Gavin Knight: From Rags to Richest

One More Time

Gavin woke up in extreme pain. He could not figure out which part was specifically hurting. He actually thought that the next time his eyes would open he would be jamming with the devils down there. But no, he is still alive and hurting. Hurting from the outside and the inside. 

Gavin got up, and he walked aimlessly on the roadside, almost getting hit by fast cars on the interstate. He went out of Hudson like a wounded wild dog. Just yesterday, he was hopeful of the life waiting for him and Aya and now reality struck him hard. 

"Did I not deserve a new life with Aya?" He questioned himself as he remembered the love of his life. "I hope Don got to her on time." He prayed that Gerard did not take advantage of her. He knows how traumatic the previous has been for Aya and he is praying hard that Gerard's action would not trigger those bad memories for her. 

He dragged his foot in a direction he really does not know. He was just following the flow of the cars. The cars that passed were too fast that they did not see his injuries, It's just sad that Gavin is back to the status of where he was before; with nothing.

“Beep, beep.”

An old pickup honked and flashed his light to him. The truck pulled up slowly beside him. The driver was an old man; he was balding on but had a full beard. His “Hey son, where are you headed? Do you need a ride?” He kindly offered Gavin a ride even if he looked like a criminal right now.  

Gavin nodded to the old man, teary-eyed; thankful that he stopped for him. “I'm going to Victoria. Yes, I could use a ride. Thank you, sir.” He replied to the old man.

“Hop in.” The old man opened the passenger door for Gavin.

Gavin slowly moved. The old man stared at his face. He leaned down and took a cold water bottle. Gavin chugged down the water as he was awfully thirsty. Gavin was exhausted that he did not notice he drifted to sleep. The old man did not ask him anything too. He was what Gavin needed at the moment.

“Son, son, have some food” The old man tapped his shoulder lightly to wake him up. He handed him another bottle of water, a pack of ice, and a sandwich. “I think we should take you to a hospital.” The old man added.

“I’m fine sir, I think I will manage.” Gavin answered politely as he placed the ice pack on his swollen face.

“Do you have a home in Victoria?” The old man asked him with a curious look on his face as he also munched on his sandwich.

Gavin shook his head. “I’m afraid not, sir. I would have to look around first.”

“Don’t call me sir. My name is Bill, and you are?” The old man extended his hand to him.

“Gavin, Gavin Knight.” He answered as he accepted the hand Bill offered.

“I have a vacant studio room for rent, above my small restaurant.” He subtly suggested to Gavin.

“Can I take it Bill? I don’t have much but I can drop a deposit.” Gavin answered. He could use the old man’s kindness.

“Sure thing, anyway, I don't think you are physically fit to look around for a place to sleep tonight.” He said without hesitation. Bill is clearly wondering what happened to Gavin, but he did not push his luck by asking Gavin. He accepted whatever little information Gavin was willing to give. 

Bill turned on his engine, and they went on their way again. Gavin was wide awake this time. He wandered his eyes. This was his first time in Victoria; the capital city of the country. This is a very busy city and tent times bigger that Hudson. It could have been a perfect place for him and Aya if only she was with him right now. He took a deep sigh, a frustration he could never hide. 

“That one was deep.” Bill commented on Gavin.

His eyes shimmered with tears, and he immediately wiped them. He already had too much drama and action today and it is no use for sulking on a corner anymore in front of a stranger. “I’m in deep sh*t right now, Bill. But I can only do too much.” Gavin answered.

The old man nodded, as if he understood exactly what Gavin was going through. “Do you know that saying, Gavin? The one that says that when you are at your lowest, this is the best time for anyone to have?” He asked Gavin.

“What? Why is that?” The disheartened Gavin asked Bill.

“Well, when you are at your lowest, the only way to go is up. Anything you experience now that is better than the previous is actually already better no matter how you look at it.” He tried to encourage Gavin.

“I guess so. I hope your enthusiasm brushes on me, Bill.” Gavin responded. He looked outside the car window. Already feeling better, because like what Bill said; no matter how bad his day went this ride right now is a lot better than what he was going thru earlier.

They went to past the prime district and they turned right away from the major roads with enormous buildings. Instead, they went to a smaller road there are also smaller buildings but there are more people; it was similar to Hudson’s business district.  

“We are here.” Bill said to Gavin. He parked his pickup truck in an open parking space. Bill and Gavin walked down a stone paved road. Left and right were people busy with their own businesses. No one is paying attention to anyone. Unlike in Hudson, people greet each other on the streets. In here, no one gives a sh*t about you unless they have a business with you. Just like how he prefers it right now.

“This is my take away shop.” Bill said to Gavin. His store is busier than what Gavin expected. It was actually too noisy that his head started to ache. Bill led Gavin to a staircase, it was dark and musky. Contrary to the store below, this alley is a lot quieter. A perfect setting for a depressing movie as the light bulb in the stairwell flickered. 

He followed bill; the building was like the old buildings in Bradford. Rooms and hallways. It looked more like a brothel than an apartment complex. Bill opened the door of the third unit. He then handed the key to Gavin. “Please feel free to make use of what is in here for the moment. This used to be my son’s room and I haven’t got the time to clean this unit up.” Bill smiled at him before he left. He did not even ask for the deposit.

Gavin sat on the sofa near the door. He looked around as he took off his shoes. "Agh..." He groaned as he moved. He took off his shirt and saw actual shoe prints on his body. Gavin did not readily realize how brutal the beating he just received was. 

He stood up and looked at himself in the mirror; his lips are busted and his left eye could barely open. "They fu*ked me up real bad." Gavin gritted his teeth in anger. He remembered about his phone. It was no longer in his pocket. It must have fallen in the scuffle earlier. 

"Aya... How can I contact you, babe." Gavin was desperate to know what happened to Aya. 

"knock, knock." A soft knock on the door disturbed Gavin's planning on how to contact Aya. He slowly walked to the door to open it. 

It was Bill. "Got some spare personal toiletries for you. And later, someone will come here to give you some food." He said to the surprised Gavin. Bill's kindness is almost surreal. Is he that lucky to encounter him today?

"Is there anything more you need?" Bill asked Gavin. 

"Actually, there is. If you don't mind me borrowing your phone for a while. I just need to check on my fiancee. I lost my phone in Hudson earlier." Gavin pushed his luck further.

Bill reached into his pocket and handed it to Gavin. "Sure," He answered with a hopeful gaze. 

Gavin memorized Aya's number. He dialled it, keeping his fingers crossed, wishing for the best. A few seconds later, finally someone answers Aya's phone. 

"Hello? Aya? How are you? Are you okay?" Gavin asked questions after questions.

"Hello, Gavin?" It was Don's voice. Gavin's heart pounded harder. Why is Don holding Aya's phone?

"Yes," Gavin answered slowly. "Where is Aya?" He gathered his courage, although afraid to hear any bad news about Aya.

"I hope, this is the last time you try to contact my sister. She is in deep trauma right now. The doctors asked for complete stress detox for her. If you truly love Aya, you know what to do." Don was firm in his stand. 

"Okay." That was the only word Gavin was able to say. The least thing he wants is to put Aya at risk, it was already more than enough that he found out she was safe in the hospital and her brother was watching over her. 

Gavin handed back Bill's phone. "Thank you so much, sir." 

Bill sees the pain in Gavin's eyes. He tapped his shoulders and wept with him. "You are strong, Gavin. Stronger than you ever imagined. I will help you get back on your feet."