Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 30 : Barrier Part 2

Thunder sharply heard amidst the walls. It looks like it will rain soon. Well, hopefully before then; he will get it done. Out to the dark and cold parking lot, with streetlights lightly dimmed the packed place. Bradley pulled his phone out and checked it. There’s no text. He walked onwards with eyes wandered up and down the lot. He checked his phone again. Nothing. “The hell is he?” he muttered.

His phone rang.

He quickly checked it. It’s a text and it said, ‘Keep on walking.’

“Tsk.” Bradley was annoyed and sent a text back with, ‘Show yourself. I’m done with your game.’

It rang and said, ‘Tired of this, are you? I should’ve known you’re such a twat.’

‘The only twat here, mate, is you. Come out.’

‘You’re dead. Just so you know.’

‘Enough!! Show yourself!!!’

‘Lights on.’

“Huh?” he read it again. “Lights on? What is he on about?” A new text was written by Bradley and was about to be sent to the other line when a blinding light shone on his right side. Two blinding lights pierced his vision, making his raised his forearm upwards and covered his gaze. “Oi!! Tone it down will ya!!!” But the lights still shine bright. “OI!! ARE YOU DEAF? SHUT IT DOWN!” Next thing he knew the lights were accompanied by a loud roar.

He froze.

Screeched of tires was heard afterwards. Smell of burned rubber went up his nostrils, making him a bit dizzy. Then, the horror happened. As if he heard the hand brake pushed down, a vehicle catapult itself forwards. Right towards him.

Bradley jumped to the side safely, hidden by a convertible. A screeched was heard again and this time, it stopped completely. He stood up quickly to see who it was. However, as soon as he was out in the open, a sharp pang was heard along with a bent steel was felt by him. “What the--!” he ducked. Another shot was heard and this time it landed on the asphalt before him. He backed off quickly, only to be greeted by another set of shots.

“Run as much as you want, newbie. No one mess with me!” a man voice was heard booming across the parking lot.

The Brit quickly stood up and looked at the black hooded figure and gritted his teeth. “Coward! Playing with a gun will never make you a man.”

The hooded figure snorted. “What makes you a man? You don’t even know how to do it with a woman. You’re such a twat.”

“I’M NOT LIKE YOU! I RESPECT DEMI. NOT LIKE YOU!!” Bradley stood his ground.

“The only respect you given her were only for your bruised ego.” The hooded figure retorted. “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be here, kid. Every site has you all over it. Bradley Watson: Must see actor. Bradley Watson: A newbie to look out for. Bradley Watson: the liar…”

“Shut up!” Bradley snapped.

“Look so pathetic.” The hooded figure let out. “Such a wuss. So weak. Perhaps you should think twice before putting a bet against me. I rule this place. Not you.”

“I only do this to protect her. From you!!” Bradley stood his ground again.

“Oh, to protect her? What’s that?” the hooded figure moved closer. A gun clasped to his side. Out of the darkness, his figure soon lit underneath the streetlight. He then pulled his hoodie down and smirked. “Does that make you a man? Huh? This is not a fairytale, kid. This is reality. This—“ he pulled the gun outwards. “is reality.” Suddenly, he pulled the trigger and put a bullet right through Bradley’s healing forearm. The Brit cringed and backed off. He was biting his tongue, trying not to scream. “See that? Can you feel that? There are no rainbows coming out of that, kid. Just the cold harsh truth. And it doesn’t feel good at all, am I right?”

“FUCK OFF!!” Bradley yelled, quickly got back up and shoved the man right in the chest. “I’M DONE WITH IT. YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE WAGER. DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!”

“What I want is you gone and she’s back to me.”

“Leave her out of this. She deserves better.”

“Then she doesn’t deserve you!” The man smirked again and raised his gun. However, Bradley got up again and kicked the gun away, making it disappeared under a car. Taking the chance, he then tackled the man down and punched his face repeatedly. But, with the injury he sustained, he was weak and the man, now fully revealed from the hoodie overpowered him and slammed him down. His long thing black hair was revealed, tattooed neck and arms jutted out strangling the Brit. “I’m giving you a chance now, kid. Go back to where you come from and never come back or rot here.”

Bradley coughed. “N—No!” the man punched his stomach. He coughed. “NO!” another beating was received and ended up having him bruised and battered. From the asphalt ground, to the black SUV hood and then back to the ground. “READ MY LIPS CYRUS! NO!”

“Then die.” Trace Cyrus gritted his teeth. Quickly pulled out his gun from his back pocket and aimed it on Bradley’s head. “I was hoping for a win-win on this, you know. Well, it’s a win-win on my side.” He aimed the gun onto the sky and shoots it. “Last bullet should be on you.” He aimed it back onto Bradley’s head. “You wanna know why?”

The Brit shook his head, trying to get back up but couldn’t.

“Because you’re the last person on everyone’s mind. No one wants you kid. You’re just a piece of crap everyone want to get rid of.” He jutted the gun hard on the Brit’s skull and said. “Say goodbye---“

BANG.

It was done. On something else, that is.

“FUCK!” Trace got off from the Brit and got to the ground, clutching his hand. Blood was oozing. His gun was captured immediately. Police officers approached them with alerted stance. One of them approached Trace and said, “Trace Cyrus, you are under arrest for the murder attempt of Mr. Bradley Watson.” Hand-cuff was engaged, even in the bloodiest state of Cyrus.

It was over. It’s not supposed to end like this. Not like how the Brit lied there on the ground staring at the dark sky. Familiar faces were seen. One of David Henrie. One of Jennifer’s, Jake’s, Deluise’s and then Selena’s. But she wasn’t there.

Demi…

Author's note:

Sorry for the long absense. Hope this will make it all up. Just one more chapter, folks and it shall be done for Higher Stakes. :D

Next stop: NAVY BLUE