Alex pulled out a gun and before I knew it..he shot at Noami, and almost in an instant he shoots himself afterwards. I froze in shock as pandemonium filled the air. I couldn't believe what had just happened, I never would have imagine Alex would be capable of killing someone,much less, take his own life.
I slowly walked up to the bodies and the horrifying sight of Alex and Naomi laying in a pool of blood sent shivers down my spine. I started feeling dizzy when suddenly someone grabbed me by the arm, I turned around and it was Gabe, he frantically drags me away from the scene and we ran back home, Gabe shuts the door panting and I fell to the ground still trying to take in what had just happened.
GIDEON:What happened!?, Were those really gunshots we heard?? (He asked almost immediately we stepped in)
STANLY: Are you both okay??..are you hurt!?
GABE: It was...th..that guy, Alex, I saw him shoot himself and I think he may have shot someone before (he pants)
GIDEON: Oh come on, Gabriel, you must've seen something else, Alex wouldn't hurt a fly or even own a gun to begin with
STANLY: Thomas, what happened out there??...Thomas?...Tommy!
I was unable to give my brothers answers to their questions as I was in complete distraught, in minutes police sirens fills the air as they race down the block heading to the building.
.... .... ...
The next day the news of Alex and Naomi's death spread like wild fire, and not long , I and George are called out for questioning since we were the closest and only friends Alex had. We were interrogated seperately and I overheard George telling the officers he wasn't at the party at that time,he planned on arriving a little later,and when he had arrived,he saw Alex being taken away in a body bag, George came out of the interrogation room wiping tears off his eyes,which tells me he was just as devastated as I was.
It was my turn to be interrogated, I walked in morosely and sat down in a chair with two officers sitting in front of me, and a desk in-between.
FIRST OFFICER: Hello Thomas, My name is Officer Jason Blake and this is my partner David Johnson, we're glad to have you here, umm..first of all you have my condolences, I understand you and Alexander were close friends.
TOM: Yeah...he was a good guy.
OFFICER JASON: Yes Ofcourse,and I'm sure you're well informed on the case, since you were there that night and..you just know he didn't only shoot himself, he also shot a young lady names Naomi Cruise...I understand she attends your school?
TOM: Yes...Naomi is a senior.
OFFICER JASON: Okay, so do you know,why.. Alex wanted Naomi dead?
TOM: I don't know..I think.. probably because she sexually harrsed him years agk
OFFICER DAVID: I'm sorry?..Thomas, this isn't a joke, we have two people dead and families mourning,you need to take this seriously
TOM: Do I look like I'm joking to you officer?
OFFICER JASON: Thomas,..we understand that you're grieving right now but we ask that you be respectful.
TOM: (Sighs and nods)
OFFICER JASON: Okay..so you're saying she had harassed him in the past?
TOM: Assaulted rather
OFFICER JASON: And is there any evidence to back up this claim?
TOM: Well, there was a video she posted years back but it was taken down by the school board
OFFICER JASON: hm...and you were aware he sought revenge?
TOM: what..no, he just told me about it.
I don't know if I did the right thing by telling the cops what I knew, but I needed to let the world know ,Alex was a genuinely good person, he didn't just have a thirst for blood last night, but rather, he was driven by rage, like I said...You never really know the damage abuse has on a person until there's a dead body. Few weeks later, Alex finally had a burial, with just his mom, me, George and brothers and few of our classmates.
So here we are...Those few weeks had me thinking deep about everything Alex and I went through..Abuse of women is a common occurrence and Yes it's wrong and should be frowned upon, and that's why today we have so many people and so many organizations that fights for the rights of women, but when it comes to men?..why the neglect?..Yes the natural image of a man is that were strong both physically and mentally, but above all stereotypic expectations, we're still humans, we cry, our feelings get hurt, we feel pain and we DO get abused , but because of this Toxic society we live in now we're ignored and laughed at, "Be a man", they say.
I did my research and discovered there are alot more stories of male abuse that hasn't been told, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it's because society discourages them. You know..I never knew what I wanted to do when I was old enough,but now I do...I want to be the voice of my kind, the spirit that uplifts their soul to step up!, And fight for change in the society.
About a year later, in honor of my friend's memory, I wrote a book, Titled 'Toxic Male Stereotypes' and I also started a podcast speaking on male abuse, at first th podcast started off cold but eventually it fit hundreds of followers with both positive and negative things to say.
Two years later, with the help of my brothers, I opened up a foundation that supports abused men and spread awareness concerning this issue. Today's the opening of the foundation, September 3rd, and to my surprise around 5 men came, both young and old, and we all sat round with chairs inside.
THOMAS: Wow, I'm really out of words, umm..I welcome you all here, I know it must've taken alot of courage to walk through those doors an I applaud you for that, My name is Thomas Blue and I'm sure you're all familiar with my story, just like my friend I was also a victim of sexual harassment by a girl names Naomi Cruise when I was 15....anyone else like to introduce themselves?
Just then one of the men sitted Infront raises his hand and speaks
MAN: My name is Bruce Lane, and for years I was abused by my wife and made the laughing stock of my town...I was in denial for years because I felt ashamed, and my daughters suffered alot because of it (sits down)
TOM: Thank you for sharing that Mr Lane
Another young man raise his hand and rises up
BOY: My name is Tyler Best, and even though I'm just 16, I'd like to join the fight for change, cause Male stereotypes made me give up on a childhood dream, and it encouraged violence between us.. I'd like to fight!, To make the world a better place for the next generation.
THOMAS: And that's what we're here for Tyler, thanks so much for sharing that
MAN: (gets up) My name is Noah Williams, My story is a long one, but to cut it short, I was raped on there different occasions and stages of my life, One as a child, the other as a youth and the last one just a few years ago by my female boss who had an obsession with me...and I almost lost myself because of that (sits down)
THOMAS: I'm really sorry to hear that Mr Williams, thank you for sharing
The last two men sit nervously sharing glaces at each other, reluctant to speak
NOAH: I urge you to speak up, cause no one knows better than I do that silence is a cold killer
THOMAS: Gentlemen, you don't have to feel ashamed of anything, Abuse doesn't target one gender specifically, anyone can get abused!, No matter the age or the gender... Speaking up doesn't mean your weak... Keeping silent does. Cause it takes a bold heart to step up and say 'Im a victim of abuse'.
We've been silent for too long, now, it's time to speak up!..If society hears our voices and our stories, there will be change...WE FIGHT FOR CHANGE!
"FOR CHANGE!!" The men all yell in unison with their fists up.
THE END
TOXIC MALE STEREOTYPES
Hey guys :), I really hope you liked the story,I really hope we all learnt a thing or two,Abuse should be forwned upon no matter if it's by a man or a woman.
And be sure to watch out for the next story that was inspired by reality, which is....' 'SACRIFICE ( A Tale of five mothers)' promise it's gonna be awesome and remember to leave a review ;)
NEXT: SACRIFICE
The Tale Of Five Mothers