Call Them Liars

Trebor stops to think for a second too long. 

“You deaf? I axed if you was callin’ me a liar.”

Thanks to you, Trebor builds up the courage to stand up to the bullies. In his mind, he wants to say, “Yeah, I’m calling you a liar. Whatcha gon’ do ‘bout it?” Instead, he clears his throat.

“Well, I’m not saying a liar, per se” he begins. “I just think you might have been misinformed.”

“Per se?” Huge dude #1 nods wildly and laughs. He turns to one of his companions. “My boys Con-Flay and Man-Man told me you was in a gang. Is you callin’ dem liars per se?”

Trebor squints in confusion. “That’s not exactly how you use…”

“I think he’s callin’ us liars, Martinez,” screams another huge dude to huge dude #1. 

Martinez turns back toward Trebor. “I fin’ ask you one mo’ time. Is you callin’ us liars?”

Trebor trembles. “I is not. I mean, no.”

“So you is in a gang.” Martinez snaps his finger and his boys step closer to him. 

Is it too late to announce that Trebor’s a Christian? Yes. Man-Man snatches Trebor’s cake and removes the plastic case. Trebor feels alone and afraid. Before the adrenaline can kick in, everything goes black. A moment later, he realizes that the cake he once held is attached to his his face. He falls backward and hits his head on the sidewalk. Pieces of cake in his mouth and nostrils come shooting out as a kick to the stomach knocks the wind out of him. He feels warm goop hit his face and realizes he’s been spit on. 

The voices fade and Trebor sits up. A man from the church across the street invites him into the building to get cleaned up. Trebor says yes out of desperation. He explains what happened but is mainly happy that he is able to get cleaned up. The man from the church offers Trebor a ride home. He looks outside at the empty bus stop and considers his options. A ride home would be nice but Trebor already took one risk walking into the church with this man. Is it worth risking twice? What if he’s kidnapped?

Should Trebor accept the ride?

(Choose below)