Days quickly turned into weeks and before long I had made it 2 months on the job. Life became a whole lot easier and I had made friends with the entire staff at the hospital.

It felt good to finally work for a living and not have to depend on my parents for money and as I walked to the ATM at half past six at night, I sunk my fingers deeper into my jeans to combat the cold.

I needed to take out just enough money to do my monthly shopping and a bit extra for when I needed to hang out with some of the staff that went drinking on our synced days off.

It was a bright Friday evening with the full moon just starting to show and I slowly made my way into the empty ATM. The gang violence of the past few months had long died down and everyone seemed to be enjoying the little peace before everything was sure to go back to hell.

Humming the lyrics to a Lady Gaga song that screamed through my AirPods, I pocketed my cash and walked the short distance to the supermarket. This month I decided to buy some staples to go along with my infamous ramen and lentils and so I walked with my reusable bag as the cashier began scanning the mountain of items.

I gave the boy who looked about my age a small thanks before exiting and made my way home where I packed away the groceries, showered, pocketed my phone, keys and money before waiting on my taxi to come pick me up.

The middle aged man gave me a once over before heading for the bar and I knew he wanted to ask what a guy like me was doing living in an area like that but he withheld his question. Thanking him, I made my fast exit before an excited and slightly drunk Mickala waved me over. She stood near the entrance, dressed entirely in black and I smiled at how carefree she was. The skirt was a mini leather with strings on her waist that I could only assume was her underwear and the croquet top did nothing to conceal the black bikini bra she wore.

"Hello my love." She giggled as she hugged me, bouncing up and down and causing me to do so.

"Hey. I see you've started partying without me."

"It's after 9. We got here since 7, of course we started drinking."

I rolled my eyes and offered her a small smile as we headed into the semi crowded bar. There was a private section where a few of the staff were at and I smiled as they waved us over.

"Shawn, Miguel, Stacy, Denise. You guys haven't officially met him but this is Zachary. He's a really sweet guy and I hope we can all get along."

The guy named Miguel lifted his head in greeting before shoving a Heineken in my hand and I was pulled to sit next to Mickala.

Most of the night was spent downing shots as more people came and I paced myself with cutters and water in between. If it was one thing I could do, it was handle my liquor. I downed my 4th glass of vodka mixed with lime and mint before heading to take a piss.

On my way back to the table I noticed Mickala locked in an intense make out session with a girl and I stared shocked before a tall, brown eyed man caught the corner of my eyes.

Nick was coming down the stairs from the staff only area and our eyes connected just as he reached the bottom. He immediately smiles before calling me over and being the stupid man I was, I followed without a second thought.

As soon as I made it outside I saw Nick standing near a black Bluebird, hands shoved in his pockets from the coldness of the night.

"Hey." I say shyly as I came to a stop in front of him.

"It's been a while huh?"

"58 days."

He smiles before hugging me. "Of course you would know the exact time."

"Where were you?"

"I had some business to take care of." He stated before bracing the car again and looking up at the sky. "Plus, there was too much heat in the streets. Thought it wise to keep my distance."

"So you are part of a gang?"

"I thought that was very obvious."

"It wasn't."

"Everyone knows who I am. I never pretended to be who I'm not and I never hid this fact from you."

"Well sorry for being dumb but I didn't know until the hospital."

Nick looks at his phone before opening his car. "Get in, let's go grab a bite."

"It's after 1. There isn't any place that's gonna open now."

"It's Friday, trust me when I say, this side of the city never sleeps."

He waited for me to get in before closing the door and I again thought how I did as he told without question. In a short time we were pulling up at the same spot he took me to a few months ago and I stayed in the car as he got us burgers.

We sat in comfortable silence as we ate, the Weekend playing low on his speakers and I didn't want to ruin the moment but I was curious.

"Would you ever leave this lifestyle? Is that something that's allowed?"

"Of course it's allowed. It's just that for most of us, it's all we know. Why would you wanna leave that when life as a normie is way harder. Trying to fit into a society that already labels you as one thing is harder than just doing what you grew up doing."

He scrunches up his wrapper and finishes his drink. "But in all honesty, no, I'll never leave this lifestyle behind. I like who I am, the power I hold, the control over others, the fear I cause... it's exhilarating."

"It's a risk."

"Life's a risk. It's better if it's on my terms."

"I don't think I could ever be like that."

"Yeah? That's cause this doesn't suit you. You have this way about you. You're good. You've been sheltered all your life right? Never got into fights or any kind of trouble? Proud son of the house?"

I chuckle as he couldn't be any further from the truth. "Something like that."

"How's work?" He asked randomly, changing the subject.

"It's okay."

"Mmhmm?"

"Yeah. I'll be on shift system from Monday."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. They got new staff so we have a lighter work period. I will be working either 8 to 4, 4 to midnight or midnight to 8."

I sighed. "I mostly have afternoon and midnight shifts though so I'll have to spend more money on taxi."

"I can pick you up and take you home."

"Don't you have gang related stuff to do?" I semi joked.

"Yeah but it's not a 24 hour job. I can come get you."

"Okay... what- what were you doing at the bar tonight?" I asked as he pulled onto the street and headed to my place.

"Needed to send a message."

That was all he offered and I left it like that.

Soon enough we arrived at my place and I checked my phone to see it was just after 2am.

"Would you like to come in for a bit?" I ask, not wanting him to leave just yet.

"Sure."