"He's at it again," Rafael huffed as they tilled the ground.
"He's so dumb," Browne added with an annoyed huff as well.
The muffled sounds of repeated striking could be heard from outside the house, severe and firm, followed by faint screams. The boys tried to focus on their task, ignoring the noise.
"Avgustin has been in a bad mood recently," Browne broke the silence.
Rafael stopped tilling. "Obviously, the brat is causing it. He won't stop getting on Avgustin's nerves, and in return, we get harder labor and zero patience from him," Rafael said, hitting the ground harder.
"I don't think it's intentional; he's just really dumb," Dhakirah finally spoke, watering another section of the ground.
"I'm nearing the end of my patience. If Avgustin's punishments don't work, I might give him a little push," Rafael said, pulling out a penknife.
Browne laughed, "Get ready for your own little push from Avgustin."
The door burst open, and Avgustin marched out with a struggling Noah, who looked sweaty and red-faced with a forming bruise on the side of his face. Avgustin pulled Noah roughly, causing him to stagger.
"You better be done when I get back," Avgustin called out as he mounted his black ATV. Noah resisted, so Avgustin had to get down to throw him onto the machine, banging his head in the process. Noah yelped and cursed. The boys quickly returned to work as Avgustin rode off.
"That's what I'm talking about," Rafael said, referring to Avgustin's attitude.
"Harsh," Browne added.
Dhakirah stayed silent, wondering what Avgustin was planning for Noah. He knew Noah was struggling to adapt to his environment, making mistakes that got him punished by Avgustin, who escalated the punishment each time.
They were supposed to till the ground while Noah fetched water, but Noah decided to sit by the lake daydreaming instead. When Rafael scolded him, Noah threw insults, almost leading to a physical altercation. Avgustin witnessed it and called Noah to apologize. It should have ended right there, but Noah continued yelling, expressing his disdain for everyone, and claiming Avgustin would go to jail.
The boys were finishing up when Avgustin's ATV was heard. They quickly closed the farmhouse and pretended to relax. Avgustin pulled over with Noah covered in mud. Even his eyelids had mud, and his hands were tied. He was silent and didn't make eye contact.
"Dip yourself in the lake. When you're done, come straight to me; we have unfinished business," Avgustin said sternly. Noah did not reply.
Avgustin towered over him, "Understood?"
"Y-yes, sir," Noah's voice was frail.
Avgustin left, and Noah headed to the lake, hissing and limping, while Browne and Rafael laughed. Dhakirah resisted frowning, feeling sympathy for Noah.
Noah was gone for hours, and Avgustin sent Dhakirah to fetch him. Dhakirah hid behind bushes and saw Noah sitting beside the lake, clean, but with deep welts on his back and legs. He was writing in his journal, something Dhakirah had noticed him doing often.
Dhakirah approached, startling Noah. "You're beside the dumbest person I've ever met," he said. Noah jumped, wincing in pain.
"You never learn from those beatings, do you?" Dhakirah continued gazing ahead.
Noah turned to glare, "Leave me alone, Blacklist," he spoke harshly.
"I can't; I need to take you back," Dhakirah taunted.
YOU ARE READING
Days Are Numbered
Teen FictionNOAH MERRIDEW is your typical popular kid who can't keep his emotions composed. Being the only child of a rich couple he is spoilt and rotten to the core with all his caprices being answered. However, thing takes a different turn when his father die...
