''Get off me''. Dan flung his arms up in the air in a blind panic. ''Stay away or I swear I'll kill you''

''Mr Humphrey''. A woman tugged at his arm. ''Dan''. She spoke in a low tentative voice until she finally caught his full attention. ''Sweetie there's nobody here''

Dan whipped his head back around, eyes darting side to side. A bead of sweat dripped down from his forehead. ''I scared them away''. Dan was hallucinating; she knew this but played along

''You did''. The woman aged 46 with mousy brown hair smiled at him as he sat back down onto the bed. She was a volunteer at the shelter for the homeless where Dan had sometimes resided recently when things at the loft became to overbearing or if he had been out with the guys and didn't want to get an earful from his father. His last visit here was 5 days ago and for the 1st time Rufus never questioned him on his whereabouts that night when he returned home the following day. Dan thought he had finally lost interest and no longer cared where or how he spent his time.

''Are you hungry, Dan?''

''No, I'm going out thanks''. During the course of his visits to the shelter Dan had struck up a somewhat bond with the lady volunteer and come to trust her. She was known as Elizabeth to everyone but Dan; he preferred to call her Beth

Elizabeth had 3 grown up children of her own but had a mother's instinct to help Dan with whatever problems he was going through. To the world he probably looked like a troubled young man but to her he was like a lost little boy just wanting a caring shoulder to lean on. A gentle hand to help guide his life back on track

''Keep yourself out of trouble''. She jokingly shook her finger at him

........................................

''I wonder if your brother will be gracing us with his presence tonight''. Rufus said to Jenny as they exited the lift in their building. Eric had joined them for dinner and he and J were going to go over some new designs she had created. Rufus took his keys out of his pocket to open the door but was stunned when he noticed it was already slightly ajar. ''What the....''

''Oh my god we've been burgled'' Jenny charged past him into the loft. She looked around the upturned room in disbelief. Eric followed just behind her. ''Wow''

Rufus took one look at the room and deeply sighed. ''No we haven't''. He padded his way through the mess and crouched down to pick up his favourite photo of the whole Humphrey gang. He wiped away the broken glass and softly shook his head. ''What have I done wrong'' he whispered to himself

''Dan is not responsible for this''. Jenny said. ''He wouldn't do something like this''. She still continued to defend him but she struggled to believe her own words

''I'll stay and help you guys'' Eric gave a small comforting smile

''Thanks, I'll call Vanessa and see if she's busy'' .Jenny replied. ''We could use an extra pair of hands''. She took out her phone and dialed her number

Rufus kicked away the shattered glass and sat with his back against the cupboard. He placed his hand over his mouth and scouwered the room once again

''Hey, V. I have a favor to ask of you''. Jenny told her exactly what had happened and waited patiently for her reply. ''No, oh ok then. Is everything ok?''

''What's up?'' Eric asked

''I'm not even sure myself. She was very cold and said she didn't want anything to do with cleaning up his mess. I don't know if something's happened with her and Dan but she sounds really off. I asked if she would like to come over and just keep us company while we sort everything but she didn't even want to do that. Something's wrong"

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. She's probably just had a busy day that's all" Eric tried to reassure her

"She works in a little café how busy can it get?" Jenny raised her eyebrow. "I'll go and see her when we're finished up here"

..............................................................................

"So do we have a deal or not then?" Dan lowered the tone of his voice

"This is your third batch in a week. Welcome to our world" Johnny, the guy he had met through Rhys and the other lads said with a dark smile. "But it's your life you do whatever you want with it"

"It's not just for me" Dan said defensively

"Hey, I don't care as long as I get paid" Johnny gave a quick look around before handing over the bag of Psilocybin commonly known as magic mushrooms. They had been grinded down into a powder

"Good" Dan slipped the note into his hand in return for the pocket sized pouch of white powder. Without another word said they parted ways. He was meeting up with the other 3 guys in 20 minutes. Stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets he titled his head downwards and began his short journey, his vision blurred by the street lights. To others, the low hushed street noise emitting from passersby's would fill their silent thoughts but to Dan it felt like he was at a rock concert boxed in and couldn't escape

"Yes, hmm" Dan mumbled to himself as he turned a corner. Tonight they were going to have a guy's night in, pizza, beer, video games - the works. Rhys, Mason and Zach all shared an apartment downtown. He ducked into the dark alleyway across the street from their apartment and leaned back against the brick wall. He took out the packet carefully lining the crease of his hand between his index finger and his thumb with some of the silky powder; he closed his eyes and abruptly snorted. He leaned his head back to try and control the stinging sensation that threatened his eyes. Letting out a throaty grunt he violently brushed his nose with the back of his hand clearing away any evidence

.......................................................

"Honestly I'm fine" Vanessa stood at her door for the past 5 minutes chatting to Jenny who had paid her a visit just like she said she would when everything was sorted at the Humphrey loft

Jenny bit her lip and preceded with her attempts "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm just tired" Vanessa said with a fake smile

"Aren't you going to let me in?" Jenny laughed not taking the hint

"I know you must think I'm being rude but I'm actually just going to bed now. But I'll come see you tomorrow, we'll go have lunch?"

"Sure, why not. Try and get some rest". Jenny walked back down the steps debating whether or not to go home or try and reach Dan. Maybe he would come and meet her? She missed having her brother around her everyday

.........................................................

"Dude where's Humphrey? It's his turn and I want to whip his ass" Zach exaggerated his last words. They were all competing on a racing game on the Wii

"He's puking his guts out in the bathroom" Mason said bringing another round of chips from the kitchen

"Poor boy, so who's taking his place then?"

"No need, I'm here" Dan interrupted and took the controller from Mason's hand "And I'm fine thanks" He said sarcastically

"We invited another friend of ours around and apparently you know her". Zach took a drink from his can and a puff from his smoke before settling his focus on the screen

"Well, well, well if it isn't Danny boy". The brunette appeared

"Ahhh" Dan put down his controller and laced his fingers, glancing up with a smirk. "I thought for sure they would lock you up in camp for life. I can't say it's a pleasure to see you"

"It's amazing how far you can get with a female body. A touch of the ole feminine Georgie charm"

"Ohh, its Georgie now? I have to say I preferred Sarah it softened your harsh look" Dan let out a little snort

"How insulting, I see you haven't changed" Georgina exhaled dramatically. "Another round boys"

With Dan back focusing on the game she turned on her heel and gave a devilish wink to the other 3 guys. Just what on earth did they have up their sleeve now?