3

It was nearing 1 am when I walked down an alley. This town emptied out quite early which I assumed was because it was a small town and not a city, simply.

I walked down the alley, pulling my hood over my head and shoving my hands into my pockets as the cool night breeze was making me shiver.

I saw the silhouette of a figure standing near the end of the alley by some trashcans that didn't seem very used.

"This is ridiculous," I scoffed, looking around before coming to a stop in front of the tall man named Phil.

Phil was tall, brown haired, with sweet looking eyes and had a boyband-singer sort of vibe to him, but was quite the opposite of that. He was a reckless jerk whose bad side you wouldn't want to get on.

"Just because Cole died does not mean I have to finish his duties or jobs, so count me out of this little deal."

"Really?" Phil laughed a bitter laugh. He looked at me with a smirk, very amused and in a taunting manner because he knew he held the power.

"Darling, think again." A second, but familiar voice spoke up. Before I knew it, more all too recognizable figures appeared.

"Derrick Smith and Henry Billard. I can't say I'm surprised." I smiled mockingly but inside, wanted to throw a glass bottle at both their faces. Then I turned back to Phil, "You know Phil, you used to be the most loyal person I knew." I shook my head, in almost disappointment but I knew better than to trust anyone at this point.

"And you used to be into baking and writing songs, was it?" Phil retorted, smirking which only caused me to glare at him. My agitation was growing but I kept my calm for my own sake.

The street lights behind us at either ends of the alley were the only thing giving us a faint look at each others faces.

Then, the sound of a can hitting the ground caught all our attentions and caused us to look out to where the main streets were. There was nothing or no one to be seen so we went back to focusing, figuring it was just the wind.

"You see, this little deal is sort of a big deal." Henry said, a stoic and impassive look on his face. "You don't want to disobey and end up like Cole, do you?"

I clenched my jaw, "I got you what you need but that is it. I need to leave this town."

"Hand it over." Derrick muttered with a single curt nod.

I sighed and pulled out two cards from my pocket, "These very hard to get, for the record." I knew these men didn't care how difficult it was for me.

"That makes me more excited to use them, knowing you had a hard time." Derrick smirked as he snatched the stolen credit cards from my hand, harshly. "You owe me another thing too."

I glared at him once more before throwing him a bag of weed that he caught easily. "I don't owe you anything, by the way." I wasn't getting paid for the credit cards or the weed which only made my financial issues more difficult for me to sort out. But apparently, I owed them. These were not guys you said no to.

Derrick licked his lips, analyzing the weed before looking back to me with a cocky look plastered on his face. "Then why are you doing what I say, sweetheart?"

I clenched my fists in my pocket, trying my best to control my anger because fighting with Derrick wasn't a good idea. His taunting, mocking, and amused tone was only getting me more angry. They were having too much fun with this, finding it too enjoyable.

"You're scared of us, aren't ya, you hot little piece of ass." Derrick chuckled mockingly, tilting his head to the side. I knew 100% that he was feeling way too cocky and proud for his own good right now.

Derrick was like this, I was used to his personality being a piece of crap but that doesn't mean it didn't agitate me.

I took a step forward, muttering, "Listen, you better-"

"Hey, hey," Henry stepped forward and pushed me back while Derrick stood with his arms crossed over his chest, clearly amused by this. "Control yourself, will you? I don't think you should underestimate us because we will hurt you."

I glanced at Phil who looked the tiniest bit guilty but he stood his ground and didn't say anything because he had changed from when I knew and loved him.

Phil and I were very close at one point, physically and emotionally. Things changed, shit happened and he went off with Derrick and his guys. He chose Derrick over me which broke my heart but like always, I got over it and continued moving and trying to figure out why I was still on this planet.

I turned back to Henry and shoved him, "Don't you fucking touch me, you little bastard." Now, I was mad which never ended well.

Derrick still stood there simply entertaining himself.

Henry looked at Derrick and Derrick simply nodded. Before I knew what was happening, Henry smirked and came at me, pushing me back causing me to tumble to the ground.

"Derrick-" Phil spoke, trying to stop Derrick but Derrick cut him off.

Derrick was the big guns, the boss man so nobody could tell him what to do.

"Listen man, you want out?" Derrick asked in a threatening voice. Of course, Phil simply shook his head and stayed silent.

Derrick knew Phil and I once were close; even though Derrick and Phil were like brothers in a way, he made Phil come when he was dealing with me because he knew it would make both Phil and I more vulnerable. Derrick liked to use your weaknesses against you. All Derrick cares about is finding his own little amusement in the most disgusting and low ways.

I cracked my knuckles and stood up, keeping my strength. "Back the hell off and let me leave."

"What are your thoughts on that, Derrick?" Henry asked, tilting his head back to Derrick but keeping his eyes trained on me. A sickening smirk played on his lips making me all the more furious.

"I think that's very cute but no can do, sweetheart." Derrick retorted smugly.

So, Henry shoved me back into a brick wall, digging his forearm into my throat.

"I can fight too, you son of a bitch." I choked out, air barley making it's way into my lungs. With my currently free arm, I grabbed his wrist and harshly twisted it, pulling him off of me and causing him to grunt as I shoved him.

Henry turned back to me. Before I had a chance to comprehend what was happening, Henry pulled out a gun from the back of his pants, "Fun's over, bitch." The gun was pointed straight to my face and my heart started beating rapidly. This was not how I was going to die, hell no.

"Henry, come on man, ju-" Phil took a step forward but Derrick placed his arm out, stopping Phil from walking any further towards me.

"You don't scare me." I gritted out, lying as I stared at the gun right in front of my face. If I acted fast enough I could've knocked the gun out of his hand but he wasn't standing close enough to me for me to be able to do so. He would shoot me faster than I'd be able to move.

"Sorry, princess, your attitude is getting a little boring." Derrick bubbled, ready for the show of his night to go down. This bastard was a little too amused by this.

I glanced at Phil who was frozen in his spot, staring at the gun in Henry's hand. I knew he wasn't doing anything because he obviously preferred his own life over mine. He knew this is how people like us were bound to die one day.

"Say your last prayer because now's your only chance." Henry chuckled and I shut my eyes, letting out a sharp exhale.

My palms started to sweat as I heard him pull the slide back in the silentness of the night, the only other thing I could hear were my uneven breaths.

I knew I could fight but it was two against one - considering Phil wouldn't make a move against Derrick. I could fight and I wanted to but there was no way I'd be able to make a move without him pulling the trigger before I had a chance to touch either of them.

I heard the gun cock and the next thing I know is that I'm on the ground.