Pushing away any traces of fear, Thomas stomped angrily towards the pale idiots who were taunting his friend. As if reenacting the bible scene, the crowds parted for him like the red sea. The two painfully familiar men scoffed upon seeing Thomas moving closer.
“Ooh James, lookie there at that bumbling ape,” one of them snorted, pointing towards Thomas’ nearing figure. “Isn’t that one of your errand boys?”
The other man, James Baker, Thomas’ boss, sneered rudely at Thomas’ approaching figure.
“Why yes, Elliott. I’m surprised you even pay attention to that incompetent cretin.” A cruel smile spread unpleasantly across his pale face. Rage filled Thomas’ veins. The crowd rustled nervously. These types of confrontations never ended well.
“Pardon, sir, but that’s my friend you’re manhandling,” he spoke, voice surprisingly level.
“Oh!” The other man, Elliott gasped mockingly. “So he speaks!”
With every one of their obnoxious guffaws, Thomas’ blood pressure rose. Of course he spoke.
“Sir…” He muttered darkly, struggling against the urge to deck them both. “I’d greatly appreciate it if you would kindly let my friend go. You’re clearly out of your white kiss-assing territory here.” The crowd of people mumbled in agreement.
“No, you uneducated dolt, I’m afraid I don’t feel like doing that,” Mr. Baker said, placing a hand firmly on Eli’s shoulder. His grip tightened, squeezing painfully until Eli grunted.
“You see, Thomas… Your friend here decided to completely disregard well known laws and go where he wasn’t supposed to.” Thomas fought the urge to smack his own friend in the face.
Eli grimaced.
“Sir- I was jus-”
“Quiet, slave!”
“Mr. Baker, you best leave,” Thomas hissed through clenched teeth. The fatter, paler man stared at him in disbelief.
“Excuse me?”
“What would other whites think,” Thomas started. “If they saw you here, among the blacks?” The word felt hostile on his tongue and immediately after, Thomas resolved never to say it again.
A scowl made its way to Mr. Baker’s face and the man let go of Eli.
“Though it kills me to admit it, you’re right,” the fat man paused. “And come to think of it, you’re also fired.”
Every bit of confidence drained from Thomas’ body. So much for helping Eli. No, what am I saying? Friends always come before any white piece of trash. Feeling recklessly strong, he felt himself straighten his posture, painfully obvious that his height overpowered the two suddenly quiet men.
“Don’t… Don’t do anything anymore stupid than you are, ape.”
“You sound afraid, Mr. Baker. One wrong move and who knows what could happen.”
“Is that a threat?”
“None at all, sir. Just a warning. I mean, any second now, any one of us could just-- BAM,” Thomas’ fist feigned a possibly fatal hit and Mr. Baker’s acquaintance fell with a squeak. “You know?”
“You just wrote your own god damned death sentence!”
“You did just the same when you decided to come into my neighborhood and threaten my friends and family!” The crowd yelled in agreement and the two men standing out struggled to get to their feet and off each other. Papers and rocks managed to get thrown, Thomas glared as the mens face reddened.
“You’re going to regret this. All of you!”
The men ran with their last words, tails tucked between their legs and curses spat at every second. Eli, yelling back, gave Thomas a watery smile and hugged him.
“Thank you for coming back for me.” Thomas rigidly pat his back.
“I’d never leave you behind, you should know that, Eli.”
Thoughts about what he just did hit him, causing Thomas to stumble but Eli was leaning heavily on him, which brought them both to their knees.
“Oh god, Eli, what did they do to you?” This is definitely not good. Eli needs to get help and I-- I need to run. I have to run but I can’t leave Eli behind! What should I do?