"Ughh...hey! W-what the! Arghh." three gunshots are heard loudly.
"Suspect down sir!" said by one police officer after he shots his rifles.
"Take him."
"Roger!" The armed policeman lift up the helpless man in tattered clothes to car. Looking at his jeans, i can guess he is one of the bandits who attacked me last morning.
From far distance i watched them, the groups of six policeman all armed with assault rifles forcing to get that bandit into their car. I hide myself under the darkness so they can't see me, because if they do, they will considered me as one of the bandits, even though i wasn't. Sometimes i spent the rest of day by walking alone at night after back from work, yet i don't have idea what to do, just strolling around while enjoying the night breezes.
Night time is actually dangerous here, at this time bandit gangs roams around the town, mainly on quiet yet desolated area. Since this town are mostly abandoned, empty buildings are often used by the gangs as their bases, what they do? of course the vices, habits of the bad people. Although its dangerous to walk at night i feel no fear instead calm when im in quiet places. Moreover, i know way to deal with bandits if i met with.
What a lovely stroll, night sky here are so clear to see the stars even for urban areas. Vending machine is ahead, its empty but i want to buy some drinks. My feeling said its late already, i need to go home, i need sleep to work tommorow. Its better to keep hiding in the darkness, i will walk slowly so no one would see me, never think that quiet place is always safe place, inside its quietness the dangers may hide.
Arrived at the intersection, i looked to left and right of the road to make sure its safe for crossing. Few moments later, an police car seen from far distances, the car lights are so bright, it was designed to spot everything in front side. I hide myself behind the garbage box, waiting them to pass by, then i realised my left arm are spotted with the light.
"Damn!" I quickly withdrew my left arm. Suddenly the car stopped, my heart start to beats faster. I can hear the step of shoes, he's walking to me, the armed policeman.
"Find something?" said by the officer from the car.
"Not yet, but im sure just now i saw what looked like a hand here."
"Check it, Deputy!"
"Im about to do it." then the policeman turns on his flashlight, he shined it at me. I stay low, not moving even an inch, my breath are getting intense now, if they caught me i don't know what will happen next. I keep hoping to not getting spotted by them, i covered my face by looking down.
"Sir! I found someone here! He seems unconscious!" shouted by the police officer.
"Oh god, what a poor man." The policeman inside the car goes out, then he runs towards its partner.
"Hey young man are you good?" asked by one of them.
"Im-im" i feel scared to answer, what if they think im bandits?
"Don't worry you're safe now, hmmm you looked like an workers who just finished from your workplace." said the thin officers.
"Yeah, i mean yes." I answered stiffly.
"Are you really fine? you got injuries?" the elder officer looks worried.
"No-no no im good! nothing happened, seriously."
"You must be frazzled, take my hand." the thin officers strected out his arm to me. I take his hand, then slowly stand up by his help. I didn't expect this, they didn't considered me as bandits.
"Wait a minute, are you attacked by five bandits previously?" the elder officer said.
"No, sir. Why?"
"We saw a people in hoodie like you just in past hours, he was attacked by five people in once until he fall unconscious."
"We tried to help him but after they saw us, they flees into narrow alley, bringing the fainted man with them. We tried to track them but we didn't make it, so we continued our patrols while looking for the next spot where bandits will act." the thin officers added.
"Bandits...im sick of them." i said with low tone.
"Me too kid, this town are sinned." said by the elder officer.
"Criminals everywhere, even police unable to deal with." the thin officer says.
"This town suck." i said.
"Well...well, i dreamed to getting out of here." the elder officer looked around.
"I will ask for duty replacement next week, hopefully it works, then we will say goodbye to this town." the thin officers expresses his idea, but the elder one doesn't give an care about his words, instead he just stares at night sky.
"That was good idea to hear, but i don't feel it will works." he said with desperate tone then he let out long exhales, putted his arm covering the face.
I looked around, seems its getting even late, i should heading home right now. But before that i will make an excuse with them.
"Excuse me, sir it was too late now.....i need to go home." Shortly, i yawned after finishing my words, im so sleepy right now.
"We will take you home, tell me where you live?" the elder officer placed his hands on waist, while the thin one folds it at chest.
"Pazavka District, 33 Wiernyy street."
"Pazavka huh....."
"Not too far from here, get to the car we will take you to home."
"I-im so thank you, sir." then i got into the car with two police officer.
Free ride? to home? how nice, i don't remember when the last time i travelled with car. The air conditioner makes me comfortable, this seat are soft and the belt, oh my, i looked like a children when they getting into a car for first time. But nevertheless that's me, poverty limits me from interacting with such stuff, especially for the sophisticated one which is pricey.
The engine has started, the elder officer steps his foot on the gas. I can see the streets by the windows, this view was more enjoyable rather than on foot but im still not amazed at all, moreover this town looked scrappy, no one would admire this look. Along the road i witnessed so many police patrols, either by the car that just passed by or some are just stationed, or just an foot patrol group composed around three to six men, all indicates and also proof to existence of criminals.
"Normal days-boys, normal days..." said by the elder officer.
"Always, sir." thin officer answered with small laughs.
Our car turns to the right of t-junction, i can see many alleyway on our left, this area was filled of apartments. From my observations, most of these apartments are uninhabited, only few of rooms has the light turned on.
"This disctricts are barely dead....." my words described whats on my sight, the apartments are abandoned then will eventually broke itself by time. Many shop are closing their doors, some even has the window breaked, and some again turns too home of gross animals or outlaws.
"You see? dozens of buildings, but the inhabitants are less than one hundred." thin officer said, he pointed his fingers on every buildings he saw.
"Just looked like in the video game, where you played as an survivor lived on harsh environment by impact of nuclear incidents, but there was no radiation here." he continued. I don't know which video games he meant i just play few games whole my life, last time is two years ago before the last internet cafe was closed.
The thin officer stares at me, his face shows an curious expression. He stares in silent, maybe still thinking what to talk so i will wait for his words.
"How old you are? May i guess, seventeen do i correct?"
Hearing his question i chuckled a bit, in fact i was older than he thought, so i give him an answer.
"Wrong, im actually nineteen years old. Two years older than you thought, sir."
"Hmmm.....but you look younger, i didn't expect that."
"Young body, but old age." the elder officer said while driving, then they two laughs meanwhile im just watching them, although i want to laugh too. This two policeman likes to joke around, honestly im not laughing much myself, but at least this trip is not as stiff and boring because no one talking.
Surprisingly a group of teenager suddenly come out from one alley, they about five people. Those guys rush to road, they fucking blocked our way by risking themselves, standing on the middle of roadways while our cars are moving at high speed.
"Oh shit!!!" the elder officer shouted, he turned the steer wheel and hitting the brake simultaneously.
"Hang on!" panic grows on the thin officer as his voices changed.
I quickly placed both of my arm to the front seat, i hold it tight and hoping the safety belt could withstand the force in case we got crashed. Our driver swerved to right, cause of sudden change of direction the car cannot turned completely, thus the car tilted about fourty degrees from straight positions. One of the teenager got hit by the car body, then he is strongly knocked back by the force of high speed, from the rear window i saw him being hitted against the wall. We are so close with them, unexpectedly one of teenager throwed an brick at driver windows, its too close and strongly thrown even the windows glass got cracked, it almost breaked down but thank god that doesn't happened.
Crack on windows startled the elder officer, then he hit the gas without hesitate, car quickly moved away and finally we escaped them without anyone being injured. However, in exchange this car may need some repairment, police can't work properly if their windows glass are cracked.
"Damn it, such an anarchist!" angry elder officer said with high tone.
"Why they was so aggressive!? They dare enough to attack the police!?" I said, my voice sounds scared also trembled after witnessing such moment which passed so quickly.
"As you know, this town is about to losing its law power, lack of law makes anarchism grows rapidly. I hope you understand what im say." thin officer said.
"I understand." i answered shortly with nod.
"Hey deputy, would you change seat with me?"
"Im dont mind, why?"
"Fuck it, i had tremors on my hand." as he say, i can see elder officers hands looks trembling.
"I will drive then, parked this car first so we can change our seat."
"Alright.....hopefully no one-interrupt us."
"You both stay carefull." i said.
"We have loaded handguns if someone attacked, we will shoot without hesitate." thin officers pulled out his pistols then he pull the chambers. Two policeman went outside, then each quickly ran to opposite doors of the car, thin officers are the drivers now and the elder one takes seat besides him.
"Alright here we go." thin officer checked at rearview mirror shortly, nobody's behind.
"Hit the gas!" elder officer said.
"On my way." thin officer placed his foot onto the gas, we continue to move.
Just a while after we start moving, on the left side, we sees a man standing pointlessly in front of lying police units. Such an horrible view, the policeman wasn't sleeping but he died, i can see an butcher knife placed on his stomach. As we moved closer, i sees assault rifle on his arm, its clear reason from where he got it.
"Looks like a zombie." i said.
"It seems he's drunked.....better not provoke him." elder officers gulped.
"What the hell..." i keep an eye contacts with that bandit, to ensure he won't do anything. Im afraid if he shooted i will obviously die first, because my positions were the closest.
I never seen like this before, or it just the bandits is getting more brave now? They killed an fully armed police personnel, i wondered how possible they got killed? does police was better equipped than bandit?
"Deputy, drive faster!"
Without a words, the thin officer changed the gears to move faster. We did passed that bandit, he didn't realise us. At our right, four patrolmans come out from the alleyway, those patrols are heading towards the bandit we just passed.
"Patrolman is here!" thin officer said, he looked at the groups of armed police.
"Hah! Bad omen for those guy, hahahaha." elder officer with smile on his face.
Shortly few gunshots are heard from behind us, then i look behind, the bandit was down and helpless, one of police puts cuffs on him. That bandit didn't fight back? ah not surprised at all, alcohol effects.
"Oh, i forgot to asked this earlier, why you sleeping on the street, young boys?"
"I-im just tired, so yeah haha i fell down and about to faint, but when you both come i suddenly awakes.....again." i let a short chuckles. The elder officer keeps staring at me, my heart start to beats faster, alright im nervous now.
"So that, i suggest you to not walking alone at night. Its dangerous! After all, the area you crossed are quiet place, bandits could probably take your life." his advise sounds like he cares me, however that advise is meaningless if the object was this town.
"Mr.Officer, there is no crowded area here. Have you ever seen crowds on this town? If yes, when the last time is?" i said with respectful tone.
"Ugh.....about that....." he silences, unable to say anything.
"He is right, sir. Look around, almost-nobody lived here.....this town is barely dead. According to latest census-less than two-hundred, that's such an small population for-big town like-Biarva." thin officer said without turning his vision.
"Uhhhh.....then no choices." elder officer let out an long exhales.
"I want to ask some, don't you mind?"
"What is it, sir?" i turned to thin officer.
"You have a job, right?"
"Uhhh...y-yes...why?"
"You worked till night?"
"Uh huh, yeah."
"What's your job? Sorry if i ask this.....if you feel annoyed, im sorry. Im just curious, you look-intresting."
I turned my view to the windows, then answered.
"I worked as mechanic, also an welders on a workshop."
"An workshop? There still a workshop in this town?"
"Yes, Dzenyc Workshop.....ever heard about that?"
"I don't know.....but i won't ask where, knowing about your workplace is enough. Thank you for your answers."
"You're welcome, sir."
Suddenly everyone turns silence, not even one of us talking at all. Im type of people who only talk if someone talked to me, im not good at talking after all, I was afraid of bad traits my father inherited to me, i don't want to hurt someone heart by my mouth. The conclusion of all, shut your mouth before mouth shuts you down, take care of your mouth and be careful when speaking.
I remain silent, stares blankly at streets throught the windows, i lean my cheeks on left hands. Buildings by buildings, house by house, shops by shops, alleys by alleys, slowly i become sleepy as my eyes are about to closed. My consciousness gradually dropped, replaced with a dream, a strange dream where i got timeline vision of being trained with firearms, dropping from helicopter using ropes, capturing a guy in balaclavas, and more then hundreds of different visions came to me.
Here comes the last vision, this took longer than every previous one. I placed an explosive on steel door, it exploded, then i rushes into the room with few armed people. Things was clear, until i decided to checked the room within the floor, im about to turned right then man in mask dropped me to ground, he took his pistols then a gunshots heard.
"Haaaghhh!!!"
My eyes opened, i see thin officer hand is on my lap, with the elder officer are just staring me.
"Hey.....we're arrived, get up." thin officer said, he's shaking my lap.
"This boy are sleeping, eh?" Confused expression showed on elder officer face.
"We arrived? Huh? When?" i rub my eyes, looking around with confusion, i turned to window, my house is across the street. An small house with faded gray paint, the walls are mostly cracked, the garbage box are overloaded, and dozens of empty wine bottle are scattered around the round table on terrace.
"Is that your house? Isn't?" then thin officer take a look at his watch.
"Correct....." my answers with low tone, i yawned as I still sleepy.
"So what are waiting for? It's 1100." elder officer said with looking at thin officer watch.
I opened the door and went out, i wondered about my family, they must be worried about me. Why not? i reached home at midnight, while my work hour ends at 1830. Before going inside i need to thank the police who take me back, i turned my body to them then say.
"Im very thankful for your service, mr.officer. Thank you for taking me to home, may your good deeds reflected on yourself." i said with looking down, i gave my biggest respect for them.
"You're welcome, young man. Stay safe!" elder officer said with smile on his lips.
"Once again...thank you." After saying that i turned back, my move my foot. Yet just three steps forward, those elder officer called me, his manly voice becomes familiar in my ears.
"Hey young man!"
"Uh-yes?" i returned to them.
"You said earlier you was nineteen years old, correct?"
"Correct."
"Do you have phone numbers?"
I think a while, why he suddenly asked for my numbers? I have phone, but its not only used by myself but my whole family except my father. If i give my numbers to police, soon or later my family would find it out, including my father. It would be a big trouble for me if my father caught me communicating with instances, such as police. Fine, i choose to lied.
"No, I-dont have-phone." I say with tilted my head.
"Its okay, you can come to Biarva Police Department tomorrow. Remember, come if you have time to, if you doesn't then come there next time. We'll waiting for you."
"Now excuse me young man, and good night."
Car window slowly closed, covering elder officer face with black screen, the driver starts the engine, car moved away as far as it couldn't seen anymore.
"Huhh, midnight.....time to sleep." I let a yawns out.
House door is opened in slow way, i peek inside first to make sure my father is not in living room. Everything was clear so safe to move, yet i should way quick because soon he will realise my existence. I close the door, then quickly rushes to my bedroom without looking back. Apparently my little brother are sleeping, he must be tired in reason of waiting for me.
In gently way i lies on mat, Fehn are sleeping well i believe he won't even get up if i do a bit move. I pushed Fehn bodies, waiting in case he awakes, but he doesn't. Next i fold the mat, all floor under the mat are way looks similar, yet its like a play guess, one of the floor is a fake floor which able to open it like a trap door. This was mini underground money container i used so far, way better than keeping it in wardrobes, thanks to power of concealment.
Inside the container, there is plenty amount of bundle of money. New sheets of money will stored here tonight, i take out my wallets, my salary money was not many but at least it can sustain my family life. Good money management is a particular key for surviving in life, especially in hard times such as lack of money, that's what i my teacher taught me at high school.
I only put half, the rest will used for necessities. Money has been stored now time for sleep, tommorow will be last day of working, after that weekends.
My body suddenly freezed, i feel way bad omen as i start to cold sweat. My father is here! heading to my room i gotta quick!
"I know.....you got money, right? Zwielko." he kicked the door and goes in, its too late, he saw my containers, fool me, i didn't locked the door like usual.
"Father.....i-its."
"So you hide those money under your floor? What a smart kid.....i didn't think having smart children would be such a hassle for me." father's frowned, soon his face turns into angry, yet he begin to groans.
"That money is for me! ARGHHHHHH!" he charged, suddenly Fehn jumped to block him, my little brother knows basics of martial arts, he learned much how to block a movements.
"Fehn! Aren't you sleeping yet!?" i said.
"I have expected this, brother. So i pretend sleeping while waiting you to come." he said.
"HAGHHHHH!! CHILDREN ARE SO ANNOYING!" my father yelled at us, while keeping his resistance.
"How you can say such words? Father?" I quickly grab both of his foot to disable his mobility as well for keeping him powerless.
"Did you forgot your words you've said? You want us to born as your child, yet you make us-suffer.....and now you says children are annoying? What kind of father you are?"
Instead of listening to his children words, he turns way more aggressive, probably he is in drunking state. Drunken people would never heard anyone advice instead they turns rejective and uncontrolled. Alcohol effect has blinded them with temporary delight , slow yet surely they will lose their mind, its was a only matter of time for that to happen.
My little brother couldn't take it more, yet he keep trying to restrain my father even more harder, but unfortunately my father had reached his limit. He turned out of controls, furiously, father lift Fehn up and then.
"Get off!" he throwed Fehn against the wall, i can't believe this, a father hurt his own child. Fehn groaned in helpless, he feels crusciating pains on his back.
"Fehn! Fehn!!!" i let off my father and ran to Fehn, i checked his back for any injuries, he got a severe bruises but luckily his bone are fine, no fractures at all.
What a cruel deeds, while his son are crying by pain he made, he being busy counting the money that even doesn't belong to him. Not only taking the money inside my wallet but also inside the containers, all my efforts after this whole time were burned into ash. My father take it all, whole of my savings.
Feeling of sadness and rejections were boiled inside me, my anger gradually soared. Like a dam is unable to stem the floodwaters anymore, the waters will overflow and flood violently.
"That's my money! And you can't take it easily!" i shouted. I rush to my father, grabbed his hand which holding an bundle of money. My father is pretty tough, he won't let it off even if it wasn't his. This resistance won't be easy, yet i will keep my way to defend my rights.
Strengths encourages me to pull more strongly, looks like my father begins to exhausted, this is the chance. I grabbed the bundle of money and successfully retaking it from my father hands.
"Back to my hand." i muttered.
Father breathed heavily, sometimes he coughed. He is still angry cause im not giving up my money, he never thought struggle of his son to gain money. He clenched his fists, looking down with breathing heavily, his body shaken in unknown reasons.
In just single blink of eye, i suddenly found myself leaning to wall, not long after i feel great pain on my chest and my back. When i see my father hands then i realised i was being hit at chest, his movements are hell way fast, as fast until i can't see him swinging his fists.
Tears flows from my eyes, unable to understand the reasons why my father did this to me. Father walked to me, then he take money from my hands with force, i can't hold it anymore as my bodies are weakened.
"What-kind-of-father you are?" i said with low and trembled voice.
"SHUT UP!!!" he yelled at me, directly in front of my face.
Then mother come out from her room, she was so surprised when seeing me helpless. She cries but at same time she also feel anger.
"What the fuck you did to our son!? Are you losing your mind!?" mother screamed.
"HAGGHHHHH!!" he does same thing to my mother, yelling at face. Afterwards he swung an punch to mother, then she knocked to ground.
"Mom....M-MOOOOOOMM!!" i tried to wake up, but my back feels crusciating i can't get up. My vision blurred, i can't see clearly what father does to mother, all voices are muffled. Now the only thing i can see is just a darkness.