The Castaway Supreme

Chapter 5: The King Stands Firm

The giant yellow bulldozer let out a loud roar, blowing thick black smoke into the air. The heavy metal tracks crushed the trash cans on the sidewalk, turning them into flat pieces of plastic. 

Clara was standing on the porch of the diner, her hands gripping the wooden railing so hard that her knuckles turned white. Peter stood right behind her, his face completely pale as he stared at the massive iron blade coming toward their home.

Stop. Please stop. Clara screamed, her voice cracking with pure terror. You cannot do this. We live here. This is our shop.

The bulldozer stopped just three feet away from the diner's front door. The engine was still shaking the ground. Kane stepped down from the side of the driver’s cabin, a nasty grin on his bandaged face. 

Next to him walked a short, fat man wearing an expensive grey suit that looked too tight for his big belly. This man had a gold watch on his wrist and a cruel look in his small eyes. His name was Miller, the most corrupt landlord in the entire slum district.

Behind Miller stood four large security guards wearing black uniforms and holding heavy wooden batons.

Miller walked up to the porch, pulling a crumpled paper document from his jacket pocket. He did not look at Clara. Instead, he stared at Peter with total disgust. Old man Peter, your time is up. This land does not belong to you anymore. I have sold this entire block to a big company from the city. They are going to build a luxury shopping mall here.

You cannot just sell it, Peter said, his voice shaking as he stepped forward. I have a lease contract with you for another five years. I pay my rent every single month on time. You are breaking the law.

The law. Miller laughed, a loud and ugly sound. I am the law in this neighborhood, old man. Who do you think the police will believe. A poor diner owner or a man with millions of dollars.

He threw the crumpled paper straight at Peter’s face. The paper hit Peter’s nose and fell into the mud.

That is a new contract, Miller sneered, spitting on the ground. Sign it right now. I am giving you five hundred dollars to pack your trash and leave today. If you do not sign it, my bulldozer will crush this building with you inside it. You choose. Five hundred dollars or a trip to the hospital.

Five hundred dollars. Clara gasped, her eyes filling with angry tears. This diner is worth fifty thousand dollars. You are stealing from us.

Kane stepped forward, rubbing his bruised jaw. He glared at the diner door, looking for Marcus. Shut up, girl. Your stupid beggar boyfriend is not here to save you this time. Mr. Miller has real power. Sign the paper or die.

Peter looked at the paper in the mud, his spirit completely broken. He knew he could not fight a rich landlord. He slowly bent down to pick up the pen Kane threw at his feet.

Stop.

A deep, powerful voice cut through the loud noise of the bulldozer engine. It was not a loud shout, but it carried so much weight that everyone froze.

Christian walked out from the side alley. He had removed his dirty kitchen apron. He stood tall and broad, his shoulders square and his chest out. Even though he was wearing old, torn jeans and a simple shirt, his posture was like a mountain. 

He walked straight past the four armed guards and stood right in front of the giant metal blade of the bulldozer, blocking its path completely.

Marcus. Clara cried out, her heart leaping with fear and hope. Get away from there. It is too dangerous.

Christian did not look back at her. He kept his icy blue eyes fixed entirely on Miller.

How much did the city company offer you for this block of land, Miller, Christian asked. His voice was perfectly calm, like a judge inside a quiet courtroom.

Miller blinked in surprise. He looked at Christian’s ragged clothes and let out a loud scoff. Who the hell are you to ask me that, you dirty bum. This block is worth two million dollars. Why do you care. Are you going to check your pockets for spare change.

Christian reached into his pocket and pulled out the solid black credit card Vance had given him just moments ago. He held it up between his two fingers. The small gold crown engraved in the corner caught the sunlight, shining brightly.

I will buy this entire block right now, Christian said, his voice echoing clearly across the street. I will pay you three million dollars in cash today. Leave the keys, take your thugs, and get out of my sight.

The whole street went completely silent. The neighborhood people who were watching from their windows gasped. Three million dollars. From a beggar who slept behind a trash can two years ago.

Kane stared at the black card, then he looked at Christian. He remembered the terrifying physical strength Marcus had shown in the kitchen. For a second, a wave of fear hit his chest. But then he looked at Christian’s torn shoes and began to laugh hysterically.

Mr. Miller, don’t listen to this crazy idiot. He is just a brain-damaged beggar from the diner’s kitchen. He probably found that piece of black plastic in a garbage dump. He doesn't even have three dollars for a loaf of bread.

Miller looked at the black card, then he looked at Christian’s face. He felt insulted that a poor man was standing in his way and talking to him like a boss. His face turned bright red with pure anger. He felt a deep desire to humiliate this arrogant beggar in front of the whole neighborhood.

You dare to play games with me, you piece of trash, Miller roared, his voice shaking with rage. You think you can use a fake toy card to scare me. I am a millionaire. You are nothing but a bug beneath my shoes.

Miller turned around and looked at the driver inside the heavy bulldozer. He waved his hand wildly in the air, his eyes wide with a crazy, evil light.

Driver. Start the engine. Run this stupid beggar over. Crush his bones into the concrete. Let’s see if his fake black card can save his life today.

The guards raised their heavy wooden batons, stepping forward to block Christian from running away. 

The bulldozer driver slammed his foot down on the gas pedal, and the giant iron machine began to surge forward, its massive tracks rolling directly toward Christian's chest.