The next morning I woke up in the shitty shack that would be my home until I got enough evidence to take down the gang, the sun was shining and I was feeling more determined than ever. The night before the gang had gone to conduct business, leaving me with Eli to be watched. They returned with more drugs than they had left with, explaining it was a new "shipment" and that they would sell it all the next day. Sean's knuckles were bloody and bruised, I didn't ask why, I didn't want to know. I could only imagine who they kicked around that night to sell what they needed to sell, and get what they needed to get. My mission for the day was to work on Emma, she was their weak link, she didn't want to be in the gang life like the others. I got dressed, and went to brush my teeth, eager to get to school. Looking in the mirror I examined my face, I looked so different, so unrecognizable. The weight I had lost had exposed my high cheek bones, and made my lips appear fuller, and my long hair made me appear younger than before, but that wasn't the change that bothered me. It was my eyes, they were cold, and that's why I needed this revenge, I would never be free from the pain of Alex's death if I didn't avenge him. I finished getting ready and made my way to school, the day went pretty normal, besides the constant presence of my "family" there wasn't a moment one of us was alone, I was suffocating. The only time I had to be alone was during theater class, and even then Eli was still around. Despite that though, I was enjoying working on the play, I'd never admit it, but I was. Eli was still writing the finishing touches on the play, so all he had me and the other actors doing was designing costumes, and painting props. Watching Eli from across the room work so hard on the play was puzzling. How could someone who lived the way he did, go through school and appear so normal. He was fooling everyone, pretending he wasn't a criminal. The bell rang interrupting my thoughts, within seconds Eli was by my side, and we were walking down the hall.

"Are you ready for lunch?" He said it like we were headlining to make a drug deal, instead of a school lunch.

"Of course, it's just lunch."

Eli smirked, "I know, but now you're apart of us, which means now you have enemies. Usually at school we keep our distance from each other, but sometimes we clash. I just want you to be prepared. If you ever feel threatened, don't hesitate to call for me, or any of us for that matter."

His constant warning's and frequent hovering were beginning to anger me, more than it should have. As we rounded the corner before reaching the cafeteria, I pinned him against the wall pulling out my knife, I stabbed the wall, the knife inches from his head. "I don't need anybody's protection, especially not yours." I pulled the knife out of the wall, and I could tell Eli was surprised I had done that, but that he didn't appear scared in any type of way. It was apparent that I hadn't been the first person to pull a knife out on him. The thought made me sad for a moment, and I felt bad for doing it. The point was to prove that I wasn't fragile, that I was just as ruthless as they could be.

Eli stared at me blankly, "Put it away, before you get us in trouble." I slipped the knife back between my hip, and pant's. "Let's go, they'll come looking for us if we take much longer." Eli began walking, and I followed close behind, it was as If I had disappointed him in some way, it was the opposite reaction I was hoping for. I had wanted to earn his respect and trust, but it was like I took two steps back. I would never get anywhere this way.

As we entered the cafeteria, I tried to apologize. "Eli, I'm sorry. I was just trying to show you that I can handle myself, just the same as the rest of you."

Eli's face was still blank, but he finally made eye contact with me. "Clare, who are you trying to impress? I just don't understand, everyone has a reason or a story that led them to the gang, you just showed up out of no where. You have no back ground story, nothing, you just chose to fuck up your life, none if it ad's up."

My body stiffened, was Eli onto me? I did have a story, and I did have a reason, but I couldn't say why. I just averted my eyes away from him, "My past is no ones business."

Eli scoffed, "You know what I don't care then Clare, do whatever the fuck you want."

We approached the table and Vince immediately stood up, "Where have you two been?"

Eli gave Vince a scowl, "The play stuff was taking a little longer than usual."

Vince laughed, "Ok, ok, what's with look? I dont even know why you do that dumb play man, we got business to attend."

Sean chimed in before Eli could respond, it was obvious Eli wasn't in the mood to be messed with, "Eli man, he's right. Bianca went by the house earlier, there's a problem."

Eli face twisted in concern, "What happened? Where is she?"

Sean responded in a hushed tone, "Nothing man, keep your voice down, she's fine. What isn't fine is our merchandise, the shit is gone Eli. All of it. You know what that means?"

"It means we lost a shit ton of money. What are we gonna do?"

Sean smiled, "What we gotta do." Vince, Eli, and Zig all nodded in agreement.

I chimed in confused, "So you guy's know who did it?"

Vince laughed again, "Oh hell yeah we know. Our rival's on the other side of town, aint nobody brave enough to come into our territory like that but them." Vince pointed to a table across the cafeteria. "You see them? That's the enemy table Clare. The one in the white shirt, that's their leader, he's ruthless. His name is Aston Baldrick. A few weeks back we made a deal with his main connect Lil Q, a deal that would make us his sole client. This is most likely a warning from Aston that he knows we're the reason Lil Q has been dodging him." I examined Aston, he was very pale with blonde curly hair, and right arm was completely covered in tattoo's. He was beyond handsome, and I immediately scolded myself for thinking so.

Eli slammed his fist on the table, "So what, we're just going to take care of them? No, it's too much attention to draw to ourselves right now, it's only been a year Sean."

Vince stood up with wild eyes, standing only inches from Eli's face. "We aren't gonna talk about that Goldsworthy, bring it up again and I'll fuck your punk ass up."

Eli kept calm, "Let's go then Vince, shoot me like you shot that innocent guy, do it."

Vince pulled his fist back and Zig and Sean stood up grabbing his arm pulling him back. Sean pushed Zig aside still pulling on Vince's arm. "You both quit your shit! Fuck man, this isn't the time to fight amongst each other!" Sean focused his eye's on Eli, "And you, don't you dare judge Vince, we've all done things we regret. That's this life that we live, and you know that. That kid came into a drug deal, trying to stop it, Vince had every reason to be nervous. It happened, now what's important is protecting each other, and keeping our respect in tact. Understood, the both of you?" They both nodded and Sean let go of Vince. During the altercation I had sat down at the table, my head was in my hands. Alex, they were talking about Alex, like it had been something he was asking for. I wanted to blow my cover, to start screaming at them. The knife was heavy on my side, it took all my self control not to pull it out and stab them all in the face, nothing would have given me more pleasure than to watch them die slowly in front of my eyes, but that wasn't my mission. I had to bring them down, by the book, the right and legal way. I lifted my head, I had to continue my plan. "Where is Emma, Sean?"

He looked over at me, almost as if he had forgotten I had been there. "She's back home with B. I don't know what's up Aston's sleeve, I didn't want her here today, it could be dangerous." Again, just like that, his eyes changed when talking about Emma. It was so confusing to see these people be so evil one moment, but then so caring, so human the next. I nodded, "I understand."

Vince pursed his lips together, "Clare I think you should go home too. Aston doesn't mess around, I want you safe."

I rolled my eyes, his crush on me was sickening. "I'll be just fine, don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Vince opened his mouth to speak, but Eli was the one who spoke first. "Go home Clare, now."

The boy's and I looked at him in surprise, I stood up and paused in front of Eli before leaving, I don't know why I listened to him, but I could see in his eyes that he genuinely wanted me safe. "Ok, I'll go."

"Eli mouthed a "Thank you" and the bell rang.

Guest- I am glad you are happy the story is being continued, because so am I! I hope that I can continue it in a way that pleases you guy's :)

DragonEmperor999-Holly cow...That might be my favorite review on a story I have ever received lol

Guest- Thanks so much, hope you enjoy.