Saving his life

Chapter 17

My legs were shaking as I waited in the car park. Luckily I only had 20 minutes left of my shift and made up an excuse about my injury to go early. I knew José would come after me. He must a have been laying low whilst he also recovered. Where the f**k is Carlos?! I could feel eyes on me and I started to panic. My breathing became erratic and I was searching for the intimidating face I saw earlier on. I heard the exhaust from Carlos’s car and let out a sigh of relief once he turned the corner. When he stopped in front of me, my eyes connected with the frightening stare of the gang member who has been watching me. He was standing on the opposite side of the road with his arms folded, doing nothing. The familiar smirk creeped across his face and I scurried into the passenger seat. I locked the door and Carlos looked at me.

“What’s going on Maria?” He asked with desperation and I glanced at him, trying to not sound too spooked.

“Please, could we just go?” I stuttered and he narrowed his eyes at me. After a moment of staring him down, he finally shrugged and drove away. 

“Maria, your shaking. Could just tell me what is happening?” He pressured and I shook my head.

“Just a crazy ex of mine” I lied. I had every intention of telling Carlos about the gang member, but something stopped me. I was frightened as to what the outcome would be and I really didn’t want anyone else getting hurt. I was the one who pulled the trigger, this was my mess to deal with.

“Want me to beat him up?” He smiled, being deadly serious about his suggestion. I shook my head once again. 

We drove for a little while longer, heading closer and closer to my house. I didn’t want to deal with my parents right now, they haven’t seen me since yesterday and I know I’m going to be bombarded with questions. 

“Um... Maria?” Carlos broke my daze. 

“Hmm?” 

“I don’t suppose I could ask you to do something for me?” He hesitated and my eyes narrowed slightly at him. He took a deep breath in before speaking again.

“I’m worried about Leonardo” he stated. Just the mention of his name caused a lump in my throat. I was trying to get past him and Carlos mentioning his name alone made that difficult. I rolled my eyes and Carlos caught me.

“I know he’s been a d**k and broke your heart, but I’m seriously concerned about him?” He expressed and I bit my lip.

“Why?” I managed to grunt through my teeth.

“He’s lost himself completely. I saw him a couple of days ago and he didn’t look good at all” he explained. I looked at him, trying to hide the fact that I still cared for him.

“Why don’t you talk to him then?” I suggested and Carlos sighed.

‘I’ve tried, he won’t listen to anyone. Not me, his dad, not even Charlotte and she’s usually pretty good at getting through to him. He’s completely destroying himself with drink, drugs and...” he trailed off, thinking twice about finishing his sentence. I frowned at him, prodding him to finish.

“And...”. Carlos sucked in his bottom lip and growled. 

“Maria, he’s constantly trying to get over you by... well...” he just couldn’t admit it.

“f*****g other women?” I questioned him and his eyes lowered. 

“Yeah” he finally confessed. It crushed me from the inside to know he had been f*****g other women. I understand we aren’t a thing anymore, but at least have some respect. Although, I suppose the concoction of drink and drugs isn’t exactly helping him think properly. Why am I making excuses for him? I need to get a grip. 

“What makes you think he will listen to me? He didn’t before” I questioned. Carlos pulled over on the side of the road without warning. He glanced over at me and loosened his seat belt. 

“Maria, I don’t know who else to ask. If anyone can snap him out of this, it’s you” he said with desperation. 

“Please Maria. I don’t want to lose him like this. He’s been like a brother to me ever since he moved here and I can’t watch him fall into this pit” he begged. I rolled my eyes and sighed. 

“Fine, I’ll try” I agreed and he grinned at me with relief. 

“Thank you so much Maria” he sighed.

“We will go when you’ve picked me up from work tomorrow” I explained and he nodded. I could tell he wanted to go now, but I was too tired to deal with him. Carlos dropped me home, thanking me again as he drove off. I took in a deep breath as I prepared myself for the interrogation of my parents. I opened the front door and my mum and dad were sitting on the sofa. 

“Hello honey, how was your first day?” She smiled. I was a little taken back by how normal she was being. I thought she would have lost her mind when I just left this morning without saying a word to them. 

“Uhhh, yeah, it was okay” I replied, heading towards the stairs.

“I’m going to go and have a shower” I said, trying to avoid any more questions. 

“Why didn’t you wait for me this morning?” My dad managed to catch me as I put my foot on the bottom step. He didn’t even raise his eyes from the paper he was reading as he asked me. 

“I... I got a lift from a friend who was already going into town” I lied, to which he slammed the paper shirt and stood to his feet.

“Stop lying to me Maria, tell me the truth!” He snapped and my mum’s jaw dropped from the shock of his temper. I stared at him, flashing him a dirty look. 

“Answer me!” He shouted and I shook my head with disgust.

“Because I didn’t want you sitting there, playing detective before my first day back at work. You don’t believe a word I say, ever since the incident in the forest!” I yelled back at him.

“That’s because it’s nonsense, there is no way that a hunter would be...”

“Carrying a shotgun, I heard you the first 50 times you’ve said that” I interrupted him with frustration. 

“I’m going to give you the same answer as I have done every time you’ve stated your opinion. I... don’t... know... why... get that through your head dad” I rudely replied to him. He looked stunned at the attitude I gave him and his brows lowered. 

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that Maria, what has happened to you?”. He growled. I didn’t bother replying to him, instead I ran up the stairs to my room.