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“Get on the fucking ground, Pete!”. The blood rushed down my arm quicker than the fear I felt inside while I licked the bruise his gun left on my lip. ” I ain’t gonna say it again...Are you Hook?! ”.“Fuck you, Smee. I Dunno who that is but sounds like someone your daughter would be bangin’ while you’re out here being a Lil bitch”. My laugh filled the warehouse-like it was an echo chamber with rage in his eyes as he pressed his piece against my head before lowering the safety and asking me through his teeth if I had any last words.“To die would be an awfully big adventure”. The smile on my face only grew as the brute swung his arm back to hit me again.BANG. A gunshot blared like someone sounded an alarm striking his plump body to his knees with his crimson blood soaking his shirt as he’s hit from behind.I stumble to my feet spitting the shit in my mouth onto the ground and grabbing his piece with my hand shaking as I put it to his head. “How about this...don’t fuck with the Lost boys”.For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a gangsta but it all changed the day I took my first life. My name is Pete J. Pannel, I swear to God I am not fucking Hook, and this story does not start here. Chapter 2: No one grows up here“Pete! Get up, buddy! I need you to get rid of this for me!”. I’m shaken awake to the sound of banging and the sight of my brother shoving a book bag in my chest.“Fuck”. We both rushed out the bedroom door with him towards the banging and me to the bathroom, locking it behind me.I split open the bag in a panic, breaking the zipper but seeing pills and tables inside along with small bags of ‘grass’ that looked to be more than a pound or two in total.“There a problem officer? It’s six in the morning.”. I can hear my brother at the front of the door while I swear silently to myself.“We’ve received an anonymous tip that there may be illegal narcotics and we have a warrant to search the premises”. An older voice dictated from the front door.“Look, I Dunno who’s been telling you guys this BS but it ain’t true”. Nate was always a great liar even since we were kids but would always get aggressive when he felt backed into a corner.“Please step aside son”. One of the officers commanded, triggering another surge of panic to my brain. I can hear ruffling in the background along with Nate saying they wouldn’t shit.The pounding returned but this time on the door behind me. “Neverland Police, is there anyone in there!?”. A voice booms as I empty everything I can inside the toilet.“It’s just my kid brother, leave em alone, he don’t do confrontation Bruh!”. I hear Nate shout at one of the officers before hearing a loud scuffle that somehow masks the repeated flushing.“Whoever is inside, come out now, you have five seconds before we break down this door if you don’t unlock it by the end of my count”.“Five...four...three...two”. The man screamed from the other side. I empty it all and throw the bag in the tub only to see a couple of baggies hanging out but quickly draw the curtains and put my hands up with superhuman-like speed as the door swings open.“Put your hands behind your neck and get on your knees!”. Three big men rushed in guns drawn and my body automatically obeys the orders I’m given as I saw Nate on the ground with a jet-black police issue piece to his spine.“What is your name?”. The head officer in charge barked at me.My hands begin to shake with a million thoughts rushing through my head as one of the officers’ steps towards the shower. “My name? My name is...My name...my name is”.BLAAWRRR!!!! Before my mind could catch up with me, whatever was in my stomach from the night before was now all over the bathroom tiles.“...I’m Pete”. I somehow managed to let out before I began to fall and everything went black.I regained consciousness moments later and somehow found my way on the living room couch and overheard Nate giving the three stooges the business.“He has anxiety you incompetent fucks!”. Nate liked to talk with his hands but always made every word count especially when defending me.“We’re deeply sorry sir, I’ll take care of the cost for the door personally. I apologize deeply for the inconvenience.”. By the sound of the apology, I could tell that the officer was an elder man and probably a father himself given the level of concern he had that only irritated Nate more.“Thank you very much, officer...Smee”. He smirked as he paused to read his nametag. “Now since you surprisingly found nothing, give me the cash and get the fuck out of my house”.Officer Smee looked to be in his mid to late forties but listened as Nate roared, handing him all the cash in his wallet and leaving with the other two-thirds of his do-gooding trio.Nate walked over to me, taking off the ice pack on top of my head, smiling before patting my head, walking to the kitchen, and then back to the bathroom with a bucket and some supplies. “Get some rest, I’ll wake you up in an hour and drop you at school...also don’t say shit to your little girlfriend Wendy!”.“Yes sir”. I groaned to him as loud as I could before doing as I was told before texting her anyway, telling her we got raided. Chapter 3: Pete and Nate PannelIt rained that morning, pouring harder as it went on beginning to storm. We walked into the school as slow as we could after Nate pushed open the doors with all eyes gravitating to us like we were the main attraction.I made my way to my first period while Nate shot off towards the bathroom, probably to have a smoke and skip the first period like he used to.The seemingly endless class known as English never failed to put me to sleep with every word the teacher had to say assuming they said much of anything seeing as how most of them didn’t care.“Peter!”. I jumped out of my sleep as my eyes widened with Mr. Holden standing in front of my desk angry for whatever reason he had this morning.“Stand outside and come back in when you care enough about your education to stay awake for it.”. I responded with a low ‘Yes sir’ and leaned against the steel lockers trying not to think about this morning.“Hey, Pete”. With the slow turn of my head, I’m greeted with a strong kiss from a black queen in my arms.“Good mornin’ Darlin’ ”. Wendy Darling was a senior like me but was slightly taller as well as being only a few months older than me and thankfully was my girlfriend since the end of summer after our freshman year.She had a small Ziplock bag with her that had a banana and some off-brand yogurt with a plastic spoon. “You, okay?”.“Yeah, just a little tired, that’s all.”. She could tell I was slightly lying but let it slide knowing whatever it had to do with my brother.“I gotta get back to class but please take it easy.”. I nod my head in compliance before I’m blessed with another embrace and head back inside and attempt to care about my education for thirty more minutes.Two more bleak classes drag on until it’s finally the first lunch. I wait in line and then take a seat near the entrance. Nate and Darlin’ had the same lunch as me for as long as I can remember and this year was no exception.Darlin’ sat across from me with Nate to my left while I was on the corner. It was tradition for all of us to read together if we didn’t have anything to talk about specifically but even with my brother next to me, I could talk about anything and know he wasn’t listening since he always made it a point to mind his business unless it concerned himself.Today’s reads were Great Expectations for Darlin’, Julius Caesar for me, and the Art of War for Nate. All great reads but interrupted by none other than Abigail Smee, The daughter of one of the cops from this morning.“Hey, Pete...hi Wendy.”. She acknowledges her presence briefly and exchanges pleasantries before putting her nose back in her book. “Can I talk to you and your brother about something? And could you give him a message for me?”.“Sure, but why not tell him yourself, and what about?”. I turned over my book and glanced over at him, who wasn’t aware of or not caring that she was there.Her focus stays fixed on me as if she was too terrified to look in his direction. “I would but...Ya know.”.I sigh to myself and look over at Nate who taps the side of his face under his ear signifying that he was listening. “Alright, fine, out with it please”.“I want him to know that I wasn’t the one who snitched and… please don’t hurt me, Pete”. The pale 5’2 sophomore stood there quaking in fear as Darlin’ sighed and shook her head while I was confused by her request.“Um...That's good to know Abigail but why would I hurt you?”.“I don’t know, I’ve heard rumors and I just don’t want anything to happen to me or my family…”. She clutched her books in her arms as if it were the only thing holding her up like a floaty.“Whatever you hear, I promise you I don’t do any of that stuff so please breathe”. This sort of thing happens more often than not with people treating me like I’m the Godfather or something because the sheep are scared of Nate but treat me as the lesser evil even though I’m nice to everyone.She took my reassurance and disappeared into the crowd in line. “She’s not the snitch but the broad knows who it is.”.“Nate, nothing is saying that she does and it’d be reckless to try to squeeze her for tips because she’d tell you anything if you asked and her dad is a cop, you know that”. I plead with him as he closes his book and returns his reading glasses to their hard case.“Nothing is saying that she doesn’t know anything besides her word which doesn’t mean much, all things considered…”.“Just don’t do anything stupid please.”. He takes it in for a second and nods. “Nate, I don’t care what you do and we all know you’re gonna do what you feel is necessary but Leave Pete out of it, that’s all I ask.”.“He was never a part of it in the first place, Wen, don’t worry.”. He said with a devilish smile as he got up packing his book and lying, all in one breath. Chapter 4: The Lost BoysIn the front of the school, there was a grass area near the entrance that I would usually lay down under enjoying the shade. Nate had told me to wait there until he came back for me with the car.“Petey, are you even listening to me?”. I wonder who it was as their voice came back into earshot.“Oh yea, sorry, I hear you”. My best friend, Belle, had been ranting to me about her shitty ex for about ten minutes now but me being me, thankfully, I can retain something I hear word for word even if I’m not actively listening.“It’s like she’s so fine but so fucking STOOPID!”. She had the habit like my brother of talking with their hands and tensing her fingers near each other in a strangling motion but I laughed it off breaking the tension so she could smile a little.“I know how you feel”. I reply in an attempt to empathize. “How could you though? Like you’ve been shacked up with literally the nicest person in the school besides you and on top of that, she’s built like a Ficken hourglass! Pete, I can’t specify how lucky you are that she’s straight.”.I chuckle at her, breaking a smile, but return to my resting sad face. “I had another panic attack…”. My eyes stared at the blue sky in hopes the site would bring me more comfort. “I know...you space out more after you do but it’s...fuck me, not this again.”.My head turns to her in confusion but lift myself slightly to see what she was looking at to see it was Damien, the most insufferable narcissist I’ve ever met, the Leader of the Salt gang, and his family is worse.“Stay fuck away from Erika, you slut!”. The stereotypical American footballer stood there, fist balled, clear voice booming directly at her but quiets down as he glanced down at me, taking in my presence.“Look, I told her to make things up with you but instead she came onto me. Shit happened and it’s not my fault.”. She shouted back in protest with his body language getting more aggressive.“I don’t give a fuck what happened, She’s Mine, No one touches what’s mine.”. He stepped closer to them with eyes of daggers. “Dike”.“What the fuck did you call me?”. As quick as she rose to defend herself, she was returned to the grass by a crisp blow to the face, leaving a red mark.I manage to catch her before she hit the ground completely, leaving my jacket where I had my head and staring him down.The basic bitch of a jock was four inches taller than me but looked to be towering me given his more so skinny appearance and surprisingly great posture.“Peter-fucking-Pan. I’m not scared of you or your wannabe gangsta of a brother and frankly I don’t why anyone even is afraid of you, to be honest.”.Admittedly, I had two choices here. Stay quiet and walk away or sock him right in the throat and then these ribs, but I'd decided to choose option C since I was in a relatively good mood.“I honestly don’t either”. I smile and laugh lightly. “It’s Pannel but I think all of this may be a huge misunderstanding so let’s just leave it at that and go our separate ways, how about that?”.He smirks to himself and comes close to whisper something. “Let’s see how misunderstood she is after every man on the team gives her a little demonstration of how it feels when someone else touches what’s not theirs”.“...Touch her and I’ll kill you”. My hands began to shake in anger till he grabs my tight undershirt and took a shot to my jaw then released my collar and struck me with that same hand, bringing me to my knee.“You ‘Lost boys’ were always a bunch of pussies”. He stood over me with an immense feeling of false superiority, spitting on the ground in front of me and walking a few paces away to face me again.I maintain my bearings, stumbling to my feet, and fall into my boxer-like stance ready for a rumble.We come towards each other; He flows a small combo at me sticking me with the first but I slip the second after.He became cocky and let his pride go to his head after he dropped his guard to talk shit but quickly regretted it.Taking a deep breath and raising my fists, my eyes narrow and scan every kill shot, letting him throw shot after shot to no avail until He threw one with all his weight but I stepped back, missing it by a hair, leaving his body open...big mistake.Twisting my hips guiding my fist to his lower ribs with him screaming in pain after and becoming sloppy as his confidence wavered.Sticking and moving was the best option but worked like a charm. Damien grew angry like a mad bull tossing another knockout blow towards my head but instead, I grab his arm, throwing him over my shoulder, landing on his arm.My bloodlust grew hotter like a fever in a moment as his cry of pain from his broken arm didn’t leave nearly as much satisfaction that I craved.His body on one of his arms and the other free, I squat to straddle him at his level before he throws a weak blow that I catch and fold under my arm. My eyes grew colder as I stared into his filling them wide with terror in anticipation of what’ll happen next.Without hesitation, I started to whale on him, making sure to use my left so it wasn’t strong enough to break his jaw but fast enough to slowly fracture it.Blood on my fist began to drip like ink on a page ruining my shirt and getting on the edge of my thunderbolt tattoo on my arm that partially showed under it.I went to break his nose but felt a stern hand grab my bicep before I was close enough to connect. Rushing to my feet, I gear up to fuck up whoever was behind me, throwing a kill shot but stopping in my tracks and snap back to myself at the dark king that stood before me unphased.“Get in the car, Peter…”. Nate broke my spell of wrath with only a look and four words but was unbothered after a glance at the sight of my defeated opponent laying there unconscious and barely breathing.He stood there, legs spread apart with his hands behind his back, and handed me my jacket as I passed him with my head down. I noticed that Belle was standing a couple of feet behind him, assuming she was the one called him.As I made my way to his jet-black Camaro, I see him still standing there as two goons beat the poor bastard a bit more, both dressed in an ink-colored jacket identical to mine and unlike Nate’s though.He had the typical large X-mark on the back but his white stripes on the sleeves and a small symbol near the bottom that kinda looked like...a hook.*Twenty minutes later* Belle sat in the front with me in the back, seated in the middle, dead center as I could be, sinking further down after a glance from him in the rear mirror.He never cared if I got into a scrap, just that I never drew too much attention to myself on my own and hurt them too badly.“Pete, I know you have it, Give it to me.”. I hand her a small silver switchblade out of my pocket that I swiped from her bra after she’d been knocked down earlier by Damien.It was better that I tried to talk him down than my best friend going down for murder. The beating I gave him was justifiable and merciful...at least that was what I tried to convince myself anyway.Belle steps out after we park in front of the house with my house key in her hands, going in, probably to lay on my bed as per usual.“You’re being promoted”. Nate said taking the keys out of the ignition.” You’re not an associate anymore, you’re a messenger now bud”.“What?! Why?!”. I hissed at him but lower my tone after a look. “Well, after that little 1v1 I figured it’d be best if you started putting in some work. That way you can stay protected by my side and can pay back the rest of those Salt boys after their leader disrespected you.”.Nate, like Damien, was a Captain. Everyone who knew what was best for them answered to him, told me that the X on our backs made us targets and it ‘marked the spot’ but said to never ask him his moniker even though up until today, because of me, was rivaled with a bozo who called himself ‘The Salt King’.“I didn’t ask for this...I don’t want it and I took him out because of self-defense, that it”. My chest grew tight and I grew upset.“Do I look like I’m asking you, Pete?”. His voice quickly ran cold but softened after he took a breath. “Look, I wouldn’t put you in a position where I didn’t think you could succeed and this should be within the limits of your anxiety so I’ll be monitoring your mental health as always. You’re gonna move information back and forth between contacts and even do a couple of jobs for me on the side here and there, tell Wendy and there’ll be consequences, you do good then you’ll be a soldier, Now go inside and I’ll get dinner started after I make this call.”.I unbuckle my seat belt and get up to get out but stop as I pull the handle. “And Peter...don’t disappoint me.”. Chapter 5: F.U. PAY ME*POV Nate*Unbuckling my seat belt and lowering my seat back, I raise my hands over my head and take deep breathes as I take a couple of seconds to myself as I close my eyes.It began to feel almost relaxing until I’m disturbed by the rhythmic vibrations of my phone, ‘Man-Man’, I brace myself for the conversation after letting it ring and finally slide the screen and bring it to my ear.“Manuel.”“Hey, Nathan, meet me at Never-wood, I got a surprise for you.”. I swear to myself and put the keys in the ignition, speeding there.Minutes later, I pull up in front of my best friend Manuel’s club and show the bouncer my ID then make my way to the VIP section. He was sitting on a lounge couch arm and arm with some pretty girls in short skirts.“Manny!”. Man-Man’s head quickly snapped to the sound of my voice and motioned for me to follow him to the back room.The club music boomed and clashed with its bass from its overpriced speakers but faded slowly as we came into the room. We walk into the dim room and I can barely make out a girl sitting in the middle of the room blindfolded and bound to a chair with a boy strapped behind her to the same effect.Man-Man flips the switch making the pair more visible but to my surprise it was Abigail.“What da fuck is she doing here!?”. Slamming him into the wall only made me more pissed as Pete’s words of not doing anything reckless haunted me.“See what she has to say”. My footsteps filled the room causing her to wince and shudder the closer I became.“I don’t know who you guys are, But my dad’s a cop!”. She quaked through her tears, soaking her blindfold, her long red hair dropped in her face.Taking a moment to think I exhaled deeply, as I squat in front of her removing the blindfold. Her shaking froze instantly catching my gaze.“…Oh God…”. The level of fear she was showing somehow was enough to stop her ugly cry.“Babygirl, there is no God here, now, with that being said, it’s Neverland…so I’ll have to do”.“One way or another, you will be going home but in what state is up to you. Don’t lie to me and we’ll let you go.”. I put my hands behind me, letting a goon take off my jacket.She sees the tattoo of a hook on my forearm and tries to avoid my gaze but fails and stares at the biceps and hook tattoo on my forearm.“I told my best friend Jerricho about the rumors people say about you and he told my dad, we didn’t know they would come to your house…please let me go”.There were a number of things I could do to her to make sure she wasn’t lying but she wasn’t that stupid to consider it. Slowly lifting myself up, I lean in her face and smile at her blushing pale face. “Take her”.“What?!?!”. Man-Man hit her behind the head, knocking her unconscious, and moved across the room after he severed the rope to the other chair.I walk around to the other person, doing the same to him as he wakes up to see me squatting a few feet in front of him.“Fuck you, Nathan!”. He began to jerk at me with venom in his words, only hurting his own wrists the more he did.“Now that’s no way to talk to someone who has your life in their hands.”. I smiled at him with his chest rising and falling in anger within his breath.“Yea, Well, you wouldn’t be talking so tough if I wasn’t strapped to a fucking chair!”. With the nod of my head, Manuel cuts his wrists loose.Jerricho winces at the red marks on his wrists and in an effort to overpower me, He takes a shot at me but misses as I cradle my fist inside his lower torso before striking him to the floor on his knees, bleeding onto the cement, reminding him where his place was.“25,486,180 dollars...that’s the benchmark, that’s the bare minimum of someone in my position makes every three months but a snitch gets a bullet.”. Manuel presses his piece against the back of his head, eyes shaky and still trying to play ‘tough guy’ but the fear in his eyes is enough to make me smile.“What? You want me to convince you that I don’t deserve a fucking bullet? You know what F-”. It took him roughly five seconds to realize no one was behind him and I had a noir piece of my own pointed at his liver with my finger already close to cranking a black lever.“Beg.”. I tilt my head, watching the windows of his soul start to cloud. I take my eyes off him to check my watch, seeing it’s a text from Pete but the little Rat rushed me, struggling to take my piece.We wrestle for a moment until I pull it away from us and come back down with it across the side of its face and let off two shots in front of its face, stopping them in their tracks and leaving him out cold and lying in a pool of their own making.“Bring her over here!”. The other one is cut free and thrown at my feet. “Look at me...I don’t give a fuck who your father is, you are going to make back every cent you cost me, or every soul that calls 1127 Crestmont Drive home will become ashes along with it.”.“I don’t have any money, it’s all a trust fund, I can’t touch it till I’m 18...”.“The end of spring break...you will get me what’s mine; I don’t care how or he’ll be the first to burn.”.I walk past her, giving her a moment to breathe before knocking her out and writing how much she owed on her arm. Chapter6: Balad of the Golden PiecePOV *Peter*Belle left a few hours ago, leaving me home alone so I did what I usually did: Strip down to my boxers, get weird, watch anime if not blast Kid Cudi on my speaker.Things were relatively chill until I heard a ding from my phone. *New message* “Gonna be home late”.I put my phone back down and start the next episode but I was disturbed AGAIN this time someone banged on the door.Hoping out of my bed into some pants to the door as fast I could.“Yō, you Pete?”.“Um...who’s Askin?”. At the door was a 6-foot guy with a bearded and a deep voice sporting a Lost Boys jacket.“Look, I got orders to pick up someone named Pete from this address”.‘Alright, I’m him, Wassup?”. After the raid, I’m not taking any chances by keeping the chain lock on the door as we talked with a knife in my hand.“Get dressed and meet me in the car, Ight? You got a bear to deliver messenger-boy and leave your jacket here...also, can I use your bathroom real quick?”.‘Yeah sure”. Unlocking the door and sliding the blade into my palm, letting him in and direct him forward to the bathroom.As I went back to my room to get dressed, I saw another text from Nate saying to wear all black.“Aye yo! Pete!”. A shout from the bathroom fills the house with his head peeking out the door.“Wassup?” I replied.“Yo, sorry to bother you but where do you keep your toilet paper?”.“Under the sink and you’re good but I’ll be on the couch when you’re ready”.“Alright, good looks”. The big head disappeared back into the restroom as I pocket Nate’s switch that he asked me to take with me for whatever reason.Moments later, I lock up the house and get into the Lost Boy’s sleek blue car.We drove around for about 15 maybe 30 minutes then stopped in front of a shady house that looked like it was days away from coming down on itself.I sat in the car for a little bit, flooding the vibes with silence while he was on his phone.“Alright look, imma keep this as straightforward as possible, from now on we’re ‘best friends’ and I’ll treat you like family. With that being said I’m responsible for you.”.“Yes sir, but what’s your name though?”.“Wait, did not tell you that?”. I shake my head no. “Oh, my fault, I’m Manuel but you can call me Man-Man”.“Can I call you Manny?”.“…sure, anyways, all you gotta do is: Go in and talk to a guy with a teardrop tattoo named Crazy eyes, don’t say nothin’ you don’t need to. Man’s weird so keep that in mind…he’s gonna give you a bag, make sure it’s 18 stacks in total- no more no less, ight?”.I nodded my head as he continued and was surprised that he was talking like he genuinely cared about me.“I gotta handle somethin’ a block away from here so you’ll have to wait a few. He’s a germaphobe so take this face mask, I’ll be back soon so text me when you’re done”.Before I got out, he tapped my phone with his, adding his contact info to mine.Stepping to the house felt like I was more likely to get blasted if not robbed with every step I took.A muffled yell of “Who is it?!” came from the other side of the door after a loud knock followed by the sound of multiple locks being undone and a chubby guy that matched Manny’s description to a tee.I clear my throat, trying not to sound as soft as possible. “Um…Man-Man sent me; I’m supposed to get a bear?”.After having to repeat myself twice because of the mask he let me in.Two girls, both in-plane white bras and underwear, searched me with my first instinct being to keep it eye level but that didn’t help since they didn’t seem to care and one of them was taller than me but both had six-shot pieces holstered to their thighs.“Take these, please”. The second girl who was more so my height handed me a pair of blue surgical gloves before squirting hand sanitizer in my hand.While my hands were up as I was searched, the taller one squeezed as they kept going and even groped my biceps jokingly before putting newspapers on the raggedy couch for me to sit on.Sitting there I looked around thinking to myself that the place would actually look better had they repainted the interior instead of the surprisingly nice coffee tables with baggies of pills, weed, and rocks.“Hey, do you know what sitting at attention is?”. I sit up straight with my palms on my thighs, probably to make sure I didn’t touch anything.About five minutes later, the white Bra’d girls came back into the living room with a pink book bag and a large carnival-sized bear.“Here’s you go, side-eyes say it’s okay if you keep the bag’.I checked the bag finding multiple stacks of cash, checking it twice, and spent I don’t know how long sifting through them all making sure that each added up to the right total. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the lingo: dub = 20, band= 100, and a stack = 1,000. A good reason to know this is because no one wants to be short in a trap house unless you don’t want to leave the room that is.“Take this”. Side-eyes threw a chubby teddy bear at me while one of the girls went into a small wooden case with a glass cover and took out an engraved golden piece.“Tell Nate we’re good after this so there’s no more reason to collect for a few, Yerd?” I nodded as he came over lit a blunt beside me.The shorter girl put a clip in the piece before handing it to Side-eyes and stuffed the piece in the bear.“You want a hit?”. He says as he offers me a pre-roll.“Oh, no thank you, I don’t smoke, and I count 17,900 instead of 18k”.“Alright, respect that, but what do you do though?”. Side-eyes blows his smoke away from me while tossing me a band but whatever he was smoking smelled great and this moment was the first of many bad decisions.“Whatever I can afford pretty much like my meds I mean but I ran out yesterday and won’t get any more for a while”.“Ight but If you interested then I got this new shit that my boys in the lab call ‘Fairy Dust’. Issa Fast-acting psychedelic that’ll level you the fuck out in around five mins but it’ll put you on your ass in 30”.He sat the blunt on the counter before leaning against it.“You wanna try it?”“Um…All I have is a dub so I dunno if that’s enough or-”“Don’t even worry about it”.Before I could pull out the bill, there was a small silver tray, full of yellow pills.Looking down at them, there was a small thought of ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’, and another that Nate would rock my shit if he found out I took anything that wasn’t prescribed but then again, drug dealers are doctors in a way…sort of.I picked one up and popped it and within a few seconds I felt lasered as fuck, just…euphoric.“How do you feel?” His voice sounded like it was underwater for a moment and came up for air.“I feel great…”. Five minutes my ass.I take a baggie for myself as our heads swing towards the door after we hear a knock. One of the girls unlocked the door and let in three guys with one being too familiar.“Oh, shit…”. Before they could see me, I slipped into the back bathroom and lock it behind me swearing under my breath.With my back against the wall, I studied every corner of the room looking for a way out as the subtle rise and fall of my chest made it feel like I was slowly shifting into another dimension.Voices on the other side of the door faded into a dull roar while what can only be best described as hues of purple and sparkles decorated the room along with music and a sense of satisfaction that rivaled completion.A sharp ding emerged from my back pocket and surprisingly I was able to read the text although I’d be sad that I could.“Hey Pete, I hope you get this, I know things have been good lately but think that we should go our separate ways, I’m not feeling this anymore so please don’t blame yourself and you can keep the stuff so don’t worry about it…I’m sorry”.“Aye yo, who da fuck is back there texting and shit?”. A voice boomed from the other side.“Quit all that damn yelling man”. Side-eyes barked back at him and knocked lightly on the door. “Come out my guy”.Twisting the knob felt like I was watching myself move in slow motion like every sound was intensified while it felt like the sun was behind them looking up.“Pete, you lil shit, that you?”. The Salt gang captain barked.“Uhhh…hi”. I step forward trying to stay focused instead of noticing the bruises on his face along with the sling under his uniform.“Da fuck is you doing here?”. A member of the trio asks.“Chill Bruh, he was just leaving”. Side-eyes cut in as he cuffs the book bag to a clip on the bear.“How bout Inna fucking body bag”. Damien reached behind his back and pulled a piece, switching off the safety.“I ain’t Tryna have that shit in my house bruh and this neutral territory for y’all’s goofy-ass gang too, fuck outta here with that bullshit.”. Side-eyes cut in the middle while they unholstered theirs too.In summation…I’m too high for this shit. Chapter 7: Balad of the Golden Piece pt.:2 “My fault Side-eyes, I forgot, no harm, right?”.In all honesty, what happened next felt like I was starring in the fucking Matrix cause shit for me was fading in and out of slow motion.“See, we’re good”.It wasn’t. The moment he lowered his piece, my eyes darted at one of his associates who slowly slid their hand inside their uniform to pull something small out two seconds after, and in the third second, something whizzed past my ear, damn near shot it off.This resulted in couches being flipped and Side-Eyes shoving me to the floor as he and the girls started to open fire like they were in the Wild Wild West.The slugs sound like war drums and trap beats as they crashed back and forth in the background as I saw them fly into the wall.My hands were on my ears and my eyes closed whilst I was silently panicking on the floor until I felt something heavy fall on me. As I open my eyes, I could see shimmering eyes looking back at mine which was admittedly adorable before she smooshed my head into the carpet and proceeded to reload her and cock it then began to lick shots as they dragged me up by collar into the bathroom.I dunno if it was just me but I just noticed Outcast was blasting on a stereo the entire time and I actually know this song but I was bitch slapped and told to focus so I could open the bathroom window.While the adorable yet surprisingly hard-hitting girl proceeded to give cover fire I started to work on the window, using Nate’s switch to help force the latch open then lift it and cut a decent-sized box while trying not to catch a shell.The brown-eyed girl threw her piece to the other girl like they’d practiced this before with her behind the couch, tossing her a bag and mine that was handcuffed to an oversized teddy.She catches hers and puts it on in one fluid motion with literal grace and mine as well but ragdolls me and practically shoves me out the window drops some bullets to the ground before jumping out behind me and putting my bag on me like I’m a freaking five-year-old.We ran and started hopping over fences like we were in the Olympics except she was dragging me the entire time and all this in lace front panties mind you, very impressive but we made it to an alley after hopping over the backyard fence of a house and made a left onto the main street.“You okay dummy?”. I can feel a buzzing coming from my thigh as I nod yes while we tried to catch our breaths.“You going to answer that?”. I looked at her confused as to how she heard it but it turns out the ringer was on as well.She reached into my pocket and answered it without hesitation and hung up soon after explaining where we were and how I was.About 10 minutes later, Manny’s car pulled into the distance. ” Hey, you want my shirt?” She looked down in slight confusion but took it and told me her name was Kimi before his headlights grew brighter.“Get in”. Manny barked at us with his tinted windows somewhat lowered.I got in first, mainly because she pushed me in slightly and took the front seat but as she closed the door, he pulled out his strap and told her to give him hers.She took the clip out and handed it to him before throwing it in the back and stopping to look at her.“Yo, you good?”. Manny asked as he pointed at her.“What? Yea, It’s not my bloo-”. In a snap, she turned to me. “Oh my God, you’re bleeding!”.“What? No, I’m not.”. I look down at my shoulder area and say “OH FUCK”.Chapter 8 Shorty’s Gonna be a ThugHowever long later, we got back to the house to patched up and thankfully the bullet went straight through so the adrenaline and the high kept me from feeling it but it couldn’t stop me from getting chewed out.“How are you mad me foo? I literally did what you told me to!”“First off, lower your fucking tone bruh. To be clear, you were told to go get a bag and a bear, NOT to get in a shootout with the same muthafucka YOU knockout.”“I shouldn't even be doing this, I should be in school!”“Peta this a man’s world, play the rules, don’t bitch to me when you can’t handle the shit you asked for. You want out then say witcha chest, you wanna be a gangsta? Then buck the fuck up”.Sitting on the couch felt like I was in the principles office again like when I was younger. “I love you Pete but Imma need you to get the fuck out my face right now”.Normally I would’ve protested but the pain in my arm sling with the demonic look in Nate’s eyes killed that intention without question.“It ain’t your fault but I had him in your care so let some shit like this happen again then we won’t be having another conversation”.Nate said quietly to Manny but loud enough for me to hear as I walked towards my room.Apparently, when your body and shi is too stressed it makes u pass out entirely and I just went as soon as my face hit the pillow, clothes still on and everything.I woke up a little bit later but I felt something warm radiating around my thigh and an arm across my chest.It was her. “Uhh…Kimi, I don’t mind you in my bed but you kinda in my personal space right now without my permission and I gotta pee so can get off me please?”.She woke up slowly and apologized turning red when I asked her to get off, probably because she didn’t expect to be cuddling me either.After taking one of them pisses that feel like they ain’t gon end, I checked my phone and saw a text from Manny.‘Did great in the tutorial and it’s gonna take a minute to get prestige but congrats soldier’At first glance I thought; What da fuck? Is this call of duty or something? wait…I think I just got promoted and fuuuuck, I still have school tomorrow. Chapter 9: UgliestThe next morning, Nate had Kimi rebandage my arm and then dropped me at school, all without looking me in the eyes once.It wasn’t until lunch that it fully registered in my head that I had gotten dumped and my partner of literal years wasn’t sitting with me anymore, neither was my brother and on top of that even though I still never started anything- I inadvertently gave these sheep more reason to be afraid of me to the point where I had the entire table to myself.I was bumping old-school R&B music in my earbuds and reading The Jungle Book until this fuck-shit happened.I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked over to see it was one of the assistant principles, Mr.Stone, and the Deputy, the AP motioned to take my buds out.“Mr.Pannel, I’m gonna need you to come with us, bring your things”. I put my buds back in and went with them with the Deputy’s hand around my arm like I had any reason to actually run even though I’d definitely outrun this Santa Claus looking…anyways.We left the lunchroom and got in a golf cart with me in the back, heading to the main office, and when we got to his office, Dep searched my bag and then me before I was ‘allowed’ to sit.“Sooooo, anyone gonna explain why I’m here”. The two of them acted as if I was about to hear a secret and closed the door before Mr.Stone began his nonsense.“We had reason to believe you may have had some type of drugs on you and with that bein said, you’re supposed to be in ISS right now”.Mr.Stone was a 5’8 black man with a dome that shined like freshly waxed floors, always wore suit-like attire, and was very nice to everyone but had a habit of exaggerating dress code and beating around the bush.“Why would I bring drugs to school? I don’t even take headache meds and Deps have dogs here, so even if I were to I’m not stupid and also, ISS for what?”“Getting into an altercation with another student yesterday near the bus ramp”. I completely forgot that happened but at least I won.“Oh, so you do know what I’m talking about?”. This sass wasn’t needed bowling ball head. “The only reason you were Identified was that some students showed administration the video of the events given that it was the end of the school day and you were gone before any adult got there.”“This maayyy be true, may not be but why did y’all wait until fourth-period lunch to tell me this like I coulda been pulled first period and been there?” Mr.Stone leaned forward making the shine even more apparent and interlocked his fingers.“Given that you didn’t start the fight, you’re getting three days while the other student will get a week when they come to school”.Now I’d be wrong if I were to pull out a cloth and spit-shined this dome making the whole room glow.“Mr.Pannel”. He slightly raised his voice. “Hmm?”“I know you’re a smart student and could possibly be Valevitorian if you tried but this will go on your record, you know that?”“Oh that’s fine, soooo, are we done here?”“Yes, Mr.Pannel, we’re finished and Dep will walk you to the ISS building and I’ll get your work for today, thank you for cooperating”.“I didn’t have a choice Mr.Bones”. I said as I got up.“It’s ‘Stone’, Peter”“I know, just thought maybe if you changed that name of yours, it’d distract a lil from that NOGGIN”.“Boy, get out of my office before I give you a week too”.“You love me too much dome piece!”“OUT!!!!”Chapter 10: Like WoahI spent the rest of the day in In-School-Suspension with a bunch of girls whose ‘clothes were too revealing’ and some guys who just didn’t care about school in general. What work they brought from my classes was as easy as usual so I just took a nap then I got them done unless the teacher in the room ‘decide’ that I couldn’t.By the grace of God, the last bell finally rang and I made my way to the front of the school and suppressed my anger when the people in front of me dragged their feet like they couldn’t walk.The sun was leaning today for no reason but underneath the heat, I spotted Manny’s car instead of Nate’s.“Get in bro, I’m taking you home”.“Where’s Nate?”“He has some stuff to take care of-”. Manny messed with the hairs under his chin and fixed his rearview mirror.“Manny, can we please get something to eat? I’m fucking starving bro”. Kimi was in the back and wearing what looked like my hoodie but makes sense since she was in just a bra last I saw her.“I’m not complaining but, why’s she here?” I asked knowing what she’s capable of with a piece.“Nate didn’t want her stealing nothing at the house and he told me to tell you that she might be staying wit y’all until he figures out what to do with her.”I hope he takes his time with that.“Alright, but can we get food though? I’m hungry too” I tilt my head and try to stare him into submission.“Fine but dollar menu only, none of that extra shi”. Manny said looking at both of us so we understood as he pulled off out of the parking lot.We stopped at Bold Burger and went to dine in.Manny got us a booth in the back with a clear view of outside for obvious reasons and got up to use the bathroom after we ordered leaving me and her alone.“I hope it’s okay I borrowed your clothes, I didn’t have anything of my own to really wear out”. Kimi said lightly with a small but gorgeous smile.“....Oh that’s fine, you can wear whatever you want, just don’t crease anything”. I said with a chuckle trying to focus on her words and not get tranced by her eyes again.“Thanks and If it makes it any better, all your stuff is really comfortable and we even have the same shoe size”.Not gonna lie, she looks way better than I do in my stuff even though it’s just a hoodie, joggers, and Vanz but I swear if she keeps looking at me like this then shits gonna get wicked.“That’s nice to, FUCK”. I was looking at Kimi but in the corner of my eyes, I saw Darlin’ walking toward me.“Hey Pete, can we talk for a sec?”. Darlin’ spoke and my heart started to punch against my chest.“Yeah, sure, excuse me for a sec”. I said to Darlin and then to Kimi as I got up.We walked outside and she leaned against the building while I starred at the ground on a parking bumper, trying to avoid eye contact.“So, you’re not gonna say anything?”. She said after taking a deep breath.“What do you want me to say, Wendy? I got a text and you clearly said how you felt so I’m not gonna force either of us to be where they don’t feel wanted”.I looked off towards the road imagining I was anywhere but here.“I did it for another reason but I can’t tell you it just yet, I’m sorry, and also for…this”.“Mmhm”. I disregarded it and tried my hardest to contain myself. “Pete, can you just look at me, please?!”“I mean it”. Looking up at her felt like seeing her for the first time over again except it was one of those times when every part of your body says ‘cry’ or ‘breakdown’ but you just don’t.“I know…”. I notice the reddish-pink leather jacket she had on.“So who’s your friend? Couldn’t wait a day could ya?” It sounded like a shit attempt at humor but hidden in genuine interest.“Doesn’t matter, since when were you a member of the Lost Boys?”“It’s complicated”.“Of course it is.”.I got up and assumed we concluded whatever that was and made my way back to the booth.“You good bro?”. Manny asked holding his burger.“Yeah, I’m fine”. I crack a small smile obviously lying.“Pete, I’m not stupid, you don’t gotta tell me what’s going on but just keep it real with me”.“Thank you and I’ll be fine, just not now”. Manny shook his head in acknowledgment and kept eating.Minutes passed by and I barely touched my food until I felt a soft hand above my own under the table and without hesitation I let it lock with mine as I squeezed back.I turned to Kimi and she just smiled, making my heart flutter, and motioned to my food with her head telling me to eat.On the way home, I gave Kimi my phone and buds to listen to music so I just put my hood on and put my head against the window.“Manny, can I ask you somethin?”.“Wassup?”“Are you allowed to custom your jackets? Like for the ‘group’ ”“Umm, no, that’s something only Captains do to make themselves stand out, why?”“No reason”.They say that sometimes it’s the aftershocks that are worse than the earthquakes but I’m guessing whatever I was trying not to feel at the food joint just hit and hit hard, shook even. Chapter 11: Shook Ones pt. 2 “Shit, not again”. Kimi basically moved in after the shootout and like now I’d frequently find her drooling on my bed and not even under the covers either after all that crap about her insisting that she sleeps on the floor.I manage to free myself from her surprisingly somewhat heavy body and make my way to the restroom.Lifting up the lid and reliving myself to no surprise it was at the crack of dawn. I yawn to myself and look over to the sink to see a stack of cash along with a note.I finish then wash and dry my hands and read:“Mr.Stone called and told me his mirror head was gonna give you three days of OSS since some narks said you hit first. Here’s a stack next to the note, that should be enough to buy her clothes and anything she needs. She’s your responsibility now so after you come from the mall COME STRAIGHT HOME. -Nate”.Well, that coulda been a text.I brought both the note and dough to my room and placed them on my dresser before climbing over Kimi’s sprawled out body and curling into a ball, forcing myself to sleep with what bit of tired I had.--“Wake up, stoopid, get up”. I jump outta my sleep to see her not too far from my face. “Come on, I made food’.I did as I was told and followed her to the kitchen. She made scrambled eggs with sausages and some Eggos. Had I known her more I swear would’ve kissed her right then and there but I digress.After we finished, I did the dishes, which wasn’t a lot surprisingly. Kimi pealed off to my room and stole more of my clothes with my permission and looked better than I ever did in them as we waited for Manny to pick us up.First, we stopped at the Smee convenience store to get pads and toiletries along with snacks.We bring the basket to the cashier and I noticed it was Abigail behind the counter.“12.95”. She said with her face toward the ground and avoiding my eyes. I took out a 20 dollar bill but she seemed to jerk her hand away from mine after our fingers touched briefly.“Hey Aby, is everything okay?”. My brows furrow in concern at her sheepish demeanor.“Yeah, I’m fine, Here’s your change”. She replied meekly.About 10 or so minutes later, we arrived at the Green Lagoon Mall of Neverland. Sounds great but in all honesty, it’s kind of a dump. Anyways, when we got there Manny told us we could go wherever but just keep an eye out, don’t take too long, and meet him in the food court when we were done.At first, it felt kinda awkward but the more I got Into it I started to have a bit of fun. She dragged me from store to store, getting pants and shirts, and then crystals and stuff.“So how do I look?”. We were in one of the girly-like stores with the try-on rooms and she honestly looked great in them all but I was mostly glad she came out since I was beginning to get stares.“You look great, to be honest”. My eyes marveled at the sight in front of me and blinked tentatively as I caught myself smiling a little too big.“Fuckn Mentiroso, you said that the last few times I came out here”. Her cheeks grew a light pink as she cocked her head to the side and smirked.“I’m not, I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true”. I reply nervously trying not to smile.“Mmhm, sure”. She kept trying to fuck with me knowing I’d fold with butterflies every time as she went back into the changing room.I chuckled a little after they left from where I was sitting down since for once I was enjoying myself in public. It felt like the perfect day until I felt a cold bit of metal under my chin.“Make a sound and you’ll bleed out in less than a minute and a half. Now keep your mouth shut and come with us”.A girl’s voice came from behind me and the metal traveled directly behind my liver as she and a couple of guys escorted me outside behind the mall.Before I could turn around to get a look at their faces, one of them threw me into a corner and both began to whale on me.“You’re Natan Pannel’s little brother, right?”. The nameless girl squatted in front of me with her knife in her hand.“Why would you jump me if you weren't even 100 percent sure who I was? Sounds pretty stupid to me lady”. My body sank against the wall having me sit on the floor and laugh at her face knowing I was right.They didn’t take too kindly to that and instead lifted me to my feet and kept punching my lights in but with more ruthlessness.The beating must've gotten to these fools because they started taking turns on who was gonna hit and started getting a bit of rhythm to it until I saw something coming towards me fast with my blurry vision.The girl was tackled out of the way and the first guy who was a little bit more than my height had his knee kicked from under him then had a fist to the back of his head before the other got their wrist broken after trying to grab her and was dragged down to get kicked in the throat.When my vision regained fully, I could see it was Kimi taking them all on and proceeding to straighten out the girl in all white like the others as well. When she tried grabbing her hair, she simply went for the ribs like a boxer followed by a right hook.By the time I was able to get to my feet, Kimi was already bloodying her fist with the leader’s face and looked pissed that she even had to deal with it in the first place.“Kimi…Stop”. I plead as I hold my side in pain.Her ears twitched at the sound of my voice but hesitated for a moment before looking the girl up and down and delivering daggers into her eyes.She came to my side and helped me around the corner until we were stopped in our path by a huge security guard with a goatee.“You, come with me. You were supposed to pay”. He completely overlooked me and stared down at Kimi since she was still in the athletic shorts and sports bra she was trying out.“Oh, I’m so sorry, this is a complete misunderstanding. See I was trying this on but my stoopid pinche boyfriend over here thought it would be funny to take my stuff along with my wallet while I was trying this on. I have money and can pay but that’s the only reason why I bolted. See?”.She changed her tone of voice quickly from her normal chill to a girly girl-type tone and showed him money from MY WALLET. The guard looked at it and handed back the wallet then brought us back to the store to pay before giving her a warning and also chewing me out.After she paid for the clothes, we met up with Manny, who was on his phone the entire time, and went to the car.“Yo what the hell happened to you bro?”. Manny asked as he took a glance at his rearview mirror.“I fell”. My eyes were glued to the car ceiling so I didn’t curl into a ball from the pain.Manny looked at Kimi in the passengerseat for confirmation and she just shrugged her shoulders and said- “Bitches be clumsy”.He did the same and put the car in drive.Chapter 12: Mt. EverestPOV Nate“Alright, Thank you”. I hung up the phone with my right hand man and sat against the hood of my car, waiting.The clock on my phone read 8 o’clock as I grew more uneasy and lit a joint, blowing the smoke with the wind.“Hey Nathan, figured it was you out here. The only one I know who’d come to a house party and stay outside brooding.”. Angelica said as she sauntered down the house steps with a red party cup in her hand.“Where’s your brother?”. I replied coldly.“Who? Damien? Not a clue. Probably off in a corner somewhere fingerbaging some girl who’s stupid enough to find him attractive”.She was wearing a blood red romper and heels with her hair in a neat bun but though I can smell the liquor from her cup, I could tell by her face she had watered it down.“Please tell me you’re not gonna start a fight with that idiot, especially at my party”. She turned her head to knowing full well it was something I’d do.“Not here”. I chuckle softly and pass her the joint trading it for whatever was in the cup.“Better not. Also you’re such a dick Nate, it’s been hours and you haven’t even said-”“Happy birthday”. I raised my brows and watched her exhale the weed smoke into the evening night breeze.“Still a dick”. We both laugh and crackle before catching each other’s gaze. “Y’know, we could do something other than smoking while you’re waiting on that loser”.“Like what?”. I take a sip of the watered down drank and look at her.“I dunno, you tell me”.After another sip, I could see she was nearly chest to chest with me, gripping on my jacket and going in for a kiss.For a second I opened my mouth, sucking in a bit of air before exhaling through my nose, noticeably pulling away.“Let go”. I command drylly.“Yes, sir”. Angelica acquiesced in disappointment and sat against the car, staring at the night sky.“Still with Tiger, I’m assuming?”. She hands the joint back and sighs at my silent nod as I pull out the joint and place it in a plastic bag.“Be honest Nate, Why are you even with her? It’s bad enough my little sister ran away with her dumbass friend but it's been months and you guys barely talk without fighting every other day and when you choose not to say anything, I’M THE ONE who has to hear about it if you’re not already punching something”.I put down what’s left in the cup and put it on the ground.“I’m telling you this as your best and only friend beside Manuel. Either fix it or get out, the Nathan I know would’ve snapped at her by now, no one disrespects you, not even me but she does on a technicality.”. She grabs my arm and stares into my eyes.“Whatever your decision is, I’ll support you and when you’re ready we’ll talk about whatever this weird shit is between us. I gotchu.”. I crack a small but genuine smile and soak in what little bit of joy I’ve felt all day.“Heard you been lookin for me, Paddle”. A nauseating but intoxicated voice cut through the moment like a knife. “Whaddya want?”“I just wanna talk,Damien, that’s it”. I sit up straight to see the Salt captain on the porch with maybe five at least of his cronies around him.“I ain’t got nothing to say to you Nate, beside that this ain’t yo turf and whatever you came to do was stupid to come alone”.Damien made his way down the steps with his pack of mutts behind him with all of them sharing a brain cell between them.“Since it’s Angelica’s birthday, I’ll give you about a minute to get the hell off my lawn before I bloody it”.I waited patiently for him to quit talking but sadly he came close enough for me to smell his breath. I slowly plop to my feet from the hood, grazing my piece with my thumb as I stood up straight, almost reaching his height but falling short by an inch.“Well, in light of party spirit, I figured we could have a little race, you and me. If I lose then you get my ride and can ‘bloody your lawn’ and if I win then I get that conversation. Sound fair?”.Damien, laughed half tipsy before looking behind me at the car then back to me with a cheshire smile.“Let’s race”. We shook hands and it was set.We both pulled up about thirty minutes later at Treasure Peak, a mile and a half of pure dirt roads with no cops for a few blocks and a crowd waiting at start and finish.It’d been a few years since I raced but I felt confident this heavy footed idiot couldn’t beat me if I was drunk.The road was at the edge of Westview Park and Downtown, basically a backroad between the two major parts of Neverland.The humming of the engines felt almost therapeutic, filling the street with noise over the crowd.Angelica stepped in the middle looking at us both in our rides before yelling. “Are you ready?” At me receiving a nod along with the purr of my engine as she did the same to her brother.Anticipation filled the air with an underline of excitement that I tried my best to sooth.“Ready.Set…GO”. Within seconds we both zoom past her in a flash taking to the streets and then into the back roads.My headlights were on as bright as can be but I could hear the engine of Damien’s ride screaming as if it were at its limit.I took the lead for a couple seconds until I could see his car brush next to mine with dirt.One moment mine would push forward and the next he was ahead until the light of Downtown came into view.Both of us gleamed to be ahead, none backing down with all fear of losing rising beneath the roar of the engines.I began to pull ahead and could see him slowing down as we got closer to the city with the sound of his engine sputtering in defeat.We pulled into the golden city to the roar of the crowd as they gathered around us completely dismissing the steam expelling from the cars.I texted him the location I wanted to meet at and drove off with my windows tinted and satisfaction in the air.-About an hour or so later we met at an abandoned warehouse two cities over. I arrived way earlier but given the weather and my mood, I didn’t mind.“I see you’re as ominous as always, texting through apps instead of by number”.I crack a light smirk as I sit on the hood of my ride enjoying the breeze.“So where do you wanna do this? Here or in that creepy ass murder zone?’I hop off and turn on my lights, he sighs in contempt and does the same before entering the admittedly creepy warehouse.I tapped on the lights that barely buzzed on but lit the area well enough, Damien looked around at the abandoned warehouse and the meat hooks above him before quickly assessing what was going down.He quickly drew his piece and fired but missed after I grabbed his wrist pushing it away from me. I manage to wrestle it out of his hand and take off my jacket, letting him know what kind of fight it’s gonna be.Damien charged at me shouting with his fist in the arm until I sprinted at him, cratering mine inside his abs, knocking out all the air he presumed to own. I stepped back a few paces allowing him to catch his breath before he came at me again and instead began to move at the command of my fists.After each blow he staggered like a drunk in a bar until I decided to stop taking it easy on him. My guard was raised and I motioned him to come to me, the poor bastard listened, and received a left cross across the face with a beautiful two-piece behind it, knocking him to his knees.As he laid there on all fours with blood dripping from his lip he still had a little burst of energy in him and attempted to make a last sprawling effort but froze in place as he felt the barrel of my piece on his head and began to shutter as he heard the hammer slide down, knowing there was no safety in any sense.“Yeah, you know what that is”. I kept the piece there with my finger in the right place and kept going, knowing this is the only way he’d listen. “You better be thankful your sister was born on this day or else you’d be a corpse. Tell the other captains to call a rumble, and come near Peter again and you’re gonna wish I killed you”.I keep it aimed at his head and make my way behind him and whisper ”Don’t fuck with the Lost Boys” before bringing the lower end of the piece across the back of his head and stepping over him limp body towards my car.The night breeze blew cold as I took out a spray can, scrolled through my apps and made a call.“Hey, what’s up?”“It’s done, be ready when the time is right.”. I paused for a second. “What happened to your face?”.“Nothing, just got into a fight with this bitch at the mall, it’s nothing”.“Alright, love you Tiger”“Love you more Hook”.As I hung up the video call, I stepped away from the creaky doors of the abandoned warehouse, leaving a little hint for his goons that ‘X’ marks the spot.Being a captain, an act like this means one thing: War. First his whole gang will be mine and after that, the whole damn city, all pawns and only a matter of time. Chapter 13: The Croc Spot“Two tickets to ‘The Great Gatsby’ please?”. It was about nine o’clock on a Friday night and everybody in Neverland who has time and a pocket full of cash then they’d find themselves at the Croc spot.A drive-in movie spot downtown that smelled like half-decent popcorn mixed with cheap gas and condoms.Nate dropped Kimi and me off there but didn’t waste any time being ominous about keeping my phone and my switch on me but gave Kimi a piece.We wandered around for a bit and finally found a spot to break out the lawn chairs. On the way there Kimi was complaining that the movie sounded boring but within the first 10 minutes she was glued to the screen.The Great Gatsby was my favorite movie of all time, partly because I felt like Toby Mcguire since I felt like this wide-eyed newbie in this new world behind the screens of normal people while Nate was like Gatsby and Dicaprio all in one.No one knew much about him personally, not even me, and all the ladies wanted him but he couldn’t be bothered except for one.From time to time I’d steal glances and find myself looking at her for whatever but tried to play it off when she caught me staring and pretended not to hear her giggling.Halfway through, I looked down and noticed my popcorn was lower than it was before and hers was empty. I knew the foo was lying when I asked if she took some when there was butter all over her fingertips and a little on her lips.-A few minutes later, we left our seats and went to the snack bar to wait in line for more popcorn.“Yo!”. I shout as some fool in a Gucci suit bumps past me in line.“You got a problem lil bill ass nigga?”. He looked me up and down before pulling up his shirt for a second, flashing his piece.“Thought so, pussy”. He laughed to himself, stepping in front of us before I heard the hammer lower from a piece inside Kimi’s hoodie.With the way she had her wrist bent and the look in her eyes, I could tell what she was thinking.“You better apologize to my lil homie ova there before I take that shit from you and test yo’ fuckn jaw”.I heard a familiar deep yet stoic voice stretch far enough to break my gaze with Kimi.“Dam jit, you went to juvie for a min and now you think you Nate Pannel or sum?”.“I’m a LB, first. Ask about me. Now for your best interest don’t make me repeat myself”.Dante Curtis was the literal definition of the two phrases “mean what you say” and “fuck around n find out”.The Gucci suited fool came over and gave a half-hearted apology as he walked away mumbling.“Damn P, been gone five months and mufuckas still punking you”. Dante laughed dapping me up.“I would’ve been fine even if yo big head ass didn’t step in”. We grew up together in the same neigborhood but difference is he loved fighting and was the only one who actually “grew up”...literally.“Who this jawn you got here homie?”. He looked Kimi up and down but she barely reacted to it before looking at me then taking her hand out of her hoodie to smile.“Katalina Garcia but please, call me Kimi, I’m Pete’s um…personal bodyguard slash roommate”.She shook his hand but Dante being him only changed his normal mean mug expression to a smile after he heard ‘roomate’.“Ight, soooo, are y’all here on a date or sum?”. FUCK, he always does this, everytime he sees me with a girl he asks oddly specific questions as he stands there legs spread, arms crossed with a dumbass grin.“I…um”. I stutter for a second completely flabbergasted before Kimi cut in. “Yeah, pretty much”.My eyes widen with surprise as my heart raced like it was gonna pop. “I mean we’re both single and we already sleep together and hang out a lot so I don’t see why not”.“OHHH, I see you, my boi”. Dante’s idiotic smile only grew as he nodded his head in approval since he and everyone in school already think I get girls with no effort.“Alright, don’t even worry bout that snack shi, look. Go to the far end of the lot and you’ll see the crocc sign, and all you gotta do is climb that ladder then you got a perfect view of the screen and y’all ain’t gon be bothered”.I wanted to tell him it wasn’t even like that between me and her but by the time I opened my mouth they already started talking and she grabbed my hand heading towards the sign.Took us maybe 10 minutes to get to the sign and I asked her to go first but swore to myself quietly because her ass was in my face everytime I looked up like it looks tremendous but I’m not sure if getting caught starring or NOT starring and regretting was worse.Dante was right, the view was amazing, it wasn’t too far up and we could see the entire lot clearly under the full moon.Because of the snack run we missed a few minutes but it wasn’t anything important. We let our legs hang over the edge and just leaned back on our palms as the evening breeze passed by.Once again I caught myself starring at her instead of the movie and like before she could feel me creepily starring holes into her skull but met my marveling gaze and simply turned her head and smiled before asking ‘what”.“Nothing but I love your name by the way”. I felt like a jackass because I know damn well she’s prob gonna brush it off with a ‘thanks’ and fuck right off to the movie and that I can come up anything better than ‘I like your name”...fucking stooopid.“I love it when you do that and thank you”. My heart melted as her smile grew.“Do what?”“The way you look at me dummy, I don’t mind it and I like my name too because it reminds me of my mom”“As it should, it’s beautiful…It suits you”. Her smile started to make me sweat before reached inside her hoodie and took out a pair of glasses and turned to me to put them on me.“There, now you can see me better and you’re actually cuter with them, fuck”. If I could blush, now would be the time.“Y’know, normally if someone stared at me the way you do I’d ask if they had a starring problem and tested their jaw but you’re different. Whenever someone looks at me they usually want something from me or just to fuck but you…you just see me. Like I’ve done things to see what kinda guy you were and you just carried on minding your own business, only reacting if you felt I needed it”.“Wait, so you purposely move around when you sleep in my bed?” Sneaky fuck.“Sometimes but I’m also a deep sleeper”. If she wasn’t cute and apart of the household and gang, I’d honestly consider pushing her.“You don’t want anything but enjoy the company and if you hold me it feel good like I actually feel safe and you’re surprisingly muscular for your size”.“Thanks, no one really notices ‘cause I only wear jackets and hoodies”.“I just have one question though”. She scooted in a bit closer. “Hmm?’.“How come you haven’t even tried to make a move? Like I’ve been in almost naked around you since we met and you’re just cool with it’.“I mean honestly…it’s just your body and to be honest, I thought you’d beat me up and strangle me in my own bed if I tried plus I didn’t think you’d ever let me”.“Very true but I let you if you asked nicely”. She cocked her eye brow for a moment til my dominance kicked in before I lunged in connecting my lips with hers but dominance kicked back as she brought her hands to my chest then made a necklace with her fingers.We rolled over against the metal behind the glowing crocc sign and it felt like sparks with her lips on mine and my hand around the thickness of her thigh.“I wanna keep going but could we maybe continue when I don’t have to worry about falling?”. This may be inconvenient to the moment but if you saw the sign you’d know it’s a hard ass fall if I did roll off.“ugh.FIne.”. She groaned but before I went to stand she pulled me back down and started softly kissing and sucking on my neck with her teeth leaving a purple mark.“There, now you’re mine, don’t forget it”. The intentions felt great like was flustered but I also felt the better part of piece against my liver.We climbed down like we were fleeing from a burning building and saw Dante by the snack bar again but before I could say anything he saw the bruise and immediately knew then offered to take us home and did so after I cleared it with Nate even though he was out already for some reason.Dante wasn’t no time speeding off in his classic ride, only slowing down for lights and to see the directions off his phone. I thanked him for the ride and gave him half a band for gas and the favor.As soon we were inside and the door locked, she grabbed me by the front of my pants and brought her lips to mine as if they belonged there.Somehow I made it to my room in one piece but things only got more heavy. She threw me on my bed and that’s where I remembered she only wears a bra under my hoodies when she borrows (takes) them.Kimi got on my lap and my traveled to her chest then a few kisses later to her ass griping and pulling her closer as she softly moaned in satisfaction to my slight embarrassment knowing me and her weren’t the only ones who were excited.We found ourselves in bare underclothes under my sheets with my warm body above hers. “Hey, do you wanna…?”. I turned my head slightly as she got what I meant. “Sure”.Finally, I’m gonna lose it, couldn’t before because of a certain someone’s religious beliefs but as soon as I got consent and confirmation I went to locked the door but for some fucked up reason my left knee buckled and I went tumbling down and hit my head on my TV stand.I swear the Lord hate me. Everything went blurry then black in seconds.“For fucks sake, Peter”. Chapter 14: P“The only way to guarantee peace is to make the prospect of war seem hopeless” -Thomas Shelby (Fictional), Peaky Blinders ™.For some weird reason, when Nate came home he gave Kimi and me weird look along with a Lost Boys jacket and then told us to get in the car.We arrived 20 minutes later in what looked to be a house in Marooners’ Rock, which was where we picked up Manny, then to an abandoned warehouse.When we got inside there were at the very least 30 people inside, all wearing the same jacket but were all in the same age rang as me.“As of a minute ago, today’s date is October 31st, 2022, Halloween. There’s only one rule, no weapons, other than that anything is allowed. Most of you have fought before, some this will be your first time but remember you have brothers who are fighting with you and that this this very real. Don’t get boxed in by yourself, take who you know you can handle and DO NOT back down.”The crowd grew excited with some mixed reactions by the looks of the faces of the younger members.“The rumble will happen at noon inside of Mermaids’ Park, and lastly, As Vice Commander and first squad Captain, I name Pete and Kimi, Captain and Vice Captain of Squad 2, until further notice. From now on you’ll be known as The soldier and The Siren. Get some rest and good luck…We’re done here”.Nate had us both standing at parade rest during the briefing behind him as he gave his speech but as he finished everyone cheered for us and drew designs on our jackets.When he started to walk away a shapely girl wearing a panda hat and dark birth mark around their eye stopped him and started to talk under the shouting and hollering of the The Lost Boys.“Alright”. Nate turned to the crowd and spoke but even I could barely hear him. Others took notice and could see the impatience written on his face like someone was about to get shot. Darling and Man Man snapped their fingers and each squad shut each other up, I saw one guy knock another out so that they could shut up.“As a favor to a friend, I’d like to introduce a new member, Ace”. She smiled an ear to ear childlike gin and wrapped her arms around Nate, squeezing tightly knowing he didn’t have the heart to tare her off of him.“Hi guys, I’m Dante’s sister, my name’s Tootles but you can call me Ace”. She was taller than me, maybe Kimi’s height but had the excitement of a five year old on christmas.After the last announcement we all peeled out of the warehouse and drove off with us being the last ones to leave.“Congragualtions Captain!”. As I turned around I was instantly hit with an attack hug. “I’ll be the new member to your squad, and you have a cute smile by the way”.“Uhh…Thank you but I’m not the Captain”. I laughed nervously, not being good at taking complelments but began shitting bricks as a monsterous presence came from behind Ace.“Leave or die”. Said in the most sweetest voice possible, Kimi was smiling at first but dropped completely.“I’m Tootles”. She said holding her hand out with a cute smile. “He’s mine”. Kimi replied with a very kind smile but with ice in her words.“Yes Captain”. Ace sounded like she wanted to cry given the death grip she reviced during the handshake and the realization that she is now immediately on top on Kimi’s shitlist.“WHAT PART OF ‘DON’T FORGET THAT YOU’RE MINE’ DID YOU FOR-”. She bagn to shout but saw what I had in my hand. “Is that a brownie?”.“Yes”. I hand it to her. “Okay, you’re forgiven.Chapter 15; I During the age of the 300 Sparatans, when told that Persian archers could blank out the sun with their arrows, the Sparatan known as Dienekes replied, “Good, then we shall have our battle in the shade”. The given memo for the rumble was that neither gang was to use weapons, specifically no firearms and no life threatening fighting styles, reason being, The Lost Boys were vastly known for armed robbery, drive-bys, ‘candy distribution’ and fighting.All things we did very well to the point that if someone got pinched then they couldn’t even tell the cops anything because it’s rare for a member to even know the real name of a captain.The Salt usually a bunch of rich kids who wanted to be cool or just some country folk who thought they were better than the rest.As we arrived, I noticed that Mermaids’ Park was really just a very open grassland with tree almost boxing it off from the roads in a perfect circle. We all wore our jackets with a white undershirt or tank top under, looking like a pack of wolves when all arrived.The white coats were coming and it seemed that we were beyond negotiations for the beef and also that these fuckers lied.The vast majority of them were carrying Baseball Bats and chains along with brass knuckles but that was just what I could see from the first row.Anxiety hit me square in my chest as I saw this and admittedly started to panic at first given the sheer numbers and flashbacks of getting beaten with gold brass knuckles before I looked at the Captains and all the three of them were fucking smiling.“Pete. Look at me, We’re gonna be fine”. Kimi turned to me and gave me a kiss snatching be back to reality. “Just stay close dummy”.Before I could agree, she grabbed my hand and moved forward then spun around, grabbing me by the jacket and launching me towards the incoming mob so that when both gangs collided, I closed my eyes and threw a fist, clocking some chump in the jaw by the grace of Nate.It was like all out war at first glance but when I looked around It was more like a slaughter.I look to my left and I can see Kimi hitting a Salt Boy with a mean two-piece to the face then one to the stomach before she threw him to the ground, rolling with him, then getting on top of him to knock him out with a right hook.Nate cleared five guys with one shot each before slamming the last one. Seeing these amazing fighters left me standing there in awe at how effortless they made it be like they enjoyed it even but that came to an end as someone clocked me.I can’t say how much longer the fight went on for because the adrenaline made it all feel like a rush but I could feel it that we were winning but something felt off and with that being said, out of all the Salt Captains there, Damien wasn’t there.The anxiety with this fact grew more as the fight prolonged until I heard “Yo Pannel”.Blindsided and dazed, I was swarmed and grabbed by a pack of Salt Boys that kept dragging me to the back, I tried to struggle against them but as I resisted they placed a rag on my face making everything turn into a blur.I could see a figure of black and white coming to my aid, rushing straight like a bullet, picking off any who came in their path and for a moment the blur dulled and I saw her face.“Kimi!”.I felt myself being thrown into the back of a vehicle, groaning in pain from the impact but the blur return as I heard sounds that haunted my soul as the world around turned black.“Peter!”.Bang. Chater 16: NPOV NateTrigger Warning(s)- Immense violence, Fighting, Language and Toreture like scenes ahead. Please be advised. “Manny put some pressure on that wound”. My leg practically touched the bottom of my ride. “Manuel, get your shit together put some pressure on the FUCKING WOUND”.“I AM. I AM, WATCH THE ROAD!”. Man Man shouted back at me from the backseat as he pressed a soaked shirt against Kimi’s mid section.We arrived at the Emergency Department of the hospital maybe 8 or 10 minutes after disragurding speed limits and a couple stop lights. I stopped the sudden as we got there, swinging the back door open and carrying her myself, not even thinking to turn off the vehicle.“WE NEED HELP, SHE’S BEEN SHOT, HELP PLEASE!”. My cries lit a fire under the asses of the nurses who were sitting with their clipboards in their hands.She was put on a stretcher and taken to the back but I almost cracked one of them over the head when I was pushed back and told I couldn’t follow.They took their sweet time and I’m guessing the adrenaline from the fights and this made me clock out in one of the waiting room chairs.I jump out of my sleep as my phone and have a text from Damien on one of my apps.38 Island Dr- Come alone or else“It’s a trap”. Manuel looked at me with worry.“Of course it is but I don’t have a choice”. I go to get up until he grabs my sleeve. “If you go then you’re not coming out alive”.“We have the most heat on the east side right?”. He nodds. “Alright, you come with me and stay in the car but if I don’t come out within an hour you give the word to every LB on the east side to put those alt bitches in the ground, understood?”.I noticed how close I was to him with my finger poointed to his chest reminding me that I talk with my hands and to recover my barings.I take a deep breath to myself then telling me ‘let’s go’ as we got in the whip giving him the address as I made a call and thank god it went to voicemail.“Hey Angelica, I know this is the worse way to tell you this but I know where you’re sister is…she’s in the hospital, I need you to be with her until I can sort some things out. I love you and I’m sorry.”I pressed the red and placed my phone in the glove compartment but I guess my finger slipped because my bluetooth connected with the car and when music came on I just said fuck it.We got closer to the destination and I gained a bit of comfort when I got proof of life and Man Man loaded a piece in the passenger seat.If I wasn’t a bit anxious then I’d wonder how a sleezy cunt like Damien could even afford a cabin like this but unfortunately I was so I just clutched my strap and tucked it as I got out of the car, leaving a timer set for the order, knowing I shouldn’t need it.I knock on the door like the police and see someone through the glass part of it.As I walk in, a saltt boy tried searching me til he was on the floor gasping for air, holding his throat.“Y’know, with this much white jackets in here I woulda thought ya’ll were having a clan meeting”.There were eight salt boys in the room, not including Damien and the one who I punch on the way in.“So How we gonna do this?”. Damien came from atop the stairs, barely noticeable from the blindingly light from the chandelier, making his way past the fireplace and behind a chair with a limp body wearing a potato pag over its head.“You always thought you were better than me Nathan but that ends today, your gang, your life both coming to an end. I win, I’m better, now I can see the look on your face as you realize I BEAT YOU”.“Oh my gawwd, shut da fuck up and give me my brother”. As he took the bag off his head a few more SB’s came from upstairs joining the salted peanut gallery.“You Lost Boys were always a bunch of pussies but your brother surprsingly ain’t one. He’s alive, trust me but me and the boys thought we’d get him back for what he did to some of us”.I only have my switch in my pocket and a six-shot tucked so I gotta make each shot count. “Quit wasting my time Damien. Give him to me and let me leave”.The six foot bastard shook his head and sicked his bitches on me. “You lose, Pannel”.They came me in a swarm as I removed my and went to work. Hitting the first, second and third with the bottom of the piece. Left and right they rushed at me like rabid dogs lunging to get put down.I counted my shots as I let of three then throw the bodies going down in front of me at the crowd making my way inch by inch towards the back before swat kicking one in the chest and using them as a human shield against the one smart SB who brought a piece until the body got too close and they got two shots in their head.I pressed my was through the swarm of mutts throwing one and another out of way and shooting Damien’s arm before he got the chance to bring down a knife on Pete.Since this pussy had never been shot before he howled in pain, holding his arm against the cabin wall so I took advantage of this while the rest were either on the ground by bringing the bottom part of my piece across his face twice with all the strength I had then lowering the hammer one more time pulling the trigger.Click,Click,Click“Y’know, I’m glad we were best friends as kids or else you actually would had the balls to kill me”. He laughed to himself as he spat up blood.My eyes darted towards the burning fire next to us and smiled before looking him in the eyes and baptizing him in fear. “Let’s see if you’re right”.I threw his bleeding body to the hardwood floor, swining open the fire pit ready to throw his ass in there but he grabbed my leg begging me to stop before I tried shaking him off and grabbed something from behind me and started beating him.It was only after god knows how many swings that I reconized it was a poker so I eased my foot on his chest pointing the sharp bit at his bloodied body. “You lost”.Brining it back after those words left my lips to bring it down on his heart.“NATHAN WAIT!”. Inches away from his chest, a half a second later he would have be killed like a Spartan.“12 is on its way, we gotta go, now…”. My knuckles tightened around the pole until I dropped it in frustration.Manuel untied Peter and lifted him up, carrying on his back and I could see just how bad he was beaten…his face was bruised blue and partially swollen. My rage returned and with what’s going to happen next, I’m glad he’s not awake to see this.While they moved towards the door, I threw the end of the pole into the fire and dragged him closer to the fireplace before taking out the flame touched poker and placing it on his chest, dragging it in a semi circle then brining it down before lifting it through his screams leaving the shape of a hook then dragging him up and close by the collar so he could hear.“Don’t fuck with the Lost Boys” Chapter 17: K I faded in and out of consciousness like every part of me was in pain but all I could do was lay still and watch the street lights pass by.Nathan and Manny rushed me into the house as if I was dying, then I might have been but they were scared to move me anywhere but the couch as the both of them took turns playing Operation on me after I was stripped and cleaned.I had some trouble sleeping so I tossed and turned on the couch even though it hurt to move.I ended up in a fetal position with my back against the cushions with a pillow over my head.The door opened as I saw someone come in as Nate sat in a chair across from me.From the hardwood floor in front of the door to the carpet it kinda sounded like heels with light footsteps that led to a deafening smack as they stopped.“What the fuck is wrong with you? You knew she was missing for months and the one time you tell me about Katalina is when she’s been shot then this bullshit with you got going with my little brother…I know it was you that put him there”.It’s been years since I’ve heard of anyone laying a hand on Nate and who the hell is Katalina? Better yet, who the fuck is this hostile ass broad?“If I’m being honest I only found her recently and from what she told me, she didn’t want to be found and Damien had it coming”.Apparently from what I can see this lady didn’t like that last bit so much that pointed a piece at his head.Nate got up from his seat and this fool wrapped his hand around the middle of the piece and moved it to his head without breaking eye contact.I tried getting up to stop whatever the hell this is but it felt like I was wearing a weighted vest in times four gravity.“Safeties on”. Nate smirked like a jackass whilst I was almost pissing myself just watching this.The mystery woman lowered their piece. “I came to tell you that the Salt Boys are now officially affiliates of the Lost…they’re all yours”.They walked to the door and stopped in their blood red heels that matched their toes.“Still a dick, Nathan. Keep me updated on your brother, Kimi is gonna be fine. The bullet went through and through….I love you so much but keep another secret from me again and swear to God I’ll put one in your skull”.The front door slammed shut as a moment passed and Nate said a quiet “I love you too” to himself.“Nate”. He turned to me as I managed to get the pillow off of me.“I gotta pee”. I laughed to myself as he rolled his eyes and walked away before deciding to help me to the bathroom. Chapter 18:LB 4 Eva 9 (Safety Net) In the eight weeks that followed, the Salt boys are now affiliated with us, Ace’s little crush only grew while I stepped up as acting Squad captain.Thankfully Kimi gets discharged today and I haven’t been this excited in so long. Belle was an angel by letting me cry in her arms everytime I was overthinking about everything buuut back to the story.“U excited bro”. Manny asked with one arm on the steering wheel and the other holding Belle’s hand.Also this became a thing. “Yeah, just a little nervous to be honest”.“Whatchu gotta be nervous for? Y’all already slept together”.It wasn’t just that she was mine, it was that I was getting attached for the first time in a long while and I almost lost it.“You guys what?!! Pete you don’t tell me shit”. Belle shouted at me.“We haven’t…I mean we almost, anyways, how are y’all doing?”.I laughed nervously hoping they change the subject.“We’re solid bro”. Manny said as he rolled the wheel with his palm and slide his hand to grip her high.Damn, that was smooth but we pulled into the hospital parking lot and made our way up to the fith floor.“Yo”. Manny knocked on the wooden door and I saw the red lady again. Dressed in scarlet and white from necklace to painted toes.Her glare at manny looked as if she was slitting his throat in her mind but it didn’t phase him in the slightest.She left the bedside chair looking Manny up and down with disgust but stared into my soul as she past through the doorway.“Hello bunny”. Her scary yet beautiful face melted to a smile when she turned to see me.“Hey baby”. Honestly, I’m well aware she’s completely outta my league but seeing as how I landed her, if she wasn’t hooked up to an IV and they weren’t in the room I’d…focus, focus, anyways- story. *laughs nervously*“Here’s some clothes, we’ll be waiting outside when you’re ready.”I hand her my green bookbag before she grabs me by ny shirt collar and collides her soft lips against mine.Maybe 10 minutes later we got her fully discharged and ready to go.Manny’s mellow ass had a odd grin about him.“Y’all know what today is?”. He pursed his lips into his cheshire grin.“New years?”. Me and her in the back both turn to each other in confusion.“Captains but still green”. He laughed to himself before turning.“Today’s Founder's day”.I came to realize 6 hours later that Nate, among a few others, founded the Lost Boys when he was in middle school and would use new years as an excuse to rent out an expensive house and party like they were in the Great Gatsby.We pulled into forest drive which was way into the hills and the party was already jumping by the time we got there.I helped Kimi out of the car with Man Man collecting our phones and locking them in the glove compartment along with his strap.Manny had followed Nate’s ride here so when we met up in the lot and made our way to the door, we were greeted by a sea of bodies dancing and vibing but even still they all parted like the one in the bible as Nate came.He looked back at us holding hands before stopping in the middle of the crowd and gave a glance to the Dj. The music lowered and they made a circle around him with the rest of us close by.“Thank you guys for coming, Honestly I couldn’t have gotten through this year without y’all…nahh, I take that back”. A good part of the crew gave him the bird and swore while he laughed to himself knowing it was outta love.“I know some of y’all bitch that I run a tight ship but truth be told I can do what I do with you guys’ help and I’m glad to have you”. Man Man gave a mocking awww before he was hit with a plastic cup. “Alright, in honor of our second squad Captains full return, remind of the rules of this shit again”.In a unifide effort the crowd who were experienced shouted. “No weapons (Captains excluded), bring your own shit even if it’s provided, no phones, no bullshit”.“And lastly?”. Nate shouted before counting down to three and pounting to get an electric response by everyone in the room from the pit of their stomachs.“COME TO VIBE OR GTFO!!!”. As if on cue, everyone went crazy and the beat dropped and the lighting changed to a chill violet.I’m glad we were in the hills since the music and the energy in the room was infectious with us dancing like we didn’t just get violent not too long ago.Kimi took me by the hand and wrapped mine around her letting her body gracefully control how the vibe went, pulling me close when she saw I was nervous to touch her there and let the color of the room bounce off the beauty in her eyes before placing her lips on mine.After a while and a few drinks, I somehow ended up making out in an upstairs bathroom as the music bumped in the background.As things got heavy she stopped for a moment and sat on the edge of the sink with me as her soul crushing gaze made me feel warm.“You’re not ready, are you?”. She fiddled with her ring before looking up at me.“I am”. I said nervously before she tilted her head in a non verbal demand to be honest.I shake my head as she rubbed her thumb on my hand.“It’s okay, we can whenever you want as long as you can handle it and it’s not the only thing you want after, okie?”.I didn’t have to tell her about my anxiety for her to take notice of it but there must of been some kind of formula to what she said because within a moments notice I was inside a trance as our eyes locked in our own universe.My hand rose slowly towards her face and without breaking my gaze she leaned her head into it and I caressed her anelgicly soft skin. I felt my hand travel down to her chest then it made a way to her making a necklace out of her throat.Our lips collided time after another with me in between her thighs, hands brushing her hair out of her face til they got caught in her silk like brownish raven hair as something snapped inside my head making squeeze her thigh with my left and making her head jolt back with a quick pull.As involuntary as could, Kimi sat red like a cherry in her cheeks after releasing a moan so loud I’m hoping no one in the party heard.I’m not sure if that was good because now we’re both fuckn flabbergasted as to what just happened with no instruction as how to proceed but in a fit of madness and passion, she grabbed me by my jacket and placed her lips on my neck and began to suck leaving a purple reminder that I was hers.A few more kisses and I felt like I drunk with her legs wrapped around me while she gripped my shirt when I had her in my arms, strong enough to hold her up against the wall with her ass in my hands.We switched positions with my back against the wall and her on her knees. My pants were at my ankles and felt like all the blood in my body went to length that was now in her mouth as I fell to the euphoria with eyes still lock with mine.I was falling deeper than before as I had to remind myself this was real and more so as It felt like my heart was going to explode inside my chest intoxicated by her presence to make me melt as she kept going after I did just that.When she was finished, she simply swallowed and even though I was thinking it at the time, I guess the look of my face said it all when she turned to the sink to spit mouth wash.On our way out I tried to say it but the words didn’t come out. “Kim…I”. FUCK.She sighed and laughed softly. “I know luv…I already do”. Chapter 19: Nate Pannel & The Big SteppersPOV: Nate“We’re here”. The text lit up my phone as I made my way outside and shot a text to Pete so he could do the same.As I made my way to the front I saw what looked like someone sitting on their ride with their headlights on making the only clear visual four pairs of expensive kicks and blunt smoke.“Hey Natey”. Shouted a familiar voice as I was surprised with a warm hug.“Where’s P?”. She asked.“He’s…”. I looked around uncertain until he appeared walking out the door hands held.“There he is”. I signaled for him to come over.“Hey”. Kimi said.“Kimi, this is our sister Nessa Baptiste, Leader of the Green Doves. Sitting on the car is our cousin Jair Thatch, Captain of the 8th Street Raptors- better known as Black Beard, even though it’s more so a Goatee.”.For non local reference, Neverland is split up into 4 districts based on territory. The eastside, mine , Westside, Thatch, and Nessa ruling the South.“Didn’t think we’d miss your birthday, did you?”. Thatch smiled as he downed his mystery drink inside his red cup.“Natey, next time you leave an X in my territory, please let me know beforehand, his dumbass almost got shot”.Even though Nessa was sitting down, the pair of legs under her was her man, Nicholas, who was laid back napping on the hood while she was on him.“Yeah, my fault, I had to send a message”.“Then put his ass in Thatch’s territory and not mine”. Her long braids swung along her back as she fixed her silk blue dress.“Then he would’ve gone missing”. He smiled blowing his smoke knowing if he wasn’t shot then he would’ve been jumped if not tortured, either way being better off with me holding back.“And?”. She said leaning back and pressing her palms against the hood.“Anyways, Kimi is my second squad Captain and Pete’s partner”.“Damn Pete, she’s yours?”. Thatch laughed to himself with great surprise, almost dropping his blunt.“He’s mine”. Kimi cut in, throwing daggers within a single glare as Thatch nodded in silent respect.I look around at my relatives but notice something’s missing. “Where’s Jacob?”. They both look down for a moment but surrender their gaze after I gave them the stare.“He said he was going for a drive”. Shit, someone’s gonna die If he’s unacounted for.“Both of you are fucking stupid”.I shove Pete and Kimi out of my way making it to my ride and putting her in drive by the time they found the courage to try to stop me Chapter 20: Princes of Neverland“Who’s Jacob?”. Kimi asked as we sat on the hood of somone’s ride.“He’s our older cousin, I think you might’ve heard of him maybe, He’s Leader of the Queenswood Sparrows”.“Captain fucking Morgan!!”. We could lean forward with mountainous surprise.“He’s one of the Princes of Neverland, not even the cops can touch him, has the biggest gang in the state”.I’ve never seen Kimi this impressed yet concerned about anything like he was more chill about getting shot.“So fuck us, right?”. Thatch blew one last puff before squishing his roach into the dirt.“These two, Blackbeard and Calipso, are the Princes of the West and Southside…I heard the names but I never knew it was y’all who took over the city”.“Wait, why are there four of you? I mean no disrespect but wouldn’t it be easier to just take out the other three and have the Land for yourself?”.Nessa smiled in their curiosity or pride but there was no telling what was going down behind that red lipstick.“Good question, I’ve thought of killing them before and Lord knows how many times we’ve tried over the years but even though from a tactical standpoint that is the smartest move, however, it’s physically impossible for one person to control all of Neverland. It’s simply just take too much time getting from one end to the next, pretty much defeating the purpose of killing the other three in the first place”.Like a fat grizzly, the man who she was sitting on, which I assume is hers, woke up from his nap and sat up as he wrapped his arms around her before resting his sleepy chin on her shoulder.“Good evening my love, how’d you sleep?”.Nessa’s already soft voice lightened as she kissed his cheek, leaving a red lip shaped mark and wiping it after leaving more.“Great, thanks to you”. He looked to be over six-feet-tall which is a wonder how she even got on top of him in the first place when she wasn’t that much taller than me, then again that’s ironically a low bar.“Come on hun, I have someone I want you to meet”. She plopped herself off to the ground and slipped on some sneakers from the ride then taking his hand, slowly walking this gentle giant towards us.“This is Kimi, Petey’s partner”. They both smiled and shook hands as me and her squeezed each other with bear hugs. “And you remember Pete, don’t you, hun?”.“Yeah, of course”. Fuck me, it’s Nicholas, I didn’t reconize him with that beard.“Since your hardheaded brother stormed off before I could give him his gift”. She signed and handed me a red jacket. “Pete, go to his second and get his keys then come back so you can take this to him”.Like a dog to it’s master I turned to go as if I was possessed but snapped back to myself as I felt the pressure of Kimi’s hand within mine.“Kimi, You stay”. From soft to precise as a cutting knife, her voice sliced through the air.“Um…why?”. Kimi asked rightfully confused while Nessa’s kind smile shifted with her entire demeanor squeezing my heart with her gaze.“Just a small chat, that’s all”. Before I could protest, Kimi let go of my mind and gave me a nodd and for the first time I saw she was afraid…but it didn’t feel like it was for her.“Please be a good little brother for me and remember I’m asking nicely”.I look at Kimi one last time before making my way back to the party and making my way through the wave of bodies, searching for Manny.Between the music and the lighting it was hard to tell who was who until I found my way back upstairs and saw him at one of the doors smiling as Belle was basically pulling him in.“Manny”. I barely caught him but he stopped and told her to give em a second. “I need your keys”.“Aight”. Without hesitation he gave me his keys and with a hint of concern he asked what for but threw his hand towards his lower back after I mentioned Nessa’s name and just sighed before nodding and locking the door behind him.--That was weird…anyways, I finally made it to his skyline and noticed the new car smell as I turned over the key and heard it purr watching the baby blue underglow illuminate the car.“I’m in Manny’s ride”. No response. “Waiting on you”.After a few more worried texts I grew uneasy wondering if Kimi ended up throwing hands with Nessa or something but then again, there’s no telling who’d win that match since both love to fight.My breathing started to grow heavy as my chest rose and fell with anxiety knowing my signal was shitty in these hills.Minutes go by until I hear a knock on the glass but no one was there…I look to my right then back to my left.“FUCK!”. Kimi popped up like a jack in the box and began laughing like it was the funniest shit ever as I rest my head against the wheel.“Move over dummy, I’m driving”.“I damn near shat myself because of that shit babe”. I said as I made my way around the car to the passenger seat.“Awww, my poor baby”. I never felt my eyes roll with such annoyance until she genuinely apologized with a kiss and handing me her phone with a location already set. Chapter 21: Family TiesPOV KIMI10 Minutes Earlier…“So…What did ya wanna talk about?”. Shes cute in this nice dress and all but I could totally beat her ass.“Wanna tell me what deal it was to become a Captain in my brother’s merry band of men?”. Her voice was soft and admittedly gorgeous but her whole attitude went against the way she held herself.“Before you answer, also tell me if getting with Petey was apart of it and why you’re actually with him”.“Honestly, it’s none of your business even if you are a Captain but you’re not mine. I’m with Pete because I finally found a decent guy that wants me for me and doesn’t just wanna play with my feels and fuck with me”.“Alright, that’s understandable but despite how you got to be a Captain that doesn’t change the fact that he’s under you…In more ways than one judging by how happy he is”.“We haven’t…anyways, that doesn’t matter, I run my squad just fine even with him in it”.She’s starting to piss me the fuck off.“Alright alright, but if it came down to it, if had to you choose protecting the gang over protecting him...which would you choose?”.”Are you fucking serious? What would you?”. Nessa smiled and downed a pocket sized bottle of fireball before two words left her lips.“Without question...it’s easier to love him to death than from a cell waiting from 10 to 25”.Okay, this bitch is fucking crazy and just my luck, I don’t have my piece.“I know he’s your brother but this foo mine and I already took a bullet for him without thinking about myself even after without complaining once. You’d probably throw everyone under the bus just to safe yourself but I’ll burn this shit to the ground so that dumbass stays free and remotely happy”.Kimi, Kimi…Katalina!“Mande?”. I’d forgotten we were driving through the hills. “Wait, what did you call me?”.“Umm…I’m sorry”. Shit, I scared him.“No, no it’s okay love”.“Okie but we’re in the hills and we’re driving a little too fast given the sharp turns here”.Shit, he’s right, I ease my foot off the gas after I saw the speedometer and noticed his hand squizing the arm rest.“How do you…?.”. He cut in before I could finish. “Know your name?”. I take my eyes off the road for a sec to see his face and give a nod.“A while ago, after Nate rescued me from the Salt gang, this girl who looked around Nate’s age came to the house cursing at him and pulled a piece then went on talking bout how Nate found her sister and didn’t tell her except for when she got shot…which wasn’t too hard to figure out from there”.“Fucking Angelica”. My fists gripped the wheel with frustration til I felt a soft yet strong grip on my thigh.“It’s okay, I know you had your reasons”. Pete said with a smile that felt the most genuine I’ve seen even though he mostly smiles when he’s around me as opposed to when he’s alone or talking to people he’s not closed to.“It’s complicated and it had nothing to do with you in a bad way, I trust…after my mother died. Our dad was always at work, Damien was obsessed with your brother and Angelica just wrapped herself inside her own head. I just had to get out…and that’s where I found you”.I glance at my phone to see we were close but immediately turned red when I heard. “Y’know, you’re really cute when you smile”.Fuck, I was not expecting that. “Umm…we need gas”. I laugh nervously to myself and could feel myself turn more red as he tightened his grip and rubbed his thumb against my thigh.We got to a gas station that looked to be somewhat cheap that was close to Nate’s location.As I got out I could see he was rubbing his arms to keep himself warm in that thin T-shirt he was wearing.“You cold babe?”. He simply smiled and shook his head no, which was an obvious lie, so I reached in the back and gave him the red jacket meant for Nate just until we find him.“Fill it for me please luv, I’m gonna go in and pay and get a few things, okay?”.When I opened the door I could hear the bell toll above me as I made my way to the snack and then the booze, taking some small bottles and stuffing them in my bra and carrying the others in my basket.“45 on pump one please?”. Unsurprising, I wasn’t carded, which I either look older than I am or he simply doesn’t care.As I hand him a 50, the clerk gives me my change, my heart dropped then began beating like a drum as I saw a flash of red and blue lights and Pete being dragged into the back of a uniform’s ride.“FUCK”. Chapter 22: NuketownPOV NATETW: Intense violence and language There’s an old Chinese idiom that says,” One mountain cannot contain two tigers.” It usually reflects thoughts and worries but personally, I have a bullet for every dumb motherfucker who tries to touch mine.BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. Waves of hot rocks fly past my face while sending a couple back as I take cover behind my ride.Shit, I’m out. “You still can’t shoot for shit Nate”.“Fuck you, Morgan, you couldn’t hit the broadside of a fucking barn”.Fuck this…I take a deep breath before breaking into a full sprint across the gas station and throw my empty piece over the trunk of his orange super and sneak his ass with a clean left hook when he poked his head out.Before he could recover from that blow I hit em up with a two-piece but flew back after his boot stuck my abs.I fall to the floor for a moment to collect my air as he regained his footing and got into his stance then went for a side kick to my face until I caught his leg and lifted him as high as I could then returned his ass to the earth and let my fist fly the moment he touched ground but even then he was still throwing blows until he managed to grab the back of my neck and hit me with a three piece, using his reach and hitting me off of him.Morgan is well over six-foot and built but I did my best to close the distance, being fast enough to dodge his reach even if it meant taking a few to knock him off balance, throwing him in a daze.Sliding back into my stance, putting all my weight onto my foot before twisting my hips, driving a right hook to his liver and one to the other side, and another to test his fucking chin before charging at him one more time.The second he hit the ground, I rained down on him with everything had, hitting him so hard I felt something in my hand crack or pop with no plans of stopping despite how bloody my fist became.AHHHHHHH. I sat above Morgan, both of us with labored breathing.“I told you…the next time you stepped foot in the East End again that I’d put you in the fucking ground”. I leaned back for a second to take out my switch and placed it to his throat. “Last Words?”.He chuckled. “Happy Birthday, Nathan”.My grip on the handle tightened, ready to apply pressure coming down before I heard.“CAPTAIN!”. I turn to see Kimi standing with a piece to the head of Morgan’s second in command with him holding one at hers.“Pete got pinched”.“If you’re done then please get the fuck off me”. Morgan said as he spits the shit in his mouth on the ground.It’s always something, I can never catch a body in peace…I sigh to myself as I get up with Morgan doing the same as if nothing happened, knowing we both were holding back a little.I make my way to my ride, returning my switch and putting it in drive, and swerve around the corpse of the gas station worker making my way to the Black Lagoon. Chapter 23: The Black LagoonPOV PETE“The standards and expectations others have for us will never reach the weight we have for our own”. J.T.L. (2022)TW: Drug use and Adult Language- Please be advised “Kid”. My mind darted like the flash from one intrusive thought to the other, not knowing if I got picked up for what happened at Side-Eyez place or the rumble on Halloween but I thought I was going to shit myself when I moved around my jacket pockets felt a pill bottle.“KID”. The pig, sorry, the officer slapped the metal table snapping me back to reality. “What’s your name?”“Um…Peter David Pannel”. I hate my middle name.“Just your first and last kid. Peter pan-”.“Pannel”. The uniform in front of me wrote down on his pad but mumbled something under his breath after I corrected him.“You got any idea why you got picked up, Mr.Pannel?”. Don’t say drugs, don’t say drugs, don’t say drugs.“Could you please not call me ‘Mr.Pannel’ ?”. He shook his head. “And no”.“We got a tip that a known gang affiliate from the westside along with another group that is known as the ‘Lost Boys’ would be at a private party in the hills. You, Peter, were seen a good few miles away coming from that Party wearing this jacket that has symbols known through the gang community”.I caught a look at his name tag and peeped the name “Smee” so judging by his looks, he’s maybe in his mid to late twenties most likely being Abigail’s cousin and/or older brother.“This is outta context but can I ask you a quick question”. He looked up, setting his pad next to him and telling me to shoot.“Do you have a sister or niece named Abigail? We go to the same school and I thought the last name was familiar.”.“Yeah, I do, she’s my little sister. How’s she doing over there it’s been a minute?”. He smiled for a second before interlocking his fingers.“She’s alright, last time I saw her but things between us are a bit stained at the moment”. He gave a noticeable look of confusion and curiosity. “We used to be friends back in middle school but kinda drifted apart so things are a lil awkward seeing each other in the senior year”.“Welp…I’m sorry to hear that my friend but as much as I’d like to talk about my lil sis, this conversation is neither here nor there of the main task at hand. You look like a reasonably smart fella so I’m gonna break this down for you real fast. You’re going to tell me all about what you know of the gang leader known as Jair Thatch and why you were the same party and how you came by that snazzy jacket of yours…Go”.Think Peter, think…” I’ve heard the name before, something about raiders and the name sounds like my younger cousin but tonight is the first I’m hearing of him being gang-related”. I laugh nervously as he looks at me then started writing then looked back at me.“I went to the party with a friend because I thought it’d be fun and barely saw him then picked up this jacket along the way because I was cold”.He sat back in his chair for a moment then looked at his pad with his arms crossed and sighed before leaning forwards back to his fingers crossed stance after checking his stance.“Alright, tell you what. Since it’s late, your story sounds believable and quite frankly I wanna go home…if you can give me the number of someones who can corroborate your little tale then you’re free to go and if not you get cozy in a holding cell till you bail if not charged with gang affiliation, that seems fair?”.I nodded my head and asked permission to use my phone before scrolling through my contacts and calling someone who I know can lie better than anyone.BEEEEP. “Hello?”.“Good evening, this is Officer Daniel Smee of the Neverland Police Department, Am I speaking to Isabella Nicastro?”.“I prefer ‘Belle’ but yes, this is she”“Can you please confirm that you were with your friend Peter Pannel earlier tonight in the hills?”“Yeah, I drove him there cause everyone said there’d be a party with free food and he needs to get out more, then he was saying he had a head or something so I gave him my boyfriend’s keys to drive home and I’d just take an Uber to him after to pick it up, honest to God truth”. She’s an avid atheist who’s said and I quote, “fuck the church” on multiple occasions.He thought to himself for a second then look at him and proceeded to talk on speaker phone.“Alright, thank you for your time Miss Belle, have yourself a great night, you can feel free to collect him unless he’d like a ride home if you wish”.“I am, thank you, and you too”. I can tell by the level of calm in her voice that she’s probably thinking WTF.Officer Smee hung up the phone and handed it back to me noticing me internally shitting bricks and my sigh of relief when he said I was free to go. We left the interrogation room looking like he beat me with his belt or something due to how anxious I was and almost pissed myself after we passed a K9 that started barking like it had rabies and I thought I was gonna hear “GET ON THE GROUND” until I saw it was just barking at another dog.Belle picked me up in her fairy-sized car that drove surprisingly fast and I’m guessing she told Nate and Manny because their cars were already at the house when we got there.When the front door closed behind me I went straight to my room then slammed and locked my door before taking the xans in my pocket and rummaging through my sock drawer to find the leftover yellow Fairy Dust from Side-eyez.I manage to fumble one out of the bag and tossed it in my mouth and mid-swallow I hear “Pete…what are you taking?”. GULP.Fuck. I turn around and see Kimi sitting on my bed, back against the wall, curled into a ball as if she had just appeared, I’m wondering how I didn’t notice her on the way in.“Um…nothing”. She got off the bed wearing one of my hoodies and sweats and snatched the baggie out of my hand before I could say anything else.“Why do you have Fairy Dust?”. I said I dunno under my breath until for the first time she raised her voice, shouting for me not to lie to her, with small drops of tears dancing down her face.She threw me against the wall after seemingly crushing the bagging under the weight of her bare feet. Kimi’s frustration grew as I could tell it was mixed with deep worry and sadness. Her arm stayed cocked ready to fire a blow that would probably lay me out with the other gripping my shirt inside a fist against my erratic heartbeat and fired lightning fast but hit the wall inches next to me.My vision began to fade in and out of a violaceous euphoria. I felt her strip me of my shirt and shoes before throwing me into my bed which felt like a cluster of clouds.I remember the sound of the toilet flushing then sometime later her warm yet heartbroken face above me along with the feel of cold on my head and a few words I would never forget before my sight and mind faded to black.“You’re supposed to be the good one, Peter”. Chapter 24: Queen of the SouthTW: Murder, drugs, and adult language My grandma Vee Vee used to tell us when we were younger and didn’t tell the truth about something that “the good will have to suffer for the bad”.In some ways I think this is one of those moments.“Belle!”. Nathan smacked her lightly to get her attention and went on pointing his finger at her and Kimi as he spoke.“Go straight to this address and don’t stop for nothing, not even gas. Fuck school and any other shit, there’s 4 racks in this bag, when you get there, tell my sister I’m calling in another favor”.“Nate”. I haven’t seen him this serious since the raid and if I’m being honest, It scares me everytime.“What, Peter?!”. He snapped to me with fire in his voice and eyes. “Happy birthday”.Nate took a deep breath and nodded before giving them more instructions as well as his golden piece to Kimi.The three of us left the house around 2:30 AM with Belle not asking any questions and following Nate’s orders to a tee.Even though there was barely traffic, the roar and hum of the engine from Belle's small stick shift was enough to lull me to sleep.While I was dozing off I figured I’d go over everything I actually know about my older sister.For starters, we’re half siblings, with her having a different mom but we all shared the same dad even though the resemblance between Nate and I was barely there unless you look closely.She doesn’t drink or smoke, is extremely petty and makes it a point not lie even if she’s in danger unless she feels any is absolutely necessary or wants to know how it feels.“Pete”. It was pitch black outside still but we were being buzzed in this big gate that opened to a huge house that looked like it could be Wayne Manor.Kimi could tell I was a bit nervous so she held out her hand, which I gladly took and grabbed Belle’s as well so she didn’t feel left out while we were being escorted through this house of mysteries.There were bright lights shining the way above these goons on black suit and ties until we got to two wooden doors that seemed different from the ones we past that had loads of bush and snow that made me feel like I had a second hand high.One of the goons was texting something on his phone but put it away when he heard the Ding and unlocked the door only for us to get eclipsed by the crystal chandelier on the ceiling.It felt like we were inside another world inside this reasonably big room that had red carpeting and a porcelain white bathtub which contained the Queen herself.The same goon took us to the side as there was someone speaking to her but it looked like he was talking to a brick wall and shitting bricks.“Lady Calipso, I’m…I’m sorry, I don’t know how that location got hit by 12 but I swear to God, I ain’t no snitch and no one on my crew is either”.She had her braids tied up but still had her deep blue and gold eyeshadow that only brought out the green on the back of her eyelids, not to mention the bathtub looked like it was filled with milk just enough to cover her chest.“I’m gonna be honest with you my love, I’m not upset with you personally and I will say this doesn’t look good for you. It’s very late so tell me this…if you were in my position what would do?”.“Give me a chance to fix it-”. BANG. Belle screamed and cursed as loud as she could while my chest rose and fell in fear as I saw the man next to us wound him without making a sound before pulling the trigger.“Please?”. The poor bastard dropped to his knees bleeding through his thigh and begging for his life until the goon put one in his head and another in his chest before his corpse hit the floor.“Nicholas, please share my level of disappointment with the rest of his squad, all except two though, Nina to lead and Tamera to remind her what happens if she fucks up”.WTF…anyways, Nicholas smiled giving a ‘yes ma’am’ while the rest of the merry band of women in the room made quick work of the bodylike it was nothing and left us alone.“Hey, Petey”. Nessa said with a big smile as she stood up showing everything in all her glory before drying herself off mostly and stepping into a silk kimono and crossing her legs as she sat behind her wooden desk.“So…of all the doors you come knocking, why mine?”. As we sat down, I went to speak but it felt like someone had their hands wrapped around my throat with her gaze falling onto Kimi.“Pale Katalina”. Nessa smiled speaking Hatian creole and leaning her head against her wrist.“Katalina Madeline Perez-Garcia, third child of Adrian and Katalia Salt-”. Before she could finish her sentence, Kimi had the gold piece half way out, ready to use it until Belle and I stopped her even though the Queen didn’t flinch.“So that’s what this is all about, Nathan couldn’t bother to call again before dropping more bodies in my lap to take care of”.She signed to herself before sitting back and visibly sizing all of us up with a sinister smile.“Nicholas, baby, have Marlia send three fresh medium suits of clothes to the guest rooms…looks like they’ll be staying a while”. Chapter 25: Guillotine Kimi, Belle and I shared the king size in my room for the night, basiscally sleeping like lions but checked my phone to see it was almost 11 AM even though everyone seemed to be asleep.I managed to squeeze my way out of the pile and managed to freshen up before wandering the halls looking for a charger.The room we stayed in was on the upper second floor but the building itself looked to be at least 3 mil.I found myself in front of a gold and white door until it unlocked with a long and hairy arm pulled me in.It was Nicholas, who was surprisingly well dressed in business attire and handed me a tie to do for him.He smiled a toothy grin after retrieving the tie and placed a kiss on Nessa’s cheek and saying something lightly in italian before taking his leave.“Bonjou ti fre”. The sun shined through the massive windows as her silhouette appeared within the sunlight still wearing her silk robe.“Good morning but how did he-”. For someone so beautiful, her back and joints popped like corn in a microwave as she cut in.“My Nicolas is head of security here, the moment a door is opened, we’re made aware and speaking of opening up…you look like you have something on your mind”.“Uhh…you have a charger?”. She started to undressed, shouting, ‘Speak up boo boo, I can’t hear you hiding behind yourself”.“You have a charger I can use?”. Nessa stepped out in an oversized black t-shirt, which probably belonged to Nicholas.She pointed to a long white plastic wire next to the bed that was plugged into the wall.“While that’s charging, you can tell me what’s really bothering you”. As we sat down in her wooden chairs, the look from her intense brown made it known that what she said wasn’t a suggestion.I lean forward and take a deep breath before looking back at her knowing her eyes didn’t shift an inch.“Alright, I might be overthinking it like usual but you have to promise me you won’t tell a soul”.Her shark eyes blinked slowly before replying. “My lips won’t tell a soul”. We sat for a moment before I started to recount. “Last night at the party, after seeing you and Thatch again it already had my nerves up since I haven’t seen you guys in years and the both of you are ‘Leaders’. I followed your order to go get Manny, Manuel’s keys, and I couldn’t find him for a bit so I went to the kitchen and poured myself a few drinks before going back to look for em but then I saw this girl”.Nessa sat with her legs crossed, eyes staring into space but had her body facing me, showing she was listening.“They came close, I think calling me handsome or something and put their hand around my lower abs and started squeezing. I didn’t know whether or not to say thanks or throw her off me…I went and got the keys but when we went for Nate I could barely look her in the eyes”.“Peter…why didn’t you tell Kimi?”. I couldn't tell if she was angery or or disappointed if not just shocked but either way her emotions were lost on me.“I don’t know…I didn’t think…I wasn’t sure if it was anything to worry about like I’m a guy and these things don’t really happen to us so I figured I’d brush it off but it stayed and I still feel disgusting if not empty when I think about it”.“I’m sorry that happened to you, I’m really sorry”. I snapped out of my head for a moment and saw she was standing above me with a rose like scent already holding me in her arms as I felt nothing but compliant to squeeze her back as hard as I could.After a minute, she wiped my eyes with her thumbs, elegantly making sure not to cut me with her claw like nails.”Peace inside one’s self is immortal until it's immortality is tested by the guillotine of life”.“Go downstairs and eat, I’ll be with you in a bit”. She said with a warm smile and embraced me once again. “While y’all are staying here, you’re gonna be doing some jobs for me”. Nessa sat at the head of the table inside the massive dinning room and seemed offly comfortable with golden and silver silverware.“Oh sorry, Nessa, was it? I’m actually in their gang. I’m just sating the second in command and Pete’s my best friend soooo”.“Great, now you’re a part of mine”. Belle mouthed a swear as she looked at me like I could do anything.“That’s great…I guess but where’s Kimi?”. I ask as Belle was handed a green jacket that looked nearly identical to my Lost Boy jacket but had a large dove on the back.“Sorry guys, I wasn’t really hungry, I had to sort something”. Kimi apologized as she sat down with the faint sound of crinkled paper whistled from under her.“Girl stuff”. She paced a soft kiss on my cheek that fixed an ungovernable smile across my face.“Great, let’s get started”. The level of satisfaction upon her face was unsettling just as I saw a slip on paper peering out the edge of her back pocket whist we listened to our new orders.I once heard somewhere that ,‘power comes from within’, however I know she didn’t lie and power was never something lacked within the queen…and god help whoever made her subjects feel helpless. Tw: Mention of sexual harrasment, Please be advised Chapter 26: Empire Ants & Opium *12 hours ago* “Now that we’ve all eaten I’d like for you guys to do a job for me in exchange for your room and board here. In addition, you do the job successfully or otherwise to my liking, you may ask for anything in return…well, within reason of course”.She smiled in her oversized shirt leaning her head against her palm making sure not to smudge her makeup.One of Nessas’ doves placed a letter in front of Kimi. “That is a list of names and addresses of some ‘assotiates’ who decides their independence was worth more than my loyalty…keep your faces hidden and handle the rest but the last one, you bring them to me”. *Now*BANG.BANG.BANG. The streets of Central Neverland looked so beautiful at night with the evening lights despite the gunshots that wizz past us as Kimi and Belle swerved side to side on the bike, keeping their head down and trying to keep our tail while tapping my thigh and shouting for me to stop squeezing them so hard.We followed them closely and thankfully they ran out of ammo until they stopped on the side of the street, fleeing into an ally.Their goons popped out of their two trucks like clowns from a clowncar but screamed in pain as my Siren launched her knee between their legs and Belle broke their nose and brought the other’s face to make imprints on a car window.“Pete, GO! We’ll handle this”. I did as I was told and ran after our target through the alley pushing over trash cans until they reached the end of it and dipped out of sight.I was moving at fullspeed and stepping in puddles as I reached the end of the tight alley and was met with something blunt flying straight into my stomach and a heel to my face before they made a break for it.It hurt like hell for a second but my adrenaline did it’s job and continued on after them along the side of people’s house, jumping fences and running past barking dogs.I chased her down the street and watched them push open a huge gate with golden initials and rushing towards the massive house behind it.They tripped over their foot and I felt like I finally got them until the fucker tazed me and left me seizing in pain on an expensive carpet while they called someone on their cell.Within a moments notice familiar footsteps from behind us arrive striking her to the ground and dragging m behind the bronze bar in the back.“You alright, bestie?”. I reconized Belle’s emerald eyes behind their ski mask and nodd as more footsteps arrived and gunshots followed with Kimi vaulting over the bar, crouched with us.“How many are there?”. Kimi managed to shout in my ear as I bear crawled along the floor and quickly peeked, giving her the number three.She looked around for something to use and waited to hear the clicking of empty pieces before saying “Fuck it”.Siren grabbed the sharpened Katana that sat at the center of the bar along with a glass bottle of brown scotch, shoving it in their back waistline and leaped over the counter like they were inside of an anime and swinging the Katana across the midsection of the first, across the chest of the second and smashed the scotch against the head of the third before running them through before they could get a chance to reload.Charlotte bolted into the next room, which was a study, and tapped a guard at the mouth of the room to shoot us before he was met with a crisp right hook and tackled to the ground. I looked up to see they had me dead to rights and almost accepted it before I looked to my right and Belle with the golden piece, letting shots off at the remaining two guards.Before Charlotte could get to the desk, Kimi pushed Belle out of the way, lifting the katana above her head and throwing it with all her strength allowing it to plunge into their calves.As she started to bleed and cry in pain, Kimi grabbed them by the hair and slammed their head against the desk, knocking them unconscious.“You guy okay?”. Belle and I, nodd as we breath heavily, trying to catch our breath.We manage to douse their leg in alcohol and whatever first aid we could find before putting them in zipties and bringing them to a warehouse Nessa told us on the letter before the fuzz got wind of what went down.The sign outside read ‘Crockers Cannery’ assuming they used to can food and stuff here given the assembly lines everywhere. We kept going until we reached the back where Nessa and Nicholas stood with a metal chair behind them.“How did you enjoy your first job, Isabella?”. Nessa said smiling in a lavender trench coat that matched her heels.“Assault with a deadly weapon , attemptive murder, breaking and entering…”.Nessa looked annoyed which prompted Her partner to raise his hand for her to stop.Kimi and I moved Charlotte from the bike to the chair, surprisingly not as heavy as I thought.“Wake her up, Tink”. Belle rolled her eyes before user Charlotte’s taser on her, shocking them awake.“Good morning luv”. Nessa smiled as she was thrown daggers from Charlotte’s gaze.She began screaming behind the duck tape around her mouth before Nicholas unholstierd his piece and pressed it against her head and lowered the hammer lifting her chin up to eye level as he finished his sentence.“Shut…the fuck up. Do us both a favor and think about your next words carefully before a bullet does the thinking for you”. He removed the tape and stepped behind her and drank from his flask.“I can’t believe I actually loved someone like you”.The sound of her heels bounced off the warehouse walls as she got close enough for her lipstick to appear brighter by the moonlight.“Darling…there’s no one else like me”. She smiled before placing a kiss on her lips transforming Charlotte’s stoik mood to a drowning fear.“Are you ready to come back to me and douse the flames of your actions?”.As the two fiery women spoke, Nicholas began pouring the contents of his flask on her head.Nessa took out a matcha and lit it against the bottom of her heel as Charlotte looked in her eyes and replied shakingly.“I’d rather burn”. But her demeanor went cold as she saw Nessa’s growing smile.“Wrong choice of word’s babygirl”. Before any of us knew what was happening, she tossed the match and watched her burnThe screams were haunting even though it was only for a couple of seconds before taking out a golden piece that looked identical to Nate’s and started emptying, intentionally missing any vital organs only intensifying the screams making her give out just as fast.I moved to try to do something, fuck, ANYTHING, before Belle grabbed my left hand putting her own over my mouth, covering my screams for them to stop as Kimi grabbed my other hand, pulling me back and returning pressure as I squeezed her hand while looking forward trying not to react. Chapter 27: Shatter (Waves)The following chapter is for mature readers only “As a reward for completing so your job with such “delicacy’, take the weekend off at my summer house in the luxury district. And yes, I’ve approved your request, Manuel will accompany you once he’s delt with his current job”. The night morning after I couldn’t fall sleep without seeing her corpse or hearing her screams. I kept rassionalizing it as maybe she had it coming…or that I couldn’t have known what Calipso had planned.I turned on the shower, not caring the temperature, as long as it relaxed and kept me awake. “You didn’t kill her…you didn’t kill her…you’re not a murder Pete”.I repeated to myself as the water hit my head and these thoughts raced like horses within my mind.A soft touch graced my back knocking me out of my trance as I spun around in freight to be stopped in my tracks with my heart stomping at my chest seeing mi Katalina as perfect as when she came into this world.As she stood inside the glass shower with all her glory it felt as if she had control of all time and the universe was her presence with the world she shaped in shades of blue.Blinking felt like an eternity had passed when I opened my eyes she was barely a foot apart from me, stealing my breath with a kiss.Seconds past until she fell into my arms and as I blinked again. Her hips against the glass, thighs in my hands with my lips on her neck, skin touching skin.“I love youse” sung in the form of angelic moans with her body decorated by my tongue for all to see as her nails danced along my back while she felt the pressure between her legs.Force trecended into euphoria as the shades of blue spun the room along with her body. Fingers interlocked above her head following cries of joy with handprints on her ass and nods in between breaths inssuing reassurance.Her body pulled closer to me, the view made more enticing from the crown tattooed above her ass and a fist full of her pulled back allowing her cries to grow louder, filling the empty halls as we both finish under the shades of blue.After our “rinse” Katalina went back inside the bedroom and I dried off and getting ready for the day. The warm water from the sink hit my face before I shut off the tap and stare into the mirror. At first I saw myself until I saw Charlottes corpse once more.I felt a pressure inside my chest before relieving what was left in my stomach into the sink before me as I felt the room spin upon itself in shades of black brining me to the floor gasping for air.It felt like I was drowning, pushed and pulled by violent waves at sea, until a smack brought me back to earth.“Breathe through your nose Peter”. Katalina sat in front of me with her hand covering my mouth and gently placing their palm on the center of my heart. “In…out…in…out”.My chest rose and fell at her command until I felt alright enough to breathe on my own until she wiped my mouth and my set on fire when I heard- “I got you, Peter”.Four simple words erupted tears streaming down my face only to be met with a smile as she pulled me close and held me, letting me for once in my life feel…whole Chapter 28: Gangsta GangstaPOV Nicholas “You broke my heart Nicky…you went against the family”. BANG “Baby!”. In a frightened daze I jumped out of my sleep, wrapping my fingers around the throat of blurry figure beside my desk before loosening my grip as my eyes focused and saw that it was Nessa.“Well, you might as well finish what you started”. She implied with a pretty satisfied look on her face.My body towered over her radiating presence as I came down burying my head in her chest saying sorry as I gripped the back of her dress.“It’s okay, my love. The same dream again?”. She could feel me nod before holding my face in her hands and giving me a kiss.“Time for you to go to work baby, you told me to wake you”. My queen laid another on me and wiped away the red kiss mark on my cheek before taking her leave. Mesmerized by the way her body swayed in that dress, knowing she knew I was looking but had to snap myself back to reality as she stopped at the double door of my office.“I tried all night to reach em but I couldn’t get through”. She let out a slight sigh playing with her gold necklaces hiding their frustration.“I guess it can’t be helped, family or not, we can’t stop what’s coming”. Throwing the oak doors apart with ease she paused mid step and turned to me. “Given that you’re stressed from your jobs I’ll allow it this time but you better take your Sertraline or I’ll do it for you”.I swear under my breath before rubbing my eyes and glance at the time. 3:04 AM. Fuck.“Mr. De Niro, Sir, your shirt and tie have been pressed as requested”. I thank Rosalia before motioning them to hand it to me, trying not to look at my body if not my skin covered in tattoos as I noticed I was only wearing a watch and dress pants and shined shoes.Putting on my holder and loading my gun before finally buttoning up my shirt and stepping out into the corridor and commanding the workers to get started.I made my way to the front door with the sound of money counters and electric scale machines being turned on.The insignia of the car popped up on the Hud as the engine roared and I put her in drive heading to the Black Lagoon.One way or another I got stares. Half the department either hated me outta jealousy or wanted to be under me to the point the woman at the front desk makes me hot coffee everyday just to have an excuse to talk to me so given that I actually need the coffee I pretend to care for their conversation.I made my way to the conference room early trying my best not to be noticed and thankfully, I was alone…at least I thought.“Nick De Niro… grim reaper of the Black Lagoon, 45 confirmed kills in both military and the department and now an officer of the NPD, boy that’s one hell of a rap sheet”.Salvatore Smee, was nearly as tall as mean but annoyed the fuck outta me to my core as a person and looooved to hear himself talk.“It’s Detective and Good morning to you too”. I downed my latte before tossing it in the shit can and walked away but decided to be polite and stopped when he continued to talk.“By the by, I was wondering when you were going to bring that lovely girlfriend of yours around the department again and I heard through the grapevine that your father Carmine croaked earlier this week”.I dug my hand into my pocket, taking a band out, putting my hair back and stepped towards him with a smile.He looked at my neck seeing a piece of my tattoo along with my chain. “Let me help you with that bud”. He fixed the final button before reading my tattoo, mouthing, “Corleone”.“I wonder what that sweet fox of yours thinks about you being the son of-”Before he could finish his sentence, he got hit with a three piece with a to his stomach before I grabbed his sides and launched him towards the chairs.“She’s my wife and you can fuck off with that nice shit because you don’t know damn thing about me”.Salvatore stubbled to his feet ready to charged but stopped in his place after he saw me unholster my piece from behind me, keeping eye contact as I took off the safety.Normally I would’ve hit em with two shots a piece in in the head but then I remembered where I was as the rest of the fuzz began to fill the courtroom.I let the trash pick itself up before making my way to the podium and tapped the mic and started as they all took their seats.“Thank you all for coming and good mornin’. As captain of the Daid and Swat Division, I announce that the extermination of the four criminal organizations known as the Lost Boys and Green Doves commences tonight at 23:00. Ladies and gentlemen…as of today…we’re at war”. Chapter 29: The Black ParadePOV Nicholas“May death never stop you”- MCRComing in on com number 4; the black parade will carry on to the target shortly.“Alright, eyes on up, I know what you guys expect by being on a raid led by me but for this one I want arrests not bodies. Non-lethal rounds only, understood?”.“Yes, sir”. Everyone in the back of the van replied without hesitation as I expected along with Salvatore Smee’s usual look of disapproval.“There a problem, Smee?”. The rat decided to smile a toothy grin as he was acknowledged.“Just one, sir.”. If I had the energy to groan and put one between his eyes, I would. “Well, being on a raid with the grim reaper, I was told you take no prisoners. Why not go in, gunz blazin, like the cowboy the entire black lagoon make you out be and have a lil fun with these delinquents”.I gripped the handle of my gun and walked from my seat to squat in front of him and whispered just loud enough for him to hear me and clear enough for the others not to get any ideas from this schmuck.“There’s a good chance most of those ‘delinquents’ are just kids. So, with that being said, this is my Opp so if you don’t like the way I run things then get the fuck out. Do you understand me?”.“I can’t say I do”. He smiled his toothy grin once more before he took a tactical glove to the teeth that made the back of his helmet hit the wall of the van.Smee sat in his seat holding his mouth like he was aboutta throw up which in either case is good for me since he finally shut his fuckin mouth.“Anyone else? No? Good. Switch your ammo”. In quick fashion they did just so without objection. “Alright…let’s move”.It was 11 o’clock on the dot when the van came to a stop and our boots hit the ground. In theory, it was a simple plan. 3 teams, 12 each, 36 officers in total. Non-lethal rounds so no casualties meaning quick convictions if and when any were arrested. This was supposed to be quick and clean.The warehouse was unlocked with no one guarding the front and seemed abandoned with no lights on site. We combed through the entrance with no resistance until we reached the office side until I signaled them to halt.“This don’t feel right, captain”. For once Smee opened his mouth with something I agreed with which made this eerie feeling in my chest turn into fear.“Alright, push forwards, cut the flashlights and switch to night vision”. We pushed farther into the warehouse as I caught my breathes became heavier, I wasn’t sure who to worry about.As we approached the more open area of the warehouse, I lifted my goggles to think for a moment before I heard a small tick-like sound followed by the sound of some things clattering against the gravel floor.Like the open doors of a movie theater exit we were met by unprecedented flashes of light with gunshots following suit.“OPEN FIRE”. I shouted at the top of my lungs as we went for cover and began to shoot at shadows practically wasting our ammo while.“Fuck this, SWITCHING TO LETHAL”. Smee shouted amidst the gunshots and before I could order him to stop, he already did so and began shooting back with his shots booming over my voice before the others switched with the fear for their lives stronger than any, they had for me.The shots were lessened by the sound of it but at least 10 officers were taken by the ambush.“Diaz…Michaels, Ryan. Tend to the wounded and call for back up. Everyone else…with me”. The Lost Boys we encountered scattered like rats and knew damn well they were abusing the home advantage to their favor.As we gained more ground, we came across a hallway diverting in two directions. “I probably should’ve said this back in the van but since we’re clearly out gunned and out manned, anyone who doesn’t have anything to lose, come with me. If you don’t then either stand back and wait for backup or try to chase the others…whatever you choose I won’t think less of you”.Everything inside me screamed this was a trap and rightfully so with the red emergency lights activated in the hallway.My squad cut into a pieces with a handful staying for backup and the others in the other direction leaving nine men with me.We came upon a cracked door with the lights flickering from inside. I took a deep breath before performing a hail Mary and pushed the door open with my gun drawn and the others following behind.It looked like a small manager’s office and was quiet as a graveyard which became a wrong choice of words when I saw a dark figure rise from behind a desk with a long ass gun and started blasting before I could react.I was hit in the chest with enough force to knock me to my knees before the buck shot opened the brains of four officers and another figure came out of the darkness with a blade and cut down another three leaving me and Smee.He looked like he was shot but only in his shoulder with my primary weapon outta site, the two Lost Boys began to approach me like they were starving wolves ready to go in for the kill.“Fuck it”. I put my fists up close to me in a tight stance as the smaller of the two charged at me with murderous intent with their blade lunging to stab me but grunted in pain as I took control of their wrist twisting it almost to its breaking point before delivering my knee into their stomach before moving onto the other.The other stood maybe 6’1” and weighed rough 200lbs by the look of their overall size and charred at me like a bull, pushing me against the desk with tremendous force ready to choke me.Had I been anyone else he would’ve killed me by now, rightfully so as their hands wrapped around my throat, slowly squeezing the life out of me.My mind flipped through every combat tactic I knew but my thoughts grew blank as I fought and neared unconsciousness until I remembered that I needed to make it home to Nessa.With all the strength I had left in me, I grabbed their thumbs, breaking them as I turned them the other way sticking out. As he screamed in pain, I heel-kicked him in the chest and piled on with a liver punch and pulled out my side arm shooting him in both shoulders and turning to the other shooting the knife out of his hand.“Mannn!”. The smaller one shouted under their muffed masks. “Man?”. That voice seemed way too familiar just like the bigger one’s figure.“Take off your mask…NOW!”. I raised my voice with the Colt .45 hollow tips pointed directly at their head.They didn’t move. I dropped it and pointed the barrel at Manuel’s head jolting a silent reaction as they reluctantly lifted their black mask.“Nathan?”. Fuck. “Just come quietly and we can end this, please”. His chest rose and fell without any emotion plain to see but anger. It didn’t feel like it was just towards me…maybe that he got caught.He reached into his pocket taking out something small with my eyes widening as I recognized it as a detanator.“You’ll kill us all, drop the fucking detonator or I’ll shoot”. He remained silent and raised it as I lowered the hammer ready to shoot his friend since he didn’t care whatsoever about himself.“Nate…come on”. He smiled and lowered it for a moment as I exhaled the most air, I’ve ever held walking to him, inches away from taking the detonator before I heard.“The captain’s in here!”. FUCK. I turned to Nate and saw his thumb was already on the trigger.“EVERYBOY GET DOW-”. BOOOOM. Chapter 30: Adiós mí amorPOV KimiI spent the greater part of the morning teaching Pete how to salsa dance and him teaching me how to tango before we spent the day at the malls within the Luxury district.Pete and I brought matching rings and a golden rosary that looked like the one my mother always wore.Being with him made my heart feel like it was on fire every time He looked at me.Honestly there were times where I’d catch him just staring at me and then have the audacity to smile when he saw my face get as red as a freakin cherry making me feel so embarrassed.I tried texting and calling Nathan to say that we were coming back to the Eastside but each time, no response.Not that this fool regularly response to me when I try to communicate but this time it gave me a bad feeling in my bones.I told Pete and he agreed to stop by the hideout before we made our way to the house but from the direction, we came from we went through the back.Everything seemed quiet besides some small popping sounds in the background. “Let me show you something”.Pete stepped to the side and pulled the loading dock door revealing a bright full moon sitting gracefully on the sea’s horizon.“The moon is beautiful, Isn’t it?”. I said yes with my eyes on the moon until I looked at him with his eyes on me like I was the only thing worth looking at giving me butterflies.“I’m glad we had the last day or so to ourselves…everything that’s been happening has been a lot to be honest”.“Love, can I ask you something?”. He nodded, surprisingly giving more attention to me than he had already. “Why do you like me? Let alone enjoy being around me. It’s impossible not to see the way you look at me…like I’m just perfect in your eyes and can literally do no wrong”.At this point we were sitting with the water only mere inches in front of us as he stared at the moon deep in thought for a minute just as still as the calm oceans.“When people see me, they already put me into some type of category of how they should treat me and think I am. As a guy with my past partners, I always automatically assume the protector role and constantly give and give and fix without any concern for my own problems and wouldn’t bother telling them because it’s always the same ‘Oh, I’m sorry’, ‘I’m sorry to hear that’ then we move on without talking about it again.”.He continued staring at the mood as if his emotions were reflecting off the light. “With you, saving you isn’t my top priority, emotionally speaking.”. He smiled.“You’re not going to hit me or call me anything that isn’t outta fun and when things go bad with my anxiety or literally anything else you know what to how and how to actually handle shit. I haven’t wanted anyone like this since I was little and wanted my mom”.“I…Thank you, babe”. I didn’t know what else to say since no one’s ever this nice to me besides him and it’s been months now but I’m still not used to it.“Kimi”. I spaced out and responded with a ‘hmm?’ as quick as possible hoping I didn’t miss anything important. “When this is all ever, I want to leave Neverland and maybe see what it feels like to be normal for a change”.“Pete, nothing about us, let alone this relationship, Is normal. When we met, I was in my underwear in the middle of a shootout and after our first kiss, I held a gun to your side and both times you were gazing into my eyes like I was the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen”.“Because you are, stoopid, now pinky promise me because I’m not leaving without you”.I wrapped my pinky around his with the moon shining behind us. “I promi-”. Before I could finish the pops from before returned much louder sounding more like gun shots.I rose to my feet rushing to the iron back door and eased the old thing open to see a Swatman kick someone from squad three to the wall and empty a clip into them. Without a moment to lose I swung the door shut with all I had.Shit. Someone probably heard that. My first instinct was to run, knowing it takes about 30 seconds to make it down that hallway in quick succession. The seconds counted down in my head like sand in an hourglass as the sound of sirens came into earshot.A million thoughts ran through my head since I know no matter how good I am I can’t kill that many cops and there was nowhere else to go but it all went silent as I saw him give that look again.My body moved on its own, kissing him like it was my wedding day with his pinky finger wrapped around mine and putting my rosary around him. I held his face in my hands and saw in his eyes that even though he had no idea what was going on he was already thinking of plan A-Z on how to help me.“I love you, Peter, adios mi amor”. A solemn look of confusion washed over his face as I kissed him one last time and kicked him as far back as I could pushing him as close to the water as possible.I swapped his gold piece with mine and was able to put one in the pig’s head before five banged through the backdoor we came in from.He stood frozen in fear with his back towards the water seeing me smile with the cops ordering me to drop my weapon as I said the one word that came to mind.“Bang”. BOOM. The loud crash shook the building as a whole sending me forward a bit from the overall force with the cops struggling to maintain their footing as well.All those years playing soccer paid off as I sprinted as fast as these feet could make me to Pete with gunshots behind me as I jumped to him with another explosion behind us sending me flying and catching him in my arms as we hit the water. —Hours later—Pov Pete“Get up”. I screamed in pain with thousands of bolts of electricity dancing through my body as the taser burned my side.“Where am I?”. My vision was burry and could barely make out the word ‘Smee’ on a gold nametag.“Officer smee?”.“I don’t want to hurt you son but I will if you don’t tell me what I need to know. My boy…died, in those explosions with you and some girl found floating off the main current. Abigail told me about her situation, sum bout owing money and was so frightened she could only say ‘Pannel & Hook’. Now your jacket looks nothing like any Lost Boy I’ve seen so you must be a big deal or somethin’ so tell me…are you hook?”.His squad car was in sight at the entrance of this abandoned warehouse. I could feel my ears ringing like a government phone and could see his hands shaking so I took the chance and tried to wrestle this piece out of his hand.I was jerked left and right but felt exhaustion from my body dragged me down like weights before the round man used his momentum and hit me with the piece, leaving me stumbling at my feet.“Get on the ground. Someone like you doesn’t deserve God”. My brows furrowed with confusion until I saw Kimi’s rosary swinging from my neck.“You don’t know a damn thing about me…who and what you are still doesn’t put you in any position to judge me. I look at you the same way you’re looking down at me right now. I am what I am and I can die with pride even if it’s from a coward hiding behind a badge.”.I struggled to my feet before the side of the piece that turned out to be mine went across my face twice again as he groaned out of breath.My ears rang once again until he decided to repeat himself. “Get on the fucking ground Pete!”. The blood rushed down my face quicker than the fear I felt inside while I licked the bruise his gun left on my lip. “I ain’t gonna ask you again…are you hook?!”.“Fuck you, Smee…”. Judging by this rosy cheek character with a sunny disposition, things aren’t going to get much better for me personally but hey, at least you’re all caught up.For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a gangsta but it all changed the day I took my first life. My name is Peter J. Panel, I am not fucking Hook, and this story does not end here. Chapter 1: Neverland is no paradise“Get on the fucking ground, Pete!”. The blood rushed down my arm quicker than the fear I felt inside while I licked the bruise his gun left on my lip. ” I ain’t gonna say it again...Are you Hook?! ”.“Fuck you, Smee. I Dunno who that is but sounds like someone your daughter would be bangin’ while you’re out here being a Lil bitch”. My laugh filled the warehouse-like it was an echo chamber with rage in his eyes as he pressed his piece against my head before lowering the safety and asking me through his teeth if I had any last words.“To die would be an awfully big adventure”. The smile on my face only grew as the brute swung his arm back to hit me again.BANG. A gunshot blared like someone sounded an alarm striking his plump body to his knees with his crimson blood soaking his shirt as he’s hit from behind.I stumble to my feet spitting the shit in my mouth onto the ground and grabbing his piece with my hand shaking as I put it to his head. “How about this...don’t fuck with the Lost boys”.For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a gangsta but it all changed the day I took my first life. My name is Pete J. Pannel, I swear to God I am not fucking Hook, and this story does not start here.