The Tale Of The Assassin

Part 15: Two Decisions

As Josh walked into his drama class he realised that he was walking into a death-trap. Rose was in the room along with Dylan and his friends whom he had learned were Harry, Curtis and Jacob. The gang was looking over at Rose particularly at her torso and face.

'Has anyone seen the new student?!' a strong voice called

Josh looked around. Standing in the doorway was a powerfully built man, around his late forties.

'He's right there sir!' Curtis called pointing to Josh

'I can see that for myself you idiot' the man said

The man approached Josh.

'You must be Joshua' he said holding out his hand.

'Yes I am Mr?' Josh said shaking the strangers hand

'Red' the man said

'Thank you Mr Red' Josh said 'nice to meet you.'

Mr Red walked away and called to the class.

'Alright everyone today we are continuing with our Monologues, so just get stuck into it.'

Everyone seemed excited about their Monologues except for Dylan's group, who were still looking at Rose.

'Alright Josh you just sit back and watch' Mr Red said

'No problem sir.' Josh replied.

Mr Red walked into his office and shut the door as Josh started to walk over to Rose. He hadn't gotten very far when Dylan barrelled past him.

'Hey baby' Dylan said

'What?' Rose asked

Dylan was wearing a stupid grin.

'C'mon don't be like that' Dylan said.

Rose folded her arms across her chest.

'Don't be like what Dylan?' she asked

'Don't be a like a cow' Dylan said

Rose's arm shot out and connected with Dylan's nose, Dylan fell down, blood pumping out of his nose.

'What the hell!' Dylan yelled

'You deserved it' Rose said

She turned to walk away and Dylan got up and pulled his arm back. As his fist moved Josh shouted a warning to Rose, unfortunately she stopped walking and turned around. Dylan's fist met Rose's chest and she sank to her knees.

'Damn you!' Dylan yelled

Josh walked over to Rose and helped her to her feet.

'Stay back' Josh told her

'I can handle them' Rose snapped

'Yeah I know, but I have a score to settle' Josh countered

Rose looked at Josh long and hard then she looked to Dylan pure hatred showing in her eyes.

'Fine' she said finally

Josh nodded than turned to face Dylan. By that time all noise and practice had ceased.

'You're going to pay Dylan' Josh said

'Well that's what you think' Dylan replied

At an unseen gesture from Dylan the others in his gang moved forwards standing between Josh and Dylan.

'But you're going to have to go through these guys' he added.

Josh shrugged and raised his fists. The boys ran at him and suddenly Josh was a tornado of movement and violence running, kicking, punching, jumping and rolling. The first to fall was Curtis a kick to the stomach and punch to the face was sufficient to make the fool fall. The next was Jacob one punch to the throat and he followed Curtis. Next was Harry, he proved more of a problem for Josh, Harry was used to beatings and knew how to throw a punch. Josh was hit in the stomach twice before he got a blow at Harry and by that time he was pissed. Dylan looked at the carnage and felt truly afraid. Josh sank to his knees much to Dylan's relief.

'It'd be so easy to kick him while he's down' Dylan thought

But to Dylan's horror Josh stood up and turned his way, the blood of his friends on his face.

'You' Josh said pointing at Dylan 'are a dead-boy walking'

Dylan turned to run and Josh rushed forward and punched him in his side. There was a crack of bone as Dylan's ribs broke.

Thirty minutes later:

'Do you have any idea what you've done!?' the principal yelled

'I was defending a friend' Josh calmly replied

After Josh's fight with Dylan and his friends, Mr Red had come out of his office to find two of his students on the ground screaming in pain, two others were unconscious, and Josh was sitting against a wall with his face drenched in sweat and blood.

'Yes apparently you say you were defending Miss Rose Terminally' the principal replied.

The principal thought long and hard about the situation. Then after much consideration he said.

'Very well you may leave but don't do this kind of thing again.'

Josh left the principal's office and walked into Rose.

Literally.

'Damn it, sorry Rose' Josh said

Josh held out his hand to help Rose up.

'It's okay' Rose said

The awkward silence that followed was broken only by the sound of the ambulance as Dylan was taken to hospital.

'Josh' Rose finally said 'could you meet me at the staff car park tonight, I need to tell you something'

Josh thought about the situation and after a while he replied.

'Yeah sure, I need to tell you something too'

That night Josh borrowed Fred's black HSV Commodore and drove it to his school's car park. As he pulled in he saw a glint of Gold and instantly regretted his plan. He braked beside Rose and got out.

'What the hell?' Rose snarled as she pulled out her gun.

Josh was in his armour too.

'Don't shoot' Josh said as he raised his arms in surrender.

Rose wasn't convinced, she was unsure why 088 had turned up when she was meant to be meeting Josh but she didn't like it.

'What do you want?' she asked 088

Josh considered how he could give his reason.

Then.

'You took your helmet off for me' he said to her 'I'm just returning the favour'

Rose's stance shifted and Josh realised how confused she was. He reached up to his helmet and unclipped the claps, then he raised the helmet off his head and for the first time saw Rose in her armour without having to look through his visor.

'Josh?' Rose whispered

Josh replaced his helmet and nodded.

'Jesus Christ' Rose said

Rose and Josh remained silent for what seemed an eternity.

'You're 088?' Rose asked

'Yes' Josh replied

Rose looked up then she took off her helmet, her dark hair falling over her face. Josh walked over to her and held out his hand. She looked at it then back to Josh.

'Come with me' he said