The Hammer Vandal
Eli
We should be finishing our homework!
Sitting beside Matt on a park bench, Eli was being more irritable than normal.
Matt glanced over at him with his eyebrow raised.
Matt
Since when do we ever do homework on Sundays?
Eli
Since you made us sit in the library for three hours... watching ...THAT GIRL.
Eli
We could have carried our books there if you'd told me before.
Matt checked his watch and continued watching the runners pass by.
Matt
Only a few more minutes....
At five, he stood, waiting for Eli to do the same.
...in the opposite direction of the car...
The driver checked his watch but said nothing nothing them.
Eli, being two years older than Matt but knowing his place, followed...still sulking.
Matt ignored him, reaching the entrance of the park and walking along the pavement.
Realizing he wouldn't get an answer, Eli kept walking, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Matt didn't respond still but his feet were headed there.
Eli
She doesn't usually go there today...
He passed the guard and entered the store, choosing to go to the drinks section.
Matt seemed to be down but there wasn't anything that Eli knew that would make him feel better....inside a grocery store.
Matt
They finally got yogurt .
Eli took the little containers from Matt and walked with him back to the cashier.
All of that mystery....for yogurt. Eli thought. But he could see the delivery truck through the door.
They cashed for them then left. The car already parked outside.
Matt
Let's go home and get your homework done.
Matt patted Eli on the back.
Eli
You've been acting so weirdly.
Eli and Matt turned to see AJ facing the store with two bags in her hands. It looked like she'd just come out.
Her voice sounded surprised...but not entirely in a good way.
AJ
I didn't expect to see you here.
Matt and Eli exchanged glances.
AJ stepped back several times before stopping as she bumped into someone.
Matt and Eli saw the shock on her face, clear as day.
AJ
When did you come back?
They watched as she looked the young man over from head to toe, shocked.
She turned back to the man.
Mr. Oska
That I haven't made myself clear ....
Mr. Oska
in a way that you and my little girl will understand.
The man took a few steps closer, leaving AJ with just one option of escape.
She was now cornered between the two men and a car.
She didn't take the chance to escape, instead, she stayed looking up at the man.
He took her hand running his thumb over her knuckles.
Mr. Oska
Smooth, soft hands.
They hide who you are...don't they?
AJ's eyes never left the man's face as he released her hand and fisted his other over a metal attached to the side of his jeans.
Pulling out a hammer, he stepped even closer to AJ before stopping.
Spinning the opposite way, he swung his hands, the tool smashing into the edge of the car glass beside them. The glass broke with the top shattering.
Turning back to her, he placed the hammer into her hands before nodding.
Mr. Oska
I'll let your parents take care of this one.
Mr. Oska
Let them know directly... that the next time my simple orders aren't followed.....
He glared at her, not finishing his sentence.
Both Eli and Matt seemed to get the message though. They could see AJ's face as she turned to watch him leave. She definitely understood.
Matt
He won't get away with it.
Matt
But we're witnesses...
At that moment, AJ noticed them.
Her eyes told them what to do.
"You saw nothing!" Her eyes screamed.
Matt
We'll leave her then?
Eli
She doesn't seem to want us to get involved...
Matt looked at her, trying to understand but knowing he wouldn't unless she told him.
The guard seemed to have returned. Only in time to catch the wrong vandal.
Matt and Eli watched her take responsibility for an act that she hadn't even committed.
As they drove off, Matt wished he could intervene.
Matt
If I had just talked to her sooner...
Matt
She would let me help.
Matt
She would let me be her friend.
Eli
Or... she'd run from us too....if she knew we follow her so much....
Eli whispered from his corner.
Author
This chapter has ended....
AJ
What do I do with the hammer?
Author
😅....eh....I'm gonna go for a walk now...
Comments