In The Back Streets Of France, Chapter 8: Shawn

Chapter 8: Shawn

Contrary to what Michael says, the Matt, Andrew, and Shawn have not been “taken care of.” They are currently wandering towards Shawn, who is against a wall, smoking a cigarette he lifted off Alex without being seen.

When they get to Shawn, he is shaking so much that they help him slide down the wall.

“Shawn? Why are you shaking so badly?” Andrew asks. He squats in front of Shawn and looks at him face on.

Shawn looks like he has a bad taste in his mouth. He turns to Andrew and gives him a blank stare that seems to shoot out hurt and confusion. Andrew reaches out a hand, something that he doesn’t do very often, but Shawn shrinks away.

“I – Alex – I just can’t,” he finishes desperately.

“Yo, man. Take it slow!” Matt says.

“Dude,” Andrew says. “What happened with Alex?”

“I – he – he was in the International Mob,” Shawn says quietly. “That’s where he was going whenever he left the orphanage.” Andrew looks skeptical, so Shawn tells them a little of what Alex had told him.

“Oh,” said Andrew. He leans back onto his heals. “Do you know where he went tonight?”

“We saw this kid who was in the Mob with him. Michael and his little brother, Thomas. They were talking to Charcoal and Alex got all stiff and told me all about the Mob and how he used to use girls and shit. They were in the alleyway next to the Bakery.”

“Let’s go,” Matt says.

They all get up and walk to the mouth of the alleyway. They can hear the voices of Michael, Charcoal, and Alex.

“You’re gonna kill him from the cold before you even draw blood!” Charcoal.

“Smack her, will you, Devin?” Michael.

They hear Devin smack her and Alex yell hoarsely, “Get away from her.”

“This one is for that shithead’s girl, soon to be mine.” Michael.

“This one is for all of you and to your future success.” Michael again.

“This is for all of your future success and prosper from your line of employment.” Michael.

“This one’s for all the girls he killed.” Michael.

“And this one,” Michael pauses. They can hear Alex breathing hard. “This one is for me.” They hear knife slash through the air so fast that there is a whistle.

Charcoal screams.

Michael laughs.

Everyone lets out their breaths.

“Fool! He wants you alive, not dead!” Michael says. He sighs.

“Get up,” Michael barks. They hear scuffling.

“Come with me,” Charcoal says in a seductive voice. “I know where to find him if he decides to run. We need to talk, I think.”

They all jump aside when Charcoal comes out intertwined with Michael. They stagger away into the darkness and watch as the other guys trickle out because they know that that is all Michael wants them to see tonight.