Chapter 11
3 - 1 you would think it's 2 But in our hearts equals none
When stuff goes wrong, I want to help I really do but I don't want to get hurt at the same time.
Plus, after what I did to…
You know what, actually? Never mind.
Either way, being a coward in the world that I live in keeps you alive.
The global murder rate is 18.6 per 100,000 people.
I like to tell myself it's mostly criminals, but you and I know some innocent people get caught in crossfire.
Cops don't really do much to stop it.
Some of them are probably criminals themselves.
There used to be groups of people called vigilantes people that went rogue.
People that defended the innocent and fought for what's right.
The reality was, that was just a quicker way to get yourself killed.
Most vigilantes were normal people or kids who watched way too many superhero films.
Some of them probably worked for the military or MMA, or had some kind of history with fighting.
But either way, it always ends the same for them:
They either die a brutal death, or their loved ones do.
There's only so many people you can beat up before you touch the wrong one
And they put a million-dollar bounty on your head.
Or let's say your secret identity gets revealed.
Now you've got people gunning for your family and everyone you ever loved.
There were some good ones some skilled fighters that actually made a difference.
But throw enough money at a man, and next thing you know,
They're hired and working for the same people they pledged to fight against.
Or
Let's say you're so stuck in your delusions that you have no combat or survival training.
You get jumped in a back alley.
And the police find you in a ditch the next day.
Because vigilantes were dying left and right
To the point where the government had to get involved and make vigilantism illegal.
Which was a good move on their part.
Being a vigilante is dumb.
Not hating on them
Actually, I still want to become one.
I hate it when good, honest people suffer and lose everything they have Or everything they love
Because some asshole profits from it.
I truly can't stand it.
And I wanted to do something about it.
But just look at me.
Travion wasn't wrong when he calls me a fat pig… or Butterball… or a puffer fish… or honey bun badger… or Jay-Zebra Cake.
Actually, I hate to admit it, but he gets creative with it.
But the point is I'm not physically able to do all that.
I don't have the skills for it.
I can barely run a mile, and I'm more likely to hurt myself if I try to throw a punch than hurt anyone else.
So, I accepted reality.
I had to accept it.
Because all the people who didn't accept it…
Died.
Or got killed by it.
Which is why I am a coward.
And that will never change.
Either way…
What am I thinking?
Xavian (internally)
I should catch up with Zelina and Quinley.
Now that's something to look forward to especially with Zelina.
I'm not gonna lie... I've had a crush on her since middle school. But like I said, I'm a coward.
She only goes out with guys who ask her out first.
Not proud of this, but I've been playing the long game with her.
Whenever she got into a relationship, I'd count the days until they broke up.
And if there was even a little conflict in her relationship,
I'd start dogging on the dude, trying to convince her to break up with him.
She knows I like her.
But she's never tried to friend-zone me.
That could be a sign... right?
You know what?
Today will be the day I finally confess my feelings to her.
And I'll handle whatever happens after that.
Officer "Hey kid, are you Xavian by any chance?"
Xavian "Umm... yes, sir. Is there a problem?"
Officer "we've been looking for you You're needed in the school's office.
I know this is your first day, so I'll show you to it. Please follow me."
Xavian "Uhm... yeah. Lead the way."
The officer gave a nod and guided me to the office. All the way there, all I could think about was: What the hell is going on?
I've never done anything wrong.
Why are the police meeting up with me?
Wait a minute...
Could this be about the robbery that happened earlier?
Has to be.
The cameras must've caught me.
Or the girls.
Or maybe Travion snitched.
Damn.
I'm kinda happy if justice is served, but...
Am I gonna get in trouble for not saying anything?
Well... I guess it's kind of deserved.
My thoughts are broken by the officer's stern but sorrowful words:
Officer
"We're here."
Xavian
"Yeah... thanks."
The officer gave me a nod before walking away.
I reluctantly opened the door to the office
and before I could even take one step...
Quinley rushed me and hugged me, bawling her eyes out.
Her face was red, and her nose was so sniffled.
She's not an ugly crier though.
Hell, she's not really much of a crier at all.
She only cries when something really bad has happened.
Xavian: "Hey calm down. Calm down. Everything's okay. It's all right."
Quinley: "It's not okay! It's it's not freaking okay, alright?! HuuAAAAAAAAAHAHAAAA!"
Xavian (internally)
Damn it. I'm never good with this type of thing.
Zelina's the one that usually handles Quinley and calms her down when she's like this.
Where is she?
Xavian
"Where's Zelina?"
Quinley
"She's gone..."
Xavian
"Wuh What do you mean she's gone please calm down You're not making sense?"
Quinley
"She's... she went missing last night."
Her voice breaks completely.
"They took her, Xavian.
They took my best friend away from me."