Amedio tucked his switch blade into the back of his jeans and zipped up his freshly stolen leather jacket. His mother had beaten him when she found it tucked under his bed and the marks still showed. His eye was split where his mother had thrown a wooden spoon at him and a red mark covered his whole left cheek.

America was quite possibly the most beautiful thing he had ever seen yet the most disgusting. Rats infested their apartment and sick, homeless people littered the doorsteps and shop entrances. And then there was the alleyway. He had been told numerous times to stay away from it but he was feeling brave so took a left at the end of Jefferson. At first it didn't seem like much more than the usual but as he went deeper in a group of rough looking teens stood up as he approached.

"Alright mate" Amedio looked at the kid who spoke to him. Tall yet built and covered in bruises. The teen produced his hand and winked. "Looks like someone gave you a beating son'' The teen had an Irish accent which was surprising for a eye tie neighbourhood. "Ugh, yes. Beating"

The teen began to laugh and his mates joined in. "Ah well that's no good is it lad? Anyway i'm Jacko. That there is tubs" Jacko said pointing to a fat teen who sat on the ground puffing a ciggerete. The kid beside was short and skinny, about 12 years old. His head was shaven and he wore jeans and combat boots. "That's Christie. He's a right tough bastard for his age" Jacko gestured for Amedio to sit beside him and they began to talk about the places they came from...

10 Minutes later

As Amedio laughed he felt a sharp kick strike him in the thigh. He looked up to see another teen, the biggest and scariest of the lot. "Your in my fucking seat eye tie" Jacko stood up and began to backhand is bald head. "Sit the fuck over there aye? He's our guest. Did momma not teach yah respect? Oh wait she's working the corners" All the boys laughed and Jacko began to speak again. "That brute is John. He's a right prick with newcomers but he'll be nice otherwise ill beat the shite out of him. Now get the fuck up we got some crazy shite to do my boy"