Chapter 1

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the fields as he ran. He had been running for at least 15 minutes, ever since he had escaped from the bullies. He was tired, hungry, and thirsty. Panting and almost breathless, he decided to catch his breath for a few seconds. 

If he were to be caught, he would be beaten to a stupor for he was the hunted. He had been dealing with this since he got into college and spent most of his time running through the fields, away from the bullies.  

He continued to run for miles, before finally finding a place to rest. But his joy was short-lived. He heard their footsteps. The bullies were coming. He started running again, and he did not stop until he came to a deserted apartment. 

He lay on his back, gasping for breath, before finally getting to his feet. He was free. He had done it. 

"One more word or step from you and I will make sure you never see the light of the day ever again, such guts you have got, trying to run away from me" a voice promised, whoever it was had something pointed to Shawn's head but he dared not look. That was the voice of the leader of the bullies.

Downcast with head bowed in shame, Shawn knew he had failed yet again to escape the bullies. 

"I guess I underestimated you, look where we are. I have just the perfect plan for you" the leader added.

"Take him back," the leader said to the boys who had come with him pointing to Shawn. Both his hands were tied to the back as he was being led back to the fields. 

As they got back to the fields, the leader asked that his best whip be brought to him, and taking off his shirt, he tied Shawn to a tree, stripping him down to his legs slowly and with not much effort, savoring all the ways he could torture him. 

The first land of the whip and all Shawn could do was shout in pain. No one would see or help rescue him today. When they were done with him, they dragged him to the streets and ran off. 

In any case, Shawn did not see these rather he strolled peacefully, unmindful of his environmental elements. Happily, he thought about my work. He had to be there regardless of the pain, he had to show up. Wincing and sucking his teeth, Shawn dragged himself out of the street. 

Shawn worked part-time at a restaurant as a waiter, just to help pay the bills and cover miscellaneous expenses. 

"Shawn, there's an order on table 5, you take that and not be hanging around lazily. I pay you to work and be here for the customers" Shawn's boss pointed out to him, glaring. 

Lucky for him, the boss did not notice his scowl or deflected uniform. 

Shawn's boss was always like that, throwing orders around and did not care what they had to do to satisfy his customers. Nothing else mattered to him. 

"Yes, sir" Shawn replied struggling to carry his feet around, but Shawn could not let him see this. It would only mean trouble. 

"You alright, mate?" The customer at table 5 had asked 

"You look sick, perhaps you might want to see a doctor" he advised. 

"No, it's normal. It will be gone in the next 15 minutes, I promise. Here is your order" Shawn disputed, wishing it would all be over soon.

"Thank you," he said and handed Shawn a dollar note, something he could not refuse. 

The boss had warned them from taking tips from customers but well, he needed it. He just had to make sure the boss didn't see that. 

"Ugh! Shit!" Shawn cursed as he was in the bathroom. 

Painful urination was another effect of the beating he had received earlier. Sometimes, he wished he could get back at them for all they did to him. He wishes he had taken karate lessons, that way, he would have been able to defend himself to an extent. 

"Well, Shawn, unfortunately, you did not. You better get back to work before the boss starts asking for you" Mike smirked. 

Not that Mike and Shawn were friends, they just looked out for each other. 

"What was it this time, you took their girlfriend, eh?" Mike asked grinning. Sometimes, Shawn liked to think Mike enjoyed seeing him in pain. 

"Get off, man. I've got work to do" Shawn rebutted heading to the exit of the restroom. 

"Better keep your dick in check, she's not worth it" Mike jested. 

"Can I take your order now, ma'am?" Shawn asked the customers that had just walked in

"Yes, waiter. I'll have the most expensive thing on the menu" she replied grinning from ear to ear. 

Shawn could tell the man was not comfortable, he sees that all the time in here. And how much he hated being called a waiter. He knows he is one, no need for anyone to remind him. 

"Yes, ma'am. And you, sir, what will you have?" He asked turning to face him. 

"Just a glass of water, please," he answered. 

"Would that be all, sir?" 

"Well, yes. Now waiter, hurry along before my daddy changes his mind. He hates to have his lady waiting. Ain't that right, honey?" She asked and he went silent. 

Shawn brought in her dish and went ahead to get that glass of water when she said, 

"I think I'll want that glass of water too. I mean, who eats without water?" 

"Yes, ma'am," Shawn agreed

"Just give her the glass of water and get me another" the man had said. 

"As you wish, sir" 

"Hey!" She shouted and it threw Shawn off balance, he tripped and fell not first without the water pouring all over her, and the glass, shattered on the floor. 

Man, Shawn knew he was in deep shit. 

"Do you know who I am? Boy, this dress cost over ten dollars" she wailed. 

And carefully, Shawn examined the dress, anyone could see that she was lying. 

"I'm sorry, ma'am" he muttered

"You're sorry? I will make sure you pay for the dress and lose your job" and went on and on babbling and rambling about poor restaurants and cheap waiters. 

"What is going on here?" The boss asked, rushing in.  

"Such poor customer service you have here. Look what your waiter did" she said pointing to the floor and pursing her lips.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am. Order anything you want, all on the house. I'll take care of this, I promise" he said and dragged Shawn out. 

"Stop it, sir. I'm hurt" Shawn snapped

"You should have considered that before doing what you did"

"It was not intentional, sir. Besides, no way that dress would cost ten dollars" 

"You know what, I've had enough of this, you are fired" 

"But sir?"

"I never want to see your face ever again. Now, leave" 

As Shawn was seated on the bus heading home, he thought of all the things that had happened in the past few days. Looked like the whole universe plotted against him, he thought. 

Getting home, he was thankful for the company of Winter, his pet dog. The only good thing in his life right now. 

"Let's go pick that call Winter, shall we?" He said and went to pick up the call. 

"Hello," he mumbled

"Hello, young master," the manly voice at the other end said. 

"You? What do you want from me" 

"For you to come back home," the caller blurted out.