Update: May 31, 2005

Well Ladies and Gentlemen I have FINALLY UPDATED!!!! lol

Yes I have returned…a year later…but returned, hehe. I know you all probably saying WTF happened to you? And well honestly…writers block, school, family, school, friends, school, general life stuff, and more school. SCHOOL SHOULD NOT EXSIST! But that’s a whole other topic.

I am now a college bound girl! ::::: shouts ecstatically::::

This upcoming fall I will now be a college freshmen and well…considering that I started this story the summer before my high school freshmen year I feel incredibly old. I also feel that it is time to wrap this baby up. I’ve left to many of you hanging and I hate it. I probably lost about 50 of all my readers and now sit here hoping someone will still read. Please forgive me and understand that life can sometimes get hectic.

THE STORY WILL BE FINISHED…now when that will happen is another topic we won’t get into…hehe

But as for now all I can say is have some faith in me and keep reading cause I’m going to keep writing. Below is chapter 10 and as always please review, ignore the grammar/spelling mistakes, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!

Thanks sooo much for reading and enjoy the long chapter!!

I shivered involuntarily against my flimsy sweater. The California weather was unnerving, scourging heat during the day and bitter cold during the night. The lampposts across the street flickered on and off against the road sign ‘Los Angeles 100 miles.’ I looked back at David who was paying for gas inside the station. We hadn’t spoken much since our hotel room agreement and I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or worried.

I pulled my sweater closer as he came back into the car and handed me a water bottle.

“So…where are we going to stay in LA?” the question had been on my mind for the past hour.

“At a friends house…you’ll like them” he didn’t offer any other explanations and my eyes traveled back to the road ahead. I didn’t want to pester him anymore; I didn’t need him to become angry. My teeth chattered as the wind from the driver’s side window blew against my face. He had started smoking non-stop since the hotel incident and had kept the window opened to let the smoke out.

“Here, put this on” he brought me out of my thoughts and handed me his jacket

I smiled gratefully and put it on; it smelled of cologne and a faint smell I couldn’t place.

“Don’t worry so much about what’s going to happen. We’ll find a place of our own eventually” he said softly

Our own? Since when did I get married and become plural? I frowned but didn’t comment and turned to face the window and let my thoughts drift…

:::::::::::David’s POV:::::::::::::::

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to rub the sleepiness away.

Fuck I should have bought more cigarettes at the gas station

I still needed another hour of driving before checkpoint and then another hour to get to Bo’s. Shit my eyes closed again and the car slipped off the lane.

I sat up straighter and took a quick look at Crystal who was buried under my jacket.

The memory of last night caused me to redden.

‘Your acting like a fucking asshole Dave, pull your shit together’ my mind yelled as I rubbed at my eyes again.

Last night had been hell. I didn’t mean to lose control…hell I didn’t even realize I had lost control until she was against the bed crying her face off.

‘What the fuck is wrong with you, first Dana and now this?’ my conscience hissed to me

“I’m fucking insane…fucking insane” I murmured softly and turned at my last exit before checkpoint.

Too much shit…drama…too much fucking garbage had happened. The shit with Colby, Dana’s garbage…Ma’s death….I shook my head; it was too late in the night to start thinking about what had happened. It was long over and there was no way to change it.

LA was going to be different no fucking therapist to fuck with my mind and no assholes to chase after me. Crystal’s idea of an escape couldn’t have come at a better time. I looked over at her and smiled at her peacefulness. There was something about her that always made me take a second glance. She wasn’t amazingly beautiful or had anything extravagant it was just the way she carried herself. So much innocence and wisdom rolled into one. She walked around in a daze yet her eyes were so sharp ready for anything that might come up to her.

The side of her face had started to turn black and blue reminding me of what had happened last night. I turned back to the road in disgust.

Last night was still confusing, I had lost control but she had also in a way. What in that book could be so important to cause her to react that way? I figured she went to therapy for something like an eating disorder or shit like depression but never for something serious. I glanced over at her again, ‘maybe we’re not that different…. she’s a little fucked in the head too’ I thought silently.

I squinted into the night and searched for ‘Montgomery Road’ the drop off point. After, the exchange I could finally get to Bo’s and get some damn sleep. I rubbed at my eyes again and glared at the empty cigarette box on the dashboard.

“Where are we?” I jumped slightly and looked over at Crystal.

‘Perfect time to wake up, dammit’ I seethed silently “we need to make a quick stop for a moment, don’t worry go back to sleep” she opted to sit up and yawn.

“What time is it?” My eyes glanced to my wrist

“9:30, go back to sleep, I’ll wake you when we get to Bo’s” I made a left onto Montgomery and entered a pitch-black narrow road. It was one of those roads that wasn’t even on listed on maps and could only be accessed through dingy old road signs.

‘Wonderful, fucking beautiful, Bo’s going to love this shit’ I glared into the night

“Who is Bo?” I glanced over at her, she had taken out a brush and starting combing her hair back

“A friend, shut up for a second ok?” If I remember correctly there should be yellow paint slashed across a tree on my right. I squinted into the darkness trying to use the headlights as light.

“What are you looking for?” her voice irritated me, why couldn’t she ever just do what I said.

“Yellow paint on a tree” my eyes strained searching in the darkness

“Paint on a tree?” she questioned “What’s going on? Where are we?”

Dammit why couldn’t she have just stayed asleep?

“Look just shut up and help me look for it!” I hissed angrily and glared at her. She pursed her lips and wrapped my jacket around herself tighter

I drove slowly almost in a crawl with both of us leaning forward in our seats in search of the neon paint.

‘Bo owes me for this’ my mind hissed as I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and sat up straighter.

“Look!” her voice broke the tension in the car, “the tree on the right” I turned to where she was pointing and saw the large X painted on the tree. I sighed in relief and checked my watch again. I was 30 minutes late but at this point I didn’t care, they had crossed the line with meeting like this.

“Why are we stopping?” She turned to me as I turned off the engine

“I need to make a visit to someone, don’t worry about it just stay in the car” I unbuckled my seat belt and opened the side door.

“Wait!” she grabbed my arm, “you can’t just leave…were in the middle of …a forest…I’ll come with you,” her voice shook slightly in fear as she looked at our surroundings.

I shook my head “No, stay in the car I’ll be back soon,” I tossed her the keys,

“If I’m not back in 30 minutes double back and drive down south until you see Ruby’s Diner on your left. Stop there and wait, someone will come and get you” I climbed out of the car and was slapped with the cold air. I shivered and stamped my feet to stretch them, driving for eight hours non-stop was not something I enjoyed.

“Wait!” I turned around “David, where are you going…there’s nothing out here except for trees. I’m not staying here alone!”

“Crystal, just stay in the damn car, I’ll be back” I slammed the door and headed for the trunk to grab the bag. It had plagued me for so long, I was glad to finally get rid of it. Luckily Crystal hadn’t noticed how I brought it along everywhere and hadn’t asked any questions.

I slammed the trunk shut and tossed the bag behind my shoulder to find Crystal standing outside with an air of determination on her face.

“I’m not staying here” I glared at her

“Get into the fucking car Crystal, I’m not doing this right now” my eyes drifted into the darkness of the trees in search of anyone watching us.

“Not until you tell me what’s going on and where you’re going?” I glared why couldn’t she just fucking follow directions.

“Did you forget our agreement already, love?” I hissed softly. Her eyes opened slightly and she shook her head.

“Good” I scowled “Now get into the fucking car and stay here until I get back,” I grabbed her arm and dragged her back to the passenger side.

“Thirty minutes is all you wait until you double back and head for Ruby’s…OK?” She nodded vaguely and sat back into the car

“Lock the doors and don’t get out of the car until I get back…. Do you understand?” I held back on giving her another remark she already looked stressed and I didn’t want to start anything again. She nodded again and opened her mouth but I slammed the door before she could say anything. I couldn’t stand and argue anymore, the exchange had to happen now.

I turned around and walked towards the tree. Bo would be beyond pissed when he found out what they were doing; business was not done like this. I stared down at the base of the tree and searched for a package or a message but all I could see through the glare of the headlights was grass.

I smirked; “Bastards can’t even copy us correctly,” I murmured and let my eyes travel to the surrounding trees. From a distance I could see a light flashing on and off again deep within the trees.

I sighed, “Great, fucking wonderful”

I tightened my grip on the gym bag and trudged into the woods towards the flashing light. I scowled silently at the night and tried to listen for any movement around me. The flashing light led me face to face with Eddie Pots and a Smith and Wesson 9MM.

“Hey,” I held my hands up showing him the bag “just delivering”

He nodded and motioned me to go forward and I began my hike up a narrow trail to the cabin glowing in the distance.

I remembered Eddie Pots as the tall bulky guy that had worked with Bo before Bo and I began the Black Road business. The two had met in juvie and had started off by knocking cars for Bobby Cross to earn some extra cash in high school. But Bo met me a few years later and dropped Eddie and Cross-after some sort of shit and moved to LA.

I glanced behind me and saw him staring at me his pistol still drawn. I quickened my pace and appreciated the cool metal of my own gun strapped to my right leg.

I arrived at the cabin to see that it was more of a run-down shack that consisted of one room with a table, a lit trashcan, some chairs, and years worth of dust and grim. Rick was sitting at the table, two guys stood against the wall, and another by the door. I glared and felt naked without my jacket, which I had given to Crystal.

“You’re late” Rick grinned and motioned me to sit across from him. The lit trashcan was the only source of light in the room.

“I got stuck in traffic” I placed the bag on the table and sat. He nodded vaguely and from behind the table brought out his own black bag.

“Any trouble coming in?” his voice held a twinge of amusement that I ignored and continued to stare blankly at him. I was used to Rick’s bullshit, the two of us used to work for Tim the Rabbit back when we kids delivering packages to all the bosses around New York but tonight he was crossing the line.

“I doubt Bo will appreciate this” I motioned to our surroundings and glared at his shadowed form as laughter erupted from him.

“I know” his voice replied “but I thought it was about time someone showed you boys how much fun it is to be on our side of the garden.”

I shifted in my chair and scowled, “The grass is the same shitty green on both sides, Rick”

“True” he reached for the bag “but it’s interesting to see what it’s like…. besides it’ll annoy the fuck out of Bo” he grinned wickedly

I grinned slightly in acknowledgment “Yes, but lets not forget what happened to the last guy who did that.” He frowned but shrugged his shoulders carelessly and opened the bag and began counting the 40 grand inside. I counted my share of the exchange carefully and made sure nothing was missing.

“Bo might just overlook this fiasco with this” I pointed to the open back. He nodded in appreciation and I stood up to go.

“Always a pleasure” he voiced as he handed the bag to one of his guys against the wall. I nodded in vaguely and zipped up the bag

“Don’t make this a recurring joke,” I signaled to the room around us and he smiled slightly and nodded.

By the time I got back to the truck I was freezing, worried, and pissed. Bo would not appreciate Rick’s blatant disrespect of how we did business. It had been Bo who had started the Black Road idea and he would be more the annoyed at Rick’s copy cat joke.

The Black Road was created the year Bo and I met. It was a way to exchange money and merchandise freely without the fear of police or any competitors knowing what we were doing. We ordered our products and delivery was made at an undisclosed location of our choosing. The location could only be reached by traveling down black roads that were ridiculously difficult to find. Once on the black road one had to look for a single tree marked with neon yellow X. At the base of this tree one would find their money and would then proceed to deposit the merchandise. So far the idea had been working brilliantly. The Black Road had become one of the most respected forms of exchange in the business and we had yet to find anyone try to cross us. Yet Rick had gone and disrespected it with his bullshit and who knew how Bo would react now.

I shivered in the cold night and felt eyes on me as I walked to the car.

I hazily made out the car headlights and a hunched figure sitting in the passenger seat.

Crystal had her hands over her eyes and didn’t even notice I had neared the car until I opened the driver’s side door and she let out a scream.

“Calm down it’s just me”

“O’ My God, what took you so long! I’ve been waiting here for hours!” I flinched as her voice rose with each word. I tossed the bag in the backseat and started the car before answering her.

“I only took like fifteen minutes, calm down,” I answered as I put the car in reverse.

“I was so scared I would see them. I thought---

“See who?” She was still trembling when I glanced at her but her face had gone a pale white. “See who Crystal?”

“My…Dad…I thought you left me here for my dad” her voice came out too rushed for it to be the truth but I didn’t bother asking. It was too late in the night for another argument and Bo’s place was only a few hours away.

“I would never leave you, your too important, now calm down we’ll be getting home soon anyway,” which was the truth I would never leave her behind, she despite her strangeness had grown on me. Besides I owed her one for the hotel incident and getting her away from the sick fuck she called a father would be payment enough.

It took us two hours to get to Bo’s house in south-central L.A. Although, I doubted anyone else called it a house, it looked more like a shack. I glanced at Crystal as I parked waiting for her reaction. She lived in a three-story mansion and Bo’s place was smaller than her garage.

“Is this it?” she whispered softly as I cut the engine.

I smiled faintly and couldn’t help being amused by her look of disgust for the house.

“I’m sorry to say this, Princess, but this is the end of the line” I understood her distain for the neighborhood, Bo was a firm believer in understanding ones customer even when it meant he lived like a rat. “Bo has an eccentric way of living”

“This is eccentric?” I grinned as I guided her up to the walkway

“Don’t worry we won’t stay here long…I’ll find us a place”

I rang the bell and was greeted by a very pregnant Kate holding two beers in her hand.

“David!!”