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CHAPTER 5: The Bad Boys

Ezra’s Point Of View.

THE SCORCHING sun was dotted with fluffy blue clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze. I was awakened by the barks of the stray dogs fighting outside.

“What time is it now?” I asked myself, opening my left eye while rubbing the other.

I glanced at the alarm clock above the side table next to me. As soon as I figured out the time, I immediately got up and headed straight to the bathroom. I hurried to take a shower and get dressed before going downstairs. It’s late in the morning. I wonder if they have already eaten. I’m embarrassed to show up because I’m afraid they might think I’m acting like a VIP in their own house.

Why didn’t I wake up early?!

When I came downstairs, I was dazzled that I didn’t find any of them at home. They aren’t in the kitchen, not in the living room either, not in the garden, not even in their bedrooms. I roamed around every corner but I didn’t see them nor get a glimpse of their shadows.

Where did they go?

I turned to look at my phone in my hand, just in case they texted me. But then, I remembered that I don’t have their numbers saved on my contact list. I concluded that maybe they haven’t eaten anything yet. I just decided to cook lunch. I’m going to wait for them until they are home, so we can eat together.

I’VE BEEN watching television for almost an hour now, but they aren’t still coming back. I was even more puzzled but I just kept watching to draw away the questions that started to form inside my head.

Then, I thought of finding gas in the garage. I’ll fill my car, because it might be broken completely and I won’t be able to use it when I need it.

When the fuel gauge was full, I headed back inside the house to get the car key, but I stopped walking when I noticed that there was a letter stuck in the vase on the table near the entrance door. I picked it up and read the letter.

Good morning, Ezra. We’re sorry for leaving you alone. Don’t worry, we’ll be back home later.

I raised an eyebrow after reading the letter. They didn’t include in the message where they were going. It’s kind of suspicious and I’m getting curious. I want to know where they are.

Why didn’t I notice this paper earlier?

I picked up my phone and the key before I rode the car. I opened the google map to detect their location. As luck would have it, we are mutual friends on social media platforms.

It was only a matter of time as I accomplished tracking the place, but my forehead furrowed in perplexity when I realized where it was.

Why are they there?

I DROVE towards the place where they were. It was also an hour of driving before I arrived there. I parked the car at a far distance and got out. As soon as I walked a few steps, I covered my nose when I inhaled a pungent odor.

What kind of place is this?

I looked around. The place was surrounded by lots of frail wood, galvanized rusting, unpleasant smell, and scattered garbage. I slowly went inside and couldn’t ignore the noise. There is someone in here.

“You really are fearless…”

I can hear a man’s sarcastic voice. I walked closer to their direction to hear what they were saying.

“Enough of your chatter. Let’s start now, so we can end this fast,” said another.

That voice seems familiar to me. Where did I hear it?

I moved even closer to them. My intention was no longer to hear their voices clearer, but to find out who they are. My eyes widened as I saw Hyde and the six behind him along with the other men I don’t know. The seven looked different today than they were in the house.

What are they doing in this place? By the tone of their voices, are they fighting?

Trembling reigned in my chest as one of their opponents raised a sharp steel. I think he is the leader in their group because when he hinted a signal to his allies, they took thick woods as their war munition.

“Even then, you didn’t change at all, Hyde. You’re still impatient,” teasingly said the fat man with a tattoo on his arm.

He motioned a finger to his forty backups and they began to fight. My lips hung open in amazement, and at the same time, in concern. I was amazed because the seven budged at an urgent pace against their opponents. On the other hand, I was worried because their opponents were holding weapons and just one blow to their head, the seven might be in coma.

No! Erase! What foolishness am I thinking? It won’t happen! I won’t allow it!

I noticed that their opponents were targeting Hyde rather than the six. They were coming after him to knock him down, but they knew they couldn’t do it alone, so they joined forces. Good thing Hyde managed to block their punches with his right forearm and seized their weapons. He jabbed their eyes with his fingers and threw them to the ground.

After half an hour, there was nothing left of the seven’s opponents. So, the fat man with the tattoo took advantage of the situation.

“Are you tired already? When did the seven of you become weaker?” he continued teasing.

“All your people are lying on the ground and unconscious by now. Is that what you called weak?” Hyde boasted, flashing a playful smirk.

How can he be brazen right now that he’s in the middle of danger?

The man was raging. He was about to hit Hyde with the ridgy steel he was holding when I couldn’t help myself but to meddle.

“Stop!” I closed my eyes and shouted.

Uh-oh.

I think I made the wrong move by showing up. In an instant, I stole their attention. The seven frowned in bewilderment as they looked at me. Maybe it’s because they least expected I will find them and come over.

“Ezra…” Clarence uttered my name.

“Who is this one?” The fat man asked the seven and was about to take a step towards me when the seven snapped back to their senses.

“Don’t you dare involve her…” Hyde warned his enemy.

“I’m not your servant, Hyde. You can’t command me.” The man grinned and turned to face me.

“W-What are you going to do?” I asked, nervous.

He got closer and closer to me as I got farther and farther away. I was shocked when he smiled sweetly at me and even caressed my cheeks.

Yuck!

I was annoyed. He kept touching me, so I twisted his arm and kicked him straight in his genitals. He knelt down in ache as he growled.

“You, bitch!”

The fat, ugly man cursed me to death while dealing with the pain I caused by kicking his balls. He deserved it anyway. No man has the right to touch a woman without her consent.

He rounded his fists, getting ready to attack me to avenge. Although before he even could, a hand quickly blocked him.

Hyde…

“Try to touch her once again and I will break your bones…” Hyde threatened the man.

I lifted my gaze at him. He was serious but fury can be seen in his fiery eyes. His enemy wasn’t shaken. He provoked Hyde instead by attacking me when I was suddenly dazed at the speed of the events.

“H-How…”

My jaw dropped, unable to say a word after witnessing a mind-blowing scene. How can this be possible? I want to faint.

“I warned you but you didn’t listen. It was your fault,” Hyde said lifelessly to the man that was knocked out at the moment.

I scanned the site across the place. The seven overthrew their enemies. I haven’t yet absorbed what happened in my mind when Hyde suddenly pulled me and faced me with his red boiling face.

“Are you out of your mind!?” he shouted.

I closed my eyes tightly. I couldn’t keep up with his stare because I might melt in the fire he was emitting in no time.

“Why did you come here?! How did you know we were here?”

He asked me consecutive questions but I couldn’t open my mouth to respond. I was at a loss for words while looking at him scolding me.

“Ezra, say something!”

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