ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror(4)

At least not all teenagers are bad. Some still have manners. This girl, and my daughter, for instance. I’d go mad if Bex behaved like those thugs.

He quickly placed an order for his and Penelope’s food, as well as Bex’s – salt, no vinegar – before standing aside and warming himself on the shop’s hot, metal counter. His entire body seemed to unload its weight onto his elbows as he leaned, like he’d been fighting off the urge to fall down this whole time without realising it. The amount of anger he felt threatened to take over him, yet he felt strangely vacant at the same time. It was as if the encounter with the gang of teenagers had sent him into some sort of a daze.

You still have to walk back past them to get home…

The thought caused another wave of nausea to crash through his system. What the hell should I do? I’m not going to let them scare me into not walking the street outside my own bloody house. Andrew sighed and rubbed at his eyes. I should have said something at the time – stood up to them. Bet they’re a bunch of cowards against anyone who gives as good as they get.

Andrew made a decision. That’s it! That’s what I’ll do. I’m going to stand up to the little swine and his gawking buddies. See how big he is then. I’m not going to let the little shit scare me.

“-ful they’re hot.”

Andrew looked up from the counter. “Huh?”

The blond girl nodded to a plastic bag on the counter in front of him. “I said, careful they’re hot.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. Was miles away then.”

Andrew took the bagful of food from the girl, then thanked and paid her. Then he wandered towards the door. Before he got there, though, the blonde girl called after him.

“Are you okay?” she asked him.

Andrew turned back around, wondering what it was about him that caused the girl concern. Was it so obvious he was rattled by something?

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “Just had a run in with a gang of kids. Haven’t quite calmed down about it yet.”

The girl’s face dropped. “You don’t mean Frankie Walker, do you?”

Andrew shrugged. “Don’t know their names.”

“Red beanie hat? Weird twitch?”

Andrew nodded.

The girl shook her head and wore a grim expression. “I’d be careful if I were you. He just got out of a youth offender’s home and he’s been pretty messed up ever since – in fact he was pretty messed up before.”

Andrew huffed. “He’s just a boy. I’m not going to let him intimidate me.”

“Just watch yourself, okay? I mean it; he’s a nasty-piece of work.”

Andrew stood in the doorway and thought about it for a mument. It felt wrong to let a teenage boy worry him. England was a country where everyone had the right to be free, safe, and happy. No one had the right to take those things away from anybody else.

“What’s your name?” Andrew asked the girl behind the counter.

“Charlie.”

“Well, Charlie.” He did his best to smile. “Thanks for the advice, but I think I’ll be just fine. You take care yourself, okay?” He pulled open the exit door and stepped back out into the cold.

The world had gone fully dark now beyond the narrow cones of light from the streetlamps. The well-lit shopping area was like a beacon in a shadowy abyss.

Andrew started his journey home. The warming aroma of hot chips and acrid vinegar made Andrew’s mouth water. Suddenly, he couldn’t wait to get back to his family and eat. It was a greasy, unhealthy dinner, but he could stand to put a few pounds on his slender frame anyway. Bit of junk food never hurt anybody. He picked up speed, hunger encouraging him onwards.

Rounding the final corner before home, Andrew thought about the teenagers again. It was surprising that his mind had briefly managed to turn to other things – it’d been easier once he decided that this ‘Frankie’ was not going to intimidate him – but now his thoughts turned right back. Despite choosing not to be afraid, it was still a relief when it turned out the gang had moved on. The street corner was now free of their presence and the cones of light from the streetlamps illuminated nothing more than the cracked and worn pavement of the road.

Cowards. Didn’t have the balls to stay and go through with their threats.

Andrew was just about to grin when he heard voices. He narrowed and strained his eyes, seeking out bodies in the darkness, but ended up having to use his ears to hone in on the right direction. The noise was coming from several yards ahead, right outside his house.