A Journey, A Coincidence, A Memory

Chapter 34: Richard

January 22, 2022, 9:30 am

A surprise when we walk onto Cannon Street.

We take a peek from the place where Lara and Rose are and it looks like they are in danger. David is pointing a gun at them.

"You getting out of the trapped box in bruises was all part of my plan," David says brutally to Lara. "Now who first? You or your stupid friend?"

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"We got to do something!" Maisie whispers to me as we listen to David's cruel words.

I try to think, and again, but my brain doesn't seem to work. "Maybe we should umm ... do something?" I whisper back.

"That's what I'm asking you!"

"Then umm ... maybe we should umm ... do like umm-" I pause at the sight of Mrs. Jenny running towards us.

I think I was a bit too shocked which totally confused Maisie, "Richard? Hello?"

"I think you should ... look behind," I tell her in a shocked manner.

She looks behind and catches a glimpse of Mrs. Jenny. She then pauses in horror just like I did.

Mrs. Jenny heads to where we are, "Hey Maisie and ... I didn't know you were here Richard. Anyway, have you seen Lara?" she says it in a way as if she doesn't realize she just jump-scared us by unexpectedly coming to London.

"She's over ... there," Maisie says, still in aghast while pointing towards where Lara is.

She got pretty terrified when she saw Lara and a girl who are encountering a near-death experience.

"Stop your foolish actions, David!" she yells out and we follow her behind.

Instead of being a child following some protective adult, I take a stand myself and say, "Follow what she says, or else I will devour your nerves!" That might sound a bit comical, but that's who I am.

I could see Lara getting emotional right when she spotted her mother and Rose is probably blank.

"Oh, did Lara tattle-tale to her mommy?" David says ironically.

"Oh, did David fake Lara's science mark?" I say back, in that same tone.

"You evil kid, I knew you stole it!"

"What are you all talking about?" Mrs. Jenny questions.

"Well Mrs. Jenny, this isn't any fake story, but Lara actually got a 96% in her science test and not a 51, David just faked it!" I explain.

I never knew Mrs. Jenny would get exceedingly angry. I could tell she was becoming a hot chilli pepper when her face turned deep red. She says angrily, "David, you have been tormenting our family for our entire life! First, being a bully when I was younger and now this! You deserve punishment for all this no matter what!" Hold on ... I am left shell-shocked by some of those words. I never knew he used to be a bully for Lara's mother. Is that how bullies end up as? Criminals?

David takes a glimpse from Lara, who is more shocked than I am, and turns towards Mrs. Jenny, "Looks like you told your daughter your deepest secret," he informs. Wait ... what? How am I knowing all this now? I have lived for fourteen years and never witnessed any of this; I was just an innocent friend of Lara's. "What about this sarcastic dude," he says as he turns towards me, "Did you know I almost killed your mother in high school?"

I am left speechless.