// sorry for scaring those who thought I was deleting the book XD //

dan

It's Saturday, and Dan needs to drink.

His head is throbbing and something is curling inside of him. His fingers twitching, he needs alcohol in his bloodstream. He's addicted, he knows that, but right now, all he cares about his getting his hands on a bottle of alcohol. He drained his only one after his 'talk' with Phil.

He's spend the morning searching the house for alcohol and staring at Phil's closed window which has the curtains drawn. It's all Phil's fault, it's his fault that he's in this mess. He should've listened to Pj and just stayed away.

And now, an hour later, Dan needs to do something. Dan knows that it's dangerous, but he's walking through the alleys in the city. He has money and a knife in his pocket for protection, a bag slung over his back, and he's looking for someone who can give him alcohol. He's still underage, so he can't get it himself and he can't just ask any old person.

After walking past some weird looking individuals - judging from their hair and baggy, dark clothes - Dan sees two guys wearing leather jackets and one is holding a bottle of alcohol, the other has some pills of some sort in a bag.

They frown when they see Dan, but Dan has dressed in dark clothes - not that he doesn't always dress in black anyway - so he doesn't stand out too much.

"What are you doing here kid?" One says, his voice rough.

"I-I'm looking for someone to give me alcohol," Dan says, trying to sound confident and tough.

"Well, you've come to the right place kid," the same guy says, leaning against the wall, "but there's a price. We can't just go giving alcohol to any old kid or we'd get caught."

"What's the price?" Dan asks, "I have money."

"Money isn't enough. We have some... Odd jobs you could do," The guy says, "in return, I'll give you what you want."

"What odd jobs?"

"Use your brain kid," he says.

"Drug deals?"

"Unless you can't handle it."

Dan wants to say no, but the itch inside of him, and the bottle which is so close to him just beckons him. He needs alcohol and this is the only way he's going to be able to get it. He sighs deeply and closes his eyes.

"Fine, I'm in," Dan says, "now can I have alcohol?"

"Here kid," the guy says, handing Dan the bottle in his hand, "now come back here this time tomorrow or else. I have guys everywhere newbie."

Dan nods.

"Question, who are you?" Dan asks.

"I'm Shane, and that's Jim," Shane says, "and you are?"

"Uh, Dan," Dan says.

"Well Dan, I'll see you tomorrow," Shane says, his voice demanding and sharp.

Dan nods before turning and throwing the bottle into the backpack he bought. He practically sprints out of the alley to his house, sitting in his room, panting. He pulls the bottle out, it's still sealed so he's pretty sure it's safe, not that he cares anyway, he feels like shit.

He tips the bottle up to his lips and soon after taking a few sips from the bottle, he feels better. His head is more fogged, the alcohol is now running through his bloodstream, he feels the ache inside of him slowly cease to numbness.

He sighs deeply, sinking against the wall, the half empty bottle gripped tightly in his hand. He's too drunk to realise how much he's just effected his life. He doesn't realise that he's just pulled himself into the world Phil was trying to keep him out of.

Dan is too drunk now, and was too desperate to realise that he's just potentially made the biggest mistake of his life. All Dan is concerned about right now is the fact that he feels so much better, but it's all just an illusion.

He may feel better, but afterwards, he will just feel worse. It's a constant cycle that Dan is stuck in, and he stopped fighting for a way out long ago.

Now, he just embraces that feeling because it's all he knows.

***

The next day, Dan stumbles into the same alley, finding Shane and Jim there.

"Ah Dan, right, we have a job for you. Take these to the address written on the card, wait by the corner until someone approaches you. They have a black fringe, a bit like yours actually, and pale skin. He's already paid so just give them to him and come back here tomorrow," Shane says, shoving a plastic bag into Dan's hands along with a piece of paper, "go, and don't get caught for fucks sake."

Dan nods, slightly regretting his choice, but there's no backing out now. He shoves the plastic bag into his backpack before walking out of the alley. He's surprised to see that the address is close to his own home. He waits by the corner of the street, hidden between two tall unit blocks.

He pulls his hood up and then switches on his phone to distract him. He hopes the guy comes soon, he's so anxious. Dan tries to recall the description of the person; black fringe, pale skin. Someone taps him on the shoulder, and Dan jumps a mile.

"God, you must be a newbie," The guy says, but his voice is achingly familiar, "I'm here to collect from Shane."

What the hell are the chances of this? Dan thinks, cursing every power above, why Phil?

Dan just nods, trying to keep his face hidden, and then passes Phil the plastic bag, which he pockets. Dan looks up to see Phil's familiar blue eyes looking suspiciously at him.

"Listen kid, I don't know what your problem is, but don't get involved in this," Phil whispers, "although it's probably already too late for you anyway."

Dan just shrugs, not wanting to speak.

"Who are you anyway?" Phil asks, reaching over and flicking down Dan's hood suddenly, "seeing as we're working together now, well, kind of."

"No, don't-" Dan yelps, reaching for his fallen hood, but it's too late, Phil has seen that it's him. His blue eyes widen in shock and horror, and his mouth hangs open.

"D-Dan what the actual fuck are you doing here? And with drugs?" Phil asks, anger laced in his words.

"I could ask you the same thing," Dan hisses, "you're receiving the drugs."

"Fuck Dan, why did you get yourself into this mess? How did you get yourself into this mess?" Phil asks exasperatedly, running a hand through his hair.

"I needed alcohol, so I found some people who could give it to me," Dan says simply, shrugging as if it's nothing.

"Dan! Fuck, no, why would you do that? I- Dan, that's why I pushed you away, because I didn't want you to get dragged into this with me, and now you've done this? This is serious Dan, once you're in, you never get out," Phil says angrily, gripping onto Dan's shoulders, "I was trying to keep you away from this!"

"But you said you we couldn't be friends, but you're acting like one-" Dan starts to argue.

"Yeah, I pushed you away so you wouldn't get hurt! These people, they'll do whatever it takes to make you keep quiet and obey them, they threaten you, your family, your friends," Phil says, shaking Dan's shoulders, "I was trying to stop you from being threatened!"

"I-I'm sorry Phil I didn't know, but you should've told me," Dan says, slightly frightened, "I can handle myself."

"Jesus Dan, what don't you get? You can't just talk about this! If you do, bad things happen," Phil snaps angrily, "and you can't handle yourself, not when there's four guys around you with guns."

"I think you're exaggerating...."

"I'm not exaggerating!" Phil yells, "this life, you never leave it! If you try, they kill you. The only way out is to move away, like move countries."

"Phil I-" Dan stammers.

"Jesus Dan, all I wanted to do was protect you! Is that so hard? God, why does nothing go how I planned?" Phil sighs, biting his lip and looking down.

"Look, I'm sorry Phil but this was my own mistake, not yours," Dan says simply.

"Look just... Do what they say and don't cause trouble. I'll talk to Shane," Phil mutters, distracted by the thoughts racing through his head.

"No Phil, don't. This was my mistake and I'll deal with the consequences," Dan tries to argue.

"And it's my choice what I do. Just go home Dan, you've done enough damage," Phil sighs.

"I'm not asking you to fix it!"

"Just go!" Phil yells, pushing Dan away from him, out onto the street, "and be careful Dan."

Dan nods and turns sharply before stalking home. What does Phil think he is, two years old? Dan knows this was a mistake, but he can face that. However, Dan doesn't quite understand the full consequences of his choice, at least, not like Phil does.

Dan just sits on his bed thinking about his problems and staring at the liquor bottle half sticking out of his backpack while wondering if it's all even worth it.

***

phil

Phil is annoyed to say the least.

All that to keep Dan away from all this and then Dan goes and drags himself into it. All Phil wanted to do was protect Dan and he even managed to fail at that.

He storms down the alleyway, straight towards where Shane is slumped on the side, Jim strangely missing. Shane looks up, surprised to see Phil standing above him.

"Lester, what's up?" Shane asks, leaning back and looking up at Phil.

"Let Dan go," Phil says in a demanding tone, "I'll take over whatever you were gonna make him do, but just let him go. He's just a kid."

"Hmm, tempting Lester," Shane says, screwing up his face as he thinks, "okay, I'll let him go on two conditions."

"Which are?" Phil asks.

"One, you make sure he doesn't blab about this and two, you take over his work until I find another newbie," Shane says, "I'm being generous here because I like you Phil."

"Deal, but Dan is out of this world, out of your life," Phil says, "you won't harm him."

"Well, just don't give me a reason to hurt him and I won't," Shane says, "now you can go. I'll text you when something comes up."

Phil nods curtly before turning and walking out, letting out a deep sigh when he reaches the open street. He's both stressed and relieved now. But it was definitely worth it, he just has to stop by Dan's house and tell him.

Although his decision will impact Phil, hopefully, it has freed Dan, which is what Phil wanted anyway. Dan means so much to Phil that without hesitation, he'd put Dan before himself. Phil is annoyed at Dan for seeing him back, but in the end, it wasn't really Dan's fault. Dan has an addiction, and Phil knows how hard it is to quit.

Still, all that matters now is keeping Dan out of trouble with Shane. He'll have to keep an eye on Dan. But they can't be friends anymore, because Phil knows now that whatever he does will reflect on Dan, and he needs to stop that. He also knows that it's almost impossible for him to escape this now.

Because by pulling Dan out of that sort of life, Phil has just pushed himself further into it.

************

an// aw, poor Phil... will he ever escape? Anyway, hey guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter! thanks so much for over 1K votes, that's amazing! I really appreciate it.

80 votes and 40 comments for a new chapter!

A week ago I was at Ed Sheeran and it was literally AMAZING!!! he's so good live and fuck his voice is just I can't even. Also, PINOF 7 was hilarious. I'M COMPLETE MMMMMM

Thanks for reading! Hope you're enjoying it so far :)