DNA

''Have I ever told you why I formed a gang?''

''No,'' I respond and adjust my cramping legs. ''You haven't.''

He sits up straighter, his back resting on the board of my bed, a pensive look on his face. ''Do you remember what I said in the police station's parking lot?''

''To be fair, a lot of things where said that day,'' There was a lot of crying on my part. ''You need to be more specific.''

With a shake of his head, he smiles a little and crosses his arms above his chest. My gaze follows his movement; mild, but muscular arms cross over his pecs, the dark leather jacket he's wearing over a grey T-shirt straining with his movement. He catches my stare and clears his throat giving me a knowing look. I divert my eyes and steer the conversation back to its originality.

Focus, Mel. ''So, you were saying?'' 

''I said that in order to beat the system, you have to be the system.''