This is my first story that I've ever posted on this site, or any site for that matter, so constructive criticism is highly appreciated!

"I'm thirsty, Violet." Violet's little brother Laddie stated as he looked up at her lightly freckled face. She felt tears sprung at her emerald green eyes. She was thirsty, too.

She wrapped her thin, bruise-covered arm around him as they continued down the boardwalk. Laddie knew why she didn't answer him and he didn't push her to. For a ten-year-old, he was quite content. Growing up in an environment where talking or being too noisy had terrible and cruel punishments taught you a few things. Hence the several bruises on Violet's arms.

"Can't we just drink the water from the beach?" Laddie asked after a few minutes. Violet shook her head.

"No, it's not good for you. Just trust me, I'll find us water. Good water." She hoped for two things: That they she would find them water, and that Laddie didn't ask for her to pinky promise him. Laddie was very persistent with his pinky promises.

"Pinky promise? Please?" He pleaded, holding up his small pinky. Violet sighed as she wrapped her pinky around his. She hoped she could follow through with this one. Laddie looked up at her, his stringy dirty-blonde hair covering his forehead. He smiled so widely that Violet couldn't resist smiling back weakly at him.

It was getting dark soon, and Violet knew that the boardwalk was not a safe place at night. However, certain stores contained strict clerks that she knew would not let drunks or certain hoodlums that ran the boardwalk into their stores. Laddie and his older sister took advantage of that.

One of those stores was Max's Video Store. The store also played kids movies often inside so it was a great place to take Laddie at night. Laddie also took a liking to the lollipops that were on the front counter.

Tonight, a cartoon that Laddie recognized as Popeye was playing on the small TV. He watched the TV intently while Violet browsed the movies. She quickly found a movie which had four boys on the cover and written in big, red letters

"Stand By Me". Violet remembered her mother talking about wanting to go see that movie only a few hours before her death. Violet closed her eyes momentarily, not wanting to remember their reason for running away, which was to get away from their abusive father. Mr. Thompson had murdered their mother only the day before.

Violet grabbed Laddie's hand when she saw a gang of four bikers walk into the store. She recognized them as the most feared gang of teenage boys who practically ran the boardwalk at night. During the day, however, they were nowhere to be seen.

They made their way around the store, looking Violet up and down when they walked near her. She had to admit, they were attractive. Well, three of them, at least. The leader was a platinum blonde with spiky hair. He had a long leather trench coat, a black t-shirt, black pants, black shoes, and black leather gloves. He was tall, at least 5'5. His icy blue eyes were intimidating and scared Violet.

The next boy was an Indian brunette with shoulder-length hair. He had a cold, dark stare. He also wore a leather jacket and black pants, though he wore no shirt underneath. His necklace and earrings appeared to be made from claws or teeth. Violet thought he was the most attractive.

The third in line was a wild and reckless-looking blonde. Violet thought he looked like Twisted Sister, with his wild, shoulder-length hair that flowed aimlessly. He, too, had blue eyes, but he had a baby face. He had on a mesh shirt with a leather jacket that had gold-medallion-like chains hanging on the right side. Although his pants were white, they looked more of a grayish color, due to dirt covering his thighs and shins.

The last boy looked to be the youngest, though they all looked to be around 18: too old for Violet, who was fifteen, turning sixteen in a few weeks. He was the only boy Violet wasn't attracted to. He, too, had a baby face, but his hair was short in the front and long and wavy in the back. His grin reminded Violet of the Cheshire cat from "Alice in Wonderland". His leather jacket sure made a statement, though; there was not an inch of leather showing because it was heavily covered in patches. Colorful tassels were also hanging from the left shoulder. Underneath his jacket, he wore a plain wife beater that rode up his thin figure when he walked, and some denim baggy pants.

The boys were playing around, shoving each other into shelves and knocking things over. Max quickly noticed the ruckus and angrily walked over to them. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He yelled at them. Violet flinched at the noise and Laddie covered his ears. "Get the hell out!" The gang quietly left the store, the leader smirking, the brunette glaring, and the last two blondes grinning and continuing to shove each other.