Chapter 6

James stood still as Johnny and Gun walked toward him. " Are you all right? " Johnny asked seeing James paled face.

" I'm just hungry," He said trying to end the conversation. Johnny didn't believe his words but didn't ask further.

" Yeah, me too " Gun massaged his tummy. Everyone signed remembering this guy never said he had enough food instead always complaining how hungry he is all the time.

They had food together at a small food stall which they regularly went and ate. James had some food parcels while going home.

When they reached home, from outside they could hear their father arguing with someone. It was a woman's voice. Johnny's expression immediately changed and his face was red with anger. James patted him on the shoulder and shook his head 'No'. With a deep breath, he slowly opened the front door. There stood a middle-aged woman he didn't recognize. She wore a red mini-dress that was too close to her body.

She looked furious, her fair cheeks had a red mark on them.

" Better you get out now. I just used you as a time pass " Father said yanking her hair and pushing her towards the door.

She falls in front of James who jumps back instantly scared. The woman stood slowly and looked towards the siblings. " I am not leaving here. Your father proposed to me first and I agreed. Now my husband knows about us. He threw me out of the house. Your father must take responsibility for me. I

have nowhere to go " She hissed at James. Johnny stepped in between them. He looked angrily at her and his father.

" Who is she? What is she blabbering about? " He asked his father for an answer. Father looked at her with extreme disgust. " Yes, we had a relationship. But not only me. She has a relationship with every man in this town. Why should I accept a slut ?"

He said. " Oh now you are a Saint and I am a slut " She said furious as she runs to him and try to choke him. But he overpowered her as he unheld her hand and pulled her towards the front door, Johnny moved out of the way as he threw her out the door. He locked the door. But Still, they could hear her yelling from outside.

" Don't open the door. She will go away " Father said and was about to leave upstairs, But soon he was stopped by Johnny as he stood in front of him.

" What you take us for? You think you can do anything we won't ask you. Is that what you think? "

" Don't force me to throw both of you out. Talk to me with respect. I didn't permit you to question me " He pushed Johnny out of the way as he walked upstairs. James shakes his head in disbelief, he is used to his father's unfair behavior towards them. He always does what he wants. Never considered their feelings even when his mother was alive he had affairs with other women. James was there to witness her hardship, he always suggested her to leave him. But she sacrifices herself for the well-being of her children. She knows she can never financially support kids let alone herself. So she chose to tolerate everything he had done. She is blindfolded towards the reality.

In the morning They are all ready to go to college. Father was still in his room. James sitting in the living room waiting for Johnny to come down. He is still not over by last night's incident. He wants something new in his life, but money is a big obstacle in his path. Even though this home is a hell right now, he and his brother have no way out.

James felt like his head was exploding, he sighed stressed.

Suddenly his phone beeped. It was a message, and checking the last number made James nervous.

Still, he could feel Arrow's breath near his ear. His face and body everything about him was perfect. Someone like him is trying to persuade him made James feel unbelievable. He felt glad to be noticed by him at the same time he was scared. James knows nothing good will come out involved with him. But he felt trapped.

' Sorry, yesterday I had a job to be done. I am eager to see you at the college. Meet me at the library this afternoon ' After reading the message James felt his cheeks reddening. Suddenly he turned to look at Johnny who was coughing to get his attention. " What? " Asked James.

" Nothing you seem to like what you see on your phone " He answered. James furrowed his eyebrows in a question.

Johnny smiled seeing his brother's face. He sat next to him as he took a deep breath. " One year then we will leave this house. Right,?" Johnny had hopeful eyes. James nodded his head in agreement. Which left him feeling relieved.

Johnny is still a second-year student and He still lives with his brother's support. So he knows the end of the decision is always his brother's.

" And I don't want you to be close to Arrow for getting some dumb messages from him. These people know how to act well and manipulate people for their good. We don't have any status to question him if anything happens. So I want you to take care of yourself. Don't fall into any trap "Johnny was concerned and his words stung in James' heart.