The feedback I got for the prologue lifted my spirits in every way possible. :D Thank you!
So here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
The four boys couldn't help but enjoy their feeling of temporary freedom. Jennifer and Katie Knight had made a trip to Minnesota to see some family.
They were, of course, still bound by the rules of the Palm Woods in general, but when has that ever stopped them?
Logan was at class. He was receiving extra credits at the community college.
James was at the pool, talking to Jessica, a girl at the Palm Woods who finally decided to give James the light of day.
Kendall was in the lobby. There, he was on the couch, sitting next to the new girl at the Palm Woods. She was pretty tall, standing at the height of 5'9, she passed up Carlos by just a little bit. She was African American, and her genius level was up there with Logan's. Kendall couldn't help but admit that this girl was pretty cool.
Carlos, on the other hand, had used the car, Logan's car, to take Stephanie to the air port. She had visited the Palm Woods for a week and now she was heading back to New York. The result being that Logan was dropped off at the community college while Carlos kept the car.
Carlos had planned on using Ms. Knight's car, but James had already called it. Apparently his "hot date" had promise. But then again, this was James we're talking about.
Logan's class were scheduled at weird times. Because of rehearsals with Gustavo and Mr. X, Logan had classes later in the day. His classes usually ended when it was getting dark, so he always had the car parked closest to the entrance of the community college and never lingered outside. He always went straight to the car. Sure that seemed paranoid, but hey, years of bullying could do that to a person.
Carlos dropped off Stephanie at the air port, and may have broken a few speeding laws in order to pick up Logan on time. Kendall had offered to tag along with Carlos, but Carlos said no. He didn't want to interrupt Kendall's day with Amirah.
Logan slowly walked out of the building, his phone in hand as he dialed Carlos' number. Then, his phone started blinking. Great. Dying battery. He walked down the steps of the school as he saw the familiar headlights of the BTR mobile at a distance. A smile crept on his face as he mentally commended Carlos for being on time. He put his phone in his pocket when he felt a hand put over his mouth. "Do anything stupid and the knife in my hand goes through you," the voice behind Logan said.
Logan slowly nodded, scared out of his mind. The person behind him pulled away behind the large trees next to the school. His eyes followed the BTR mobile as Carlos drove close up to the front of the school.
"Don't worry about your friend," the voice said. "My guy will take care of him." He slowly took his hand of Logan's mouth.
"Why are you doing this?" Logan said quietly, paying attention to the knife his captor was holding.
"Why don't you ask your little friend?"
Logan swallowed the lump in his throat. He saw Carlos climbing out of the car, talking on his phone. "I called him three times, Kendall!" Logan heard Carlos say.
As Carlos began walking up the few steps of the community college, a man walked up behind him. He tapped Carlos' shoulder, who quickly turned around thinking it was Logan. The bright look in his eyes faded when he saw that it wasn't Logan. The man punched Carlos in the face, earning a small, yet audible scream. "You pathetic beaner," he said as Carlos hit the ground, holding his face. Carlos' phone had fallen from his hand, shattering as it hit the cement.
Logan lost it. He hated seeing Carlos getting hurt. When Carlos got punched, adrenaline began pumping. "Carlos!" he yelled as he struggled out of his captor's grasp. Miraculously, he succeeded, and ran straight to the man who hurt Carlos. He was about to throw a punch when he was once again grabbed from behind and thrown on the ground. His captor was now on top of Logan. He put his hand on Logan's neck and squeezed.
"You're almost as dirty as he is," he said, his head gesturing toward Carlos, who was now standing up, but held back by the other guy.
"Logan!" Carlos yelled as his eyes began to water up. "Please stop!"
Logan struggled as the ability to breathe was quickly escaping him. The man on top of Logan let go, and smiled as Logan hacked while sweet oxygen entered his lungs.
Carlos gave a sigh of relief. "Look, just take our money or whatever you want," Carlos practically begged.
The man holding Carlos chuckled. "You think that's what this is about?" he yelled as he punched Carlos in the abdomen. He doubled over trying to catch his breath. He wasn't expecting the next few kicks and punches that met his body right after.
"We're through," the first man said. "Let's just leave our message and go."
His friend nodded, and pulled out his knife. Carlos knew what that meant. He began shaking his head. "N-no no ."
Carlos' pleads went unheard as the knife was plunged into his torso.
"CARLOS!" Logan yelled out.
Carlos gripped his fresh knife wound, still in shock about what happened. He fell onto his knees "L-Logie," he whispered.
"HELP! SOMEONE HELP!" Logan yelled.
"Keep your mouth shut!" Logan's captor yelled. Logan was ready to disobey and scream some more. What he wasn't ready for, was the hand that grabbed his face and smashed his head into the cememt, not once, not twice, but three times.
"Let's go," he said once he saw that Logan was out cold. The two guys walked away, not even turning around to look at what they'd done.
They should have, otherwise they would have seen that the bleeding Latino was not unconscious or dead. Carlos slowly sat up, adrenaline making its way through his body. He crawled over to Logan.
"Logie?" Carlos shook Logan's limp body. He saw the pool of blood forming around Logan's head. "L-Logie. Please wake up." Tears began falling from Carlos' face. He needed to call an ambulance. He spotted Logan's phone in his pocket. He reached into Logan's pocket, only to discover Logan's black screen, telling him of the dead battery.
Carlos was conflicted. Leave Logan here and look for help, or stay here with Logan and hope they both get lucky. He grabbed Logan's limp hand and said, "I-I'll be right back, Logan." Carlos heard Logan's rough breathing, and saw the slow rise and fall of his chest. "Everything's gonna be okay." Carlos slowly stood of the ground, gripping his painful torso and wincing at the pain.
Logan needed help, and Carlos was determined to find it.
My biggest debate was ending the chapter here, or continuing on.
Hey, at least this cliffhanger wasn't as bad as the one I almost made.
So I know that what the guy called Carlos was mean and offensive. But those are my characters talking, not me. I love Carlos!
Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to drop a review ;D