I managed to find a cheap apartment in Carson city. The apartment was more like the size of a closet and the neighbourhood wasn’t all that great, but I didn’t have a lot of money to blow and I just had to survive here for a few months until I could get into a halfway decent college. I found a help needed ad at a nearby restaurant, upon inquiry, I managed to land a job as a busboy. I thought this job could help cover my living expenses and make sure I didn’t run out of cash before college.

I had already divested myself of my old car since I didn’t find much use for it in the city. It wasn’t like my new apartment came with parking space. Work was okay, the restaurant owner was a bit of a dick, but since it wasn’t in my nature to push back, things didn’t escalate. The other staff were really nice. Although, almost always, at the centre of attention was Rob. Rob was the bartender at the restaurant and was well liked by most. I’d spent most of my life thinking that good looking guys with some charm had to be assholes. My opinion was mostly colored by Reggie and his cronies’ behaviour in high school.

It wasn’t like Rob had a stellar reputation with everyone, couple of the female staff were definitely giving him the stink eye. I understood that Rob was somewhat of a player. Rob was 6 foot 1 compared to my 5 foot 6, he looked strong and lithe whereas I looked sickly. I could see why he could be a player if he wanted to.

Anyway, he was never mean to me and seemed genuinely interested when he inquired about my life. He told me he was from a small town like me and had moved to the city in search of a new life. He apparently had a few close friends who had also moved into the city with him. He was nice enough to invite me to meet them, but I told him I’d think about it. Meeting a bunch of new people outside of work would not likely be a great experience for me. I wasn’t exactly known for my skills in socialisation.

One day I was walking back to my apartment from work. It was a bit later than usual, which was making me a bit nervous. My neighbourhood wasn’t exactly known for being the safest. I was passing an alley when suddenly, I was painfully brought back to reality by the sound of a body hitting the pavement. I turned around just in time to see 3 guys kicking a man on the floor.

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I was too stunned to do anything other than stare in shock at the scene unfolding before my very eyes. Then suddenly one of the guys turned and his eyes suddenly locked on to mine.

“What’re you starin at faggot?” he asked.

I couldn’t do anything but stare in shock at the man with a scruffy beard as he slowly took a step towards me. Almost involuntarily, I took a step back, my eyes still glued to his terrifying face. He took another appraising look at me and saw his anger soon turn to contempt as he rightly judged that I wasn’t much of a threat.

“Get…The.. Fuck…OUTTA HERE” he screamed, while pointing towards the street.

I took another look at the poor man getting beaten and started walking briskly. The scruffy bearded attacker went back to assaulting his victim. Tears were streaming down my face. I couldn’t believe I just did that. I, who blamed everyone in my class for not standing up for me, was now fleeing from the same situation now that I was the observer. No, I had to do something. I quickly fished out my phone from my pocket and contacted emergency services. The precious few seconds it took me to connect and report the incident felt like years. I think I was holding my breath until the dispatcher assured me that the police were on their way.

The next moment is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.I turned around to look at the alley and I was greeted with the sight of the man who threatened me looking right at me from across the street. I gulped and lowered my phone, fervently hoping that he didn’t notice me using my phone. At the exact same moment, the warning sounds of police sirens became audible. I saw his face contort into something far uglier than the glare that he previously gave me. I turned around and ran like I’d never run before. I didn’t stop until I reached my apartment and collapsed on the bed after locking my door behind me. Never in my life had I felt such fear. I pulled the windows shut and huddled up on the bed, crying my heart out as I remembered what my mother’s sweet embrace felt like.