“Back away, I don’t want to hurt you,” I warned.
“Maybe now I want to make you scream,” the guy snarled, all patience gone. He jolted towards me, and the flick-knife stabbed forward. Immediately, I stepped to my right and faced sideways, smashing my arm downwards. The blade slid in the space I left,and then my forearm connected with his. He bellowed in shock and moved backward.
“Just leave!” I shouted, a little panicked.Morwas going to kill me.
“Hand over your shit,” the guy yelled, beyond reasoning now.
He came at me again, slashing wildly, and I blocked the blows, but the knife slashed through my jacket. I kicked out and sent him staggering.
“Help!” I yelled, trying to draw attention. But I didn’t consider it might be the wrong type. The boarded-up windows and empty-looking houses didn’t offer any reassurance that someone could help.
“Nobody’s gonna come and help a rich immigrant like you!”
“That’s not quite true, Benny. Fancy seeing you here,” somebody stated calmly, and Benny spun around. The knife wavered in front of him, and a second man knocked it from his hands.
“Really, Benny? I could take offence,” the first continued.
“Salisbury!”
“Indeed. We’ve been looking for you, Benny. You owe me a debt,” Salisbury said.
Relieved, I studied him. He didn’t fit in around here, like me. Salisbury wore an expensive suit and a long coat. Everything about him screamed money and power. I knew his type. This was someone big in the underworld. Dad had taught me to recognise them.
Relief fading, I started backing away when I hit a third guy. A hand clenched on my shoulder. “Stay put,” I was ordered.
“Salisbury, I’m trying to get it. This kid owes me ten k. He bought a load of shit for his school and won’t pay up!” Benny yelled.
Wait. What? “That’s a lie!” I burst out. “I’ve never seen him until today when he tried to mug me.”
“Fucker’s lying, Salisbury. He came to buy more, and I told him I wouldn’t deal until he paid me what he owed,” Benny stated. He wiped his dripping nose and shoved his greasy hair back. A shaky finger was pointed at me. “That asshole’s your thief!”
“Look, he’s lying. Honestly, I got lost and was trying to return to school. I’ve never seen him until today,” I denied.
“Interesting. Who do I believe?” Salisbury drawled. “I’m owed ten k.” He looked between us and then nodded at the guy holding my collar. “Vaughn, put him in the car. Sebastian, ensure Benny comes too, but not on my seats.” Salisbury sent Benny a disdainful glance. The man I assumed was Sebastian stepped forward and put on a glove. A moment later, his fist shot out, and Benny collapsed to the ground. Without a word, Sebastian grabbed Benny’s leg and dragged him to the SUV.
“Move,” Vaughn said, giving me a shake.
“Please, I don’t know him or you. Please, I was taking a walk and got lost. He tried to mug me. I want to go home,” I blurted as fear rose.
“Car. Now.” Vaughn shoved me hard, and I started to run when he brought me down. He yanked my arm up my back and frogmarched me over to the car. Ignoring my yells, Salisbury got in, and I was pushed in beside him. The trunk slammed shut, and then Sebastian settled beside me. Vaughn climbed in the front, and the car pulled away. My chest felt tight, and breathing was difficult. My hands shook, and I stared ahead, too scared to look at either of the men.
“Do you know Magic? He owns a biker bar, he’s my…” What did I call him? “Sperm donor.”
“Interesting choice of words. Not your dad or father, but sperm donor. Why would he be interested in you then? And why would you think Magic’s opinion matters to me?” Salisbury asked. He turned his head and studied me carefully. “You’ve just become interesting. Don’t bore me now, son.”
“Magic’s in love withminmor.”
“Pardon?” Salisbury asked, amused. “I highly doubt Magic is stable enough to love a ‘mor’, whatever that is.”
“Mom,” I muttered sullenly.
“Interesting,” Salisbury repeated. I was starting to hate that word.
???
Scared, I tested the door again. It remained locked, and yanking it wouldn’t make it open. I’d been confined here for ages. At least a couple of hours had passed. During the journey, I’d been blindfolded before being led from the car and secured in this room. They’d taken my phone, school backpack and my wallet.
Benny was somewhere close because I could hear him yelling that they had to get the money out of the kid—meaning me. I was on the verge of terror and was fighting rising panic. Dad had told us to stay calm if ever kidnapped, to take note of everything, and to wait for our chance. Dad was with me right now. Somehow, I sensed him giving me strength and urging me to be patient. A while back, I’d heard a few roars and wondered what was happening. That soon faded.
