Rehab center!"We mustn't resolve to violence. You don't need violence to fight violence." Charlie told his colleague with a smile.A few days ago, some of the guys from the rehab dorm opposite theirs resolved to bully them. Whenever they got the chance, they subjected the other guys to all forms of torture. Sometimes, they tossed food on them, forced them to do their chores, and beat them up at the slightest opportunity.Charlie was part of the group that was being bullied, the victims.After getting fed up with the ill-treatment, one of the guys from Charlie's compartment slipped a note into Charlie's overall, requesting that they meet up that night in the restroom."So you are saying we should let them get away with bullying us? I thought you were smart enough and would embrace my plan." The twenty-year-old complained.Charlie gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder and flashed a warm smile. "There are other ways we can tackle them. It doesn't have to be through violence, Malcolm."
Jane grabbed her phone from the glass table and darted her gaze from the phone screen to Ken."I need to pick up this call. It's urgent.""Okay!" Ken replied and folded his arms across his chest.She was expecting him to leave the office. She had felt glad that the phone call was timely but Ken remained rooted to his spot.Jane sighed and slipped into a corner. She responded to the call and began to speak in low tunes.Ken placed two fingers on his lips while he impatiently waited for her. He doesn't care about the phone call. She should get on with the phone call and return to the spot so they can finish their conversation.Jane turned around to stare at Ken. His impatient eyes were fixed on her. She gave repeated nods, hung up, and slapped the phone on the desk. She turned around, adjusted her black jacket, and walked up to him."I need to leave!""You must be kidding me."She shook her head. "I'm not. That phone call was an emergency and I must respond to it right away." She said a
Keep up with the usual pace!" Ken told the driver and quickly moved closer to Jane.If anyone was trailing them, then he had to be sure. At that point, Jane didn't bother about their proximity. She moved closer to him.Ken turned to her with a look that says "You are safe!"She blinked at him.The driver continued wheeling the car down the straight path while Ken kept his gaze fixed on the route ahead.Trailing them behind was a black sports car with dark glasses following the limo, closely behind. The car came to a halt the moment Ken told Jane's driver to stop moving and when the driver proceeded, the car began to move."For how long have you been noticing this?" Ken demanded.Jane's driver got stuck in traffic and when Ken turned around, the car trailing them was gone.Jane sighed and shook her head. "First it was at the park the other day and then today." She turned to Ken. "Why would anyone be trailing me?"Ken cleared his throat. "Maybe because they needed answers. Like how you
"Keep up with the usual pace!" Ken told the driver and quickly moved closer to Jane.If anyone was trailing them, then he had to be sure. At that point, Jane didn't bother about their proximity. She moved closer to him.Ken turned to her with a look that says "You are safe!"She blinked at him.The driver continued wheeling the car down the straight path while Ken kept his gaze fixed on the route ahead.Trailing them behind was a black sports car with dark glasses following the limo, closely behind. The car came to a halt the moment Ken told Jane's driver to stop moving and when the driver proceeded, the car began to move."For how long have you been noticing this?" Ken demanded.Jane's driver got stuck in traffic and when Ken turned around, the car trailing them was gone.Jane sighed and shook her head. "First it was at the park the other day and then today." She turned to Ken. "Why would anyone be trailing me?"Ken cleared his throat. "Maybe because they needed answers. Like how you
"I'm waiting outside boss!" Ray told Ken over the phone. He arrived at the apartment about ten minutes ago and was waiting for Ken to come out to meet him. It was a few minutes to 9 am and he was concerned that Ken might be running late for work."Why don't you come inside? There's a grocery list on the bar stand. Maybe you can help me get all the items I outlined." Ken replied.Ray was stunned. He began to take steps toward the house and was soon stammering. "And work? How are you going to get to work today?"Ken was receiving the call from his bedroom. "Don't worry about me, Ray. I'll drop by the office a bit late today. I need to be somewhere.""Okay!" Ray mumbled and hung up the call. He knew how much Ken revered his job so he was certain that he needed to attend to an emergency that's why he'll be coming to the hospital late that day.Ray marched into the house, strode to the bar stand, and grabbed the list. He left.Back in his room, Ken had just stepped out of the bathroom and
"He's here!" one of the employees announced and pointed to the entrance.They all turned to look at his arriving figure.Mr. Carter was taking steps toward the cafeteria. All the company staff was already seated around the tables, waiting to be served their free lunch as promised by the CEO.It was a few minutes past 2 pm.The waitresses in the cafeteria were up and doing, walking around with serving trays, and attending to the needs of the employees who were already placing orders. There were about a hundred people in the cafeteria. The place was crowded and noisy.When the employees saw Mr. Carter walking toward them, they darted their gazes toward him and the whispers died. Mr. Carter walked into the cafeteria with a bright smile. He strode to the center of the room and cleared his throat loudly, ready to address the crowd."I'm glad to see you all here. Thank you for honoring my impromptu invitation. I urge you all to have fun and make merry. Like I said earlier, it's free lunch f
"Please don't leave me, mom!" He beckoned with his innocent eyes looking up at her.He was clinging to her like his life depended on her cloak and he wasn't ready to let go of her.She smiled with tears in her eyes and knelt. She immersed him in a hug and whispered into his left ear."I need you to trust me, Ken."She pulled away from the hug and looked him straight in the face after a sniffle.Little Ken could barely see her face. It was dark. He could hear his father's voice from the living room. His father was speaking with some men while his mother was dragging him toward the basement.Even though he was seven years old then, Ken could tell that they were in danger that night. His father had always told him that the basement will be used as a hiding spot whenever the need arises.His mom flashed a quick smile shielding her fears and stood up. She held onto his left hand and motioned to him to come with her."You'll be safe my boy. Come with me."The frightened little boy took step
"Mr. Jonson!" The Master called out to Cassie's father and abruptly stood up.Cassie's dad glared at his shivering daughter and turned to stare at the man before him.He joined his palms together. "I'm sorry for barging into your chamber at such an hour." He apologized and gave a slight bow.The Master flashed a quick smile and turned to look at Cassie. She was scared to death and couldn't even lift her head to look at her father."I'll excuse you both." The Master stated and walked out of the room.Cassie wanted to run after him. He had just left her in the same space with the man she had grown to fear.She lifted her head and caught her father gawking at her. She stood up and was about to head out when he thundered."Not so fast Cassie!"She pressed her eyes against each other and slowly turned around."What the hell are you doing here?" He demanded and began taking angry steps toward her.She put on a straight face. "I came to see my Master!""Without my permission?" He screamed at