"Kane! KANE! Wait up, please. You're walking too fast again," Ezra yelled. "Kane wait up," Atlas yelled. Atlas and Ezra stopped running and looked at each other then sighed. "Can he not hear us," Atlas asked. "Maybe he might have earbuds in," Ezra replied. "I'll message him," Atlas said taking his phone out. Kane stopped and turned back. He removed his earbuds and waited for them to catch up. "Why didn't you wait for us Kane," Ezra said. "Sorry guys," Kane said. "Where are you going in a hurry anyway," Atlas asked. "To work, unfortunately," Kane answered. "What for real? I thought you only worked weekends," Atlas said. "I'm supposed to but they had someone call out and they need help. So they called me and asked if id come in today after classes," Kane said. "Dang," Atlas said sadly. Ezra wrapped his arm around Atlas. "Don't worry Atlas we can still do something. I know why don't we take Luna to the dog park," Ezra said. "Alrighty. Have fun at work Kane," Atlas said. "I'll try," Kane said then headed to work. Once Kane got to work he put on his uniform. As he was checking people out at the register another employee ran over to him. "What's wrong Keighley," Kane asked. "The mafia is in here," Keighley replied crouching down. "What do you mean," Kane asked. "The Snakes are in the store. I don't want to service them again. They are intimidating. Im so sorry Kane," Keighley said trembling. "It's alright. I'll take care of it," Kane said. "Thank you so much," Keighley said. "Here take this it'll help you calm down," Kane said handing her water and some candy. "Thank you, Kane," Keighley said taking it. Just then three men approached the register. They placed some drinks and other things on the counter. "Hi is this all," Kane said. "Yes," the one said. Kane began to scan the items trying to show that he wasn't afraid. Just then the guy in the middle sent the other two out. Kane looked up at him and realized that it was the guy that had broken into his house before. "H... here's your things sir," Kane said. "Have the girl hiding back there leave," Snake said. "Um Keighley go to the break room," Kane said. Keighley got up and quickly went into the break room and shut the door. "You haven't told anyone have you," Snake asked. "N...no sir," Kane said trembling. "Here take this," Snake said handing him a paper. "W...what is this," Kane asked. "Just hold onto it. We'll meet again Kane," Snake said then grabbed his bag and left. Kane went to the break room and told Keighley it was safe. She came out of the room and over to Kane. She hugged him tightly. "Are you alright," Keighley said breaking the hug. "Im fine don't worry," Kane replied.
"Kane your home," Atlas said happily. "Yea. Where's Ezra," Kane said. "He's in the shower," Atlas said. "It's almost midnight why are you guys still up," Kane asked. "We were waiting for you," Atlas replied. "You didn't have to," Kane stated. "I know but we wanted to," Atlas said. "Your back," Ezra said walking into the room. "You guys didn't need to wait up," Kane said. "We know," Ezra said sitting down. "Has anyone heard from Akito," Atlas asked. "Not in a few days," Kane replied. "It has been a while. I hope everything is alright but then again he tends to disappear every now and then," Ezra said. "That's true," Atlas said. "Maybe he'll show up for classes tomorrow," Kane said. "Do you have to go back to work after classes tomorrow," Ezra asked. "I shouldn't have to," Kane asked. "Man, what if they make me do it," Atlas asked. "Then I guess you'll be working after classes," Ezra laughed. "I don't want to," Atlas pouted. "Im gonna shower and head to bed guys," Kane said walking upstairs. "See you in the morning," Atlas yelled. "Night man," Ezra said. That next morning they showed up at school and waited to see if Akito would arrive. Kane had messaged him but didn't get a response. After a few minutes of waiting they headed to their classes. During one of his classes, Kane received a message from an unknown number. It told him not to forget about what he had told him. Kane froze and then asked the person who it was. The unknown person said he'd know in due time and for him to read the paper that was given to him by Snake. Kane looked through his jacket pocket to see if he still had the paper. Once he found it he unfolded it and read it. The paper had an address and the words that read *Meet me here and come alone. Bring bandages.* He was confused about the part of the bandage and he wasn't sure what to expect when he arrived there. Though Kane wasn't want to go he was afraid of what might happen if he didn't.
Once Kane finished his classes he quickly left and went to the store. He bought some bandages and medicine then left. Just then his phone began to ring. He pulled it out and looked at it. The call was from an unknown number. Kane answered it "H...hello." "Hi there Kane. I hope you're on your way here. You don't want us to hurt you now," a man's voice said. Kane heard people shouting in the background as well as gunshots. "I...I...I am," Kane said. "Good see you soon," the man said then hung up the phone. Kane put his phone away and then continued walking to the address. Once he arrived he saw someone leaning against the wall and two other people standing nearby with guns. Two people appeared behind Kane. "So you did come," one said. Kane turned around. "Fuyuki don't scare him," another said. "He should be scared Hymir," Fuyuki replied. Kane stood there trembling when a voice called out. "Fuyuki, Hymir, leave him be and help Bones and Riot," the voice said. "Alright sir," Hymir said. "Okay, boss. Your job is to help Snake," Fuyuki said then walked away with Hymir. Kane hesitated then walked over to Snake. He knelt and set the bag down beside him. "Sh...shouldn't you go to the hospital," Kane asked trembling as gunshots and shouting could be heard nearby. "Cant the police will get involved if I do that," Snake said. "C...can you remove your j...jacket," Kane asked. Snake removed his jacket then leaned back against the wall. "You don't need to be afraid. We won't harm you," Snake said. Kane was still anxious and afraid despite what Snake had said. "I...is this your only wound," Kane asked. "Yes," Snake replied. "You bastard. Your hiding over here while your men fight. What kind of leader are you," a voice said. "If anyone's hiding it's you Reaper," Snake said standing up. Reaper pulled out a gun and pointed it at him and Kane at which point he pushed Kane behind him. "Protecting this kid Snake that's a new one," Reaper said. "He has nothing to do with this," Snake said. "He's here with you, isn't he? Besides we can't have any witnesses to your murder now can we Snake? So unfortunately the kid has to die as well," Reaper said. "Well that's not gonna happen anytime soon," Snake said handing Kane a phone. Kane took the phone but was trembling and nearly dropped it. "What do I do with this," Kane whispered. "Use it to call Bones. Don't say anything and put it, speaker. He'll hear and come over," Snake answered quietly. "What are you whispering about over there," Reaper asked. "About how terrible a person you are," Snake said stepping forwards. "You're going to step closer while I have a gun pointed at you," Reaper laughed. Snake took out a knife and continued to step closer. Kane called Bones and left it speaker. Reaper shot Snake in the leg causing him to kneel. "Are you wanting to die? Why would you walk towards me with just a knife," Reaper asked. "It's called a distraction Reaper," Snake replied standing back up. "Don't move, Reap and put the gun down if you want to get out of here alive," a voice said. Reaper dropped the gun. Snake walked over to Reaper and picked up the gun. He then whacked him in the head knocking him unconscious. "Just in time Bones," Snake said handing him the gun. "What the hell boss? You could've died," Bones said angrily taking the gun. "I didn't know did I," Snake said. "That's not the point. If I hadn't shown up you and that kid would be dead," Bones said. "Let's just get out of here before the police arrive. They'll take care of Reaper here," Snake said limping back towards Kane. "Right boss take care of your injury. I'll get the others to leave," Bones said running off.
"Kane oh my god are you alright," Atlas asked running over to him worried. "I'm alright," Kane replied still trembling. "Dude you have blood on you," Ezra said walking over. "It's not mine. Im going to go take a shower," Kane said. "Wait man your trembling. Calm down first," Ezra said. "I just want to take a shower right now," Kane said then walked off. "Ezra," Atlas said. "Yea," Ezra replied. "What do you think happened to him," Atlas asked. "I don't know. Let's just let him be for now," Ezra replied. The next morning Ezra and Atlas awoke to see that Kane had already left. They headed to the school hoping to find him but they didn't see him. Atlas had messaged the group chat hoping to hear from Kane or Akito. After school, they waited outside in hopes of running into Kane. When they didn't see or hear from Kane they began to worry. "Ezra," Atlas said worriedly. "I'm sure he's alright. Let's ask Jayda if she has heard from him," Ezra said. "Alrighty," Atlas replied. Atlas called Jayda but she hasn't heard from him. She offered to help them find Kane. Ezra and Atlas went home and waited for Jayda to call. Just then Atlas's phone rang and he answered. "Kane's alright little brother. He's with Uncle Sebastián right now. He was really upset and trembling. I'm heading over there now. Do you want me to pick you guys up," Jayda said. "Yes please sis," Atlas replied. "Alright I'll be there soon," Jayda said then hung up. "Kane is with my Uncle Sebastián. Jayda is gonna pick us up and take us there," Atlas said putting his phone away then started petting Luna. "Is he alright," Ezra asked. "I don't know all Jayda said was that he was upset and trembling," Atlas replied. After some time Jayda picked them up and headed to Sebastián's house. Once they arrived there they saw three cars in the driveway. "Mom and Uncle Kevin are here as well. I hope Kane is alright," Jayda said as they were getting out of the car. They went inside and Sebastián greeted them. "What happened," Jayda asked. "We're not sure dear. He won't tell us," Violet said. "Do you two know what happened last night," Sebastián asked. "He came home really late and covered in blood," Atlas replied. "Oh my god is he alright," Violet asked. "Violet let them finish talking. Go ahead Atlas," Kevin said. "Thanks, Uncle Kevin. He said it wasn't his but he wouldn't tell us whose it was or what had happened," Atlas said. "I watched the news last night after Atlas had fallen asleep. There was a man found unconscious in an alleyway. There was also blood on the ground and the walls of one of the buildings. Bullet holes and casings were found nearby," Ezra stated. "I saw that. The man's name was Adam Taylor or better known as Reaper. He's a gang leader," Jayda added. "Where's Kane," Atlas asked. "He's out there," Sebastián pointed at the balcony. "Alrighty I'm gonna try talking with him again," Atlas said then went out onto the balcony. He sat down next to Kane and handed him water. Kane looked over at him and then took the water. "We were looking everywhere for you. We even called and messaged you. Please don't just disappear on us again. We were really worried," Atlas said trying not to cry. "I'm sorry Atlas. I didn't mean to make you guys worry," Kane replied. Atlas hugged Kane tightly. "You know you can tell us anything right," Atlas said. "Yes," Kane said hugging him back. "Can you tell me what happened," Atlas asked breaking the hug. Kane looked at him and began to tremble again. "It's alright if you don't want to. We just wanna help," Atlas said as Ezra came outside. "Yea man we can't help unless you tell us," Ezra said. "I want to tell you guys but I can't. I promised them that I wouldn't," Kane said trembling and looking down. Just then Kane's phone started to ring. He pulled it out and looked at it but froze the moment he saw it was an unknown number. Kane didn't answer it and a message was left. Before he could put his phone away it went off again but this time it was Akito. "Who is it," Atlas asked. "It's Akito," Kane replied. "Dude answer it we haven't heard from him in weeks," Ezra stated. Kane answered the phone "Hello." "Hi Kane," Akito said. "I...is everything alright. We haven't heard from you in a while," Kane asked. "Yes, I'm alright. Are you alright? You sound anxious and upset. Did something happen," Akito asked. "Um, it's nothing I'm alright now. Im with Ezra and Atlas right now," Kane replied. "I see tell them I said hello. I should be back in school in a couple of days. I gotta go now. You guys take care," Akito said. "Alright bye," Kane said hanging up the phone. "He said hello and that he should be at school in the next couple of days," Kane said putting his phone away. "Glad he's alright," Atlas said. They talked for a while before having Jayda take them home.