Episode 4

Chapter four.

Confused.

That's what they say when a man can't come to a conclusion among a list of options—not-so-good options by the way.

Call it indecision if you like, but none explained the condition of a man who paid his rent five days ago, but came back from work and was denied access into the apartment he paid for.

Confused?

Hell no.

Maybe a stalemate would best explain Brian's condition when he came home and found a chain anchored to his door. A huge padlock hung at its edge.

Mr Andrews.

His only thought. In fact, they only explanation he found for his plight. No other person in the world would do this but the sixty-five year old retired army captain.

Brian kicked, but the century old door wouldn't give in. As far as he could remember, he still owned the place.

Once again, he needed an explanation. He reached for his pocket and flipped open the Motorola cell phone. Mr Andrew should better have a good explanation.

"Hello, Mr Andrews, what's going on?"

"What do you mean by what's going on," came a voice at the other end of the line.

"My door is locked! I mean locked! Can you explain that to me!"

Brian's voice was becoming high, and the tone could not but be harsh.

Of course Mr Andrews deserved whatever tone he got from Brian.

"Since you walked away the other day, I thought maybe that would have your attention. And I was right because it did," said the voice.

Well, Mr Andrews was right about one thing. He did have Brian's attention but he seemed to forget that the young man still had the right of access to the apartment by law.

911

He pressed the three digits but couldn't hit the send button. No. That would be a bad idea. Not what he needed at the moment. The cops would be dealing with a retired army personnel, a psycho.

Yes. That's the one word that could be used to describe the man, at least that's what Brian thought him to be.

Who would do such a thing but a psycho?

But Brian was yet to see the real trouble until three black Mercedes sedans appeared from the alley that overlooked his porch. They screeched to a halt in a manner that foretold trouble.

Brian jerked backwards, missing the edge of one of the cars.

The doors opened simultaneously and some stern looking men hopped out. But what surprised Brian the most was the light-skinned guy that appeared with some walking aid.

Brian recognized the guy. How could he forget the guy he taught a lesson? And he wasn't surprised to see Rebeca, desperately trying to support the bandaged legs.

Trouble.

And the trouble became more evident at the sight of the stern looking men. On their hands were baseball bats.

Revenge was to be served cold.

"I believe you remember me?" came the voice.

They way he looked and with the red spots on his skin, Brian could tell that pain was still coursing through the body.

Did Brian nod?

No at all. He could neither nod or say 'Yes' to a question he thought was sarcastic, sarcastic enough to not deserve an answer. Brian knew exactly whom he was talking to.

Did he not see this coming?

Of course he did. Brian didn't expect to go free with the damage he had caused. He saw it coming, but not in a six-to-one fashion.

Brian contemplated his options. He was clearly outnumbered and the option of fighting was overruled.

Run?

Even that would not be much of a help. Where would he run to?

The only alley that served as exit had the Mercedes parked at the entrance.

He could jump over the cars but how sure was he that they would not swing a baseball bat to his head while in action.

Running was again overruled.

"You know, Rebecca told me how you couldn't take care of your mom." Some rounds of whopping cough came and Brian feared that he might die instantly. But in the real sense, Brian should be afraid for himself.

"Sorry, so sorry," Rebeca consoled, rubbing his chest.

"Thank you darling, Seth said after regaining himself. "I was telling your boyfriend how worthless he is that he couldn't take of his mother!" He turned to Brian as he concluded his statement. "Isn't that true Brian, huh, are you not worthless that you would allow your mother die?" Seth added, taking a few steps forward, steps that caused him more pain.

Brian steadied himself like he no longer saw the baseball bats in front him, like he was no longer in danger. In fact, he had the perfect reply for the man who mocked him when he said, "Rebeca must have told you all that," he scoffed.

Don't assume he had nothing to say. Brian knew exactly what to say. He could go on and on to say how he had paid Rebeca's bills, paid her parent's rent for two consecutive years, paid her father's medical bills and also had to pay the bills of the accident that left his leg fractured.

Yes. Brian could say all that, but he was not a man to brag about past deeds. Most importantly, he may be poor but still couldn't stand so low to rant about what he had done in the past.

A woman could do that, but not Brian.

"How about a thank you, Rebeca. A thank you would do."

That was all Brian had to say. That was all he demanded from the ungrateful lady he dated for five years.

"Don't pay attention to him," Rebeca said. She gave Seth a French kiss.

But Brian could not be jealous. He once caught them in the act; so a kiss, be it French or Spanish, was not a big deal. As far as he was concerned, they could go ahead and make it out right now. And Brian would not feel a damn thing beneath his pants.

"You should thank her for dumping you," Seth grin as he spoke. "Look young man, you are worthless. Your mom is probably dead right now and I should be sorry… but no I'm not, I can't be bothered with a worthless guy like you."

Rebeca snickered as her new found boyfriend continued to rattle insults.

Seth paused when one of the men slid a cigarette into his mouth. He puffed out a huge cloud of smoke and added in a very low tone, " But the stunt you pulled the other day, you crossed the line, man. You crossed it. "

Seth turned and took some painful steps back his car.

Brian could not but sigh when he saw trouble leaving.

Was it a sigh of relief?

Oh yes. God has finally smiled on him, or so he thought.

"Seize him!"