Page 16 of Chill

“Thanks for the lift,” I said and scrambled out, avoiding the question.

I headed for the front door as I saw Chill look around the neighbourhood.

“This isn’t safe for you,” he stated, getting out of the car.

“I wouldn’t leave it unattended. You won’t have tyres otherwise,” I warned.

Chill snorted. “If they touch UBMC property, their mistake. Doesn’t the club pay you enough to live elsewhere? Do you need a pay rise?”

“No! You pay fine, but three kids eat it up. I don’t want charity,” I exclaimed.

“Ain’t fuckin’ charity. It’s called looking after our own,” Chill retorted. “You shouldn’t have kids living here.”

“I don’t have a choice, Chill. I don’t need a reminder of how poor we are. We went from never having to worry to counting the pennies.”

“Is he paying child support?” Chill ground out.

“That’s my business.”

“That’s a no. Otherwise, you’d be able to afford better.” His angry eyes held mine, and he nodded. “That fucker has a reckoning coming.”

With that cryptic message, Chill walked away. He waited until I let myself in and then drove off.

I leaned against the door. It was only noon, and what a day it had been.

Chapter Four.

A year later, September 2025.

The crowd roared as the man threw his opponent across the ring. The smaller one hit the ground hard and rolled. In his mind, his wife and children flashed before him.

This wasn’t what had been advertised; this was a death match. He was slowly coming to that realisation. His other contender stomped towards him, veins bulging, eyes narrowed in madness, and he knew he wasn’t walking out of there alive. He just prayed for his family. That was all he could do. His blood stained the floor, and even holding up his hands in surrender didn’t work. It was too late for him.

Meadow

I rushed into the school. The secretary glowered at me, and I ignored her reaction.

“I’m Mrs Silver,” I stated.

“Oh, we’re aware. The principal will be with you soon,” she replied snottily.

I sat down, choosing to overlook her bad attitude. I’d had to leave my job for this, and if Cassian had done what he was accused of, then he was in deep shit.

Moments later, the door opened, and Principal Geary called me in. I entered and saw Cassian sitting in a chair, looking totally unbothered.

“Take a seat,” Geary said rudely.

“First off, no matter what Cassian’s blamed for, you speak to me with respect. I’m not a student,” I barked.

Cassian’s lips twitched, and Geary looked at me over his glasses.

I remained standing, gazing down at him, giving myself a position of power. He glared at me and then spoke again.

“Please take a seat, Mrs Silver.”

“Thank you, Principal Geary,” I replied and sat. “Would you tell me what happened?”

“Somebody let stink bombs off in the hallways today. Cassian was caught with them in his bag,” he said.