Chapter 9.

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I walked out of my class and instantly spotted two 'students' that were following me. Obviously Sergio's pawns. It had been two days since the incident with Sergio. I had spoken to Claire and Jordan, they were angry that I had not been to see Shiloh yet. I knew he was hurt badly or he would not be in the hospital this long. They said it was just a broken arm and some internal bleeding. There were two places I went to now that my drug tutorials were over: school and Sergio's house. Nowhere else, nothing in between.

I needed to see Shiloh though since this was my fault. He was like a brother to me. I knew this school like the back of my hand (Shiloh had made me make a map of it for him when we were in our first year here so that he could know where to hide from people amongst other things). I began taking rapid turns through the school until there was no one behind me and I smirked.

I walked out of the building free; it was only eleven in the morning so there was no way Clyde would be here to pick me up, but I couldn't be too careful so I jumped over the back fencing instead of walking out of one of the numerous gates around campus.

I walked down the much quieter road on the other side of campus as I made my way to the hospital Shiloh was being held in.

I visited Shiloh for a couple hours. He was looking good, he complained that his mother brought him some sweets but the nurse took it from him when he had tried to eat it after they left.

"I mean, come on, I'm twenty Goddamnit!" I remember him yelling. He said he didn't mind being in hospital because Claire was being extra nice to him (just because they were together didn't mean they stopped their annoying little fights).

It was dark when I left, so maybe I stayed more than a couple of hours... but I was enjoying the solitude. I had not been alone since the night I... yeah. I was either surrounded by criminals or students, but I was always being followed, until now.

I also planned to walk home alone because I had not sold any of Sergio's 'merchandise' so I was going to be thinking of a good excuse as to why his guys lost me and I was not there when Clyde was searching for me.

I walked through some buildings before I saw someone following me from the corner of my eye. I stopped and looked back at him; he didn't even pretend to be doing otherwise.

"What do you want?" I stood tall as he walked up to me; he was slightly taller than me.

He stared down at me before he tried to grab my bag but I grabbed his wrist and pulled his arm down so I could knee him in his chest. I didn't do any more to him when he fell to the ground, I just turned to run but I cried out when as I turned around something hard slammed into my waist. It was followed by a hard blow to the side of my thigh and I realised it was a bat as I fell onto the concrete beneath me.

"You little piece of shit!" I heard the guy I hit shout as he brought his foot lat down onto my stomach. I felt them grab my wrist and drag me into an alley before they continued their beating.

I coughed but they didn't stop as a third person grabbed my bag. When they finally stopped I groaned rolling into a ball as I tried to ignore the pounding all over my body.

I covered my face as they dumped the contents of my bag on my head before picking the drugs up. They completely ignored everything else – including my laptop.

"You tell Clyde, Erik sends his regards, alright kid?" The guy pointed his into at my face. I nodded only to receive another bat to my side. "Sorry we ruined your face." He pouted as I coughed.

"Leave him alone." The other chuckled.

"But he's so cute." The guy with the bat grabbed my chin.

"Get your fucking hands off me." I hissed spitting blood at him which earned me another punch in my already pounding and bloody face.

"I gave you a compliment, you little shit." He glared at me before he chuckled, "Let's go." He added and they left just as fast as they had come.

I lay still for a few seconds trying to prepare mentally for the pain of moving before I pushed myself to sit and shoved back against the wall as I groaned in pain. I spat more blood on the ground. Sergio's merchandise... Shit...

I needed to get some money before I went back to the house; I didn't want to risk anything more happening to my friends. There had to be a bank close by... but how the fuck was I going to draw forty five grand from an ATM?! Because I was selling so fast they had given me more expensive stuff – stuff rich varsity kids were willing to pay a lot for.

I leaned my head down as I heard a car drive by the alley but it stopped. I glanced up before I cursed into my arms realising it was Clyde.

I heard the door shut before footsteps came towards me.

"Woah, look at you." I heard Ben laugh. "I can't say these new colours don't suit you. Really loving the ripped clothing thing you have going too."

I didn't look up until I felt a hand on my ankle.

"Alexander, what happened?" Sergio asked. I glanced through my arms to see him kneeling down in front of me frowning. So he was the one holding on to my ankle.

"Looks like he got robbed." Clyde responded when I didn't. Ben laughed more.

"Are you saying you don't have the money or the merch?" he asked. I bit the inside of my cheek hating him more with every second.

"Clyde, get his books, both of you get back to the car." Sergio said.

"Seriously? Sergio, you don't have to get your hands dirty, I can take care of him –" Ben was saying.

"I said get to the fucking car, Ben." Sergio cut him off calmly.

I could hear Clyde mutter something inaudible before I heard retreating footsteps.

"Look at me." Sergio demanded. I didn't want to listen but I obviously hand enough bruises already so I looked up at him. I saw his teeth clench before be bit his lip as he ran his eyes over my face, "This..." I winced as his finger ran over the cut on my bottom lip, "This is what happens when you run away from the protection I have for you."

"You mean those stalkers that you said are there to teach your ratty dealers a lesson?" I muttered, it sounded a little muffled because of the condition of my face.

"They have more than one purpose. Do you really think I would really let some random kids with merch that amounts to this much walk around without any protection? It's my money for heaven's sake." He said.

I looked down. "I- I'll get your money tomorrow – it's just that all the banks are closed right now and I can't withdraw –"

"I don't want your money." He cut me off. I looked up shocked as he stood up. What did he mean? What did he want? "Come on, we need to get you cleaned up before you get something infected."

"What do you want then? I'm not – I'm not hurting anyone for you." He laughed.

"I want you to get off your ass – if you can – so that we can get you to a doctor. Sorry, but Sasha's at the house and blood freaks her and Kent out to the point where they faint, even paper cuts." I gave laugh but stopped feeling the pain in my chest at just doing that.

"I already owe you, I'm not –" He let out an irritated sigh as he grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet making me cry out in pain. His hand circled the back of my waist keeping me up securely.

"Now, you owe me two things." He said and began walking us back to his car. Me limping from the earlier bat to my leg, I was happy it wasn't my knee or I would have real problems.

I was digging myself into so much shit right now... I knew I was going to regret this so badly... Well, it wasn't like I already didn't.

Yeah, just keep pilling it on, Alexander. You idiot.

Right, even my own thoughts are rude to me now. I'm going insane...

*****

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