Broken Bad Boy

PERCIE

I laid back on the cold tiled bench with my arms as my pillow. I looked up at the gray ceiling without anything in my thoughts.

I was bored to death for the last five hours, locked up for punching my boss in the face. He hit his wife in front of his car repair shop where I worked as a mechanic--well, used to, since he just fired me. Who was in the fucking hell hurt women if not some losers like him?

I didn’t like people hitting women because they would look misogynistic. When I saw him yell at his wife, my fists developed brains on their own. Whatever she did, that didn’t give him the right to hit her. He could confront her privately, but he was an asshole. My anger took over me. So, I punched him before I even realized I did it, which resulted in me getting arrested for physical assault. 

I didn’t enjoy seeing women being abused, bullied, and men thought that made them stronger. Women were born to be loved and respected unless they deserved to be treated the way they were. Still, there were so many ways a person could do other than hurting them.

 Still, I was not to judge that. What goes around comes around. 

I ignored the footsteps. I was still staring at the tedious gray ceiling. For the whole year, my life was fucking is black and white. Or maybe, it was completely black, like my soul. Who cares? Nobody.

A clinking sound of keys in the steel bars caught my attention. A 40-year-old, medium build man wearing a blue police uniform unlocked the cell door. 

“You’re free to go, Matthews. Don’t come back. You don’t deserve to be here. There’s a lot ahead of you, young man. Get out, and enjoy your life while you can,” the police officer said. He inspected me from head to toe. I was still lying, immobilized.

He didn’t have any idea what happened to my life. My life was worse than being locked up and worst than being in hell, literally. 

I stood up lazily, yawned, and stretched out. “Who came here to bail me?” I was not expecting anyone, especially my parents, and certainly not my friends because I didn’t have anyone in my life since last year. My grandparents would probably let me rot in here if they found out I punched someone because life was unfair.

I followed him as he walked towards the claim desk. 

“The old man dropped the charge against you,” he explained while staring at me. “Take your things, son, and go home.” 

I stopped by the claim area. He gave me my things back--wallet, keys, and my bracelet. 

“Thank you, officer.” 

He nodded. 

name on his

you need a ride? I'm leaving,

creased. A part of me still wanted to stay in the cell because I still had to think about looking for a job tomorrow.

help me. I couldn’t believe he offered me

in this world who helped someone in need. But I didn’t need him, and I certainly didn’t deserve his

you live? I’ll drop you off there.” He walked ahead

had no choice but to follow him out of the police station. “Really, sir. I don’t want to bother you more

off his hand. “You’re coming with me. Now, get your ass in my car.”

smile while he motioned me to get in the passenger’s side. I couldn’t remember the last

first thing I noticed was the smell of strawberries.

reads my mind, he said before he drove us out of

what’s your story, young man? Aside from what you did today?” Officer Ward asked me, giving me a few

it ripped up the wound open. The older it got, the more it rotten me slowly. I wished I just died that night. It was

answer me. I’m just

inside me chuckled. I swallowed hard. I had to

as the kind of guy who shared his feelings with a stranger, but I’d rather keep the past where

want to

comfortable telling everyone about my life, about my plan. Since last year, after the horrific accident, I had kept myself away from people. I ignored everyone, including my parents. I’d

been an ass and cruel to everyone who thought they knew me, my pain, and my loss, but

me. I couldn't imagine you choosing that

He knew I have had built walls, and he tried to get into those

But I still had a lot of time to change plans or maybe not