The look behind those tired eyes

Chapter seventeen - Run

Will Vinny

Stella was urging me to see Hillary this morning, so my big brother instincts has me taking her to the Chandler's right now.

"Come on! Come on!" She tugged on my arm, eager to see her best friend. I was eager to go too, not to see Hillary, of course, but to see Rookie. Talk to him about everything Nick, Leo, and I worked on.

And unfortunately to tell him about Ceaser...

Except when we turned the corner his street was on, I felt Stella's grip tightening on my hand. Confused on why that was, I looked up to see two—no, three Cop cruisers in front of his house.

And then Rookie came out. Looking like the world just kicked him to the ground. His shoulders were slumped, his face was stuck in a frown, he walked like the world had just given up on him. He looked angry, sad, and scared. All in one.

"Willy, why is Rookie in handcuffs? Did he do something bad?" Stella's curiosity went in one ear and out the other as I wondered the same thing in a different form.

Fucking pigs.

I could only imagine why they were taking him...someone called them about his dad.

Without thinking, I let go of Stella's hand, thankful she stood behind, and ran to Rookie.

"Woah, woah, woah. What the fuck is going on here?!" I cursed. More so at the pigs than Rookie. He gave me a look, a wounded look. My heart was breaking to see this for him. I knew what those cells were like. He didn't. Not once have I ever thought he would, either.

"You better stay out of this, Williams. Don't need you going to jail, too. You just got out!" Officer Sharl spat. He always hated me.

"Over my dead body! You can't just take him for no fucking reason." I argued. It went to no avail.

"That's it—Vincent Williams, you're under arrest for aggravating a police officer." What?!

"That's fucking illegal! You can't do that shit!" I spat again.

This was all happening in front of Stella...

"Will, I'm sorry." Rookie whispered to me, pinned to the car as officer dickhead pushes his head against the back window, forcefully. Fear and worry all over his face. I give him a sympathetic look, not saying anything to him but bitching out the pigs. What could I even say to him?

I decide to continue with bitching at them, "He's fucking innocent, you prick! Let him go!"

"Shut the fuck up, Vincent."

I don't know what pisses me off more; Rookie getting fucking arrested because some fucking kid decided to put accusations on him, or these pigs hurting him. My breathing was unsteady and my heart was beating fast, begging to get the hell out of my chest.

As long as Rookie doesn't do this alone...

I can see the other pig try to grab me with handcuffs in his hand. His partner is still pushing Rookie against the car, slamming his head on the window. Now I know what's pissing me off more.

I kicked the one trying to grab me in his groin. Adrenaline flows my entire body as I watch him fall on the ground, clutching the area that I ever-so-brutally hurt. I turned to the one beating Rookie senseless. A second ago he had a clean face, now he has a couple of bruises on it.

That was the last straw for me.

I grabbed him by the face from behind, covering his eyes as he released Rookie from the sudden impact. "Get your dirty hands off me, Williams!" He screams as he tries to do everything possible to get out of my grip. Kicks, nudge, headbutt. But nothings working. Rookie turns around after having a coughing fit on the car, staring at the violent sight in front of him. His eyes are wide open and his brows are at his hairline. Then his eyes land on me. Shock and something else behind them.

"What the fuck?" He whispered.

Only one word could come into mind.

"Run."