Chapter 4 - Gangster's Territory

'Should I intervene?'

Iesa was getting dizzy from all the things that Nick had been thinking. She looked at Teren with pity.

Teren: 'Is it just my imagination or has Iesa been looking at me all the time? Yep, must be my imagination. I'm ready for the truth that she forgot my existence.'

The class continued. The air conditioner helped Nick's hot-headedness.

'No, I shouldn't beat him at the emergency stairs. His shouts might attract someone. Furthermore, if exited the gates before him. It's obvious that I'm the one who beat him up. After all, I'm going to make sure his lips bleed at least.'

Iesa: 'Please, God, let those just be thoughts. Like the prez, she doesn't really do or say what she thinks out loud. I hope this bully is the same.'

And so, the first day of school ended.

"Yo, you know what happens right?" Nick wrapped his arm around Teren again. They looked like friends from afar but Iesa knew what was really happening.

"Haa..." Teren sighed again.

'He seemed so tired of all the bullying.' Iesa began to pity him.

"Tsk! That annoying sigh again! I know a where a place where I can shut you up and make you scream at the same time." veins were popping out of Nick's forehead.

Iesa: 'Should I call a teacher? This is the first time I'm actually seeing bullying...'

She followed and tried to be sneaky. Her bag was still light and compact so she was a bit confident.

'What is that girl doing?'

But a passing stranger's thought made Iesa blush in embarrassment.

'I should just act natural...'

.....

It took half an hour for Nick to find the right place. It was a dark alley even though there is still color in the sky.

"There's no one who will come here. I know of it. My brother is actually part of this gang and this is his territory. When it's night, he and the other gangsters meet up here and you know, make some plans and deals."

Nick sat on the short wall at the end of the alley.

It was a bit spacious and behind the short wall was a light forest. The wall was just there to keep out the crawling animals.

"Since there is still the sun, we can have our time here. And don't try to escape, I'm a hundred percent sure, I'm faster than you."

Iesa leaned behind the wall of an abandoned warehouse. Just behind her were Teren and Nick. Her chest was rising and depleting from what she was hearing.

'Why can't I hear Teren's thoughts? I don't know what he will do. Should I call the police? If this bully is right, this is a territory of a gang.' she was undoubtedly scared.

'So that's why Nick is so confident. His brother is a gangster!'

"Now, what shall I have you do? Hmm? How about you kneel first?"

Iesa couldn't see what's happening. Because if she peeked, Nick would surely see her face. She could only hear Nick's voice and thoughts.

'I'm going to take this slow and steady. Next time, he wouldn't treat me like I'm nothing.'

Iesa gulped.

"I want to hear an apology, Teren."

"One apology for this morning and one for this noon."

"Are you not going to kneel? Maybe you should taste some of my punches!"

Footsteps could be then heard. There was a pause before.

"Ah!"

'Oh no, it began!' Iesa was panicking, 'I should call somebody. The police! Yes! Wait, no... should the police be involved? How about the teachers? But I don't have their number! Why would I?!'

"Why you! Ack!"

The shouts and sounds of hitting continue behind her.

Without any more choice, Iesa took the phone out of her bag and was about to begin to dial the police when-

"A knife!? Are you crazy!?"

'Nick brought a knife! This is serious!' Iesa sweated and that made her hand slippery.

"Stop it! Are you serious!?"

"Ouch!"

"I said stop!"

Couple with the trembling, as soon as she tried to open her phone she dropped it.

'Oh no!' she immediately picked it up.

'Wait, Nick will see me...' her head turned around to see blood and a knife.

"Ah..."

"Hmm... Iesa?" Teren, who sat on top of Nick, was shocked to see her there.

"What?"

Iesa was paralyzed. Before she could even get her phone, she fell on her back as soon as her legs weakened.

"Um... ah..."

She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

'So it wasn't Teren's voice...? I thought... I assumed...'

In front of her was Teren holding a knife. His other hand was holding Nick's head. Of course, attached...

Nick was bleeding all over and had obvious fear in his face.

Meanwhile, Teren's face?

He still seemed bored...

"Iesa! C-call help! Please, this guy is a maniac!" Nick shouted hysterically before he saw that Teren swung the knife again towards his face.

Nick raised his arms.

"Ahh!!" he screamed in pain as the pocket knife was buried in his arm.

Teren got out on top of him. However, this only made Nick roll in pain.

Iesa trembled. Teren walked towards her as if nothing happened.

"Are you okay?" he then reached out his hand.

'Why can't I hear his thoughts?'

What Iesa saw was a psychopath with blood smeared on his face and clothes.

At that moment, for the first time, Teren showed an expression - he frowned.

Seeing this change, Iesa quivered. Feeling fear, she couldn't help but take his hand.

Teren pulled her up.

"Why are you here?" he casually asked before picking her phone up.

When Teren squatted, there was only one thing that Iesa thought.

Fight or flight?

The first option is obviously a loss. That was why when Teren took her phone, she turned around and ran as fast as she can.

It was not a weak quivering run. As her adrenaline rose, she got faster and faster. She was like an athlete who was sprinting for the Olympics. It didn't suit her.

'Why is she running like that?'

'She's so beautiful but maybe, quirky too?'

'Is she running from something?'

These thoughts she was hearing should've been embarrassing for her. But at that moment, when she heard those thoughts, she was so relieved she slowed down and sweated a bucket.

Iesa looked around.. When she saw that no one was following her, she dropped at the side of the road, not caring for the public's eyes as she breathed haggardly.