Anton Brotherhood

Anton kept lying on the ground. Carl smirked, “So, I win?” He turned around to his men for his coat and put it on.

“I’m not so sure.” Anton got up unawares. There was no pain on his face, only coldness flashing in his scarlet eyes. “You…” Carl knew that it was not much possible for a teenager to withstand his attack just now.

“Well, well. I underestimated you!” Carl strode towards Anton, and raised his leg to kick Anton’s face. Anton was pushed backwards by his power, but he didn’t fall. Carl gave him another kick, but he did not fall. Blood was dripping down from Anton’s mouth and nose. His face swelled. Spitting blood out of his mouth, Anton smiled slightly.

Carl was a little bit worried, though he’s the attacker. “Just lie down!” He yelled, and gave Anton a fist with all his might. Anton suddenly crouched down. Carl missed this one, and his body was driven forward. Anton’s staggering body suddenly got flexible. He took out the knife on his waist and thrust it in Carl’s abdomen. Anton pulled his knife back before it went deeper inside the muscle. He pointed at Carl with his knife, “You were supposed to die.”

Carl felt his wound with his hand, leaning against the wall in silence with his head down. Anton stood still, waiting for his answer. Jasper was excited. He whispered to Bruce next to him, “Great! Boss won!” Bruce nodded, putting his hand on the handle of his knife on the waist, moving slowly to the center. Though Carl lost, it did not mean he wouldn’t fight back. Bruce worried that Carl couldn’t bear his failure and attacked Anton unawares.

After a moment, Carl raised his head and stared at Anton, “I’m not fully convinced. But I have to keep my words. I lost! You’ll be the boss! I serve you with my whole heart and soul!” After finishing, Carl bowed at Anton reverently.

Anton grinned, but his eyes dulled and he passed out. Carl was quick enough to hold Anton, “Go get a car!” Jasper rushed out for a car before Carl finished his words.

They sent Anton to the hospital. He was diagnosed as multiple cartilage damage, small amount of internal bleeding and minor concussion. He had to stay in the hospital to receive treatments. Jasper called Anton’s parents and told them that there was a car accident and they were all in the hospital now. Anton’s parents asked which hospital they were in and hurried there. Jasper and the others kept explaining and comforting them till they were eventually relieved. To better convince them, Jasper grabbed Carl whose abdomen was warped in bandage next to him, “Mr. and Mrs. Williams, it was this guy who hit Anton.” Bruce and some boys nodded. Carl’s face went pink and smile awkwardly.

Half a month later, Anton had recovered. The doctor said he would be fine after some rest. His parents came to take him home this day. People like Carl had been told not to show up. Anton did not want his parents to see these guys.

When they went back home, his parents prepared him a feast to celebrate his recovery. Anton felt guilty. He didn’t know how his parents would think if they had known he was in the hospital because of fighting. His present life gave him a fixed feeling of guilt and enjoyment. He enjoyed these days. There was nothing more than being respected by others could make him happy. At least that’s what he thought.

He did not know whether he’s doing the right thing, but one thing was for sure, he loved his life now, perhaps he was born this way. Anton forgot all the annoyance temporarily and ate up all the food with his parents happily.

The next day, Anton carried his schoolbag to school. In the distance, he could see more than fifty people standing in the opposite street of the school gate. He raised his lips. Carl and Bruce were squatting and talking with a cigarette in their hands. Jasper was too corpulent to do the same. He stood aside talking with the others excitedly. His voice was just so loud that Anton could hear it from afar. When Carl, Bruce and Jasper saw Anton, they all threw away their cigarette and got up. Jasper raised his voice, “Line up all of you! Boss Williams’s coming!”

The scattering men immediately formed two rows. When Anton got close, they spoke up together, “Good morning, Boss Williams!” Students passing by were all avoiding them. Passers-by all looked back. Watching this scene, they thought, “What are they? Gangsters?”

Carl scratched his head, looking at Anton embarrassedly, “I’m sorry, boss. Thank you very much for not thrusting deeper into my body. The doctor said my wound was close to my liver.” Anton grinned, “If I did, I would lose a good bro like you.” He reached his hand to Carl. Carl was a little moved, grabbing Anton’s hand tight. Jasper and Bruce also put their hands on theirs, just like their fates, closely linked and intertwined. They did not say a word, hoping to keep their excitement in their mind for good. Now, Anton was a true hero in his boys’ eye. They thought as long as Anton’s here, they could brave all the challenges. A hero could only be proved by actions.

a bulging paper bag from his pocket and handed it to Anton, “Boss, this is the money we collect this week.

his favorite, to drink and eat. He grinned, “Thanks boss!” Then he looked at the other men, “Resemble at the gate tonight! Boss is treating

“Hooray! Hooray!” They shouted excitedly, making

Carl found a clean table, had Anton sat in the middle and arranged everyone to sit down. Anton, Carl, Bruce and Jasper sat together. They waiter told the restaurant owner that more than fifty

this 30-year-old owner who was even fatter than him and forcing a smile. Jasper waved his

dared not to underestimate this young corpulent boy, so he came over and grinned, “I’m the owner. My dear brother, do you mind

any trouble!” Jasper pointed at Anton beside him, “That’s our boss. We’re here

him had to cater to different groups. “Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s my honor to have you here. Let’s all be friends. It’s

to dine.

it! You guys just enjoy it!” Anton

Watching the owner disappearing, Jasper grinned, “A generous man!” “Damn! Very generous!” Bruce murmured. Carl noticed that something seemed to

came over, being a bit shy, “What kind of beer do you want, Sir?” Jasper thought she looked quite nice, so he flirted with her, “What

Eleven Degrees, Phoenix and Five

else?” Jasper

Her face got pinker, and she

“Oh, think. Just think…”

shut up.” He turned to tell the

ran away. Bruce laughed and beamed, “Jasper, your ugly face and large size scared her away! “Damn! I’ll go lose

six crates of Phoenix outside. Carl poured the beer and stood up,

me to make a toast for you, but Carl did it before I could. No more words,

one is also for the boss. I hope you can lead us to build our own kingdom!” Everyone stood up and said, “To boss! Build our kingdom!” Anton had just finished one glass, so he had to pour himself another one and raised it, “It depends on all our efforts! Success

to do with their personalities here. They might fight each other today, but they

drinking. Carl opened his mouth with his hand on the glass, “Boss, don’t you think

said, “Carl’s right. We must have our own gang if we want to do great things.” Jasper said, “Exactly, just like the Axe Gang in our city. It’s very cool!” The