“If this is how ya’ll want it to go down then come on!” the man said sternly, putting his fists up, his femininity fleeing in the face of danger.
“It’s not gonna go anything like you thought,” the shorter one sneered, slowly inching forward while unbuttoning his pants.
The slim man instantly lost all bravado. “W-wait. What the hell?”
“Let’s see what else that loud fuckin mouth is good for,” the punk answered, inching his pants lower.
Ty had seen enough. What self-respecting man took what wasn’t his? Parasites. He laid his own book bag against the brick wall then inched around the corner, quietly coming up behind the one with his pants almost to his knees. He was already an easy target. Fool. It’d been four minutes and fourteen seconds since Ty had stepped off that bus in pursuit. In two minutes he’d already concocted a plan to eliminate the threat, get the slim man to safety and then get the hell off that block. If he’d had ten minutes, those men would be no more and properly disposed of. He’d put them where trash belonged. However, time wasn’t on his side.
The slim man’s eyes widened as Ty moved in, giving his position away, but it didn’t matter. He was already on them. The tall one with his pants still on turned, his scowl in place ready to bark at Ty to mind his own business. But before he could open his mouth, Ty dropped him. One right hand to his temple. The guy’s body hit the ground like a sack of cement, rendering him no longer a problem.
Ty whirled and landed his fist square on the pervert’s chin, making his neck snap back. The man looked stunned, his hand immediately going to the spot he’d been hit. Ty didn’t hesitate.
“No fight was ever won by second-guessing. On the heels of hesitation lies broken bones, son.”
As his father’s words led his actions, Ty never faltered. While the man stumbled in confusion from the first punch, Ty threw another right, followed immediately with an elbow to the temple. It was enough to bring the bastard to his knees at Ty’s feet.
“All right! Damn, man. Stop.” He begged.
Disgusted with their feebleness, he didn’t savor the victory, instead he easily swept the rapist’s legs from under him while he tried to refasten his pants. When Ty stood over him, he scampered backwards like a crab out of water with his hand up to ward off any further attacks, not caring as he crawled through piss and garbage.
While the one still conscious was crying and whining like a child, Ty quickly picked up his pack and the few shopping bags on the ground and took the slim man’s clammy hand and hurried them out of the small alleyway. Ty checked the street first, then set the last part of his impromptu plan into motion. Safety next. The man didn’t try to pull away as Ty practically dragged him down Ralph David Blvd St.
“Oh my gosh,” the slim man huffed alongside him, double-timing it to keep up with Ty’s long gait. “Jesus. These boots were not made for walking.”
“Sorry.” Ty slowed down. “What’s your name?”
“Jess. Well, actually, it’s Jester but everyone calls me Jess or Jessie”
Ty was sure they hadn’t been followed, matter of fact he was pretty sure those animals were going in the opposite direction, but he still kept one ear peeled for rushed footsteps behind them. He finally cast his eyes toward the petite guy who still held Ty’s hand like it was a life preserver.
“Who are you?” Jess asked with awe. “You didn’t think to ask those guys anything, you just beat their asses. Why… why’d you help me?”
Ty contemplated the answers. He didn’t need to comment on the ‘ask no questions’ part. What could he have said to a rabid animal? Even now, his answer was nothing. A rabid animal could only be put down. Instead he answered the man’s last question. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Jess pfft’d, like Ty should know the answer. “Not many men, hell, no one really, would’ve stopped to help me…” Then, as if his memory had caught up to him. “You were on the bus. Who are you? Did… did you follow us?”
“Yes.”
When Ty didn’t elaborate, the small man huffed an incredulous laugh, clamping his free hand over his chest. “Do you usually do that? Go around helping random people?”
“No.”
“Oookay,” Jess drawled. “Not a man of many words either. Just a savior. Hmm. Well, I can’t thank you enough.”
“Where’s your husband, Jess?” Ty asked.
Jess gaped at him as if he was surprised by the inquiry. Ty wouldn’t play stupid, didn’t even know how to play that game. It was obvious this guy’s preference wasn’t women and Ty could care less. All he knew was the slender man was in a bad neighborhood and he was vulnerable. Dressed in designer clothes with high-heel boots, carrying bags from expensive boutiques and weaponless. “You shouldn’t shop alone. Those men would’ve took what they wanted… anything they wanted and left you there.”