The Outlaws

Chapter 2

~ Benjamin Dwight (Ben) ~

Man, I screw up big time! I’d been suspicious when I found out about the name of Honey Turner. But I just ignored it by thinking it’s a government’s work, thinking it all made sense. Also, how did she know my name? Probably her resources are unlimited so that she can track me. 

I’m always secretive about my identity, only to use my alias: De_right. Well, it’s not so creative since I created it from my last name. Her threat…. Is it an empty one? But thinking about it again, I did nothing wrong. She just bluffed. 

My phone is ringing. When I see it, it’s Belle. “Hey, little sister, what’s up?”

“Hey, Ben, nothing. I kinda miss you.”

“Are you sure? I can pick you, and we can have a date today.”

“Nah, Ms. Morgan won’t approve it.” Ms. Morgan is Belle’s dormitory prefect. The dorm has a strict rule about students going out other than on weekends. “I just need someone to talk to.”

“Okay, shoot.” It’s interesting. Belle rarely calls me just to talk. 

“So, the prom is a month from now. There’s a cute guy.….”

Uh, oh, here it comes, the scary moment in my life. It’s when my little sister’s a crush on a boy. “Uh-huh.”

“He asked me for his prom date. Of course, I’ve said yes.”

“Okay, so?”

“So.…” Belle’s quiet for a while.

“Hey, Belle? Little sister? Are you still there?”

“Yeah. Sorry, uh, this is awkward.”

I hold my breath. What’s awkward? The boy just asked Belle to be his date. It’s nothing like he proposes to her for marriage. But I just shut my mouth and continue listening to her.

“So, I’m 17. I’ll be 18 on my prom day.”

“I remember that. What do you want for your birthday?” I ask.

Belle’s laughing. “It’s not that, though I’d love it if you give me cash.”

I laugh too. “Yeah, I know you’ve been a big girl now. The dolls and the cute shirts are no longer your fave things.”

“Nah, I still love them, especially from you, bro. You’re the only one I have.”

Now, it brings me to a sad state. Belle and I have no parents. They died in a car accident when I was 15. Since I’m now 30, it means Belle’s 2. I still remember how hard it’s for me as a teenager to take care of my sister. Since our late parents had no relationship with their parents, I don’t know them until now. So, I became a parent to Belle when I was 15. Yeah, sort of like that. 

I’ve wondered about the day when Belle’ll go out on a date with a guy for years. So, finally, today’s the day I must face my worries.

Returning from my wandering thoughts, I clear my throat. “You can count on me anytime, sis.”

“I know, Ben.” She sounds a little sad to me. “Anyway, uh, this is so awkward.”

I’m so curious now. “Just tell me, what’s up?”

“My friends talked about-“ Belle stops, and then after a few seconds, she says, “You know-“

I frown. What did Belle mean? “No, I don’t know.”

“Argh! That’s so embarrassing!” Then she is muttering a bit, but I can still hear her. “Maybe I should text you.”

“Okay, if you think it’s easier.” Now, she truly piques my curiosity. 

“Okay, then. Bye for now. I love you, Ben.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

What could be a problem that’s so hard to tell your brother? As a teenager, explaining menstruation was one of those she found it so hard. I found it difficult too when I needed to teach her about safety. You know, condoms. Something clicks on my brain. Wait a minute, is that what she wanted to ask? The permission to have s*x with the guy who asked her for a date. Is that it? Oh, God, please, please, don’t be that one!

I receive the answer to my prayer in no time. I see my phone blinking; my sister sent me a text. As my friends had all lost their virginity, they think I’m not cool as the only virgin in the dorm. So, as I’ll be 18 on the prom day, I’ve been an adult. I’m thinking, if all goes well, it’ll probably lead there. I want to let you know that.

I immediately call Belle again. “Belle, we need to talk about it. Not on the phone.”

“Here we go again,” Belle grumbles. “I regret to tell you that.”

“No, I appreciate it that you told me, sis. But s*x is a significant thing. Never do it just because of peer pressure.”

“I know. It’s just….“ Belle sighs. “I want to know how it feels. It’s weird to be the only one who doesn’t know it at all. Probably they think I’m a weirdo.”

“It’s not weird, Belle. You’re wise. Let’s talk more on Saturday, okay?”

“Okay.”

I close my eyes for a while. It’s hard to be a parent. But what else can I do? As long as I live, I will do my best to protect my sister.

 ***

~ Jerome Hill Trevor (Jem) ~

Somehow, the police have already known about the robbery as I hear the police’s car from afar. Any teller might, by chance, push the alarm secret button below their desk. I pray that this will end soon. 

“Someone has been trying to play as a hero. None can leave unless the police give us what we ask!” A robber, most likely the leader, shouts.

All of us have sat on the floor. There are approximately 25 people at the bank right now. It will be a big problem if the robbers shot any of us. 

Josephine Hamilton, the teller, trembles beside me then stands up. “P-please, sir, let me take my inhaler. I-I have asthma.” Then she wheezes. 

A robber grabs her arm. “Where’s your desk? I’ll take you there, but don’t do a stupid thing! Or this bullet will blow your head. Understand?”

Josephine shakes, then mumbles, “Y-yes.”

“I repeat, do you understand?” the bandit yells to her. 

“Yes! I understand. P-please don’t shoot me. I only need my inhaler.”

The robber walks with Josephine to her desk. After she takes her bag, Josephine gets her inhaler. The burglar then goes with her to her place before on the floor. 

“T-thank you, sir,” said Josephine.

The robber nods, and then he lets her go. The bandit seems to have mercy. Hopefully, we all can get away from there safely. 

Suddenly, there is a phone ringing. I stand up. “It is from my desk.”

“Ignore it,” the bandit’s leader commands.

I sit again. Probably it is from my client. However, it is Monday. Usually, they contact me in the morning or on Friday afternoon. Then there is another call. I do nothing since I don’t want to upset the robbers. 

The phone keeps ringing. The robbers’ leader points his gun at me. “You! Take that damn phone!”

I hurriedly stand up and walk to the phone. “Good afternoon. Bank of Ringdom City. Jerome Hill Trevor will assist you. How may I help you?”

“Mr. Trevor, I am Gabriel Moore, the police inspector. Please loudspeaker this phone.”

I follow the order. “Yes, Inspector Moore. The phone is now on the loudspeaker.”

“I need to speak to the leader of the robbery.”

Then the leader steps toward me. “Go back to your place.”

I silently walk to where I was before. The nice robber pays attention to the teller who has asthma. He regrets what he did to her. Interesting. 

“We’ll release all hostages in no harm if you give us a million. The cash should be in small bills, no 100 Ringdom dollars. Also, none should follow us,” the robbers’ leader inquires. 

After that, no reply from the inspector. So, the robber must have switched off the loudspeaker already. 

“Hurry! You have an hour to prepare it.” Then the robber slams the phone. “Since the police inspector wanted to see our good intentions, we’ll release 5 hostages.”

I raise my hand. “Sir? As the assistant manager of the bank, I know the situation here well. I can assist you.”

“Get up,” said the leader. “Mr. Trevor, right?”

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

“So, who do you think we should release?”

“Miss Hamilton is the priority. You don’t want someone who will give you trouble in case she has an asthma attack later.”

“Good point.” Then he glances toward Josephine. “You, get up! Walk slowly to the front and wait.” Then the robbers’ leader says again, “Who else?”

“Mr. Baker, our loyal customer. He is a senior. It is better to let him go.”

“Who is Mr. Baker? Stand up!”

Finch Baker rises from the floor. “I am.” He nods toward me, grateful.

“Stand behind her.” The robber points at Josephine. Then he asks me again, “Who else are the last three?”