{Max}

Max had grown accustomed to drinking from a young age. He knew to take precaution so that he wouldn't wake up with a nasty hangover. The last thing he wanted was a skull thumping headache and Dylan's voice ringing in his ears, making it worse.

Max was sprawled out on the couch playing a game on his phone. Everyone had all passed out on Dan's living room last night. Dan and Max had taken the two available couches. Of course, Max took the longer one. He wasn't about to sleep on the tiny two seater when he could have the four seater all to himself. Max even had to argue and pull Dan off of the couch he wanted. Thankfully, it was a simple task to do with a very drunk Dan. Meanwhile, everyone else slept on the floor.

Max could hear Dylan and Dan talking in the kitchen. They were getting breakfast ready. Mikhail had gone to the bathroom and Nico followed like the perverted stalker Max believed him to be. Sera and Max sat in the living room, not even attempting to make conversation. They usually didn't talk to one another unless Nico was in the room or they had some kind of important Mafia business to discuss. Even then, the conversation between them was short and to the point. Their only connection to each other was Nico after all.

Max didn't see the point in getting along with anyone else other than Nico. People lied and betrayed each other like it was all a game. His trust in others died out when his own uncle chose money over him. Nico was his saving grace and the only person he could rely on fully, knowing that he would never get stabbed in the back by him. Everyone else was just a stepping stone to him to reach his goal.

"-ey, you're spacing out too much." Max flinched his head back realizing that Dylan's head was way too close. Dylan was leaning over the couch, looking down at him. "You're so young and already have so many wrinkles from frowning all the time." He said poking Max's forehead gently.

Max quickly swatted his finger and pushed Dylan's head away, "Why do you always insist on getting so close? I thought I made myself clear last time?" He asked sitting up and glaring at Dylan.

Dylan stood up straight and laughed softly, "Well, I thought you were joking."

Max gaped at Dylan with his mouth slightly parted. "I wasn't." He told him, "Don't touch me again unless you plan on giving me a hundred bucks in cash."

"Max, again with the money-"

"We are not having this conversation here." Max interrupted quickly. He glanced over to Sera who was looking at them argue with a curious expression. He didn't need Sera to know more about his private life than she already knew.

Dylan waited a couple of seconds before he nodded, "Fine." He said with a sigh.

"Good."

"This is awkward. I'll go to the kitchen." Sera said as she stood up and walked into the kitchen with Dan.

Max watched Sera go as he got a text. He looked down and saw it was from his uncle. He was hesitant to open it, but he did.

'Ten minutes. I sent a car to pick you up.'

Max frowned as he looked down at the message. He was surely going to demand his money again. He hated having to go see his uncle whenever he called, he felt like a dog on a short leash. He was tempted to tell him to fuck off but didn't. He didn't want anything to happen to his sister for his stupidity.

'Why?' Was the message he opted to send.

A second later he got a reply, 'When the hell did I start answering to you? You'll get in the car I sent because I told you so. Give the Delacroix boy some bullshit excuse.'

"Everything okay?" Dylan asked looking down at him with curious eyes.

Max had totally forgotten that Dylan was still there. He gripped the phone in his hands tightly. "I'm fine. I have to go soon." He said as he reluctantly stood up and put his shoes on.

"Go? Go where? You haven't had breakfast yet. At least sit with everyone-"

"Why?" Max asked as he stopped and looked at Dylan. "So we can all pretend to get along? I have business to attend to. Go and play nice with each other without me."

"Play nice?" Dylan asked, straining his voice. He looked like he was trying to keep himself calm. "Do you think that's what I've been doing? I actually care about you-"

"Stop." Max demanded,

"No." Dylan said firing back. He wasn't backing down. "You stop and listen to me. I'm getting real sick of your act. Trying to keep yourself together by keeping everyone away is only going to break you faster, don't you understand that?"

"Don't you understand I'm perfectly fine with how everything is? I don't need you to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"Obviously." He said with a scoff. "High school drop-out . Must be nice to have so much going for yourself." The sarcasm was dripping out of his voice.

Max shook his head in anger. "Shut the hell up. School is a waste of time for me. I'm already short on hours in the day as is."

"Are you really that stupid or just oblivious to how the real world works? You should be in school. Learning with the rest of the kids your age. Joining after school activities and hanging out with friends. Not sleeping around."

Max rubbed his head softly. He felt like he was getting a headache even talking with Dylan. He was tired of having the same talk with him every time. It was like Dylan was incapable of having a regular conversation without bringing up the fact that he sleeps with people for money. He hated being reminded that he was just an object for people who bought him. He wouldn't have to sell himself if his uncle would just let him live his life. Dylan made it seem like having sex with random people was something he strived for every morning with a big smile on his face. What normal sixteen year old boy would?

"Maybe I am stupid, but the things I do have a reason behind them." Max said walking past him as he bumped his shoulder roughly.

Dylan didn't run after him or try to talk again. Max went in further into the home to look for Nico. He was trying to calm down but it wasn't easy. Dylan knew how to get under his skin every time.

He wasn't only angry at Dylan, if he was being honest. He also was angry at himself. Angry that he didn't have the strength to fight back against his uncle and take back his sister. Angry that he didn't have the courage to ask for Nico's help. Angry that he didn't even have time to go to a regular high school, which was something he secretly wanted. He was furious that he had to sell himself off to random people in shitty motels and in alleyways all for the mistake of his parents that he had to pay.

Max didn't think any of it was fair. Why did he have to go through all of that when other people had it easier.

He rubbed both of his eyes as he walked through the hallway. He was just going to go to his uncle and do as he was told. Submitting was going to be much easier anyways. He didn't have the emotional strength anymore to argue.

Max heard a crash and a yell in a nearby room. He heard Nico's voice and immediately ran in, thinking Nico was in trouble. He pushed the door open, "Nic-" he froze suddenly.

Mikhail was on the floor and Nico was over top of him. The center table in the middle was toppled over on the floor. Mikhail and Nico looked over at the door with shocked expressions. Mikhail immediately turned red and Nico smiled innocently. Max blinked a couple times thinking he interrupted something and shut the door slowly as if he hadn't just slammed through. He stayed by the closed door, "Is now a bad time?" He asked.

"This isn't what it looks like!" Mikhail shouted.

Nico laughed, "I think he thinks I was trying to have my way with you."

Max looked back as Dan and Sera both came running towards him, "What happened?!"

Max shrugged slowly and stepped aside as arguing was heard from inside the room. He simply pointed at the door. Dan, being curious, opened the door and immediately shrieked in excitement. Sera peaked over her shoulder and Max also looked inside. This time Nico was laying flatly on the floor grabbing onto Mikhail's wrists to stop him from flailing around as Mikhail was basically straddling him.

Mikhail looked over and got off of Nico quickly, "This isn't-. We weren't-"

"No need to explain. Sorry for interrupting." Sera said with a thin smile.

Nico sighed and sat up and ran a hand through his hair, "It was just getting good, too. Max, you have the worst timing."

Max lifted up an eyebrow, "I thought you were in trouble. I didn't expect to see you jumping the arrogant nerd."

"He wasn't!" Mikhail tried in desperation, not even attempting to correct Max's nickname for him, "I was feeling sick from last night and started falling! I grabbed at Nico at an attempt to catch myself but dragged him down instead!"

Dan whistled softly and asked, "You sure that wasn't your intention all along?"

"No!"

"Come on, Miki. You should have just asked instead of devised such a plan." Nico said with a small smirk. "I would have gladly gotten on top of you."

Mikhail glared at him and smacked his shoulder, "That definitely wasn't what I was trying to do!"

Nico shrugged, "You can admit to being in love with me. Don't be afraid."

Sera shook her head with a small laugh, "Food is ready whenever you two rabbits get tired of going at it."

Mikhail's eyes widened as he got flustered. He stood up and rushed past everyone who was standing at the door. He went out towards the kitchen, attempting to run away from the conversation.

Sera and Dan laughed, "Sorry, Nico. Maybe next time." Dan said with a playful shrug as they went back to the kitchen.

Max was left standing at the door as Nico stood up from the floor. He looked over at Max, "You're still here? What's up?"

"I have to go." He said bluntly. He didn't want to have to lie to Nico so hoped he wouldn't ask why. Max didn't have a lie and he didn't want to say it was for a client.

Nico watched him over for a couple seconds that felt like an eternity to Max. He walked over and pat his head gently, "Be safe, promise?"

Max nodded softly as he kept his eyes on the floor, feeling like a little kid whenever Nico was around. He wasn't sure if he would be safe where he was going but said, "kay."

Nico smiled and walked past him. Max took in a deep breath. He closed his eyes tightly. He wished he didn't have to go see his uncle. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked it and it was his uncle informing him the car was outside. He shoved his phone into his pocket and headed out, not making eyes contact with anyone as he left. Even if he didn't make eye contact, he could feel Dylan's eyes glaring holes into his back.

* * *

Left turn. Straight for three blocks. Right turn. Pass the bridge. Left turn at the middle school. Sharp right turn. Straight for two miles.

The directions to his uncle's mansion was engraved in his brain. He wasn't looking out the window but instead had his eyes closed as his head was tilted upwards. Max didn't want to even look out the window. If by chance his uncle decided to keep him locked up again, Max didn't want the last thing he saw to be the neighborhood. It was a scary thought he hoped would not come true.

The car stopped and he heard gates opening. The car started up again driving up towards the front door.

Max desperately wanted to disappear.

The car stopped again and he opened his eyes. He looked out the window and saw the front doors open up. His uncle was staring down at him through the car window. His side door opened and he stepped out. He took in a sharp breath and walked up towards the mansion.

"Welcome home." His uncle said in a teasing manner.

Max glared softly at him, "This place never was and never will be my home." He said being careful as he walked up the front steps.

"You're right about that." His uncle said with a smirk, "Like hell I'd ever let you stay here again you ungrateful child." Max had to bite the inside of his cheeks so he wouldn't say anything. He didn't trust himself to not say something rude that would anger his uncle. "Hurry up inside." He ordered walking into the house.

Max was really hesitant to step inside the home. He'd done it hundreds of times and never encountered anything good from it. He walked in following his uncle and cleared his throat to ask, "Where's Rachel?"

"She's not home. Not that it's any of your business."

"None of my business? That's my sister!"

"Don't be moronic." He said as he led Max down a long and narrow hallway. "She hasn't seen you in nearly eight years. She was only three when her parents left her for dead and you left her all alone to save your own skin. As far as she's concerned, she doesn't have a brother."

Max stopped momentarily from being told that. The guards in suits behind him shoved Max so he would continue walking. He did so. "You're lying. She would understand-"

"Understand what? She doesn't even remember you exist. It was easier than expected to brainwash her into believing she was my only daughter. The smoke inside the burning building left her some trauma I had to clean up. I had a clean slate to work with."

"Like hell she'd believe you!" Max shouted with anger in his voice. "Let me see her. Otherwise you can wish your money goodbye!" He tried to threaten his uncle.

His uncle laughed loudly, "You can't threaten me, boy. Try in another fifty years." They stopped at a door. His uncle unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Get inside."

Max took a quick step back. He could already smell the stench of rotting flesh and spilt blood. "No." He said. He had tried to make his voice sound intimidating but he knew it came out like a frightened child.

"I don't think I asked." He said grabbing Max by the arm as Max tried getting away. His uncle grabbed him by the throat, not enough pressure to choke him but just enough to keep his head still, to force their eyes to meet. "I'm doing this to ensure you get my money faster, Maxwell. It seems you've been too relaxed lately. Going out and hanging with friends? Did I say you ever could? It seems you've forgotten who's in charge."

Max could feel his eyes water as he begged and pleaded, "Please... I'll get your money, I swear! I just need time. It- I'll have it soon." He could hear how pathetic he sounded but he didn't want to be left in that room. He was just thankful no one else could see him now, especially Nico and Dylan.

"I'm not a patient man. Stay in there a few hours. I'll come back to play with you later." He pushed Max in and closed the door. Max fell in blood and stood up as quick as he could. He flung himself for the door but his uncle had locked it.

He covered his mouth as he tried not to puke from the smells. He put his other hand flatly on the door as he slid down to the floor. He placed his head on the door next to his hand and attempted to all down. The smell brought back too many memories of when he was a resident in the mansion and the night his parents left him.

They never had a house of their own because his parents never had a stable job. They lived with his mom's parents. His parents slowly got into drug and alcohol abuse. It got to the point where they killed his grandparents because they had tried to knock some sense into them. His parents didn't like being told what to do. They felt threatened by the existences of Max' grandparents. They killed them and left them in Max's room to slowly rot. Max had to sleep every night with his grandparents dead bodies.

His uncle wasn't a good man, either. Money and power rotted his humanity. Life made him bitter and loneliness killed his emotions.

Every single day and night until Max ran away, his uncle would try to beat him into submission. His uncle wanted to turn him into an obedient child who did as he said. Being eight years old, Max didn't understand why his uncle wanted him to call him 'dad'. The more he refused, the harsher his punishments became. Eventually, he no longer was allowed to leave a small room in a different home from his sister's. He had cuts and bruises aligning his entire body, broken bones, and trauma to last a lifetime. He couldn't handle it anymore so he planned his escape for months.

He had planned to just die naturally on the streets but life had other plans. He was allowed to live. Given a second chance. He promised himself he would get his sister back, but looking at himself now, there was no way. He knew he would never win against his uncle. Not the way he currently was.

Hours had gone by.

Max was disorientated. He didn't know what was going on anymore. He tried to open his eyes long enough to see where he was. There was a lot of movement as the sun was setting. He was in a car. His head kept moving on its own as he found it difficult to steady himself.

His uncle kept true to his word and went back hours later. He had beat him continuously for another few hours. By then, Max had already puked a lot, though not much came up seeing as he never even had breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Max struggled with himself to stay awake. He was scared of losing consciousness.

He heard talking in the front but couldn't make out what they were saying at all. The car came to a sudden stop. The people in the front got out and opened his door. He felt hands removing his clothes. He tried moving away from them but the opposite door opened and they grabbed his hands. He was too weak to do anything at all. He could only tear up as he wished he could be saved. He felt he didn't deserve any of what was happening to him.

His pants were removed and he tried moving again. He felt a sharp pain on his cheek and realized he had been slapped.

He heard a faint phone buzzing. An annoyed sigh and then he was thrown out of the car. They drove off leaving him undressed in the parking lot of a park. He was just glad they hadn't done anything to him. He pulled his pants up as much as he could. He didn't have any strength left in his body.

He was suddenly exhausted now that he was out of trouble. He stayed on the cold, white snow. He tried to ignore the cold and tried to think of it as a blanket or a cloud that he was on. Max could faintly see the perfect white snow getting painted a dark red color by the blood dripping from his head.

He could no longer fight off his dizziness as he let his eyes close slowly and thought about nothing, letting his mind drift off peacefully.