The Docks

In a not so nearby area, conflict was about to go down that fine evening.

By the docks, Dixon stood alone, not a single other soul in the area. He leaned up against a wired fence, looking out at the cold water from the sea. He grimly peered out as if he had given up on life.

The idea of a prom night was as far from his mind as anything. He was awaiting a former friend, hoping that he would show up after he had sent out the message to meet here. He held hopes that he would come through and show up at the docks, despite being at the prom.

Time ticked by and if he had anywhere else to be, Dixon would have already left an hour ago.

However, his patience turned out to be worth it.

Approaching him was a tall Asian boy still dressed in his formal outfit, the only thing missing was his black jacket that he had discarded before arriving here.

He was out in the distance, the tall figure moving slowly as he eventually came into Dixon’s clear vision. There was no hint of a smile on his face, Z didn’t want to be here and was only showing up just because of their own past between the two of them.

Just ten meters away from him, Dixon stopped leaning on the fence and stood up straight, staring him down.

In a showdown type scenario, neither said a word, not bothering to greet one another. Someone had to break the ice, end the tension and eventually that came by the man who had brought them together.

“We were friends,” Dixon told Z, “Childhood friends… school friends… friends at college.”

Z waited for the punchline, whatever was about to come, he was ready for it, ready to refute it.

“So I’m sure you’re aware of the fucking massive betrayal you’re about to make,” he said with a touch more venom in his tongue.

Z just stood there, shaking his head.

“You agreed to keep things quiet…” Dixon muttered again.

“I can’t keep protecting you bro,” Z finally spoke, “There’s a lot of people hurting from your actions, it’s not just Maple, you can’t deny it either.”

Dixon’s body trembled, hearing those words come out of Z’s mouth made him physically Ill. It was the realisation that whatever he said here tonight, nothing would change his former friend’s mind. He had spoken to Maple and the others enough to be going through with this, speaking to the police as a witness.

“I wanted to keep your secrets safe but I just can’t do it anymore… the guilt is torturing me…” Z admitted.

Dixon gritted his teeth, “My father will kill me, you know he will! You know what he already does to me now.”

Z felt bad for the environment that Dixon had grown up in but there was still no excuse for his actions. He replied with a ‘Sorry’ as he put his hands inside his pants pockets and started to turn away.

The sound of a trigger stopped him from doing a full 180. Z backtracked, looking over to see Dixon was now indeed holding a handgun, pointing it right at the taller male.

He was aggravated, angry and emotional.

Z could see the tears starting to form in his eyes. Once they started, they couldn’t stop, leaking from his eyeballs.

“Don’t make me do this…” he muttered, **** on his words.

Taking a look around, there was no security cameras, nobody around, no wonder he wanted to meet him here. However, if he was seriously worried, he sure wasn’t showing it. Z slowly stepped forward, watching Dixon, not the gun that was in his hand.

He continued to walk up, confident he wouldn’t pull the trigger.

Dixon held it, not dropping the gun down, more tears flowing.

Walking straight up to him, Z had the courage to stand millimetres away from the gun that was now pointed as his chest. Sure he had a drink or two tonight but that wouldn’t have given him the balls to stand in front of a loaded gun in the hands of a psychopath.

Z simply wasn’t afraid of Dixon.

“Do it,” he told him, “Do what you have to do.”

The gun shook, his hand trembling.

“I know you won’t,” Z added, “You’ve always been a coward, the fake bravado won’t ever fool me.”

Dixon held the gun, his hand still trembling, tears streaming down his cheek as he lowered it slowly. For the first time this evening, the Asian boy began to work out a smile, just a slight one but he was feeling like he had stood down the ultimate bully before he did what he could to place him behind bars.

Not saying another word, Z looked into Dixon’s watery eyes and turned his back on him.

The heart rate of the man he was leaving behind was off the charts as he struggled to compose himself. His childhood friend was walking away, so was his future. He understood what it meant.

Z would testify to the police, when he did… it was game over for Dixon.

The frustration and sadness was taken over by a fiery rage of fury that ran through his blood.

Suddenly Dixon held the gun back up, aiming it at the back of Z, “I told you not to make me do this…”