Chapter 41: Stripped of Dignity

Third Person POV:

Detective Alfonso was frustrated. He was in the police station, looking over evidence. He had evidence that James's brother's soda was drugged, but didn't have any way to prove that Matthew was the one who drugged it. All he had was Steve's testimony, which wouldn't be enough to convict Matthew in court. Solid evidence was all that was missing to nail Matthew. That's when a police officer approaches the Detective.

"Detective, you need to see this." The officer says. The officer hands Detective Alfonso a letter that is in a protective case.

"What's this?" Detective Alfonso asks.

"A letter left by Matthew Turner." The officer says. Detective Alfonso reads it.

"I'm sorry, but I can't deal with the guilt anymore. James knows, so why even bother trying to hide it anymore. I, Matthew Turner, killed Nicholas Evans. I put a roofie in his soda, causing him to pass out at the wheel and die in a car crash. My intent wasn't to kill him, but that's what happened. I'm filled with remorse and shame for what I did. Don't bother trying to find me, because you won't." The letter says.

"Where did you find this?" Detective Alfonso asks.

"After Matthew was discharged from the hospital, one of the nurses found it." The officer says.

"Well, where is he now?" Detective Alfonso asks.

"We don't know. We have several officers hunting for him but we haven't found him yet." The officer says.

"Okay. Don't worry, we'll catch this son of a bitch." Detective Alfonso says.

James's POV:

I was the first person to wake up. Chase, Eli, and Demetri were all given permission to spend the night here with me. It felt nice knowing that my friends hadn't abandoned me despite everything I did. I check my phone and see that I have a text from Sam. My eyes widen in shock when I read it.

"What's wrong?" Chase asks. He was getting up.

"It's…it's Mr. LaRusso. He was attacked last night!" I say in shock.

Third Person POV:

Steve was waiting outside the Cobra Kai dojo, waiting for class to end. For the past few months, he had done nothing but train at Cobra Kai. He knew nothing else than the way of the fist. He also had no other friends. Eventually, Cobra Kai students began to pile out.

"Yo, Kyler!" Steve shouts.

"Dude, Sensei doesn't want us talking to you anymore." Kyler says.

"Are you serious? Come on, man!" Steve says in desperation. However Kyler ignores him. "Aaron? What about you?" Steve asks.

"Sorry, but we can't be seen with you. We want to preserve Cobra Kai's reputation." Aaron says before walking past Steve.

"Kenny? Edwin? Dieter?" Steve asks. However, all of them ignore Steve. "What if I told you I had a plan to get revenge on James?!" Steve shouts. This makes the Cobra Kai students turn around and walk back to Steve.

"Dude, we already got revenge on James. Twelve of us got together and beat the shit out of him." Kyler says.

"Really? Well…I have an idea that will publicly humiliate James." Steve says.

"Okay, I'm listening." Aaron says.

"Wait, we can't be seen hanging out with you in public." Kenny points out.

"So? Just don't wear any Cobra Kai merch. You can't get in trouble for just hanging out with a friend." Steve says.

"I don't know about this…" Kenny says.

"Please, I promise it'll be worth it." Steve says. He was desperate at this point to keep his friends.

"Fine. We're listening." Kenny says.

"Just follow my lead." Steve says.

James's POV:

My parents were driving me to the hospital. It was time to see the status on my broken arm. I was extremely nervous.

"James, you don't have to be worried." My mom says.

"I'm more worried about getting attacked by Cobra Kai then about my arm." I say.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Cobra Kai won't mess with you today." My dad says.

Third Person POV:

Eli, Demetri, and Chase were at the mall to meet with the rest of the Miyagi-Fang members. It was very crowded. They spot Sam, Anthony, Miguel, and Robby sitting at a table and approach them.

"Chase, how are you feeling?" Sam asks.

"It's a struggle, but I'm doing better." Chase says.

"So, how's your dad?" Demetri asks Sam.

"He's not doing so well. He's saying that he wants to quit karate." Sam reveals.

"Quit Karate? He can't do that!" Demetri says.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Chase asks.

"I don't know." Sam says. That's when Anthony spots something.

"Guys!" Anthony says. Everyone looks and sees a group of Cobras approach them.

"Hey, LaPusso." Kenny says.

"You guys better back off." Sam says while getting up. That's when Steve approachs her.

"I'm not scared of you, bitch." Steve says.

"Yeah, well you should be." Miguel says before standing next to Sam. Kenny turns and glares at Robby.

"I can't believe you betrayed Cobra Kai to hang out with these people." Kenny says.

"Kenny, listen, Cobra Kai is dangerous. You need to get out while you still can." Robby says.

"Oh, I'm not planning on quitting anytime soon." Kenny says before approaching Robby.

"How are you doing, cripple?" Aaron asks before approaching Chase.

"Dude, back off." Eli says.

"Shut up, lip!" Kyler says. Demetri joins Eli in defending Chase. Soon, everyone except Anthony and Chase are standing up.

"You guys better watch yourselves." Steve says before he and the rest of the Cobras walk away.

James's POV:

"So, how does it feel?" My mom asks.

"Amazing!" I say. My cast was finally gone and my arm was healed. We exit the hospital and I check my phone.

"Cobras are at the mall." Chase texts.

"I'll join you guys." I text back before going to the car.

Third Person POV:

"I need to be moving more, so I'm gonna check out the book store if anyone wants to join me." Chase says.

"Sure, I'll come with you." Anthony says.

"I'm coming too. You know, just in case." Miguel says.

Later…

The three guys enter the bookstore and begin looking around.

"You know, I never took you for a book guy." Miguel says.

"What? Just because I play basketball means I can't enjoy a good book?" Chase asks. Miguel and Chase share a laugh before splitting up to check everything out. Little did they know, Kenny and Aaron had followed them. The two of them approach Miguel.

"Hey, how are you doing Rhea?" Aaron asks.

"What did you just call me?" Miguel asks.

"Rhea. Kyler told me your nickname." Aaron says before sizing up Miguel.

"You realize I can kick your ass right now." Miguel says.

"I'd like to see you try, Rhea." Aaron says in a mocking voice before slightly pushing Miguel. Miguel clenches his fists but manages to hold back. Aaron and Kenny laugh before walking away. Chase and Anthony were still looking at books.

"Hey, what are you looking at?" Chase asks Anthony.

"Just some graphic novels that look interesting." Anthony says. The two boys were in a row by themselves. Aaron and Kenny got in the row next to them.

"This is the perfect position." Aaron says. Kenny nods. They then push over the bookshelf dividing the two rows, making it collapse on Chase and Anthony.

"Ahh! What the hell?!" Chase shouts.

"Look at how pathetic they are." Aaron says.

"What's going on over here?" A worker asks.

"This bookshelf just fell over!" Kenny says putting on an act. Miguel runs over and helps the worker get Chase and Anthony out from the pile of books.

"Those two pushed the bookshelf on top of us!" Anthony shouts.

"We didn't do anything! We just saw it fall." Kenny says. Miguel glares at the two Cobras before he, Chase, and Anthony leave the store.

James's POV:

I enter the mall and try to find the Miyagi-Fangs. However, I bump into the last person on Earth that I wanted to see.

"So, your arm's healed, pussy?" Steve asks. I begin to panic.

"Look Steve, just leave me alone." I say.

"Why should I?" Steve says while getting closer to me. Suddenly, a Cobra appears from behind me and grabs me. I'm absolutely terrified and can't fight back.

"You're gonna pay for getting me locked in juvie." Steve says. I notice that some people are staring at us. However, they'd rather watch the show then actually help. The Cobra drags me into a storage closet. Inside are a few more Cobras, including Kyler and Brian. Kyler grabs me and throws me into a metal shelf. I hit my head and everything begins to spin. "Pick him up!" Steve shouts. Kyler does so and puts me in a headlock. My vision is blurry and I'm having a panic attack now. All I can picture in my head is Steve breaking my arm. Steve turns to Brian. "Take his clothes off." Steve says.

"What?" Brian asks in confusion.

"You heard me, strip him!" Steve shouts. Brian hesitates.

"You didn't tell us that this was the plan!" Brian shouts.

"Well, it is. Are you gonna strip him or not?" Steve asks.

"Please! Don't!" I beg.

"Why do we need to do this? We already got revenge on James." Brian asks.

"You guys got revenge on James, I didn't." Steve says.

"Brian, he's manipulating you! Don't do it!" I beg. Brian reluctantly walks over to me and removes my shirt and pants.

"Take it all off." Steve says.

"I…I think we're taking things too far." Brian says.

"I said take everything off!" Steve shouts. Brian complies and removes my underwear, making me completely nude. "Throw him outside." Steve tells Kyler.

"No! No!" I scream. Kyler drags me over to the door, opens it, and throws me back into the public. All the mall patrons gasp at the sight of me. I quick get up and cover my shame. Everyone is stopping to stare. Some parents are covering their children's eyes. However, the worst part, is that I see people taking out their phones and recording me while laughing. I'm completely humiliated. I turn and see Eli, Demetri, Robby, and Sam all staring at me in shock. I run out the mall, trying to get as far away from everyone as possible.

Third Person POV:

"What…the…hell." Demetri says. People begin pulling out their phones to call 911.

"What the hell was that kid doing?" One patron asks.

"He should take his nudist ideas elsewhere." Another patron says.

"He did that in front of children! That guy is sick!" Another patron says. That's when Sam notices Steve, Kyler, and a few more Cobras exit the storage closet, laughing. Brian was the only Cobra who was looking down. Sam marches over to them.

"You think that was funny?!" Sam shouts.

"Hey, I'm not the reason James decided to become a nudist." Steve says while laughing.

"Hey, that should be his new nickname! Nudist!" Kyler says while laughing. The other Cobras join him. Sam clenches her fist and walks up to Kyler. She then punches him in the face.

"Get her!" Steve shouts. A mall brawl had begun.

Author's Note: The next chapter will be a huge brawl that takes place at the mall. I'm so excited to share it with all of you. What will be the outcome of this major fight? James might have his broken arm healed, but now he's been publicly humiliated in front of everyone. What will happen to James as a result? Steve is trying desperately to stay a part of Cobra Kai. Will it last? How will Brian handle what just happened? How will Violet and Emma react?