Enraged, Joshua followed Adrian’s car. He made sure not to drive too close. He’d stop two cars away, at traffic lights and intersections. Through turns and junctions, in residential suburbs mostly, he followed Adrian’s silver convertible. It wasn’t that difficult.
Josh had the music off, talking to himself. “I warned this guy. He obviously reckons I’m a sissy. We’ll see who’s the soft one,” he hissed, breathing fire. “Whatever happens is his fault. I told him to stay away.”
Eventually, Adrian stopped and parked opposite a posh cluster of townhouses. There were all face brick, but very upmarket. Josh parked directly behind him, within inches of his boot. He wanted Adrian to see him. He left his headlights on as he grabbed the wheel spanner, stepping out.
Adrian had got out also, carrying a laptop. He turned to Josh, surprised, wondering what was going on.
“Hey! Hey Adrian,” Josh yelled, marching up to him.
Adrian had his arm up, squinting, blinded by Josh’s headlights. “Joshua?”
“Yes!” They stood nose to nose now, sizing each other up like two boxers at the beginning of a match. “Didn’t I tell you to stay away from my girl? You don’t listen, do you?”
“What the hell?” Adrian asked, puzzled, staring Josh up and down, wary of the weapon in his hand. “You … followed me?”
“Yes, prick. What’s going on between you and Bianca?” Josh spat, trembling in anger but also with a hint of fear. He didn’t know what to expect. Beef wasn’t his thing. He was taking a huge chance.
“Nothing, man! Get away from here. You’re trespassing,” Adrian responded, stepping back.
Josh stepped forward, intimidating him. “I should bash your skull in with this spanner right now, you know that?”
Adrian shoved Josh back, making sure not to push too hard. “What’s your problem? I’ll visit who I wanna visit, bro. You say one thing, but Bianca says another.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Go away chap, or I’m calling the cops.”
“What the hell do you mean?”
“It means Bianca wants me to see her, OK? We chat on the phone for hours, dude. She doesn’t want you. She wants me. She’s gonna break it off with you, soon. No hard feelings.”
Josh lost it; saw red. With all his might, he lifted the steel spanner and bashed Adrian with it, hard, across his head.
Adrian dropped. Blood squirted out of him like a tap.
Josh froze. Adrian’s body twitched slightly as if had fits, or muscle spasms. And then nothing.
Josh looked around, frightened out of his wits. He could see nobody, thankfully. “Wake up, dude,” Josh said, watching the gruesome sight of blood pouring out of Adrian and onto the tar.
Josh panicked: “Adrian!” He started stepping away, glancing round, making sure nobody had witnessed it. “Wake up Adrian.” Nothing.
He walked backwards to the car, his heart pounding uncontrollably. He got in and started reversing. As he was about to speed off he paused. He rolled his window down and yelled: “Heeeelp! Somebody help!” Then he pressed hard down on his hooter as he drove off, hoping someone would find Adrian.
***
Tell us: What is your opinion of what Josh has just done?