Page 7 of Paradox
Backing him up again, I laugh right in his naive little face. “With what? Eight packets of Shin Ramen?”
“I…I…”
“Didn’t think it through?”
“I had no other choice.”
“You had literally every other choice.”
“God. Why are you always such a dick?”
“You’re the one on my property, you dumb fuck.”
“And you have no idea—"
“Why you’re here? You got that part right.”
He snarls at me. "You have no idea how lucky you are. I’d kill to have parents that leave me the hell alone.”
I sling the backpack over my shoulder so I can fist his sweatshirt with both hands, lifting him off the ground. “The fuck did you just say to me?”
“I wish my parents didn’t care.”
“If you were looking for mercy, you’re going the wrong way about it.”
“You’ve never shown me any mercy a day in my life.”
“When did you ever deserve it?”
“I was a kid. All I ever wanted was for you and Wootek to like me.”
“What teenager would think a baby is cool?”
“This has nothing to do with me, does it?”
“Just fuck off.” I throw him back but he saves his footing.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Then you’ll freeze,” I tell him with a wave towards the blackening sky. “You’ve got half an hour until it’s pitch black out here. So I’d start running back to the main road if I were you.”
“I’ll sleep on the porch.”
“Haha. No you won’t. You have exactly two minutes before I call your brother so he can whip your ass for whatever the fuck this is all about.”
“No!” He sprints towards me but I slam the screen door and hold it close with my foot. “Give me that!”
“Fat chance, little man.”
“I don’t give a shit about the bag, just give me my book.”
I grip the strap tighter. “I don’t think I will.”
“Give me my book, you bastard!” Jintae screams, pushing with all his strength against the door. Then he stops suddenly, like someone flicked his off switch, and calmly steps away. With a smug grin, I revel in his retreat until he bends down and picks up the axe. He raises it above his shoulder and creeps towards the door. “Give me my book.”
“If that so much as touches one part of this cabin, I will end you.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t care!” Jintae cries at the top of his lungs and sinks the axe head into the bottom step.
