Chapter 3
Panic-struck, Taylor immediately began to run from the screams presuming them to be fans on the rampage. Kale grabbed him by the coat cuff before he could get far. Frozen in position, the four waited, listening intently. The screams were obscured by thier owners' alarm but were noticeably all coming from the same location. Curiosity, began to draw the youths to the shrills like sailors to Sirens.
"What are they saying?" Kale lead the group, ear first, in caution.
Looking over the cars Isaac could see rows of others being lured. It became apparent where the screaming girls were situated.
"Oh no." He momentarily froze.
"What?" They looked on in bewilderment, as Isaac took off around the cars at full speed until he became entangled within a mob of children, youths, and shocked adults. Straining to break through the human fence, Taylor was about to call out for Isaac when one of the three traumatized girls, who seemed to be doing all the screaming, distraced him. Struggling with kicks, she fought vigorously while being held back from the center ring. She was bleeding from the nose and shrieking beyond comprehension. All at once, Taylor became aware of the happenings within the circle, beyond the unmoveable beholders.
"Isaac!" He yelled trying to get through, though he could only manage a peek hole.
"What's happening?" Frightened, Micayla had followed Taylor like a shadow. Kale stood behind her. The reply stuck in Taylor's throat with worry.
"A fight." Kale whispered.
With a triumphant exclaim the girl broke free of her wardens and with her thin arms, attacked one of the boys, who pushed her to the cement, ripping her skirt and tearing the skin on her bear legs. Two of the other boys ran to her defense but she swore and swiped at them both. The inner mob broke up in loud fury, as a boy fell in a cry of pain. In mild shock Taylor saw that the striker was Isaac. The on lookers sprawled when an angry mall guard came running to the scene. Despite the guard's presents, Isaac continued to yell, beyond him, lay the body of Zac, beaten to a bloody pulp.
Taylor ran to his brother, while Isaac was jumped by three of the surrounding boys. The chilling siren, from an approaching police car, sent the gang of boys running in all directions. The police arrived annoyed with their find.
"You said there was a whole gang of kids out here, and now there's only six?" The guard shrugged his shoulders, explaining he couldn't chase them all. The police officers groaned, and sent him back to the mall.
"Alright what happened?" The male officer asked. When there was no response he walked over to Zac motioning Taylor to move out of the way. He checked for a pulse, nodded and stood up. "He's alive anyway. Better get him to a hospital though."
"Ok." The female officer acknowledged, "Are you ok?" She asked the girl crumpled outside of the group. Her heavy mascara and liner were considerabley smudged with tears but she nodded.
"Do you know them?" she motioned to the boys and Micayla. The girl's lip trembled but said nothing.
"Did one of them do this to you?" The male officer asked, observing her many small wounds. The girl shook her head. "I was trying to stop it. I got in the way." She explained and got to her feet. Rearranging her tangled clothing, she unknowing revealed other bruises that seemed older. She brushed the dirt from her open gashes.
"So I guess the question here would be, is anyone pressing charges?"
"Yes!" Taylor blurted.
"No!"
"What?!" Taylor truned to face Isaac.
"We can't afford to press any charges at this time. I'm sure it won't happen again." He was speaking like a lawyer. Taylor hated it when Isaac did that.
"What do you mean we can't afford to press charges? We can afford to do anything we want! We already have a great lawyer."
"Due to the closeness of our release date any bad press would be an extraneous risk."
"You got hit in the head too many times!" Taylor jumped to his feet, not doubting that for a moment. "You're putting the record over Zac!"
"No, Taylor, but Zac will be fine..."
"Yeah! When he gains consciousness!"
The male officer took that brief pause, as given time to speak. "Maybe I worded that wrong. Since I'm guessing you are all minors, will your parents be pressing charges?"
"No."
"Yes!"
"I'll rephrase that again, what's your parents' phone number."
It took less than ten minutes for their father, Walker Hanson, to make his way to the mall in the family van. By that time Zac had woken and sided with Isaac to keep the brawl on the down low. Walker opted to bring his sons to the Emergency Room first and decided later about charges. Packing the kids in the van, he left Taylor with the car to drive home.
"You might need this." Since the arrival of the police the battered girl had been astoundingly meek but now she stood once again full of confidence at the door of the Hanson's car. Taylor turned around surprised she hadn't left yet.
"If you're going to sue them, you'll need a witness." She was holding out her phone number. "But get them for jeu.' vee.' time. They don't got money to give."
Looking at the number in her hand, he peered over his shoulder to the police. They were talking. They couldn't have cared less about the fight from the beginning. So much for the police protection system. As the male officer stepped into his car he called out, "I don't want to see you again, Joelle, don't take that personally." He smiled somberly and drove off.
"You are Taylor right?" She drew his attention back from the departing squad car.
"Uh, yeah."
"Then take this!" She shoved the paper in his hand. "I'll say whatever you want me to say on the stand, just get the stories straight with me first." She looked him dead in the eye.
"Well I don't think this is that serious." Taylor sputterd. How much criminal experience did this girl have.
"But it could be. You're famous, you can charge 'em with whatever you want."
Hesitantly Taylor took the phone number, dismissing the corruptness of her speech. He looked at it. "How do you know my brother anyway?"
She looked a little taken aback, then shrugged, "I don' know, I jus' see 'im around all the time. He gets around ya know?" She chuckled a little and poked Taylor's tense arm. Actually he had not known that, but now he did.
He smacked the small leaf of paper on his palm, "Is this going to happen again Joelle?" he asked attempting to sound mature and not intimidated. She squinted at him then laughed, punching his chest.
"You an' yor baby brother play de same li'l games with people."
Not knowing how to take that, he just looked at her and blushed nervously, holding back a school-girlish giggle threatening to escape.
"Ok," she got serious "this was all my fault." Taylor opened his mouth, but she put her finger over it, "shhh...it's ok I can fix it easy. Just a little white lie here and there." Taylor wondered if that was what had started this. "so no, it ain't gon' happen agian. I'll fix it. But if you wanna sue 'em, get 'em, scare 'em, I'm on your side a'right?" Taylor eyed her for a moment. "A'right!" She repeated.
Taylor nodded, unsure of his sincerity. She smiled and poked the clef in his chin, "You guys are too cute." With that she turned and sauntered away, ripped skirt, torn knees, hips, and all.
If those were the kind of girls Zac was used to hanging out with, Taylor knew they'd be spending a little more time together.