Revenge

“All of my life I’ve put up with you Toby Martin,” Daniel says to himself. “Back when we were little kids, you stole my toys and made fun of me. Now you’ve taken my girl. You’re gonna pay for this.”

Daniel straps on his helmet, straddles his bike, and crunches across the stony dirt road, spinning a trail of dust in the air.

Hoping that no one will see him, he ventures to the wrong side of town. The glass door of the store is cracked and smudged with dirty fingerprints. He grabs the cold steel handle and gives the stuck door a yank, jingling the bells above it wildly.

All eyes turn to Daniel. His face now flushed, he lowers his head and quickly makes his way over to the camo wear. Fingering the pants and jackets, he decides that he’ll need a mask. As he nears a table with hats and balaclavas, the door jingles and opens. Daniel can’t believe his eyes. It’s Toby’s brother Rob. Daniel squats down, pretending to look for something he’s dropped. Rob approaches the glass counter with the guns in it. Daniel peeks out between the table legs and strains to listen.

“I’d like to see that one,” says Rob. “It’s my brother’s birthday tomorrow, and I want to get him a gift.” The clerk pulls out the small handgun with silver carvings along the handle. “That one will do just fine,” says Rob. “He’s got a grudge against someone, and I believe this will solve the problem nicely. Wrap it up. I’ll take it with me.”

Daniel’s palms begin to sweat, and his heart is pounding in his throat. “He, is coming after me?” Daniel mutters under his breath. “He’s the one at fault. If he thinks he’s going to get away with that, then he’s got another thing coming.”

Daniel snaps up a black balaclava and shoots over to the gun counter.

“I’d like to see that one,” he says to the clerk.

It’s bigger and better than the one Rob bought. “I’ll take that and this,” he says, plopping the mask on the counter. He pulls a wad of folded bills out of his pocket that he’s been saving just for this occasion.

“I’ve got to act fast,” says Daniel. “If Rob is giving Toby that gun tomorrow, I’ll be first on his hit list. I’ll take him off guard and make my move tonight. Do unto others before they do you!”

***

Daniel stuffs the gun and mask in his leather coat and mounts his bike. Just as he merges into traffic, a car comes out of nowhere and nicks the side of his tire, sending him flying into the air. Minutes go by, but Daniel is unaware of how many. He is laying on his back with several people hovering over him.

“How many fingers do I have?” asks the man with the warty hand.

“Three,” says Daniel.

“What day is today?”

“Saturday.”

“You’re lucky to be alive. It’s a good thing you had that helmet on,” says the warty man.

Medics finally arrive and check Daniel’s vitals. “Does anything hurt? Can you walk?” they ask.

“I’m fine,” says Daniel.

“Take off your jacket. I'm going to take your blood pressure,” says the medic.

“No! Uh…I mean, no,” says Daniel, as he protectively shields the gun and mask inside his bomber. “I’m fine.” He stands up and brushes the dirt off his pants.

“Well, I can’t make you go to the hospital, but I’d strongly advise it,” says the medic.

“You won’t be driving this beast anymore,” says Mr. Wart, pointing at Daniel’s bike. “It’s totaled.”

“I’ll take care of it,” says the policeman.

***

Hobbling home, Daniel passes through the park and spots Toby on a bench with his arm around Amanda.

“Well, if that doesn’t beat all! It’s a good thing you’re out in broad daylight, or you’d be a dead man,” Daniel mutters to himself.

Toby glances around and thinks he sees Daniel. Daniel darts behind a tree and then scurries through the bushes into the Thompson’s abandoned red barn, right next door to Toby's house.

“What is it, Toby?” asks Amanda.

“I don’t know,” says Toby. “I thought I saw Daniel.”

“Oh, you’re just worrying over nothing. See, Daniel is nowhere around here.”

“I don’t know,” said Toby. “I don’t trust him. Especially now that you’re my girl.” Amanda leans in and kisses Toby on the cheek.

Daniel seethes inside as he grips the gun in his pocket and hides it under a hay bale. “Tonight’s the night. Watch yourself, Toby Martin. I’m coming for you.”

***

“Revenge!” whispers Daniel - crouching in the dark beneath the window of the Thompson's barn. There's not a sound but the rustling leaves of the oak tree until all the lights turn off at Toby's house.

Daniel slips his balaclava over his face and swishes cautiously through the tall grass.

“Loaded gun – check. Got my mask on – check.”

Daniel clambers up the old oak and scales the porch roof.

“Made it,” he says. “Look out now, Toby-the-Stealer. It’s pay-back time, and I’m coming for you!”

Stealthily he raises the bedroom window, and the pungent smell of dirty socks fills his nostrils and his brain. He creeps into the room where Toby lays…unaware of his coming fate. Daniel crouches low beside Toby’s bed. He draws his gun from his pocket and aims at Toby’s head. A gust of wind blows the curtains, brushing them against the wall. Toby stirs. Daniel stiffens, wipes the beads of sweat from his brow, and holds his breath. His hand quivers as he presses his finger against the trigger.

“Bang!” shouts Daniel.

Toby bolts upright – eyes bulging as he gasps for breath. Daniel shoots Toby’s entire face with water.

“Gotcha!” shouts Daniel as he sprints to the window to escape.

“I know that’s you, Daniel Webber! You just wait. I’m gonna get you back tomorrow!”

“Not if I can help it,” hollers Daniel. “And I’m stealin’ back my girl too!”

Toby runs to the window. “She likes me better than you!”

Daniel turns around mid-running down the block. “Race you to school tomorrow!”

***

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