Tears of a Clown
Page 24
“You’re not supposed to be able to see me. I’m not supposed to be able to grab you. What is going on?” he said, more to himself.
Gabriel took another step backwards. He turned to walk away when the boy grabbed at his arm again.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but you’ve got to do something!” he said to Gabriel.
Gabe was going to make a snide remark when he noticed the look of desperation in the boy’s eyes.
“What is it, exactly, that you want me to do?”
“You have to save the girl.”
Gabriel was confused.
“What girl?”
“The quiet one with the long dark hair. She’s from your class.”
Gabe’s eyes grew wide when he realized who the boy meant.
“Aya? You mean Aya? Save her from what? You better explain yourself and fast.” Gabe grabbed the boy by the shoulders.
“I can’t give you details…They’ll…I’ll…I just can’t. I’m sorry.” The boy was shaking his head, the panic more pronounced in his green eyes. Gabriel glared at him before pushing past the stranger. Taking off in a sprint, Gabriel headed towards the elementary school. He knew Aya picked up her little brother every day, but he wasn’t sure she would still be there.
He made it to the school in record time. Frantically looking around, he spotted her near the playground. There was a group of little kids playing kickball. When Gabriel stopped to catch his breath, he saw one of them kick the ball over the head of their small outfielder. As the ball proceeded to roll out into the street, the outfielder raced out to grab it.
Time seemed to slow down as Gabe took in the scene; the kid had entered the street, chasing after the ball, a school bus was turning the corner, Aya was running, grabbing the kid. Gabriel swallowed hard as he pictured the bus hitting them both. He didn’t think it was physically possible to get there in time, but he ran faster than before. In a matter of moments, he was tackling both Aya and the kid, knocking them out of the way of the barreling bus.
The bus zoomed passed them without even realizing what could have happened. Gabriel lay on the ground holding them both in his arms, breathing heavily. He opened his eyes to find Aya staring at him, bewildered. The boy, who Gabriel recognized as Aya’s brother Toji, was crying hysterically.
“Are you all right?” Gabriel asked.
Aya nodded her head.
“Thank God.” He picked himself up off the ground. He reached his hand out to help Aya up. Once she was on her feet, Gabe bent down to pick up Toji. He walked over to a nearby bench and sat the young boy down on it. He beckoned Aya to join them.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Gabriel asked Aya again.
“I…I think so. Just shook up,” she said.
He nodded.
“How about you big guy, are you okay?” he asked Toji. The boy bobbled his head, sending big tears down his cheeks. “You’ve got some scratches to clean up, but I think you’re fine, buddy. Let’s go to the nurse’s office and get everyone Band-Aids. Then I’ll treat you to some ice cream, sound good?”
Toji nodded his head some more and sniffled.
“That all right with you?” Gabriel asked Aya.
“Sure…,” she said slowly.
With that Gabriel picked up Toji again and began walking toward the school.
“Uhh, Gabriel? One question…. What were you doing here?’ Aya asked.
“That’s a weird story. Let’s get you guys fixed up and I’ll tell you over ice cream.”
Aya bit her lip, but said no more as she followed him toward the building.
Heading back, Gabriel realized Aya was lagging behind them. He turned just in time to see her crumple to the ground. Eyes wide with fear he called out,
“Someone call 911!”
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Epilogue
Chapter 1