So sorry for the lag but life sometimes gets in the way. You know how it goes. :-)
Normally he wasn't the type to run but those guys meant business and Cal wasn't about to hang around while they 'discussed' it with Colin and him.
Chest and lungs burning, he leaned over in an attempt to catch his breath. He was small but fast so it wasn't difficult to leave them all behind.
Including Colin. Oh fuck.
He carefully peeked around the corner and down the darkened street.
Nothing.
Mouth going dry, he felt his heart start to accelerate once again. Colin. One of his best mates since grade school.
Face hardening, he stealthily slipped around and backtracked. He had no idea what he was going to do, only knowing he couldn't let them hurt his friend or worse. Cal figured he'd make it up as he went. That was often how he did things.
It was the wee hours of the morning and the street was quiet. Off in the distance he heard the mournful sound of a train but other than that, all he could hear was his heart in his ears and the dim shuffle of his shoes on concrete.
There's never an easy way to make money. It always comes back to bite you in the end. Colin should have known. Hell, he should have tried harder to pull him out of it. But Colin was always hard-headed, even worse than Cal, if that were possible.
Cal could now hear the soft grunt of air expelling and the smack of knuckles on flesh.
There. The alley just a couple of meters up on his left.
He moved forward to take a quick glance around the corner before pulling back.
Three of them against one. And Colin didn't have a lot of meat on him. Kind of skinny in fact.
A slow burn moved up and through Cal. It didn't displace his fear but the anger seemed to help hone and sharpen his racing mind.
Looking around, his eyes scanned for some kind of weapon. Anything he could use to defend himself and his mate. Several bottles lay on their sides by the rubbish. He didn't see anything else. Hopefully it would be enough. Hopefully no one was carrying a gun.
Grabbing one of them off the ground, he took a breath and turned the corner.
"All tough at three to one, eh?" His voice didn't even shake. Cal was impressed with himself for about a quarter of a second.
"How sweet." The one who spoke was Colin's supplier, Dale. Only middle management but dangerous nonetheless. "Came back for your lad here?"
Colin's gaze shifted over to Cal. He had a bloodied nose and a gash across his cheekbone but his eyes were sharp. They easily read, "I am completely fucked."
"You got your money. Judging from his face, seems he might have learned his lesson."
Dale smiled, teeth slightly yellowed with nicotine. "Don't think so." His eyes not leaving Cal, his order was barked over his shoulder. "Take care of Colin, I can handle this one little arsehole."
Not leaving it to chance, Cal immediately hit the bottle against the brick wall of the alley. The glass exploded, leaving jagged pieces. "Donne think so." He held it in front but close to his body.
The grin widened. "You're gonna cock it up even more for your mate."
"Think he'll understand."
Dale's grin dropped as the knife appeared in his hand. A long-handled switchblade. The blade glinted in the dim light, wicked and lethal looking. Cal felt himself swallow.
"Maybe if you drop that bottle, I'll let you leave."
"Not without Colin."
The older man took a step forward. "You're a brave little git aren't ya?" He took another step, smile returning.
He was now only within a few feet and Cal knew he was being underestimated. It definitely wasn't the first time. Because of his size, it happened frequently. Usually against the other person's best interests. Of course this was a little different. No bare knuckles.
The next few moments blurred for Cal, his actions instinctive.
Dale moved forward quickly, the knife slicing the air and Cal barely had time to dodge as the blade cut through the fabric of his jacket. He immediately lashed out with the broken bottle in his hand, his mind dimming slightly. Not really aiming, he moved it upward in a high arc.
Right across the other man's throat.
The blade dropped to the ground as Dale used both hands in an attempt to stem the sudden gush of blood from the severed artery.
"Holy shit!" One man holding Colin abruptly let his charge go as the other followed suit. They beat it out of the alley, brushing past Cal, Cal not noticing.
Time seemed to have frozen as Cal watched Dale fall to his knees, blood spurting out from between his fingers, a horrible gargling sound emitting from him. He wasn't sure if the sound came from the man's mouth or through the ragged gash. One hand left the ruined throat and reached out to Cal, eyes connecting with and holding his own.
Cal took a sudden step back when blood splashed his shoes but couldn't break eye contact. His stomach curdled sickeningly and he felt the sweat cold against his forehead and he still couldn't look away.
The man seemed to be begging but there was nothing Cal could do. He watched the life flicker before going dark. The body slumped at his feet, blood pooling.
"Cal! We've gotta get outta here!" Colin grabbed at his arm but Cal didn't move, watching the pool move closer to his shoes, mesmerized. The blood was very dark in the yellow streetlight. He vaguely remembered reading that in old black and white cinema they'd sometimes use chocolate syrup for blood.
"WE HAVE TO GO NOW!" Colin grabbed Cal by the jacket and hauled him forcefully along.
(BREAK)
"Ran with the bloody bottle in my hand for about five blocks before Colin yanked it, wiped it and tossed it."
Gillian lifted her head and looked at his profile, watching the clenching of his jaw, noting the distance of his eyes as he stared at the long ago memory. She felt sick. Sick for him, sick for herself.
"He somehow got us back to my flat, got me cleaned up, waited while I threw up." The timbre of his voice held deep sadness and regret. "Although he seemed a lot older at the time, the man I killed probably wasn't even out of his twenties. Not all that much older than I was."
She nestled a little closer, one hand resting on his leg. "I'm so sorry Cal."
"You wanted to know." It could have been caustic but he was just stating a grim fact. "Long time ago, luv."
There was a part of her that was sorry she'd asked but at the same time she felt grateful that he'd chosen to open up to her. It was one heck of a burden. "Did the police…?"
"No." He gave a humorless chuckle. "Got away with it. He had pretty bad reputation so I don't think the cops tried too hard."
"Got away with…?" Gillian pushed up and looked directly at him.
He continued to stare straight ahead, mindful of her searching eyes but not willing to allow her to negate his actions all those years ago.
"It sounds like you were defending yourself and your friend."
"Yeah but I spent years reliving it. Nightmares, daymares and such. Always thought there could have been a better way. I mean, Jesus, I stuck a broken bottle in that guy's throat."
"And I stuck a knife in a guy's back."
He sighed. "Quite the couple we are."
"Apparently."
With a suddenness that reminded her of all his relentlessly coiled energy, he was on his feet and heading into her kitchen. He returned a moment later with two glasses and a bottle of bourbon.
"Help yourself Cal."
A smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth but his eyes were still distant. "Think something stronger than wine might be in order." He broke the seal and poured them each a couple fingers worth.
He handed her one and she nodded her thanks.
"And I'm supposed to be here for you." Disgust laced his voice as his downed his drink.
"You are. I don't think you realize how much."
"If I could change everything I would."
"I know." She took a tiny sip, the liquid warm and smooth. "But you can't. We both just need to move on. What did you say before? Take things day by day. Do things that make us happy. Move on. It's good advice Cal." She leaned into him once again, closing her eyes when she felt him press his cheek against the top of her head.
"Good thing we have one another to lean on." Gill could hear and feel the low rumble of his voice through his chest. It held immediate comfort.
Tears started to cloud her eyes again. "Yeah, it is a good thing."