-Oliver-

I couldn't relax at all. One of the Blue Moons had noticed me, in a bad way. My wish to be noticed had been granted, but with a really bad twist. I couldn't believe my luck.

I tried to keep my head down and merge with the shadows. I could relax only during classes, since they weren't there, but every time I stepped out into the corridor, I could hardly even breathe. I was sure the mohawk-guy would be there, waiting for me.

It wasn't until lunch break, when I realized how ridiculous I was being. I was utterly insignificant to them. Just a squeaking mouse in the corner, not even worth to be remembered. I learned this, when I was sitting alone close to the entrance of the hall, trying to eat at least something in my nervousness.

And they stepped in. The one with deep red hair stepped in first, laughing so hard he was nearly in tears, with his two friends smirking in amusement. At first, I thought the mohawk-guy spotted me, when he turned his head in my direction, but his eyes moved past me like I wasn't even there. I couldn't see even the slightest hint of recognition in his sharp eyes.

I was back to being a ghost. I turned to look after them, but of course none of them paid any attention to me. I felt ashamed. Did I really think I was important enough to be even remembered? For a moment, I did. But the truth was something quite else.

I was grateful, but at the same time... being invisible again...

I continued eating with a better appetite, since I clearly didn't need to be afraid anymore. The Blue Moons wouldn't give a crap about me, as long as I would keep my mouth shut, that much was clear to me. It was easier to relax now, knowing that.

But of course, I was immediately punished for letting my guard down.

For I made two mistakes that morning.

One. I made the Blue Moons notice me.

Two. I made the Black Thorns notice me.

"There's the little rat. I've been looking for you."

My lungs paralyzed at the sound of that voice. Jack. Right behind me. I couldn't even turn around to face him. I didn't even need to, since the next thing I knew, I was pulled up by my hood, almost lifted in the air. Jack turned me around, and glared down at me with a mad smile. His nose was red, but that was the only mark left of Tilly's kick.

"You better follow us quietly," Jack spoke with a silent voice, which was more than enough to scare the life out of me.

He yanked me up harshly, forcing me to follow him out of the lunch hall. If someone saw me, they did nothing. A teacher passed us by, but he didn't even look at us. Jack still had a strong grip on my hoodie, so anyone could tell I wasn't going with him willingly, but no one did anything.

This was the world I lived in. Not even the cops wanted to get involved with them.

I was dragged into an empty classroom. I wasn't surprised that one of Jack's friends had a key to open the door.

"In you go!" Jack laughed, pushing me so hard I flew a couple of feet before landing on the ground inside the room. They all stepped in and closed the door, while I tried to get up on my knees. I found just enough courage to turn to look back at them, but that was all I could do – I was shivering, and I still couldn't get enough air into my lungs. I was already out of my mind, and having six sets of taunting eyes peering at me nearly froze my heart as well.

And before I could even blink, Jack was already standing right in front of me, and I felt sharp pain on my cheek just half a second before I was sent flying on the ground again. I brought a hand on my burning face, and curled into a tiny ball, knowing I would now get seriously hurt.

"That's for this morning," Jack said, and I looked up at him. He pushed back his hair and straightened his jacket, before focusing his eyes at me. "You know what's interesting?" he asked.

I shook my head, when I realized he was talking to me.

"No one knows your name," Jack spoke and stepped closer to me. "After you got me involved with the Blue Goos, I asked around but no one has ever even heard of you. It's almost like I'm the only one who can even see you!"

How was it my fault that he ran into his rivals? I did nothing! But I could only keep my mouth shut, stay still and hope I would get out of the situation alive. It wasn't easy to listen to him in my panicking state, and his words only made things worse. I had never been so terrified in my entire life.

"How fun is that?" Jack suddenly laughed and crouched in front of me. He seemed almost excited for some reason. "No one would notice if you went missing."

"Come on, Jack. I'm hungry. Let's just kick the crap out of him so we can go eat," one of his friends spoke with an annoyed tone.

"Don't be so hasty," Jack chuckled at him. "I have a better plan for this little rat."

"W-Wh...?" I tried to speak, but I couldn't form any words.

"I need you to do something for me," Jack said, turning his attention back at me. He had a terrifying smile on his face. "I could beat you up, but I'm a rational man, so I'm giving you an option."

He then grabbed me by my collar, and yanked me up to sit in front of him. I knew whatever he had in mind wasn't much better than getting hospitalized.

"Wh... what... do y-you –"

He slapped me again, but much more gently this time. "Get a grip! I can't stand pathetic people like you!"

How was I going to do that? I could barely keep it together. I tried to take a deep breath, but it didn't help. Nothing helped at that moment.

"It's a simple task really," Jack said. "I want you to follow Jaden, and tell me everything you find out. I want to know absolutely everything about him."

"Ohh," the hungry guy uttered with wide eyes. "I get it," he added to another guy with a smirk.

They all were smirking now, and everyone looked at me differently than before. Trailing someone was something I could definitely do, since no one noticed me, and it sounded a hell of a lot better than getting beaten up, but there was one problem.

And the problem... I suddenly remembered who the red haired Blue Moon was. Jaden. The mohawk-guy knew my face now, and he would definitely recognize me right away, if I went too close to them.

"Do we have a plan, or should I just remake your face?" Jack asked, lifting his fist right in front of my head.

"P-Plan... yes..." I squeaked.

"What was that?" Jack asked.

"I... follow h-him," I said, but my voice wasn't that much louder. Thankfully, he understood.

"Good. Now. There's one thing in particular I want to know. Jaden and his lapdogs have a secret hideout. I want to know where it is. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes," I nodded hastily.

"Good. And just to make things clear, I won't be waiting for too long. You better spend every second of the day two steps behind him. If you don't, I'll disfigure you in ways even your own mother can't recognize you ever again. Am I making myself clear?"

I nodded again, feeling trapped. I definitely shouldn't have come to school today.

Jack stared at me for a short moment, before he laughed. "I think you already know what happens to you if you betray me," he said and stood up. "You're smart enough to keep your mouth shut, right?"

"Yes..."

They left the room, but I waited for a long time, before I even got up on my feet. I wanted to run away and never come back, but they would find me. No one could help me. No one would help me.

I was trapped between these two gangs, and I already knew that it was just a matter of time before things would come falling apart around me. I didn't know whether it would be in the hands of the Black Thorns, or the Blue Moons, but I would end up regretting being born.