I Introduce The Selfish Machine

"Get out of the car."
"No."
"Seriously, Seren, out." I said, then pushed her through the open car door. After I pushed her, I followed her out.
"I don't understand why it has to be me that breaks this little girl's heart." She said with a sigh. We began to walk on the sidewalk that led up to a nice house that sat on top of a green hill.
"Because you were the one who found out where Collide With The Sky was! Besides, that was illegal, and their instruments are probably in this house too."
As Seren knocked on the door, I couldn't help but think about how familiar this house looked. It wasn't until the door swung open to reveal a tall man with jet black hair that it clicked.
"Oh gosh." I said under my breath.
"Well, it's nice to see you too, Piper Lynn." He voice echoed outside, if that was even possible. I pressed my lips in a straight line, trying not to flip on him.
Seren looked at me, confused. "Do you two know each other?"
He smiled at her. How disgusting. "Oh, we know each other very well, don't we, Piper?"
"Shut the hell up, David." I snapped, no longer biting my tongue. "Where the hell is Krystal?" Krystal is the name of the 12 year old that download the CD on an illegal website.
"She's in her room, upstairs. But don't think you'll be getting in with that attitude." He said with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes. "Here's the thing, David, you return all the equipment and take the CD off the site, or we call the cops."
"Piper!" Seren hissed, still insisting we don't call the police.
"And we know you have it, so just give it back, peacefully." I said.
"Alright. I'll return everything." David said. That was...easy? He must have saw the look of disbelief on my face because he spoke up quickly after my eyes almost popped out of my head. "But, you have to do something for me."
I sighed, listening to Seren whisper do it under her breath. "What is it?"
"Come inside, and we'll chat. Alone." He shot his eyes at Seren.
"What? No, no wa-"
"She'll be happy too." Seren chimed in. "I'll be right outside, Piper, just take your time."
David extended his hand out for me to grab. I glanced at Seren with hatred, then slapped David's hand away and pushed past him as I walked inside. I stood a few steps away from him with my arms crossed. If only Seren had known who he was, she wouldn't be pushing me inside to talk to him. Lucky, I can fight now.
"Sit down." He said.
"No."
"At least have a drink."
"Nope."
"Oh, come on Piper, just for old time'-"
"We are talking about what you want in return for everything, David and that is all." I said through my teeth.
He glanced at my left hand. "You're engaged."
"Damn right I am."
"To who?"
"None of your business. Tell me what you want."
"Alright, you've always been so stubborn. But alright. I'll return everything Krystal stole, she is such a smart little girl. She's a big Pierce The Veil fan, and now that she has all of their personal instruments, well, I've never seen her happier. She's just like her father, always getting what she wants in the most-"
"Hurry it up." I snapped.
"Alright, alright. I'll return everything if you agree to work with me."
My jaw dropped, and I felt my whole body begin to shake. I bit on my bottom lip hard, tasting my own blood. "No, no I can't do that again."
David took a few steps closer to me, leaning in close to me. I could feel his body heat. "Oh, come on, Piper. You can have anything you want, and you get the equipment back. Has Tony never asked about how you could afford your studio?"
"How do you know his name?"
He smiled. "You must have forgot my daughter is a big Pierce The Veil fan. So, what do you say?"
My heart was pounding so hard, it was like it was trying to escape from my chest. "I don't want to get caught up in that again, David."
He took a step backwards, and then smiled. "Then I guess little Tony's career will be ruined."
I bit my lip, alright regretting this. "Alright, I'll do. But only for a month and only if you'll return the equipment right now."
David smiled. "Follow me."
I followed David down the stairs into a cold basement, where I saw Tony's guitar leaning against the wall. I walked over, putting everything in it's case, my hands shaking as I did it. Sometimes, you do things for the people you love, even if it's not what you want to do.
I heard footsteps behind me. "It's off the site, and don't forget your inventory." David said, then dropped a duffle bag by my feet. I opened the bag, seeing pounds of coke and meth, and weed.
"One month." I hissed.
"That's all I ask." I then grabbed all of the guy's instruments, and took them to the car where Seren was. She didn't ask what was in the duffle bag, and I'm glad she didn't. I put my sunglasses on and didn't say a word to Seren on the drive back. I cried softly to myself, and prayed that I didn't get addicted again.

Notes