Chasing Destiny

7. Initiation

I stood there in awe. There was just so much I didn't even know where to look first. I was standing next to an old fountain that was covered in candles. I could hear Michael and Star descend behind me and took another step into the vast cave.

David rounded me, his eyes fixed on mine.

"This was the hottest resort in Santa Carla about 85 years ago. Too bad they built it on a fault. In 1906 when the big one hit San Francisco the ground opened up, and this place took a header right into the crack." I flinched when he clapped his hands together at the end of the sentence.

"Yeah, and now it is ours." Marko chirped into my ear and threw an arm around my shoulder, much to Michaels' obvious distaste. Despite that he still had his arm around Star who didn't seem to notice him being focused on me.

"So what do you think of this place?" Davids' eyes still hadn't left mine.

"It is amazing." Pleased with my answer David grinned at me. I watched as the little boy, Laddie, came running from the back of the cave. After Paul whispered something to him he disappeared with a big smile and returned a second later carrying a big boom box.

I watched Paul setting it down on the fountains' edge. He started walking around, giving me a wicked smile while pulling out something that looked like a joint.

"Check it out Mikey!" He shouted while lighting the joint.

I sat down on the edge of the fountain and noticed the other girl shifting uncomfortably.

"Let's just go Michael. I am hungry." David focused his eyes on the gypsy.

"Marko. Food." He grinned at the two in front of him while Marko took off with a firm nod. David held out his hand towards Paul who passed on the joint after another drag.

"That's what I like about this place. You ask and you get. Thank you, Paul." He took a drag as well and then offered it to Michael.

"You want some, hot stuff?" I looked up, only now realizing that Paul was standing right behind me, one foot on either side of my hips. I flushed a deep red when I realized I was eyelevel with his crotch. He gave me a wicked smile before holding out his hands and pulling me up to stand next to him, one arm casually draped around my waist.

In the meantime somebody had brought the boom box to life and Dwayne was dancing around with Laddie. I smiled when I saw the boy trying to mimic his brothers' violent headbanging.

"Hey. Eyes on me." Paul took my chin in his hand and guided my head back to focus on him.

"I asked if you wanted to smoke one too?" I bit my lip and looked into his eyes.

"I have never done that before." He gave me a wide grin.

"I can always show you. All you need to do is ask real nice." His lips were now mere inches from mine and something inside me screamed for him to just close the distance between us.

"Why don't you leave her alone?" I shrieked when suddenly Michael appeared next to us and yanked me down and away from a surprised Paul.

"Get your hands off me. What is wrong with you?" I struggled to get out of Michaels' embrace, feeling more than uncomfortable about him touching me. I gave him a pissed look and turned around only to land face first against Dwayne's chest.

"You could have just asked, princess." He gave me one of his playful smiles and pulled me to sit on one of the couches next to him and I relaxed into his side. Paul had gone back to fumbling with the boombox and soon 'Fresh Blood' by Alice Cooper was filling the cave.