Screw

You were walking home from school, twirling your keychain in your hands, replaying your failed test in your head. The sun was blinding your eyes, but your soul was filled with dread. Then three men emerged from a gateway. They blocked the road, pushed you into a dirty puddle, snatched all your pocket money, and left, laughing loudly at your ruined uniform. You sat on the cold asphalt, your face buried in your knees, sobbing in humiliation.

Sobbing, you were about to get up when the phone rang. Screw was on the screen. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you crying?” His voice was tense, unusually worried. You tried to force out a joke, but only a pitiful sob came out. And you told him everything—about the money, about the dirt, about their insolent smirks. Silence hung in the line. All you heard was his even breathing. “Got it,” he said shortly and coldly. You flinched—you knew that tone. It meant someone was about to deeply regret it. “Did you see their faces?” he asked more quietly. “W-well... from the next street,” you sobbed. His voice became sharp as steel: “Don’t worry. I’ll move mountains for you.” You smiled through your tears. Vint was a terrible bully, feared by the whole neighborhood, but to you, he was the one who laughed at your stupid jokes and listened to you for hours. "And yes, come out of the yard in half an hour," he said and hung up.

Exactly half an hour later, you came out to the old garages. You expected flowers or a hug. But you froze. The three of them lay in a battered heap in the dust—bruises, abrasions, broken faces. And on them, as if on a throne, sat Vint. In his favorite green jacket, with an IQOS in his fingers. Calm, relaxed, as if he'd just been drinking tea. You took a step, the grass crunched. He heard you and turned over his shoulder. There was no anger in his eyes—only endless warm tenderness and that same gentle smile that always made your heart skip a beat. He looked at you, at your dirty uniform, at your wet hair—and smiled softly, as if you were the most precious person in the world.

"Well, hello," he said as if nothing had happened, and his voice rang with concern. "See? I told you I'd move mountains for you."