Dead.

When I walked outside, the streets were partially filled. I breathed in the fresh air-but it only gave me a headache, sending chills down my spine. The sun was too bright, people were being loud, and I didn't like the outside at all. Having a migraine really sucks, making the day seem worse than it really is.

I was close to the liquor store when I felt a sudden disturbance in the air. I stopped in my tracks and questionably called, "Mikey-?"

A force slammed my body against the nearest wall. It was so sudden, I forgot to catch my breath. Hands were gripped onto my jacket, my eyes adjusted from the collusion to meet the eyes of Toro. His face expression was completely different from last time I had seen him. His eyes were filled with hatred, his knuckles turned white from tightening his hands into a ball, holding onto my jacket. He growled, “I don’t like you or your fucking boyfriend,” He spat, “I know there’s something about you two that’s off, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it!”

All I could manage to say was, “How’d you know we were dating?” I smiled, but regretted it as soon as he glared, “Don’t fuck with me, Iero. I read your file and from what I read, when you were a child, you are a danger. Your child past probably fucked you up today.” He gave me a slight push as he released me. He straightened out his jacket before scoffing, “I got my eyes on you, Iero.” He gave a harsh look before walking across the street, taking glances over his shoulder to me.

I stared at him in disbelief before feeling another figure close by. I turned to find Mikey frozen a few feet away from me. He paused, “Are you okay…?”

I brushed off my jacket, “Yeah, of course I am.”

He walked next to me, “What was all that about?”

I shrugged, “He’s crazy.”

Mikey didn’t seem to take the bait, but he said, “Okay.” We walked for another few seconds before he asked, “Hey, if there’s was something about you...like a secret...you’d tell me, right?”

I scoffed, “There’s nothing to tell,” I lied, shoving my hands into my pockets.

I can feel Mikey’s stare. He muttered, “I’ve known you for a very long time...you can’t lie to me.”

We entered the liquor store, and of course, there was liquor. I made my way around shelves, with Mikey walking behind me. He stopped to view candy bars as I grabbed two bubbly sodas from the shelves. I stopped when I noticed a very suspicious man crossing the street, to here. He was wearing a ski mask. And a big hoodie.

I grabbed Mikey and yanked him down. He seemed in distress when he asked, “What the fuck, Frank-”

The front door was forcibly pushed opened, and the man pulled out a gun. He yelled at the woman cashier, “Empty it, whore!” Referring to the register.

Mikey whispered as he crouched down onto the floor, “Holy shit,”

I stared, my heart pounding against my chest in excitement. I could’ve easily killed this man and get away with it, being a hero-but then I noticed the gun. Guns were rare in this town, very few people had them. Toro had one, but it wasn’t his. The Deputy and Sheriff had one, but this culprit was skinny. I peered through the bottles, to the gun. Gerard had one. I remember. I was drunk, but I remember he had told me he had a gun-he seemed as if he was joking, but that voice. It was deeper than Gerard’s, but he could’ve have done it on purpose.

The culprit gathered the money, stuffing it into his pockets before running out.
Mikey and I stood up, watching as he ran.

The cashier was in tears. She looked at us and cried out, “Why didn’t you call the Sheriff?!”

Mikey went to her, gathering her into his arms. He comforted her, “I’m sorry. We were scared as much as you were.”

I hurried, “I gotta go.”

“Wait-what?” Mikey begun, but I was already out the door.

I ran my way back to my house, which wasn’t far. I opened the door, finding Gerard removing his hoodie. He quickly looked at me, but gave a sigh relief, “I thought you were Mikey.” He laughed as he took out crumpled cash. He said, tossing his black hair back, “Baby, I wanna take you out tonight.”

It was weird to see him like this. He seemed like a complete sweaty mess. A different kind of Gerard-sort of.

I replied, “You robbed?”

Gerard’s smile slightly faded, “You guys were gone, and I had the idea. I needed money for dinner.” He walked toward me. His hand brushed against my hip, his lips touched mine just barely, “Tonight. No killings, no robbery…” His eyes locked into mine, “Just us, and Italian food.” He grinned, my heart skipped a beat.

I looked away, “Yeah, sure.”

Gerard seemed happy, and it was weird to see him that way, too.

Notes