Psychotic Kids '-' Eli Moskowitz

Harley That's Enough

“Sensei, can we talk to you about something?” Miguel was the first to speak up

I was avoiding all eye contact with my dad, keeping my face hidden in Hawk’s chest. I wasn’t ready for this.

“Look, if it’s about the infomercial, I know-”

“It’s not about the commercial” Hawk added “It’s about Robby Keene”

I could just feel the tension in the room dial up to eleven. I cracked my neck, dropping my head back to the ground.

“Halrey what’d you do-”

“It’s not her fault” Miguel jumped to my rescue “I saw his picture on your refrigerator” Miguel mumbled “I wasn’t snooping but… We know he’s your son”

“That’s why you got mad at all of us after the tournament right?” Hawk asked

“Is that what you think?” 

I just kept keeping my head down. I was scared shitless for what my dad would say. But no one said anything, I mean, Miguel tried

“Um….” nothing came out

“Yeah Robby’s my son… But that has nothing to do with how I run my dojo” Dad proclaimed. I slowly looked up, definitely confused by that “It’s also none of your damn business, do you understand?” he hardened

“Yes sensei” Miguel mumbled

“But… But sensei I-”

“But but nothing” He stopped them “Get out. You three clean mats for the rest of the week”

Hawk sighed, I knew he wanted to say more, but he respected my dad too much as a teacher. He just gave a respectful bow and left. Miguel did the same following after him. I stayed.

“Something else Harley?”

“I-...” Words are hard “Why weren’t you proud of me?” I looked up at him “I won, a goddamn All Valley. I had to fight against the person who I care about the most in the entire fucking world, and i didn’t take any cheap shots at his arm incase you weren’t watching. So why can’t you just be proud of me!?” I dropped my head, tears welling up in my eyes

“Are you crying Harley?” My dad stepped closer to me

“So what if I am!” I screamed at him “Goddamnit I’m allowed to have feelings! I’m allowed to show emotion! I’m not a fucking robot!”

“Emotions make you weak” a voice came from behind me, making me jump. It was Kreese, of course it was fucking Kreese “Weak is for pussies, and we don’t tolerate pussies here” he stepped closer to me

“Get the fuck away from me!” I screamed, shoving him away “Get the fuck out!”

“Harley that’s enough” Dad shoved me, making me stumble to the ground.

I looked at the ground in front of me, seeing Kreese’s shoes in my face. Suddenly pain shot through my head and I was on my pack. Kreese kicked me in the face, my nose bled instantly. What the hell? I never get nosebleeds. My nose had been punched so many times, it never bleeds anymore.

“I think your kid needs to be taught a lesson Johnny boy” Kreese towered over me 

“Now hold on-”

“You let your own kid push you around, the rest of them are never gonna respect you” Kreese went on with his manipulation “Just let me have a talk with her huh?”

“Dad- Dad don’t leave” I begged, tears running down my face “Dad please. Please you can’t leave me with him”

“Harley I told you that you had to get your shit in order” My dad sighed “I- I’m sorry I don’t know what else to do with you” 

He looked so… so disappointed in me. I hated it. A sick feeling fell in my guts as I realized what was about to happen to me. I started to cry even more as I realized how oblivious my dad was. How stupid! This can’t be happening. There’s no way this could be happening!

“Dad- dad no” I whimpered 

“I’ll see you at home Harley” my dad gave a tired sigh, running a hand through his hair and walking to the door “You two have your talk” 

“Dad! Dad please!” I ran towards him, but Kreese grabbed me by my arms and shoved me back so hard I fell on my back again “Dad! Dad, please don’t leave! Please!”

Kreese walked over to me, a wicked grin etched out on his face. I backed myself up until my head hit the wall behind me. God I’m so helpless! I hate being so helpless! So weak!

“Harley look at what you’ve done” Kreese sighed “You’ve tired out your poor old man so much he doesn’t know what to do anymore. He’s disappointed”

“You manipulative fuck” I growled 

That earned me a kick in the face. I tried to get up but I just got kicked again. Kreese bent down, gripping onto my hair and holding me against the wall. I did everything I could to disarm him, using every trick, kick and punch I had ever learned. He knew his stuff, that was certain. 

“Your father deserves a daughter who appreciates the groveling he had to do to raise a pest like you” Kreese’s voice held steady

No one was there to see. Everyone had gone home right after class as they all did. I knew Miguel and Hawk had left as soon as possible, they had been planning to catch a movie together. I couldn’t move… Kreese had beat me to a pulp, I was lucky he hadn’t done anything worse. I was used to getting beat up, but not like this. This was calculated. Kreese knew all the right spots to hit, and the ways to make the pain stay. He knew how to torture and destroy.

~~

Kreese left without a word, but his previous statements rang through my head. How Dad deserved better than me. How I was just a pest to him all these years. He’d gotten stuck with me. Mom was the lucky one to get away. 

I couldn’t move for almost two hours. All I could do was lie there. No one was gonna come for me. I knew that. When I could finally get myself off the ground I did the most ridiculous thing I’d ever done in my life.

I walked all the way to the rich side of the Valley. To the last place I had seen my brother. The Larusso house. My legs were shaking, hell my entire body was shaking. I was in a cold sweat, but my head felt like it was on fire. My hair was stuck to my face, and I was almost certain I had dried blood all over me. 

I didn’t plan on telling my brother. Hell, he’d try and kill Kreese himself, but he’d lose and I couldn’t be the cause of that. I just wanted to see Robby. I just needed a hug. I needed someone to fucking be there for me.

When I knocked on the door I prayed with all of my being that neither Mr. or Mrs. Larusso answered the door. I didn’t want anyone to know. But guess who answered instead.

“Harley? What-...” Sam looked over my body, her eyes furrowed in confusion, trying to figure out what was wrong and why on earth I’d come here 

“Kreese he- I-... I-is- is R-Robby here?” I whimpered, hating how frail and gruff my voice became

“No he’s out- what happened to you? You look like you’ve been mugged or-...” Unfortunately… or… maybe fortunately, Sam was a smart teenager “Oh god”

“I- I d-didn’t know where else to go” I hiccuped

“No- it’s- it’s alright. Here- come inside, come on. I’ll help you clean up” She assured me in the door “It’s okay, Anthony’s at a friends and mom’s at the dealership, it’s just us”

I nodded my head, letting Sam help me inside. I couldn’t believe this. My worst enemy in the entire world was helping me in one of the worst moments of my life. Is this poetic irony or just karma for being a pain in the ass?

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