An Entangled Life
Chapter 4: Wrong Turn, Bad Time
Martin got off the bus happily. He walked, took the turns directed and ended up at…
"Why am I in an alley?" – Martin
Suddenly he was attacked and could only feel people maybe his or twice his size punching and kicking him. He eventually lost consciousness.
When he came to he saw kids looking at him.
One poked him with a stick.
"H…H…Help," Martin begged.
The kids screamed and ran away.
Martin moved his quarter open swollen left eye to look around. He could only see the side of two walls and the sky. The walls were scattered with graffiti.
Dimmsdale sucks.
People Suck.
Life Sucks.
Come with Cash.
Come and Die.
Dimmsdale Rocks. Brightsburg Sucks.
ANIMAL COPPER TERRITORY, OUTSIDERS KEEP OUT.
There was other graffiti but Martin couldn't see it.
"Dimmsdale," Martin whispered then winced having spoken through swollen lips, "I'm in the wrong place," he realized, "oh crap," he said crying, "how can my life get worse?"
Suddenly he heard footsteps.
Soon standing before him was a group of teens and young adults. Most made a circle and looked down on him.
"Hello stranger," one teased, "need to find a way home?" he asked and everyone laughed.
"Bet good ol' Dorothy's ruby slippers look good right about now," another teased.
More laughter.
"You don't know that stepping on Animal Copper turf can get you killed homie?" a third asked.
"I…I…" Martin tried to talk.
"Don't matter," the third one continued, "crew, get him out of here," he instructed.
"Yes Traz," several persons responded.
"You heard the boss," a female voice spoke, "let's throw out the mess."
Martin was lifted and soon dropped beside a dumpster. Something was stuffed inside his shirt and then he heard all of them walking away.
Martin was eventually able to move. His body ached all over and he could barely see.
As he walked her barely avoided cars and people ran from the sight of him. He was after all wearing only a marina and boxers. Plus he was badly beaten up and smelled like garbage. Not a people talking initiative.
Soon he came upon a hospital. Upon entering he was greeted with gasps and scorn.
The lady at the desk shrieked and ran away.
Isn't this a hospital? – Martin
He felt a tap on his shoulder.
Martin turned to see a huge security guard.
"This is a private hospital," the guard spoke, "you're not our clientele," he told Martin.
"B…But…I'm injured," Martin said.
Blood got on the guard.
"I'll take you to a place," the guard said, "Jim, take over," he said to a thinner guard standing by the fountain.
"Fifty," Jim said.
"Forty, I have a wife," the guard responded.
"Fine Bob," Jim said unenthusiastically.
"Thanks," Bob thanked him, "follow me," he instructed Martin.
Martin followed the man and in half an hour they were in front of a dingy clinic.
"You'll find help in there," Bob said, "good luck," he said and briskly walked off.
Martin looked at the building and sighed.
"Here goes nothing," Martin said and walked in.
----
Meanwhile at the Turner residence, Timmy was watching tv when he noticed a news programme showing the gang Animal Copper's insignia.
Timmy didn't watch news but he recently started listening to news segments about certain Dimmsdale gangs in hopes that an attack would cause his school to close. A school near the trailer park had to close down for five days due to panic that the increasing gang violence would reach there.
Wish I was that lucky. – Timmy
"…and according to the leader Traz a green haired man entered their turf," Chet Ubetcha reported, "…they tried to beat him to death but he somehow survived…"
"Cosmo!" Timmy shouted.
"…Traz has threatened further attacks if outsiders don't keep out, and I Chet Ubetcha the only reporter allowed to talk to Traz via the internet, has one question, Chet Ubetcha said, "which idiot went into Animal Copper territory and pissed them off?"
Timmy never heard that part. He had already ran off to tell Wanda.
Chapter 4