Alex

"Nothing, it's not a big deal Chase."

"Where am I taking you?"

"Just down town if you don't mind."

"What are you going to do down there?"

"Just meet some people."

"You sure you don't want me to take you to the hospital Alex?" I asked concerned.

"No Chase I don't want you to take me to the fucking hospital!" Alex said angrily.

"You're banged up, you should be at least going to the cops to perpetrate the bastards that did this to you."

"Fuck off Chase I'm not going to the fuzz, and I'm not going to any damn hospital."

"What happened Alex?" I asked again.

"Nothing."

"You call me after ignoring me for months, and look like you've got the shit kicked out of you, and you expect me to believe nothing happened? Fuck you Alex!" I drove angrily, swerving in and out of lanes passing people, all the way to my shitty, run down apartment that I was renting.

"Where the fuck are we Chase? I said drive me down town!"

I got out of the car and walked briskly over to the passenger side, ripping the door open, hauling Alex out roughly and slamming the door closed. I dragged Alex into my building and into the elevator up to my apartment. When I opened the door I pushed Alex in and locked the door.

"Your staying here until you tell me what the fuck is going on. You think I can't smell the weed and booze on you? What other drugs have you been taking Alex?"

But Alex just stood there, head down, looking at the floor.

"Coke."

It was all Alex said. We both stood there in silence for what felt like forever. This wasn't how I expected things to be.

"Where are you living?"

Alex shrugged. "Anywhere I can...the streets on warm nights."

I growled in frustration. "Are you still in school? Where is your mom? How do you have money for drugs and alcohol? Do you have a job?"