Chapter 2

Finally, two days had gone by and the children were released. Emma headed straight to her room and she was bedazzled by the sight. Everything in her room had been changed and all her paintings and portraits had been gotten rid of by her parents.

"Mum! Is this actually my room? I didn't leave my room this way. This isn't fair", Emma cried.

Aiden too was trying to understand what was actually going on. He was almost in tears.

Mr and Mrs Kinney were in their room listening to their kids' wailings but didn't make a move.

"Their addiction has to stop. They can't go on like this. They ain't kids anymore for chrissakes. I think they should even take a break off from social media. That'd help them a lot", and with that Mr Kinney made his way to Emma's room and snatched away her phone. Same with Aiden.

* * *

Marcus was up in his room studying and he soon got bored. He changed his T-shirt and put on a pair of white canvas before he left for Eric's house. As he arrived, he saw Eric with two strange looking guys and a brown paper bag. On seeing Marcus, they immediately hid the bag.

"Hey, who the fuck is this kid. You didn't tell us someone was coming over", the one with red hair and a large nose smirked.

" Uhm… Marcus, you didn't inform me you were coming over", and then he turned to the other guys, "I'm very sorry guys, and besides, I think Marcus will like the deal", Eric smiled and gave Marcus a slight shove in the shoulder.

Marcus shook his head and turned to leave but was pulled back by the guy with a large nose,

"You're with us now. You've seen us already. Besides, you can make some cool cash. Just check this out, you get 100 bucks on every transaction. You'll be a rich young man having to buy all the expensive dresses, shoes and hang out with the most beautiful girls at your school. Just deliver this package at a warehouse on Simpson street on your way to school. I'll give you more details to locate the warehouse. A man will be waiting for you there".

A cold chill went down Marcus's spine. A lot was running through his mind at that moment. He had a lot to say but didn't know what exactly. Finally, he found his words and spat out,

"No. I wasn't trained to do stuff like this. My parents will be disappointed if they found out about this".

Noah, the second guy who had been quiet all the while laughed at Marcus,

"Mummy's boy. Ain't you like 18? Mummy will never get to know about this", and he continued laughing.

This really got Marcus. He hated it when people thought he was a weakling.

"I'll do it. But first I must know what's in the bag".

For a second, the guys whispered amongst themselves and then Roderick spoke,

"You'll know what's in the bag later. You just have to deliver it first".

Unconvinced still but not ready to argue, Marcus picked up the bag and hurried home.

Emma was already waiting anxiously for his return and when she saw him, she walked up to him, "Bro, where did you go? I wanted to ask for some money. Please?" And she gave him the puppy eye.

Marcus, annoyed by that, walked past her without saying a word and headed for his room.

"Hmm…. He has never behaved in such a manner to me. I think I need to get paid before I do anything in this house. Or maybe I could offer to clean Dad's car every morning for 4 dollars. Brilliant!" She said and hurried to her room.

* * *

"Yes Ryan, can you brief us on the history of Puerto Rico?" Mrs Heffley, the history teacher asked.

Ryan just stood there staring like a moron. He was like the dullest kid in Aiden's class and he wasn't even making any efforts to improve.

All eyes were on him now and Mrs Heffley was yet to decide his punishment when she caught a glimpse of Aiden sleeping in her lesson.

"Can someone wake that kid up?"

A fat girl sitting right next to Aiden banged at his locker and he woke up, stunned.

"Why are you sleeping in my class, Aiden? You will have detention for one week. So after school, move to Mr Ray's class and stay for an hour", she said.

Aiden had a movie to see at Donald's place after school so he just thought of running home immediately the bell for dismissal went.

But sadly for him, Mrs Heffley waited right outside his class and took him to Mr Ray who offered Aiden a seat right next to a bully named Leon Ricket. Leon Ricket wasn't a bright kid. But anyways, Leon was in detention for what he did when a wasp perched on the window in the homeroom. He had smashed the window with a seat.

After two minutes, Aiden got a plan. He fell on his knees and started crying, "Mr Ray, I'm not feeling too well. I was diagnosed with ulcer and I have to take my medications sir".

Mr Ray quickly let Aiden go home.

On his way home, Aiden met Marcus having a conversation with a man who he (Aiden) would call a rogue. From his physique to his eye patch and several other things that Aiden didn't like about him. They both stood in front of a warehouse. The place actually looked abandoned and until now, Aiden didn't know that people go in and come out at intervals.

"Bro! Good I met you. I always see you around here so what's….." Aiden was pulled aside by Marcus.

" Hey, what the fuck are you doing here? What is your problem? Can't you just head back home without having to trouble me?" Marcus said with a slight look of irritation on his face.

Aiden wasn't surprised anyways. He knew that he and Emma always gave Marcus much trouble. His attention was caught by the wrist watch Marcus had on. It must have cost a fortune.

* * *

Marcus stopped by Eric's house and spent some time. The new friends he kept really had an impact on him. He barely even had time to study anymore. Whenever he was home, he was either watching movies, listening to music or texting girls.

Eric was in a business of selling drugs, human parts, guns and all. But to Marcus, he was just hustling. If only he knew the nature of the business, he would never have tried to be a part of it at first. He had grown his hair and got a tattoo on his right arm.

Emma was cleaning her room when Aiden knocked loudly on her door. She opened the door and he stormed in.

"What's wrong? Who's after you?"

Aiden just sat there trying to catch his breath.

"Look Emma I don't know but have you been noticing anything strange about Marcus's attitude lately?" Aiden asked.

Bella nodded her head. Finally, someone said it. She had thought she was the one with the problem all this while. Maybe Marcus was getting tired of her excessiveness.

"Yeah…. You're actually making a point there. Few days ago, I saw him counting a huge sum of money and we all know that Marcus barely has time for any other thing besides his books. When I asked him where he got the money, he just yelled at me. He has never spoken to me in such a manner before".

"I think something's up with Marcus. We have to keep a close watch on him. He always stops by at a warehouse every morning on his way to school".

Emma was in affirmation of what Aiden said. This was like the first time they had both agreed on something.

Aiden still sat there peeping at everything in the room when Emma asked him to leave. He was reluctant at first but on a second thought, he stood up and slowly walked away. At least he and his long-time enemy were at peace and he would trade a fortune to retain it.