his gang. Shadi swaggered up to me, wearing a nasty lopsided grin. He snapped his fingers, and all action ceased to perform and centered on us. The ones on Granddad dropped him and went to crowd around Shadi.

"Granddad, you alright?" I called to him, eyes focused on Shadi and his hands.

Granddad didn't say anything. My fingers squeezed around my bat.

"Don't even think about it, boy." Shadi pointed and one of the grunts snatched my only weapon away, leaving me wide open to whatever Shadi had planned.

"What the hell is all this, Shadi?" I questioned. "I thought you rolled with the Blue Bloods. You decided on a change of color or something?"

"Not exactly Shawty. You see, this is gonna remain our lil' secret. No one needs to know I tend to switch sides from time to time. I do what I can to survive."

"That's stupid, Shadi. You know what Atem will do if he finds out. As if he doesn't already have the Red Bloods scattering like roaches when he walks the streets, you really wanna go with the weaker side?"

One of the grunts apparently didn't like what I said because I received a stomach full of fists and a kick to my knee. I buckled and fell low, but I wouldn't lay out. I'd only be a free target then.

Shadi hunkered down next to me, clapping a hand over my shoulder. "That's where I come in Shawty. You see, the Reds are getting fed up with Atem and Yami walking around like they're hot shit. He doesn't know his limits, a king who doesn't know how to quench his thirst of power once he's got a taste. Their O.G. wants me to handle things on the down low while he recruits enough manpower to match Atem. By then, I would've worked myself up the ranks and had Yami, Seth and Atem taken out." Shadi stood up, hands going his pockets. "'Sides, I'm sick of that fool's bullshit. Makin' folks do his dirty work while he kicks back and laughs with a glass of wine. That ain't how shit works here. I don't like his father, but even the old man rode the streets doing business. Atem doesn't do nada. I'd do a much better job."

I kept my eyes on his pockets, the way his fingers pressed into the outside meant he was packing those razors. I swallowed and braced my back against the wall. There were a shit load of these fools in my home. There's no way I'll be able to take on so many by myself.

"So whatcha' plan to do now? Leave I hope."

"Can't do that Shawty. You and your people know too much."

"You broke in here on my family! They had nothing to do with you switching sides!"

"Well, the boss man has this new policy where anyone living in his area has to pay a fee. With all the Blues running loose, everyone's gonna need protection. So, naturally we started with your place. That and I owe you for the trouble you caused."

I chuckled sourly. "This is bullshit, Shadi. We haven't done anything wrong. You're the one who walked up in here with your posse of pussies, beat up my Granddad and—" Oh shit, Yugi. "Where's my baby brother?!"

"If you mean that squealin' lil' crybaby, who swore up and down his big brother would kick all our asses, he's upstairs bein' well taken care of." The way Shadi grinned, white teeth sparkling, made me sick to my gut.

I wasn't thinking straight when he looked like he knew a secret I didn't know.

"Yugi!" I called out. I heard muffling, a low whimper and a quiet call of my name. Nothing else after that except tears and a sudden shout of my pain that made my blood boil.

I acted, rushing forward to grab him by the collar and slugging my fist into his jaw. I felt the crack and gooey mess of teeth and blood on my fists and my knee jammed into his ribcage. Too fast at first for any of his men to know what just happened until Shadi was laying on the floor, immobile.

They came for me. Fists flew from every direction, feet stomped on every part of my body, especially my head. Each blow brought a rush of blood, a wave of dizziness and thoughts of pending death. I rolled on my side, kicking, punching and doing what I could to hold off two. It didn't matter with the other twenty trying to leave a foot print on my body.

It seemed endless. I didn't have a chance to breathe before another punch knocked the wing out of me. I hacked up blood, the metallic taste a permanent flavor in my mouth. They were relentless. I knew my time was coming. There wasn't a thing I could do when they were finish with. They'd go after my Granddad and finish him off. Yugi would be worse off than both of us.

I hated this . . . I hate being weak. . . I hated them. All of them. My brother is innocent. My Granddad's been nothing but kind to every fucking body. We've done nothing to these assholes! I hated them all! I HATE THEM!

I'd settled my back against the wall when the room dissolved into dark chaos and bright orange lights. The light bulb was bust and from there, only the stampeding sneakers going in one direction. I could hear the shouts, but they were unimportant compared to the pain my entire body was in. I blinked furiously, but couldn't see nothing pass the shadows racing by the windows. Being blind toward the enemy was the most awful feeling, never knowing when one of those bullets would be meant for you.

Then the lights came back on, one from upstairs and the one from the hall, spotlight the spread of freshly murdered bodies on my floor. I panicked, pushing up and falling all over to get away from the bloodshed. I'd never seen a dead body in my life and here was a literal graveyard sitting in my back room.

An arm went around my shoulders, and I stiffened. But the voice spoke in my ear, firm and protective. "Can you stand up?"

"Yeah," I coughed and rose up with the strength he offered.

"You'll be fine. Some heavy bruising, but nothing's broken.

I looked out of the corner of my eye. All I saw was a curtain of white hair and a lone eye looking through. It took a moment for the dizzy spell to subside but when it did, my heart fluttered in relief.

"Mr. Pegasus."

"Indeed lad. Stand up." He pulled me all the way up to my feet. "You're fine now. I've had you watched for some time. We couldn't come in until I had enough men to take out them out."

"All of them? Shadi too?"

"No, I'll let Atem handle him."

For some reason, hearing Atem's name didn't make the situation much better. I sighed, regretting it when my lungs expanded against my aching ribs. "I hate this shit. They were here when I came home. My Granddad—and then I couldn't find Yugi."

"Your brother's fine. Unconscious and a little banged up, but he'll recover with bed rest."

"What'd they do?"

Pegasus took a moment to answer me. "A hit to the head and bruises on his side."

Those fucking assholes. A little kid? My kid brother? Fucking bastards.

"Your grandfather's another story. He'll need a long while to recover. I'll take him with me."

"Where?" I asked.

"A hospital in my area."

"Take my brother with you."

"There's no need," Mr. Pegasus said. "No one will come here again."

"I don't believe that. You can't be everywhere at once. Take my family with you." I coughed and sniffled. More blood. Shit. "I'm sick of this shit, living in fear. This is bullshit. I can't even go to school without wondering if I'll be able to come home alive. Stupid gangs takin' over the whole city."

Mr. Pegasus helped me into one of the chairs that survived the assault. When he stepped away, I was able to get a better view of him and the rest of his crew. All of them were dressed in solid white; t-shirts, white jeans, sweat suits, tuxedos, shoes, hats, everything was all white.

"All you can do is deal with it for now, son. When you finish school, do as many others have and leave the city. It'll be the only salvation from this life."

"I shouldn't have to wait that long!" I snapped bitterly. "I want salvation now! I want peace for my family, I want them safe! I can't do that until those assholes are dead or scared close to it!" Words were pouring out my mouth like vomit, none of them processing to my brain. "Let me work for you. They're afraid of you aren't they? Let me become a part of your gang."

Mr. Pegasus was taken back by my request, but at least he seemed interested. "It won't be a good image to upload with the community."

"I'm past the point of giving a damn right now! I'm just a trophy for the city. At the end of the day I'm the only one who cares what happens to me and my family."

Mr. Pegasus narrowed the only eye I could see. He walked toward me before kneeling down, slapping his hand heavily on my injured knee. He squeezed so hard, I thought the blood in my mouth was coming from there.

"I won't hire you as a body for my crew . . . but I could use you for another assignment. You'll be paid handsomely of course, but you have the necessary anger I need to succeed."

"What assignment—arg," I strained as his grip tightened. I shifted to slack off the pressure. "What kind of work will I do?"

"A low level job that'll keep your fame and manage my surveillances. But first, swear your allegiance to me and only me."

I hesitated.

The one sign Pegasus saw as fear. He rose up and snapped his fingers. "As I thought. You're caught up in the heat of the moment, not actually true to your words. This is rage talking to me, not a truly committed man. Lick your wounds and move on, child." He nodded behind me.

I twisted around and saw them cart off my Granddad down the hall. I barely recognized him from how badly beaten he was. Black and blue bruises looked like ink blotches on his face and arms. The anger revamped itself like the key in an ignition. They've pushed it too far. We would never have peace until something was done. My brother will suffer and so will Granddad. What choice do I have?

Mr. Pegasus was the last one prepared to leave the room when I swore my life to him.

"I swear it."

Mr. Pegasus swung around like he knew I'd say it all along. "You swear what?"

I struggled up to my feet, holding my side. "I swear. . . I swear my allegiance to you."

"There's no backing out of the Mediums once you've joined lad. The rules of exit are the same as Blues and Reds. The only way out is in a box." He smiled, flashing a row of gleaming teeth. "Do you swear it?"

"I swear," I shot back impatiently. "Just tell me what I need to do. I want my family protected."

He smiled wider. "Excellent, lad. You help me and I'll guarantee your family's safety."

Good . . . because that's all that mattered to me.

TBC: Finally time for romance, lies, etc.