The gas station I had been talking about was a bit farther away then I'd admitted to the Frogs. Nonetheless I need a new pack of cigarettes and it was halfway to the church.

I have to say looking back at what just occurred, I am damn fucking lucky Marko was there. Not only a few minuets ago, I could have died.

I was walking down the street, not far from the gas station. A couple of blocks away if that. I knew I should have been paying better attention but I really had no common sense sometimes.

I had stopped and pulled out my little portable cassette player and put in a demo some 'friends' in Los Angeles had given me. I think they called it Appetite for Destruction, which was a great name to me, it summed up their band and Los Angeles so well. Especially Welcome to the Jungle, now that was my jam.

I hooked the cassette player to my side and began down the street again, my last cigarette in hand. That was when everything seemed to slow in my mind. I forgot to look for cars before crossing the street. I slowly brought my cigarette from my mouth, exhaling slowly. I didn't hear the cars horn but the lights made it apparent to me fairly quickly. This car wasn't slowing down. This car was going to hit me. Hard. My body tensed up and I couldn't move out of fear. I dropped my cigarette and closed my eyes quickly.

I did get hit but not by the car. The air was knocked out of me literally and I laid there breathing hard before opening my eyes. Staring back at me was a set of olive green eyes. What the fuck? What the actual fuck? His lips were moving but I couldn't hear him. I hit my cassette player and pulled my headphones off.

"What?" I asked quietly

"Are you alright," he asked, putting a gloved hand on my cheek.

I started to notice the world around me and I sat up quickly. I had been crumpled into his chest, and I was now sitting on his hips.

"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Probably a little scraped up but I'd rather be injured than dead. Are you okay? I mean you took most of the impact when we landed."

"Oh yeah, I'm fine," he smiled in a shy manner as he sat up, " I was more worried about you."

"Oh well, thank you again, so much," my arms wrapped around his neck as I hugged him tight. I guess he was a bit unsuspecting and lightly patted my back.

I pulled back and he just smiled, he hid it though behind his hand as he chewed on his nail.. I - oh god, I'm still sitting on this guy's lap.

"Oh shit," I said looking around," I'm sorry," I laughed getting up.

"It's no problem angel, I'd do it over and over again," he smiled.

"It's Cassandra, most people call me Sandra though."

"I'm Marko, it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too Marko," I smiled lightly at him, I couldn't help it.

He was maybe half a head taller than me and gorgeous in the most angelic way. He had honey blonde hair that curled in beautiful waves down his back, his olive green eyes were unlike any others I'd seen, he had golden tanned skin, and a cute mouth. He was really punky too, I was super into it. He had this amazing custom jacket, it had many different patches it was crazy! He had a white cropped tank top, a pair of jeans with black leather chaps, and a pair of brown leather motorcycle boots.

"Hey Sandra... Need a ride somewhere?"

"Nah man, I think I'll be alright, I'm going to get a pack of cigarettes and head home, I think," I smiled lightly as I turned.

"Alright, well I'll see you soon Angel, try to be more careful," he smiled and turned to walk down the sidewalk.

I turned to start my way down to the gas station and I heard the roar of a motorcycle. Jesus Christ. He's with Paul. He was probably the other guy he was talking to on the board walk. A Lost Boy saved me.

I tried to disregard that fact as I'd pulled my newly bought pack out of my back pocket. I made my way down the street and this time I didn't listen to my cassette player. I kept my ears open for any motorcycles. If Marko went off and told Paul, there was not doubt in my mind that I'd be having pizza soon enough tonight. Although the few times I did hear a motorcycle, I hid in an alley or a late night bar. I need to be more careful if I'm going to get to the church. The issue is every time I turn a corner to go to the church, I hear a motorcycle and I can't go that way. They keep blocking my way and redirecting me to the board walk.

Fuck it. If that's the way Paul wants to play then fine. I'll stay at the video store or with Max.

We've cut off all her ways to the shelter, what's the plan now David? Paul called zooming by Marko, cutting off another way to the shelter.

Keep a look out for her up in the sky Dwayne, don't let anyone see you although that's a given. The dark haired man, sitting on the roof of an apartment hummed in agreement.

She's heading your way. Straight towards the boardwalk anyway the dark man replied.

Good. Good. It's all going according to plan boys The bleach blonde smirked a top his motorcycle, he glanced over the boardwalk. She would be here soon. And she would bend to their will. She belonged with them after all.

The boardwalk was but three blocks ahead of me. Once I got there, I'd weave my way back to the shop. I'd avoid as many people as possible and I'd make it to the shop before Max left.

A zoom from my left nearly knocked me off my feet. Instead of the Lost Boys, it was a bunch of Surfer Nazis. There were dudes on bikes pulling other guys behind them on skateboards. Stupid fucks gave me a heart attack.

The board walk had thinned out quite a bit, it was ten now maybe, the time I was supposed to get off work. Paul would be heading to the shop to get me for pizza. Which meant I had to hide out away from the shop until I knew he'd left. This time Frog Comics wasn't an option. They thought I still had my apartment; it'd be too embarrassing to ask some teenage kids if I could bunk with them anyway. It's not going to happen.

"Hey Paul, that's the girl I saved earlier," a familiar voice called.

"The hot one who didn't look before crossing," Paul's voice rang out to me, his laughter filling the air.

"The very same. Cassandra!"

This time I looked, there sat Paul with Marko laughing and waving. I whipped around quickly and ran down the boardwalk steps and to the beach. I could hear them following me, so I dove under the staircase.

I crouched in the darkness under the stairs, watching as two pairs of brown leather boots ended up right in front of me. I held my breath, watching, waiting.

"She disappeared dude,"

"It's alright, I'm sure we'll see her later," Marko laughed, clapping Paul on the back before they both made their way up the stairs.

I waited what left like a lifetime before poking my head out from under the boardwalk. They were nowhere in sight and I felt like sighing but I knew I had to stay on edge or they'd end up finding me. I wondered for a while through the sand until I came upon a beach party. It was a Surfer Nazi party, I think. It's not going to be safe but it feels safer than being with the Lost Boys. Besides in an hour or so I can sneak back to the store.

The music was loud and the fire was big. Everyone there was trashed so it made it easier to blend in. Def Leppard blared so loud I could hardly think. The few girls who were here were passed out or getting there. It made me uncomfortable being the only sober girl there but I also wasn't about to get trashed around these guys. Some of them looked like real skeezeballs. Scum. Sickos. I guarantee at least one of those girls will end up getting raped. As horrible as that is, there are so many people here, to try and take them all on would be foolish. I'd need help...

A sharp slap to my ass got my attention. A guy with a blue mohawk winked at me and danced a little closer to me, enough to make me uncomfortable. He kept bumping me into a brunette guy who was slowly but surely turning his attention to me. With a sly smile, I unwedged myself from between them and started to stray from the party. I got this slight tightness in my chest as mohawk ended up straying behind me. I began to pick up my speed in attempt to loose him. It wasn't working so in a bit of a panic I went under the boardwalk, hopefully loosing him in the dark.

I finally found a spot that I didn't think he would find me and I crouched lowly, almost enough to sit in the sand. I waited and waited, silently but surely enough I'd lost him.. I let out a blood curling scream as a hand gripped my ankle and pulled me down in the sand. Mohawk towered over me, his hand going over my mouth.

"Now now baby, no need to scream yet. I haven't even gotten started," he giggled, as he pulled a switchblade out of his back pocket.

I thrashed and screamed as loud as I could with his hand over my mouth.

"Oooh that's more like it, give me a fight baby," he growled as he leaned down, licking me from the base of my neck to the edge of my right cheekbone.

I screamed again as he moved his hand and thank god that he did, except it went somewhere much worse. He began to unbutton my pants, trying to rip them down my legs. I paused, breathing deeply before I ripped one of my legs out from under him and kicked him in the face. He cried out dropping the knife and I dove for it. I drove in into his shoulder before I ran out from under the boardwalk. I ran straight into the open beach and straight into someone else.

Tears made it harder to see in the dark. I screamed again thinking it was another guy from the party. Instead I was met with a bandana to wipe my tears and a strong set of arms to pick me up. Whoever it was, had taken me up to the boardwalk again. I was set on a bench and whoever it was, took the bandana and wiped my face of blood, tears, and sand.

"Hey, hey, it'll be alright," they cooed.

"Who are you," I asked, my voice quivering.

"Dwayne,"

I opened my eyes, finally able to see clearer and was I met with a sight for sore eyes. Quite literally. He was much like Marko who I'd met earlier. Beautiful. He had darkly tanned skin, black hair, deep brown almost black eyes, sharp features, and beautiful lips. He was crouched in front of me but I figured once he stood up, he might even be taller than Paul. He didn't wear a shirt but had on a pair of ripped black jeans, a fang earring, a necklace of knick knacks, the red bandana that he was cleaning me off with, a belt with some chains, and some black leather boots. He was good looking and I knew he knew it.

"Cassandra, most call me Sandra,"

He just hummed in response.

"Not much of a talker," I questioned.

"What happened to you? I heard you scream,"

"I-uh... There was a guy... I left my bag down there, but uhh I -he uhh,"

"I understand, stay here, I'll be back." He left me with his bandana and stormed down the steps.

I was lost with what was going on but I just shook my head. Tonight was too much, I needed a break. I stood slowly, taking his bandana and tying it to my belt loops. I'd give it back to him at some point. I was sure this wasn't going to be the last I saw of him..

"Cassandra!"

I turned like I hadn't heard it and began towards the amusement park part of the boardwalk.

"Sandra!"

I just kept going and eventually the crowd thickened up again as I got more towards one of the best parts of the boardwalk. The merry-go-round; everyone seemed to love it. There was a long line waiting to get on but I figured why not just hop on from the back. I waited for the stopped ride to slowly pick up speed before I hopped on from behind. The ride was pretty full but I kept hobbling along, looking for a horse or somewhere to sit.

Earlier when Marko saved me, I'd scraped my knees on the ground and being taken to the ground by mohawk had gotten sand in my scrapes. It burned but it was nothing compared to the ache in my bones. I stopped my search, got grab a cigarette from my crushed pack. I put a half broken cigarette in my mouth and began on my way again. This time a giggling caught my attention. To my left was Shelly Johnson and her shit dick boyfriend, Greg. He winked at me and she scowled. I ignored it and went to move on when I fell once again. Although this time it wasn't my fault. Shelly's snickering brought me back to reality.

"So that's the way it is, huh?" I couldn't help but laugh as I got up and slung my fist right into her nose.

Shelly's scream brought on a whole new fight. A gloved hand reached past me and grabbed Greg's face tightly. While I turned to see three familiar faces throwing punches and holding back the other Surfer Nazi's on the ride.

"Stupid cunt," I laughed as I punched her again, and again.

Soon the ride slowed to a stop, "I told you all, off the boardwalk," bellowed a bigger security guard.

He threw his baton around the bleach blonde's neck who was beside me.

"Alright boys," he paused to look at me, "let's go."

I took that as my signal, I turned and hopped right off the merry-go-round.

"You too, off the boardwalk,"

I followed behind Blondie and the scrooges closely as we made our way through the crowd.

"So Cassandra, how about that pizza," Paul laughed from my side.

Revised: 10/1/17