My Pearl

Documents: A Mystery

It wasn't a matter of concern to anyone on the road passing by. The passers-by gave a short stare and walked away, the nearby apple seller acted like he didn't give a shit, the bike and car riders moved their way, people from the houses; some looking out and some didn't care while the children ran away in fear.
Zufumi's brother Mano was working on some documents and on the competition was Williams.
"Duke, you little scumbag! I will give you how much money you want. Don't be so stubborn! Give me those documents back or else you will die on your own hands. You little brat, why are you giving up on life?", Benson; a small gangsta and a well-known guy too, shouted standing a meter away from Duke who was not letting go of the document at any cost.
This man Duke was in a trouble. He was trying his best to save these documents which belonged to Mano. He was scared and trembling but loyal enough not to hand those documents to them.
"You talk about money? I won't give you this document even if you buy the whole world to me", he said in a clumsy and scared manner and hugged the briefcase as tight as he could, not letting go...
The big beard bully Nexa didn't hold back his words too. He tried to convince Duke softly while sighing silently. "See kiddo, don't take this issue too far and just give us the document and there's no doubt we will let you go without harming you! We take the bag and you take the money and we part our ways. What else have we asked for?"

Duke's sweat didn't stop dropping but his loyalty didn't let him scare himself. He sulked once and looked at all of the four people trying to take the document from him one by one. He let out a small laugh and said, "Why would I even bother to give these documents to you brats?! I don't want the world to destroy before it's created more beautiful.."
Benson frowned and in a flash ran over and kicked Duke on his face and Duke fell on the ground hugging the briefcase.
Duke knew that he was helpless. He held the briefcase with his left hand and patted his cheek gently and smiled instead of crying. While he was bleeding, tears fell down his eyes though he laughed as if he was crying in happiness. This weird situation made the four gaze at Duke in a still position.
Duke was still laughing the same. He raised his eye at Benson and smiled," Even if you kill me today to get this document just because you have power and high status, reputation and wealth..." He pointed Benson with his index finger and gave a evil smile and ended his statement this time," ....you, you shouldn't forget that you will be beaten up brutally one day too. And don't forget how you kicked me cause you will be kicked the same too..." He was breathing so hard that he collapsed suddenly.
The bag with the documents fell down from Duke's hand while he was busy trying to catch his breath as soon as he could. Benson and Nexas didn't bother to do anything seeing him collapse. Charles; one of the bullies who was watching everything till the end with the boss; William, took a step beside Duke, spat on the road and yelled at both of them," Don't you think we have some other work too Benson and Nexas! Fools, shouldn't you start searching for the exact document?!" Charles pulled his pants up and squatted beside Duke, just in front of him and let out a giggle. He patted Duke's cheeks lightly and smiled," See kid, we had never intended to kill you. You would have been just right if you would have given us this document as soon as we have asked. Being a hero every time does not really work, unfortunately." He stood up catching the briefcase and opened it slowly as he looked at him with the corner of his eyes.
Duke laid helpless there, just trying to stay alive by breathing as hard as he could. All he could do was try. He did. As Charles opened the briefcase and started searching for the precise document Duke gave a big smile. Charles, Benson and Nexas searched for the exact document but all they could find were some other random documents. Charles was shocked and frustrated. He flipped the bag up and down and went through each and every paper but the paper he was searching for wasn't there.

William took a step towards Charles and yawned. "Hey, how long will you take to take documents out from a bag?", he yelled suddenly as he stood behind Charles. He said in a grumpy voice," Did you forget already that we have to kill someone secretly, we can't take forever to do that!"
Benson gulped and turned around with a blown out face. The briefcase fell down from his hand as he said," B-boss! H-he doesn't have t-the documen-ts, boss.... "
William could not hold back his anger. He clutched Charles' face along his jawline while holding his shirt collar with the other hand. "Listen, the documents costs life of millions of children. Do you even know what the value of the documents is?! I don't care about what you do, where you go or where you search for it but I need those damn documents anyhow and at any cost!" He gave him a push before leaving his collar and letting go of his face. Charles jerked back and fell towards Nexas who caught him up tight. The three of them faced their heads down in embarrassment.
"But Wil..."
"I am not hearing a single fucking damn excuse now! No excuse at all, do you get it? I want it any how and no fucking excuses will work!" William took out a cigarette from his pocket and lighted it up and shouted at them for the last time, "UNDERSTOOD?!"
Benson was sure that William would not listen a single word so he nodded silently and said," Keep my words, I will bring the documents next time for sure."

The time froze for a moment. Duke held his bleeding head and stood up and gathered all the documents and walked away clumsily. He gave a creepy smile before looking back at the four bullies for the last time. William frowned before pulling a breath through his lit cigarette as he looked at the cloudy sky.
He whispered to himself as he pulled out the cigarette from his lips," I will win you Mano, no matter what!"