13 Chapter 13: A Mother’s Love (2/2)
”¡Pequeña mierda! Esto es tu culpa!”
(Little shit! This is your fault!)
He beats me with the metal part of his belt. I squirm around in the floor, desperately trying to get away from him.
He tires himself out and leaves me on the floor, beaten, bruised, and bloody.
Night time comes and i've made my decision. When i'm older, i'll leave this place, me and mother. We'll leave this house and finally be a real family.
***
[10 years later]
”Ricky, school called again.”
I throw my bag on the floor and turn the tv on.
”Ok, and?”
She snatches the remote from me,
”Your teacher said that you've been in three fights this month! What's going on?”
”Nothing,”
I hear a car pull up and I walk to the door,
”I'm going on a walk.”
I head down the street with my hood over my head and my hands shoved into my pockets.
There's a faint sound of footsteps behind me. I speed up and so do the footsteps. I don't dare look behind me, instead I start to run.
I run as far as my legs can take me. I turn down a dark alley and try to catch my breath.
”Looks like i've found you.”
There's a girl standing in front of me. She looks around my age but her face is covered in scars.
”Why are you following me?”
”You know those older guys you hang around?”
”Uh, yeah?”
”They borrowed money from my uncle and he's not too happy about that.”
”What's your point?”
She hits me in my stomach and covers my mouth with a rag that's been drenched in something.
”We own you now Ricardo Hernández.”
***
”Well, well, well. Look who's awake.”
I try to sit up but i'm chained down to a bed.
”Where am I?”
I look around and see that i'm in a large room. It's not decorated but it looks nice.
”You're in my uncles home, you'll be staying with me from now on, ok?”
I struggle but the chains won't let me move.
”Like hell I am! Let me outta here you crazy bitch!”
She rubs my face,
”You'll learn to love it here Ricky.”
***
Years passed by and I learned that the girl that kidnapped me was named Layla. She was wild and ambitious.
Her uncle was indeed in charge of this town. I was forced to join his gang, the Red Spiders to make up for my debt.
I ended up falling for Layla and becoming the second in charge. Although I missed my mother, I was happy, or so I thought.
***
”C'mon Ricky, it's just one night out.”
”Alright, but one drink then we leave.”
Layla pulls me towards the bar and orders
shots. I take a few and she does the same.
”I'm gonna go dance!”
I nod and she runs out on the dance floor. The blaring music and flashing lights aren't really for me, so I head outside for a smoke.
”Hey, you Ricky?”
”Who's asking?”
The man hold out his hand,
”My name is Carlos Sanchez.”
”Ah, you're our newest member huh?”
He nods.
”Alright, lemme show ya around.”