The night was booming. Jackie was perch on some monkey bars surveying the night. Q rolled his eyes chewing his nail like he always does when restless. I lay out on the slide with my pipe in hand. It wasn't that I smoked. Thinking of smoke in my lungs made me retch. Instead the pipe was one of those rare finds which just speaks to you. The maple color and ivory embellishments suited my persona somehow. It felt good in my hand, sturdy and solid.
I study it as Gunner hops from his spot nudging me with his boot. I swat at him looking up. His dark hair mixing into the night sky. He motions to the group of guys coming close. I nod sitting up.
"Go." He whispers whistling for Q and Jackie. I slip into the shadows watching as they advance. Gunner crosses his arms giving them a sly smile.
"Well, what do we owe this great pleasure?" He pops his neck, a sense of calm surrounding him. Q eyes the boys assessing their Brute and Brain. He puts his hands behind his back finger spelling.
"L- Brute. C- Brain. R- Weak." I take in the mental note studying their outfits and checking my notebook. Ah, they were the gang ran by Billy Boy. Strange, there wasn't as many as I had noted.
Something grabs my ankle causing me to throw a well placed punch in someone's jaw. Covering his mouth I wrap my arm around his neck.
"Not a word or I will slit your throat." I hiss pulling out my knife. Dragging him from the tunnel I was hiding in I move us over to the others. He was heavy and smelt of sweat. I grunt with effort and in disgust as his greasy hair touched me.
Billy glares at me.
"Let 'em go whore." He growls drawing his switch blade. Gunner chuckles and Jackie winces.
I lift a brow shoving the boy away from me and slink my way over wrapping an arm over his shoulder running my hand over his shoulder. He recoils startled by the action. I smile stroking his cheek moving closer still. His gang members grow weary, yet he waves them away. Placing a small kiss on his lips I ram my knee into his groin.
"You are nothing. You will always be nothing. You could evaporate off the face of the planet and no one would notice because you are useless. Leave, now. And do not return."
He groans from the ground. I place a swift kick to his ribs hearing him grunt. His gang members flock to his aid.
"Kill the fucking bitch." He growls, cupping his wounded member. I give his boys a coy smile twirling a curl seeing them hesitate. Gunner shakes his head at them.
"Go home. If she beat him picture what we'll do." He weaves his arm through mine and we walk back to our spot. Q shrugs at them running to catch up with us.
I return to my spot crossing my legs and sigh.
The night was still young; yet, I was bored. Billy and his boys disperse, but not before yelling some less than creative insults. Name-calling no longer had effects on me. 'Whore' was just a word and there were ones much worse. I did not feel sting from the common words from the numerous gang trash. The people uttering them were insignificant so why their words be any different?
"Penny for your thoughts" Q appears beside me drumming his hands on the slide. His ghostly white skin blue under the moonlight.
"You look like the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio in this lighting." I smile touching his cheek.
He was younger than us, but older than Jackie, the ripe age of nineteen and absolutely striking. Everything about him was the essence of decency. He was one of the extraordinary ones. I tug on his red suspender letting it snap back.
"Thanks Jiminy..." He laughs, leaning against the slide. I grin staring at the stars. Gunner and Jackie discuss tactics in case Billy comes back. I sit up looking to them.
"They won't."
"But if they do?" Jackie reasoned running his hand through his blond hair.
"They won't." I reassure with a cold glower.
They both stoop their heads going quiet.
I sigh returning my focus back to the stars. Q leaves to converse with the others. I cover with my cape ignoring how the breeze chilled me to my bones. My legs itch to travel so I stand walking down the alley.
"Red? The hell you think you're going?" Gunner shouts running to me.
"I want to walk. Alone. Easier to think." I continue walking, my heels clicking the pavement. Gunner sighs exasperated throwing his arms up.
"You are aware you near got gang-banged by Billy Boy and his three lap dogs?" He rubs his temples stepping in front of me.
"I'm aware." I nod sidestepping him.
"You're not going." He blocks my move.
I push him aside, but he grabs my arms throwing me against the brick wall. He pins my arms glaring at me.
"I said no."
We remain silent with his face inches from my own.
"Let me go." My voice like steel, he scoffs giving me another shove before releasing me.
"Fine. Go." He snaps storming off in annoyance.
His hands jammed in his pocket as he walks back to Q and Jackie throwing his hands up in frustration.
Gunner cared. Too much for his own good. They all did.
I continue down the path turning another corner. It was late. The streets empty as I walk. It had a peaceful feel. Most are frighten of the dark; however I've always found night to be an ally. It was ready to hide and protect when needed. I round another street stopping when I hear footsteps behind me.
"Hi hi hi there little sister."
Two chapters in one day? WHAT? So, I got bored and it was a pretty day. Okay, review and let me know because frankly I have no idea what I'm doing.