Hey guys! So this is a new story I've been working on (I already have a lot chapters done, so expect frequent updates), This chapter is really short just because it had a certain theme to it (you'll see) so I had to cut it off. They'll get longer as it goes, though.

Important: This fic is super violent. I'm trying something very extreme. So, warnings: swearing, death, torture, extreme and descriptive violence. Fun. If you like this chapter & want to read more but don't like the torture aspect, I'll mark those parts very clearly and you can skip right over them.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1- Eleven Minutes

"Well this blows." Tom muttered to Alex from behind him in their row of desks. Alex had never heard truer words.

Out of all of Alex's classes, Mr. Humphrey's was the worst. From his hour-long lectures to his monotone voice, nothing was appealing.

The only thing appealing was the clock, showing that there were only fifteen minutes left of the dreadful lesson.

The utter boringness of the lecture caused Alex to focus on other things. It was sunny outside, but clouds in the distance threatened rain. Mr. Humphrey wore mismatched socks today, and everyone was avoiding Alex's eyes.

Fourteen minutes.

Rumors preceded Alex. The whole school thought he was in a gang, dealing arms, drugs or doing some other illegal activity. His classmates never said a word about their suspicions, most of them rarely even talked to him, but Alex was no idiot. He knew exactly what they thought.

Thirteen minutes.

Honestly? He didn't care. It kept them from asking questions, and it was a good quality-character test. Those who believed the rumors were quick to judge and gullible, those who didn't, namely Tom and a few more friends and teammates from years before, were perceptive and true friends.

Twelve minutes.

He looked behind him to get a wave from Amy and James; two of the few people who thought the rumors were absurd.

"You know what Alex? We can't believe that they think you're in a gang." James said, approaching Tom and Alex at lunch, joined by Amy, an old friend, and Tyler and George, two football teammates. "We've always known you to be a good guy, and the only evidence anyone has are couple of bruises here and there. This bullshit is getting out of hand and we aren't taking another word of it."

Alex's was taken aback; he wasn't expecting that. "Uh, thanks. Means a lot you guys."

"You mind if we sit with you two?" Amy asked.

Eleven minutes.

Right as the clock was eleven minutes away from sweet freedom, three masked figures swooped through the door. Silently, but purposeful and confident.

Immediately, Alex saw why they were so confident, because they were all toting pistols and pointing them around the room.

Before anyone in the room could open their mouths, a man with a Scottish accent commanded to the class: "Anyone utters a sound and we blow your brains out. Understood?" The class slowly nodded, fear in their widened eyes. Mr. Humphrey let out a small yelp and backed up against the whiteboard. Tom jumped, and then shifted his eyes to Alex. Alex squeezed his shut, waiting for what he knew would come: some order for him to step forward, and for the men to get their revenge. Alex didn't know who they were, but he was positive they were here because of him.

And what that meant? Alex didn't want to know.

Thanks for reading, and please REVEIW! It's what makes me update!

Yeah, really short, I know. They'll get longer after a few. I know I haven't updated Crashing Down in soooo long. I'm a stickler for realistic details, and it's tough to get that accuracy in the next chapter. I'm not abandoning it though, I would never do that!