The Barefoot Violinist

Retribution

Cory sat on the couch, going out of his mind with worry. There was little he could do. He wasn't allowed near the hospital and he couldn't call to find out how he was. He took a swig of beer. Might as well get drunk, he thought miserably as his mind drifted over what had happened.

He had stood listening to Bennett screaming at him, seen him shake in anger, watched as his hatred poured out of him, directed at Cory. When he saw Bennett's head snapped back and his legs buckled under him, he had leapt forward to catch him. Holding Bennett his arms, he gently cradled him.

"Bennett! Bennett!" he'd called out but got no response. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw that he was still breathing even though his skin was cold and deathly pale. Looking up, he saw the students still standing, watching the scene in front of them. "Get help!!" he roared in fury and desperation, still cradling Bennett.

"Come on my forever angel baby Bennett." he shook him gently again. "Bennett, wake up, please?" Cory's own tears were streaming down his face, looking at Bennett's pale, bruised skin, while he hugged him closer.

He almost didn't want to let go, as the teachers started swarming around the scene. When they brought in a stretcher to take Bennett to the hospital, no matter how much he begged and pleaded, they wouldn't let him go along.

Mr Huyssen, do you know what happened here?" the principal frowned at him after the students were dispersed.

Cory felt miserable, he couldn't think straight, worrying about Bennett. He had no clue what happened, but he'd bet his life on it that Jake had something to do with it. His blood started boiling in anger. This time Jake had gone too far! When he looked up at the principal, a movement to the side caught his eyes. It was Blue standing just outside of the principal's sight, watching.

"No, sir." Cory immediately responded. He wanted to have a little talk with Jake himself first.

"I suppose we'll find out on social media soon enough," he said with a resigned sigh, before letting him go.

Bolting down the passage, he ran to find Jake. Seeing him sitting in class, joking with their friends caused Cory to see red. Purposefully walking over to him, he ripped Jake up from his seat by his shirt and gave him the most brutal punch he could.

"Don't you ever touch him again!" Cory roared at him. Jake soon bounced back, diving toward Cory. Soon they fell to the ground in a skirmish until a teacher separated them.

"What's it to you?" Jake shouted confused. "I did you a favour, didn't I?"

"What's it to me?" Cory laughed humourlessly, trying to get at him again. "He's mine, that's what, you asshole! I'll kill you for this!"

Cory felt a grim sense of pleasure as he left the school. Jake had been suspended for a month and didn't say anything further under the threat of Bennett still being able to file criminal charges against him. But he was also frustrated. This wasn't going to do much to help Bennett.

He stood next to his car when he noticed Blue walking off purposefully. He wasn't sure what was going on, but there was no reason for her to be out of class.

He quickly ran off in the direction that Blue was heading, hoping to catch up with her. He frowned in confusion when he spotted her walking toward the football field. What was she up to? The field would be empty at this time in the morning, as they only started practice in the afternoon. Curious, he followed her, making sure to stay out of sight.

When they got to the field, Jake was on his knees being held down by two men. Blue calmly walked over, coming to a standstill in front of Jake. Cory ran behind the bleachers to get a better view of what was going on.

"You fucked up asshole," Blue said quietly looking down at Jake, who still had a defiant look.

"What the fuck are you going to do about it?" he taunted her. "Your little fag boy got what I promised." he sneered, spitting up at her. "Fucking whore!"

"I don't think you should be saying things like that." Blue mused, shaking her head at him. "If you can't say anything nice, then don't speak at all," she told him seriously, with murder in her eyes.

"Fuck you and fuck that little fag boy of yours! I'll whip his little ass again if he comes back!" Jake shouted up at Blue, tugging to try and free himself.

"Now you see," Blue cocked her head to one side, crossing her arms, "That mouth of yours is going to get you into all sorts of trouble." With a slow smile, she stepped closer to him.

Were they going to kill him right here on the sports field? Cory's thoughts were running wild with him as he watched the scene before him. Should he do something? He didn't know what to do and it felt like he was frozen in place. What if Blue saw him standing, watching? Would he be next?

"What the fuck are you doing?!" Jake Demanded as she stepped up to him.

"I'm going to teach you what happens to people who mess with my friends." She smiled maliciously at him, moving closer, nodding to the men holding him down.

"What the fuck are you doing, you bitch?!" Jake screamed again, now in a state of panic. He didn't know what was coming, but he had a bad feeling. Should he scream? Maybe the coach was out doing his rounds.

"Eh, you can scream if you want to," Blue informed him as if reading his thoughts. "No one is coming to help you. Now," she said grabbing his hair and pulling his head down hard on her knee. "Oh, you walked into a door." she smiled at him, repeating the action, while Jake's head snapped back each time.

He wasn't prepared for her kicks to the stomach. With each blow, the breath exploded out of his lungs, compressing them, making it nearly impossible to take a breath before the next kick found its target.

"Oh no!" Blue taunted him in mock pity. "I hope you didn't get hurt!"

Jake's eyes were wide with fear, his breath shallow as adrenaline coursed through his veins. It felt as if his lungs were being squeezed to the point where he was unable to breathe. He was afraid of what was coming next.

Blue felt a grim sense of satisfaction as she pummeled Jake, making sure that she didn't damage his face too much. The rest of him though, was not off limits. But it wasn't enough. It's not going to get back what Bennett had lost. She hated the feeling of helplessness especially when it came to helping her friends or keeping Bennett safe, but this made her feel like she was helping.

"Have you had enough Jake?" she crouched in front of him, grabbing his hair to lift his head. "I can't hear you. Have you had enough?" she asked again looking at Jake's face, whose left eye started to swell from the repeated blows.

"I don't think he's listening guys," she said squinting up at the men still holding Jake up. "Isn't it football season or something? Or is it college tryouts? Or were there scouts coming to the next game?" she mused, looking from the two men to Jake. "I can never remember, but I don't think you need to play anymore." she shook her head, getting up.

By now Jake was in terror, trying to say something, but only a gargling noise came out. Blue looked down at him. "There's the terror I wanted to see in your eyes," she smirked. "Now, say goodbye to football." She nodded to the two men and turned to walk away.

Cory had watched the scene from the sidelines and shuddered at the ferocity of Blue's anger. He could hear Jake's muffled shouts and cries for help as Blue attacked him mercilessly, as he was being held down. His heart pounded in his chest, his mouth dry. This couldn't be real. High school kids don't just do things like this. In his confusion and fear, he decided to put an end to it, but then Blue stopped and walked away.

He almost sighed in relief, but with another blood-curdling scream, he watched as Jake was dumped on the ground like a sack of beans. He was about to run out when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. It felt as if his heart was ripped from his chest when he felt the unexpected touch. Crying out, he turned fearful eyes to stare at Blue, who was frowning at him.

"Now you know what happens to people who cross me," she said quietly, giving his shoulder a squeeze, her eyes challenging him. "So, don't go doing anything stupid."