Little Miss Nosy

Ashton Brooks

- Edited -

I'm doubled over; hunched in the alley with nothing to ground me besides the abandoned old building...our regular meeting spot. It's brick warm to the touch yet rough and isolated. I should pull away and yearn for something soft, but the hard material keeps me physically planted in reality. 

I don't pull away and instead lean forward, gripping the corner of the building until it feels like the pressure will rip my fingernails from their nail beds. 

"Ay, Brooks! I'm not done with you yet." 

Thorne's thick fingers intertwine with the strands of my hair. He pulls back with enough force to rip a few pieces from my scalp and I hiss, complying with the movement to ease some of the pressure. 

"No more!" The pain in my abdomen suffocates my pride, causing me to do something I'd only give into if I'm inches away from my breaking point. 

"...Please," I beg quietly.  

The streetlight above flickers like a broken spotlight. Thorne releases his grip, but I still feel like I'm trapped with everyone's eyes on me. 

"I'll give it to you...you took the beating better than that one." Thorne jabs his thumb to the scene behind him. His partners haul another ex-recruit up by his arms. He's a blubbering mess. Tears stream down his cheeks and mix with the blood leaking from his wounds. And even though it's dark out, I can see the piss stain on his crotch. 

"Listen here." Thorne snaps his fingers, pulling my attention from the men pushing the poor guy into the middle of the damp road where he lie gasping in pain. "This was a lesson. Next time, bring all of it." He pauses to recount the money in the envelope and tsks at the sum. 

"You've counted it three times already. Doing it over and over won't make more appear out of nowhere." 

I still against the bricks, eyeing Thorne cautiously as his dark eyes do a once over of my body. We made a deal for them to only hit parts of my body that I can cover to not alarm my parents. But who's to say a smart ass comment won't persuade him to break that promise. 

They've done worse for less.

Thorne puts the envelope into his suit pocket and takes out a handkerchief. He dabs the cut on his lip and the blood soaking his beard—the only hit I could land—before chuckling menacingly. 

"He's being lenient because you're one of his favorites. But he has a limit with everyone. He'll be here to collect on the next round and unless you have the balls to let us down twice in a row, I suggest you bring all of it. You understand?"

"Yeah," I scoff. 

His ring decorated hand connects with my stomach, no doubt creating another bruise to mingle with the others. "Show some respect, boy." 

"Yes, sir," I gasp. 

He leaves then, shaking his head and buttoning the cuffs of his suit after surveying the damage he's inflicted. 

"Wait!" I yell after they all pile into two SUVs. "You drove me out here. I need a ride back." 

"You're a smart kid. Figure it out." Their laughter is silenced as Thorne shuts the door behind him. 

The SUVs speed down the road, abandoning us to defend ourselves and fight against the pull of unconsciousness. I feel sick, but at least I'm holding up better than the other guy.

He lifts himself onto his knees and faces towards the sky like he's preparing to pray to whatever power he thinks will get him out of this. I get a better glimpse of his face now that he's out of the dimly lit alley.