Page 39 of My Saintly Demon

“Sure, take it.”

I’m pleased my hands stop shaking when I toss the wallet to the man. When he asked if I could help him with his wife, who had fallen, I followed him without question. Focused on my concern to help someone in need, too late, I noticed he lead me to a loading zone and nowhere near parked cars.

But now I notice every small detail. The blood-shot eyes and the reek of sour sweat. The stained clothing and unkempt appearance of someone too far gone to an addiction. It breaks my heart for a fellow human to be pushed to the edge like this.

“What else you got on ya? You look rich. Gimme your shoes.”

“I could buy you dinner if you like. I know a place you can stay if needed.”

Stepping far too close for my comfort, his surprisingly strong, skinny arm grabs a hold of me. “I can get more than dinner from the crowd I run with, pretty boy.” He wipes the back of his hand across his nose. “But I’ve got other problems and I need cash.” His dirty, calloused hand touches my cheek and I don’t want to recoil, but I do and it’s a mistake.

“Don’t you pull away from me! I’m gonna take you around the corner so’s nobody can see and if you do what I want, I won’t hurt cha. Be a shame to scar your pretty face.”

For the first time in my life, my mind is blank. I don’t know if I should fight back or how. When I don’t move my feet with his pull, he spins and punches me in the face right under the eye. The hot bolt of pain sends tears to my eyes, and briefly, Dave flutters through my thoughts as I try to remain upright.

“Don’t fuckin judge me! You don’t know what it’s like! You fuckin’ rich people always think you’re better!”

Completely unhinged, he punches me hard in the gut and knocks the wind out of me. When I double over, he comes at me again, but I cover my head with my arms. It’s too late to fight back now and I rely on my defences as I cower against the wall. With every punch and kick he lands, I pray I’m lucky he doesn’t have a weapon.

And I pray to the god I left behind to forgive me and come to my aid. Because prayer was always my comfort and now, it’s the only option left.

The blows stop as suddenly as they started with a muffled thud and grunt from my attacker.

Daring to peek out from under my arms one eye swelling shut, I gasp at what my limited vision takes in.

Dave has my attacker pinned by his throat against the wall. His feet barely touch the ground as he unsuccessfully tries to pry Dave’s fingers away.

“I should fucking snap your neck right now and leave you for dead.”

Even with my fuzzy vision, I notice the flames of anger in Dave’s eyes flare to life, and the man’s eyes bulge as he tries to draw in air to speak. Dave releases the chokehold and lowers him, but keeps his hand on his throat.

“What’s your issue? Drugs? Booze? What the fuck do you want and you have one chance to answer.”

The man wheezes as I push myself to standing.

“I need a fix, man. I can’t turn tricks anymore and I need money.” He coughs as Dave tightens his grip again.

“Don’t hurt him, Dave. Please. It’s not his fault.”

For several moments, Dave doesn’t move. He just holds the man against the wall by his throat. His free hand clenched at his side and his jaw set so tight I fear he might break it.

“Are you okay, Chuck?”

His soft voice contradicts the intimidating posture.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just gonna be full of bruises and likely a black eye.”

A rumbling growl sounds as Dave drops the man completely. He reaches into his pocket and, from his wallet, he pulls a wad of cash and throws it at him.

“Be thankful I didn’t kill you. Take that and go. If you ever see this man anywhere near you again, even if it’s not your fault, you run the other way. You got me?”

The man stoops down and grabs at the bills.

“Remember my fucking face because if you ever see me again, you better run faster than an Olympic sprinter, because I won’t be so nice next time.”

My attacker stumbles and lurches out of the little pocket we were in and Dave steps to my side.

“Oh sweetheart, we have to stop meeting like this. How bad is the pain?”

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