2nd End

On a hot summer day, a construction sight buzzes with activity under the relentless sun. The air was thick with the scent of freshly turned earth and the sound of machinery filled the air. The scene was filled with a symphony of clanging metal, rumbling engines, and the occasional shouts of workers coordinating their tasks.

The workers, dressed in bright orange vests and hard hats, toil tirelessly amid the heat. Beads of sweat glistened on their brows as they manoeuvred heavy equipment and tools. The sun casts long shadows across the site, providing patches of temporary relief from the scorching rays.

"Derek! Can I get some help over here?!" A man stood in front of a wheelbarrow, clearly struggling with the heavy lifting.

"Of course." Said the so-called Derek as he hurried over to the man. After helping him, the man gave a sincere thanks which was accompanied by a wholesome smile.

"Derek! You mind giving me a hand?!" Yelled another man.

"I'll be right there, mate." 

A familiar man with grey hair and intricate muscles scurried around the construction site, giving help to whoever needed it. Due to his immense strength, most considered him a valuable asset for the job. Because of this and his warming personality, it would be an understatement to call him popular.

"Derek, how you in your 70s and still have no problem carrying all this weight on your back." Said a muscular dark-skinned individual, surrounded by the construction workers.

"What, are you jealous?" Teased Derek.

"Are you kidding me? Look at these guns and ask me that question again. Your shrivelled muscles have lost their flare, old man." Said the man as others laughed around them.

"Shrivelled? I don't know, your wife seems to like it just fine." Derek shot back making the area rumble in the laughter of the group. The muscular man joined in the laughter as the two shook hands. 

"Alright, everyone, break it up, back to work." Said a man in a suit as the crowd dispersed.

"Hale. Lemme talk to you for a second." Said the suited man, most likely the manager and the man in charge of the site.

"What's the problem, Boss?" Asked Derek. The manager seemed to be somewhat conflicted. Sweat poured down his face and he couldn't make eye contact. Derek noticed this and assumed the worst.

"What happened? Did something happen to Isaac?" He asked desperately. The manager noticed this and tried to get himself under control so that Derek wouldn't panic.

"No. It's nothing like that. I'm going to have to let you go. You're fired." Derek stared at the man. He was relieved it was nothing serious, however, he was still confused by such a decision.

"Boss, come on. What are you talking about?" Asked Derek.

"Listen, Derek, it's not up to me. I'm just as confused as you are. You're one of my best workers and a good friend. But I'm afraid the order came from the top. There's nothing I can do." Derek looked at the man. He could see in his eyes that he was full of remorse, however, like he said, he didn't have a choice. There seemed to be other forces at play. There was nothing more for him to do, so instead of making a scene, Derek shook the man's hand and thanked him.

"Thanks, Boss. You've done a great deal for me ever since I started. I'll never forget your kindness." He said with a slight bow. The manager smiled as he bowed back.

***

"What a shitty day." A familiar boy exited his school as the final bell rang and countless students swarmed out of the school.

Isaac walked with the previous blood which poured from his mouth still sticking out like a sore thumb. Whispers and stares followed him as he was the new hot topic of the school. Fortunately, it didn't seem the other students lived in the direction he was heading so the stares didn't last for long.

He walked at a slow pace, not having the strength to go any faster, so naturally it took him a while to get home. On his way, the sun had started to set and the full moon peeked through the clouds. Soon, he made it to the police barricade that acted as a wall, separating the slums from the rest of the city.

The same officer as the morning stood before Isaac and stared at his uniform. Had it been any other person, he would have at the very least asked if they were okay. However, his care and empathy clearly didn't reach out to certain individuals. It just so happened that those people were the ones who needed it the most. 

After stepping out of the way and giving a few grunts of disapproval, Isaac was allowed to pass. Being used to this treatment, Isaac kept walking and soon entered the alleyway that led to his home. The neighbourhood was vastly more active and dangerous during the night, however, as usual, Isaac was not disturbed.

He passed the more dangerous area with ease, then came to the frequent workstation of the hookers. Again, he failed to see anything that would disturb his slow pace, however, as he walked, he started to hear a few yells and loud voices.

"I'm not doing nothing till you give me my payment for the last time!" As the owners of the voices came into Isaac's view, he saw a female who wore revealing clothes, high heels and had her black hair put up in pigtails.

"Why you being so difficult?! You know I'll get you your money so just relax." Yelled another man with countless tattoos and a bandana wrapped around his forehead.

"I don't know you! Get your hands off me and bring me my money!" As she said this, things started to escalate as the man started to overpower the female.

"I said relax!" Said the man as the female started to scream and shout. The man pervertedly licked his lips as he prepared. However, before he could do anything, he felt a rock smash into the side of his face.

The man stumbled and released the female who took this chance and ran away. Blood flooded from the man's head as his mind spun. After getting his head straight, he looked around for the attacker. However, another rock was launched into his abdomen. 

He gasped for air as he opened his eyes, only to be met with a boy, no older than 18, breathing heavily with a rock in his hands. 

"You little runt! Do you know who I am?!" He yelled, making his way to his feet. Isaac was too out of breath to reply, however, that didn't stop the countless thoughts running through his head.

'He's only one guy. If he's reckless I can hopefully find a way out of this.' He thought, preparing himself.

"I'll dig your eyes out and feed them to the dogs." Said the man as he pulled a butterfly knife from his pocket.

Isaac looked at this with wide eyes. Fighting someone in his state was already enough, however, now they had a weapon. He looked around for an exit or a way to escape, only willing to fight if it was a last-ditch effort. However, time was not on his side, as the man looked as if he was about to pounce.

Isaac had no choice but to put his hands up and fight to the death. 

'All I can hope for is that he underestimates me and runs in blind.' He said inwardly. The man noticed his stance and started to let out a sinister laugh.

"You actually have hope to fight back?" He laughed. His face quickly switched to that of a lunatic as he continued.

"Let's destroy that hope, shall we? BOYS!!!" The man yelled which confused Isaac a little until he heard his words. His heart sank as his face darkened, hoping didn't just do what he thought.

After a few seconds, a dozen silhouettes could be seen emerging from the darkness.

"What are you interrupting our happy time for?" Said one individual who zipped up his pants. They groaned and sighed as they came into view. After looking at their bleeding companion and the other individual with a rock in his hand, they put two and two together and started to pull out all the weapons they had in their possession.

'I'm… screwed' He thought. All Isaac could do was stand there and curse at his terrible luck. After a few seconds, he spoke with a wide grin.

"You fools are hilarious. Do you know who I am? What I'm capable of? I guess I need to teach you idiots. BOYS!!!" Yelled Isaac, repeating the same words as before. The group were confused until they heard a few noises and clatters behind them. Remembering his words and assuming the worst, they shot their heads back, ready for a battle. 

However, the sight was absent of the people they were expecting. Instead, their eyes fell upon a stray cat who had knocked over a tin and had scurried away due to the abrupt movements of the attackers.

They were confused as they finally looked back only to find the person they were about to pounce on had disappeared.

"You idiots! He played you! Get out there and look for him!" Said the man with the bandana around his forehead.

Isaac ran through the alleyway, heaving and gasping, struggling to breathe as he pushed himself to get away from certain death. Everything he was currently doing could be considered fatal for someone like him, however, he had no choice. It was either run and maybe die or get caught and definitely die. Despite his determination, his body had limits, and he was well past them. He was on the verge of collapsing as he started to cough and heave violently.

The best he could do now was hide in the darkness and hope they don't find him. He looked around and saw a dumpster which he opened and threw himself in. All he had to do now was stay quiet and stay hidden. However, that proved to be difficult as his never-ending coughs and violent breaths could be heard from a mile away.

'Shut up, shut up, shut up.' Isaac held his mouth and tried his best to keep his mouth shut. Blood flooded from his mouth as the coughing continued. He dug around his pockets and looked for his pills. He pulled out a few, however, due to his shaking hands and nervousness, he dropped them all in the dark dumpster. 

His heart sank as he watched his only chance at survival fall into the crevices of the garbage as they clattered with various metals.

"Where did he go?"

"I don't know."

"Did you guys get a good look at his face at least?" 

"It was too dark. The best I could see was some kind of uniform on him." 

Isaac started to hear familiar voices that inched closer and closer to him. His coughing wouldn't stop and he had trouble breathing properly. He needed to rummage around for the pills but the slightest move he made caused some trash to make noise. 

He looked around for the pills but to no avail. The voices were right outside the dumpster. He stopped moving altogether and it took all his willpower to close his mouth entirely and stop breathing, as every time he did, a violent and loud cough followed.

A few seconds passed and it didn't seem the gangsters were going anywhere. Isaac felt his consciousness slipping as blood oozed from the corner of his mouth. His vision went blurry and his limbs became weak until he had reached his limit. He let out violent coughs that shook the ground and were heard by anyone in the surroundings. 

He slowly dozed off as he wheezed and laid in a puddle of his one blood. His eyelids became heavier as he slowly smiled.

"Am I dying?" He said with a quiet raspy voice. This had been the first time he had come face to face with death. They say your life flashes before your eyes, however, the only thing Isaac saw was the face of his Grandpa. His Grandpa had been his only guardian his whole life after his mother and father had tragically died. He was the only one who guided him through life. 

Teaching him how to ride a bike and how to shave. He was the one there for him during the hardest period of his life when he couldn't endure the pain of the MacGregor's Syndrome. It was because of his grandfather he was able to make it this far. He smiled as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. Only now did he realize how much he loved his grandfather.

Due to the sounds of his coughing and wheezing, it seemed to catch the attention of his pursuers as the dumpster lid swung open.

"I found him!" Yelled one of the men. However, Isaac's eyes failed to see properly. All he could see were blurs of faint light and a silhouette. 

All he could hear were the faint sounds of the gangsters as his eyelids finally shut and he took his last breath.