Stuck between two bad boys

The policeman assured us they would do their best to bring Emily back but Mom kept crying. I couldn’t blame her, I was scared too and I understood how it felt for your child to be missing.

I returned home and kept blaming myself for what happened. If I didn’t get into the argument with her, maybe she wouldn’t have been kidnapped. I regretted everything that happened, I should have sat my ass inside and left her to go wherever she wanted as long as she returned home.

I sat on my bed staring blankly. I didn’t know what to do, I just needed Emily to be found. I looked at her empty bed and huffed. It didn’t feel good to be here all alone.

I was running out of my mind so I grabbed the packet of cigarettes from my jacket and took a lighter. I sneaked out of the house so I could smoke for a while.

It was the only thing that could distract me from my reality. I couldn’t sit down in the room knowing Emily was somewhere I didn’t know. It hurt as hell to not know if she was fine or not.

I felt the urge to walk farther so I walked away from the street till I got to another alley. I lit my cigarette and was about to puff the smoke out when I realized some guys were surrounding me in circles.

I wasn’t with any cash to give them and I didn’t want to get myself involved in shit. I was already in so much mess and I couldn’t afford for my parents to be worried about both of us at the same time.

“Stop,” a voice ordered.

“Fuck,” I blurted in an undertone.

“Give me the bucks man,” the other guy instructed but I didn’t have any money on me.

“I don’t-”

“Shut the fuck up!” He ordered and I stopped talking. He pointed the handgun at me and forced me to my knees. I thought if fighting him but I was unarmed and could get shot. I couldn’t fight three guys alone.

The first guy took my cigarette and dragged it in his mouth. He retired the smoke to my face and told me I was an asshole.

I remained on my knees hoping they left me since I didn’t have anything on me. Before I could say anything a fist landed on my face and left me growling. “Ourghh!” I screamed in pain and another kick was accompanied by his elbow on my shoulder.

I couldn’t do shit, he already hit my spot and rendered me unfit to fight. I felt the metallic taste in my mouth and spat it out.

Clutters of blood poured on the floor as I coughed out blood. I was holding my stomach and my eyesight was getting blurry.

“I’d fucking stab you if you don’t bring out the money.”

Why didn’t they believe I had nothing on me? I kept trying to plead but each plea was accompanied by a punch that sent me to the ground.

One of the guys brought out a pocket knife and dragged it close to my neck. It felt like I was about to pass out, I couldn’t hear most of the things they said till a strange voice talked.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“Don’t touch him.”

Kicks followed and before I knew it the young man was throwing punches simultaneously at them. “Stand up and leave,” he told me.

I spat out bloodied spit one last time and tried to stand up. I had no idea who he was but I knew he was a lifesaver. I would have gotten stabbed if he didn’t show up. I was thankful the stranger came to my rescue, I had no idea what I would have said or done.

The bad guys left me and walked away and I was left with the lifesaver. He turned to leave and I tried calling him.

He didn’t respond, he just kept walking away. I watched his footsteps and wondered if it wasn’t the same guy that helped me with some bad guys some time ago.

“Wait!” I took hurried steps behind him till I was able to catch up with him. I removed thee mask off his face and my jaw dropped open.

“Devin?”

He didn’t respond, he just turned and walked away. I was thankful that he saved my life but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. I stood there in silence till he was out of sight.

“Fuck,” I growled at how wounded I was. I needed to get back home as soon as possible so I could get my injuries treated. They were susceptible to infections and I couldn’t risk it.

“I shouldn’t have come out,” I blurted.

I regretted coming out too, I almost got killed for just coming out. There was no way I wouldn’t get mad. I didn’t know how to react knowing it was Devin who saved my life. It was crazy to think that he fought those bad guys away.

As I approached the door, I saw figures standing outside and realized it was Mom and Dad. “Xavier,” she cried out and walked toward me.

He pulled me in a hug and cried more when she saw how badly wounded I was. I felt bad for making them worry. They didn’t deserve to be this worried because of me.

“Son,” Dad said and hugged me too. I was expecting them to ask what happened to me and how I sustained such injuries but they didn’t, instead, I saw Dad shed tears.

I have never seen Dad cry and so it broke me to know that I caused it. A lump formed in my throat, I didn’t know what to do or make the pain stop.

If I could bring Emily back home, I would have done so but it was beyond my power.

“I’m sorry Dad.”

I turned to Mom who already had dark circles underneath her eyes. She couldn’t stop sobbing and it was hurting me to see her that way. “I’m sorry Mom.”

“No Xavier,” she interjected. “We should be the ones apologizing. We’re sorry son.”

“Come here,” Dad called and hugged me again.

“Let’s have your wound taken care of.”

I walked behind Mom and we entered the house. Mom returned with a small bowl and tried cleaning the blood off the surface. I cried out whenever she wrapped the towel on the wounds.

“Sorry son.”

I let her bandage my arms and then she applied methylated spirit on my legs. I was going to cry throughout the process but Mom kept reminding me how strong I am.

“Have some tea.”