It had been a long day at school, the exams had not been so difficult, the hard part was helping several of my friends to study, but in the end everything had gone well. They had told me to go to the gym, they had something to tell me. Of course I already knew what it was about.
Anyway, I kept walking until I got to the gym. The door was open and all the lights were off, I knew what was going to happen, so I decided to play a little joke on them.
Since the day was very cloudy I was able to open the back door of the gym, without them noticing, so I could get in. I was able to get a megaphone from the school and once I was in the center I turned it on.
-SORRY TO RUIN YOU'RE SURPRISE! – I yelled at the top of my lungs into the megaphone, trying to be as loud as possible.
I listened as everyone shouted and I started laughing non-stop. They turned on the lights and I could see that there were many of my friends there, also several teachers. As soon as they saw me one of my friends came running up to me. He grabbed my jacket and started shaking me.
-What's wrong with you?! Don't you know what a surprise party is?! It was so hard to get the gym and arrange everything without you realizing it, only for you to ruin it in the end! – said my friend with an angry red face.
-I'm sorry, but it wasn't too hard to figure it out a while ago – I said with a chuckle.
I couldn't stop laughing when I saw the angry looks on everyone's faces, especially Jorge's. Until several of them started laughing too, even Jorge ended up laughing.
-Sorry Luke, I think I got a little carried away. Happy birthday – said Jorge, now calmer.
-No, I'm sorry. I spoiled your surprise, but my joke was funny – I said trying to stop laughing.
-There's no denying that – said a girl who approached us.
It was Rachel, a classmate of mine. She was one of the most outstanding students in the school and we had a little rivalry to see who the better of the two for many years was.
-But I don't understand why they are so good if you hardly ever do them, you are very serious even with us, and do you plan your pranks in secret? – she asked ironically.
-That's true, I've always wondered about that – said Jorge playing along.
-I think he actually likes to be a joker but all the time he is pretending to be serious so that his jokes are better – replied Rachel with that idea again.
-I think he plans jokes for every occasion and writes them down in a notebook so he doesn't forget them – said Jorge.
-It must be the notebook he always carries in his backpack and never lets us see it. I bet he even has drawings and diagrams of how to do the pranks – said Rachel and she seemed very confident.
It was amazing how the two of them could get into such small talk so easily on occasions like this. Although we have to admit that Rachel comes to conclusions very quickly, even though she is often wrong. And although it may not seem like it, Jorge is also quite intelligent, although he gets distracted more easily than me.
I was annoyed and confused, it seemed like they hadn't known me for years.
-Hey, what the hell are you talking about? You know that in that notebook I keep all my savings accounts and what I get paid at work, that's why I don't want you to see how much money I have and start asking me for things. They know I'm saving for something special, even though I don't need it at the moment – I answered, tired of their nonsense.
-You said that if we had a car we could go to the beach once a month! Are you saying that you won't keep your word anymore! – said Jorge scared by my words.
-Yes, you said you were almost ready to buy the car – said Rachel.
-I know, but now I have two motorcycles and with Jorge's we can go all three of us, because as I remember, you know how to drive, right? - I asked her remembering the lessons I had given her.
-Of course I do, but... What do you mean, you have 2 motorcycles! – she asked me confused.
-It's just that my parents just gave me another one. I guess they didn't notice – I said trying to play dumb.
-Of course not, you always get there before us – said Jorge almost as a reproach.
I knew they were going to start talking to each other again, so I better change the subject.
-Hey, isn't this supposed to be a party? We're just talking to each other and the gym doesn't seem to be ready to have one – I said looking around the room.
-Well you see... what happens is that we did get the permission, but we don't have things ready yet, so the party will be until tonight. But we wanted to surprise you first and then make the party big, everyone agreed, even the teachers – answered Rachel a little nervous.
-I just hope they won't come up with one of their weird things – I said remembering what I had done before on several occasions.
-Hey you two, remember that we still have a party to prepare, so you'd better step aside and let us congratulate the birthday boy – said another girl behind my friends.
-It's... It's okay – said Jorge a little scared when he recognized the voice.
I could see the fear on my friends' faces and I could understand why. The one who was talking was no one else but Lindsay. She was the most popular girl in school and almost all my classmates liked her, but they didn't know her like we did. At school she was sweet, caring and attentive, but in reality she was a demon, no exaggeration. The four of us had already gone out together and that's when we knew what she was really like. I think that was the reason she didn't have a boyfriend.
-Congratulations Luke, I hope this time you ask me to go out with just the two of us – she said as she gave me a hug.
-Do you know I work in the evenings? Besides I value my life – I answered a little nervous about her reaction.
Luckily she didn't seem to mind the comment, but that wouldn't last long.
In the end everyone started congratulating me on my birthday, from the teachers to the entire school basketball team, of which I was captain.
I was about to leave when Rachel and Jorge asked me to show them my new motorcycle.
-Well... What do you think? I think it's a little expensive for me – I said in front of my bike.
It was a 600cc matte black sportbike with some chrome accents. It was a bit stout, with the rear tire much wider than the front, plus it looked like it was very close to the ground, but it was a menacing but cool looking motorcycle.
-Are you kidding, this motorcycle is a marvel, I wish I had one of these! – Jorge said as he got on it.
-I knew your parents had good jobs, but I didn't think they were good enough to give you something like this – said Rachel as she looked at it from afar.
-For me the other one was more than enough, but I think they didn't like that I bought it with what I had saved and especially because I started working to buy it –I answered a little tired.
-Well, enough about this. Go home and get ready for the party, remember to come at eight o'clock, we will have everything ready. I forgot, I heard some rumors, they say that many girls are after you and that tonight they will try to do something to get your attention – said Jorge as he approached us.
-I already told you that for the moment I don't need a girlfriend, I have to keep working and studying to earn a scholarship for college, although my parents say I don't need it, but I want to do it – I answered him tired of telling him that over and over again.
-Whatever you say, I'm just telling you rumors – he said as if he was also tired of my answer.
-Well... I'll see you late – I said before getting on my motorcycle.
I noticed Rachel had left without us noticing, but sometimes she did that.
I had to hurry to get home for dinner because my parents had said they were going to do something special, but I had to stop by first to see Mr. Takeshi, although he said it wasn't necessary for me to keep coming so often because he had already taught me all the types of martial arts he knew, but I liked to go because he always gave very good advice.
It had already been about 10 minutes since I had left the school and I was about to arrive at his house, this motorcycle is really fast. But near his house there were a lot of cars and a lot of people around, I knew that nothing good was happening.
When I arrived I could see Mr. Takeshi's house in flames and the firemen trying to put them out.
-Hey, what happened? – I asked one of the policemen guarding the area.
-Nobody knows, the one who called the police said that the house suddenly started to burn, maybe the old man who lives here fainted or had a heart attack – said the policeman while he prevented me from passing.
-That's impossible, Mr. Takeshi is healthier than all of you together! I have to go look for him! – I said walking past him.
-Wait, you can't go you idiot! – the policeman tried to stop me, but I was already out of his reach.
-You're not going to tell me what to do! – I shouted as I dodged another cop.
The firemen also tried to stop me, but with the training Mr. Takeshi had given me, I threw them all to the ground and ran in the direction of the house. As I got closer, the flames turned green, but that was the least of my concern. I kicked down the door of the hut and started running through the house to look for Mr. Takeshi. I looked everywhere, the heat was unbearable, but I finally found him in the room we used as a dojo.
He was on the floor face down and seemed to have blood on his back. But that was impossible, no one would have been able to hurt him, even if he had been attacked by 8 people he would have defeated them easily. There had to be another explanation, but first I had to see if he was okay.
I checked him and he was not in good condition at all. He had a lot of bruises and some shallow cuts on his arms and legs, but the weirdest thing was the 4 deep round marks on his back, it was as if he had been attacked with a very large screwdriver. I turned him over and lifted his head a little, he was breathing, he was just unconscious but I had to get help fast.
-Mr. Takeshi, Mr. Takeshi, wake up please, Mr. Takeshi! – I shouted trying to wake him up.
Nothing was working, no matter how loud I shouted he wouldn't wake up, I only had one alternative, it would be disrespectful to my master, but I had no choice.
-I'm sorry master, but I have no choice! – I said trying to apologize for what I was about to do.
I prepared my hand to give him a good slap, I had to hit him with a lot of force to wake him up.
-What... but what... was what... Heeee?! – I could hear his voice but it was too late.
I couldn't see in time that he had woken up, so I hit him with all my strength. He rolled his eyes for a moment, but he reacted.
-For heaven's sake, boy... I have already told you not to hit anyone with all your strength – said my master, sore from the blow.
-I'm sorry master, but you didn't wake up. Are you all right? Do you think you can walk? – I asked trying to calm down a little.
-I think... no. I've per... lost a lot of blood. But you have to... go home quickly, you don't have to... let them come or they will... hurt your family – said my master pausing, maybe because of the pain he was feeling.
-What are you talking about? I have to get him out of here fast – I said without understanding what he was trying to tell me.
-No, you have to... leave now – he insisted.
-I have to get him out of here first! – I said trying to lift him up.
I managed to get him on my back so I could carry him out, luckily the back door was almost burned, so I could easily knock it down to get out.
I managed to get him on my back so I could carry him out, luckily the back door was almost burned down, so I could easily break it down to get out.
I left Mr. Takeshi on the ground so I could go to get help, but he grabbed my arm.
-You have to leave at once, you can't... waste any more time – he said while holding me as tight as he could.
-What are you talking about? Who is the one who attacked you? – I asked worried that whoever it was that had attacked him might hurt more people.
-There is no time...you have to go. Take this, I'm sure... it will protect you if... you are worthy of its... power. There is a secret that I... must tell you, but it will be if we... meet again. Remember everything... what I taught you and... Above all... never lose hope... GO NOW! – he said as he held the necklace he was wearing and handed it to me.
It was a gold and bronze amulet that he wore around his neck, it was in the shape of a winged dragon with four legs and two tiny jewels in its eyes. I had seen it before, but I didn't think it was something so important.
I didn't know what he was talking about, but if he was telling me to leave it was because something serious was really going on. But I couldn't leave him here, if I left I had to leave him in good hands.
-All right, but I should at least take him to the fire department – I said as I picked him up again.
I picked him up again and turned around so I could get to the front of the house where the firemen were. I charged Mr. Takeshi telling them to take good care of him or else they would face the consequences, I left there as fast as I could still thinking about the words he had said to me.
-This must be very serious. If they hurt Mr. Takeshi and left him in such a bad state... I can't let them get there. Let's hope this motorcycle holds up – I thought as I remembered the state my master was in.
I left the road and went straight through the forest, it was the only way to get there as fast as possible.
-I won't let them hurt anyone else. They will pay for what they did to Mr. Takeshi! – I shouted as I accelerated faster and faster.