As they ran off with their hostage, already gloating at the imminent wad of cash they were bound to earn from Hanley, Benji was stuck. He could easily take out each member of their pussy gang, but you never knew when they would play dirty. His fingers itched at the prospect of slugging some asshole in the face, but at what cost to Oliver? Hanley would tear his head (and something else, he was sure) clean off if he lost one of his favorites, but it wasn’t just that stopping him; Oliver was Benji’s partner, and he had been for years, and he was the closest thing he had to a friend. Did he really want to risk Oliver for the satisfying crunch of a nose breaking under his fist?

He stood his ground, irritated at himself. He knew this wasn’t a big deal. He knew they were bluffing, and that they were too scared to actually hurt Oliver, but goddamnit, he hated Hanley’s protocol. Report back to me, he says, Benji thought bitterly. Give me updates, don’t be reckless, he says… Fucking idiot.

Benji glanced back. Felix was still standing there, clearly shaken. He looked awkward and out of place. If this was how he handled a fairly tame confrontation like this, Benji wasn’t sure if he was cut out to be in a gang. It was his first time, Benji understood, but the kid looked so scared and… useless.

Suddenly a light flicked on in Benji’s brain and Felix become more than a vegetable.

“Hey, Felix,” Benji called, jolting the freshman out of his daze. “Do me, us, a favor. Go back to Hanley and tell him what happened. Tell him they have Oliver and want money."

Felix nodded slowly. As Benji turned to run off, he stammered, “W-wait! Where are you going?

“Where does it look like I’m going? I’m going to go rescue Princess Dumbshit.”