The Mixed Tape

"Hold him." I snapped my fingers calmly at Sam as the struggling greaser fought to set free. It was dark, almost midnight, and all alone on an empty alley is not very smart, is it Austin? Sam held him tight, placing his knees on his chest and holding his arms. "Hey Austin, how's it going?" There is always a story behind every action and so I think you greasers out to know the little story behind what was once a very tight friendship.

It all started when we where kids. You know, "those moments when all you had to worry about was who had the box of crayons, who ran the fastest, who got the candy" and all that shit. Bad stuff down memory lane but I think you out to know. We met when we where around four or so at a park down main street, no man's land, and so despite their economic differences, our mom's became friends... sigh.

"How are ya liking it Brumly? Maybe a few kicks on the head? With any luck we'll reasemble your face." The greaser whinced in pain but I rolled my eyes. I motioned for Trace to do his job and he shut Austin up real good.

We went to school together, we had the same teachers. We hang out after school, play games and all that kid stuff. We got into trouble together. I'd make up a plan and he would put it into action.

I anspped my fingers again and Sam moved to the side. I walked slowly towards him and smiled when he spat some blood off his mouth. "Nice to finally see my best friend." I grinned at him. Austin looked at me intently. His bloody face gave him some sort of wild greaser look. It suit him for what he was worth. "You're not my best friend." He spat. "You ain't him." I laughed and turned away, opening a bottle of cognac I had saved just in case. "So, what are you doing with your life Austin? Heard you tried to commit suicide. What? Trying to kill yourself before I got to you? That's sort of pathetic, don't you think?" He kept silent, just looking at me, perhaps fearing I'd get to him. Fear was probably the wisest thing for him to do. "It took me awhile but I finally got ya. That's why, you, are gonna suffer the most." Austin struggled to set free. I could see the rage in his eyes as Sam's tight grip got in the way. He stared at me for five minutes and I kicked him in the ribs. "Well answer me, dumbass." I said ripping the tape from his mouth. "You can't hurt me! I'm the best!" I laughed cruelly as I leaned down next to him. "Is that what you tell yourself, Austin? Really?" There was a moment of silence as Austin read my expression. He knew I knew him very well. Perhaps better than anyone. After all, our friendshipt lasted till the seventh grade. "You aren't as bad as you want people to think. You're 'tuff' but inside you're as soft as jell-o." I got up and punched his stomach. "All you ever wanted was someone to love. Oh how cute, excuse me if I throw up." I puched him again and then I whisper close to him. "And when you found someone, you mess it up. Truth is, you'll never be happy." Then I kicked him in the head and he passed out. "Grab him." I said. "We're gonna go on a little ride." Picking up Austin, Sam and Trace followed me into the car. With the unconciouss greaser in the back seat, we drove away, to a place he kept running from.

We parked in front of a old building. It had once been a fire station, but that was around twenty years ago. Then it turned to be the club house of some elementary boys. "Get him in and tie him." I said to Sam. He nodded and got out of the car. Trace followed him and once they where gone I took out my phone. "Everything set?" I asked Paul at the other end of the line. "As you asked." He said, his voice confident and even amused. I smiled. "Good. We got him in."

After twenty minutes, dear sleeping beauty came back to his senses. "Remember this place?" I shot at him before he could completly regain composture. He rolled his eyes and shot me an evil glare. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do." I ignored the arrogancy in his voice. I just smirked. I walked to the middle of a large dark room. I snapped my fingers and he lights turned on. "Welcome to the love game! Austin Brumly, you're our contestant today!" I saw the expression of confusion in Brumly's face. I honestly couldn't wait till he saw what was waiting for him. At the other end of the room, Paul, Eric and Randy held two large bags. They dropped them to the ground and tied them up to a chair. There laid Ari and Brooklyn Cade. I turned to look at Austin. His heart dropped and his face turned a sick pale. I smiled. I walked up to him confidently and whispered on his ear. "You recognize them, Austin? Let me give you a hint. They are girls that you broke their hearts." Before he could miserably attempt to hit me, I walked to the girls. "Wake them up." I snapped. Between slaps the girls regained conciousness. I turned to Austin. "See dear Austin, physically hurting you is fun, but emotionally hurting you will be the whole package." I snickered.

Before I could do anything else, what the greaser said stopped me. "Bobby you don't have to do do this." I rolled my eyes at his pathetic little nickname. "And why is that?" I asked indignant. "Because we used to be best friends. I know that the old you is somewhere in there. You don't have to prove anything to me." I was starting to get pissed. I walked towards him and slapped him across the face. "Yes I do, Austin. Do you remember? In seventh grade we didn't just 'stopped hanging out'. I needed your help and you turned to look away. They where greasers and at that moment, you chose them over me, economic levels aside. Okay, fine, that's why right now, I'm choosing everything else over you. How about that?" I asked. He sighed and I didn't have time to deal with him. It was late and there was a party going on at Marcia's. I walked up to Paul and whispered on his ear. He nodded. Before I left I turned to look at Austin. "Tell your little greaser friends that Bob Sheldon says hi." And I left.

-Bob Sheldon