Cold ash

Chapter 4 - Nicolette

I walked down the road, coming back from the shop that sells the special pizzas my brother is a fan of, my backpack on my back. I stared at my phone, the screen illuminating my face as I travelled back to the flat.

“No, please! Stop it!” I heard a voice yell out. I’d never heard that voice before, or maybe I had. I glanced over, and noticed a young man sat against the wall, looking utterly defeated. Flickers of light came from the alleyway originating from the large silhouettes that he spoke to.

It soon became apparent what was happening. Three older men surrounded him, kicking him. Blood dribbled slowly down his face, and I walked over slowly, curious as to what was happening.

“Okay! Okay! I’ll pay! I’ll get you the money, just stop!” He said. As I moved closer, I recognised the person who’d hit my car with his two nights previously. He had no problem scratching my car with his own knife, so seeing him in this way is a little strange.

Although they’d been told to stop, the three older men took no notice, and continued to land kicks on the car wrecker. I frowned. Why don’t they stop?

I glanced at a rock on the ground, and picked it up, running my fingers over the sharp edges. I walked over, and pulled my arm back, my phone closed in my other.

“Hey! He said stop! So stop!” I yelled, grabbing their attention. Despite not being comfortable around my professors and classmates, I feel perfectly fine yelling at a group of thugs. They looked over at me, and smiled, thinking they’d go for me next.

“What’re you gonna do ‘bout it, girly?” The largest man said, raising his fists. I frowned, and tightened my grip on my phone, throwing my other arm forward and releasing the rock. It flew towards the man who’d spoken, and hit him in the centre of his forehead, well, a little to the right. Perfect hit.

The man cursed and held a hand to his now bleeding forehead. The others raised their fists, and the car wrecker groaned quietly, sliding up the wall slowly on shaking legs. I straightened up, and walked quietly over to another rock. I picked it up, and pulled my arm back, aiming for the man on his right hiding behind the hood of his jumper.

“Fuck it. Let’s just go.” The largest man, probably the leader said, nodding to the others and hooking his foot around the car wrecker’s ankle, pulling him back down onto the ground. They walked away, cursing and shooting glares at me. I kept my guard up, waiting until they were around the corner before lowering my arm once again.

I dropped the stone, and wiped my hands on my jeans, walking over to the car wrecker. I reached him, and he panted quietly, his chest rising and falling quickly. He swatted away the hand I held out to him, and I shrugged it off, stepping backwards and opening my phone.

I need to text my loved ones.

The car wrecker groaned as he pulled himself up the wall, using it for support. He limped along the side of the building, his breathing quite loud. I walked quietly beside him, quickly sending a text to my parents, brother, and Doug.

“Name?” He breathed. I kept my eyes trained on my phone, not letting myself see how there was a cut on his left cheek but not on the right.

“You’d never remember it. Nicolette Palmer, Nikki to my close friends and family.” I said simply. I heard him make a noise of pain, but made no effort to help him. He doesn’t wish to be helped, that much is clear.

“Okay. You can stop following me now.” Responded the car wrecker, hands travelling across the wall and pushing off the corner so he stumbled towards the curb. I felt my phone vibrate and my ringtone sound, and I clicked on the new message icon, and tapped the buttons as I waited for it to load.