"How are you Carol, I hope he didn't hurt you" Thomas said breathing heavily.
"No, I'm fine. "
She tore the edge of her dress and tied it around Thomas's arm.
"How are you? " he suddenly heard a voice from behind him.
Taylor stood in front of them.
"Where is that man? " Carol asked.
"He would have killed you if he'd gotten away any longer. Carol, don't go out alone at night"
"Thomas is hurt"
"I'll help you now. "
Thomas managed to get to his feet.
"No thanks, I can walk" Thomas said weakly, but Taylor helped him anyway.
"I'll get home on my own. "
"You're not going anywhere, you need to get your wound treated and get some rest. "
"My phone, I lost it" Thomas groaned suddenly.
"It's okay, you can use mine to call. "
"I don't need to. "
He thought about mum but he didn't want to make her worry.
Thomas could still feel the pain in his arm, but not as much as before.
Carol just walked beside them, looking at Thomas sadly and thinking about how desperately he had rushed to protect her, which was strange because no one had ever done that for her before.
Taylor led them into the house and opened the door, so Thomas could lie down on the couch.
"I'm going to clean ur wound up and put some ointment on it so it won't hurt so much."
"It doesn't hurt and it's not that deep."
"You've lost a lot of blood, Thomas, and I need to help you."
Taylor walked away and Carol sat down next to Thomas and looked at him with tearful eyes.
"It's all my fault, if it weren't for me everything would be fine, you risked your life for me. "
"Calm down, Carol, I did it because I wanted to, no one forced me, you know. "
"Yes" Carol shook her head " but you…"
"There are no buts, Carol. "
She looked sadly into the boy's eyes and touched his hand.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, I could have gone on my own, I could walk myself why you drag me here" Thomas was indignant.
"No you should get some rest Thomas and I... "
Carol suddenly blushed.
"Something's wrong?".
"I wanted to thank you for trying to protect me so heroically. Thank you".
"Don't, Carol, but what this man wanted with you? "
"This man, I met him somewhere, but I don't remember where, and they told me he was a maniac, but I didn't think someone like him could drive a car. "
"He wanted to kill you, but why you, why not someone else? "
Suddenly Thomas felt a diary in his pocket. He pulled it out with his left hand and opened it.
Carol was surprised.
"This diary I found in the ruins. "
"And who does it belong to? "
"I don't know, Willie told me that a man lived there who was not in his right mind, and this is his diary, where he wrote down the people he killed."
Thomas opened it and suddenly saw a picture of Carol.
"Damn it, he's been planning to kill you for a long time, you see that those he hasn't killed yet, he hasn't crossed out. "
"But why me, Thomas, why me, I haven't done anything to anyone. "
"You're not the only one he wants to kill, he's killed many people".
"Wait, that woman, she lived next door when grandma was alive" Carol pointed to the black-haired woman.
"He killed her"
"They said it was an accident and she died somehow, but it turns out this man killed her, but I think he's just crazy."
"Maybe someone is telling him to do it" Thomas suggested, shoving the diary back into his pocket as he noticed Taylor approaching them.
"I'm going to clean your wound and apply a tourniquet, then you can eat and rest. "
"Thank you, but like I said, it's not deep and it doesn't hurt much anymore."
"I need to concentrate"
"I'll let you get on with it" Carol said and walked away.
The man looked at her and said:
"I put your clothes there, go get dressed tonight, it's not too warm in the summer".
"Taylor, thank you for everything. "
"You're welcome Carol, we need to talk later, okay. "
Carol nodded and looked at her torn dress and felt ashamed then she went and put on the pants and shirt that Taylor had left for her.
Thomas suddenly grimaced as he felt a pang of pain, but it soon passed.
After that he fell asleep and when he woke up it was still dark. Thomas sat up and rubbed his eyes, he felt a small pain in the arm.
"How are you, Thomas? " a voice suddenly came.
It was Carol, and Thomas felt exciting.
"I'm fine, I told you not to worry, but why are you awake? "
"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd check on you. " It was getting light, but the room was still dark, though Thomas could see Carol looking down at the floor.
"Could you get some water, please?" Thomas asked.
Carol quickly walked to the kitchen and handed Thomas a glass of water and sat down next to him.
"Is something wrong? " he asked.
"No, everything's fine, I told Taylor that I'm not working at the club anymore, you wouldn't believe how happy he was, he was always against me working there, he said he'd provide for me if I left. "
"Yes, Taylor is a very good man. "Unlike another Taylor I know from the school" Thomas thought "He cares about you"
"I'm grateful him for everything… and you too" she added soon.
Thomas drank the water and set the glass down on the table next to him.
"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to tell me, Thomas, I'm always happy to help... "
"You always remind me it" Thomas smiled.
"I'm sorry" Carol bowed her head.
Thomas felt a certain mystery in the girl.
"Are you sure everything is okay? "
"I just couldn't sleep and when I laid down for a while I had a nightmare. "
"What a nightmare?"
"I felt like I was hurt badly and you were trying to protect me, but then you died, even though I thought you were alive, and I was all alone, and I started crying in my sleep. "
"It's just a dream, Carol, and it's hard to forget what happened to you, I know it".
"Yes, you're right, I don't know if I'll ever forget it. "
"That man won't come near you, and if he does, I'll be right here. "
"But we're so far away from each other".
"If you need my help, just tell me and I'll be there as soon as I can. "
Carol suddenly blushed.
"I don't know how to thank you. "
Thomas put his hand on the girl's shoulder. She looked a little nervous.
"You don't have to thank me Carol, I've told you many times and I'll tell you again, I did what I wanted to do what I thought would be right. "
Carol suddenly turned her face to Thomas's. Her blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
He looked at her in surprise and felt the girl's face come closer to his. She touched his lips.
Then she pulled away somehow and stared sadly at the floor.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. "
Thomas didn't say anything, he just sat there thinking about what had happened, it was as unexpected as when Julia had dragged him to the dance floor.
"But don't do that again"
She nodded nicely and Thomas saw tears in her eyes.
"I always mess up" she said, barely audible.
"No, you didn't it was just... " Thomas exhaled "it was just so spontaneous, we don't know each other very well, Carol".
"Yeah, I get it, I'm sorry, I just didn't realize what I was doing, I should go now, I'm sorry".
Before Thomas could say anything else, the girl stood up and walked into the room. He exhaled heavily and leaned on the couch. John must have called him many times, but his phone must have been lost when he got into the fight with the man.
Thomas suddenly wondered if this man was some kind of murderous madman, why he would kill Carol and why he would kill people, maybe he had a disease or maybe he just hated everyone for no reason, but Thomas thought that this man was sick because there was no other explanation, his pupils were moving strangely, he was tense and his body was shaking. He wondered why no one would convict this man for all the murders he had committed, what was going on here, or why he wasn't in a mental hospital.
With these thoughts Thomas lay down and after a while fell asleep. Later Taylor woke him up.
"How are you young man, are you okay?" he asked, untying the wound and looking at it "the wound is almost healed" he smiled.
"Thank you, it was just a scratch".
"Now, you eat and I'll take you wherever you want to go, or you can stay with me for a while".
"No thanks, I think you've had enough of me".
Thomas suddenly looked at Carol who was standing in the kitchen in her long nightgown.
Taylor served breakfast to Thomas and he ate it with gusto because he was hungry.
"So are you coming with me, Carol?" asked Thomas.
"Yes" she answered quietly as she turned to them.
It was a different Carol now, she was quiet and calm.
"Are you sure you've made up your mind?" Taylor asked.
"Yes, I can't work there anymore, Thomas has seen how these men are, they only want one thing".
"Yes" Thomas shook his head.
"And this man who wanted to kill you" Taylor suddenly said.
"I have no idea why, he's a maniac".
"Maniacs can't walk the streets, so be careful, he might find you and then I won't be around, I think you know what I mean".
"Yes, but I don't think he'll find us where we're going, at least I hope not".
"I'll pray for you" Taylor said and walked away
"Taylor is very religious, he always goes to church and gives money to the poor."
"He's very kind" Thomas said
Carol nodded "I don't know what would have happened to me if it wasn't for him."
Later, Thomas and Carol were sitting in the car and Taylor got behind the wheel and handed Carol a package.
"Here's some food".
"Thank you, Taylor".
"No need to thank me, if you need anything, just ask".
His black hair shone in the sun and his smile never faded.
"Pull me over to the Willie's house and I'll show you where it is" Thomas suddenly said.
Thomas thought that John was there and wanted to take him.
"Come on, but be quick".
Thomas got out of the car and went to the porch and knocked on the door of Willie's house. No one answered, but the door was unlocked, and though Thomas thought it was a crime to break into other people's houses, he couldn't help but go in. Willie was sleeping Thomas could hear him snoring but he was not sleeping alone.There was a black-haired girl next to him and Thomas recognized who she was, it was a friend of Margaret. "Wow" Thomas thought "she seemed so calm" Clothes were scattered everywhere and it smelled like alcohol. But John was gone.After all the drugs and alcohol, Willie looked completely unglued, like he was going to choke to death.Thomas left the house and suddenly remembered his phone.
"I need to find him" he said, turning to Taylor.
"So you're suggesting we go find the phone. "
"If you'd like".
They returned to the spot where the fight had taken place yesterday, but they couldn't find the phone. Thomas got into the car in despair and Carol tried to calm him down, but he just leaned against the seat and closed his eyes.
Soon they were at his house, and before he knew it, he had to get out.
Thomas opened the door to the house.His mother was home when she heard the door open and ran to them.
"Thomas " she exclaimed and hugged her son, almost knocking him over, "how could you not answer my calls?" Thomas suddenly felt pain in his arm and winced.
"Thomas, what happened?" his mother asked, concerned.
"I'll tell you later, mom, I just wanted to run over so you wouldn't worry. I lost my phone" he said.
"And where is John? "
"I have no idea, something happened, but I told you I should go and I'll tell you later".
"Okay, don't be long, you know how worried I am".
"Yes, I do, mom".
Thomas walked out of the house and looked over to the house next door, where Richard was sitting, smoking as usual.
He waved to Thomas and he did the same, but he didn't have time to talk to him.
Thomas got into the car and Taylor drove them to his father's restaurant.
"Thank you again" Thomas said to him
"You're welcome" he smiled and went home.
His father was standing outside and Thomas with Carol approached him.
"Thomas" Carol suddenly spoke softly.
"Something's wrong".
"No, I'm just a little nervous".
Thomas walked over to the girl and put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"I promised you, Carol, how could I not keep my promise"?
Carol smiled back and her father noticed them.
"Hi, dad" Thomas said calmly, trying to control himself "I called you yesterday about work".
"Yes, I remember, we'll do the paperwork later, now get to work".
"Yes" Carol said and walked into the room looking at Thomas.
"I'll give her some money up front to rent an apartment" the father said calmly"I think she'll do fine here".
"Thanks, dad"
"How are you, son? "
"I'm fine".
"Is this a friend of yours or maybe a girl... "
"A friend" Thomas cut him off.
"I've never seen her before, I wonder where she's from".
"If she wants to tell you, she'll tell you".
Thomas decided to go to John's house. He went to the porch and knocked on the door. At first no one answered, but then John's mum appeared in the doorway.
"Good afternoon, is John at home?" he said, looking inside.
"Hello Thomas, come on in, John's asleep. I'll give you some biscuits with tea, I just baked them".
"Alright" Thomas nodded as he entered the house.
"But weren't you supposed to be together?" the woman was surprised.
"We were, but then there was one thing that happened, we got a little separated and John stayed with Willie".
"Willie" John's mom repeated. She was a tall, curvy, blonde woman.
"This Willie, I told John not to be friends with him" the woman said, and Thomas sensed the tension in her voice.
"No need to worry, I don't think he's going to hurt John or something, they are friends after all".
"He came in drunk and didn't realize anything at all, he just fell into bed and fell asleep".
"John was drunk? " Thomas arched his eyebrows.
"Well, I'll ask you to look after him because he's so reckless and I know you're a good boy".
"Okay, but I don't think John will do that again, it was like a holiday yesterday".
"Maybe that Willie got him drunk".
"I don't think John would drink if he didn't want, but don't scold him"
"I wasn't going to, he's an adult now, but I want him to think about every rash thing he does "
Mrs. Robin was a friendly woman and always had something good to offer Thomas. Suddenly John appeared, his hair disheveled and looking like he hadn't fully woken up yet.
"Thomas, what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.
"Go wash your face first and then say something" his mother said angrily.
"Mom, are you starting again? ".
"I haven't even started yet".
Soon John returned, dressed in his usual pants and shirt, and sat down next to Thomas.
"I came to see if you were okay".
"Yeah, where have you been? I've been calling you, you could have at least picked up the phone" John said, stuffing his mouth with cookies.
"I lost my phone"
"You lost it? "
"I was attacked, or rather we were".
"I don't know what you're talking about".
"Eat quietly John" barked his mom.
"I'll tell you later, I came to see how you are".
"I was worried too, I thought something bad had happened to you".
"It happened" Thomas said, and John suddenly stopped chewing and looked at him intently. "But now everything is okay"
"Look at your plate, John" his mother said sternly.
"Mom, that's enough, Im getting a headache".
"You should have seen yourself yesterday, you'd better come with me, it was fun at your aunt's party".
"Mom, I didn't want to go there, you know it yourself".
"Okay, I promised I wouldn't scold you"
John finished his meal and sat down on the couch.
"I don't feel so good"
"I wonder why" his mom said sarcasticly.
John shrugged his shoulders.
"Let's go outside, Thomas".
Thomas and John walked out into the yard, and John was still looking to see if his mother was following them.
"What happened?" he asked as he sat down on a bench outside the house.
"I was attacked by a man".
"What man Thomas? Who attacked you? "
"I met a girl there".
"Oh I see now" John said as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it up "So what was the next?"
"We were attacked by a maniac and I got hurt, but I'm okay, don't worry".
"I didn't think you were like that" John said smiling and blowing out a puff of smoke.
"What do you mean? "
"You're so quick, you spotted someone while I was still thinking about Julia, you don't waste any time."
Thomas looked at his friend and he fell silent.
"It's just that I felt sorry for her, she was being bullied so I decided to help her" he suddenly said
"And where did you spend the night?
"When we were riding in a taxi, we were attacked by the driver, I think it was the one Willie was talking about "
John suddenly pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and looked at his friend.
"Are you sure it was him? "
Thomas shrugged.
"Willie told me a lot about that, you should watch out for him and run away when you see him because he just gets off on killing people, but why he's not in jail or a mental institution is the question".
"Isn't he a wanted man? "
"I don't know, but Willie said once that the police tried to catch him, but they failed".
"This is all very strange".
"He wanted to kill you? "
"No, he didn't want to kill me, he wanted to kill that girl"
"Who is she?"
"Her name is Carol and she worked at this club, Willie must have told you about her".
John suddenly thought about it and then said:
"Yeah, I heard a little, but not much".
"She hated her life and her work, but who wouldnt" Thomas said smiling crookedly.
"No wonder, I wouldn't expect anyone to like selling themselves for money.But you said she was working there" John was surprised.
"Yes, she did, because she works at my father's restaurant now".
"So you're dating her".
"No, I'm not, I just helped her out, that's all".
"It's very strange why this man would want to kill her, but I guess he can kill everyone".
"He didn't want to kill me at first and gave me a chance to escape, but I didn't take it and he stabbed me in the arm".
John shrieked in horror.
"How is your arm?"
"Its okay, a man named Taylor helped me a lot".
"Willie was high and didn't think about anything, and I was drunk too, but I didn't forget about you".
"I went over to Willie's house, he was sleeping with a girl next to him".
"Margarita's friend, oh my God" John put his hands over his face "Willie is such an idiot, Angelica was such a decent girl and he didn't do it out of sympathy for her, he just wanted to get back at Margarita who had forgotten him".
"Maybe there is still something between them "
"I'm not sure about that, but I don't think that man will come here, he only lives there, so there's nothing to worry about"
"Maybe" said Thomas, still feeling a little tense.
"We should go for a walk somewhere" John suggested.
"Sure"
They stood up together and walked off in an unknown direction.
"My head hurts" John complained "I need a drink, because yesterday I got so drunk I didn't even realize I was on my fifth whiskey. "
"Did you take those pills? "
"Of course not" John was indignant "I would never take them, do I look like a fool?"
Thomas was still clutching the diary in his pocket, wondering if he should show it to John, but then changed his mind.
"Damn, I'm almost out of pocket money, but I think I have enough for wine" John muttered as he fumbled in his pockets.
John went into a store and came out with a small bottle of wine and a cookie in his hand, and he handed Thomas the cookie.
"How did they sell you the wine" Thomas asked.
"A man I knew was there and I asked him to buy it for me and in return I poured him a glass of this wine".
John tipped the bottle over, wiped his lips with his palm, and then held it out to Thomas, but he refused, not wanting to drink.
"I feel a little better now, as long as my mom doesn't see me, otherwise I'll be in trouble, and I'm surprised she didn't yell at me anyway, though I think I'm too old for that".
Thomas nodded, and John tipped the bottle again and coughed.
"I think that's enough" he said, rubbing his lips. "So where are we going?"
"I have no idea" Thomas said, suddenly noticing a certain not-so-desirable person.