The Delinquents

The Delinquents - chpt. 7

The Delinquents

Chapter Seven

 

            “So you twist your wrist like this and kind of spin to the left and there!” The lock popped open and I grinned at Gabe in awe. “The lock opens.”

            “You have no idea how useful this would have been back when I was trying to evade the cops,” I told him, staring down at the lock in wonder. I didn't have enough fingers to count the amount of times I had to hop a fence when I could've removed the lock instead.

            Gabe smirked, “Working on car locks is a little different, but I think you can learn.” His confidence in me was heartfelt in an odd sort of way.  

            I smiled and took the pin and piece of metal from Gabe. “My turn.” Gabe closed the lock again and I scrunched my eyebrows together as I tried to copy what I saw him do moments before. It wasn't as easy as Gabe had made it seem.

            “How’s the arm?” Gabe asked. It was unusual for him to ask about anyone else’s well being. It also seemed unusual that he would volunteer his time to teach me a skill. I chalked it up to his getting more comfortable around me.

            I shrugged and looked down at the gash on my arm indifferently, “It’s fine. My knee is what hurts the most.” It was true. Every time I bent my knee I felt as though the wound was being reopened.

            “I bet you were scared last night,” he said as he watched my attempt to break into the padlock. So far, I wasn't having much luck.

            I nodded, “I was. I don’t like the dark much and don’t like the forest any more than the dark.” A ghost of a smile graced Gabe's face, making me smile a little too. I had never seen him smile before, at least not in a non-sarcastic way.

            He corrected my technique before commenting, “Afraid of the dark? Weird, I didn’t take you as being weak.” I twisted my hand and grinned when the lock popped open.

            I turned to Gabe, too distracted by his previous comment to celebrate my success. “I’m not weak. Everyone is afraid of something.”

            Gabe shrugged. “Not me.” His lie was as thin as tissue paper.

            I laughed, “Sure. You weren’t afraid of your Uncle?”

            Gabe laughed darkly, instantly making regret crawl into my stomach. “Afraid of that scum bag? No, I hated him. He may of abused me, but he didn’t hurt me. If you understand what I mean.” I kept my mouth closed and dropped my head as I continued to fiddle with the lock. Somehow, Gabe sensed my inadequacy when it came to this topic of conversation. He changed the subject promptly. “So, you and Keegan, eh?”

            I shook my head, trying to push down the agitation that rose in me at the mention of Keegan. “More like me and Derek I guess.”

            Gabe’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Surprising. I thought you had a thing for bad boys.” I raised my own eyebrows in response, wondering what had made him think that. I decided not to ask.

            “Bad boys suddenly become less appealing when they leave you by yourself in the middle of the forest when it’s pitch black,” I grumbled.

            Gabe nodded seriously. “Right, I guess that would make you upset.”

            I pursed my lips together. “You can bet that I was upset. I’m still pissed, he hasn’t even apologized yet. Can you believe that?" I bit sharply on my lower lip, trying to stop myself from spewing anything else. Gabe wasn't the right person to complain about personal things to. No one at Ash Falls was well qualified for that role. No one in my life was.