Here in this Sorrow Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Clark looked over his shoulder nervously as he and Andy crossed the parking lot.

“I told you, fuck-head,” Jim yelled from ten feet behind them. “Mind your own business, or you’re going to get your ass kicked too.” Ben Tramer and Nick Caufield laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

“You think Christian is coming back?” Andy asked, looking over at Clark, careful to not let his head turn too far.

“I hope so,” Clark answered in a mumble. “If he doesn’t, these guys might take us as a proxy.” They came to the edge of the school property and Clark craned his neck and strained to see down the street. “I’m just afraid Christian is going to try and fight them.” He pointed down the street. “Let’s walk down the street a little farther. Maybe they won’t follow.”

They started walking down the sidewalk past quaint houses with sprinklers running in the front yards and dogs barking in the back. Jim, Ben and Nick continued to hang about ten feet behind them, laughing and talking loudly. Clark and Andy tried to act casual, but their rigid stances and Andy’s stumbling betrayed them.

“He’s late,” Andy said, looking at his watch. “Maybe we should just call for another ride.”

“Who are we going to call? Your mom?” Clark asked. “No way, Christian will show. He’s not going to let these guys scare him away.”

“Yeah, and he’s going to get the shit kicked out of him!” Andy exclaimed. “If we aren’t here, he doesn’t have to stop. If we leave now, we save Chris a lot of pain and suffering.”

“These guys will just do this again tomorrow,” Clark said.

“If he doesn’t show up, fag,” Nick yelled, “Then we’re going to beat the shit out of all four of you tomorrow.”

“Figures that the guy who lives in the trailer park is willing to beat up a girl,” Clark said.

Andy shook his head. “Why the fuck won’t they just leave us alone?” He spun on his heels to face them. “Leave us alone!” he cried. “Just get the fuck out of here!”

Jim, Ben and Nick stopped, and Clark looked on nervously.

Jim pointed a stubby finger at him. “Don’t push me!” He advanced slowly on Andy. “All we want is Duke. I just want to teach him to respect people. If you want to take some kind of issue with me, then I’ll deal with you too.”

Andy let out a desperate sigh. “You fucking asshole! After what you did, you want to teach him a lesson? You started all of this!” He took a step forward. “You have a lot of nerve!”

“McCarthy, you little shit, are you trying to get your head kicked in?” Jim yelled, starting towards Andy.

“Shit,” Clark said, pointing down the street. “Here they come.”

Christian’s maroon Corsica rolled to a stop in front of them. Christian rolled down the window and smiled nervously. “Looks like a party,” he said with a quiver in his voice.

“Come on,” Shannon said, leaning across Christian. “Get in and let’s get out of here.”

Andy got in the back and slid over for Clark.

“Don’t leave so soon!” Jim said, running at the car. He grabbed Clark’s shoulder and pulled him away. Ben took hold of Clark and kept him at bay. “We waited a long time, Mr. Tardy. At least talk to us.”

Christian shook his head. “No way. Let Clark go.”

“I don’t think so,” Jim said gravely. “Get out of the car.”

Nick stepped forward and kicked the door closed, leaving a large dent in the panel. “You don’t need to leave yet,” he said in a low, empty voice.

“I don’t want to fight,” Christian said.

“We aren’t going to fight,” Jim said. “But if you don’t get out of the car, we’re going to kick Golding’s ass.”

Christian sighed and stared at the steering wheel for a moment. “Fine,” he whispered as he turned the car off. “Fine, I’ll get out. Just let Clark go.” He turned off the car. “Just let him go,” he repeated.

Ben shoved Clark towards the car, slamming him against it. He fell to his knees, struggling to catch himself on the door handle. Jim, Ben and Nick burst out laughing as Clark got to his feet.

“Clark!” Shannon ordered. “Get in, let’s get out of here!”

“No,” Christian said. “I’m not running from these assholes. I don’t care if they beat me up, I’m not running away.”

“Chris?” Shannon said, putting her hand on his arm as he got out and stared Jim in the eyes. She sighed and shook her head, and then followed Andy as he got out of the car. They leaned up against it, both looking tense.

Jim pointed at them. “What’s this, your crew? Are they going to take care of us if we start kicking your ass?” He laughed and punched Nick lightly.

Christian continued to stare in his eyes. “What do you want?

Jim pursed his lips and looked like he was about to scream. He exhaled hard and said politely, “Why were you trying to narc on me? That’s not very nice.”

Christian’s head snapped up, his eyes ablaze. “You want to talk about nice? You got fucking mustard all over me! I have to take my coat to the dry-cleaners now!” He reached out and snatched the collar of Jim’s shirt. “You motherfucker, you have a lot of nerve telling me what’s nice!”

At first, Jim was too shocked to respond, but recovered and grabbed Christian’s hand, squeezing until Christian winced and let go. He held up Christian’s hand and pushed him away. “If you have a problem with something I’ve done, then you come to me. We can talk it over and reach an agreement, like men.” He paused. “Just remember that you’re the one who wanted to act like children.” He took a step back and punched Christian in the stomach.

Christian doubled over, clutching his mid-section. He fell to his knees, gasping.

Jim put his left hand on Christian’s shoulder. “You like that? Do you like that, you God-damned faggot?”

Christian struggled to his feet and stared into Jim’s eyes. He batted Jim’s hand off his shoulder and sneered. “I’m going to fucking kill you,” he growled. A broad smile crossed his face, and he spit in Jim’s eye.

Ben and Nick fell silent as Jim raised a finger to his face and wiped off the gob. “That’s twice, shit-head,” he snarled, landing another blow into Christian’s stomach. As Christian dropped, Jim fell on him, raining a flurry of blows. Christian tried to struggle away, but was pinned by the weight of his attacker. Ben and Nick kept Clark, Andy, and Shannon back as they struggled to help Christian.

After several long minutes, Jim got off Christian and stood up. He adjusted his shirt and rubbed at his bloodied knuckles. “I hope you learned your lesson, motherfucker,” he snarled and spit on Christian. “If you ever pull that shit with me again, I’ll put you in the fucking hospital, you understand?” Christian rolled over and got to his knees. Jim chuckled and pushed him over with his foot. Christian refused to relent, getting back to his knees. “God,” Jim said. “Don’t you ever give up? I just kicked your ass. Stay down!” He shook his head and kicked Christian in the stomach.

“Fuck you,” Christian snarled, fighting to his feet. “You’re fucking dead!”

Jim feigned terror. “You psycho little freak. Do you think I’m the least bit scared of you and your little friends?” He waved Ben and Nick to his side. “If you pull any shit tomorrow, we’ll be here at the same time, same place. If you try to leave early, your tires might be cut again, got it?”

Christian stared hatefully, but said nothing.

“Good,” Jim said. “Have a good night.”