Chapter Eleven. #2
Something else I missed was the ability to get on the ice.
I’d loved playing for my ice hockey club back home, but the school’s team had no room for foreigners, Oskar and I had been told.
Fuck them. I’d seen the team. Oskar and I could skate circles around them—blindfolded.
When I turned eighteen, I’d head back to Denmark; Laila would come and Oskar too.
Mom would have to follow and bring the younger kids, too.
“Hey, what you doing here?” a guy shouted, and I glanced across the street. I realised I wasn’t somewhere I recognised, and the area looked rough. Where the hell was I?
“Got any money?” the guy called, and I began walking off. “Don’t fuckin’ ignore me, you little prick.”
I heard running footsteps, and fear swept through me. The guy appeared, cutting me off. I stepped back from him. He smelt funny, like drugs, and I was instantly wary.
“Dude, I’m not looking for trouble,” I stated.
“Well, you found it. What do you have on you?”
“About ten dollars.”
“Yeah, not with that foreign accent. I bet you got shit worth some dough. Hand it over and I’ll let you go,” he insisted.
“Look, I said no. Go away.”
The guy laughed and yanked out a wicked-looking flick-knife.
“Be a shame to cut up that pretty face of yours, kid.”
Trying to be intimidating, I drew myself up to my full six feet. I was taller and broader than him, but he didn’t seem bothered. A snicker escaped him, and the knife moved closer.
“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. Mor was 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 with min mor.”
“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.
Benny began screaming, followed by howls of pain, and tears formed in my eyes.
They were beating him; would they do that to me?
How the hell did I convince them I didn’t have their money, and I didn’t know that asshole?
Mor would be devastated if something happened to me.
Minutes ticked by, and I sank into a corner opposite the door, curled my arms around my legs, and dropped my head into them.
Benny sounded like he was in agony, and gurgles had now joined the noises.
They were going to kill me, just like Benny.
Salisbury
“Why, all of a sudden, am I having run-ins constantly with the Allies?” I demanded, sitting down in a chair.
Vaughn shook his head. “It’s becoming a habit.”
“An annoying one. Is the kid telling the truth?” I asked.
“There’s been rumours an old flame of Magic’s appearing with kids, and Magic’s interested,” Sebastian replied.
I sighed heavily. “Reach out and find out. If this teenager were Magic’s, no doubt he’ll want the little bastard back. But see if anything Benny says is true too, because if he’s bought from Benny and stiffed him, Magic owes me money.”
“On it,” Sebastian said. I’d have my answers in an hour.
◆◆◆
“Kid belongs to Magic,” Sebastian stated, returning forty-five minutes later. “And Benny’s full of shit. Nobody’s ever seen the boy before.”
I rubbed my chin and sighed. The Allies were intruding more and more into my life, and it was unwelcome.
“Do we have contact details for Magic?” I asked.
Vaughn nodded.
“Guess we’d better reach out and tell him we have something of his.” I put out my hand, and Vaughn put his phone in it. The number was already dialled.
I rose and walked across to the broken window.
“What?” a deep, irritated voice snapped.
“This is Salisbury. Is this Magic?” There was a long pause.
“What the fuck can I do for Clive Salisbury?” Magic demanded.
“Who did you just alert?” I snickered.
“None of your damn business. What do you want?”
“Magic, I have something of yours.”
“Doubt it.”
“Ah, but this is aged around sixteen and full of piss and vinegar. Claims you’re his sperm donor. If you wish the problem taken care of, I’d be happy to oblige.”
“Touch a hair on his head, and I’ll blow you sky high,” Magic warned. There was worry and fear in his tone, even though he tried to mask it. The boy meant something to Magic.
“I’ll send you the address. Magic, come alone and unarmed. I won’t risk a grenade being shoved in my mouth. You’ll be searched and won’t refuse, otherwise bad things might happen before you set foot inside,” I replied calmly.
I wasn’t afraid of the Allies pet psycho. Inside me was my own psychopath; he was just better hidden than Magic’s, who let his crazy hang out. Without another word, I disconnected the call and kept staring out of the window. Magic wouldn’t come alone. That was for certain.