Trouble Chapter 1
The boy’s breath came in short, harsh gaps as he raced down the deserted sidewalk. He hesitated when he approached a section where he could keep running, or could duck into an alleyway to his right and use the shadows to conceal his lean body. .
“He went this way!” a harsh male voice echoed from around the corner. The boy made a quick decision and ducked into the alleyway to his right pressing his slender body against the brick of the building, panting from his exertion.
The voices ran by his hiding place seemingly without taking any notice to the wide blue-eyed boy. Breathing a sigh of relief, the boy who was no older than 17, continued down the dark alley, thinking he was now safe. “There he is!” the same harsh male voice yelled.
The boy whirled around and saw the two men that he had been evading earlier. ‘Damn!’ he thought as he took off down the alleyway away from the two men once again.
“Get after him!” The same male voice behind him roared.
He ran quicker, pumping his toned arms. The boy looked behind him every couple of feet to ensure that the men weren’t too close. He obviously wasn’t looking where he was going because during one of his frantic glances behind him, he felt himself run into something solid.
He grunted and fell backwards onto the hard concrete. Looking up, he gasped in fear and scooted backwards from the sight in front of him.
“Hello Nicky,” The new man in front of him said coldly. The boy, “Nicky” gulped and met the cold, black eyes of the man standing before him.
“H…hello Viper,” Nicky managed to choke through his new terror.
“Why were you running Nicky?” Viper asked in the same cold tone, this time sounding a little bored, yet amused by the boy’s fear. Viper stooped down to Nick’s eye level and grinned maliciously.
Nick shied away and replied shakily, “N…no reason.”
“No? Well Nick, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you were trying to run from me!” Viper replied back pretending to sound hurt.
‘Duh,’ Nick thought to himself aloud he said, “No of course not.”
“Well then let’s get going,” Viper said standing and beginning to walk away.
“Viper, I have to go home now.” Nick said barely above a whisper. Viper turned to frown at Nick.
“But Nick, you haven’t done your mission for tonight.” Viper replied turning to walk away again.
Nick growled in frustration. “I don’t WANT to do any missions tonight Viper, I WANT to go home!” Nick yelled.
Viper’s eye twitched as he turned back to the blonde boy on the sidewalk. Nick knew immediately he was in trouble. Viper reached out and grabbed Nick by his collar before he backhanded him roughly across the face. Nick cried out in pain and fell over onto his side.
Viper wasn’t through. Viper kicked Nick sharply in the ribs causing the boy to hiss and cry out again in pain. “Boys.” He gestured to Nick who sat up and looked around frantically. Viper snapped his fingers and the men that Viper had gestured to started towards Nick. Nick swallowed and turned towards Viper.
“Wha…What’s the mission then?” he asked Viper barely above a whisper.
“Atta Boy! I do suppose you’re right Nicky, it is a school night after all. We can’t have you falling asleep in class now can we? So, your mission has been cancelled for tonight since it IS a school night…so I guess your mission is to just get home,” Viper paused before adding, “safely.” with a sickly smile. Viper then smiled and slapped Nick’s shoulder.
Nick paled in understanding nodded. “Thank you master,” he whispered backing a few steps before taking off quickly away from the men. The men started after Nick immediately, but Viper’s raised hand stopped them. “He gets a 30 second head start,” he informed them calmly. After the elapsed time had passed Viper said, “Go, and do NOT fail me.”
“Yes master,” the men murmured and took off after Nick. Viper smirked and headed the other way, disappearing into the deep shadows of the alley.
Nick emerged from the alley and onto the once again deserted sidewalk at a full sprint. He knew that he had only a short time before Viper’s men hunted him down. Nick again ran down the street, glancing behind him every few seconds.
For the second time that night, Nick ran into a solid object he knew was a body. He cried out in dismay clenching his eyes shut as he immediately began gasping and fighting against whatever it was.
“Whoa kiddo!” an unfamiliar, raspy voice boomed in his ear soothingly, grasping Nick’s flailing wrists firmly, “Calm down I ain’t gonna hurtchya...in fact perhaps I should be worrying about you hurting me.” The new voice chuckled.
Nick ceased moving, since he did not recognize the voice and glanced into the other person’s face. The man that Nick had run into was in his early twenties. He had tattoos all over his built body and his brown eyes danced in amusement and held a glint of mischievous intentions beneath light tinted sunglasses.
“That’s better. So where’s the fire?” the person laughed releasing Nick’s wrists.
Nick hesitated barely hearing the man in front of him as he glanced behind him. “H…huh?” he stammered still panting when he realized that the man in front of him was talking to him.
“Okay,” the voice laughed again, “let’s try something a little easier shall we?” Nick nodded still distracted. “What’s your name?” the man asked.
“N…Nick,” Nick stammered again making brief eye contact with the person in front of him.
“Jeepers Alex, I think you are scaring him,” another amused voice laughed. Nick turned his head slightly and noticed there were 3 other guys standing there.
One had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. He was shorter than Nick and the corner of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
The one standing next to the blonde one was one that looked Latin. He was of average height, and had deep chocolate brown eyes that were warm and inviting.
The last one, also the one who teased the tattooed one was a little taller than the rest, had black hair and unique intense piercing green eyes that Nick had never seen anyone possess.
“Har de har har Kev,” the tattooed one said sarcastically to the one with green eyes, then added as a disgruntled afterthought, “and don’t call me Alex.”
Kevin laughed before turning to Nick. Kevin was about to speak when he noticed the look of fear on the young blonde’s face as Nick glanced behind him. Nick started trembling and looked around frantically for some place to hide. He knew that if Viper’s men saw him, there would be a great price to pay for his failure.
“YOU!” one of Viper’s men yelled as they spotted Nick. Nick groaned inwardly. He backed away from his new acquaintances and backed against the wall as Viper’s men approached Nick. The one closest to Nick grabbed him by the throat and shoved him up against the wall again. “You failed your mission boy!” he said evilly giving Nick’s neck a squeeze.
Nick gagged and coughed for air trying in vain to pry the man’s hand from around his throat. He was running out of air and felt his consciousness leaving him quickly. Slowly his hand dropped away from the man’s wrist and he started to pass out just before he heard “Alex” tap the man on the shoulder and say, “Excuse me.” The man turned in annoyance and met Alex’s fist as he punched him in the face, causing the man to drop Nick who fell to the ground coughing and gagging.
Nick was too stunned to move away or do anything. ‘What the hell happened?’ he thought dazedly to himself. “Alex” stepped to Nick and pulled him to his feet, behind himself and his friends. Nick noticed that “Alex’s” friends all wore angry expressions.
Viper’s men came at them. “BACK OFF!” “Kevin” warned Viper’s men, “Picking on a kid! Shame on you!” Viper’s men glanced around and realized they were outnumbered at the moment in both size and number. Growling, the leader turned to Nick.
“You got lucky this time BRAT,” he said viciously, “next time, don’t doubt you will fail.” Nick swallowed slowly, his face pale, and watched from behind his new acquaintances as Viper’s men stalked away.
“Th…thank you,” Nick whispered when they were out of sight. “Alex” eyed him with a sly grin.
“Hey Kev…you think he’s just nervous around us, maybe he has a speech impediment?”
“Kevin” laughed. “Impediment?” he inquired sounding mildly impressed, “why Alex, that’s a big word!”
“I Told You Not To Call Me That!” Alex whined.
Kevin laughed at Alex before turning to Nick with a warm smile. “I’m Kevin,” he said offering his hand to Nick who took it before continuing, “the short blonde one is Brian…”
“HI!” Brian greeted with a bright smile all the way to his eyes.
“This Latin one,” Kevin said turning to the one with chocolate eyes and long black hair, “is Howie D.”
“Hello Nick," Howie said softly nodding with a smile.
“…and the tattooed freak as you know is Alex.” Kevin finished pointing at the person Nick ran into.
“Ke-vin!” Alex whined again before turning to Nick. “Please, Please, PLEASE call me AJ!” he begged. Nick cracked a genuine smile and a soft laugh.
“Wow!” Brian exclaimed in mock astonishment, “He Smiles!”
“So what are ya doin out here at this time of night kid?” Howie asked gently. Nick’s smile faded and he dropped his gaze to the ground as he began to fabricate a lie.
“I…I was on my way home from…basketball practice, when they jumped me…so…I ran!” Nick lied quickly. The other men nodded and Brian looked at Nick’s cheek that Viper had backhanded earlier in the night.
“Yeouch Nick! It looks like they got you once…!” Nick nodded again before he realized how much danger he was putting them in. Viper’s men would have found their master by then and Viper would undoubtedly come looking for him. The more distance he put between himself and this group of good people, the more distance that would be put between them and the dangerous man called Viper.
“Well I really should be going,” Nick mumbled brushing past them “thanks again.”
Howie caught Nick’s arm firmly yet gently. “I don’t’ think you walkin' home by yourself is such a good idea amigo.” Howie said worriedly.
“Yeah,” Brian agreed, “we all heard the threat that they made and they could still be around waiting for you.”
Nick smiled reassuringly, “I’ll be okay…really!” he replied not sounding as confident as he had meant to.
“I don’t think you will Nicky,” a cold voice said from behind him. Nick yelped in pure terror and spun around.
“Viper,” he whispered in terror.
“Nick…?” Kevin inquired giving Viper an appraising glance.
“Who are these people Nick?” Viper asked much like a parent would.
Nick paled and swallowed. “They…they aren’t important master leave them alone.” Nick quickly blurted out. Viper frowned angrily and struck Nick across the face violently. Nick reeled back and hit the ground hard.
“HEY! What’s the matter with you?!” AJ yelled as Kevin and Brian helped Nick to his feet.
“It’s okay AJ,” Nick murmured holding his cheek, his eyes glued to the ground.
“Like Hell it’s okay! Is he the one who hit you earlier?!” AJ returned.
Nick didn’t reply, just kept his gaze on the ground.
“Leave,” Kevin ordered in a growl.
Viper snorted, showing he was clearly not impressed. “Or what?” He humored. Nick’s eyes shot open wider and he met Viper’s cold eyes before leaping to step next to Kevin. .
“No Kevin!” he shouted pulling Kevin back by his arm whispering in his ear, “he’s dangerous, just walk away…don’t piss him off please?” He begged.
“I’m losing my patience Nicky. Let’s go!” Viper shouted annoyed. Nick swallowed then went to follow him. Howie caught his arm again. Nick’s scared blue eyes met Howie’s concerned brown.
“You don’t have to follow him if you don’t’ want to Nick, you could come with us,” he offered, “We’ll take you home, or wherever you want to go.”
Nick paled; “No!” he yelled frantically before finishing in a whisper, “I don’t want you all to get hurt.” Nick turned and walked to Viper who started to walk away. Nick hesitated not wanting to get beat up again and Viper turned on him.
“Nicky,” he warned turning to face the young boy.
Nick swallowed and trembled. “I…I…” he stammered. Nick felt a warm hand on his shoulder and turned to see Kevin standing beside him and the rest of the guys standing there also. Nick felt safer than he had in a long time.
“He’s staying here,” Kevin stated showing there was no further discussion.
“Nicky?” Viper inquired. Nick looked at the ground. “You’re gonna regret this,” Viper growled and he disappeared and left.
Once he was gone, Nick turned to Kevin and gave him a small smile. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
“No problem kiddo, let’s get you home,” Kevin replied ruffling Nick’s blonde hair affectionately.
“I don’t want to be a bother…” Nick replied uncomfortably.
“It’s no bother, REALLY!” AJ jumped in with a grin.
“Well…” Nick hesitated.
“C’mon!” Brian said grabbing his arm and tugging him along with them.
Nick grinned. “Okay.” He said finally. They walked in comfortable silence. Finally Howie spoke up.
“Where do ya live?” He asked.
“About a 30 minute drive from here…I live in Glenview.”
Howie nodded to Kevin. “Okay I know where that is.” They walked in silence once again.
“So what were ya’ll doing out there anyways?” Nick asked quietly.
“Escapin’ Management.” A.J. muttered. The rest of them chuckled lightly.
“Management?” Nick asked confused.
“Ya,” Brian said still laughing, “we’re in a band. They’ve been kind of overbearing lately so we snuck out.”
“MY idea!” A.J. declared proudly. The rest of the boys laughed again.
“We’re just looking for another member and then we’ll be ready.” Howie finished.
“Oh.” Nick replied sounding genuinely interested. They finally reached the car. Kevin got in on the driver’s side, and Howie got in on the passenger side. AJ got on one of the sides and Brian let Nick have the other side as he sat in the middle.
The car ride was lacking in conversation making Kevin turn on the radio. Many songs went by during the car ride. Nick was slightly uncomfortable and started to hum along with the song that was currently on the radio. Brian turned to Nick in shock. He had a WONDERFUL voice!
Without really realizing, Nick began singing to the song that was playing. Brian stared in shock and leaned forward to tap Kevin on the shoulder. “What?” Kevin asked.
“Turn the radio down.” Brian said quietly.
“What? Okay…” Kevin replied looking confused. As he turned the volume down, he heard Nick sing. The rest of the boys heard it too staring at Nick. The song ended and Nick realized everyone was looking at him. His face flushed in embarrassment.
“Sorry.” He muttered clearing his throat.
A.J. laughed. “I would never be sorry if I could sing like you!” he declared in astonishment.
“Naw,” Nick laughed blushing.
“Oh ya!” Kevin laughed, “Guys we WERE looking for another member right?”
“Right.” They chorused.
“Well I’d say we found him.” Howie said with a grin, “that is if your parents approve.”
“Really?” Nick asked.
“YA!” They all replied simultaneously.
“Cool.” Nick murmured.
Kevin smiled at Nick through the rearview mirror. “So when’s a good time to talk to your parents?”
Nick shrugged. “Tonight I guess. Dad’s never home and tonight’s one of his nights off.” Kevin pulled up to Nick’s house and turned off the car.
“Alright then.” Howie said opening up his door and climbing out of the car. The rest of the boys followed suit.
With Nick in the lead, they walked up the driveway to the house. “Mom?” Nick called out opening the door. Nick walked inside the house with the others following.
Outside, in the bushes stood Viper with his beat up men. ‘You might have escaped me for now…but just you wait, no matter how long I have to wait; you’re going to regret this night. You will AND your new friends.’ Viper thought angrily to himself. “Let’s go,” he ordered curtly leading his men back into the shadows, disappearing into the night.
~*~*~*~
Author's Chapter Notes:
REVAMPED! WHOOOO don't forget to review!
