The Girl in the Middle

Clay is in trouble

*Amber*

Once again I have to remind myself that Michael is much worse of than me. At least I don't need help to get out of bed, my stitches have come out long ago and the wounds have almost healed. Michael still have both his eyes covered and the wound at his side open again with the slightest movement.

Compared to Clay who is long, lean and muscular, Michael is more compact. He don't have the same physics as Clay and Tom, well even KC is outgrowing him now when he spend all his time in bed.

"The Shadows, The Eagles and The Stars". I sums up, sitting leaned up against the headboard next to Michael. "With Clay, Tom and Gerard as the leaders and You, Drew and Zac as second in command". I count on my fingers even though it isn't necessary.

"And the tattoos ?" Michael ask. He is laying on his back with his hands folded on his chest.

"The pierced S on the right arm for The Shadows". That one is easy. I am reminded about it all the time, because everyone else in the apartment, except Hope have it. "An Eagle on the left forearm for The Eagles". I have seen Tom's arm, but it had taken some time before I realised what it was. "Stars on the neck for The Stars". Clay have the stars as well as the S.

"Those are our allies". Michael confirm. "They are friends and if you ever get in trouble, any of them can be expected to help you. Who are your enemies ?"

"The Zombies, Zombie obviously is their leader and The Suns with Sunny as their leader". I say right away. We had been through this yesterday and as always Michael check if I remember what he told me. "Zombies has a Z tattoo on left arm and The Suns a sun on the right forearm". I say, and then I ask. "Why are their gangs named after themselves ?"

"Because Zombies has aspirations of grandeur". Michael explain. "And with Sunny, it is more him who are named after the gang".

"Who calls their kid Zombie by the way ?" I say, wrinkling my nose.

"It's not his given name. Only few people uses their real names here. And it's an unwritten rule that you never ask people about their real name or their past". He tell me.

"So you don't know each other's past ?" I really want to know Clay's past. "Did you all choose to leave your home to come life here ?"

"I came here to stop the sale of drugs, I was an undercover cop". He moves a bit. "I heard rumours that this was a good place to buy those things. I met Kattie and now I am the one dealing those drugs. I got to involved to leave again".

"Didn't you like the life you had before ?" I ask him confused.

"It was okay I guess. I just found something else here. Something more". He makes a motion that looks like a shrug. "There is a freedom to this place that you don't find anywhere else. We don't need to know who is the president and if we want to colour our hair we can do so without wondering what others would think about it".

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The apartment have seven rooms. The living-room, four bedrooms, the kitchen and one bathroom. It take less than five minutes to walk through it all.

I have started to notice some things that annoys me. The worn out walls with different kinds of old wallpaper. The living-room with spots of different paint, like it have been used to cover up spots on the wall. The furniture made by old pallets and beer crates. Uncovered light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Weapons are laying around, and well it just lack everything that would make it a home and not just the headquarters of a gang. I wonder if the other members apartments look the same or if they are more homely.

The door that is used as the main door isn't really a door at all. It have once been a window out to a fire escape and then someone cut it out bigger and put in a door. It is a good thing we are this far south, because no one have sealed around the door and most of the little windows in it is broken. On a windy day I am guessing the living-room will get rather chilly.

This evening I am home alone with Michael and Hope. I don't know were the three others are and I never ask. Hope is sitting on the floor with an old sketch book and a couple of colouring pencils. That is her way of relaxing; disappearing into her own world of drawings and fantasy. Sometimes I wish I could follow her.

Michael is on the couch, propped up on pillows to make it somewhat comfortable for him. I am sitting in the armchair Ben normally uses. I have found an old history book. It is really boring but I hoped it could spark some kind of memories.

Hope is up even before the door open and Michael have clearly heard someone coming too. Then KC stumble in the door and even I can see something is wrong, even if I didn't hear his footsteps on the fire ladder. They others did and it show how in tune they are to their surroundings, even when they seem to relax.

"The cops got Clay". KC say huffing for air. I am wondering how far he have run. To me it would have been more than enough just running up the stairs, but I can hardly compare my fitness level to KC's.

"For what ?" Michael seem to relax again and Hope sit down in the other chair. No one really seem to worried. No one except me.

"He got busted for dealing". KC sigh resignedly. "I f****d up and Clay stepped in, taking the fall".

"Kattie will go down there as soon as she is back". Michael say calmly.

"There is something more". KC glances at me, before turning his attention back to Michael. "Zombie has found out about Amber's existence".

Michael straighten up and I can see he tries to figure out how to react to this news.

After having waited for an order that never came, KC speak up instead. "I am taking one of the bikes and to go looking for Kattie". He say grabbing the keys from the bowl in the bookcase next to the door. "Hope make sure no enemies get in here". He throw a hand gun to her. "Even if it means breaking the rules".

"Just an advice". Michael say emotionlessly. "Start by looking for Kattie at Tom's place or in his bed".