SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1991 :
HARRY POV
London is not too far from Surrey by train. Within an hour, I was disembarking the train at Waterloo station. My destination today was Southwark. It's about 2 miles from here. My first trip would be to see an eye doctor. I should get my power tested and new contacts ordered. After that, wait nearby till they are made. Dudley's old shoes are entirely worn out; perhaps consider buying some new ones while I have to wait for those contacts. I only have enough money to cover contact lenses for now, so shoes would have to wait. London is becoming busier by the hour. It makes sense given how the population is growing, I suppose. I turn toward the side streets once I reach Southwark. Southwark, according to those reporters on TV, has one of the highest crime rates in London. It's hardly surprising given how shady the side streets seem to be.
After a short walk, I arrive at the clinic where I was last checked. The receptionist greeted me as I entered the clinic. She was blonde with a round face and appeared to be in her twenties. Why is it that, they always choose gorgeous girls for a receptionist job? Is it because people find it difficult to argue with them? It is human nature to be self-conscious around someone who is more attractive than you, avoiding needless conversation. This concept is well-used when hiring a receptionist.
" Hello there, how may I assist you? Are you separated from your parents?" Is it just my imagination, or did she actually use Obi-Wan Kenobi's line from Star Wars?
" No, just came for a regular checkup." Why is she staring at me like that? She seems as though she can't believe what she's witnessing. Ah! It must be weird to see a child request a check-up without an adult accompanying him. She must be new here. After all, that is why I traveled this far, as adult supervision is not required here.
"Where have your folks gone?" She made the inquiry while looking around to find them.
"They didn't come" Will she refuse me since my parents aren't with me? Hope not.
"I'm sorry, but you require the presence of your guardian," she says. This is inconvenient. Should I make an attempt to bribe her?
" Allow him in, Matilda." A voice was heard. Turning to face the voice, we find Dr. Reckless watching us from the doorway of his office.
"Yes, sir," Matilda says as she turns to me. She opens a register and takes up a pen to make a record.
" Name? " Comes her first question. The first rule to remember in times like these is to never use your true name. You never know when it will become a real concern.
"Bail Organa," I, too, have seen Star Wars. When she hears that, she stops briefly but does not question it. So she understands I'll pay a premium for that name. She also looks amused by the name I gave.
"When was the last time you had a test done?" Her next query.
" Jan second " My memory is excellent, so excellent that I often question if having such a memory is even possible.
"All well, it'll be 25 pounds." The doctor's cost is about ten pounds, and the rest is premium.
" Go in, Dr. Reckless will see you" She points me towards the test area after the payment is done.
Dr. Reckless was waiting for me when I entered his office. This was not my first visit here. This is a place I've been to before.
"What is it this time, then?" He asked in reference to what name I gave at the reception this time.
" Bail Organa" I answer him.
" Star Wars?" He asks me.
"Star Wars," I say, nodding.
"My receptionist, Matilda, is a huge fan." He seemed amused by the entire ordeal.
"I observed" That's why I picked that name. If two individuals have anything in common between them, it is much more probable that they will be supportive of one another.
"Do you realize how frightening you are, kid?" I attempt to give him my most innocent expression, demonstrating that I'm not at all scary.
"Don't give me that look; your understanding and application of human psychology to get things done is terrifying. Too unsettling." Dr. Reckless is also pursuing a degree in psychology, so he seems to have understood what I did there. I don't respond because I have nothing to say.
"Enough of this nonsense. Come sit here, we'll do the test." I heed his instruction and take a seat in the appropriate chair.
" Shall we proceed now, Mr. Organa?" I just replied in the affirmative.
After getting the test and ordering new contacts, I step out instead of waiting in the clinic for the contacts to be developed.
The majority of the money I had saved was spent after I paid for the contact lenses. That was not something I expected. With the money I have left, I can either buy a train ticket back to Surrey or grab something to eat. A fast food truck was close by; eating is essential. So I decide to spend my last pound on dinner. I can always pretend to be a lost little kid and travel for free on the train. Being a child sure has many perks. I resume my trek along the street after purchasing a burger from the vendor.
A boy dashed by me as I was eating. Two men rushed by me, clearly chasing him down. Then a third man who appeared to be a member of their gang collided with me, causing me to lose my half-eaten burger. Normally, I would not have included myself in this. They made me drop my meal, which I had purchased with the last of my money, so this wasn't normal. I, too, chase after them, making up my mind.
By the time I catch up with them, the three men had cornered the youngster in a dead-end alley between two buildings. Two of the three males are of massive build and have bald heads. It's amusing how many hefty bodybuilders lose their hair. The third has a slim yet muscular frame. If my age guess is correct, the youngster was tall for his age group. He was panting heavily, likely from all the running he had done.
"You caused us a multitude of troubles, just die already, will you?" Said the man with the slim build. So he is the leader, and the other two are his followers, so to say.
"Va all'inferno, bastardo!" The boy is not British. What language has he just spoken? Was it Italian? Mafia?
" Now, don't curse. It's nothing personal; it's just business." He says this while pulling out a pocket knife and gently approaching the child.
"It's polite to apologize when you knock someone's meal down." That was the only reason I chased after them, not because I wanted to help that kid or anything. As I say this, all four heads turn to look at me. The guys are stunned, and the boy is happy that they are interrupted.
"Get out of here if you want to live, kiddo; it's none of your business." Says the lone man with hair among the assailants.
"This isn't" I respond, pointing to his knife and then to the trapped boy.
"He knocked my food down, that is my concern," I said, pointing to the person who bumped into me.
"This is not something I have time for. Marco take care of him." He directed to the one who bumped me, while he returned his attention to his target.
The man, Marco, approached me with a clear murder intent, I could tell by the sneer on his face. This is as good an opportunity as any to test my martial arts skills, which I've gained after all that bone-breaking practice with Master Kaito, real combat. Though I doubt it would be easy, given these folks do not appear to be amateurs. Fighting such brute force head-on would be impossible. I'll have to improvise. Noticing a dumpster ahead of me on the right side of the alley, I break into a run in its direction. Marco was now beside the dumpster, I have to move quickly. Using the trashcan and the wall next to it, I leap into the air and land on Marco's shoulder, my knees on each side of his head.
The easy part is over; now comes the tricky aspect. It's difficult to hang on as Marco tries to shrug me off, but I do. Human temples, the body parts not the religious place of Hindus, are one of the most sensitive areas in the body. The "temple" is a prime place for producing brain damage due to the fragile structure of the skull and the sensitive artery system underneath this area. I read that in a biology book, time to check by practical if it is true. I bring both of my hands and hit both of his temples while hanging on to him with my knees.
After a brief cry, Marco dropped to the ground out cold, throwing me down as well, right into the dumpster. Oh, this smells awful. I'll have to take a bath before returning to get the contacts. Aaah, what a nuisance. On the other hand, it appears that the information in the book was correct. Hearing the outcry, the other three, who had been ignoring us until now, turn to see what's going on. The boy seemed shocked that not only was I alive but I had also taken Marco out of commission for the time being. The other two were definitely more taken aback by the event since they had not at all expected what they were witnessing. The second bald guy's mouth was open in obvious disbelief.
"What the hell happened? Hey! How could a kid knock you down, Marco?" The leader inquired.
" He won't be answering for a while." I say, picking up a piece of metal pipe that was nearby, while getting out of the garbage bin. Now, I have no doubts about my strength, but fighting with merely fists against someone who has obviously been in a lot of fights? I'm not that powerful. So I had to take advantage of every opportunity. Hence the metal pipe.
"What did you do to him?" The other bald man yelled at me. He rushed at me, to take me down after realizing he wouldn't be getting an answer out of me. I don't move as he gets closer; when he's just a few feet away, he lifts his fist in the air to try and punch me with all of his might. I slide between his separated legs and get behind him just as he was about to strike me. Human joints are venerable parts body. That is common knowledge. So, before he could turn around, I hit him on the rear of his knee joint with the metal pipe. This caused him to fall to his knees. With one more strike from the pipe to his skull, he joins his beloved pal Marco in taking a nap on the ground.
"Not you, Albert. What on earth is going on here?" The last of the assailants seemed to be frustrated. Anyone would be if their men were defeated by a mere child.
"I'll deal with both of you on my own. You fought well kid, but you're going to have to die now." I don't intend to die anytime soon. Fighting him would be tiring. At the very least, I'll get some practice against a knife-wielding opponent. It's time to finish this and get out of here. The guy started his attack with a right slash at my shoulder, which I evaded by taking a step back. His second shot was targeted at my neck, so I had to lean backward to avoid having my neck cut open. His technique was sloppy, or perhaps I was that excellent. The latter appears to be the case based on his and the kid's astonished expressions. Master Kaito's teachings are of the highest caliber after all, so it isn't that much of a shock to me. After seeing his two moves parried, he attempts to stab my chest. He used a little more force in his attack, so when I sidestepped it, he staggered forward a little. If I want to beat him, I need to hit him fast and hard. I didn't wait for him to regain his bearing because as soon as I saw an opportunity I took it. The Italian mobsters were dealt with, for the time being, by a strike on the back of the neck.
This leading man was dressed nicely, implying that he is either wealthy or works for someone wealthy. Not that I care either way, but now that I've done the hard work of putting him down, I should see if he has any money on him. After all, they owe me for that burger. The boy approached me looking both impressed and grateful as I was searching his pockets. He looked really battered up, yet he wasn't frightened, nor was he when a knife was held in his face.
"Thank you, you saved my life there." He states.
"I didn't do it to rescue you" I honestly didn't. I just didn't like how they threw my burger down. The man's pockets held a couple £ 50 and $ 100 bills. A total of £ 350 and $ 400. As I'm finished here, I started walking out of the alleyway. The kid starts to walk alongside me.
"I know, but it occurred nevertheless, so I'm thankful." When we reach the entrance of the alley, he turns to me.
"My name is Blaise," he says as he extends his hand to me.
"Harry." I turn around and walk away. I doubt we'll meet again, so I don't see why giving him my name would be a problem.
"Adieu," Blaise calls after me, I lift my hand and wave at him over my shoulder without turning around.
I was on the train back to Surrey a few hours later. After I left Blaise, I went to a nearby department shop and purchased a new set of clothes as well as a pair of sports shoes with the money I acquired from those Italians. I needed to find an inn after buying clothing to refresh up and get rid of the smelly garbage stench. Following that, I returned to Dr. Reckless' clinic to pick up my new contact lens which were done by then. The next stop was for lunch, and this time no one interrupted me.
Today was one of the most bizarre days of my life. Blaise was a fascinating young man. Even when presented with a life-or-death scenario, he seemed unfazed. When did I become the bullied youngster fighting Italian mobsters? What an odd turn of events. Master Kaito wasn't joking when he said I could go up against adult guys and win. With enough practice, I could maybe beat him too. I'm hoping nothing out of the norm occurs until I go back to Privet Drive; I don't have the energy to deal with anything else right now.
YO sorry, for the delay, I was a bit busy