Ash followed behind Chloe through the busy and narrow streets and corners.
He was still thinking about his drowned phone, his panicked mother, and the questionable life choices that brought him here.
Chloe on the othwr didnt seem to care that much, she hummed as she walked.
They arrived at a broken down apartment complex, the place was old and falling apart, the whole placw crumbling.
"This is a bad idea," Ash muttered, feeling nervous and uncomfortable
"Correction," Chloe said, stopping at a door covered in stickers, burn marks, and something that looked suspiciously like dried blood. "This is the best idea."
An A/C unit fell beside her, she didnt flinch, she just proceeded.
She didn't knock.
She just pushed the door open and slipped inside.
Ash hesitated. Only for a second , then the smell hit him.
Smoke. Weed. Incense. Maybe mold. And definitely alcohol.
A combination strong enough to be considered biological warfare, impressive really.
Ash stepped in and immediately almost tripped over a guy passed out on the floor.
"Is he? Should we.....you know?" he asked , concerned for the person.
Chloe kicked him hard in the ribs, he fliched and groaned loudly.
"He's fine," Chloe said, waving a hand dismissively.
"He does that all the time. Like a houseplant."
Ash didn't think that made sense, but Chloe had already moved on.
They walked deeper into the apartment was a minefield of unconscious strangers, empty bottles, half-eaten snacks, questionable stains that seemed bodly.
And at least two people making out behind a curtain that barely covered anything.
"This place is… still the same," Ash whispered.
"Yep. Max never changes." Chloe said.
Ash wasn't sure if that was comforting or terrifying.
They reached the living room and it was real sight to behold, and at the centre of the whole room was Max Connors.
Completely naked and proud to be so, he was a sight to behold, a muscular, 6'0 foot individual.
Max sprawled across a giant beanbag chair like a Greek tragedy and a pride parade crashed into each other.
He was talking or to put it more clearly, he was flirting with some random guy next to him.
His head lifted slowly, then he grinned wildy like a predetor has just seen its prey.
"Aaaaaash! Baby boy! Look at you!", he said, standing up as his junk swinged in the air.
Ash froze like a Windows error message, trying to reboot itself but failing.
Max spread his arms wide and invitingly, his eyes roaming him hungryly.
No. No no no!!.
"Max!!, get some clothes on man, this is indecent," Ash choked out, tryimg to defend himself.
"Clothes are a social prison," Max replied. "But for you, Ashy, I might put on a sock." he added, winking at him.
Chloe burst into laughter so loud a hungover stranger groaned in the hallway.
Ash ran behind her, using her as a human shield, his only protection.
"Max, don't traumatize him on sight,we just got here." Chloe said.
Max pouted, turning away. "Mark my words Ashy, one day, i will have that butt!!"
"Thats so Gay!!" Ash said.
"I know, and im proud of it." Max said proudly.
Ash sighed and twitched a little, then he got hit in the face with a bottle. Hia glasses shattering and falling onto dirty floor.
"Ouch, what the fuc-." He said, blood trickling down his nose.
"Hey!!, i said i made it clear, no throwing shit in my house!!" Max shouted.
"Oh sorry Max, but im not sorry for you, Ash!" A man with a slightly deep voice said.
Ash gritted his teeth, biting hard before going neutral again.
"Damn, everyone is here." He said, piniching his nose to stop the bleeding.
Chloe smirked. "Yup. Whole squad.", ahe said, gesturing to the centre of the room.
They were gathered around the living room table, like a meeting of people who should not be in one room.
Jesse Martins waved enthusiastically. She wore a choker and bruises like accessories.
"Ash! Long time no see! Now please hit me.....i mean how havw you been?" She said.
James Morgans leaned back into the couch, his arm retracting slowly.
"Sup, nerd, oh and for the record, i was aiming for you" he said, spitting on the floor.
"This isnt middle school anymore James, grow up." Ash said, wiping the remaining blood with his back hand.
"As long as i know you're still alive....IT WILL NEVER END!!" James said, his tone threatening and harsh.
Army Gardens sat cross-legged on the floor, eating chips out of a paint bucket, he tired eyes looking at Ash happyly.
"Ash! Remember when I borrowed your bike and crashed it into a church? Good times." she cooed.
Not good times.
Next to her, was probably the most accurate depiction of satan himself. Ashley Rogers.
She smiled sweetly, sharpening a knife that did not look decorative, the edge covered in dried blood.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite person of our group. Don't worry, i wont cut you or torture you or corrupt you...right now."
She said with a sweet innocent smile.
Ash took half a step back.
Ruth Hues lounged on the couch, batting her eyelashes like she was in a perfume commercial.
"Hey baby. You grew up cute, i wonder what else grew up?."She said, licking her lips slowly.
Ash pretended not to hear, he knew if he even looked at her its game over.
Seth King, the resident drunk was already on the verge of collasping , a half bottle of rum and jack daniels in both hands.
"Ash, my bro, my brother from another mother, hows it been man?, hows life treating you?... any way drink up my friend." He said, nearly falling.
"It's 6 PM," Ash said.
"Time is an illusion Man," Seth replied before taking another swig.
And finally, Hazel Strawberry, who squinted at him like she wasn't sure whether to hug him or insult him.
"Oh hey Ash! You look taller. Maybe it's the lighting. Or the ethnicity."
Ash blinked. "…What?"
Hazel nodded approvingly. "Good to see you too."
This was a mistake, ahorrible, flaming, screaming mistake.
Chloe clapped her hands once.
"Welcome to Max's place!" she announced brightly. "This is the place where all your friends live peacefully." She added.
Ash stared at the disasters he called friends.
Then he stared at Chloe smiling, chaotic, proud. She pulled and pinned him aganst a beanbag, stradlling him.
He sighed.
"...I should've gone home."
Chloe smirked. "Too late now."
And before Ash knew it, he was being dragged into the center of the chaos he thought he had escaped years ago.