Days Like These

“Hello?” Alex answered nervously.

“Where are you?”

“Home.”

“Meet where we met the other day. We have to talk.” He said seriously. “I’ll be there in twenty and I expect you there when I get there.” With that, he hung up and Alex was left terrified.

“It’s ok, we’ll be hiding. You just need to take us to the location.”

“I can’t.” Alex said. “He’s going to kill me.”

“There are lives in danger and this may let the judge cut back on the years you’ll be in jail.”

“Are you sure he won’t hurt me?” Alex asked.

“No, but we’ll give you a bulletproof vest and we’re going to have to wire you up so we can hopefully use it against him when we catch him.” Alex sighed as he nodded in agreement. “Great. Now tell us where to go.”

Once Alex and the police were ready, they left. Alex was placed in the back of the patrol car that belonged to Vic's dad. Ten minutes into the drive, the phone Alex had rang again. He looked down and swallowed hard.

“It’s him,” he whispered. “What do I do?”

“Start recording and answer.” Victor replied.

When the tape started recording, Alex answered. “Hello?” he said as he put it on speaker.

“Where the fucksake are you?” he shouted. “I thought I told you to get here before I did and you’re not!”

“I’m on my way.” Alex replied. “I don’t exactly live close to the docks ok?”

“Don’t get smart with me because you’ve already fucked up big time!”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I know it was you who snitched to the police about Me.” he seethed on the other side of the phone. “No it wasn’t. Maybe it was Vic.” Alex looked up and saw Victor staring at him through the rear view mirror with his eyebrow raised. He held up his pointer finger.

“Who’s Vic?”

“Kellin’s boyfriend. I heard him mention to someone that he told the cops it was you who took that annoying pest.”

“When I get my hands on that boy, he’s going to wish he were dead.” He growled.

“How far are you?”

“I’m pulling in. I’m gonna park at the gate so I’ll walk to you that way no one will know.”

“Smart boy. And here I was planning to kill you for being a rat.” He said with a dark chuckle.

“Do you have Kellin with you?”

“Why?”

“I want to punch him a bit. Let him feel the pain he caused me.”

“You can belittle him but no touching my merchandise. Now hurry up.” The line went died.

“Keep it recording and go. I’ll be behind you.” Victor said as they walked out the car. Three other police cars pulled up, one of them containing Vic. There were other cops and SWAT team personnel waiting outside the docking yard and a few helicopters flying above but not too close.

Alex walked towards his destination, fiddling with the ends of his sleeves. Once he got there, he saw Kellin’s step dad standing in front of the black van. He walked closer, reciting a prayer his mom had said before they left the house.

“How’d you get here without being stopped?” he asked, walking closer.

“Back roads.” He replied.

“Now why did you call me here?”

“At first it was to kill you, if I’m being honest but since you said it was that Mexican, you’ll be off the hook. I want you to come with us.”

“Who are us?” Alex asked.

“You’re so stupid.” He groaned. He walked towards the back and opened the door. “You, me, Kellin and the baby. Us. We’re going somewhere else and become a family. Kellin step out.”

Alex saw Kellin walk out of the van and watched as his eyes widen when he looked up.

“Hello little Kelly.” Alex said with a smirk.

“Alex.” Kellin whispered. Alex walked closer to Kellin until they were in front of each other. “Wh-why are you doing this?”

Alex yanked Kellin by the hair, pulling his head back, making the younger boy scream out in pain. “You took Vic from me Kelly. It’s only payback.” He released him, pushing his head forward. “I love Vic. I’m the only one who can ever love him the right way. I go away for a year and when I come back I find you he’s dating you!” Alex said with a humorless laugh. “I needed to get rid of you and he was looking for you so we made a deal. If I gave him your location, he’ll do the dirty work for me and I get to keep Vic, living happily ever after. Isn’t that right baby?” Alex said walking to the older man and letting his arm wrap around his waist. “I don’t understand why you don’t want to go anyways. He knows how to satisfy.” Alex added with a smirk.

“What do you think we should do with him?” Kellin’s stepfather asked, staring down at Alex.

“What did you plan on doing?”

“Remember that man I told you about? The one who was next in charge of the trafficking?”

“Yeah.”

“He said one million a night for Kellin.”

“That’s a very good deal, but why so much for that piece of shit?” Alex asked, looking at Kellin with disgust.

“He’s pregnant and he wants to groom the brat.”

“What’s his name?”

“Why?” he asked suspiciously.

“So I can send him a fruit basket for his amazing offer.”

“With what money?”

“We agreed that I’d get half.” Alex said slightly angry, pushing the arm off him.

“Did you honestly think I’d give you half?” he asked with a laugh. He wiped the imaginary tear off his face before saying, “You’re getting shit. I’m going to go look for that Vic bitch and kill him for sn-.”

“No!” Kellin shouted. “I-I’ll do anything but leave Vic alone please!” he cried. His cries became louder after he was backhanded across the face.

At that moment, Alex gave the signal, stretching his arms as if he was yawning. He walked backwards while he shouted, “You screwed me over and so I have a present for you baby!”

Kellin and his stepfather looked up when a big light was on them. They looked around as a wall of police walked towards them with shields. There were cops on top of the containers, helicopters flying overhead and more on the ground. Alex had snuck back behind the wall, crying as he finally calmed down.

“Let the boy go and no one will get hurt.” Someone on the helicopter ordered. Kellin felt himself be yanked towards his stepfather and felt the end of a gun pressed against his temple.

“Let me go or I’ll kill them both!”

“Please daddy, let me go.” Kellin sobbed. “Let me talk to them.”

“No!” he shouted. “You’re going to leave with them!”

“No, no I won’t.” Kellin said. “They’ll leave and we can go live far away.” He felt the pressure around his neck slowly disappear until there was a break in the wall.

“Kellin!” Vic shouted. He cried as they made eye contact. “Please let him go!” he begged, walking closer to them.

“You!” his stepfather yelled when he saw Vic., “You did this! You took my Kellin away from me!” he pointed the gun at Vic, who stopped walking. “You told the cops where to find us! You!”

“Daddy please.”

“Shut up!” he yelled at Kellin. “If you hadn’t been a little slut, this wouldn’t be happening!” He looked back at Vic. “It’s time for you to die.” He whispered.

Kellin snuck his hand into his back pocket and pulled out the pocketknife. He watched as his father let the safety off and place his finger on the trigger. Kellin swung the knife, creating a gash across the hand.

They made eye contact as a gunshot was heard and a body fell to the ground with a thud.

Notes