Red vs. Black

Chapter 2

"The staff here at Brompton Hospital say that they haven't seen anything like it. It's extremely rare for a such an exotic snake to be living in London's city limits, much less a venomous one. Since the bite took place late Friday afternoon, more information has been released to the public, including the snake's species - a Brazilian Viper. It's typically only found in that area of South America, which is making wildlife experts scratch their heads as to how it could have gotten here since none are currently registered with the Department of Security. The UK Fish and Game are looking into how the foreign animal could've possibly gotten smuggled into the country and if it was the only one. As of right now, the bitten man has been moved out of the ICU, but is still recovering from blood poisoning and will need extensive physical therapy for his newly amputated leg. Unfortunately, the anti-venom that doctors had on hand wasn't strong enough to counter such a potent venom and save his leg. If anyone comes across any snakes like the one shown on the screen, please do not approach it and call 411 immediately. We're not sure London's safe keeper, Red Valor, can swoop in and save the day from this one, so be careful."

Looking away from the TV anchor on screen, Liam eyes the gym duffle that sits next to him, behind one of the youth centre staff desks.

"That concludes your Monday morning news report. Have a good day, and don't forget to tune in to George White at six for the night cast."

As the screen switches to a home goods advert, Liam leans down to unzip his bag. Like every morning, he inspected its contents before leaving his flat, but the last of the broadcast's stories has him wanting to double check that under his gym clothes is a black laundry bag. Sure enough, when he lifts up his shorts, he sees the drawstring sack, a hint of red and gold material peeking out of its opening.

Three timid knocks catch Liam off guard and end his examination. Quickly, he shoves the fabric further into the bag before zipping up the duffle and shoving it into his designated cubby on the side of the desk.

Upon unlocking and opening the front door, Liam's met with a girl much shorter than him, mascara running down her face. She looks to be in her teens, somewhere around sixteen or seventeen if he had to guess. Her clothes look worn, as does the rolling suitcase at her feet.

Given where they're at, the answer to Liam's inquiry of what he can do to help her seems obvious, but he asks anyway.

The girl's eyes shift, and Liam can see the way her grip on the luggage handle alternates between tense and lax. He waits, patiently, not showing any signs that he's bothered by needing to do so, but finding that after a while, it's necessary for him to speak again.

"English?" He asks, holding his thumb up when he gets her attention briefly. Receiving a nod, his brain continues problem solving in the way he's trained it to over the years. "Are you hurt?" He gets a head shake no. "I'd like to help you, but I need you to let me know how I can do that. Anything you say to me is confidential, you're safe."

After considering what Liam's said and tightening her grip one last time, the girl speaks cautiously. "My parents found out I'm gay," she nearly whispers. "Someone told them."

No matter how long Liam's been doing this, it never gets any easier hearing the reasons young people wind up at the building's front doors, especially when it has to do with a prejudice he's had to deal with his whole life too. Each time he handles a case like this, he always finds himself calling his parents soon after. To ask how they are, what's new, if they can let him in on any fresh gossip. But most importantly, he calls to say that he loves them, not so they know, but so he can hear them say it back.

Liam's well aware of the rules - the doors don't open until ten, letting anyone in before then has him running the risk of getting in trouble. The reasoning behind it made sense - if they let one person in early, then they would have to let them all. And what's the point of having an official opening time if that's the case?