Chase slowly opened a blue eye, his acute vision meeting with a cracked, dusty ceiling. He opened the other eye, simply lying on his bed in his cold room, staring blankly at the ceiling, no particular thoughts running through his mind. No worries, no reminders, no fear, no anger. Just a silent mind.

He sighed, sitting up and swinging his feet over the side of his uncomfortable mattress to settle on the chilly wood floor. He pushed himself up, stretching his tall, slight muscular form out, and walking to his closet. He pulled the door open, pulling out a simple black shirt and pair of baggy jeans. He slid his feet into socks, then hopping into a pair of simple black shoes. He closed his closet door, picked up a small backpack, and stepped out of his room into a large hallway, locking the door behind him and sliding the set of keys into his pocket. He stepped silently down the hallway, to a small kitchen. He spotted no one around him and walked to the fridge, swinging it open and grabbing a makeshift breakfast, just an orange and a glass of milk that would soon sour. He heard footsteps down the hall, and he played with the knife in his pocket, ready to pull it out if need be.

He let go of the knife as Shiloh stepped out, her thin form clad in a baggy grey sweatshirt and sweatpants. Her feet were covered in warm slippers. Her blonde hair hung lazily hung in front of her face, her eyes bleary. He finished the glass of milk, rinsing it out and setting it into the old sink. Neither said anything, knowing it would probably alert Tack. Shiloh didn’t do it for her sake; she did it for Chase’s. If given the chance, Tack would take Chase by force. And by take, he meant sleeping with the boy. She waved once as he silently opened the door of the shared apartment between the five teenagers and stepped into the dully-lit hallway, walking past numbered doors to the stairs. Not once did he ever trust an elevator.

Chase stepped out into the chilly street, two day old snow still lingering on the corners, ice across the sidewalk, waiting for an unaware pedestrian. Chase flipped the hood of the sweatshirt he’d grabbed on the way out over his head, the dark material casting a shadow over his pale skin and hiding his dark hair. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, shivering slightly. The cold didn’t work well with Chase.

He walked down a few blocks, leaving his neighborhood and into a slightly more active one. He bought a quick coffee, sipping at it as he sat on a metal chair, watching out the window of the café at the world. He would have to get some money today, for the others. Shiloh didn’t eat enough, and Shane needed money for classes. Besides, if he didn’t get a good amount, Tack would work double-time to try to get at the sixteen year-old. It was his way of saying that Chase didn’t do good enough. Chase always tried to do good enough.

He tossed the coffee cup into the trash, stepping back onto the cold street. He’d aim for the parking lots today. Some easy catches there.

Chase made his way down a few more blocks at a quick pace, arriving at an indoor car garage. He walked in, looking around a bit at the cars before being noticed by a guard watching over the cars. He smiled and nodded to the man, giving a friendly wave and pretending to lock a car that wasn’t his. The guard nodded, and Chase quickly hurried out of the garage.

His next stop was a large open parking lot, near the alleys and back buildings, so not many were out there. He looked about a bit, peering through a few windows. He walked up to a small red truck. He spotted a CD case on the inside. He checked the locks. Seemed easy to break. He prodded a bit around, using a few tricks and finally popping the lock open. Suddenly, the truck honked loudly at him as the just-opened lock clicked closed again, causing him to let out a small shriek and jump back in surprise.

“Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing to my truck?” a feminine voice demanded, laced with anger. He flipped his head around, blue eyes locking on a tall, attractive woman. She had a book bag slung over her shoulder, and the keys with a clicker in her hand. She looked in her early twenties, and she looked mad.

Chase looked around quickly for an exit. He ran out of good options and turned, prepared to sprint and dodge between the cars towards the street. This was quickly ruled out when something smacked him in the back of the head. He fell over more from surprise than being hit in the head, cheek smashing into the remaining snow.

He opened his closed eyes, looking to see what had hit him. A single drumstick rested in the snow. She’d thrown a freaking drumstick at him.

He heard solid footsteps breaking through ice behind him, then a slight bit of slush. It came to a stop and he turned, looking up to see the woman up close, her own pair of blue eyes sparkling as she grinned widely. She reached down, and he prepared for an impact, flinching. After a few moments he looked back, realizing that she’d picked up the drumstick and put in into her bag. She reached down again, though, yanking him up by the wrist to his feet. She was a slight bit taller than him.

“Well? You gonna answer my question?” she demanded, his escape prevented from a strong grip on his wrist. Of course, she was a drummer. Probably strong and fast. Not working in his favor today.

“Well, I was breaking into it,” he replied sarcastically, then biting his tongue. Maybe he shouldn’t pick a fight with a potential danger.

She just grinned wider, her blue eyes surrounded with a perfect line of dark liner glimmering. “Oooh, he’s a mean one. I think we could get along.”

He gave her an incredulous look, brows furrowed and mouth open in disbelief. “What?” he asked, his voice portraying his expression.

“Well, if you apologize and explain yourself…” she trailed off, glancing off to the right, up high. “We can go from there.”

He stared at her for a few minutes, mouth hanging open in a shocked silence. She tapped her foot, snapping him out of his stupor.

“Uhm…I’m sorry, I was breaking into your car to steal your CD’s to steal them to sell them so I could have some money to keep my friends and myself fed. And still a virgin.”

She raised a single eyebrow, the top half of it hidden beneath a black, stylish hat. “What’s your name?” she asked.

Chase considered lying for a moment, knowing that he was easy to track with a real name. On some impulse, however, he blurted out a quick “Chase.”

She nodded, releasing his wrist and adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “Nice to meet you, Chase. I’m Jester.” She held out her hand, lime green nails shining in the winter sun.

“Uhh…you too,” he replied, shaking her slightly tan hand with his own pale.

She stared at him for a few minutes, making him feel slightly scrutinized under her intense gaze.

“When did you last eat, Chase?” she asked.

“Just about two hours ago…” he said, taking his turn to raise an eyebrow.

“Let me guess…not much, huh?” She didn’t let him reply, instead flipping her keys up and unlocking the doors of the red truck. “Get in, if you want.” She waved a single hand, walking around and sliding into the driver’s side.

He stared for a moment, considering all possible outcomes. Well, this might be an opportunity. It might bring good. He pulled open the door, climbing up into the passenger’s seat and sending a sharp glance at Jester. She had an interesting name, he noted. Lots of people he knew had interesting names.

She grinned, starting up the car and turning on her CD player. A techno-ish song started up as she pulled out. She drove out onto the street, taking off her hat to reveal black hair with white streaks, tossing the hat behind her to sit with her book bag behind the seat. She drove in silence, Chase watching the road.

After about twenty minutes, she pulled out onto a nicer parking lot, next to a six-story apartment building. She beckoned with a hand as she got out of the truck, locking it once he’d gotten out too. She walked at a brisk pace to the door of the apartment building, Chase following her. She took the stairs, he noted, ignoring the elevator. He said nothing on the matter, though.

She stopped on the fourth floor, waving to a few neighbors as she walked to the last room in the long hall. She slid a silver key into the lock, pushing it open. She stepped in, leaving Chase to stand in the hallway.

The last chance for Chase to turn back quickly disappeared as he stepped in behind her, revealing a cozy apartment. The floors were a polished wood, the walls painted with her own murals. A little kitchen with a bar was attached to the roomy living room, with a maroon plush couch and small TV across from it, a little coffee table in the middle. She set her keys on the counter, walking to a dark wood door on the right side of the apartment, one of two on that side. She knocked.

“Hey, Storm? I’m back, and I brought a guest.” She walked away from the door, across the living room to a matching door to the others, opening it and setting her bag and hat just inside.

Chase’s attention snapped over to the opening door, a tall, tan teenager stepping out. A pair of tight jeans hugged his legs, a simple red sweatshirt over the top. His dark hair had purple streaks in it, hanging into his brown eyes. The teen walked over, apparently named Storm.

“Hi there,” he said, holding out a tan hand, nails black. “I’m Storm,”

“Chase…” Chase replied, shaking his hand lightly.

“Where’s Jamie?” Jester asked, walking to stand next to the two boys, staring at each other.

“She’s out with Carlos…” Storm said, not taking his eyes off Chase.

“Oh.” Jester rolled her eyes and walked to the fridge, pulling out an apple and munching on it, studying Chase. “You hungry, Chase?” she asked.

“I don’t want to impose,” he said, blue eyes trailing off to the side.

“I insist,” she said. He opened a cabinet of the dark wood matching the doors, tossing a small bag of chips to him.

“Thanks,” he said, tearing open the bag and crunching a chip between his teeth.

“Sure,” she replied. “Once you’re done, you can hang here if you want, or go home, or wherever you need to.” She turned to lock eyes with Storm. “I’m going to go work on one of the band’s new lyric sets. If you need anything, let me know.” She turned, walking across the floor to her room, closing the door behind her.

“So, um, how do you know Jester?” Storm asked, not taking his eyes off of Chase.

“I tried to break into her car,” he said honestly, tossing the already-finished bag of chips into the trash.

“What?!” Storm asked, eyes widening.

“I tried to get the CD’s to steal them to sell them so that I can feed my friends and I and try to keep my virginity.” He stared blankly at Storm.

“Oh.” Storm blinked. “So Jester invited you to come over?”

“She asked if I was hungry.”

“Ohhh…” Storm said, his face settling into an understanding expression. “That would make sense then.” He didn’t elaborate on the subject.

“Well, I probably have to get going,” Chase said, glancing awkwardly to the side. He waved and turned, walking to the door.

“Oh, hey! Chase!” Chase turned, his blues meeting the chocolate brown. Storm smiled, turning his head slightly to the side again. “Come over again some time soon, if you need to…okay?”

Chase stared at the other teen for a moment, then a hint of a smile spread over his face. He nodded, raised a single hand, and then walked out of the apartment, taking note of the number on the door.

--

Chase slowly slid the key into the lock, pushing open the door to his home that never felt like home open quietly. Too bad being silent doesn’t help prevent someone’s eyesight.

“Hey there, Chase…” Tack purred, making his presence known as soon as Chase had closed the door. Chase felt hard thump in his chest, a slight fear taking hold of him. Calm down, Chase. You can take care of this.

“Hi, Tack,” he said flatly, turning and staring at the lanky teen, his short blonde hair spiked, a cocky grin below his gleaming green eyes. The eighteen year-old sauntered forward, putting a hand on either side of Chase and practically pinning him to the door. Chase turned his head to the side, knowing he was caught.

“Didya get anything for me today, Chase?” Tack’s breath ghosted against Chase’s neck, causing a shiver. He felt the older teen’s hands slide down his back, resting just above his rear.

“I had complications,” Chase replied, his head still turned to the side, refusing to meet Tack’s eyes.

“So nothing, then? Looks like I’ll have to take it…” his voice dropped quieter with every word, him leaning in as close as he could get to Chase.

“Nah, that’s okay,” Chase said, a smirk pulling at his lips. “You can have this instead.” He brought his knee up hard between Tack’s legs, causing the older to let out a sound of pain and step back from Chase. Chase didn’t stick around long enough to see what happened next, instead sprinting down the hall to lock himself his room for the night.

He clicked the bolt lock closed.

--

New story. Again.

As I said, I’m inconsistent.

But I’m really starting to like this one.

Reviews please. I want to know if it’s interesting.

-Jaws