CHAPTER ONE

The doorbell jingled as some patrons strolled into the canteen. The cashier was checking out some customers' orders while the others prepared the table.

Logan checked his wrist and a smile escaped from his lips. He wasn’t much of a conservative type in the canteen so he made sure his giggle wasn’t heard to avoid any form of embarrassment.

“Hey, you!” Someone patted his shoulder hard and he turned.

“Me?” He gave a quick dekko behind before turning to his colleague.

“Where are you going?” His colleague sneered at his face.

“It’s my closing time. What does it look like?” He rattled out immediately and rushed to the locker to change.

If he hadn't done that, he would have been bullied and forced to work overtime which was against his wish. He had plans for the night.

Logan has been living a quiet life and despises getting into trouble, he doesn’t have at all but with the little he had, he was comfortable. Another thing that kept him going was his woman, Eleanor. She has been his dream woman and his girlfriend, he would do anything to please her including sacrificing his tuition fee so Eleanor could graduate with her mates.

He was left with a canteen job and a small room apartment after his family's demise and failed education. He cared less about his status, educational background, or life because Eleanor was comfortable with him and loved him.

Logan was a tall handsome man with freshly primped brown hair that could be mistaken for a trendsetter. He had bold blue eyes and a thick brow, his lips were small and matte brown. He was not so masculine but his appearance was giving.

The only disadvantage he had was that he was suffering from an inferiority complex, was too shy, and didn't know how to impress a woman. Most of it all, he lacked physical strength.

The free bus conveyed him to his street junction and he stepped down, strolling down to his apartment.

It was a lonely track road and far from the mainstream of government but that was the only apartment he could afford as he was financially handicapped.

His day was stressful and he needed nothing more than a cold shower and deep sleep.

Logan’s thought was unintentionally broken when he started hearing grumpy wailing voices. At first, he paused and scanned the entire area until his eyes landed at the main location.

“What’s going on?” He mumbled to himself as he skeptically approached the building.

Logan froze at a spot when he saw the person and the victim. It was the famous Carter, a very rich guy, the leader of the bully gang, and very arrogant.

Logan has never been on good terms with Carter after his last encounter and he has tried his best to avoid crossing paths with him. Carter was annoying and very ruthless, he would do anything to satisfy his selfishness.

He was seriously beating and insulting a poor boy that was no different from Logan. He was already covered with some bruises and Logan felt pity for him.

He wouldn’t have stepped him and would have quietly minded his business but it was the opposite. He was engulfed with a sudden courage which led him to the gathering of Carter and his gang.

“Carter.” He called out, at first his voice bickered. “Leave him alone.” He said seriously, staring into Carter’s disdainful eyes.

Carter laughed harmoniously and his gang followed, Logan was taken aback as he didn’t notice any laughable action.

“Seriously? You of all people?” He smirked in disbelief as he left the boy he was mistreating and approached Logan.

Logan stepped backward, knowing fully well of the mess he had brought upon himself.

“It’s the right thing to do, don’t you think? The boy is innocent.” Logan mumbled.

“And do you have that right to fight in his stead?” He shook his head. “You are no different from him, fool.” Carter spat at his face and his gang boys started throwing the rotten meal in their hands at his face. He couldn’t avoid it.

“It doesn’t call for this.” Logan cried out, with fear lancing on his face. “I only wanted to save the boy and let you know that there are some lines you shouldn’t cross!” Logan spat at his face boldly and Carter’s next action was giving him a hard slap on his face which sent him trembling.

It came too unexpectedly and he was taken aback by his action.

“Why? W- what did I do?” He quivered, staring at Carter in shock.

Rather than placing his hand on his cheek, Logan came out from his shell and grabbed Carter’s collar - looking so angry like a beast.

“Give me a reason why you slap me!” He gritted his teeth.

At first, Carter was left in a daze because he had never seen such a side of Logan but a hard punch and push sent Logan to the ground and his men started bouncing on him.

Logan wailed and screamed for help but no one was so foolish as to come save him because they wouldn’t want to get on Carter’s bad side nor mind a business that wasn’t theirs.

He was selfless which led to his doom.

Carter’s gang continuously pumped him with slaps and kicks, while he groaned in pain. When Carter felt it was enough, he knelt halfway and dragged Logan up by the collar.

He gave him a disdainful stare and spat on his face which was now filled with bruises and blood.

“This should be the first and the last time you mess with me. If you try it next time - -” He bent over to his ear. “I might end up sending you to the abyss quickly.” He scorned conclusively pushing him back to the ground.

Logan ached in pain and muttered yet his words couldn’t be heard. Carter kicked him hard on the ground and left the area, dusting his hand and his gang followed.

Logan’s eyes closed briefly. “Suit me well.” He cussed himself.

He cursed himself for being weak and stupid. The fact that he was beaten to a stupor irked him yet he was helpless and couldn’t fight back.

He struggled to stand from the ground as his entire body ached.