Max had been pouring his energy into starting a gym. His dad had planned for him to intern at his workplace but he was more interested in his passion.
Working as a clerk meant continuing to stay at home yet he really wanted to go at it on his own, even more, to get away from Joseph. He regretted ever considering getting physical with him...
After he'd punched him, Joseph had landed on the floor, blood oozing from the side of his lip.
"Joseph?", he'd crouched down. "Joseph?? Joseph???"
But slowly, Joseph's eyes had closed.
Max had panicked. He then knew why his dad, step mother, teachers, neighbors, even Joseph, had always lectured him about fighting.
His last victim had lost a quarter of his teeth set, his dad swearing to take him be be straightened out at a remand home should he harm another. Now over eighteen, he was fit for adult jail. His step mother would definitely make that happen.
He frantically picked up Joseph's hand to check the pulse on his wrists & then on his neck. Not finding anything concrete, he laid him flat on the floor, pressing his ear on his chest, there registering his faint heartbeat.
He called one of his boda guys, & they whisked Joseph to the neighborhood clinic. The nurses & doctor immediately eyed him suspiciously, after all, they'd tended to his victims one too many. They loathed him & after tending to Joseph had come to grill him
"He's awake. Wait!", the doctor blocked with his arm.
"He's in pain. I've given him something to help him sleep. What happened to him?"
He'd stayed silent, unsure what to respond.
"..because judging from the injuries, it looks like he was punched".
"I don't know, I just found him like that", he stuttered.
"Where?"
"Outside the gate"
"Where are your parents?"
"They're away for work"
"Have you told them?"
"Not yet, I had to first bring him to the clinic".
"I'll call them", one nurse reached for the telephone.
He only wanted to involve them when he was sure his & Joseph's statements would be the same.
Watching her eye him constantly as she babbled on the phone got him all the more nervous. When he eventually entered Joseph's ward, he was asleep & one of the nurses had stayed in the room.
He'd decided to return home, finding thirteen missed calls from his parents but he'd ignored them, deciding to pack all his belongings in his suitcase.
He'd dozed off late in the night & before he knew it was morning. He was awoken by an unknown number calling..
"Where have you been?? Are you at home?" his dad was on the other end.
"Yes.."
"Ok we're leaving the clinic now.."
He went to the living room to prepare, noticing bloodstains by the couch. As he wiped them off, the gate opened, his step mother's car coming in.
From the window, he saw a swollen faced Joseph being led out by his auntie who was also with them. He felt regret.
"Kayita??", his dad called.
Joseph made no eye contact with him as he was led inside.
"Take these inside & clear out the boot.", his dad ordered.
"Where exactly did you find him?" his step mother grilled as he came in with the bags..
"Uhh...", he glanced at Joseph who looked away. "Outside. By the tree..", he stuttered.
"I swear to God, if I discover the person who lay their hands on my son...", she continued.
"So you didn't see your attacker?" a neighbor who'd come over asked.
