"John meet Jimmy."
Jimmy put out his hand but John couldn't come around to shaking it. Jimmy stared at him with a loathsome look in his eyes then put his hand back down.
"You will start working today. John you should show him where to check in, where the break room is, and most importantly, how to work the computer system."
Jimmy nodded taking note of all he had to learn while John stared him down from behind.
Obviously he didn't recognize John but John knew exactly who he was.
"John?"
"Yeah?" He replied snapping himself back into the present.
"I think you should get started. If you finish and there's still time, you can head home a little early."
John nodded and headed out the door. He heard the chair screech and listened as Jimmy's footsteps followed his own.
John slowed down a bit until Jimmy was walking right at his left. Out of the corner of his eye, john could see Jimmy wasn't wearing eyeliner anymore and all his hair had grown back. If he hadn't had such distinct blue eyes, John would have never guessed Jimmy to be the same person.
"So..."
Jimmy didn't respond. John tried again.
"So you're new to the area?"
Jimmy still said nothing. John gave up and continued the walk to the check-in room in silence. They walked for what seemed like eternity before reaching the room. John pulled the door open and both men walked in. John looked around and saw the last person he wanted to see with his posse, signing themselves out for the day.
'Fuck!'
"Hey John! Come on over here!"
John looked at Jimmy, murmured for him to stay, and walked over to Joshua.
"What do you want?"
"Who's your little friend?"
John looked over his shoulder at Jimmy who was taking a seat on a nearby table, trying not to look at the group of guys.
"The new guy. Just showed up."
Joshua looked at his friends and smiled deviously. John took a step back. They had a plan and he knew he wasn't going to like it.
"Hey! New guy!"
Jimmy looked up at them, his blue eyes darting to each person.
"Come here!"
John began to panic. "Joshua, just leave him alone. He didn't do anything to you."
But Joshua wasn't listening. He was glaring at Jimmy, waiting for him to come forward. Jimmy looked at John for a second then got up and joined the group.
"What's your name?" Joshua demanded.
Jimmy looked as if he was ready to say something but stopped himself at the last second.
"I asked you a question!" Joshua took a step forward. John took a step back but Jimmy remained in place.
"You're pathetic." Joshua said turning to his friends. Then out of nowhere, he turned back around and slapped Jimmy right in the face.
"Hey! What the fuck is your problem?" John yelled running between the two.
"Just making sure the new guy knows his place here." Joshua said shoving John into the pile of shipping boxes that were lying against the corner of the room. Jimmy hadn't moved and stood almost paralyzed in place.
"Gonna fight back?" Joshua taunted walking right up to his face. Jimmy didn't lose his gaze with Joshua but continued to stay silent and still. John knew exactly where this was going. Andrew had gotten a similar treatment during his first week. John remembered how bruised and broken he was after the jerk and his posse had gotten a hold of him.
Joshua and his people surrounded Jimmy who looked at John with a hopeless look.
"Jimmy, do something!" John finally yelled. Joshua held his hand out to stop his men.
"Yeah, Jimmy. Do something." Joshua smiled.
Silence filled the room as everyone waited for Jimmy's response. John saw him curl his fingers into a fist but he let it go.
In one swift motion, John ran in front of Jimmy, wildly punched Joshua in the face and ran to the door. His posse rushed to their master catching him before he fell. Jimmy finally moved, franticly running after John.
The two men continued to run until they were outside the building and safe on the street under the afternoon sun.
"Why didn't you do anything!" John panted as he leaned onto his knees to catch his breath. Jimmy didn't respond but continued to hold his mid-section as he tried to catch his breath.
"And why don't you talk? I mean seriously, you're gonna let that son of a bitch mess with you like that?" John didn't know where all his anger was coming from but he couldn't hold it in.
"Are you scared of getting fired? Scared of Joshua? Scared of life? Well I don't give a damn! I'm in enough trouble with him as it is already so it wont be a surprise when he beats me into a pulp tomorrow at work! I just had to save your ass and now I'm pretty much fucked!"
John took a deep breath in and sighed, emptying out all the air from his lungs.
"Look-"
"Oh NOW you want to say something!" John threw his hands in the air. "There are a million things you could have said in the past 9 minutes. But what did you say? Nothi-"
"Shut up!"
Jimmy straightened his spine and began chewing on his lip staring directly at the ground in front of him. John took a step back giving Jimmy some room.
"There's nothing I could have done!" Jimmy concluded.
"Ever heard of throwing a punch?" John added sarcastically. Jimmy glared at him and began to scratch his arm right over a series of dark scars.
John examined the scars until Jimmy noticed his stares. He covered his arm with his sleeve and if looks could kill, there was no doubt in John's mind that he'd be dead.
"Well sorry I gave you so much fucking trouble." Jimmy stated without a bit of apology in his voice.
"Whatever." John began to walk back towards the building. Jimmy opened his mouth to say something but decided against it at the last minute.
Jimmy turned and walked down the street to leave.
"Hey!"
Jimmy turned. Johnny was holding the door open and glaring at Jimmy.
"Where the fuck are you going?"
"Anywhere but here." Jimmy replied.
"Your shift is not over. Get back. I'm not losing my raise due to your stubbornness." Jimmy snarled at him but reluctantly walked back to the building. John smiled at his accomplishment and follow Jimmy in closing the door behind them.