Gangs

Chapter four

I sit up against a tree and look out into the darkness. This is going to get us both hurt. It’s a bad spot for me to like him.  Does he like me? Something moves a way up the trail. I slide up and walk towards the noise. There are two guys with guns walking down the path. I step back quietly and slip on something I cannot see. Both guys stop and look towards me. s**t, I back up and someone is behind me now.

Who are you?

Lina

Why are you here?

Why are you carrying a gun? 

Hunting, why are you here

Hiking

Alone

Yes?

You could hike on your own at night

Kind of, well I got in a fight with my mom this afternoon and she wouldn't stop yelling at me and it was like making me so mad, so I told her off and ran into the woods. And-

Okay we get it thank you for explaining it all

Oh sure

You are brave being out here on your own

I am here a lot; we go hiking all the-

okay, be safe kid

            They walk away from me; Atoms arms wrap around my waist pulling me back into the forest away from the road.

Did they touch you?

No, i'm good

Good thinking

Guys get annoyed with girl problems

Very true

Hey

With every girl but yours?

Wow

Let’s go come on

He hands me a water bottle; we both drink then get up and continue the trail. The sun slowly rises, and it starts to warm up a little bit. Atom does not let go of my hand once, he seems nervous. We are close to the 15 miles now, about a fourth mile away. I see someone out of the corner of my eye and spin around so i'm in front of atom walking backwards.

Hey baby how far are we gonna go

I was thinking we could make it up too that lake, you tired.

Nah i'm good just wondering

I nod at the left and he sees the person too. He spins me back around and kisses my forehead.

What did your dad say when you left?

He said no

thats it

Ya pretty much

He doesn’t like me does he

Probably not

Awesome

He can deal with it though

Not daddy’s little angel

Not anymore

The guy stops following us, Atom stiffens up again. I rub his tense arm.

Relax

This is so much worse with you here

Thanks

I am worried about you, and it makes this harder than usually.

Harder than usual? 

Who are you?

Who are you sweetheart?

I asked first

So

Can you just like stay out of our business

Dads say it’s okay for you to hang out with a gang member in the middle of the woods.

Da f**k you think you can just get in my business

Lina, chill out

            Chad takes off his hood smiling. He has been my best friend since I was little, he joined the rebels when Brandon did, or at least when I though he did.

Chad

But seriously, why are you here with him?

We were taking a break

Lina, I’ve known you since you were 5, I know when you're lying

            Atom pushes me back behind him a little

Sorry Chad

Dude you should be the standing behind her, I would not touch her

Does anyone else know we are here?

Everyone thinks all just a couple hiking

Thats pretty much what we are doing

Well, I think you had better come back with me now Lina, I am taking you home

Chad

Brandon?

Hey man, how you been?

Good, you?

Pretty good 

I thought you promised to never let her get involved

I did, I got lazy now she works with me

Stupid

I am sorry about this Chad, but we can't have anyone knowing we are here

            Brandon knocks him out and ties him to a tree. He looks at me carefully before gesturing us to follow. Thats our best friend, he knocked him out! Brandon grabs my upper arm and pulls me with him.

Therefore, I didn't want you involved

He has been your best friend forever

Things change Lina, we can't afford him to tell on us, you realize if it were anyone else, they would have shot him and you for knowing him. You are lucky that Atom did not shoot you.

That makes it so much better Brandon

You think I wanted to punch him? Grow up Lina because you no longer must option to think like a stupid teenager. Everyone else would have killed you right there, would have been all over. I do not understand why Atom did not.

I look back at atom, he is looking at the ground. Brandon lets go of my arm and leaves us. I stare at the way he went pissed, realization of what this is starts to sink in. Atom pulls me into is arms hugging me. I push away and start walking.

C’mon Lina holds up

He catches me arm pulling me back into him.

Sorry Atom

Do not be, just pay attention alright

Kay