Storm. Part 1

The storm was rumbling and wild. What was more shocking was that the lightning was purple every time it shot out from the clouds. The two boys found themselves needing to find shelter.

They had a school bus that would take them to school but it stopped a distance away from their neighborhood. They would have to walk 10 to 15 minutes just to get there.

With Son-join being the lazy bum he was, he would sleep till the last minute and find Nolamine always waiting for him. They would then take a bus that took them right where their streets met. That is why they would always be late.

With them taking the school bus back home, it had left them a distance away from where they lived. With the storm being as severe as it was, they quickly found shelter at a parking lot nestled between two buildings and was two stories high. They were wet and cold.

"Damn it, what is up with this storm? That purple lightning gives me chills every time I see it."

Son-join said as he tried to warm up by hugging himself. Seeing this, Nolamine just shook his head.

"Well, I'm sure it has to do with an idiot being asked out by the prettiest girl in class on a date out of the blue."

"Jealous?"

Son-join asked with a perky smile. Nolamine smiled back at him.

"I just can't wait to see you fumble up your date... hahaha.... it will be epic. I cannot believe she really asked you out. What did she see in the one person who would eat while talking about lizards' asses at the same time?"

"Hey. I shall let you know that I am one unique being. One that is Overload to the hearts of many. So do not give me that crap. You, my servant, shall teach me the art of dating, for I have been too busy to dwell on such malevolent misadventures, but alas, a lady wants my attention and my attention she shall have."

It was like the cold was not affecting him anymore. Nolamine could not think of anything he could do for the Casanova wanna-be as when it came to girls, shyness would possess him and he would even fumble his words. A far cry from what he was just now. He sighed again and was at that point feeling sorry for Ara. She was about to have the worst date in dating history.

"Anyways, my servant, today you were acting strange. What was up with you and Miss Park's class? How would you know about that lighting bird thing...."

"I do not know. It just came to me. Like a distant memory or something."

"Aww, well ever since I have known you, you have been full of surprises. Not only your physical strength but that thing you can do with your eyes. Damn, it's scary. I feel sorry for your girl the day she thinks she can lie to you... now you are getting distant memories? I'm starting to think you might be an alien man. I just hope you come in peace."

"You are an idiot, you know that?"

At that point in time, three boys ran into the same parking lot they where in.

"Shit."

Son-join said reflexively.

'Delinquents?'

He thought as he looked at them. He had made that assessment because of how they were dressed and the accessories they were wearing. He watched as they tried to dry themselves with them not noticing that they were there.

He looked at Nolamine who was also looking at them with nothing in mind. He thought of the other times they had found themselves face to face with such people and it never ended well.

'Shit!'

He thought as his heart started to race with them not even having said a word to each other.

They were wearing a different kind of uniform than them, making it apparent that they were not from the same school. They had tacked in the right side of their shirt while the left side hanged loose.

They all had a chain that was hanging on their side pocket, an accessory some boys would put on their jeans sometimes to make them look cool, but these guys were wearing it even at school.

One was tall and skinny and had a piercing on his nose. He was also wearing a gold watch. The next was short, had a Mohawk and his school uniform looked like it was wearing him as it looked baggy on him.

The last looked intimidating. He had a scar on the upper part of his left eye like a knife had cut him. He had a thick jawline and had the air of a soldier even though young. To drive the image through, he had a soldier's hair cut to complete his look.

They all looked to be seniors and much older than the two. You would forgive Son-join for thinking they were delinquents at first sight, but that did not mean he was wrong.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

The tall one said to the two. He smiled like he had just found a pile of treasure.

"Aww, now we have two little mice to keep us busy while we ride out the storm."

The short one said, looking happy as he did. The one with a scar was still facing the entrance and acted like he did not hear the two. He just took off his shirt and twisted it using his hands so as to squeeze out the water from the rain.

'Fuck!'

Son-join thought and looked at Nolamine. Just those two sentences were enough to make his heart sound like a horse racing as it beat faster.

The two walked over to them with Nolamine still saying nothing and just looking at them.

"This damn storm has ruined my clothes, you know. I need to buy a new shirt. Can you boys borrow me some money? I swear I will bring it back."

The tall one said as he put his bag on the floor, Nolamine noticing the jewelry on his wrist. He looked at him straight in his eyes, Son-join not missing his mood changing as his eyes focused.

He panicked even more and remembered the extra money his mother had given them. Not wanting anything to happen any further, he took it out and was about to hand it over, but Nolamine held his hand.

"He is lying."

Nolamine said in a calm voice.

'Shit!'

Son-join thought again.

"Awe."

The two stopped moving forward. They had been looking at Son-join fumbling with his pocket to their delight and had not noticed Nolamine's staring at them unfazed.

"Kid, if you know what's good for you, you should give us that money."

The short one said.

"You were lying that you would give us back our money if we gave it to you, so why would we?"

He said calmly.

"Kid, we are the Senjuri gang. Don't you know what we do to those who do not obey us?"

The tall boy said. At that time, Son-join who was looking at the boy with a scar putting his shirt back on could not help but gulp.

'The Senjuri gang? That's the most violent gang and they would do anything for a fight. What the hell are they doing here?'

He thought.

"Would you let us go if we gave you every cent we have?'

Nolamine asked, still calm.

'I hope they do not have a weapon.'

Son-join thought.

"Of course, kid."

"You are lying again."

Nolamine said, as he let go of Son-join's arm.

"Shit!"

Son-join thought out loud. He could not help it at that point. He thought to something similar that had happened a week ago. Only that it had involved one person who was wearing the same uniform as these three and looked more menacing than them.

"Hey, what's the holdup? This storm will not stop. Whether we like it or not we need to check up on Dong-hyun before he rips us to shreds."

The boy with a scar said. His voice was commanding and manly for his age.

"These two pipsqueaks do not want to give us their loot. They think that we won't let them go even if they do."

The tall one said.

"Of course, we won't. We have a bone to pick with this neighborhood after what happened to Dong-hyun. Finding this storm has just made it harder. You two little lambs will just have to do for now."

The boy with a scar said with a straight face as he took a knife out of his pocket. The short boy took a baseball bat out of his bag and the tall boy took out brass knuckles.

'Wait, wait, wait... Isn't this escalating too fast?'

Son-join thought as he shook his head and backed away.

"Will you kill us?"

Nolamine asked. It was an unexpected question but he had stepped in front of Son-join as he faced the three boys, still looking at them with calm in his eyes.

"Wahahaha, that's a no-brainer kid. Of course, we will."

The tall boy said as he finished putting on his brass knuckles and dashing forward. Nolamine looked at Son-join at the corner of his eyes.

"Get to the roof."

He said, but that was when Son-join noticed them. Embers of burning light were visible in his pupil for only a second as he looked at his eye. They were like very small runes and burning.

There was only one exit that led outside and the three were in front of it. There was another door at the back of the parking lot and it opened to steps that led to the second-floor parking lot.

Son-join turned and ran with his tail between his legs for dear life.

'This is not good.'

He thought with a concerned face as he ran.

'They might all die.'

He thought as he reached the steps in seconds. A feat he would never repeat in his entire life.