Chapter 14

And just like that, Blake commenced his daily chauffeuring services. Despite my best efforts to annoy him, there was simply no escaping his stubborn enthusiasm.

Wednesdays remained the busiest day at school, with my schedule packed full. Deciding I would get back at Blake by keeping him waiting, I stayed behind to grade my students' homework. When I was done, I took my sweet time packing up before heading out of the school gates.

By now, only a few students were scattered around campus grounds to finish up their cleaning duties. I instinctively quickened my pace. However, it wasn't Blake waiting for me by the gates; it was someone else completely unexpected.

"Mr. Shaw!"

"Jenna? It's late. Why haven't you gone home yet?"

"I was waiting for you, Mr. Shaw. I came to apologize. I shouldn't have lied to you about the money." As she spoke, Jenna started sobbing.

"It's okay, don't cry. I don't blame you. It's commendable that you recognize your mistakes and want to make up for them."

Hearing my words, Jenna began crying even harder. "I know I shouldn't have stolen from my classmates or lied about it. But I didn't have a choice, Mr. Shaw..."

A million possibilities ran through my mind. The girl before me had always been well-behaved. Was she being bullied? Was she being blackmailed but was too afraid to tell her family? Was that why she resorted to stealing?

"Jenna, don't cry. Are you in trouble? You can tell me if you're not comfortable telling your family. You can trust me. I will help you solve your problems."

"Can you really help me?"

"Of course, I will do whatever I can to help you!"

"Then come with me and see for yourself. I have something important to show you. Once you see it, it'll all make sense."

Recalling her performance in class, I was moved by her emotions and even more certain of my suspicions. Without hesitation, I let her lead me away.

"This is it, Mr. Shaw!"

I looked around. We had come to the back of the school, on a street where food vendors used to dwell. Later, the city council drove away these vendors in an effort to clean up the territory. The abandoned alleyway was now dark and dirty, making it a popular hangout for local delinquents.

"Why have you brought me here, Jenna?"

As I finished speaking, a large mob emerged from the depths of the alley and surrounded us. Among the group were both adults and older teenagers, each equipped with steel pipes. The boy they called their leader glared menacingly at me, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

Jenna's demeanor took a 180-degree change, and her features twisted into a smug expression. She scoffed, "Ha! Mr. Shaw, do you think you're a big shot just because I call you a teacher?"

"Jenna, what are you doing?"

"What am I doing? Don't you have eyes to see for yourself? Well, I'm here to teach you a lesson for meddling where you shouldn't."

"Jenna, how did you end up like this? Are they threatening you—"

Before I could finish, she abruptly cut me off, "What do you mean 'end up like this'? I've always been 'like this'? Oh yes, let me introduce you—this is my boyfriend."

She hooked an arm around the leader's elbow, then swiped the cigarette from his lips to take a drag herself.

"You... But you're only 13. You're in your prime, with a whole life ahead of you..."

"Enough! Not only do you meddle, but you sure talk a lot, too. Since that's the case, let's make sure you never talk again, shall we?"

As if on cue, the gang squirmed with excitement. They raised their weapons and gradually closed in on me.

"Jenna Young! How dare you!" I could feel cold sweat soaking through the back of my shirt. Never in my life had I ever gotten into a fight with anyone—not even a heated argument, except with Blake. Even then, it got me all worked up. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared witless in front of so many people.

"Pfft, aren't you naïve, Mr. Shaw? What makes you think I wouldn't dare? As you now know, my family is quite wealthy. Even if we beat you to death today, it would just be a matter of waving some cash.

"Everything would then be water under the bridge! Plus, there are no cameras around. Who would testify that it was our doing? Let's not forget that most of us are still minors too, Mr. Shaw."

Once Jenna finished speaking, the boy with his arm around her waist roared, "Get him!" With that, the crowd raised their steel pipes, ready to start swinging at me.

A loud bang exploded in my ears, but I didn't feel the pain. Instead, I felt someone pick me up. I opened my eyes cautiously to find a familiar figure before me. The man shielded me behind his back, fighting off the attackers. The scene instantly grew chaotic as they got entangled in the mess.

I could hardly make anything out amid the mayhem, but something stood out to me—it was the nape of Blake's neck. Crimson liquid gushed from a compromise in his skin, trickling down into his shirt.

One after another, people collapsed to the ground. While Blake suffered occasional hits, he kept me protected. Nonetheless, the sight of his blood dominating the back of his shirt drove me right to the edge.

The fight went on, and I lost track of the time. When the madness finally died down, I couldn't put a finger on how much time had passed. Had it only been a few minutes? Or perhaps half an hour?

Those who could still move had fled, terrified by Blake's reckless attacks. All that was left were the ones who were out cold and immobilized.

"Nate, don't be scared. Everything is fine now," cooed Blake as he turned around. I looked up to see his face covered in blood pouring from the gash on his forehead.

"B-Blake..." I quickly reached out to catch him. It was only then that I realized that Blake's arm had been displaced into an unbelievable angle.

"Blake... Blake, your arm... Your arm..."

"Don't cry, Nate. Don't cry! It's okay, don't be afraid..." Blake's words trailed off as his body suddenly lost tone.

"Blake!" My hoarse cries echoed through the pitch-black alley.