I refused to be my father. The next morning I got dressed and went for a walk. I had to clear my head. I would not let the gang force me into using their drugs. But what could I do? If I joined the Vipers they’d make me hurt others, but if I didn’t, I’d live in fear of more beatings.
I couldn’t really leave the neighborhood. Mom and Dad had broken off family ties a long time ago. I pushed away thoughts of Miss Dixie’s. I would be made to return home if I tried to go there. I had nowhere to go.
Something had to change. I had to call my own shots. Suddenly I knew I would have a better chance to live without fear if I was on the inside of the gang. This way I would have a chance to survive.