MIDNIGHT DAYDREAM

Chapter 21

As soon as the crash is heard, both Porchay and Macau abandon the game and hurriedly put on their socks and shoes. Vegas and Pete's lesson of survival: your chance of survival in any kind of situation goes up when you wear good shoes to run.

Macau grabs his stash of guns and hands one to Porchay. They both speed up their walk cautiously and avoid running since they don't know the situation. They need to assess it as they walk. Macau leads the way while Chay follows. Hearts are thumping in adrenaline and worry.

When they are on the scene, Porchay feels his supply of air is cut off from his lungs. Everybody draws their gun and points it to each other, except Vegas, who has his hands half up in the air.

Macau immediately points his gun at Kim. His hands and stand are steady. He is ready to shoot, consequences be damn.

Shit. This is bad.

Porchay tucks his gun away after disarming it. He knows what he has to do. A hand grabs the end of his t-shirt, stalling him from moving.

"I've told you not to let him assume things, have I not?" Vegas whispers to Chay. "He was trained to think about the worst in any kind of situation, Porchay. Mix that with a bad attitude and a big ego and you got this. Sorry, Mate. Move carefully now. Phi hates to get shot."

If it's a different kind of situation, Porchay would've laughed.

"Phi Kim," he says softly, to not make an accident happen, before carefully walking up to Kim. Kim has seen him from the tail of his eyes, but still not lowering his gun.

Chay is blocking Kim's line of shots with his body. The muzzle presses to his chest.

That's ok. His Kim wouldn't shoot him.

That's ok. Better him than Vegas.

"Let's get this off, ok?" his voice is soft and even. It's trembling. His heartbeats are dominating his eardrum. He can't hear anything else and focuses on what he does now.

He then carefully puts back the safety pin and pulls the gun from Kim's hand, one rigid finger at a time. He hands the gun to Big who takes it with the speed of light, in case Kim changes his mind.

Porchay grabs Kim's hand and starts to pull him away to the door, when Vegas says, "You can stay here for as long as you like, you know. We'll protect you, from anyone of any kind."

Kim turns his body back again, anger painted on his face, wanting to smack Vegas's face as hard as he can. But Chay pushes him with his own body. It's harder now since there is resistance.

Porchay smiles at the family in between his hard effort to pull Kim. "Thanks, Phi. See you later."

Big is trying to help but Kim easily outmaneuvered him and pressed him down hard to the floor. Chay grimaces at the thought of how painful it must be. Chay can't help but think that it could be him on the floor, cheek pressing on the hard cold marmer tile. "Don't fucking touch me!" Kim growls.

He hurriedly pulls Kim's body from Big after sending a signal to everyone that he best do this alone. "No, Phi. Let Phi Big go, please. Come on." Both of his arms are circling Kim's narrow waist, pulling him with all his might.

Why is this man so strong?

They reach the inside of the car and Chay feels he is running out of breath. Kim is driving, not even giving time for Big to get to the stirring wheel after pushing Chay to the passenger seat.

"I know you're angry," Chay starts and Kim gives him a look of 'no shit', his whole face is still dark and dangerous, Chay tries to thread carefully, "But you can't point your gun at anyone like that!"