Antonio's concern for me is touching but it’s cost me long seconds. As I emerge, blinking against the sunlight, Wonder Boy has vanished.

Fuck!

Have I lost him?

I spin, scanning all around, seeking my quarry, ignoring the curious stares of passers-by…

… The line of parked cars…

Doorways…

… along the block…

… the other side of the street…

Zip. Nada…

Then, sprinting across the street, dodging the traffic, I make it to the corner: the clothes store I used as my lurking spot when I first came here.

How long did he hold me up?

Twenty seconds?

Thirty?

How far can the bastard have gone?

Then, I see him again, tall against the crowd.

He emerges from the next door along from Antonio’s, a small hair-salon-cum-barber-shop. Shoving something into his pocket, he turns my way…

The clothing store?

It appears Santa Claus is doing his rounds, collecting his gifts from all the little boys and girls on his list, regardless of whether they’re naughty or nice.

double-back on myself to wait, watching the store entrance as he enters, strolling in as though he owns the fucking

the people… Own

see him inside, looming

between his chest and arms, and

in on her space as he cages her with his body. But it’s different between them; easily

…and accept…

… the rules.

is the real

If that were Jenny…

My gut tightens…

Then, inwardly, I chuckle.

knife/broken-bottle/metal-comb at his throat. The only time anyone ever took my daughter down,

Wonder Boy, making for the counter, Stabbing at the till, she snatches cash from

to take him

someone who knows how

smirk from your

It’s not the time…

it to my list of To-Dos: Teach Asshole a lesson he won’t

re-emerges, again

Always the pocket…

the attache

to his next stop: a tobacconist a couple of

he and the girl serving fall silent as I point to the first brand I recognise… “Vinte, por favor. E um isqueiro…” … push the coins at her, then, pocketing a packet of twenty

unravelling the plastic wrap, taking one out then, as I’m about to light up,

a little distance as I slip the cigarette back into the pack, when I realise

yellow-tipped flame flickering in the breeze. The beggar inhales deeply, smoke drifting from his

pleasure...” …

Shit!

Where is he?

nowhere in sight, lost in

Have I lost him?

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255