The Price to Pay

I woke up to the nurse checking my vitals. A police officer sat in the corner quietly talking to the doctor. Their hushed whispers were only interrupted by a glance at what they thought was an unconscious me.

"We can't do anything. Scott knows the police chief; he won't be willing to touch the man. Something about them being hunting buddies. I don't know how strong this kid is but if what you say is true maybe he will just do the world a favor and deal with him himself." The cop harshly whispered to the doctor hanging his head low.

"You should be ashamed to call yourselves officers of the law if you're not willing to uphold the law. Kindly leave my room vermin." I casually said, sitting up on my elbow.

The officer looked at me with utter shame in his eyes. He knew that not only had he failed me but himself in the long run. The doctor looked at me with a shock that turned to sadness. I couldn't understand beforehand why nothing would be done to save me from my situation but now it became utterly clear to me. Those that were meant to protect me not only failed me but had made the situation much worse. I knew if I were to return home tonight that it would most likely be my last night alive. Scott was extremely petty and vindictive, one-time a counselor had inquired about a large fat lip I had, and she even had child protective services get involved. However, due to Scott's profession, I was called a liar and she lost her job. I shook my head in disgust. The doctor sat next to me with a concerned look in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Jason, I know the things you have endured up till now have been horrible. I really wish there was a way for me to help you. Unfortunately, I can't do anything. My hands are tied." The doctor looked like he was on the verge of tears.

I placed my hand on his forearm.

"You are a good man sir; this has been my lot in life since my sister and mother died in that car accident. Some days I ask any god that will listen why I didn't pass away as well. There have been times when I even tried to do the job myself, but here I am, still suffering for whatever reason. I hope you don't mind but I will be leaving here today. I won't tell you where I am going just know I refuse to go back there." I said as I gathered my clothes and changed.

The doctor didn't say anything. His sad face however said it all. He wouldn't rat me out and I could leave safely. I gathered my things and left the room. I quickly avoided the group of police officers sitting and chatting with each other and ducked into the elevator. The faint music playing in the background of my thoughts. The doors opened and before me stood Scott. His eyes met mine and a slow sly grin appeared on his face. I reared my foot back and kicked him in the privates as hard as I could. He dropped to his knees as I rushed past him.

"Get back here you little shit! I will make you pay for that boy you better believe it!" He howled as he cupped his now broken libido.

I rushed out into the winter air, The sun casting a blinding glare on the newly fallen snow. I began running, not knowing where I was going. I ran past the old mill that was barely left standing, past the ancient post office where the hoodlums smoked during lunch, past the Save'a'dollar general store, and into a large thicket of wooded land. The trees snagged at my clothing as I continued to run. Finally, I fell to my knees and just cried. I screamed at the world cursing the unfortunate luck that I had been born with. I buried my face in my arms and cried for what felt like an hour. I dried my eyes and decided that I needed to focus on how I would survive. I began looking around for where I could stay hidden for the night and would figure things out at the school tomorrow. I found a small hole underneath an old oak tree. I dug it out a bit and wiggled my way into it. There was enough room for me to get cozy as well as stay warm enough due to my body heat. I then got out of the hole and gathered wood and brush to make it harder to find. By the time I was done darkness had fallen. I crawled back into my little hole and tried to fall asleep, the night sky filled with snowflakes.

Friday 4:30 am

I woke with a start, the darkness around me all too familiar, had it been a dream? I shook with cold as I crawled out of my hole. No, it hadn't been a dream, I sighed with relief. For the first time in six years, I wouldn't have to walk on eggshells around Scott. I got up and began walking towards the high school, My body was cold from the inadequate heat of the hidey-hole. I could barely feel my fingers as I rubbed them together. The early morning frost clung to the cars parked on the side of the streets. No one was out at this time; it was quiet and oddly peaceful. I could get used to not being around Scott, I thought with a chuckle. I arrived at the school at about seven and approached with caution. Outside sat three police cruisers, one was still running with an officer drinking coffee in it.

"Fuck, I knew it wouldn't be that easy," I grumbled as I began to turn around.

I happened to jump right into the school's worse menace, Travis. He was the other side of my nightmare. Constantly picking on my shabby clothes or the fact that my mom had died. His favorite thing in life was causing me nothing but pain and misery. His face lit up with a great big evil grin as he grabbed my wrist.

"Well, if it's not my favorite punching bag Jason Dewitt. How's it hanging today, Dewitt? I heard that you escaped the hospital last night. Such a shame that the truck didn't finish the job, maybe I can help you with that." He laughed as he and his minions surrounded me.

I glared at him without saying a word. As if I had been possessed, I grabbed the hand that had ahold of my wrist. I gripped it as hard as I could till something popped, Travis's smile replaced by a face of agony as he dropped to his knees.

"Travis, you have made me miserable for the last time. You have been the source of utmost misery and pain amongst your peers, now you will pay the price of your actions." A voice that wasn't entirely mine emerged from my lips. I twisted his arm behind his back and yanked up as hard as I could. His shoulder gave a satisfying pop and he let out a howl. I grabbed his other arm and proceeded to do the same thing. Travis begged for the pain to end.

"When I and others begged you did you ever give us any mercy? Would we ever receive any reprieve from your brutality? You act this way because your daddy has money, however, no amount of money will ease the pain I have inflicted on you today, I have cursed you to hurt every time you ever move your arm. As long as you live you will never forget this moment, that I promise you." That voice from my lips said before I kicked him between his now deformed shoulder blades. Travis's minions scurried as fast as they could to fetch the principal as Travis lay face down sobbing on the ground, unable to pick his face out of the cold. I turned around and fled from the school. I decided that heading back to where I slept last night wasn't the best idea for now. I decided I would go to the McWobblies burger joint and hide in the lobby for now. I had enough change to get a large soft drink, I walked over to a large leather chair they had in a coffee-out cove. An old man gingerly sipped coffee as he studied me. I faced out the window slowly sipping on my soft drink. The old man seemingly refused to take his eyes off me.

"Sir you're making me extremely uncomfortable, please stop staring at me. It's already been a bad day, or life depending on how you would prefer to view things." I said without looking at him.

The old man stroked his beard for a second before he spoke.

"Young man how old are you?" His soft voice seemed to reach out to me.

"I just turned sixteen. Why?" I replied turning my head towards him.

I noticed that he was dressed very well. A black silk shirt with a nice dress jacket over that, Silk dress pants and shiny black shoes. He was extremely well-groomed with a long white beard and short silver hair.

"Because I can sense something extremely special about you. Who are your parents?" He asked.

I could feel my face drain of its color.

"Sir I have no family. My mother left this world before me with my sister because of an accident. She left me to a horrible man who abused me in horrific ways. I just escaped the hospital where I had stayed the night after being hit by a truck. Last night I slept outside in the cold because I refused to go back to that house." Unexpectedly I told this man more than I wanted to know but after I began, I couldn't stop myself from telling him everything.

The man sat patiently as I retold the stories of abuse. I felt like a broken record at this point, but the man seemed interested in my story. The details upset him on a level that I couldn't understand.

"Young man how would you like to become stronger than you ever have? I can teach you the way, however, know that this path is filled with more pain, but you will have the strength to resist all who stand before you. What I can give you will set you apart from any regular human." The old man looked at me with a solemn face.

"If it means I can make Scott pay and brings those who stood by while I suffered to their knees then I'm willing to burn in holy hellfire," I replied watching the man with caution.

The man smiled at my response and laughed.

"Young man, my name is Heng Liu what are you called?" Heng asked extending his hand to me

"My name is Jason Dewitt," I replied grabbing his extended hand.

I Felt a weird cold sensation ripple throughout my hand as he gripped it. His eyes seemingly flashed yellow for a brief second and he let me go.

"Very good, you will do very well. Follow me and you will get the things that you desire most." The man said as he went up to the counter.

He ordered a few burgers and came back to me handing me the food to me.

"You look like you haven't had a decent meal in a long time. Normally I wouldn't recommend this poison however consider this a celebration of your new life." Heng said with a warm smile.

I nodded as I smashed through the food. Heng waited patiently as I ate. Afterward, he led me to a very expensive-looking car. The shiny black paint is flawless in the winter sun.

"Ah, this little thing is an Exelero. In public you must look nice, we will go to have you fitted for a nice suite soon after you show me what you can learn." He said as he opened the passenger door for me.

I got into the black and stained wood interior. The seats were a bit stiff but comfortable, and a new car smell filled my nose. He got behind the wheel and drove off. Silence filled the cabin of the car as we went past the city limits. Past the old munitions factory and the used tire place. He took a few side roads then we came to a gated driveway. He clicked a small remote and the gate swung open. We drove down a long windy driveway till a large brick mansion appeared on the horizon. On one side was a large castle-like tower. In the front was a massive fountain amongst a large flower garden. The ground gravel crunched beneath the tires as the car came to a stop in front of a large oak door. A thin well-dressed man came out and opened Heng's door. Heng walked over to my door and opened it.

"Welcome to your new home Jason." He said with a warm smile.