Chapter 48: Saved Feelings

-Why should we follow him? We can finish him off right now and that's it. -Richard, who could not understand his friend's logic, asked him the reason.

-It’s true Mr. Alexander, they were what bothered me, I think they must be scared enough with that beating. -Charles, who was responsible for all this, also told Alexander that he had done enough.

-I don’t see it that way, from the way the last one spoke it seems to me that they are just the tip of something bigger. -Alexander defended his idea, maybe the boys who were bothering Charles were doing it on someone else’s orders.

-Now that you mention it... If you look at these two, for a strange reason they have a tattoo of an E on their neck. -Richard notices the strange common pattern of the boys and exposes it to the light.

-That’s why I’m telling you, just because we beat these fools doesn’t mean Charles is safe. -Alexander checked the boys’ tattoos as he spoke.

-Well then, let’s do it, he went that way. -Richard points to where he needs to go and the trio is instantly on their way.

(The E’s, are they a gang? Or are they something worse? I’d like to know) -With those thoughts in mind Alexander went straight to accomplish his mission.

***

-I told you I don’t like strawberry juice, you did that on purpose didn’t you fucker?

-Oh come on, how do you think that about me? I’m your best friend. -Felix winks at Marcus while passing him the drink he clearly didn’t want.

-Shit, how long have we been looking for members? It feels like forever. -Marcus complained as he drank Felix’s juice, which was apple flavored. Everything seems to indicate that the duo is trying to accomplish their assigned task without much success.

-I think we’ve been here for two hours, but no one wants to join a newly created gang. -Felix sipped the strawberry juice that Marcus rejected as he spoke.

-Fuck those bastards, I hate that they are so prestigious, when our gang is the best I’m going to laugh in their faces. -Marcus showed a devilish grin as he thought about how he would take revenge on the others.

-Yes… But for that we must first get members, of which we have zero. -Felix brought his partner back to reality, although he also wanted to get revenge, he knows that this is only possible if they make a breakthrough.

-How about we go to high school? Maybe there's someone crazy enough to join us there. -After drinking his juice, Marcus gets up from the bench and then his partner does the same.

-Good idea, let’s go.

With some hope in mind, the duo set off towards the high school, which they reached after 15 minutes.

-Let’s hope no teacher finds us or they’ll call our parents. -Felix, nervous, enters the high school with a smile, it was just break time, so the corridors were full.

-Hey, aren’t they…?

-I heard they’re gang members now.

-From scumbags like them is what you can expect.

The duo walked through the halls as they were inundated with whispers, apparently rumors about them are a recurring theme at the high school.

(Shit these bastards forget who I am? Ah right… I’m nobody anymore) -Marcus was thinking of making a scene in the hallway, but his thoughts wouldn’t let him, his last defeats against Alexander, Dash and the second in command of the Black Foxes have strongly affected his pride.

-Easy old man, they are just losers talking about us. -Felix notices his partner’s feelings and decides to give him some encouragement.

But while the two were talking, a guy at high speed runs through the hallways crashing into Marcus.

-I’m sorry, it’s just that… The young man freezes with fear to see who he was lucky enough to bump into.

-I’m s-sorry, I’ll get it… I’ll get it. -The boy apologized nervously as he awkwardly picked up his books.

-Wait, you’ll damage them. -Marcus decides to help the boy by picking up his books.

-Thank you so much! -The boy thanked Marcus and then ran away, safe from certain death.

-Hahahaha, you helped him and he still got scared. -Felix mocked his partner as he walked.

-Hey Felix, lucky you’re around!

But again the pair is interrupted by a voice calling Felix, it was Coach Maques who needed to talk to Felix.

-Felix, I need you to sign some papers for the tournament, come to my office quickly. -Coach Marques, formerly known as Marcus’ protector, just looked at him nervously without speaking to him.

-Sorry coach just now….

-Go and do your thing, I’ll wait for you outside. -Marcus left Felix to his business while he kept walking to the high school courtyard, he came here to look for new members, but everyone is afraid of him or see him as a scum.

-Marcus! Where the fuck were you? I was looking for you all day yesterday and today.

All except the person who approaches Marcus.

-Oh, it’s you Eva, how are you?

Eva Smith was one of the few people who still saw Marcus as a normal person, she is one of the few people that Marcus is still fond of.

-What's happening? Is that all you're saying? I heard you hang out with Miss Shiny a lot, what are you doing? -Eva complained as they both left.

-It’s business, you wouldn’t understand. -Marcus explained to Eva, but she hit him.

-Business? Business is more important than your childhood friend? -Eva complained as she sat with Marcus on a bench in the courtyard.

-I didn’t say that… Okay, sorry, sorry. -Marcus flashed a genuine smile at Eva as he apologized.

-None sorry, from now on I will also be parts of your “business” and I don’t take no for an answer, no matter what your leader says. -Eva stated her clear intentions to join Imperial.

-Whatever you say. -Marcus, knowing the kind of woman Eva is, decides to accept.

-Good, that’s the way I like it, how is your father doing? -Eva changes the subject of the conversation to something that only the two of them seem to know.

-It’s the same as always, he’s not at home or when he is, it’s under the influence of alcohol, he barely leaves me enough money to eat, if it wasn’t for you and your home cooked meals I would starve to death. -Marcus was frank with Eva, who paid close attention to him.

-Yes, instead of stealing money from the other students you should have told me what was wrong with you, after all my aunt is… I’m sorry. -Eva apologized to her friend, apparently she brought up a sensitive subject.

-Don’t worry, you shouldn’t apologize, it’s the reality, when we were kids and went to the same elementary school, your aunt and my father met and fell in love, at that time he was a successful businessman and a very respectable man, until...

-My aunt left your father. -Eva spoke in a sorrowful way, this was a story she already knew perfectly well.

-Yes… Don’t worry Eva, you are a very different person from your aunt. -Marcus, seeing Eva’s attitude, decided to encourage her.

-Thank you, you are also different from your father. -Eva accepts the boy’s words and then they both stare at each other in the eyes.

-Eva, I…

-I’m sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but while you are making your romance movie, someone is having a hard time there.

The couple is stopped by Felix, who had just arrived and instantly notices something in the distance.

-What the fuck is wrong with you motherfucker? -Angry, Marcus was thinking of hitting Felix, but his partner pointed something out.

-What the fuck do you want me to…?

-Eva, go inside. -Marcus notices what his partner wanted to tell him and decides to get serious.

-What’s going on? -Eva, also angry, decides to ask.

-That guy over there is the one Marcus helped a few minutes ago, apparently some thugs are bothering him.

-Shit, where did all those bullies come from? It’s like they’ve multiplied. -Eva complained while she was still angry, apparently the number of bullies was increasing exponentially.

-The reason doesn’t matter, come on Felix. -Calling out to his partner, they both approached the scene as they saw two boys picking on another.

-Two against one? That’s what I call being unmanly, hahahaha. -Felix was making fun of the boys, who are from another school.

-Who are you? You should mind your own business.

-Well, this is our business now. -Félix, with a satisfied smile, approaches one of the boys who falls for the provocation and throws a punch, but Félix dodges it easily.

-All yours, big guy. -Felix, still maintaining his smile, steps back, leaving Marcus alone against the two boys, who were knocked down by his blows.

-Losers, hey, are you okay? -Marcus, having defeated the boys, decides to confirm the status of the boy they beat a minute ago.

-Yes… Thanks… -The astonished boy thanks Marcus and then leaves.

(I think I have an idea)

-As for you two… Marcus approaches the two boys, who were still on the ground.

-What… what do you want? -One of the boys answered nervously.

-I give you two options, either you join us or you receive the worst beating of your life. -Marcus threw a devilish smile at the boys, who instantly agreed on the first option, with a shake of their head.

-Well, tomorrow at 10 we are waiting for you here, we already know which high school you are from. -Félix, following his friend's plan, decided to give the boys an order.

-Shit finally, that’s what we should do, let’s go Felix. -Marcus with a plan in mind, invites his friend to follow him.

-Sure, let’s go look for more bullies.

The duo with a smile started to look for thugs in the streets of the city, it seems they already know how to recruit new members.

***

-Do you think he realized we were following him?

-I don’t think so, he has never looked back.

-I guess he’s going to stop now.

Alexander and his two other companions were still following the boy, who stopped and then entered an alley.

-An alley? His companions must be there. -Richard, full of determination, prepares to enter the alley.

-Wait Richard, be careful. -But he is stopped by Alexander who knew the place quite well.

(It gives me chills just being here, it reminds me of that night).

That was the alley where Alexander died.