As Alonzo shared the disturbing revelation, Santi's face hardened with anger. His eyes glared fiercely, not at the carpentry students, but the situation his friends were in. Without a word of thanks or goodbye, he swiftly hopped on his skateboard and sped away. Because at that moment, getting to where his friends were as soon as possible was the only thing running through his mind.

Alonzo, Christopher, and Mike were aware and clearly understood why Santi acted that way.  However, it couldn't be denied how Santi's actions almost rendered the three of them speechless. 

“Woah! He goes like `woosh'!” Mike exclaimed like a kid who sees a speeding train for the very first time. Alonzo and Christopher nodded fervently in agreement with what Mike had said. Their awe-struck gaze follows the disappearing image of Santi's back.

Santi kept on maneuvering his board. He knows where that abandoned junk shop was located. He knows the place, and probably most of the students of Moonflower High School (West Campus) know that place. The abandoned junk shop, just like Alonzo had said, is half an hour away from their school. It is a place where kids like Domino reign supreme. That is why some students of Moonflower High were aware of that place because most of them are eager at the very least not to get involved with Domino and his people.

"It all makes sense now," Santi realized, his mind connecting the dots. James and Brian were usually the eager ones, always excited to hang out with their friends. They were like overenthusiastic puppies, always first in line for any adventure.

However, it was still a big question mark for Santi on what business Domino had with his friends. "Did James and Brian get in trouble without saying anything to me or our friends?” He couldn't help but wonder. 

Skillfully maneuvering his skateboard while avoiding pedestrians on the sidewalk, Santi made his way to the location. Thankfully, he was able to arrive at the place without trouble. Well, trouble was about to happen anyway.

***

James and Brian have no idea that while they are being drenched from those neon green water toy guns, Santi is already on his way to the abandoned junk shop.

For almost an hour  James and Brian are both kneeling on the muddy ground with their arms raised, they are the unfortunate targets of Willie and his water toy guns. James found the physical discomfort bearable, but the incessant nasal laughter and irritating lines from Willie were pushing his patience to its limits. If only he could silence Willie, but James held back, trying to avoid escalating the situation further.

 “Damn, I need ammunition!” Willie exclaimed in utter annoyance.

James listens to the empty clicking of the water toy guns yet no water bullets are hitting him. “Finally, a break!”  James thought to himself as he gently let out a sigh of relief. Seizing the chance, James discreetly glanced at Brian, who appeared to be calmly meditating amidst the chaos.

James lightly shook his head in disbelief at what Brian was doing. Who in their right mind would even think of meditating at this moment? Right, this dude also has a loose screw somewhere, just like most of us do. That's what James thought, lightly nodding his head while looking at his friend.

He then looked at the guy responsible for dragging them to this place. Domino was not even paying any attention to them and instead was busy playing on his phone with two other kids who for James were another set of unfamiliar faces. 

These people here might think that the incident, where James accidentally pointed the garden hose at Domino, was the reason they are here. But James knew better. 

His train of thought was disrupted when a water bullet hit his eyes. The sudden hit of pressure made James close his eyes tightly.

“Bullseye!” Willie shouted proudly and he blew the tip of the water gun. This was followed by peals of laughter and encouraging cheers from the other two who seemed amused at what Willie had done. Soon the other two also resumed firing water at James and Brian.

“These damn bastards”, James cursed under his breath. Now that the water guns are full again, water bullets keep on raining on James and Brian. It wasn’t painful but the impact from these water bullets surely stings a little. 

  “How long do we need to stay here?” James' voice is laced with frustration James whispered but frustration can be heard in his voice. He gritted his teeth, his hands were balled in fists and his nails were already digging into his palm.

“Just hold it, for now, it will end soon”, Brian answered at his side. He is also aware that James' patience is already running out. 

“Damn this!” James hissed but didn’t do anything and heed Brian’s word. James could only hope that those three bastards would already get bored and be done with them or he would swear to be the one to end them.

Those three were laughing. Willie was even in a frenzy, laughing like a madman while he continued to pull the trigger of the water gun pointed at James and Brian. They sure are having some kind of fun.

Santi arrived and the whole scene unfolded before his eyes. Igniting a fiery rage within him.

***

Transitioning from a brisk ride and deft maneuvers on his board, Santi arrived at his destination unscathed. With a swift motion, he scooped up his board, tucked it under his arm, and hastened toward the slightly ajar gate of the abandoned junk shop. As he drew closer, the sound of hearty laughter wafted out, mingling with the breeze.

His breath still coming in ragged gasps, Santi's gaze took in the sight before him. A gathering of guys had in this shared space, each engrossed in their own business. Some leaned against the walls, idly puffing smoke into the air, while others were betting money whether it was the head or tails of the coin. While the rest were throwing curses as their fingers fiddled on the screen of their phones. Amidst this chaotic scene, it was Willie's unbridled, almost infernal laughter that captured Santi's immediate attention.

Santi's blood boiled with rage as he watched his friends fall prey to the cruel prank. He clenched his fists, tightening his grip on his skateboard. Without hesitation, he hurled his board with all his strength, sending it flying straight at the three culprits, who were armed with water guns and a wicked grin. 

"Oh shit!"

"The fuck!?"

“Urgh!”

Willie and his two minions almost simultaneously exclaimed. Even James and Brian were startled by what just had happened. Certainly, they didn't see that flying board coming.  

Unfortunately, Willie wasn't able to avoid the manifestations of Santi’s rage.  Consumed by his amusement at the expense of others, Willie had become oblivious to his surroundings. The skateboard struck his face with a sharp crack, leaving a deep gash on his forehead. The sound of the impact was loud enough to draw the attention of the other children. The other kids started being curious and nosy about what just happened.

“The hell was that?”

“Did he get hit?”

“What happened?” The kids mumbled among themselves. 

Amidst the chaos and confusion, James and Brian quickly from kneeling. Their eyes widened as they recognized the figure of their friend. They exchanged a glance, then turned their attention back to Santi, who was standing in front of them with a fierce expression.

“I'm not feeling good about it.” Brian can’t help but mutter. His eyes are now fixed on Willie, who at the moment is holding his head and groaning in pain.

James looked at Brian. “Dude,” he said, “being here is already a bad thing.” James pointed out, that it sounded almost like a lecture. He even lightly tapped Brian's shoulder before heading toward where Santi was.

“Hey there Santi,” James greeted his friend casually as he put his arm around Santi’s shoulder.

“You’re late,” Santi replied and at the same time removed James' arms from his shoulder. Santi took this chance to quickly check his friends' conditions. But aside from being completely drenched and their shoes and pants covered in mud, his friends seemed to be fine. 

“About that,” Brian interjected, “I told James to message you that we’ll be late,” Brian honestly said.

“Hey, as if I could?” James argues. “Those bastards confiscated our things,” James reasoned out pointing to their backpacks resting beneath Domino’s feet.

While James, Brian, and Santi were having a casual conversation, Willie was still in the middle of experiencing the sudden emergence of pain on his forehead that made him grimace and throw curses from time to time.

Willie groaned in pain and his trembling hands reached for his forehead. On his fingers, Willie saw the familiar shade of red. “Who the fuck throw that!" Willie hissed, emphasizing each word angrily while looking at his blood-soaked hand. 

“I did,” Santi boldly steps forward. This made James whistle smugly seeing how unbothered Santi's face was. Like his friend didn't just make somebody covered in blood.

Despite the blood blurring Willie's left eye, he glared at Santi like he was piercing a hole at the latter's forehead. Santi on the other hand stares back at Willie with cold indifferent eyes, completely unperturbed and unconcerned with the fact that if looks could kill, Willie was already a step toward being a murderer.

“You bastard I’ll kill you!” Willie finally snapped and charged toward Santi. But before a punch could ever reach Santi, James was able to swiftly catch Willie’s fist. 

“Dude, chill,” James said as he recklessly let go of Willie's hand. 

Willie was about to lose his balance but fortunately, his two other minions were right at his back to catch and support him.

“Why don’t you take care of your wound first, or else you might get an infection,” James added, obviously out of concern but there was a hint of mockery in his tone.

"James," Brian calls his friend with a warning tone reprimanding him not to provoke the person any further.

James acted like he was offended by the way Brian told him off. "But what I said is true," James reasoned out then looked at Santi like a kid asking for his other friend to support and defend him, "right, Santi?"

Santi didn't answer or agree with him.

Brian smirked, "see, even Santi does not agree with you."

"Whatever dorkhead," James could only think of as a rebuttal.

"Wow," Brian laughed sarcastically, "says the person who placed last from the previous semester,"

Santi could only sigh and shake his head lightly as he listened to James and Brian's usual banters.

“Damn these guys sure are something,”  one of the kids who were there commented.

“Right,“ the other agrees, “casually speaking with one another completely ignoring Willie.”

Willie was already pissed that he couldn't avoid the skateboard and how those three were casually having a talk right now. But hearing how the others are starting to look down on him infuriated Willie on the inside.

***