A/N: I have no experience with gang violence. Tell me if it sounds stupid. R&R

Disclaimer: I own everything except… Maximum Ride or Dr. Franklin's Island and any resemblance to it. That sucks.

Tommy's POV

I stand at the edge of a fence that line a park. I am getting close to those suburban neighborhoods. You know the ones with perfect lawns and laughing children out front. Surprisingly, I don't attract any looks from watchful parents that are hovering around the playground. Normally people tense up if I'm on a nice side on town. It's like I have a sign posted to my head "don't mess with me, I deal drugs and have a gun." Actually I had a knife to be specific. But it's only for protection, I promise.

But I ain't here to cause trouble; I'm here for the high school to let out. That's where my job comes in, because I need the money. I need the money for mom and Teresa. Teresa is only 10, but she is smart. Teachers actually like her. She got good grades, love to visit the library. I take her sometimes, and she'll read books to me. I love her most and I swear she will go to college one day. But all the same mom is only able to pay the rent with her small salary as a nurse, mine goes to a savings account. The kids go streaming out and I walk up the steps to my 3 hours of a paying job helping the janitors.

On my way home I slip into a dingy Stop N' Go. I browse an aisle and stuff my pockets with some chips and candy bars. I even manage to lift a lighter before going to the cashier and buying a pack of Marlboros. This is my free dinner. Outside I see Shawn and Ray J. They wave me over and I hop into the back of their old blue mustang that rumbles with the beat of hip hop music.

"Hey!"

I bite into a Butterfinger and pass some food over to my friends. We gladly eat enough to empty my pockets. Shawn answers a phone call.

"Ok, ok I'll come pick you up Vie! Don't worry."

Shawn hangs up with a sigh and turns to us.

He hints, "Guys, I could use some alone time with Vie."

We groan but get out of the car. Ray and I do not want to see Shawn and Vivian get it on. Me and Ray split up and I start along the graffiti covered walls. I tried spray painting for a while. I had a talent for it too. My uncle, who's a cop, caught me and kicked my sorry ass. I never did it again.

That's when I see two thugs wearing green bandanas. I make a split second decision o take a detour. Damn! It's an alley. He turned but the Blood members are already closing in.

Carlos, my older brother, had gotten on the bad side of this particular gang while targeting the local high school for dealing crank. It was something to deal with stealing customers. I might be young, but I already showed better judgment than Carlos. I wasn't I jail, was I?

These thoughts run through my head in a second. Both boys corner me. One fist snakes toward me but I reach for my switchblade. They draw blades in return. I know if this was one on one, I could hold my own, but there are two. It will be a lucky thing if I can take down one. I keep my back to the wall and swipe the taller one's hand, hopefully catching him off guard. I feel the slice of muscles. But now the other guy is coming at my side. The tall one grabs my left hand and swings me over to thump on the ground. I am helpless to stop the knife that sinks deep into my shoulder. I grunt and scramble to my feet, ignoring the crimson that blooms on my t-shirt. One of them lashes out and suddenly I am on my back again. But this time my side explodes in agony. I feel kicks rain down on me. Before I pass out, I hear "This will teach Carlos to mess around on our turf!"

Taylor's POV

No one saw the lone figure race through empty alleys.

No one saw her pull open the back door of a building and continue up the flight of stairs at her breakneck pace.

No one saw the shadows, cloaked by night, silently follow.

No one saw her take the blow to the head, or crumple to the floor, or lose consciousness.

All I saw was darkness.