The Blood Gang

Chapter 6

(MICHAEL'S POV)

"AAARGH!"

I slammed the pay phone back into the holder. "It's no use. I already wasted a dollar."

John waved it off. "It's only a dollar. Besides, Kathy and I aren't getting divorced anymore, so it's not like there's no more in the estate."

I sighed and started walking back to the house. "John?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think Flores is... dead?"

He sighed. "When morning comes, we'll check out the train site. Maybe he just beat the other guy up and passed out from exhaustion."

"Maybe... I don't think so..."

"Hey kid, you gotta be a lot more optimistic for your father. No dad likes coming home to a depressed kid."

I opened the door and walked in, plopping down on the couch. "I shouldn't have left him. I should have fought."

"Kid, he did it for your safety. Don't discredit his efforts." John sat down on the couch across from me. "How did the whole thing start?"

I sighed. "A year ago, this man named Zudd died after he tried to kill Flores. Well, two days ago, my dad got a call from Ezekiel, Zudd's brother. Ezekiel blamed Dad for Zudd's death and wanted to kill him, so Dad bought train tickets and now... here we are. And Dad's gone. And it's my fault."

"How?" John pulled out a candy bar, but didn't begin eating.

I sighed. "Zudd almost peeled my dad's brain out. After that, I went to find Zudd. When I did, he almost shot me and I..."

"You killed him."

I nodded. "I should have taken the fall. Because of me, Dad's probably dead in a hole while I'm lounging in a giant house!"

John shook his head and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Your dad chose to take the fall to keep you safe. You have no favors to return, no promises to keep."

I sighed. "I guess..."

"And for that, you can have my chocolate bar."