Chapter 2 Don't Worry
964 Words
"Hey..."
Hearing the shout, Claud turned back.
The girl who had been harassed ran over, blushing and apologetically saying, "I'm sorry."
"It's fine. It's understandable that you're afraid. I'm just pissed off that those passengers were lying through their teeth."
The girl sighed and explained, "Those rascals have some connections. They often look for targets on buses on this route to harass. At first, someone stood out to stop them, but they retaliated against whoever stood in their way. Most of the passengers are residents of this area. How dare they offend those rascals?"
Only then did Claud realize the reason for those passengers' behaviors. "Then be more careful. Better take another bus."
"Alright."
The girl nodded and pulled out a piece of paper.
"This is my number. Those thugs are revengeful, and they won't let you off the hook easily. If they cause trouble for you, call me. I'll go to the police station to testify for you. My name is..."
"No need."
Claud shook his head and waved as he trotted. "They are just a few rascals who mean nothing to me. I have something to attend to, so I'll go now."
"Hey..."
Annika Webb looked at Claud's back and sulked.
She thought, what the heck?
Come on! I am one of the most popular beauties at New York University. Countless boys are lining up for my number. I can't believe you let such a great opportunity slide.
Humph! You are so clueless! You know nothing about women.
...
Claud trotted.
After thirteen years, everything changed. The surroundings seemed strange to him.
He relied on his memories to come to the riverside of Hudson River.
In the distance, he saw a building with a sign at the gate. It was Sunshine Welfare Center.
He thought, it's still there!
I'm so glad.
Claud quickened his pace and arrived at the door, and then he saw an old man struggling to carry supplies.
He could recognize the old man even though he just saw the old man's back.
The old man was the dean of the Welfare Center, Frank Ward. Frank worked hard to bring Claud up, and Claud regarded Frank as his biological grandfather.
On the way here, Claud was very nervous. After all, Frank was almost sixty years old back then. After thirteen years, he wondered if Frank was still alive.
Right now, Claud's eyes were filled with tears.
"Grandpa!"
"Huh?"
Frank turned around and walked over to ask, "Young man, you have mistaken me for someone else, right? Who are you?"
Claud choked with tears, "You are my grandpa. I am Claud. It has been thirteen years, and now I'm back."
"Claud?
"Claud? Really?"
Frank was shocked. He held Claud's face for a long time and finally confirmed.
In an instant, tears streamed down Frank's face.
"Claud. It is you... Kid, you're back finally. Where have you been all these years? I haven't heard from you at all."
"Grandpa, it's a long story."
"I'm glad that you're back. You've grown so big, and you're so handsome. Your sisters will be so happy to know you're back."
Frank patted Claud on the shoulder, very pleased.
"Go inside and grab a seat. I'll get the supplies in order for someone to take them away later."
"Take them away?" Claud was surprised. "Aren't these supplies donated to the orphans by caring people? Why take them away?"
At the same time, a group of kids cried out.
"Those bastards are coming for the supplies."
"If we don't give those things to them, they'll beat us up!"
Someone sobbed and said, "It's been a long time since we've worn new clothes."
The kids were all sad.
Claud sensed that something was fishy and asked, "Grandpa, what exactly is going on?"
"Do you remember John?" Frank sighed.
"John?" Claud pulled a long face. "Of course, I remember him. When I was a kid, he was the biggest bully. I was almost beaten to death by him once, but I got lucky. My sisters found me in time and saved me."
Frank sighed again, "John has been prone to violence since he was young. Now he has grown up and become worse. He has gone the wrong way and become friends with some wicked ones, and they do evil things in this area."
Frank pointed to the supplies on the ground and bitterly said.
"Every time a donor donated something, he would send someone to take it away, including money donated to the Welfare Center. If I don't give it to him, the kids won't be safe. My hands are tied."
"What a crazy son of a b***h! How dare he bully you and the kids!" Claud was burning with rage.
Rumble!
Meanwhile, three vans rushed over.
More than thirty gangsters came out of the vans, and the man in the lead was beefy.
Seeing them, the children hid inside in fear.
Frank looked worried. "John is here. Why did he bring so many people this time? What is he up to?"
John Lumis?
Claud looked at the man in the lead, and then he saw Deegan beside the man. He immediately realized something.
John was Deegan's boss.
Claud thought, people say that one can't avoid one's enemy. It turns out that the saying is true.
"Grandpa, they are here for me," Claud said with great interest.
"For you?" Frank was shocked. "Claud, get inside. I'll deal with him. I brought him up after all. I don't think that brat will do anything to me."
"Grandpa, don't worry. I can handle it. Just sit back and watch. With me here today, no one can take these supplies! No one gets to bully you or the children!"
With that, Claud strode out of the yard with a grim face.
- Writer
