9 Is that legal?

Opening the door Zach enters, Mr.Robinson and his classmates notice his terrible mood and quieten down.

His teacher starts speaking first,

"So, how did it go?"

.I'm going to be suspended for a week starting Monday.

"Wait, why?"

.The principal seems to think that i am harassing my fellow students.

"Tha-t's..."

.It's ok, I have already accepted my punishment.

He nods as Zach sits at his desk that's in the corner of the class.

A lanky young man with short hair approaches me in a friendly manner,

"Hey dude, haven't seen you on Counters Fight in a while. You got better things to do than play with me?"

Tom, one of my only remaining friends tries to cheer me up. Though, i completely see through him.

.Ah, just family stuff youknow.

"That reminds me, hows your mum?"

.She is... Doing fine.

Tom looks at me inquisitively and says,

"Yo, if there is anything that you need just ask dude. I know your having it rough at the moment. I heard some people were looking for you yesterday so be careful."

.Yeah, thanks.

Class resumes and the extra point in intelligence is like magic, I can understand things that confused me beforehand and i am improving at a significant rate.

"Ring Ring"

The bell rings signalling for lunch and due to two people donating to me earlier i can afford a feast.

When I enter the lunch hall i spot a foreign boy in the corner, I call out to them.

.Kido, what's up?.

Looking alert he looks at me and gestures next to him.

"Sit, Sit. Why are you talking to me in school?"

.We're partners right?.

He flicks my forehead,

"Secret partners you idiot, how am i suppose to protect your identity from people while being seen with you?."

.I don't know. Wait if you are protecting me then why did i get suspended?.

"I don't care about small fries like the principal, hes not something you should be worrying about. Just try not to actively provoke him and you'll be fine."

.Small fry?.

"Forget it, just try to keep your distance"

He hands me a piece of paper with some numbers scribbled on it and walks away.

.Man what does he think he is? 6th grade syndrome Men in black edition...

I chuckle at that thought as I look at the food being presented... Cafeteria pizza huh.

I buy a large amount of food and find a secluded spot to eat my food, last thing I need is someone stealing my food too.

Zach feels a chill on the back of his neck, he turns around and spots a small brown boy watching him from a distance. The boy notices his gaze and scampers off.

.Feels like everything is getting more complicated. Zach mutters to himself.

He thinks about the recent incidents and reflects on what Kido had said previously,

.I need strength, join a martial arts class? No, I don't have any money to pay for a decent class... I need money then. With that I can buy weapons, protection, move my parents to a better area and hire some security.

Money, money, money. These thoughts fill his head and he imagines the quickest and easiest methods.

.Stealing? I guess i can say i'm fighting evil with evil. First, I need to get stronger.

The bell rings and everyone starts heading back to class.

He finishes the large plate of food and goes back to class, he doesn't spot Tom in class though.. Must be sick.

During class Zach is brain storming ways to collect fresh blood.

.Blood bank? Not fresh enough, should i just dress up in a costume and go beating up thugs.

Saving people, collecting blood and practising fighting all at the same time.

The more Zach thinks of the possibility of being a hero the more appealing it sounds.

Class ends, he waves bye to His teacher and Tom. Leaving quickly he goes straight to the shopping center.

He gets to the large building with missing person posters plastered on almost all of the windows,

.What kind of sick fuck would kidnap children, he thinks to himself as he glaces at them before entering.

He walks down the large walkway and heads to the charity shop.

Entering he sees a large amount of old people examining the clothing looking for a bargain.

He approaches the selection looking for plain strong clothes that won't be destroyed in a scuffle.

He finds some ripped black jeans that are his size and a black long sleeve t-shirt that has curry stains on it.

He approaches the counter and buys them with the money he has left from Raheem and Aamir.

nodding his head towards the elderly cashier he leaves,

.I need a mask now, Ah i remember a fancy dress shop just opened.

Zach heads in the general direction that he remembers.

Finding a shop with skulls, hearts and other Gothic pictures like that on the windows he enters.

What he sees is a fat man in a denim doing something to a man on a large chair, a subtle buzzing sound running through the room.

"Thanks again Kev, I'll be back next", a man stands from his chair after wiping blood off with a tissue.

Zach's eyes light up when he spots the blood and watches as the man throws the bloody tissue into a bin on the floor next to the wall.

The denim jacket wearing man who was called Kev wraps clingfilm around the mans arm covering a new tattoo, he turns around and looks towards Zach.

"Do you have an appointment?"

.No, I was just looking around... plus i don't think i'm old enough for a tattoo.

"Nah, I'll do ya a small one if you got the money"

Zach knows he definitely doesn't have enough money to pay for a tattoo and he won't just give him the bucket of bloody tissues either.

.How much is a small one?.

"The smallest i can do is some words for £40."

Zach's monthly pocket money adds up to roughly £20, he only has £60 on his debit card...

.How about you give me a discount and i will come round occasionally and clear out your trash for you, I won't dump it some where. I will dispose of the hazardous stuff properly.

He looks at Zach suspiciously, "Boi do i look like a fool?"

.Come on Mr, my family is having a hard time so any contacts of potential income is truly needed... If i do a good job perhaps you will pay me for more work.

Zach gives the most innocent smile he can give. The man sighs and says,

"Your situation reminds me of an old friends, shame he has the work that awful night job almost every day"

.My Father works the same actually, I still don't know what he does as a job.

The man looks at me funny when i say that and starts observing my face closely.

"Say, could it be your last name is Miller?"

I look at him dumbfounded by his psychic abilities, he laughs.

"I'm not magic, it's just my friend and your Pa are the same person. What a coincidence, the world truly is small isn't it!" he exclaims while excitedly patting my back

.So, you were saying about my dads job?.

"Leave it, if he hasn't told you yet then neither will i."

Zach who is growing increasingly more interested in his fathers career decides to drop it as the conversation won't go anywhere.

.So about the deal?.

He blinks he eyes and says while crossing his arms,

"Fine, but if you get me in trouble ill break ye legs. Also i want to choose the words i tattoo on ya"

.Sure, but please mind my dignity.