The moon light shone through the windows of the computer lab on the second floor. The world was slowly going to rest outside and the sounds of the outside began to grow gradually in volume as the city's night life began.
Jimmy stared at the computer screen trying with all his might to not fall asleep. The letters and numbers on the screen began to swim around before him. He shook his head and they went back to their place but in no time, they started floating around once more. The phone rang, causing Jimmy to jump out of his seat. He could see the man on his right glare at his for being so out of it. Fighting his urge to flip him off, Jimmy grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Jimmy?"
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Yes it is."
"Good."
Jimmy found the call a bit suspicious. Shifting the phone closer on his ear, Jimmy asked, "Who is this I'm speaking to?"
"Come to the bosses office in 5 minutes. If you're not there" there was a pause, "you will be fired."
'click!'
"What the fuck?"
The man to his right looked up with his mouth open in disbelief.
"Are you trying to get fired?" he asked.
Jimmy rolled his eyes, as if the job wasn't worth losing. He had almost completed a full week of work. Luckily, it was Friday night and he'd be off for the weekend in about an hour. Pushing his chair back, Jimmy got up and left the computer room. Walking down the hallway he happened to notice several familiar faces. Not knowing where he had seen them before, he shrugged it off and continued walking. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw that three of the familiar faced men began to follow him. Jimmy racked his brain, trying to identify the men but before he could put the pieces together, he entered the bosses office whose door was strangely wide open.
The minute Jimmy stepped in he could sense something was wrong.
The spinning chair which had been facing the window turned revealing the last person Jimmy wanted to see.
"Hello, Jimmy." Joshua said as a smile crawled across his face.
Jimmy turned and began to run but doubled over as one of the Joshua's mens fist met his stomach. Jimmy collapsed, grabbing onto his stomach with his arm. He could see one of the other men close the office door as the third member kicked his arm, right where the scars sat. Jimmy screamed but only muffled noise could be heard as Joshua clamped his hand around Jimmy's nose and mouth, making it impossible for him to breathe.
"You bastard! No one makes me look like a fucking idiot! NO ONE!" Joshua yelled as he threw Jimmy into the desk.
"I am the best! You're just fucking pathetic!" In frustration he kicked Jimmy's scarred arm again. No one could cover his mouth in time allowing his scream to echo through the room.
"Shut up!" One of Joshua's men whispered violently as he took his turn to kick Jimmy.
Jimmy looked up at the four men, his eyes squinting from the pain they had inflicted. Slowly, their faces began to melt into a new appearance. At first, Jimmy was confused as to who they looked like but as the new facial features sharpened, Jimmy felt his heart stop beating out of fear. Before him, where Joshua and his men had been, stood Theo, Van, Ben & Brian. Jimmy screamed but was cut off as "Theo" punched him in the face sending him flying to the floor.
Suddenly, with a loud THUD! the office door flew open revealing John who was looking through his binder full of papers, oblivious of the scene before him.
"Hey boss, so I can't find my report right now but if you can -"
John looked up at the men and then saw Jimmy who was lying on the floor. "What the fuck?"
Jimmy yelled for him to run but it was too late. The man closest to the door swung his arm, punching John in the gut causing his report folder to fly out of his grasp and land behind the desk. As he doubled over, a second man shoved John to the floor making it easier for him to be kicked. Joshua grabbed Jimmy by the hair and threw him into the filing cabinet that occupied the corner of the office.
"Let's see... What to do with poor little Johnny. Where's your fucking champion?" Joshua smirked walking towards the spot were John was currently being kicked by the three men. Jimmy looked up from floor and saw Joshua reach into his pocket. Slowly, he brought his hand back out, revealing a small red pocket knife.
Jimmy's eyes grew wide with fear as he looked over at John. He was now being strangled and forced to kneel while one man held his hands behind him.
"No.." Jimmy whispered. "NO!"
Joshua flicked the blade open and smiled deviously at John.
"You can't get away with this!" John yelled. Joshua didn't reply but punched him in the face. When John turned forward again, Jimmy could see the blood trickle down from his nose.
"Here is my message, loud and clear." Joshua said taking a step forward, his grip tightening on the knife.
Jimmy looked around for something to possibly throw at Joshua but began to panic as he realized there wasn't anything that would do enough damage. He placed his hand on the filing cabinet handle and with the little strength he had left Jimmy pulled himself to a standing position. No one noticed as Jimmy staggered to the desk using one arm to steady himself as the other rested on his stomach. He could feel blood trickling down his face from the gash on the side of his head. His legs shook; they were barley able to maintain his own body weight. Jimmy took a deep breath in and mustered the energy to stand up straight without any assistance. Out of the corner of his eye, Jimmy could see Joshua hadn't used his knife but he could see blood flying with every blow to John's face. Jimmy took a step forward, his face twisting in pain. He took another deep breath and took several more steps.
"You stupid piece of shit!"
Jimmy saw Joshua raise the knife.
Full of adrenaline, Jimmy let his arm fall from his stomach to his side and ran preparing to jump onto Joshua's back.
"Joshua!"
Jimmy let out a scream as Joshua turned around, grazing Jimmy's arm with his knife and tossing him into the floor. John saw as the blood began to flow from his dark scars. Footsteps could be heard and a murmur of voices began to stir. Joshua pocketed the knife and punched John once more before running out of the office with his posse right on his heels.
Jimmy lifted his head and used his good arm to prop himself up. Cradling his injured arm, Jimmy looked around until his eyes fell upon John. His face was completely covered in blood. It was flowing from his nose and several open wounds in his face. Jimmy grabbed onto the desk and stood up, causing pain to tear through his body. Little by little, he walked toward John's motionless body.
'Please don't be dead.'
Jimmy kneeled down and placed his finger on John's wrist. He let out a sigh of relief as he felt the heartbeat. The room suddenly filled with a ringing noise that came from the bosses phone. Thinking it could be possible help for himself or John, he stood up once again and walked to the phone with assistance from the desk.
"Hello?" Jimmy said, sending pain through his stomach.
"If you tell anyone what happened tonight, I will hunt you down and kill both of you."
'click'
Jimmy set the phone down and looked at John who was still unconscious. Suddenly, the images of Crystal flooded his mind. Her screams for help and his inability to reach her. The terrible feeling as he watched her being dragged away, never to see her again. He had failed to protect her. He was pathetic. He was selfish.
'She was right. I am an idiot and it's even written on my birth certificate in so many words.'
He grabbed his hair in frustration, pulling out a handful of strands. He turned his attention back to John.
'No ones getting hurt. Not this time.'
Against his bodies wishes, Jimmy attempted to ignore all his pain as he walked over to John and grabbed him by the waist. In one swift movement, Jimmy had his body over his good shoulder. His face twisted in pain, but he forced himself to move along and step by step he made it out the office door and into the empty hallway.

The apartment was pitch black. The only light came from the television and the city lights from the window. On the green couch opposite from the TV sat a girl with her boyfriend. A blue blanket covered them both from shoulder to knee. The girl's head rested on the blue t-shirt of the boy whose heading was nodding as he fought sleep. The low murmur of the TV filled the room for the two didn't not want to disturbed their already sleeping friend.
'Knock Knock Knock.'
The girl rolled her eyes in disgust at the thought of someone wishing to speak with them at this hour. But when the door was knocked on again, her disgust turned to curiosity. She stood up, running her hand through her golden hair. As she walked to the door, the boy stirred on the couch, trying to find a new comfy position now that she was gone. She unlocked the door and slowly, without removing the chain, opened it.
"May I-"
She gasped. Before her stood a bloody stranger with some man over his shoulder. She gave a little scream and began to close the door.
"Wait! Stop! It's John!" the stranger said.
The girl opened the door a little more. "Johnny?"
The stranger turned around to show the face of the man on his shoulders.
"Johnny!" she screamed. She closed the door, unhooked the chain and threw it open welcoming the stranger who was carrying her bloody friend.
"I'm Jimmy." he told the girl who was pushing her boyfriend off the couch. Jimmy laid John down; his heart skipping a beat as he saw the dried blood covering his face. He looked away and took a deep breath.'Take the pressure from the swelling. This sensations over whelming.'