It was a cool fall night. Nearing the end of September. The son of a mild mannered woman has brought home a guest. A mysterious young woman who has cuts and bruises all down her body, arrived at the Dawn household.
So what now?
"Alex is there a place I can take a shower?"
In turn Alex had pointed to where the bathroom was located.
"Don't worry it should be extra towels in the bathroom closet."
While everyone gathered in the kitchen, Damon went upstairs to take a shower.
Alex has some explaining to do. Trouble walking into the Dawn household. Well that's what Trisha was thinking.
Her story was heart breaking. The story was clear, it actually didn't have to be told; It's pretty common especially in New York. If a young woman is afraid to go home, she must be having trouble with her parents or guardians. But the fact that she was dressed as a boy? Now that's a different story, drugs were surely involved maybe? Well that's what Alex thought.
That or they stuck around with the wrong crowd. Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint what is going on unless you ask.
"So, what are you going do Alex?..." She questioned as she stood with her arms folded as a concerned expression look over her face. Trisha stares at her son.
Silence fills the kitchen, no words are spoken.
This was something hard to explain mainly because from the look at it in Alex's mind, it's gang related. Does he really want to lie to his mom, though?
"It's..." Alex froze before he could explain as he frowned. Alex had shifted into a defensive position. Almost afraid of what this information might do to his mother. While the darkness consumed the family together. The energy shift became obvious. Mark noted that Alex was having trouble dealing with it.
Mark walks towards Alex and puts his arm around him,
"son, it's okay, sometimes a man needs to lean on others. Especially those who are close to you. If they're special they'll understand and help you."
Mark ruffles Alex's hair and gives a smile as bright as the moon. Alex cools his mind, the hesitation was gone.
"Well it's my first day, but I'll let you know as much as I do," Alex began spilling out all the information he gathered.
"So far It looks like a split between two groups. The Silver Serpents and a group of students."
Mark holds his chin and nodded while Trisha on the other hand has a devastated expression on her face.
"Alex... are you sure it's the serpents?" Alex nods " I did try not to get involved, but then I heard a girl's voice that called for help. So I moved. The part that pisses me off was the fact that they were beating her like a dog for the past 3 months." Trisha gives a sorrowful frown.
"Why haven't you told an adult?" Asked Mark. Alex shakes his head, "if this has been going on for 3 months then that means the administration knows what's going on. They just have no power over the situation. Mainly because the school is in the territory of the Serpents." Mark was shocked by the facts.
*15 minutes later*
No words are spoken… until
"I went to school here, it was never this bad." Mark said astonished.
A small giggle came from the doorway, standing there was Damon.
"You really think the serpents have just popped up now? She asked sarcastically.
"They've been around for a long time now. The transition from power is what's causing the most problems now. Which is what you see here." As she shows off her bruises.
"Damon," said Alex, he was surprised that he'd came back down stairs. "Stop calling me that. Right now, my name is Hermione" she walked in towards the kitchen counter. "Well Hermione, tell us your story" said Alex in a stern voice. " I would be glad to actually, since you are a member of the Fallen Sons. As she looks at Mark. The room got quiet... Then Alex and Trisha started laughing hysterically. " y-you t-think Mark is a Fallen Son " said both mother and son.
" Haha" Mark gave a soft laugh. "Sorry I'm not a Fallen Son" said Mark
"Then who's the Fallen Son here?" She screamed out desperately. Trisha and Mark point to Alex. "But members of the fallen are usually adults? So how are you a member?" Said Hermione. "Let's just say that I really wanted it. Alex said "and stay out of my room." He barked
"So let's just get down to the point" said Alex "why do you need me?" Hermione stared blankly at Alex, until she finally spoke. " well four months ago my grandfather was the head of the Silver Serpents, until he fell to sudden illness." The room was quite, the Dawn household was processing the information at hand. Alex cleared his throat and said "continue" with that Hermione continued her story. "With grandfather ill, he needed a successor, well let's just say within the organization had their hands at each other's neck. Until my mom got remarried." ... She'd paused then continued "he came and changed everything, the organization that was running smooth with low key operations, now conducted them in the open. I'm pretty sure you've heard of his latest business, the drug that's been going around lately."
Alex was confused, what drug? What was she talking about? Until Mark said something, " so you mean he came up with that mess."
Ok now only Alex doesn't know what they were talking about. "Umm what drug? You know I only got here, what, 9 hours ago." Then everyone in unisons said "Overdrive" Hermione went back to her story " Now every adult who takes this drug, it eats up their internal organs slowly," she took a long pause. Then spoke " kids who take them well as you know slowly die and Others, some have become different showing mutant characteristics. It's supposed to give you a better high than cocaine and heroin. "
What the hell? What did she mean. It's a lot of ways to use different words. meaning different, I'll ask about that later. "So who is he and why haven't the cops touched him?"
Hermione looked at him, like he had said something stupid. "His name is Kayde Wilson and he is the Mayor'' she just stopped talking. " I feel tired. I'm gonna head to bed" she quickly walked away and headed up stairs. "Wait why haven't the cops stop him." Alex! Said Trisha " I can't believe you said something so stupid, did the Fallen not teach you anything? About the gangs in the Area?" Alex's face quickly turned into an awkward smile. "Well I kinda just fell asleep on some stuff hehe" Trisha face said it all, as the color drained from her. " Alex the Bronze Boars are the ones run by the cops in the city."
Alex had recalled the cops who came earlier.
*Police officer 1- alright kid leave these people alone. You know the rules. The inner city is where you do your business. *
"Hmmm well, I connected the dots now, I guess I'm going to take down some jackass."
Everyone in the house had calmed down about the topic but it left a uncomfortable atmosphere. "Alex take this plate of food to your guest, she must be hungry" Alex just nodded and went upstairs. As he walked towards the door to his older sister's room.
He heard crying, as he was approaching he made himself known "hey food" as he walked into the room. Hermione had wiped her tears from her face, she took a deep breath and made a little chuckle an said "how many times are you going to see me cry." Alex just smiles and says "I don't know, but I do know that you should eat. I'm going to head to bed. It's a weekend now." Hermione just started to giggle. "did you really think we don't have school tomorrow? You do know we go to school till Saturday." It was like Alex soul was sucked out of him. "We have school tomorrow " she just nodded her head. " well I'm heading to bed." With the exchange of glances Alex walks into his room.
In his room Alex thinks to himself as he drifts off into sleep "well tomorrow gonna suck"