Random Drop

11 (Part ll)

Outside, horse drawn carts and wagons moved past at a slow pace, waiting for a carriage to pass, Jude looked around, mobs of people crowded stalls to the right of him, the idea of people wasting money on things they won't use after a week was comical to Jude, but remembering what Karla had once said about rich people only do it to humor the poor so they are able to at least feed the family for a week wiped the smile from Jude's face. 

He cursed as a cold wind picked up and he flicked the collar of his jacket up and proceeded to cross the road when a arrogant cabbie raced in front of him, forcing him to retreat to the curb of the cobblestone street. Jude watched after him.

'Losy people' He muttered.
This time he ran across the street, hands in pockets.

A beggar watched and walked towards him, 'Money for the poor?' He asked, holding out filthy hands, Jude shook his head and continued down the slightly narrowing street, he stopped when he reached the door of the pub he was in last night.He opened the door and got hit in the face with warm air. The bartender looked up from his newspaper.

Was wondering when you'd show up, what'll be?' He asked, smiling he placed the paper away and reached for a glass.

'Nothing today Ned.Do you still have the money you owe me?' Jude said, now at the bar. Ned's smile flickered before disappeared.

'No sir, I told you I'll have it by the end of the week' Jude sighed.

Welp, Ned things have changed, I need it now' He narrowed his eyebrows and gave Ned a stern look.

Ned swallowed.'I don't have it, Ju-' 

Jude thumped his fists on the bar.'God dammit!'

Ned jumped.

'Listen here, I'll be back in three hours, have it by then, or you'll be sorry, do I make myself clear?' Ned went stark white and nodded in terror.

'There's a good boy. Three hours' Jude gave him a hard look before turning on his heel and exiting the bar, on his way out he passed a bloke.

Jude!' He said raising his hand in a high five, Jude ignored him and kept going. 

Walking along the streets Jude sighed, couples holding hands and laughing saddened him, visions of Karla seeped into his head, her laughing blue eyes, chocolate brown hair that always fell over her shoulder when she looked at him, her smile, he felt a surge of pain when he remembered what it was like to hold her, the countless nights she fell asleep in his arms, curled up in front of the fire.

His pain turned to rage,"I promise I will find you Karla, even if it kills me" Jude thought this as he felt her picture in his pocket. He turned a corner and found a young man with a girl on his lap, he saw Jude and froze. Jude looked at the girl and waved her off, she stood up and brushed past him hurriedly.

The man stood up.

'Now Jude, was that the best thing to do?' He said, walking towards him. 

Jude smiled cruelly.

'You know Billy, you should really stop trying to be tough, it doesn't give you a good reputation.'

Billy cocked his head.

'Oh really, well I guess I should show you some manners eh?' He now stood in front of Jude, he swung a fist at Jude, who caught it and twisted his arm.

'Like I said, stop trying to be tough' Billy winced,his eyes blazing with fury, Jude kicked him in the chest, releasing his arm, Billy fell backwards, landing on his butt on the wet cobblestone.

'Your gonna pay for that!' He snarled, he jumped to his feet and ran at Jude.

Jude sidestepped him and grabbed the back of his jacket, smashing him into the wall.

'Your never gonna learn, I have a few questions for you, if you cooperate, you can leave with a bloody lip and nose, if not, then well, we can just found can't we?' Billy spit blood at Jude.

'As if I'll ever do what you want!' Jude shook his head,he pushed Billy's head against the wall and started to drag it against it. 'Okay, okay I..I... I'll cooperate!' Billy wailed, Jude laughed cruely.

'See, that wasn't so hard was it?' He pulled Billy off the wall and turned around to face him, he straightened his jacket and dusted it off, before pushing his back up against the wall.