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Cold, bitter gustsof wind whipped around the barren streets as I huddled deeper into my threadbare jacket. School let out a half-hour ago, and I was still trying to make it home before the predicted snowfall hit. Shivering and cursing under my breath, I hated the fact that my foster parents kept forgetting to buy me a new coat like they promised.
Thanksgiving was next week, and I looked forward to the time off. My senior year sucked, and I almost had enough credits to graduate. If my luck held and my final exams weren’t horrible, I’d be done after Christmas vacation. Then I could work full time and have enough money for decent shoes and clothes, not the cheap ass shit I was stuck with now.
At the next intersection, I paused, glancing both ways before I crossed the street. Light snowflakes drifted down from above and stuck to my nose and cheeks as I huffed out a breath. A slushy mix of freezing rain droplets mixed the snow.
How the hell was I always so unlucky?
My hands burrowed down inside the interior of my coat, chilled by the temperature but not as icy as they would have been if I hadn’t sliced open the lining inside the pockets. At least the brisk walk kept the cold at bay and prevented my body from becoming overly chilled.
The outskirts of Las Vegas were a ghost town midday. Nobody was venturing out much with the weather. All the houses in my neighborhood were shut tight as people hunkered down and prepared for the storm. Snickering, I thought about the irony of a snowstorm in the desert.
Picking up my pace, I moved faster, glad that I’d worn two pairs of pants today. Sweats kept my legs warm underneath the denim I wore. I didn’t have to worry about the rough material scraping my skin raw as the precipitation soaked into the outer layer of my clothing.
My boots crunched through the dusting of snow and ice on the ground as I heard the low rumble of an engine. Four blocks from home, I wasn’t close enough to run the rest of the way in this weather and risk slipping on the sidewalk. Everything was becoming slippery as the car drew closer. I wouldn’t be so vulnerable if I didn’t have a stupid limp in my right leg. Injuring that leg would mean missing work for weeks. That was something I couldn’t afford.
I knew I was no longer alone when laughter spilled out of the vehicle’s windows and echoed in my ears.
“Hey, gimp.”
Grinding my teeth, I ignored the car full of teens from my high school. Maybe if I didn’t react, they would just leave me the fuck alone.
The horn honked, droning on as I cringed, and more chuckles drifted out into the cold breeze.
“You cold, gimpy?”
“Need a ride?”
Knowing who the voices belonged to, I didn’t answer.
“Snow in your hair looks like dandruff,” one of them commented rudely.
“Or it’s jizz. You suck dick, gimpy?”
Laughter roared at my expense.
My fists clenched inside my coat, but I kept walking, hoping they would grow bored and drive away. The weather was far too shitty for this.
“Hey, loser, we’re talking to you.”
The engine’s rumble on my left let me know they were keeping up with me, driving at my pace. I didn’t get the whole bully thing. Why did assholes get off on it? Was it seriously that fun to fuck with people and make their lives miserable?
I’d rather play video games, screw a hot chick, or make money at my job. There wasn’t a logical outcome when you messed with people. Did they think I would cry? Beg? Scream for help?
Maybe they wanted a show, something to record and put up on social media. The thought pissed me off. I didn’t need these guys taking video again and then editing to add their own twisted bullshit. I nearly got suspended last month for punching the guy who did it.
The car stopped, and that was when I knew I didn’t have a choice. I had to run. My muscles were already warm from the walk, and I sped off, pumping my arms and legs as I turned the corner and headed down the nearest alley. There were plenty of places to hide, and I could always duck into someone’s backyard if I got desperate enough.
Somewhere in the distance, I heard a motorcycle revving the engine. The noise was surprising since I didn’t think anyone would be idiotic enough to ride on two wheels with the roads’ condition.
That was my last thought before a sharp pain shot up my right leg, and it twisted, sending my ass to the solid ground with a painful thud. Groaning, I turned around onto my back and tried to sit up, but a heavy-ass athletic shoe planted on my chest.
“You see what we got here, Matt? Fucking gimpy got shot like a turkey and landed on his ass.”
Chortling, his buddy appeared. “Yep. Damn. That was a great shot.”
Blinking, I didn’t realize I’d been hit with a BB gun until their words sank into my disoriented brain. “You shot me?”
Gleeful laughter echoed from the two idiots in front of me and several more from the car.
