Chapter Six- Fight or Flight

4:30 P.M.

Luke, Charlie, Shawn, Allen, and Martin took some of the information from the other three and ran down Rushmore Avenue. Luke knew that the cops weren’t smart enough to find them there. Martin kept looking at Luke wondering if he would go through with the murder and Luke kept looking at him wondering how he was going to get out of it. They ended up at the Crow hideout, an abandoned warehouse near the cemetery on the near west side. They dropped the crucial information in an empty oil drum and covered the lid.

“What use will it be in an old oil drum?” Charlie wondered.

“My brother will come pick it up when it’s safe man.” Martin answered.

“I guess. Anyone hungry?” Charlie asked.

“Yeah, but I’m headin it home.” Martin mentioned, “You guys can take tomorrow off it you want. I’ll see you at the protest.”

“Hey man, you got any cash on you?” Shawn asked which was weird for Shawn; he was loaded.

“Yeah, here’s two hundred each. Enjoy yourselves, and good work today.” He dished out the cash and ran off.

“Wicked man; thanks.” Shawn hollered as he was taking off.

Luke, Charlie, Shawn, and Allen walked cautiously out of the warehouse. They turned down the back alley and Luke gawked at the buildings towering above him. Luke explained to them what Jenna had done the night before last. He had to say something to get his mind off what Martin and him had talked about. He would tell them eventually, but not now.

“Jenna took my radio two nights ago. I went to get it and she threatened she’d tell my parents I was in Crow.”

“No shit? You didn’t tell Jenna you were in Crow, did you?” Allen asked.

“No, but she knows anyway. She won't say anything because she knows I'll kick her ass if she does.” Charlie lit up another smoke and handed it back and fourth between the four.

“That’s like your third cigarette Charlie.” Shawn noticed.

“Forth. What’s your point?”

“You loaded or something that you can afford to buy a pack of smokes every week or what?”

“No. Just felt like smoking. God Shawn, what’s up your ass man?” Charlie looked suspiciously at him.

“Nothing. It was just making sure Martin wasn’t paying you more than me.” Luke wondered if Shawn was short on cash, well he was sure he was. Despite being the richest out of all of them his dad was a dick and had control of his accounts. Most likely his dad froze them again.

They continued walking when they heard someone running down the street towards them. Luke grabbed his gun before the other three noticed. Luke leaned up against the building sucking his stomach in. Whoever it was wasn’t going to see him before Luke saw him. Charlie was the first to notice the red hair and Luke realized who it was.

Joseph Amoretti was an old friend of Shawn’s from school; they were on the track team together. Joseph knew everything about everyone and was the bearing of both good and bad news always, which is why he was a Page, a spy for them.

“Joey, what do you know man?” Shawn asked him firstly.

“Bad news guys. Karl Terrance was just gunned down by Tex. Even I didn’t know they were planning it. They caught him spying!” The four of them stood in shock. Karl Terrance was a Page for Crow and he was Mickey Sanchero’s, Fred, and Dave’s best friend. They were as close as Luke, Shawn, Allen, and Charlie were. As much as Luke disliked Mickey, he grieved for him. He couldn’t imagine loosing one of his friends; it would be as bad as losing his brother and he’d been down that road already.

“That means there is only you left Joey? You’re the only Page left in Tex for this chapter. Bummer man.” Shawn spoke worriedly.

“I know. I’m not careless like Karl was though. Jesus, I thought I better tell you guys. If you see Mickey, you need to tell him.” Before they could respond Joey was off running in the other direction in search of Mickey.

“ I can’t believe he s dead. Fucking Tex!” Charlie explained. They had all known Karl, not well, but it didn’t matter. They would never get the chance to know him.

“I can’t imagine loosing one of you guys. I feel bad for Mickey man.” Allen explained compassionately. “Think that’ll happen to us?” Allen was fatalistic, like Shawn, and probably the most caring. He asked a lot of question, unanswerable questions.

“Nah, we’ll know each other forever Allen. Don t you worry. “ Luke smiled laughing.

“There’s a cab. Yo!” Charlie hollered. They caught a cab and decided to go to Jake’s to get a bite to eat before heading home. Everyone couldn’t shake the nausea they felt from loosing a fellow Crow member. Martin would be pissed off, and Luke wondered if Mickey knew. He wondered what Mickey was going to do? None of them said anything else about Karl; they just kept their thoughts to themselves.

Inside Jake’s they walked towards their booth. A group of pre-teen girls were at their usual table, which was situated to the far left side of the diner and was quite secluded. The girls looked at the four and jumped out of the booth, moving to a table on the other side. Luke felt bad, they could have sat somewhere else, it didn’t really matter to them. The poor girls probably thought they would beat the shit out of them if they didn’t move.

Jake’s was a popular teenage hang out; Luke scanned the room looking at the 60’s retro furnishings. Jake’s had been owned and occupied since the late sixties and was still holding strong. It was known for it’s pizza’s and extra large drinks with minimal ice. The owner Jake Hanson was a rough businessman who Luke had seen twice in his entire life. The floor was the typical black and white tile and the vinyl red booths were still intact despite the occasional tear, which would be mended with duck tape. The walls were lined with pictures of classic cars, awards, and his sponsored baseball team. The license that hung on the wall in a rusty metal picture frame said the place was allowed to hold forty-three people but Luke knew that Jake’s could hold a lot more and had seen it quite regularly. Despite the shabby exterior Jake’s was comfortable and familiar to an age when peace seemed to be on everyone’s mind. To Jake’s misfortune the diner just happened to be a middle point for the gangs throughout the city and this not only caused a lack of older customers but a turf war. Looking around at the bustling place, which smelled of salty fries and baked cheese he saw only one group of Tex members, the rest were normal teenagers; that he could tell anyway. Both gangs had agreed, for Jake’s sake, that a truce would occur inside the diner but Luke didn’t trust this. There was usually a fight each month that left the place in shambles. Luke looked over at the Tex table. The five Tex members weren’t famous and Luke wouldn’t have even recognized them if it weren’t for Tommy Burlon seated next to them in the far left corner under the much clichéd Boulevard of Dreams picture.

“Hey guys, look who’s over there.” Luke pointed out of interest sake only.

“Fucking prick! I’m glad we lifted his house today. What a surprise he’ll get when he gets home and finds all his information gone, David will get rid of him for sure.” Charlie smiled. “Here comes Aubrey.”

Aubrey Kline had been a waitress at Jake’s for five years and knew almost every customer that walked in the door by name. She was twenty-one and was as beautiful as any girl in Madison. Every guy that knew her wanted to date her. Only two people had managed to win her heart. The first was Luke Marain, and the second was her current boyfriend Martin Walker. Luke and Aubrey had dated for six months but broke it off last month because Luke had cheated on her. Aubrey wasn’t angry with Luke, she just realized her needed time to grow up and learn how to treat a girl. He was therefore only sixteen and she was twenty-one. She was a red head, green eyes, and had a killer figure. Aubrey walked over and gave a sexy smile to the four. They were regular customers.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite customers.” Aubrey stated directing her comment to Luke. She would always love him.

“Hey Aubrey.” Shawn, Charlie, and Allen smiled.

“So what do you fellas want today?” She asked, knowing the answer.

“The usual.” Luke informed her dutifully. He still had a major crush on Aubrey, but didn’t know what she would say. Not to mention that Martin would kick his ass.

“Three cokes, and a coffee for you Shawn.”

“Of course.” Shawn smiled.

“Pepperoni pizza, with extra cheese coming up.” Aubrey smiled and started to walk away.

“With mushrooms!” Charlie hollered. Aubrey turned around and grinned, pretending to forget.

“Psyche.” She laughed.

“Hey Aubrey, think I could talk to you for a second?” Luke asked getting up from the booth.

“Yeah, meet me in a few minutes out back for my smoke break.” Luke nodded and grinned successfully as she waltzed back into the kitchen. Luke grinned at his friends.

“You know if Martin finds out your hanging around Aubrey, your ass is grass.” Charlie explained.

“Yeah I know it. I just want to talk about what she said.”

“Sure. Then you’ll make out with her and she’ll fall for you all over again.” Allen said, knowing Luke’s history with woman.

“I wish. Besides, she’s too much of a woman for me anyway.” He jeered. He was too much man for her.

“Hey Luke, Tommy keeps giving me the evil eye. I’m going to go over there and kick his ass.” Shawn interrupted, not interested in the conversation about Aubrey.

“Relax Shawn. We’ll get him tonight, it’s five on four and we don‘t want to piss Aubrey off.” Luke explained.

“So what? We can beat them up easily. Come on guys lets give those pricks something to smile about?”

“Later. Just wait. I better go talk to Aubrey now.” He informed them, caring more about himself than the Tex members.

“Don’t get too apologetic with her Luke. You don’t want Martin all over you.” Allen warned.

“Chill out man. I’ve got it under control.” He said reassuringly. Luke walked out the back door where Aubrey was having her smoke break. When she saw Luke, she handed the smoke to him and he took in a drag. She was leaning against a couple crates. Her skirt seemed to get shorter and shorter, but Luke didn’t mind.

“This stuff is killing me. Wish I hadn’t started in the first place.” Aubrey said making conversation.

“I know what you mean. I’m finding myself needing one. I think I’ll quit.”

“Better quit fast before you get hooked like me kiddo.”

“Hey Aubrey, I don’t want to talk about smoking any more.” He explained softly. She looked at him and knew what Luke wanted to talk about.

“Okay what did you want to talk about?”

“About me and you.”

“Luke, honey, you and I are over. When we went out it was great, but like I said. You need to grow up. I don’t know what I was thinking, going out with a sixteen-year-old kid anyway. No offence.”

“Aubrey, I don’t know why I kissed her. Can’t you forgive me?”

“I forgive you Luke. I’m not mad at you. You just need to grow up, and that’s all there is to it. I remember being sixteen and I remember the guys then. Luke, all you kids, you don’t think of the consequences, just like Martin. Though, we’re pretty much through.” Luke smiled to himself. He had a shot of getting her back.

“What do you mean we don’t think of consequences?”

“You don’t think of what could happen. You do it, and then you worry about it.”

“Will you quit analyzing me? Maybe you’re right, actually I know you are, but all I want is for you and me to get back together. I’m not a little kid. I know I screwed up and I’m willing to be that adult you wanted.”

“Luke, you acting like an adult doesn’t change the fact that you’re still a kid, sorry, young adult. Look what you’re fighting for? If you were an adult you wouldn’t be fighting on the teenage side of the rebellion.” She had a point, Luke thought. Damn she was smart.

“What do you mean by that?” Luke could feel the anger rising. She was a typical adult always stereotyping. He hated people who stereotyped.

“Nothing. Luke, I like you a lot. I just don’t think we’re meant for each other. Not now anyway.”

“Fine. I tried, but you’ll come crawling back to me Aubrey. They always do.” He hissed angry that he’d been rejected and humiliated. He wasn’t five years old.

“Luke?” Aubrey cried out. Luke ran back into Jake’s and sat down. He couldn’t believe she wouldn’t take him back. He wasn’t used to not getting his own way. He cursed a few times under his breath.

“No smeared lipstick Luke. You struck out didn’t you?” Charlie jeered.

“Shut the hell up Charlie. She’ll come back to me. She enjoyed the fooling around as much as I did.”

“Don’t have a cow man I was just joking around.”

“I thought you were a virgin Luke?” Shawn asked, still glaring at Tommy.

“I am. We never had sex we just fooled around.”

“Oh I thought I missed something.” Shawn declared.

“She’s a megabitch.” Allen muttered. Luke saw Aubrey coming and spoke harshly.

“Chill. Here she comes with the food.” Aubrey brought the pizza out and placed it down without a word. She looked at Luke sympathetically and then walked away.

“You’ll be back.” Luke hissed. Aubrey just kept on walking.

The topic of Aubrey and Luke faded and the issue of what was happening that night came into play. Luke was still upset about Aubrey but concentrated on the night s plan. He decided he didn’t want to go out at all; he just wanted to sit and think about the predicament he had gotten himself into with Martin. Maybe that’s what he flipped on Aubrey, Luke knew that it was. Why couldn’t he just say no for once? When he was offered a smoke at ten, he said yes and now he was addicted. Then when he some kid at school bet him to steal some records, he said yes, and ended up spending a month in juvie. Now, he was asked to be a chapter leader, and he said yes. Sometimes Luke thought he was cursed.

“I got to be in early tonight. My mom and dad bitched at me last night. I’m not supposed to be out I don’t think.” Luke spoke, his train of thought fading.

“I know. I don’t want a lot of action tonight either man.” Allen suggested to the three.

“So we aren’t going to fight Tommy and his guys.” Shawn asked disappointed.

“Only if they make the first move.” Charlie explained. They continued to eat their double pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and mushrooms still gossiping over that night’s plans.

Sure enough just as Charlie, Shawn, Allen, and Luke had paid and were about to leave, four of Tommy’s buddies walked over and surrounded the table.

“What the fuck do you want?” Charlie shouted, glaring at one of the guys. Tommy was in the washroom; he probably had no idea what was about to go down. Tommy wouldn’t dare challenge them, not without the right kind of backup, and four newcomers wouldn’t have a hope against the four. They knew how to fight.

Charlie had been fighting since such a young age; it was hard to believe he had only lost three times. Charlie had learned pretty easily how to take down an opponent with the fast jab of his, and even a quicker left hand. He was strong, stronger than any of them, just maybe not Allen. Luke and Shawn had always joked that it would be a good match to see Allen and Charlie fight. They never did.

Shawn had taken more beatings than he had delivered. He had learned his fighting skills from his father and brother, who used the skills on him. He could dodge a blow, and escape a kick faster than anyone they knew.

Allen wasn’t fast, hardly, but his body was his shield. He would just have to charge and use his body weight to beat an opponent. He wasn’t a scrapper, not like Charlie, but he was a good blocker.

Luke was the only one of them who had actually taken a fighting class. His father put him in Defensive Training when he was six. Jack always figured his son was going to be a cop like him, so he wanted him to learn to handle people. Jack never thought he’d use it in a criminal way. Luke quit taking those classes only three years ago. Jack had also taught him a couple cop moves, which had helped Luke out more than once.

“We thought we’d come over and tell you four freaks to get the hell off Tex property.” One of Tommy s friends said.

“I didn’t know this was Tex property. Who the hell are you anyway? No one important obviously, I don’t even know your name.” Luke hissed emphasizing I as if he were all-important.

“I’m Jay Benson. This is Tex property, so get the hell off man.” Jay sneered.

“Fuck you. Now get the fuck away from our table before you start something you can’t finish.” Charlie warned. Tommy came out of the washroom and saw his buddies surrounding Luke, Shawn, Allen, and Charlie.

“Are you guys nuts?” Tommy questioned angrily as he ran to help out. His buddies turned and looked at him confused.

“Hey Tommy, why don’t you sick your bitches off us, before we make them our bitches?” Shawn smirked.

“You think you’re funny don’t you?” Another guy with black hair scowled and looked eager to fight. Tommy glared at the black haired kid. He didn’t want to get into a fight with those four, not without more people.

Shawn looked at his friends and whispered so Tommy and his friends could barely hear.

“Is this kid for real? Must be a new squire. Does he know who he’s messing with?” Shawn stood up and was about an inch away from Tommy’s friend.

“Well who are you then Mr. Big shot?” The black haired kid asked. Shawn smiled, sarcastically.

“I’m Shawn Adams.” He grinned. The kid suddenly backed down and looked at Tommy, waiting for proof that it was actually Shawn Adams. Tommy nodded.

“Rogers, Charlie Rogers.” Charlie laughed, pretending to be like James Bond.

“Allen Karman at your service bitch.” Allen winked, standing up. He towered over Jay Benson.

“Guess who I am yet?” Everyone but Tommy looked terrified. They were wishing they had never messed with these four. Of course they’d heard of Luke Marain and his friends, they were infamous members of Crow, best friends, and on the don’t-hit-without-backup list. They’d gotten that reputation ever since they first joined Crow.

Charlie, Luke, Shawn, and Allen stood but inches away from the five Tex members. Aubrey sauntered out of the kitchen with a pizza tray in her hands and saw what was about to happen.

“If you guys are thinking about fighting, you can forget about it. I’ll call the cops, and I know a least four of you have records.” She said referring to Shawn, Allen, Charlie, and Luke’s records. Both groups stopped and Shawn sneered.

“Too bad. I was looking forward to hurting you.”

“Don’t worry you’ll get your chance. Though, you’ll be the one that’s hurting.” The black haired kid said boastfully, knowing that Luke Marain and his friends wouldn’t fight them after the warning.

“Oh yeah? Is that a fucking threat? You pushing me asshole?” Shawn did it. No one expected him to, but Shawn did it. He threw a punch, which landed the black haired kid on his back. The kid got up and ran hard towards him knocking Shawn back. The two started to wrestle both throwing punches on the ground. Tommy went to help but Charlie got him and the brawl started. Charlie threw Tommy into a couple of tables and they shattered under him. Luke grabbed Jay Benson’s shoulder, spun him around, and dug his fist into the kids face. Allen took on the other two guys and other people in Jake’s started to form a circle around the action. Aubrey called the police, which arrived after the damage was already done. Dishes were broken all over the floor, a couple windows were broken, chairs and tables were shattered and all in all, it was a mess. Tommy and his friends sprinted away from the scene, but Luke, Shawn, Allen, and Charlie were too late. They were trying to help clean up a bit, because they felt bad. Luke felt really bad for damaging Jake’s. Robbie Page was the one who arrived at the scene. He pointed his revolver at Luke and his friends, but lowered it when he saw who it was. Robbie went over to Luke and looked at him.

“Aw Luke.” He said it so disappointedly.

“Aw nothing Robbie.” His own father screamed but Robbie actually felt ashamed which actually made Luke feel bad.

“You know the drill.” Robbie spoke softly. Luke spread his hands against the wall. He was so glad he had left his gun at the warehouse. Robbie searched him and found no weapons. Luke’s Crow symbol was in the inside pocket of his jacket but Robbie wouldn’t search there.

“Thought you told me you were staying out of trouble?”

“I was man.” Luke spoke a little offended.

“Your dad is going to be pissed. I heard what happened yesterday.”

“Yeah I know. This week just keeps getting better and better.” The other cops were searching Allen, Charlie, and Shawn. Shawn had a gun on him, which really sucked, he’d get charged for it, but as long as they couldn’t prove he was in a gang it was all good. Shawn’s old man would pay for him to get out.

“So what happened Luke?” Robbie asked him, his hands still on the wall.

“We got in a fight. It got out of hand. That’s it man.”

“Who started it?” Luke hesitated. He didn’t want to admit that it was Shawn. Aubrey butted in and announced promptly.

“The other guys were hassling them. Shawn Adams threw the first punch though.” Luke glanced at Aubrey. He wasn’t mad at her anymore. She had to tell the truth.

“Turn around and face me.” Luke faced him ashamed. “You’re hurt, do you need an ambulance?”

“No. It was just a dumb fight; the guys were really stupid, calling us down, so Shawn got mad and then they all started in and that s the truth Robbie.”

“Fuckin A Robbie that’s what happened.” Allen explained from his left.

“I believe you man but you’re still under arrest, you know that right?”

“Yeah.”

“Put your hands behind your back kid.” Robbie took out the handcuffs and pulled his one hand behind his back, the cold metal clamping down on his wrist. Luke sighed; he really didn’t feel like spending the night on those thin cell cots, or listening to his father.

“I gotta cuff you Luke.” Robbie spoke, justifying it to himself.

“I know. Think I‘ll go to juvie cuz of this?”

“I don’t know.” He clamped them shut and Luke wished they weren’t so tight. He was going to ask but decided not to just because he felt bad.

“If I send you over there to that officer, you’ll listen to him right? No funny stuff?”

“Who me?” Luke said innocently. “Nah. You got us Robbie. I won’t pull anything.” Luke casually walked over to the police car, noticing the crowds building already, and the officer told him to take a seat inside. Allen was placed in the police car beside him. Shawn and Charlie were placed in the other car. All four of them got in the car willingly. For once Shawn didn’t talk back to the cops. Unfortunately Shawn had his gun on him, which wasn’t good at all. He knew that Shawn could talk his way out of it; he could talk his way out of anything. Luke was glad he had connections with cops. Robbie drove the police car, and kept the screen open so he could talk to them. After a few minutes of silence Robbie spoke, contemplating his decision.

“If I let you guys go home tonight, will you promise to go back down tomorrow and clean the place up?”

“Totally man.” Luke said quickly. He didn’t care. He really didn’t want to spend the night in jail if he could help it. He knew he probably deserved it, he knew he did. However, he still wanted to get away from it. Luke was actually sorry. He didn’t mean for it to turn into a full-blown brawl. Though he figured he’d be too tired to get up to clean the place up.

“Will you pay for the damage done?”

“Yeah.” Allen said. “Really we will.”

“Really Robbie. Swear to God.”

“I don’t know if I should let you go home?”

“It’s up to you man, I won’t be mad if you don’t.” Luke just said this to make Robbie feel bad. He would be a little pissed off if Robbie took them to jail.

“Fine. You owe me big time you guys. But, it wouldn’t be fair. I used to get in big fights all the time, and I was never arrested for it. I think it might straighten you out though, but I’m a fair guy so I’ll let you guys go home this time.”

“Thanks Robbie. Thank you so much.” Allen grinned.

“I’ll radio the car ahead of us and tell them to release Charlie. Why did Shawn have a gun on him?” Luke knew exactly what to say. It was their excuse for everything, and all four of them knew.

“He found it today in this alley and he picked it up. We all told him it was a stupid thing to do, but Shawn’s stubborn. I know it looks bad, but honest, he just found it.” Luke said it in his most serious tone. Robbie stared at him for a couple seconds before believing him.

“Well we’re going to have to take him down, see if the story checks out, then we’ll let him go in the morning.”

“Will he have to go to court?”

“No, I’ll see him released, why tie up the courts?” Luke was stoked. He hardly knew any cops that would do that for him or any adults either. The cop car ahead of them radioed back and told Robbie that Shawn and Charlie agreed to the terms.

“Just go down there tomorrow morning and clean up. I’ll get that waitress to verify that you showed up.” Robbie turned down Luke’s street and pulled in the driveway. It was still daylight, and Mrs. Alcott was on her porch again having her after supper cigarette break.

“Do you mind if I get out with Luke, Robbie?” Allen asked.

“Nope.” Robbie turned off the engine and opened the back door. Luke got himself out like a pro. He had gotten out of the back seat of a police car with handcuffs before. Luke stood up and Robbie uncuffed him and then Allen. Luke and Allen shook Robbie’s hand and thanked him. Robbie left them standing on the front lawn. Almost all the snow was gone now. Luckily there were no windows in which his mom could see out of. She would be really mad if she saw them get out of a cop car in cuffs.

“Got in a little trouble did you Luke?” Mrs. Alcott yelled from her front porch.

“Misunderstanding.”

“Lets hope your father doesn’t find out about this misunderstanding.”

“Totally.” Luke and Allen said on the front porch. Mrs. Alcott smiled and went inside.

His mom wasn’t expecting him home for another half an hour, so they decided to sit on the lawn furniture in the back yard even though it was wet. Luke was surprised that Tommy’s friends didn’t know who they were. Most people knew. Not that they were famous, or giants or anything, but they had connections. Many people wouldn’t mess with Luke just because his dad was a cop. Charlie’s dad and Shawn’s in government, and Allen’s mom working with the district attorney. They weren’t the best bunch of kids to pick a fight with. Also they had a reputation for winning fights, and usually damaging their victims pretty good. Luke remembered hearing a rumor six months earlier that the four of them had beat some kid up and burned him with cigarettes all over his arms and legs. It wasn’t the truth but it got people scared of them. Logan also had a stellar reputation and all of Tex knew Luke Marain was out for revenge and most of them didn’t want to get in the way. He liked feeling powerful. He was half way to getting his dream.

Luke took out his Crow symbol from the inside pocket of his jacket. He stared at it turning it upside down. It was a round piece of hard cloth with a crow sewed into the center. It had “Ages Become Equal” written in bold letters around the circle. It was red, and the crow was obviously black. He had started to wonder what it really meant to him. He thought about what Martin and him had discussed. He was going to kill for this symbol. Was it really worth it?

“Allen, what does this symbol mean to us anyway?”

“It means we finally belong man.”

“Yeah we belong sure, but does it do us any good?”

“I don t know. I’ll let you know when I do.” He snickered lighting a smoke. “Want one?”

“Nah, I think I m gonna quit. Besides, my mom s inside man, that s all I need is her bitchin.”

“Something bugging you man? You seem bummed out.” That was why Allen was probably the closest out of his friends. Allen was so caring, and he was always there to talk to. Luke could never tell Charlie that he was scared or worried, and Shawn would probably say something stupid because he didn’t understand. Allen knew and he listened, gave some advice, but that was all it was. Charlie was persuading and Shawn was sometimes just aggravating.

“No, nothing.” He smiled showing no concern. He wanted to tell Allen, but he just couldn’t, not yet.

Luke continued to think about the symbol and murder. It had brought him no happiness whatsoever, and it didn’t bring him sorrow either. So what did the Crow symbol do for him? Sure it made him feel like he belonged somewhere in the color blind world, and sure it had a sense of nostalgia because it was his bro’s but other than that it meant nothing. He glanced at his watch and got up.

“Lets go face the music.” He opened the door and hoped Allen and him weren’t too scraped up that his mother would notice. He was worse than he thought he was. His mother shrieked when she saw their faces.

“Oh my gosh! What happened to you two? Are you okay?” She ran up and held his face checking the bruises and scratches and then looking at Allen. Her touch made his wounds hurt worse. She was rough without knowing it.

“We’re fine mom.”

“Yeah Mrs. Marain, it’s nothing, really.” Mrs. Marain glared at Allen stupefied.

“We just got in a fight that’s all.” Luke explained.

“With whom?”

“We got in a fight with some guys.” Luke answered. Trying to push past her.

“You lost I take it?”

“We won. You should see the other five guys.”

“That’s nothing to boast about Lucas, my Lord.” She fretted with him and then looked at Allen.

“Allen what about you? Do you want me to call your father?”

“No, really Mrs. Marain I’m fine. Thank you.”

“We just want to go to bed.”

“Okay. We’ll talk in the morning.” Luke smiled to himself. He managed to escape a lecture, but he knew this was only because his mother was frantic and because she didn’t like yelling in front of his friends.

“How did we manage to escape a lecture?” Allen asked.

“I don’t know man. Must be our lucky night.” Luke smiled. They walked into his room and checked themselves out in the mirror. No wonder his mother noticed, he looked like he had been kicked in the face several times by a horse. His lip was cut, his face was bruised on both sides, and his right eye was black and blue. Allen’s face was just as bad, but less noticeable. Luke felt ashamed that one of Tommy’s friends had done that much damage. Then again, he had done a lot of damage to Tommy’s friend.

Luke kept thinking about what Aubrey had said to him. She was right, and he felt stupid for not believing her. She said he would do something and then worry about it later, and get away with it. He wished he had of thought before getting into the fight, then maybe Jake’s wouldn’t be a mess, and maybe his face wouldn’t look like it had been through a meat grinder, and maybe he wouldn’t have to clean up Jake’s and dish out money to fix it up. He would talk to her when he goes down to Jake’s the next morning.

“Lets see if Charlie’s listening? It really sucks that Shawn got taken in.” Luke said. He grabbed radio in the corner and spoke quietly into the receiver.

“Charlie?” No one answered. “Guess not. Well let’s see if we can catch a wink before we go out tonight.” Luke threw a pillow to Allen and a couple blankets.” Will that do you?”

“Yeah.” Allen sighed. “You know man, I can’t believe we smashed up Jake’s and got away with it too. I mean without being arrested. That’s so awesome.”

“Me neither. You know Aubrey told me when we were talking that me; you, and the guys do something and then worry about the consequences later. She says we don’t think before we do stuff. I believe she’s right.”

“Maybe. Who cares, we always manage all right.”

“True. You know, I really think I love Aubrey. She gives me this weird feeling.”

“You’re trippin man.” Allen chuckled.

“No I mean it.”

“Well good for you I guess.” The conversation stopped.

“No I really do love her.”

“Okay, Casanova.” Allen spoke louder. They both laughed, but Luke stopped when he thought about Martin s proposition.

“What s wrong Luke?” Allen asked, sitting up, noticing the same worried expression as before.

“Fuck Allen, I’m in a bind.” Luke looked like he was going to cry.

“Why? Are you worried about your dad finding out we almost got arrested again. Don’t freak out about that.” Luke had a habit of worry about things; even they didn’t need to be worried about. Allen hardly ever had a care in the world.

“I wish?”

“What do you mean?” Allen asked totally confused.

“I wish that was all I had to worry about.”

“Jesus Luke, don’t keep me out of the loop.”

“When you were in Tommy’s house me and Marty were talking.”

“Yeah?”

“Allen he asked me to be a chapter leader for the east side.”

“Excellent! Congratulations.” Allen grinned from ear to ear.

“Allen you don’t get it.” Luke spoke sullenly. “I have to kill a Tex member before I can become a leader. I have two weeks.” Saying it made it even more real.

“Seriously? That’s totally uncool.”

“Yeah! The worst part is, I said yes before I realized I’d have to kill someone, so I can t turn back now.”

“Just don t do it.” Allen shrugged.

“I thought about that, but Martin says if I don’t kill a Tex member within two weeks Crow will turn me into the cops, or turn me over to Tex. What am I going to do Allen?”

“I’ll let you know when I know. Don’t worry, we’ll think of something.”

“Don t tell the other guys just yet, they wouldn’t understand.” Allen nodded and Luke remained silent, but they didn’t sleep, they were absorbed in their own little thoughts. Luke knew he wouldn’t be able to murder someone in cold blood even if his brother apparently had. He had shot at a few people, but he had never killed anyone or hit them for that matter. Then again he didn’t really have a choice. He knew that if he refused Martin would turn him over to the cops. It wouldn’t be so bad in jail, but without his friends he’d go nuts. Then again maybe The Crow would want him dead, and turn him over to Tex as a traitor. He couldn’t imagine. There were a million kids in Tex that would love to kill him, just for being a cop’s son.

The alarm went off at eight o’clock; it seemed like hours. They had to be back in two hours because his mother would be going to bed at ten and she’d check up on them. Luke knew his dad was working so he really didn’t want to get caught at the protest, no matter how peaceful. The two of them hiked to Charlie’s house; watching carefully at all the movement around them.

“Wish Shawn could make it. Bet he’s just stoked in his cell.” Allen joked.

“At least he won’t have to go to court. We owe Robbie for that, all of us do.”

“I know. I don’t want to go to this protest. Every time one happens the cops come out and bash our heads and hassle everyone. The rebellion seems to be making more fucking progress than some stupid protest.”

“Totally, but Marty wants us to go and show support.”

“Yeah, wonder what the corny chant is today. ‘Equal rights, fight fight fight!’ Or how about last month’s ‘Equal ages means more wages.’ What the hell did that mean anyway?”

“Fuck if I know. It is a waste of time.”

“Ah well.” Allen walked in Charlie’s house and found him just eating a bowl of soup. Aaron was sitting on the other couch watching MTV again. His face had swelled quite dramatically which Luke knew he would complain about.

“Is that all you do is eat? We just ate like four hours ago.” Luke asked with a grin.

“Fuck you. What are you my mother?” Charlie snarled. He ate quickly and asked his brother who was staring at the TV uninterestingly.

“Aaron, man you coming?”

“Nah, think I’m going to go to bed. Protests are stupid anyway.”
Aaron murmured getting up and going to bed.

“He’s not feeling too good. Lets go.” The three of them left the house and walked side by side on the sidewalk. Luke felt empty without a gun and for a moment he thought that was pretty sad. He would have never guessed that he d feel empty without a gun. Luke could suddenly hear the noise and the commotion a couple blocks ahead.

“I hear them.”

“Yeah, sounds like quite a few people.” Allen spoke disappointedly.

“Which means we’ll draw in the cops.” Charlie explained. They continued to walk until the closed in on the group of about two hundred teenagers chanting with signs with corny messages and even cornier songs. They were there for numbers and because they needed to show support. A police car had already arrived and started hollering threats to all the kids walking down Main Street. Traffic was backed up for miles and detours were put into place. Luke, Allen, and Charlie leaned up against a parked car and watched the cop. They didn’t feel like getting arrested, that had already happened once earlier. Luke spotted a kid by the name of Jeff walking in front screaming insults at the cop. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what was about to happen. Luke sensed these things and knew that if the kid kept squawking the cop would arrest him and then a full-blown riot would break out and Luke didn’t feel like that tonight. Charlie saw Jeff throw the first punch and within two minutes half of the Madison police department had arrived in riot gear and twenty police vans. Kids were getting thrown in left and right and cops were going down one by one getting attacked by ten kids at once. They didn’t have a chance.

“Jesus Christ, we better get out of here.” Allen yelled as the window in the car they were standing against got smashed. Luke saw the grocery store directly across from them getting looted and the electronics store didn’t have a chance. He considered for a moment going in a getting some electronics but changed his mind.

“They’re going to bring out the gas and the water hoses soon. My dad told me all about riot situations guys.”

“Well we either get in there and help our friends or we get the fuck out of here. Every time there is a peaceful protest it turns into a full-blown riot.” Charlie cursed. Luke knew that, everyone knew that. He hadn’t actually seen one get so out of hand before, but he knew this was only the beginning. Luke turned around and saw four police cars pull in a few blocks behind them.

“Guys, we need to decide fast.” Charlie hurried. The electronics store had caught on fire and the car they were leaning against had now been turned over.

“Lets get out of here.” Luke dictated feeling tired.

“Fucking A.” Allen spoke relieved. They turned to run, dodging stupid kids, and cops at the same time. “Damn little kids.” Girls and guys alike were getting pulled down and kicked in the head by cops, but Luke didn’t blame them. It was a matter of survival. People, adults and teens, do stupid things when they get into a group. They become one instead of individuals, and Luke wondered if that was the way it was with Charlie, Shawn, Allen, and him. He probably wouldn’t have done a lot of the things he had done in his past if the other three weren’t there. Charlie looked over and saw six guys on top of a cop who was wriggling trying to get out of the mess.

“Look at that? Stupid fucks.” Luke turned and froze. He recognized that face.

“Jesus Christ, that’s my dad.” He ran over to the six guys without a second thought and threw his already sore fists into the face of the first guy he grabbed. He was thankful it was no one he recognized from Crow or any other stupid gang. Charlie and Allen ran over to help to and finally got the six guys off his father. Jack was lying not unconscious but a little overwhelmed. Charlie and Allen got in and got the five guys off throwing punches in which Allen knocked one guy completely unconscious and the other four ran. Luke knelt down and tried to bring his father to his feet.

“Get off me you stupid . . .!” Jack was hollering angrily. He probably thought they were a bunch of kids after him again.

“Dad, it’s me, come on, get up.” Jack opened his puffy eyes and saw Luke.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Saving your ass. Come on.” The three helped him to his feet and practically carried him down a back alley. They sat him down in the darkness and Allen went and guarded the entrance.

“Are you okay dad? Jesus you’re all cut up.”

“So are you?” His dad added condemningly.

“Some kids hit us, not cops. We weren’t fighting with the cops.” Luke explained honestly.

“What are you doing here?”

“We came to protest, but when the riot broke out we got the hell out of there. We were leaving when we saw you. Jesus this is no time to get pissed off. Where’s your radio?”

“Those bastards probably took it.”

“Do you have your gun?” Jack s face went white. He felt around his belt until he finally felt his gun. The relief swept over him it was a cop’s worst nightmare to loose his gun. “How are we going to get you out of here.”

“I can’t leave, I have to stay with the rest of my unit. I want you three to get the hell home!”

“We can’t leave you here. You could have died Uncle Jack.” Charlie explained.

“I’ll be fine. Get home before you get arrested. Go, all of you! Go!” Luke wished he dad would at least thank him for practically saving his life but he got no reward. The three of them took off. They dropped Charlie off at his house and raced home. It was almost curfew and they were both extremely tired. Allen didn’t feel like going home and they wanted to wake up to go to Jake’s and clean up. His father didn’t know about Jake’s yet, but he was sure his mother would tell him. They crawled in window and got into bed quietly.

“My dad didn’t even fucking thank me. I saved his life practically.”

“Yeah, fuck him. He had an adrenaline rush, he probably wasn’t even thinking.” Allen justified.

“I’ve tried so hard to make him proud of me. I did something good tonight; I went against probably Crow members to help a cop. He won’t see it like that, he’ll just lecture about how I was at a protest, he won’t care that I helped him.”

“He’s an adult and a cop, they’re like that man.” Allen explained lying down.

“I know, man I just wish for a little credit, just a little.” Luke covered his head with his blanket angrily. He knew why he did what he had done tonight. There were two reasons actually; one was because of Martin’s idea. He thought that maybe if he saved a life tonight it might make taking one a little easier, thought Luke knew it wouldn’t. Also it was his own father and his father meant a lot to him and he was hoping to maybe have some gratitude since he hadn’t deserved any in a long time.

Luke looked over at Allen, who was fast asleep. Luke got up and went to the bathroom, grabbing some sleeping pills on the way; they were his father’s and they were little. That was the second night in a row he’d used them. He suddenly didn’t think he d be able to wake up in time to clean up Jake’s. If they woke up in time Luke would go down and help, but if he slept in, then he’d just have to make it up to Aubrey. He didn’t really want to disappoint Robbie, but his comfort came first, most of the time. The pills worked, he went to sleep. Around three thirty his father rapped on his door. Luke ran to open it and faced his father who looked better than he did hours earlier.

“Yeah?”

“Ugh, you pulling me from there was a, well it was a good thing to do.” Luke grinned, his father’s way of showing appreciation.

“No problem.”

“You’re still grounded. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Luke rolled his eyes, but no punishment could be outweighed his father’s praise. He closed the door and Allen woke up.

“Please tell me it isn’t morning?”

“No, not yet. Though, I don’t think we re going to make it down to Jake’s in the morning.”

“Screw it man. We’ll pay for the damages, but I won’t wake up in time.” Allen spoke groggily.

“Robbie might arrest us?”

“Oh what the hell, it wouldn’t be the first time.” Allen smiled. Luke crawled back under his covers and grinned back.

“Totally.”

(I really liked this chapter too, just because Luke and his friends are such badasses)