Chapter 9

Messing Present

John was startled at the sight of blood.

He panicked but soon realized that he did not have time for such a thing.

He looked around and found a guy stuffing something in his pants behind the shirt.

He immediately knew he was the one.

He ran after him. He did not know how but his instincts were pretty strong and he in a reflex started running after the guy

If he wasn't sure earlier then the way the guy ran after he knew he was being followed confirmed John's assumptions.

He was chasing after him till the exit of the wrought iron huge metal doors of the hospital.

Then the attacker guy who managed to cross the road with ease due to the stop sign but John had to hear a lot of grumbled noises and abuses however he jumped over a muv, managed to dodge a truck and narrowly escaped being banged by a motorcyclist.

He managed to smile an apology and then jumped over the rooftop of an old low rise building wanting to have a better look on the running guy who like a speck of dirt had disappeared between the narrow streets of the shopping lane where John found himself.

Soon John located him fumbling with the handle of his white car and therefore took a huge jump to reach him.

Unfortunately John twisted his ankle yet he still stood and limped towards the white vehicle but before he could grab the collar of the person the window glass was pulled and the vehicle roared to life.

He took a reverse turn and John followed him but once the car was reared in front John couldn't do anything but watch as the killer swished off the vehicle in full speed and disappeared off the street.

Disappointed John was left sulking and thinking "what the f##k was he doing?'

He kicked the pavement with his injured ankle punishing himself for not remembering anything about his past.

He so wished he knew who he was and what was expected of him. If he was part of the team Cynthia suggested and if he had his memory he would have definitely known the place of the meeting, the place the dead guy was referring to before he was killed.

He had a feeling that something bad was going to happen.

He felt that he had the power to stop what was about to happen but darn! He kicked his foot again.

He was helpless.

Even if Cynthia was mistaken, even if he wasn't a part of them but he still wanted to do his bit to save whoever they were.

He looked left and right in desperation.

Then he remembered the note in his pocket.

He opened to see Red Cross mentioned in it.

He had no clue what Red Cross was.

Name of some club, restaurant or an apartment.

He had another puzzle to solve.

He pulled his hair in frustration. if his past as fuzzy, his present was messier.

This was the last way he wanted his Christmas to be.

Every time he thought about Christmas he could get hint of Christmas tree, lights, gifts and a table full of gourmet meals but never did he ever thought that he'd witness Christmas with a dead body in his arms and fear of not being able to save others.

No no he cursed himself. He was overthinking. The guy on the phone never intended to kill Cynthia and his team, he reasoned himself.

His excuses sounded empty to his own ears.

Then why was the person murdered???

He even scolded himself for visiting the hospital.

Had he not been there he wouldn't have witnessed any of the things and probably events wouldn't have worsened to such an extent.

He was tired beating himself and wanted to do something.

He walked ahead picked a random stranger and asked, "Do you know where Red Cross is?"

"Red Cross" the stranger eyed him up and down and then smiled "seems like Christmas has been good to you" then he looked at him knowingly "do have a packet of condoms handy. Its always better being safe than sorry" John couldn't make out what he was trying to say "take first left catch bus no343 to the west, the fifth stop would be Red Cross. Have fun" he winked at him.

"But beware" the kind man now whispered "I have heard some gang wars with the local gang is going on. Some customer fell in love with the whore and her boss is all bananas about it." He patted on his shoulder "be safe both the ways" and winked before walking away.

Was it exactly what he was thinking..... Cynthia was a whore?

Shit! It meant he worked with her.

Dread filled him at the possibility of the profession he might be indulged into if he, Cynthia and others were a team.

He didn't want to do it.

No no no he didn't want such a kind of profession and life.

He worked as a mere salesman at Danny's. He might be earning less but he was respected a lot and although his past is nothing a blur in the dark, he was happy where he was. He had new friends; Kathie even bought him a Christmas present.

Although it was nothing but a Santa clause keychain, something you could give a five year old who has got a new bicycle.

Also he did not have single key or lock where he could use the keychain for but he still appreciated the Christmas gift.

It gave a lovely festive spirit to him and he did not want to trade his present with something as vile as Cynthia was articulating.

He picked the piece of paper from his pocket, turned it upside down, flipped it into his hands and then he decided to throw it away in the nearest bin.

Once on the corner of the street when he was about to throw the paper he contemplated his actions and instead of turning left and throwing the tiny scrabble of paper, he took right and headed towards Danny's a place that he now called his home too.

He debated on going back to the hospital and reporting the murder to the police but what would he tell them?

He even feared being arrested since he was with the guy who got murdered.

He feared having himself caught in the surveillance camera too.

But he was at the fire exit door. Who would have seen him?

Probably no one.

Or even if he was seen there were no records of him in the police station except last time when he'd save Tom's child.

Tom would definitely come to his rescue.

But did he want to spend his Christmas fumbling between Police stations?

He did not have to answer that. His feet moved on their accord.

'''''''''''
John was ecstatic that he decided to come back at Danny's.

The house was full of life as Danny had invited few of his friends, his girlfriend and her friends and they were having a small Christmas bash.

There was lot of food, some home made that Danny's girlfriend had volunteered, drinks and some take out.

Kathie was there too but she had to take an early exit due to her family Christmas dinner she said she had every year.

Danny self proclaimed John as his bartender.

"Most handsome bartender" Danny's girlfriend's friend had gushed and she picked up the cocktail that John had served very efficiently in a glass before tossing the glass thrice in the air.

He showed a new stunt with fragile glass every time he served a drink and Danny's guest ooh'ed and aah'ed at it enjoying the show.

"You are such a multifaceted" Considering his mistake Danny who was a bit tipsy by now immediately amended "sorry multi talented" he chuckled "any chance you were a bartender in a fancy five star hotel?"

John laughed and patted on Danny's shoulder not wanting to answer him.

His past was a bigger riddle to him than anyone could emaciate.

Soon John's shoulders relaxed as the music flowed and he was moved into the party and he danced like a pro "oh what a wonderful dancer you are" one of the girls gushed and that was just the right thing to be said.

John smiled and then he was on fire, he moved with the beats, he danced like a wave of the ocean, like a painter painting a portrait, like a proficient player playing his best football match.

He was indeed good at it he realized and the spell was broken when a brunette girl from Danny's group "will you teach me dancing?"

"I have a friend's yoga room lying idle for years" she placed her hand on John's arm and he couldn't deny the adrenaline he felt when she offered, "you can take it and start a dance class of your own" her flirting obvious.

"Hey hey hey" Danny interrupted immediately "Don't steal my man." He pulled John possessively "I need him"

"You sound like you are gay" one of John's male friends Mitchelle joked "possessive about your buddy" he winked at John. John could tell Mitchell indeed was a gay.

Like a reflex John took a step back lifting his hands up "excuse me" he wanted to say further but he wasn't sure.

Was he really a gay? He asked himself

Nay! He thought victoriously "he wasn't ever attracted to any male since his release from hospital.

But the occasional touch of those girls; Danny's friends though he shouldn't be feeling that way did make him feel dizzy and brought active stirring down south.

He himself was a bit drunk too so couldn't blame his libido either.

"Hey you guys should see him and the Klumsy Kathie flirting" Danny commented, "you wouldn't have to ask that question again." He put his hand on John's shoulder again "my friend John" he pressed his biceps "is definitely not a gay and can prove it in more ways than one."

While others laughed at Danny's verdict, Lizzy who had complimented John on his dancing skills reached up to him "I am glad you are not a gay." She pulled John from the collar of his shirt, her 6" sandals making it easier to close the gap not that she wasn't taller than average and she kissed him hard.

John tried to pull back initially but when the girl didn't let go, he gave in and kissed her back.

''''''''''''''

He woke up slouched on the sofa he had spent his last night in shirtless, his chest filled with patches of kisses and he remembered almost having $ex with

Lizzy before Danny interrupted the two "not in my room John" he took a swig of his drink "you can take him home Lizzy if you want"

"Cant" Lizzy whined, "My parents are having their own party at home."

"Sorry Babes" Danny lifted his hands in the air.

"Mean" his girlfriend mouthed him after kissing him on his mouth.

'For you my love" Danny toasted in the air holding on to his girlfriends curvy ass and spanking it.

"That doesn't mean I cannot have any fun" Lizzy stated biting her lip and then licking her lips round with her tongue.

She pulled John from the button panel of his shirt and in a quick motion ripped it off.

All the girls drooled over the sculpted body.

No six packs but the faint lines said he had them once upon a time and he still looked hot.

Lizzy kissed him on his nipples and John groaned immediately.

"This is torture" he shouted at Danny.

"Make him drunk, he'll feel less" Danny shouted

and like it was Tomatino festival of the Spain, all the girls instead of attacking John with tomatoes were attacking his mouth with bottle of beer and with every swig they fed him they licked and kissed his chest.

He was so drunk eventually that he did not remember when he crashed on the sofa

"I am really going to kill Danny" John chuckled to himself before he took the last slouch on the sofa.

The memories explain the killer headache that John was facing right now.

Thank goodness he'd already located the first-aid cabinet in the kitchen.

He took baby steps towards the cabinet and popped two pills in his mouth and then cringed at the bitter metallic taste in his mouth. He quickly opened the tap and put his mouth below the tap gargling his mouth before gulping the entire semi liquid tablet inside.

"What were you doing?" he scolded himself. How could he be so reckless "Did you forget the no drinking in parties rule?" he shouted at himself.

Wait! When did he make that rule?

Another giddy feeling hit him and he blocked his thoughts away.

All he needed now was peace and solitude to wear off his headache.

A ping from across the room however disturbed his tiny bubble of serenity.

He stood up to find a phone lying on the floor and the push notification popping up from some newsapp "Terrorist attack in Red cross"

The ground below his feet moved......

A/N 

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