Quillon’s Ordeal

A fresh start

“I should go home….my family will be worried” Quillon said as he rose from the bed, next to Caius, his chest rising and falling as he adjusts the dressing on the side of his head. The night had been a heavy one, and the pain killers Caius administered had made him sleep sound, forgetting his worries like it was all a dream. “You’re right but…..” “but what baby? I’ll be fine. I’ll come back once I’m able to get the message across to them and make them realize that I’ll be with a doctor. The doctor to both my physical and emotional needs” he teased Caius. “But I’ll miss you, I’ll miss us, and also, it’s not medically safe for you to start moving around” Caius protested. “Don’t worry baby, I’ll be fine” Quillon leaned towards him and placed a kiss on his cheek, then proceeds to the bathroom.

“I’ll have to see to you home. I can’t leave you to go all the way alone” Caius said as they walked down the stairs. “No please, you can’t see me all the way home, it’s not safe for us, you know my family is extremely smart, they’ll ask questions and the last thing I wanna do now is rack my head for answers to any questions” “okay then, If you insist, but at least can I drive you to the busstop?” Caius asked. Quillon nodded yes as they both got into Caius’ car. The drive down to Quillon’s house was one for the books. Both parties chatted and talked like it was their first time together. Caius opened the door, kissed Quillon’s forehead, and helped him out of the car like a passenger princess. “Make sure to come back soon” he whispered as he shuts his door and slowly drifted down the estate.

“Quillon!! Oh my days!! What happened to you my son?! Who did this?? Talk to me baby…..who did this?” Mrs Dale screamed as she ran to hug him, alarming the rest of the family at the sight of her son. She cupped his face, caressing the bandage rapidly which made Quillon winced a little, letting out a sigh. “This is really bad Quillon, what did you get into? How come you’re this injured? And why didn’t you come home straight after the incident? Why go to the hospital first? You left me worried sick all night.” She continued.

Her voice rang all the way through the compound and alerted other members of the family. “What happened to you? Who did this? Was it an accident? Were you attacked?” Questions kept flying in the air. His second older brother walks into the compound and drags him inside, holding him by his arm. The whole family follows right behind them, curiosity written over their faces like an aspiring student. “Here, drink this” his brother said, extending a glass of water towards him. “Now tell me all that went down, don’t be scared of anything. You’re home now. Ain’t nobody coming to harm you right under our watch” he continued.

“I… I got on the wrong bus,” Quillon finally said. A Metro bus. I think I missed my stop.” His brother frowned immediately, his eyes narrowed. “Metro bus?” Quillon nodded immediately. “Yes. It was late, I was distracted… I got on the wrong route and didn’t realize until it was long gone.” Mrs Dale moved closer to him and held him tight. “Where did it take you?” Quillon hesitated a fraction. “I think it was…..somewhere off Liberty city side,” he added slowly. Fear clouding his face as he tried to form the words in his mind, careful not to contradict himself. “I’m not even sure, everything was happening so fast and it was confusing. The route changed a few times.”

His brother’s eyes flickered, just briefly but he said nothing. Quillon continued before anyone else could interrupt him. “There was a place near the last stop. Some people there thought I was trespassing or something. It escalated quickly.”

His brother didn’t say a word further, he just kept looking at him—like he was trying to peel back the story and see what was underneath it. And before anyone could press further…..a phone rang, sharp and sudden. It wasn’t Quillon’s. Mrs Dale glanced down beside her, her brows knitted as she raised her phone. “Unknown number?” She said, her voice shaking. Quillon’s chest rose and fell as a cold sensation slid down his spine. Quillon’s brother snatched the phone from their mother and picked the call. A husky and steady voice sounded over the phone. “You’re not done paying.”