Grayson rounded the alley corner and snuck into the narrow space between Brian’s Bakery and Larry’s Sandwich Shoppe.

His girlfriend, Ines, called out, “I know where you are, you rat-nosed pigeonfucker.”

She held a butter knife and a hammer, both in her left hand. Her right hand squeezed a half-eaten Almond Joy.

Fifteen minutes prior, Grayson had tried to break up with her. It was proving to be the most difficult challenge of tenth grade.