The Millionaire's 'Friend' - Natasha's Story

Chapter 3 - The Attack

It was around an hour later when my feet finally gave up; waving a white flag and begging me to stop. My energy levels had at least kicked through to their second wind, but my feet, and my body, gasped for some fresh air. I signaled to Fliss that I was nipping outside, and she nodded without showing any desire to do the same.

I'd totally lost track of the hour but it must have been late. Or really early, depending on your point of view. The queue that had been outside when we arrived was completely gone, and the two bouncers were across the other side of the road breaking up a fight. I watched them sort things out while the pleasant night air refreshed me.

Several people left the club behind me, but only one actually caught my eye with any interest. The guy who'd been huddled over the bar staggered wearily. His part drunk bottle of Smirnoff somehow remained in his unsteady grasp as he walked away and propped himself up on the side of the building next door.

I returned my attention to the scene across the street. Jacko had his arms locked around the back of a young guy who was viciously swearing, and kicking his legs out towards another young man who had a bloodied nose and dazed look in his eye. It didn't take much to realise what the issue was. A girl, who couldn't have been much over eighteen, was tearfully being comforted by a couple of friends. After several insistent pleas from the other bouncer, they tottered off together into the night. As soon as the girls had disappeared the two guys seemed to calm themselves down. The one with the bloodied nose took himself off in a taxi while the other shook off Jacko's hold and stalked away in the opposite direction.

Jacko saw me and shook his head in exasperation as he crossed the road back to his post.

"Fun night?" I asked sarcastically. The bouncer rubbed a giant sausage fingered hand across his wide forehead.

"Bloody kids." He moaned. "Their IDs might show the right age, but that doesn't mean that they're actually grown-ups yet. It's like working in a school playground sometimes. Slapping and swearing like a couple of young bucks in the first throws of love."

I giggled at his description.

"Anyway, how you doin'? Haven't seen you girls around here for a while."

"No, well, Fliss has had a rough few weeks."

"Oh." Jacko replied, giving me a knowing look. A bit like having a good 'gaydar', Fliss somehow emitted a signal that told people she wasn't good with men.

"And you?" Jacko continued. "Anyone catch your eye in there?"

For some reason my eyes were drawn to the far wall of the other building – like some magnetic force had pulled at me – but it was a desolate space now. "Nah. Not really my scene."

Jacko opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by the door to the club flying open. A couple of leary, middle aged women bowled out. One immediately crumpled to the floor while the other tipped her head back and bawled loudly at her friend. Jacko rolled his eyes. "Duty calls."

I walked a little away from the club entrance to give the bouncers some space. As I paced, breathing in the cool night air, I nearly leapt out of my skin at the sudden smash of glass not far from where I was wandering. I stopped and listened for a second until some strange, muffled sounds drifted from the end of an alleyway just up ahead. I cautiously approached and peeked around the corner; only to be confronted by the sight of a couple of tall, wiry youths leaning down towards the ground. Urgent, fierce whispering was passing between them. It took me another second to realise why they were looking so hurried. My eyes dropped and landed on the motionless figure of the drunk, suited guy flat out on his back. The youths were swiftly going through his pockets. I just managed to catch one of them saying "got his wallet."

"Hey!" I shouted aggressively before I even had time to think.

"Leg it!" One of the thieves announced without even looking up. They both kicked their gangly legs into gear and disappeared out the other end of the alley.

Shocked, I stared after them before my own brain kicked itself into action, and I rushed down to check on their victim.

My hands reached out automatically, and I pulled his head around hoping to find those piercing blue eyes wide and awake; but they weren't. They were closed, and my stomach twisted in knots when I spotted blood gushing profusely from a deep gash on the top of his head.

"Jacko!" I called desperately, hoping the big friendly giant would be able to hear me. Luckily he did, and he quickly came diving down the alley to assist.

"What happened?"

"He got jumped."

"Jesus. Hey buddy you with us?" Jacko roughly tapped the back of his hand against the guy's cheeks, and his eyes, much to my relief, fluttered slightly as he fought to open them.

"Let's get him inside." Said Jacko.

"No, he needs a hospital, look how much blood there is. Can you help him up? I'll flag down a taxi."

In my shorts and shiny top, it wasn't difficult for me to hail a cab. Only as soon as the driver saw Jacko approaching with a half conscious, blood covered guy he didn't seem too impressed. I quickly flashed him my best smile, so he wouldn't dart away.

"This guy needs dropping at the hospital." I said to the aged looking cabbie behind the wheel.

"I ain't takin' 'im in that state." He objected in a bawdy cockney accent.

"But he needs a doctor." I pleaded. The guy shook his head, but I sensed him conceding simply by the fact that he didn't just drive off. I handed him a tenner from my purse. "This should be enough for you to get there."

"Woah, 'ang on. I'm not sorting 'im out. You'll have to come too."

"What? No wa...." but I stopped as the driver's firm expression told me there was no arguing the point. I looked between the grumpy old git and the semi-conscious suit and decided there was only one thing to do. I climbed into the back of the cab while Jacko assisted the increasingly pale guy in beside me.

"You gonna be ok?" He asked.

I looked first at the glare I was receiving in the rearview mirror, and then at the crumpled body on the seat beside me. Inwardly I rolled my eyes.

"Yes Jacko. I'll be fine."