river arrived downtown in an alley where the gang had hung out plenty of times. it was hard to believe that river was still sober and pure, even river was surprised. so once again, river procrastinated and tried to get as far away from the drugs as possible. donny gray was noticeably high by 9:30. then the four boys that were there, not including river, cheered because someone had brought out beer. a beer was handed to river by finchel chance. his words were,"drink up, you log!" river took one sip and gagged. he spit it out when finchel turned his back. finchel left around 10:30. river prayed to God that he hadn't crashed the car on the way home.

then everything escalated. two police cars arrived in the alley. river's life had turned to slow motion. he ran to the police officers and told them what was going on. river wasn't worried about bailing out his friends because they probably wouldn't remember anything from tonight, tomorrow.

the police officers handcuffed the three boys who were drugged and drinking and put them into the police cars. river rode in the passenger seat of one of the cop cars. river was thinking of what trouble he would get in with his parents. the police officer interrupted river's thoughts,"so, son, what's your name and why are you sober?" river sighed,"my name is river." he paused for a second,"I don't drink." the officer laughed at river,"you're a pretty straight forward kid. how old are you?" river said looking out the window on his right,"I'm eighteen. I don't really like being eighteen though. too many responsibilities." the officer smiled,"I've been there and done that, kid. I know it's tough but you will find your way. you got a girl?" river sighed again, still looking out the window, avoiding eye contact with the officer,"nah, I haven't really been interested in any."

they pulled into the police department parking lot.