Eight-O-Eight (8:08)

Chapter Seven

I wake up in the motel, hugging a soft pillow under my arms. It's supposed to be Angus, but obviously, he isn't there. I lift my head to look around the empty room. "Angus?" I say sleepily, even when I know there would be no reply.

Soon after gaining some energy, I sit up and twist my myself off of the bed. I check my phone to see the time and it tells me it is 2:21 in the morning. Jesus, that's early! It's Sunday in the morning and we're leaving in a few hours to go back home. Why would Angus disappear now? And where would he head off at two in the morning?

I peak out from the window to see if my car is still parked outside; and it is. My mind is now filled with questions and worry. Since I couldn't go back to sleep without worrying about Angus, I get into my jeans and make my way out with my car keys in the hand. I was hoping to see the old woman at the reception office to ask if she has seen a teenage boy run out in the middle of the night, but unfortunately, there is no one behind the counter table and the lights are turned off. I sigh with disappointment, then head straight to my car.

I know that Angus doesn't know this place at all. There are only about two places he knows. The motel and his father's bar. Yesterday he told me he'll talk to his dad. Maybe he went to the bar to talk to him without me. However, I am not 100% sure that he'll be there. I'll just check and leave if he doesn't want me there.

In about 10 minutes, I arrive at the bar. The place is still lit up lively and on the entrance, it shows an "open" sign. As I make my way into it, I hear men yelling and shouting. It sounds like there are more people than in the day time. And then I hear something else. "Dup... Dup..."; a kind of sound that sounds like something or someone is hitting something against the wall.

My fast heart rate made it easier for me to open the heavy door. I couldn't believe the first thing my eyes catch as soon I walked in. I stand there, frozen from the sight. Few meters in front of me, I see Angus clutching his fist up behind me ears, about to hit another punch at Travis's already bruised face.

"Ang..." I try to say his name but the rest drifted into air. He looks up at me and freezes, relaxing his fist. He looks messy and his face is wet from his own tears. He doesn't look like himself, especially in this situation.

"Shay..." He stands up straight, letting his father's collar free from his hand. "I― I was..."

I didn't notice my head shaking as I make my eye contact with Angus. Everyone in the bar stares at him with angry faces. They all seem to respect Travis Walker in this bar. "You call that your son?!" Some angry man shouts at Travis and pointing at Angus.

They all yell cruel things to Angus, but he ignores them all while his eyes stay on mine. "Shay, please listen to me..."

Suddenly, I can't take him and scene, so I walk out of the damn door, not looking back at him. I am so angry.

"Shay, please stop!" He follows me outside. I don't say anything until we are alone in the middle of the quiet, empty road. The sun hasn't risen yet and the air blowing against our skin is chilly. I cross my arms on my chest and turn around to see Angus staying few feet away looking so hopeless.

It took me awhile to say, "When I told you talk to him I didn't mean beating him up!" I tried saying it calmly, but I ended up yelling at him as I finished the sentence.

He just stays there guilty and hopeless; his face still wet from tears. Something tells me that he didn't do any of those, and I soften inside. "You didn't listen to him." I assumed and he stays quiet. "You didn't talk to him and you just straight up punched him."

"Shay, I―"

"Is that why you left me alone sleeping, so that I wouldn't see you beat the hell out of the guy and leave without knowing the next day? God, Angus, what made you think you can fool me?!"