Chapter 2

"Thanks for the concern, but I'll be fine," Cameron told Megan.

Jordan put the pizza on the counter and opened the boxes away from Cameron. The two have been friends long enough for him to be accustomed to Cameron's unusual behavior. Jordan placed a few pieces in the freezer while he entertained the guest.

"Is there any way to stop you?" Megan asked.

"I made up my mind long ago" Cameron replied.

"Then I'm gonna stop by every morning, and afternoon to make sure you don't sleep all day." Megan declared.

"I've already taken a full-time job, and it starts Sunday," Cameron replied.

"I'll come by after then," Megan argued.

"I would have to sleep for the next shift though," Cameron stated.

"If you don't want me around just say so!" Megan pouted rapidly standing up.

"I didn't say that," Cameron replied.

Megan was preparing to storm out, and feeling responsible for her negative mood Cameron grabbed her hand. Even if she went overboard sometimes Megan was still a friend who accepted his quirks. Ending things in that fashion didn't sit right with him.

"You're not gonna eat with us?" Cameron asked.

"F-fine, but you're coming to class tomorrow," Megan said while sitting next to him.

"Why are you sitting down if your eating?" Jordan investigated.

"Isn't serving pizza your job?" Megan retorted.

'You bitch.' Jordan considered throwing something.

"They fired him. Maybe you can work with me." Cameron told Jordan.

"I can barely stand it in here no way I can work in a freezer," Jordan replied.

They enjoyed their meal together while flipping through the channels. Once they finished eating they started playing Swatch, and Megan lingered around to play. It wasn't a game she enjoyed, but being around Cameron a little longer was worth it. The sun started to set, and she was preparing to leave.

"Do you want a ride home?" Cameron offered.

"And get in a wreck?" Megan teased.

"It's cause she's stopping by Tiffany's, and doesn't want anyone to know," Jordan smirked.

"We broke up weeks ago." Megan gave Jordan the finger and slammed the door.

"Do you know why they broke up?" Jordan asked.

"How would I know?" Cameron replied.

'Dumbass.' Jordan rolled his eyes.

On the way home Megan got thirsty and stopped at the corner store. During her search around the store, there was a pair of eyes glued to Megan. A man saw her enter, and has been pretending to shop near her since.

Having Cameron on her mind, the stalker evaded her attention, and Megan continued to the register. After purchasing her items she continued on the road as the stalker slowly trailed behind. After she was approached by a few neighbors the man looked irritated, and promptly disappeared.

"She had all the right features too." The man muttered while biting his thumb.

Back at the apartment with Megan gone they could indulge in their usual activities. Jordan has no problems with sparking up around Megan but knew Cameron would get upset. Once they finished his stash Jordan went on home.

Cameron was sitting up late watching tv when a commotion was heard through the wall. He wasn't close with his neighbor, but he has seen her outside a few times. The only thing he recalls is that she has a sweet smile and a young child.

When hearing something break Cameron's first thought was to call the cops, but response times in his area were bad. Cameron would usually avoid conflict, but for some reason, he couldn't ignore it. The matter next door could be life or death, and with this in mind he grabbed a bat rushing for the door.

"Where is he!"

Cameron quietly pushed in through the door with his bat ready to swing. His neighbor Alice was against the wall in terror with a knife to her throat. The sound of the footsteps didn't go unnoticed, but he already charged forward swinging. A solid hit to the head caused the man to buckle as Cameron got in between them.

"Go to my apartment and call the cops!" Cameron shouted while taking another swing.

Alice ran for the door as the man blocked with his arm grunting in pain. The stranger clutched his knife rapidly thrusting it forward as it struck him in the thigh, but Cameron used this moment to land a solid strike on his temple. The assailant collapsed momentarily, and Cameron made his way to the door with the blade in his leg.

'Why am I shaking?' Cameron glanced down.

Observing the blade and blood soaking into his jeans would panic anyone, but he managed to retreat to his apartment. The door was locked, and he fumbled for the keys but got through the door to safety. Hearing someone in the house Alice was scared to budge from her hiding spot.

"Did you call them?" Cameron called out.

"Open the fucking door!"

Banging ensued, but the deadbolt was strong on the door. With the only windows being in the back yard he had to go around to climb them, but the iron fence wasn't easily scaled. As he attempted to climb it sirens could be heard on the street.

The assailant attempted to flee, but the cops already saw him sprinting for the next street. After a short chase, they apprehended the man. While cops took his statement paramedics were patching Cameron up.

The assailant was Alice's ex-husband and was recently released from prison. Worried something like this could happen they moved, but just to be safe upon his release he was sent with their grandparents.

"It's a good thing you acted, but call us first next time." The officer told Cameron.

"The legal age for consumption and paraphernalia is twenty-one." The partner said while tearing off a ticket.

'Fuck.' Cameron sighed.

"Th-thank you," Alice told Cameron from the side of the squad car.

Cameron put on a smile to be polite but returned to his apartment without another word. After cleaning the apartment he was preparing to go to bed, but there was a knock at his door.

'They already took the bong what else do they want.'

Opening the door Alice was standing in wait.

"I know they took him to jail, and this is a lot to ask a stranger, but can I stay over here? Just for one night." Alice asked.

"My room is in the back, and if you're hungry there is food in the fridge," Cameron replied while yawning.

"I can sleep on the couch," Alice interjected.

"It's okay really," Cameron replied.

'Front room is colder anyway.'