When it rains

Chapter 10

Gabriel leaned against a sturdy oak tree; a chameleon invisible to the parks few occupants. His body a motionless manikin, apart from his eyes, which constantly darted around scanning his surroundings, like an eagle looking for its prey. He glanced at his watch and then at the group of boys who were sitting on a wall, closer to the north entrance. It was eight o'clock. He noticed the hint of frost still clinging to the grass and a few frozen puddles. He wondered why the boys were loitering in the park, so early in the morning, a little weird but not a threat. He stopped thinking about them and decided to keep an eye on them whilst he waited.

*

Tyra strode through the park's north entrance, donning her tracksuit and ear pods. She ventured towards the daffodils on the left, their heads nodding in the breeze. Bending over to inhale their sweet fragrance, she took in the crisp air with its earthy scent. She walked on the soft, springy grass, and started jogging. The sun started ascending, casting a golden glow over the park's many ancient trees, whose bare branches reached up to the sky like gnarled arms. Tyra noticed a green and blue butterfly fly past her peripheral, she focused on it as her heart rate slowly increased. Oblivious, to her surroundings, before she knew it, she was surrounded by six boys. She halted abruptly and took out her ear buds. The tallest one, a six-foot four brick house, with muscles upon muscles invaded her personal space. "Gimme your number, miss". His breath smelt like sewage and his clothes had stains on them that looked like they bean fermenting for months.

Tyra fought the urge to puke due to his repugnant stench. She looked around desperately, the almost empty park, which usually felt like paradise, currently felt like a deadly maze, full of perils. Desperately she replied, "please, get out of my way, I'm not interested," whilst trying to hide her panic.

She thought to herself, you grew up in the hood, so you know how to get out of tight situations. Her mantra became, stay calm girl, just stay calm. You can get out of this.

The ring leader grunted, "why you got to be so rude I'm just trying to talk to you".

Tyra attempted to make her way through a gap, but the boys closed ranks to prevent her from getting away. She thought to herself this can't be the way my story ends, whatever happens I'm going to fight till the very end.

*

As Gabriel observed Tyra's predicament from a distance, he abandoned his position and moved discreetly through the trees.

*

Tyra said, "I'm not trying to be rude. I'm just not interested".

The ring leader glanced around at his friends and said, "why are you trying to disrespect me Infront of my boys. Just give up your number now or I'll rob you for everything you've got on you."

Petrified Tyra took a step back. Her heart racing. She glanced around at each of the boys, hoping to see one of them who would be open to her plea to leave her be, but they were a pack of wild hyenas thirsty for blood. "Please -"

The brick house said, "what did I just say," and then he scanned his immediate environment and finally focused on a brick that was on the floor a few feet away. He walked up to the brick, picked it up, "you aint even all that, and then he threw the brick with all his might at Tyra's head.

Tyra terrified, stared at the oncoming brick with disbelief. She repeatedly thought at least try and move, but her uncooperating body remained as still as a statue.

Suddenly when the brick was less than nine inches from her face, a hand caught the brick. She turned to see who was her knight in shining armor, and was shocked to see Gabriel. His appearing, as if out of thin air, caught the attention of the boys.