CHAPTER 4- STAND YOUR GROUND
In this tense and daunting situation, Finn finds himself surrounded by a group of delinquents, their menacing stares and aggressive postures signaling trouble. The tension in the air was palpable as their menacing glares bore into his trembling body. As fear courses through his veins, he realizes that he must think quickly and stand his ground. His mind raced, searching for a way out of this dire situation.
Summoning his courage, he takes a deep breath, steadying his nerves, and decides to approach the situation with calmness and confidence.
He knows very well he is outmatched and things could end really bad if he doesn't do something, and fast . Running or cowering is not an option. With a steady breath, he locks eyes with each of his assailants, refusing to let their aggression overpower him.
With a clear unwavering voice, drawing upon his resilience, "What do you want from me Liam?"
With a cigarette in his mouth, he reaches into his pockets to grab a lighter. The cigarettes end tip glows brightly red as he lits it. Smoke escaping from his mouth, he proceeds to drop the lighter back into his pocket. "Why you so stiff homie, loosen up, would you?". He said, with a smug look on his face. Finn knew better than to trust those words of his. This made tighten his guard even more .
"The principal called my dad and they both agreed if I got into any more trouble, I would be expelled. Just when I started settling down, you had to just come in and ruin it all. How crazy is that"
Finn gulped, even without showing it, he knew Liam was boiling with anger on the inside. But he kept quiet, he didn't want to upset him more by trying to defend himself. It was a psychology trick he learnt when he was growing up. His mom told him that when ever someone was yelling at you, the last you should was trying to defend yourself. But what was the point, he was in for a massive beating
nevertheless.
"You know, it felt different, the way you stared at me and yelled what was on your mind. Maybe it was because teachers were there and you knew I couldn't do anything then or maybe it was just a reflex thing. Either way it was nerve wrecking".
"I couldn't just stand there and watch a helpless kid get beaten up. You're better than that" He only wished he would stop talking at this point .
"Ha! You think this is some kind of reality where you're the hero. Let's see who'll help you now.... HERO!". He said with a crazy smile , one that sent shivers down Finn's spine.
Rushing at him with a full force punch to the arm of Finn who tried to block out of pure instincts sent Finn flying several meters before crashing to the ground. He felt something snap , he knew Liam hit hard but he wasn't expecting the pain of his punch to be this excruciating. He immediately rolled over getting back to his feet, putting up a fighting stance. The last thing he wanted was to be on the floor and get the same treatment as Nolan.
His arm was aching, luckily it was only his right arm . His stronger arm was his left, somehow he felt he shouldn't take his eyes of the people that surrounded him. Liam was dangerous for sure but getting hit from behind was going to lessen his chance of escaping . "Think! Think! Think! " His eyes began scanning for the best possible thing to do. Maybe a weak point of Liam. But in no time, Liam charges in with a second punch to his sides. It hurt even more than the last punch and force sent him even farther away.
The circle formed had already widened, giving room for Liam to go crazy. His hand was in pain if not broken and now he felt his rib throbbing. If he was going to counter , he had to do it quickly. His body couldn't handle another punch from Liam. Just when he thought things were bad, it only got worse as he grabbed a baseball bat.
With one hand on the handle and his other hand at the top, "You know, my dad never really let me play baseball even if he knew I was good ..who knows I might have gone rusty from lack of practice. But there's only one way to find out" He said , pointing the bat at Finn.
BAM!! . He struck , missing Finns head by only few millimeters, hitting the ground instead.
"Hold still twerp!" Swinging wildly. Finn wasn't so lucky like the first time as the bat struck his arm which he tried to use to block his head.
He let out a cry of agony "Ahhhhhhhh!!!!" Staggering back. The same right arm again. Dammit. This was getting out of hand . He turned his back to see that the same circle has been formed once again . Running away was definitely not an option. He had to fight. Even if he was going to loose , he was going to let Liam know he wasn't the prey. Sacrificing his arm once more to shield the swinging bat, Finn drew his hand back, putting all his weight in before sending a punch straight to his opponents face . Yes! If he could get this punch , it should be enough to stun Liam, even if it was just a bit and he would grab the bat , Just then, all what went through his head came crashing down as Liam stepped to the right , moving his face out the way, making Finn fall to the ground. He already had all his hope on that attack which he missed. With Liam towering over him he knew what was next, without thinking, he put out both his arms to cover his head but Liam struck his foot straight through Finn's gut. Trying to curl up only made it worse as Liam got new striking points.
Mercy was absent from Liam's face as he continued his brutal malice on Finn.
"You've had enough dumbass?!". he said gleefully. Finn's gonna pay. Nobody messes with me, he thought.
Another kick to the gut sent Finn howling to. All of a sudden, the kicking stopped.
Finn wondered what was going on , Was it over? Was he done? He didn't wish it to continue but he had expected more.
Just then he heard a voice, one that brought all hope back to Finn.
"What you doing down there on the floor runt? Is that what I taught you . You're embarrassing me"
Slowly lifting his head to see if he was indeed the person he was expecting it to be . It was. He let out a sigh of relief. With his hand in his pocket wearing an unbuttoned Shirt that showed his white clothing . He wore a pair of shorts which seemed bigger than him and white sneakers that added to his unique style. A quick glance would easily give away the odds that they were related in some kind of way, the resemblance was almost carbon copy . What set them apart was how muscularly built his brother was. He has sweets in his mouth which he sucked on slowly to get the maximum taste from it.
"What is he doing here?". Liam thought. Just when things where getting good.
Apparently Finn's brother was what Liam used to be when he was still a student. But his fame spread and Liam could only dream to achieve quarter of what he achieved. He was even a leader of a notorious gang that ran the city. Everyone knew and feared him .
There was even a rumor once that some aristocratic people from another state came all the way from their place to pay him huge amount of money to do some dirty works for them. He was a force to be reckoned with. Liam knew that much. But what made his smile grew back was the thought of him being with his gang or some help but no. He was all alone.
Tightening his grip on the bat , He shouted" What you doing here" Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
Pulling the sweet out of his mouth for clearer communication " Well apparently not. I was coming home from work when I noticed noise of some sort and I came to check it out. Didn't expect to see my little brother as the victim. That's very bold of you. I have heard about you. You're a trouble maker I can see"
Liam gritted his teeth , Did he think he could take them out on his own ? Was he going to try to make a fool out of them . Placing his bat on his shoulder now and straightening his posture. Sure he looked bigger than him but he knew he had to keep his guard up .
He could pull out something unexpected and he didn't want to be caught unaware.
Still not slowing down , he walked all the way to the Liam. All his gang members made way. They had heard of him , and how strong he was but just how strong is what they wondered.
They all knew Liam was the strongest fighter in their school but they had never seen this other guy in action. Sure rumors spread about his strength but they wanted to see it up close.
Sure enough they had their doubt, he was like 5ft 6 and he didn't seem like the fighter type. Everyone peeked their attention to not miss anything. And out of nowhere. Liam fell to the ground, the only person who wasn't beyond shocked was Finn who knew what his brother was capable of.
They only caught a glimpse of it but they were certain Liam was struck with a round house kick to the side of the neck and just like that, it was all over in a flash . No one expected what just happened as there were gasp from every corner.
Why did always have to go to far. Finn thought shaking his head. Liam was knocked out cold with the bat at his side.
Leaning in with his hand still in his pocket and a huge smile on his face. "Aw, you're down already? I thought you were gonna put up more fight. What a let down".
Suddenly his expression changed with his face turning cold , "Now anyone else want a piece of me?" Everyone froze , they had all their doubt cleared , he really lived up to his name.
The man in front of them was none other Eli. Also known for his nickname 'THE BLACK SUN'
TO-BE CONTINUED.