I burned through the drugs Chris left me in a week. It's been 3 days since I last had a hit. I'm getting sick. I have to go see Kuza. I know he said to stay away but I'm freaking out. I can't sleep and I'm shaking.

I pulled myself off the floor, holding onto the wall as I left my room. I don't care what Chris says, I have to see Kuza.

Ashely stopped me before I got to the front door. "Ricky, I need to talk to you."

"Later." I told her.

"No. You've been saying that for days. It's important."

Have I?

"What?" I groaned.

"We're getting kicked out." She explained. "We have to be out by tomorrow. I tried to tell you a few days ago."

"Kicked out? He can't do that. That's illegal."

"I know. But he doesn't want us here anymore. There's nothing we can do. We can't go to the police."

"Where is everyone gonna go?"

"We're all trying to figure it out. I don't wanna see you on the streets again. See if you can find somewhere to go."

I nodded, leaving the apartment.

I have nowhere to go. I'll have to be on the streets. Part of me wishes I'd accepted Chris's offer when he made it. I didn't expect this.

I'll worry about it later. I have more important things at hand. I feel like I'm gonna fucking vomit. I gotta get to Kuza as soon as possible. I can't go much longer without junk.

I made my way down the road, stumbling a little. I held onto the walls as I moved, but they provided little support. He wasn't much farther. Just a little longer.

I managed to get to the alley before falling down. I tripped on a fucking rock. My fucking stomach. I feel sick. I'm dizzy.

He's so close. All I gotta do is get to him and I'm golden.

I pulled myself back up to my feet and continued. I feel so sick.

I slowly continued down the alley until I reached Kuza.

He grabbed me. "Jesus Christ, Ricky. You look like hell. What happened? Where've you been?"

"L-later. I just-" I threw up on the ground. He held my hair back.

"You were trying to get clean? You're in withdrawal."

I shook my head. "I'll t-tell you after. I-I just need it. You gotta...."

I've never gone this long without it. It fucking hurts. My entire body aches. I've never had withdrawals this bad.

"I got you." I heard him say.

I sat there and watched him empty a bag into a spoon and cook it. He found a needle; probably used but whatever.

He took my arm and pushed my sleeve up. He pushed the needle into my veins and released the drug.

I fucking moaned. I've never felt something so good. This feeling was unmatched. I didn't realized how much I depended on this shit.

~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to Kuza sitting next to me. He seemed worried. I groaned softly, sitting up.

"Fuck, babe. You had me scared for a sec there." He said.

I nodded. "Sorry."

"It's fine. I'm not mad." He spoke, placing his hand on my leg. "You wanna tell me what happened there?"

"Um, Chris told me to stay away from him and you. He gave me an envelope with a shit ton of money and drugs. The drugs only lasted a week. I've gone three days without. I got sick and I couldn't stay away any longer."

"Did he ever say why he wanted you to stay away?"

I shook my head. "I thought it was just because I found this one picture in his desk drawer. He seemed upset when I looked at it, but he said it wasn't because of that."

"What picture?"

"It was of him and some guy." I said. "Why?"

He was silent for a moment. "Ohhh shit. I know what picture you're talking about."

"Who was it?"

"I really shouldn't say anything. It's not my story to tell." He told me.

"Please?" I asked. "Chris doesn't need to know. I wanna know more about him."

"If Chris wants you to stay away, I don't think you need to learn more about him."

"I wanna know."

He sighed. "Fine. But I'm only giving you part of the story. It's not mine to tell. And you can't tell Chris I told you about it."

"Alright, fine. I just wanna know."

"The guy was someone that Chris had dated— well, was engaged to, actually— a few years ago. His name was Angelo. Chris and him had been engaged for almost a year when someone who was close to Chris broke into his house and forced him to watch as he brutally murdered Angelo." He spoke. "It messed Chris up, bad. He keeps the picture, but seeing it upsets him."

"O-oh."

"Yeah. I can't tell you anything else. If you wanna know more, you'll have to talk to him." 

I nodded. He pulled me close, placing a small kiss on my head. 

"I'll talk to Chris." He told me. "I'm not sure why he'd tell you to stay away. It seemed like he liked you."

"Okay." 

I reached down and pulled my cash from where I kept it in my boot. I counted out a hundred and gave it to him.

He took it and put it in his pocket. He tossed me two baggies. He grasped my chin and kissed me. "I missed seeing you."

"Well, you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me."

"Why's that?" 

"We're all getting kicked out of the apatment." I explained. "I'll be back out here."

"When do you have to be out?" He asked. 

"Tomorrow."

"No one's gonna help you? They're just gonna throw you back to the streets?"

I shrugged. "I guess."

"Stay with me." He spoke. "It's still out here, but at least you'll be a little more safe."

"I don't wanna get in your way."

He shook his head. "You won't. I'd rather you be safe with me, than sleep on the streets on your own."

I nodded. "Alright. I gotta get my shit though."

"C'mon. I'll go with you."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Chris's POV

"Tell me where he is!" 

I tightened my grip on the gun in my hand. I was itching to pull the trigger, but not before I got what I needed. 

"I-I don't know! I swear!" He cried. "I've never met with him directly!"

I punched him again. 

"Who do you meet with?"

"I can't!"

"Tell me and I'll consider sparing your life."

The boy was silent for a moment. "H-He goes by King. He meets with me and gives me orders. I-I don't know anything else. I swear."

"How do you contact him?" I growled. 

"He contacts me. I-I don't have a way to contact him."

I hit him again. 

"When and where is your next meeting?"

"Noon tomorrow, a-at the old storage facility off of Miller."

I put the gun to his head. 

"No! You sai-"

The bang echoed through the room, drowning out the boy's final words. 

"You'll be at that meeting tomorow." I told Ryan. "Bring me this 'King'."

---------------------------

yeet

~xxLux