Chapter Sixty Eight
“How did you get all these people across the border?” Dave asked, stepping out of the car. The beeping lights had stopped at the dark street they were now on. It was full of old warehouses that looked abandoned for years. Miguel’s army had already begun to disperse, holding their guns high as they disappeared in the dark.
“With money, anything is possible.” He held out a gun for Dave. Dave just stared at it without saying a word, “I promised to take you back safely.” He pulled his hand and placed the gun in it, “Just take care not to shoot yourself.”
Miguel turned when he heard a loud whistle which killed the amusement on his face. Dave stared at him and knew that it was a signal, “What is it? Did they find them?” he whispered loudly, but the only response he got was Miguel running towards one of the warehouses, “I guess that means yes.” Dave said before he went running after him.
***
Ricky sipped at his bottle of beer as he stared at the scared kids squeezed in a corner. Michael had Izzy securely hidden behind him in the corner, whispering words to her that Ricky couldn’t clearly make out. He found it remarkable and funny how overprotective his son was to the little girl. He couldn’t understand his behaviour, but he knew one thing for sure, he didn’t get that particular trait from him. Ricky was an all for none, and a one for one kind of guy. He also noticed one other thing he didn’t take after him, his looks, the boy had his eyes, but everything else was his mother’s.
And yet he was so unlike his mother, Maria was a coward, but her son was the complete opposite. Maria always gave in to his abuse, Michael, however, fought back with everything he had. It didn’t matter how many times Ricky hit him, he still fought him barricading the closet door where he had stashed the little blond baby, but once Ricky got his hands on her, Michael did exactly what he was told.
But Michael didn’t go quietly, he threatened Ricky, promising to have Dave throw him in jail for the rest of his life. The threats, and how sure Michael was that Ricky would get what was coming to him, made Ricky very curious about this Dave he spoke so highly about. If he wasn’t sure the boy was his son, he would have thought he belonged to Dave.
“You know, you look just like your mother.” Ricky spoke, pulling his chair closer to them, which only made Michael move an inch back, tightening the little space Izzy had. Ricky laughed at Michael’s reaction, “But you get your ballsy courage from me.”
“I don’t get anything from you.” Michael said sternly. “Of course, you do, I’m your father.”
“Ricky do you even know the meaning of that word?”
“The fact that you exist shows I know the meaning of that word.” he gulped down his beer, “But please, feel free to educate me. I’m sure the rich fancy school you go to must have another meaning to the word.”
“I’d just be wasting my time.” he turned to look at Izzy, she was asleep, curled up in a ball against the wall and using her bunny as a pillow, “If it doesn’t come from a beer bottle you wouldn’t understand it.”
Ricky shot off the chair and threw the bottle against the wall. It broke with a loud sound as all the tiny pieces and the liquid inside spread everywhere. Michael stared at him, his eyes full of fear. He moved behind, but Izzy’s low moan made him move to his original position.
“Don’t ever talk to me like that again.” Ricky bellowed loudly, “have some respect for your father!”
“You are not my father!” Michael yelled back.
The yelling woke up Izzy and she sat up rubbing her eyes, “Mickey?”
Michael stood up, pulling her up with him and placing her firmly behind him, “it’s okay Izzy daddy is coming to save us.”
“Dave?” Ricky said his name with disgust, “He’s the daddy your whore of a mother got you?” jealousy riding him hard. When Michael didn’t answer him he went on, “Unless he’s superman, he’ll never find you.”
“He’ll find us, I know he will.” Michael said confidently.
“Well Michael, if he does come here, I’ll shoot him.” he pulled out a gun and waved it around in front of him, “And then your new daddy will be dead.”
“Daddy!” Izzy bubbled out laughing.
“Yes sweet cheeks, daddy, and he will be dead soon.” Ricky said, after he crouched down to look at her peeping face behind Michael.
“Actually, she was talking to me.” Dave said, stepping into the light.
Ricky jumped up and pointed the gun towards the voice. Ricky reached back and pulled Michael in front of him then placed the barrel of the gun directly above his head. Izzy moved to stand next to Michael, placing her hand in his.
Dave froze as he stared at Michael’s scared face. Seeing his daughter standing next to him, oblivious of what was going on, scared him even more.
“Wow, you really do live up to the hype. They said you were good, but I didn’t think this good.”
Dave tore his eyes from the gun pointing at his son’s head and looked into Michael’s eyes, his lips pulled up in a tight smile, “Don’t worry Michael, everything will be okay.”
Ricky pulled at Michael’s hair, “You called me dumb, but he’s dumber. No, everything is not going to be alright.”
“Izzy, run to daddy.” Michael spoke with a shaky voice and pushed her forward.
“Don’t you go anywhere you little brat!” Ricky yelled, making Izzy shift fast, back to Michael’s side and held on tight to him.
“Don’t you dare speak to my daughter like that!” Dave yelled, taking a step closer.
“Izzy, run now!” Michael ordered, pushing Izzy some more. She looked at him, then up at Ricky and back. After a second of deliberating, she turned around and ran for Dave.
Ricky raised his hand and pointed the gun at her. Dave moved fast, running for his daughter as the bullet shot out of the mouth of the gun with a loud bang.