THEY GOT ME

The next day, Alonso woke up with a knot in his stomach.

The bruises on his ribs ached as he swung his legs out of bed, but that wasn't what bothered him.

It was the memory of Javi's smile—that cold, dangerous smile that promised things were far from over.

He moved quietly through the cramped apartment, careful not to wake his mother or Lucía.

The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a pale orange glow through the thin curtains. For a moment, he wished he could stay home, tucked away where Javi couldn't reach him.

But hiding wouldn't change anything.

By the time he stepped through the school gates, the knot in his stomach had turned to stone. The familiar hum of the schoolyard buzzed in his ears, but there was an edge to it today. A tension that clung to the air like a shadow.

He kept his head down and made his way to the far side of the yard where Martín usually waited. Sure enough, Martín was there, balancing a football on his knee.

"You coming?" Martín asked, motioning toward the makeshift pitch where a game was starting to form.

Alonso hesitated, his heart thudding against his ribs. Across the yard, Javi stood by the goalpost, talking to Miguel and Carlos. They hadn't seen him yet, but it was only a matter of time.

"Not today," Alonso said, forcing his voice to stay casual.

Martín frowned. "What? You always play."

"I can't. Got homework." It was a weak excuse, but it was all he had.

Martín gave him a look but didn't press.

"Alright," he said, jogging toward the others. "Your loss."

Alonso leaned against the wall, watching the game from a distance.

Normally, he would've been out there, weaving through defenders, feeling the thrill of the ball at his feet. But today, the risk was too high. Javi wouldn't let him slip away twice.

He spent the rest of the break in the shadow of the school building, counting the minutes until the bell rang. When it finally did, relief washed over him like cool water.

But the relief was short-lived.

By the time the final bell rang, the knot in Alonso's stomach had twisted tighter. The walk home stretched ahead of him, each step heavy with the fear that Javi and his boys were waiting.

He tried to convince himself he was being paranoid. Maybe they'd get bored. Maybe they'd find someone else to bother.

But deep down, he knew better.

He took the long way home, cutting through the old industrial park where the rusted remains of machinery stood like skeletons against the sky.

His footsteps echoed against the cracked pavement, and for a while, there was nothing but the sound of his breathing and the distant hum of traffic.

He was almost home when he heard it.

A soft shuffle behind him.

His heart kicked into overdrive as he quickened his pace. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe he was imagining things.

Then came the laugh—low and familiar.

He spun around just as Javi stepped out from behind a broken-down truck, Miguel and Carlos flanking him like before.

"Took the scenic route, huh?" Javi drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.

Alonso's throat went dry. "I don't want any trouble," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Javi's smile widened, all teeth and menace. "Trouble? Nah, we just want to talk."

Miguel cracked his knuckles. "Real friendly talk."

Alonso took a step back, but the industrial park was too quiet, too empty. No one would hear him if he called for help.

"I didn't do anything to you," he said, even though he knew it wouldn't matter.

"You embarrassed me," Javi snapped, the playful edge slipping from his voice. "And you think you can just walk away?"

Alonso knew there was no talking his way out. Not this time.

He turned to run.

Javi was faster.

A hand snatched the collar of Alonso's shirt, yanking him backward. He stumbled, pain flaring as his back hit the rusted side of the truck. Before he could react, Javi was on him, shoving him hard.

"Where you going, hero?" Javi hissed.

Alonso struggled, but Miguel grabbed his arms, holding him in place. Carlos stepped in close, the gleam in his eyes sending ice through Alonso's veins.

"Please," Alonso gasped. "Just let me go."

Javi leaned in, his breath hot against Alonso's ear. "You think you're better than me? Think you can show me up and walk away?"

He didn't wait for an answer.

His fist slammed into Alonso's stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. Alonso doubled over, choking on the pain, but Javi didn't stop.

Blows rained down, each one heavier than the last.

Alonso tried to fight back, but Miguel's grip held him tight. His vision blurred, the world shrinking to the sound of their laughter and the ache coursing through his body.

When they finally let him go, Alonso crumpled to the ground, the cold pavement rough beneath his cheek.

Javi crouched beside him, grabbing his collar one last time. "Next time," he said softly, "stay out of my way."

Then they were gone, their footsteps fading into the distance, leaving Alonso alone in the fading light.

For a long time, he didn't move. Every breath burned, but the pain wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was knowing this wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.