"Hey, you just kicked some serious ass," he said, grinning at her. I'm Josiah. What's your name?"
Selena raised an eyebrow, unsure of what to make of Josiah's sudden interest in her. "I'm Selena," she said casually, trying not to show her unease.
Josiah nodded enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you, Selena. That was an awesome fight. You've got some serious skills."
Selena shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. "Thanks. I just did what I had to do."
Josiah chuckled. "Well, you held your own. Hey, want to come smoke a joint with me and my friends? We're just hanging out by the parking lot."
Selena's instincts screamed at her to say no. There was something about Josiah that didn't feel right, and she didn't want to get involved with him or his friends.
"No, thanks," Selena said, trying to sound casual. "I'm good."
Josiah's grin faltered for a moment, but then he recovered. "Come on, it'll be fun! It makes the rides fun; the house of mirrors is awesome on it," he pressed. "We can get to know each other better." He walked closer to her.
Selena felt a surge of unease. She didn't want to get to know Josiah better, and she didn't want to smoke a joint with him and his friends. Selena backed away.
"I said no," Selena repeated, trying to sound firm but casual.
Josiah's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Selena thought she saw a flash of anger in his gaze. But then he smiled again, and Selena wondered if she had just imagined it.
"Suit yourself," Josiah said, shrugging. "Maybe I'll see you around, then."
Selena nodded, trying to seem nonchalant. "Yeah, maybe."
As Josiah walked away, Selena let out a sigh of relief. She was glad to be rid of him, and she hoped she wouldn't run into him again anytime soon.
Selena's eyes locked onto Josiah's, and for a moment, she was transported back to her past life. She was 17 again, and Josiah was the boy who had smacked her, drugged her, and tricked her into a life of exploitation.
A wave of revulsion washed over Selena as she gazed at Josiah. She couldn't believe that she had ever fallen in love with him, that she had ever thought he was worth her time.
But Selena wasn't that naive girl anymore. She had lived a whole life, and she had learned from her mistakes. She knew that Josiah was toxic, and she wasn't going to fall for his charms again.
"I'm not interested," Selena said, her voice firm and cold.
Josiah's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Selena thought she saw a flash of anger in his gaze. But then he smiled again, and Selena wondered if she had just imagined it.
"Suit yourself," Josiah said, shrugging. "Maybe I'll see you around, then."
Selena nodded, trying to seem nonchalant. But inside, she was seething. She knew that Josiah was trouble, and she was determined to stay away from him.
As Josiah walked away, Selena let out a sigh of relief. She was glad to be rid of him, and she hoped she wouldn't run into him again anytime soon.
James asked Selena to bring her mom the Diet Coke he had bought for them, and then he shuffled off towards the parking lot. Unbeknownst to Selena, James was a retired war veteran with combat skills that included extracting and kidnapping terrorists.
As he reached his vehicle, James grabbed a cloth bag and a small extendable tactical wand that he kept in the car for protection, particularly when Molly worked late nights at the strip joint.
James's eyes scanned the area, locking onto Josiah's retreating figure. A smirk spread across James's face as he stalked Josiah, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
That moment arrived when Josiah stopped to pee behind a dumpster, oblivious to his surroundings. James crept up behind him, his movements silent and deadly.
Without warning, James slipped the bag over Josiah's head, obscuring his vision. Josiah's eyes widened in panic as he stumbled around, disoriented.
James took advantage of Josiah's confusion, swiftly dragging him behind the dumpsters. Josiah's struggles were futile against James's combat-trained strength.
As they reached the dumpsters, James leaned in close, his voice low and menacing. "Don't flirt with little girls, creep," James whispered.
Josiah tried to respond, but his words were muffled by the bag. James' grip on the bag tightened, his knuckles white with rage.
With a swift motion, James extended the tactical wand and began to beat Josiah with precision and force. He hammered blows into Josiah's body, targeting his kidneys, liver, and ribs.
Josiah's muffled cries filled the air as James continued to beat him, his anger and disgust towards Josiah palpable. James's combat training allowed him to inflict maximum damage while minimizing noise.
Piss ran down Josiah's pants as he struggled to breathe. "What did I do? Stop. Help."
James' grip on the bag remained tight, his eyes blazing with intensity. James walloped the young man that was far to old to be talking to his kid. The kid shit himself. Finally, James released his grip on the bag, and Josiah collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. James stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion.
"I know who you are, and I know where you live," James hissed. If I even see you talk to a girl, I'll beat you to a pulp. You got that?"
Josiah nodded frantically, the burlap bag shaking. Josiah's body trembled with fear. James's eyes blazed with intensity as he leaned closer.
"Remember, I'm watching you," James said, his voice dripping with malice. "You mess with anyone, kid, and you'll answer to me. You won't even see it fucking coming. Smell that, just try it and one of those will be your fucking tomb."
With that, James turned and walked away, leaving Josiah battered, bruised, and terrified behind the dumpsters.
As James rejoined Molly and Selena, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had taken care of Josiah, and he knew that the young man wouldn't be bothering Selena or anyone else again.
As they prepared to leave for the day, Selena glanced over at the dumpster and her eyes widened in shock. Josiah was being hauled away by ambulance, his body battered and bruised.
Selena's gaze fell upon one of the tote bags she and Molly had sewn for groceries, lying on the ground by the dumpster. They were soaked in Josiah's blood, and Selena's eyes locked onto James, a knowing glint in her eye.
James met her gaze, his expression neutral, but Selena could sense the unspoken understanding between them. James hadn't ratted her out to Molly about her fight, and she wouldn't say anything about him kicking Josiah's ass so thoroughly.
The two of them shared a silent moment, a nod of understanding passing between them. As they walked away from the scene, Selena felt a sense of gratitude towards James. He had taken care of Josiah, and he had done it without putting her or Molly in harm's way.
As they reached the car, Molly turned to them and asked, "What's up? You both look exhausted."
Selena and James exchanged a glance, and then Selena smiled sweetly. "Just happy to be going home, Mom."
Molly raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. As they drove away, Selena glanced back at the scene, a sense of closure washing over her. Josiah was taken care of, and she knew that she was safe, thanks to James.
Selena walked up the door to Fred Everrett's apartment, a basket of fresh laundry and a bag of groceries in her hands. As a client of her laundry and delivery service, Fred was entitled to regular deliveries of essentials and other items.
As she approached the door, Selena felt a sense of unease. She had always found Fred to be creepy, with his overly friendly demeanor and invasive questions. But she pushed aside her reservations and knocked on the door.
Fred answered, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Selena! Thank you so much for delivering my laundry and groceries. You're a lifesaver!"
Selena forced a smile and handed over the basket and bag. "No problem, Pastor Everrett. Just doing my job."
As Fred took the items from her, his hand brushed against hers, sending a shiver down her spine. Selena quickly pulled her hand back, trying not to show her distaste.
"You got to be careful, Selena," Fred said, his eyes lingering on her face. "Someone out there is beating up teens. My nephew and five girls got attacked at the fair, scared the Bejesus out of Diana. She and Josiah are moving to a small town where isn't violent, like here in the city."
Selena smiled politely and took a step back, eager to leave. "I can take care of myself, Pastor. Have a great day."
As she turned to walk away, Selena felt Fred's eyes on her, watching her. She quickened her pace, feeling a sense of relief when she reached the safety of her car.
Selena walked into the delivery service, looking a bit shaken. James, who was sitting in his chair, noticed her expression and immediately asked, "Hey, kiddo, how was the delivery?"
Selena shrugged, trying to brush off the uneasy feeling she had gotten from Fred. "It was fine. Just the usual creepy Pastor Everrett stuff."
James' expression turned serious. "You okay? You look a little shaken."
Selena nodded, trying to reassure him. "I'm fine, James. Just a little weirded out by Pastor Everrett, that's all."
James nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Well, I don't want you to have to deal with him again. From now on, I'll take care of his deliveries."
Selena looked at him in surprise. "You don't have to do that, James."
James waved his hand dismissively. "I want to. Besides, it's not like I have anything better to do. Or we could just refuse service to him altogether."
Selena's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You'd do that for me?"
James nodded. "Of course, I'd do anything to keep you safe and happy. You're my kiddo."
Selena felt a warmth in her heart at James' words. She knew that she could always count on him to have her back. "Thanks, James. I'm glad to be your kid."
James' eyes misted over as he looked at Selena, his heart full of emotion. He cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. Whenever
Selena treated him like a dad, it made his heart flutter. This was the baby he and Molly had raised, and even though she was genetically the child of that drug lord, she was his daughter. His.He took a deep breath, trying to focus on the conversation. "Well, you're going to be in high school soon, and I'll be in charge of these morning deliveries anyway," he said, trying to sound gruff.
Selena rubbed her neck, looking a bit sheepish. "I just wanted to make sure Mary Vio was safe, James. Her fire safety stuff was all
expired, and I love those kids. Can't be too safe, you know?"
James' expression softened, his heart swelling with pride. "You're a good kid, Selena. I'm proud of you. But what's with all the fire safety stuff? You're not exactly made of money, kiddo."
Selena's eyes sparkled with determination. "I know the owner of the building is a scummy landlord, James. There's a reason it's so cheap to live there. I've seen the loose wiring in the hall, and I don't want anything to happen to Mary Vio or her family."
James' eyes widened in surprise, impressed by Selena's initiative and concern for others. "You're a real firecracker, aren't you?" he said, chuckling.
Selena grinned, looking pleased with herself. "Hey boo! Such a bad pun, but seriously, someone's got to look out for those kids."