It been a few days since I had last seen the boys. David didn't lie to me when he said I could come and go as I pleased. He also didn't lie to me about never being alone and never having to worry about the Surfer Nazis.

A few nights ago I had been walking down the same alley I always did. The normal one I took to get to the church. Now I know the Max said I could stay with him and the boys said I always had a place there but I didn't want to be a burden or for it to be awkward. I mean last time I was there they all ended up kissing me at one time or another... David's words kept replaying in my head when I thought about it... live, think, and love freely... What did he mean? It's okay to kiss them all? It's okay to slut around? It's okay to live the hippie life? Do drugs and bury yourself in orgies? I imagine that's how Paul dreams about living his life, as long as he can. I can't really blame him though. 'It'd be a good life,' I can't help but laugh to myself.

I always thought about them when they weren't around. I think they knew it too. The small smiles I'd get from Marko, the waves from Paul, nods from Dwayne, and smirk from David said it all. They knew I thought about them constantly; it was like I couldn't get them out of my head. It was doing cocaine all over again; they were additive. I wanted to go back to the cave but I was afraid it'd be too weird like I said. I wanted to belong somewhere.

"Yo hippie bitch," a voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I didn't turn, I just ran. Through the alley and toward the street but I was tripped by a psycho in a Hawaiian shirt with a shitty mullet.

"Thought you could run, huh bitch," the voice had turned cold, lowering an octave.

I saw more feet approaching and I screamed. I screamed as loud as I could but was cut short with a swiftly kick to my gut from that beach bum asshole from the other night. Multiple hands grabbed me and pulled me upright, before throwing me into the wall. A click of a switchblade echoed in the alleyway.

"Now you're not going to scream again are you sweetheart?" Donovan laughed as he pressed the blade gently into my cheek.

I glared, lip curled before spitting right in his eye. Blinding him gave me enough time to kick him in the stomach as hard as I could before one of his minions threw a left hook to my eye. My head bounced off the wall and I heard ringing in my ears.

"Nasty little slut," he growled, grabbing me by hair and throwing me to the ground. "I'm going to teach you what happens to people who fuck with the Surfer Nazis."

He used his body to hold me down while he took his switchblade and carved something in my skin. My screams didn't last long and I could barely hear them over his laughs.

"Donovan, what did I tell you about touching things that weren't yours?" A familiar voice growled as my screams became whimpers.

"Oh David. David. David. I hate when you interrupt me conducting official Surfer Nazi business," the brunette over my scowled.

"Cassandra, first chance you get, run straight to the church. Understood?" David's voice was low and deathly calm.

I nodded through tears, putting pressure to the newfound cuts on my left hip. A snarl erupted from David, almost like a lion snarls. Donovan was ripped from the ground and thrown against the wall by David. Suddenly almost as if they can from the shadows; Marko, Paul, and Dwayne appeared, each taking one of the guys trying to stop David.

"Go Cassandra!" David yelled as I steadily got to my feet, and turned to run away, never looking back.

The next I saw Donovan it was during the day. I never saw his gang again, just him. He was incredibly pale, sweating constantly, and had an older woman with him.

By this time, I'd gotta Max to patch me up from Donovan's play time. A nasty 'SN' was carved in my left hip. Max said it'd heal no doubt but from the depth and he way he used the blade, it'd scar.

Speaking of scars, surfer boy wore a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses and kept his head down. But when he looked up, I sucked in air through my teeth and stared in horror. In each cheek was a different letter craved. On his left, a giant, jagged 'L'. And on his right another huge jagged 'B'. Both wounds went up, almost from the tip top of the cheek bone and down to the bottom of the jaw. They obviously hurt him, even without touch. They were sewn shut and looked like they were currently airing out while he accompanied his older lady friend.

I remember, sitting in the video shop with my dinner that night; a Parmesan chicken Alfredo dish with bread sticks. Max brought me in the extra he had from dinner the night before and let me say, he is an excellent cook. So I stood in the front desk area, eating my pasta, watching Donovan through the glass. I made sure he could feel my stare, he shivered and looked up at me. He eyes went wide and he stopped. His hands shook and he started to cry in fear. Shaking as he did so, he turned and ran far from the store front.

The next time I'd seen the Lost Boys, it was that night. I have to say, seeing that asshole turn tail in fear really got me going. I loved the power I felt. It was addictive. Just like the thoughts of the boys.

Like I said, they came by that night. For whatever reason, so did Donovan. It was right after we'd closed but I hadn't the time to lock up the shop. He looked a little less frightened this time though. He looked trashed honestly. Clothes were disheveled. Hair? Messy. And he didn't walk. More like staggered in. He came right up the counter where I stood with some VHS tapes.

"You- uh, you're the reason, I look like this," his voice was cracking with each word." Girls look at me like I'm some sorta monster now because of you."

"What happened to you is your own fault." My words surprised me. "You were a monster before you left your mark on me. Now the boys left theirs on you and you have yourself to thanks for that. They told you not to touch me."

"That's right Donovan. And so why are you here? I know by the way your finger is in our lady's face, you're not here for a tape." David appeared behind the drunk brunette.

"I uh, god damn bitch," he screached, reaching into his coat. David ceased his wrist and quickly twisted it behind his back.

"Watch it," David smirked before leading Donovan out the doors which were held open my Paul and a mouth covered Marko. The last I saw was David meeting Dwayne with Donovan and Marko and Paul quietly closing the doors, each blowing me a kiss and they quietly followed the other two. It didn't take me long to close up shop.

The moment I'd finished and left, locking the back door behind me, I ran right into 4 familiar motorcycles.

"Need a ride?"

I did take the ride from them and stayed in the cave, sharing a bed with a slightly morose Star. I didn't understand why she seemed so sad. Maybe she was lonely? Although it didn't make sense to me. If I'm going to take a wild guess, it's that she's sleeping with all four boys. Let me explain though. David said, "love freely," would essentially make it credible enough for me to infer that, that's exactly the case. But if she's banging four dudes then why is she lonely? Is it because when I'm around they pay me lots of attention?

I didn't get it but I guess it doesn't matter now. Now actually I was sitting in VideoMax again, eating a lovely home cooked meal from Max. I had started working nights due to terrible migranes I'd developed during the day. Max had rather demanded rather than offered I stay in the extra room at his or with my friends. So tonight I'd just hop on the back of Paul or Marko's bike and just go, I guess. I just don't know where to find them. I can think about it but it doesn't mean I'll find them. I don't honestly want to go exploring for them anyway, there are certain parts toward the end of the boardwalk that lead into drug war territory. In which case I guess if I'm going to look for them, I'll have to check the more well known spots.

Hours later after thinking I would find the boys, I didn't. I didn't ever try really. I sat at this picnic table like bench at the corner of the boardwalk, not far from where Dwayne first sat with me. It was late too, almost closing time on the boardwalk when I heard footsteps approaching. I didn't even lift my head off the table.

"That doesn't look to comfortable doll," a familiar voice called.

Finally pulling my face off the sun bleached table I smiled, "It's what what happens when your hot dates don't show up."

"Really? I have no clue what you're talking about?" His smile grew with my words.

"What do you mean?" I paused as he took a seat pretty close to me but not next to me, "You always know what I'm thinking."

"I usually do. But not this time, what's on your mind?"

"Not much besides the sheer hope you guys have room for one more tonight?"

David demeanor changed rapidly, he became more serious. "Is everything alright?" I might've mentioned to him getting a place to stay, but not that it fell through as quick as I found it.

"I mean yes and no," a quiet sigh fell from my lips and I lightly rubbed my forehead, in attempt to relieve the pressure. "The appartment I found didn't work out and I've been having these migraines. Max calls them migraines, I just figured it was a gnarly headache from lack of sleep."

"You know you're always welcome to stay with us. If there's any other symptoms like light sensitivity, dizziness, or vomiting, let me know and the boys and I will set you up with a bed in a darker room in the cave," David smiled lightly, taking my hand but I could see how serious he was.

"Thank you so much. No dizziness or vomiting yet but I'm sure if I ride with Paul, it won't be long," I laughed at the taller blonde's expense, he was a wild driver.

"Hey now, babe, you know it's not fair to talk about me when I'm not around!"

Putting on my sunglasses, my head began to ache more intensely than before.

"Well rockstar, most of the time when people talk shit, it's usually mean. I was just elaborating with darling David how your hyper attitude shows in your driving and will likely result in me getting sick if I ride with your crazy ass," I joked as the blonde appeared with his partner in crime.

"True, I wouldn't ride with you either Paul," Marko laughed as he slid in and took a seat on my right, "how's it going angel?"

"Thinking there's something wrong with me. If you all don't mind, I'd like to stay in the cave with you."

"It's not a problem doll, we'd love to have you! You're one of us," Paul laughed as he took another hit off a joint I didn't see him with a moment ago.

"Part of the gang now huh?" I smirked, laying my head back down on my arms.

"Almost anyway," Paul breathed out the smoke.

I elected to ignore that last comment and David quickly cut in, "Its getting late. I'll take Sandra, so that means Star will be riding with one of you two."

"Last one back to the bikes has to drink with Star!"And the two shot off, Paul dropping his joint on the table and Marko jumping, using said table as leverage to catch up to Paul.

David picked up the discarded, half smoked joint, and offered it to me, "Ladies first."

Revised: 2/1/2018