Smoke & Burn

I started to lose consciousness after he landed the last blow to my temple. He had thrown punches into my stomach, ribs and face, while his two buddies stood beside me and held me in place.

A human punching bag.

I was reduced to blood, bruises, and broken bones, all because they wouldn’t believe that I wasn’t the guy they were looking for.

They jumped me when I was going to my bike, claiming I didn’t make a payment on time. I told them they must’ve confused me with someone else, that they had the wrong guy, but nothing I could say or do would shake them. They dragged me back into the alleyway, pummeling me for money and answers. That’s how I got here.

“Obviously this pussy prick isn’t going to give in. Get rid of him, that’ll cover his tab.” The guy with the ring who had beaten me to a pulp said and waved dismissively at me.

“Wait, rid as in end?” My blood went cold. I tried to talk my way out of it, “I told you, you have the wrong guy. If you need money so bad, give me a couple days to get it together and I’ll pay you back for whoever you think owes you.” I panted, spitting out blood and wincing as the movement and my saliva stung my split lip.

“Oh no, you already had a few days to pay. The most I’d give you is a day, and that’d be generous. Unfortunately for you, it’s not up to me boy—I’m just the collector.”

“Please, at least give me a few hours. I can get it to you, please!” I begged, I didn’t want to die. Getting pummeled this bad already felt like death. My body ached and stung from their hits.

“Quit whining, we’ll make it quick if you shut up. How’s that sound?” I saw him reach to pull out something from behind him, tucked into his waistband. Panic flooded me, and the blood drained from my head as I saw the black metallic sheen of a gun barrel.

His two cronies held me in place as he cocked the handgun, it was aimed right at my forehead. I squeezed my eyes shut, I felt hot tears slide down my cheeks.

“Hey, hey guys. Cool it, I’m here. What are you doing with this kid?” Footsteps sounded from my left, I looked and saw a man, maybe in his early 30’s, walk up to us in the dimness of the alleyway.

He had shorter light brown hair and tan skin, a kind face. He wore a leather jacket with a plaid shirt and graphic tee layered underneath and brown steel toe boots. He looked like a cool dad, the one that gave you a ride to school in the morning and that you could swear around without getting nagged on by your mom.

Definitely not the kind of guy you’d see at night in a sketchy alleyway with sketchier guys demanding money from you. Though for whatever reason, this stranger seemed familiar, and his presence was comforting. I mean it might’ve been the fact that he showed up in time to stall said sketchy guys from pumping my head with lead.

“Let him go, I got the money. You three must be new, usually you guys don’t pick on innocent civies.” The two cronies let me go and the man gave me a worried once over.

He paid the collectors money and they left. I was left in the alleyway with Cool Dad.

“Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to go into dark alleys at night?” He looked at me incredulously.

“They did, but that doesn’t really help me when I’m out in the open getting jumped and dragged into one.”

“Touché.” He huffed a small smile looked down at the ground running his hand over his jaw and mouth in contemplation.

“Thanks for saving me though man.” I stuck out my hand and he shook it before giving me a fist bump. He seemed like the kind of guy that you could befriend easily and seem like you’d known him forever. I still couldn’t shake whatever familiar feeling I had.

“No problem, just try to stay out of trouble from now on okay?”

“Yea I’ll try, I always seem to find myself in trouble no matter how much I try to play it safe.”

He chuckled and looked off into the distance for a split second, “Yea, well, welcome to Cali. You’re never completely safe.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” I laughed along with him. “Well I’m gonna get going before I run into more trouble. Thanks again, you saved my life.”

“Don’t sweat it. Get home safe, kid.” He half smiled at me and I nodded a smile and thanks back to him.

I made my way out of the alleyway and back to my bike. I started it up, my foot on the ground to hold myself in place, then revved it up and drove off. I could feel his eyes on me watching to make sure I made it down the road alright.

Something about him seemed familiar, and safe. I felt like I could trust him, and I didn’t even know his name.

The wind blew through my hair, I watched the full moon shine off the ocean waves as I drove along the edge of the cliff. I got momentarily distracted and almost swerved, nearly missing some guy driving a motorcycle in the other lane.

The air felt good on my face, it tangled my hair to shit though. It’d take forever to get it brushed through and detangled, especially with my frizzy wavy hair. I looked to my cup holders, a fresh pack of Marlboro's and a red and black checkered lighter rested there. It was only 9PM, I had some time to kill before curfew. I took the next left and ended up at a beach and wayside. It was dark, and mostly devoid of people, save for a small party down the way having bonfire and drinking. I parked my car and wandered the opposite way of the group, lighting up a cigarette and taking off my shoes.

The feel of sand under my feet, the smell of cigarette smoke, and the saltwater brine as the ocean breeze found its way to shore were comforting; relaxing. I looked around me, satisfied that no one was around and stripped out of my T-shirt and jeans. I folded them and put them on top of my shoes, my bralette and underwear followed. I checked around one last time before striding to the ocean, my cigarette mostly burnt down to the filter and planted between my lips as I waded in the salt water, the level barely above my chest.

It was still warm from the scorching late summer sun beating off the waves all day. I closed my eyes, feeling the gentle waves brush against me. The moon was a waxing crescent and the tide was calm. This was the most at ease I’d been in awhile, even when compared to sleeping. At night, my dreams were often haunted, and I’d wake up with a jolt; a silent scream on my lips and sweat running down my skin.

The water was fairly blue and clear during the day, but at night it was pitch black. Paranoia gnawed at me, and I started to head out of the water. No way am I doing a Jaws remake right now.

I pulled the burnt out cigarette butt from my mouth as I splashed up to shore, my eyes cast down at the reflection of the moon on the waves. I didn’t see them standing on the sand. I didn’t hear their voices as they whistled and laughed while they tossed my clothes around to one another.

I was too busy listening to the water crashing around me, and the sweet song that was playing in my head. It was my mistake.