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And even if they don’t findthe same old shit I’ a real job or going to school is iht there to ruin ot out

Da to do?

I rack my mind for an alternative as I make the short walk home When I reach my street, I spot a black car with tinted s parked in front of my house

Damn They’re already here

I hop the fence on the corner of the block and dive into the shelter of the neighbor’s backyard I repeat the movement on the next fence And the next one Four fence hops later, I land in hts in my house are off, which is odd My father was drunk as shit when he sent hts on in his drunken stupor so the fact that the house is dark has me concerned What if Elderman’s men are in there? What if they have ood look through the , but all the curtains are drawn

Inching to e to the back door that has a suely see inside the pitch black kitchen Nothing appears out of the ordinary The house is quiet

Right as I’m about to turn the doorknob, I spot movement fro across the grass towardit has to be Elder es out of ure appears to the side of hi me to stuainst the house I throw my head back and smack the person’s face Curse words fly, but the person doesn’t release his hold on ainst the door

"Ryler Price," one of the my arms behind my back, "you need to co hate not being able to talk I could shout, screao fuck theet away

My fight is short-lived as handcuffs are slapped down on my wrists,a flashlight steps to the side of oing to hurt you"

I blink against the brightness and squint to see who the man is One of Elderman’s men? No, I don’t think so He’s way too thin and dressed too nicely in a tie and suit jacket to be part of their rough crowd

"Ryler, I’uy ainst the door He retrieves a badge from his jacket pocket and shows it to me "We’d like to have a ith you in private"

This isn’tarrested, but definitelyarrested by feds

"Don’t worry You’re not in trouble," the guy holding ainst the door says "We just need to speak with you" He loosens his hold and allows me to back up and face the to take you out the back gate and bring you down to the station" He speaks slowly and way too loud "Don’t put up a fight; otherwise, we can’t offer you protection fro chased by Elderman, know I’m mute, and think I’m stupid apparently Still, I nod and follow the curious to see where this is going, and b) I don’t really have a choice

Once we ate, they steer hbor’s house and to a black car parked near the curb They put me in the backseat, and then we drive past the Strip, toward the edge of the flashing city

I’d love to ask questions, but all I can do is re the houses and casinos blur by as we veer up and down streets I don’t recognize

Finally, about thirtysecluded in the center of the desert near a few abandoned stores and vacant ho lot has a few cars sihts are on in the building

After the two agents climb out of the car, Senford opens the back door and et out I momentarily hesitate and then realize I don’t have any other choice I duck round and stand

"It’ll be okay, Ryler," Agent Stale reassureslot and enter the brick building

Inside are rows and rows of cubicles A few people sit at desks, talking on phones or using coht, heading away froht, I can see what the two of the, thirty tops, with black hair Senford is older, pushing at least fifty, with graying hair and a beard The two of the the good cop with his perfectly pressed suit, cheery expression, and constant reassurance Senford is the opposite--rougher, his expression hard and unwelco

When they take me into a room with three chairs and a table, I start to wonder if they are bustingbecause it looks like a police interrogation room