Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives)

by Hansen, Marita A.

  Nike slowed down for the give-way sign. A police car zipped past. He breathed in sharply. Even after a month of working for Ash, he still felt sick every time a cop drove past. Bloody hell, he didn’t need this stress on top of looking for Tama.

  He grimaced as he turned left, annoyed that he’d let Tama get away. He’d been so close, he should have just floored the accelerator and run over the prick. But at least Ash was onto Tama’s case now.

  He turned onto his road, then into his driveway. Jess was sitting on the front porch with her hands covering her face. He yanked the handbrake on, and jumped out. As he headed around the van Jess ploughed into him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.

  “I thought I’d lost you,” she said.

  He smiled, relieved that nothing was wrong. The woman was just being overdramatic ... again. All he needed to do was get a bloody scratch and she went silly.

  “Why were you worried?” he asked.

  She let go and started hitting him. “You’re a bastard, Nike!”

  “Ow! What did I do?” He grabbed her wrists.

  “I told ja not to go to Sledge’s house. Mikey said Tama was there, and he was gonna gut you. When I couldn’t get through to your phone I thought you were hurt.” She tried to free her wrists. “Let go!”

  Nike let go. She started hitting him again.

  “Ouch! Stop doin’ that.”

  She shoved him. “You scared me.”

  “Why? I wuz perfectly safe. My mate owns the place. And it wuzn’t my fault my shitty phone crapped out.”

  “But Tama was there,” she replied, looking confused.

  “Yeah, I saw him runnin’ from the house and gave chase. Ash wuz after him for hurting his sister.”

  “Oh God, did he stab her too?”

  “No, Juliet’s alright.”

  Jess exhaled loudly. “And how the hell do ya know a gang leader?”

  “He’s not a gang leader. My dad used to coach him in rugby. We’ve been mates ever since.”

  Her frown deepened. “How come you’ve never told me about him then?”

  “I don’t see him that much.” Nike scratched his head and looked down at his feet. Man, he was a crappy liar.

  Jess wrapped her arms around his waist, seemingly unaware of his lock-me-up-and-throw-away-the-key expression. “Mikey wanted you to know that he’s sorry for what Tama did. He was really upset about Maia getting hurt. He said Tama’s gang chased her into the video store.”

  Nike’s jaw set. “Did he mention any names?”

  “Only Sledge and Tama.”

  He stared at her in disbelief. “Sledge wuz there?”

  “Yep, he helped Tama kick down the door to get at Maia.”

  Nike clenched his hands. What the hell was wrong with Sledge? The guy’s own mother had been killed in a knife attack; he should have helped Maia not Tama.

  “Wait till Ash finds out,” he said. “He’ll rip his bro a new hole.”

  Jess grimaced. “You want lunch now?”

  “No, get Jakey. I wanna go visit Maia before headin’ back to Ash’s.”

  “But, I don’t want you goin’ there again.”

  “I’ve already told ja Ash is a mate—”

  “I don’t care! The police should deal with this, not you.”

  “The police? They’ll do jack shit.”

  “Only cos you don’t give them a chance.”

  “I’m gettin’ Jakey and we’re leavin’ now.” Nike headed for the house.

  “Nike!” She followed him inside.

  He picked up Jake and walked past her.

  “Will ya stop ignorin’ me,” she shouted.

  He opened the van and strapped Jake into his carseat.

  “Nike!”

  He turned around. “I’m doin’ this whether you like it or not, so lay off!” He swore under his breath as Jess started to cry. “Shit, don’t do that.” He went to pull her into his arms.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “Jess, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at ya. But, I hafta do this or those arseholes will keep doin’ this shit to my family. You know what Tama’s like, and his mates are just as bad. And, I’m only goin’ over there to tell Ash—”

  “I don’t see why you can’t do all that over the phone.”

  Nike rubbed his forehead. “Ash needs to be told in person. What Sledge did will hit him hard.”

  “But—”

  “Please, Jess, just trust me.”

  She wiped her eyes. “I’m scared.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “I know, but Tama won’t go back there now. So, there’s no need to worry.”

  “I couldn’t handle it if I lost you.”

  He kissed the top of her head and gave her a squeeze. “That ain’t gonna happen.”

  13

  Maia

  Maia lay in her hospital bed, staring at the wall. She felt like crap. Not only did her back hurt like crazy, but she had an enormous headache, the type brought on by a skinny white bitch constantly whinging. She wished Stella would quit making her feel guilty. She didn’t mean to puke on her; it was the damn medication’s fault, not hers. Plus, she’d apologised enough.

  “That cow did a shitty job,” Stella whined. “I can still smell your disgusting spew. I reckon she did it on purpose. The snobby bitch was constantly patronising me when all I was doin’ was tryin’ to help her.”

  Maia rolled her eyes. She understood perfectly why the nurse had gotten annoyed. Stella wouldn’t stop swearing the whole time the nurse and janitor were cleaning up.

  Stella continued, “Man, you’d think I was fuckin’ five years old with the way she was talking. I hate being patronised.” She stopped for a moment. “Oi! Are you listening to me? Turn around.”

  Maia closed her eyes.

  “I said, turn around.”

  “I’ve got a headache. Leave me alone.”

  “You got a headache? Bloody ‘ell, I’m the one with the banged up head.”

  “Fuck off!”

  “I beg your pardon.”

  Maia opened her eyes and stared up at an annoyed looking nurse. It was the same woman Stella had sworn at.

  Maia grinned before she could stop herself. “Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

  The nurse glowered. “I don’t think that kind of language is funny, young lady.”

  Man ... her involuntary grin always got her into trouble. And no one believed her when she tried to tell them she wasn’t being rude. Especially her stupid teachers. The amount of times she’d gotten detention because of it pissed her off. In the end it was just easier to skip school. Well, until that stupid counsellor had upset her mum. Prick.

  The nurse held out a cup of water and pills, her battle axe expression still firmly in place.

  The grin left Maia’s face. “I don’t want ‘em. They make me puke.”

  “It’s different medication. They shouldn’t hurt your stomach.”

  “I still don’t want ‘em.”

  “Stop being silly, they’ll make you feel better.”

  Maia sat up reluctantly. She could definitely do with some pain relief. She took the pills and water, and swallowed them down before she could change her mind.

  The nurse retrieved the cup, and left the room.

  “Oi!” Stella said. “She’s gone now. So turn around.”

  “I already told ja, fuck off and leave me alone,” Maia snapped.

  “Nope, you owe me.”

  Maia breathed in. Shit, she wanted to thump Stella. She shifted around in her bed and glared at her. “No I don’t. I said I’m sorry, so stop bugging me.”

  “I don’t care, you still owe me.”

  “Bloody lay off, will ya.” Maia turned her back on Stella. She didn’t need the bitch making her feel worse.

  She heard footsteps and looked up to see Stella standing over her.

  Stella bent over. “You owe me.”

  Maia screwed up her face. “God, you�
�re like a bloody broken record. Give it a rest.”

  “No.”

  “Then what do ya want?”

  Stella bobbed down and whispered, “The next time you get drugs, stash some for me.”

  “Why don’t cha ask for your own?”

  “They won’t gimme any more.” Stella glanced over her shoulder. “Come on. I need some. That bloody bitch nurse reckons I’ve had enough, but my head really hurts.”

  Maia glanced at the girl’s arms. Before she’d puked she’d thought Stella had eczema like her mum, but up close she couldn’t see any scaly red skin. The nasty sores looked more like her druggy neighbour’s arms. Although she liked the kids next door, her mum refused to let her go over, always complaining that the house was a P lab.

  “Are you a junkie?” Maia asked.

  Stella’s eyes widened. “You don’t hafta tell the whole friggin’ room.”

  “I ain’t givin’ ya any drugs. So, leave me alone.”

  “Look ... I know you don’t like takin’ ‘em, so it’s a win, win situation. I’m happy, you’re happy, so what’s the problem?”

  “It’s wrong.”

  “It’s wrong,” Stella mimicked. “I thought you were cool. I guess I was wrong. You’re nuthin’ but a goody-bloody-two-shoes.”

  “I am not!”

  “Then stash the drugs for me.”

  Maia shook her head. “I don’t like people tellin’ me what to do. So piss off.”

  “You’re a tough little nut, aren’t cha? No wonder Tama wanted a piece of you.”

  Maia grimaced. “Bitch.”

  “It wasn’t an insult. I just think you got balls.” Stella stood up. “If ya change your mind, just pass ‘em over to me. Okay?”

  “I won’t,” Maia said, yawning.

  Stella pulled a face, then walked off.

  Maia yawned again. Bloody drugs. She hadn’t felt tired before taking them, just sore. She closed her eyes, praying for a Tama free sleep.

  14

  Tama

  Sweat dripped down Tama’s back, soaking through his T. He’d run all the way without stopping. He felt like shit, both physically and mentally. It was his fault that Leila was hurt. If he hadn’t wanked off to Mikey about how great Leila thought he was in bed, none of this would have happened. Still, the little dobber was going to get a good smack in the gob for it.

  Tama smashed a rock through the backdoor window of Leila’s house, unlocked it, and entered. He dumped his bag on the dining-room table, and headed for Leila’s room.

  At the doorway he stopped and gaped in shock. The room was a mess. A picture frame was smashed on the ground, the bed sheets were pulled off and there was blood on the beige carpet. Leila lay naked in a foetal position, clutching onto a phone, her skin a rainbow of bruising. Her face was bloodied and unrecognisable, her eyes slits amongst the swelling.

  Tama knew he was a right bastard with chicks, but he’d never beaten one up before, especially someone that he cared about. Occasionally he’d give a bitch a slap about if she’d gotten out of line, but nothing like this. Oh yeah ... Maia. Tama grimaced. But this was worse, because Jayden had done it to his wife. You didn’t do this to someone you loved.

  He dropped down next to her. “Leila, it’s Tama. Oh shit, please don’t be dead. Leila, answer me.”

  She whimpered.

  He exhaled; his relief palpable. “I’m gonna clean and dress ya, then take ya to the hospital.”

  He jumped up, ran out of the room, and grabbed a towel from the bathroom. After soaking it, he headed back and started cleaning her face.

  She continued to moan. Fuck, she was bloody breaking him. He loved Leila, not romantically, but she was a great mate that came with the added benefit of tits and a pussy. You didn’t do this to mates...

  Well, up until now he didn’t, because he was going to beat the living crap out of Jayden and see how he liked it. But at least Jayden could be thankful for one thing: If they weren’t mates he’d kill him.

  Tama stood up and went to the oak cabinet. He yanked open the top drawer and pulled out some knickers, then grabbed a top and skirt from the wardrobe. He dropped back down next to Leila and gently rolled her onto her back.

  Her arms started flailing about. “No, no...”

  “Sssh, Leila, calm down. I just wanna dress you.”

  “Tama?”

  “Yes. Lemme put your clothes on.”

  “Jayden hurt me.” She started sobbing. “He wouldn’t stop.”

  “I’ll make him pay for this.”

  “No, it’s my fault. Don’t hurt him.”

  Tama stared at her. He never thought Jayden was good enough for Leila. The girl was way too hot and smart for the ugly dumbarse.

  “Sheesh, Leila, no way it’s your fault.”

  “Yes, it is. Nike came over. I said I loved him in front of Jayden.” She started whimpering again.

  Bloody Nike! He wished he’d gutted the bastard. He knew she used to moon over him, but thought she’d moved on by marrying Jayden.

  “He still shouldn’t have done this.” Tama edged her knickers up her legs. “Lift your butt.” When she didn’t move he tugged them on, then did the same with her skirt and top. “Where’s your keys?”

  She swallowed. “Kitchen wall.”

  She’s probably thirsty, he thought.

  He left, grabbed his bag off the dining-room table, and entered the kitchen. A set of keys, with a tiny picture of Leila, Jayden, and Tama holding beers hung from a hook by the fridge. He took it and headed outside to Leila’s little silver Suzuki. After chucking his bag into the car, he ran back inside and took a glass of water through to Leila.

  He propped her up, and placed it to her mouth. “Drink.”

  She took a little then pushed it away.

  He put the glass down. “I’m gonna pick you up now. Okay?”

  She muttered, “Yes,” then yelped as he lifted her.

  Tama carried her through the house and out to the car, laying her down on the back seat. He noticed a short, plump boy across the road watching him. He guessed he would have been about Mikey’s age. “Fuck off,” Tama yelled.

  The boy ran towards the row of brick flats with a soccer ball clutched to his chest.

  Tama hopped into the car, started the ignition, and backed out.

  ***

  He was nervous about dropping Leila off at the hospital. He didn’t want to be out in the open with so many people. What if someone recognised him?

  He pulled the car around to the front of the hospital and parked in the drop-off zone under the large overhang. He needed to get in and out as quick as possible. There was no point in taking unnecessary risks. He’d just pass her over and give them his phone number. It was stolen anyway, from some scrawny bitch he’d fucked a couple nights back. He shuddered. She was flat as a pancake. He always woke up the next morning with a slag when he drank too much and one hell of a stinking headache.

  He sat for a few minutes, scoping out the area for pigs. A few cars drove up, dropped off people, then left. A man and a woman stood outside sucking on fags and chatting, while others walked in and out of the entrance to Middleton hospital. The huge white monstrosity was lined with countless windows. Clouds framed the building, blocking out most of the blue sky.

  Tama went to open his door then quickly ducked down as his neighbour exited the main entrance. She walked past Leila’s car, snivelling into a hankie. Tama didn’t give a fuck what Betsy Joy was blubbering over. He didn’t like her. Stupid bitch turned down a quickie, and then threatened to tell her husband. Luckily Bob the Blob didn’t squash him, so he guessed she hadn’t dobbed him in. Probably realised she’d lose his mum as a friend if she did.

  When everything was clear, he pulled his hood over his head, jumped out, and opened up the back door. He picked up Leila, shut the door with his foot, and headed through the entrance.

  A noisy din greeted him as he walked towards the nurses’ station. People were jammed into rows of yellow chairs, c
hatting or reading from magazines, while nurses went about their duties. A toddler sitting on his mother’s lap started wailing at the top of his lungs.

  Tama stopped at the nurses’ station. “’Scuse me, Miss.”

  A hot twenty-something nurse looked up. Her brown hair was pulled back into a bun and she was wearing a lavender nurses’ uniform, which Tama thought accentuated her breasts just right.

  He stared at them. “I need a doctor. Someone bashed my mate.”

  The nurse walked around the desk and directed him to a gurney where he laid Leila down. Leila moaned and reached out for him.

  “It’s okay, babe, the nurse will take care of you,” he said.

  “Please, stay with me.”

  “Sorry, I gotta go. I’ll leave my number so they can call me if ya need anything.”

  A doctor came out. The man was wearing a white shirt and coat, coupled with a brown tie and trousers. He reminded Tama of his English teacher. Man, he hated that skinny wanker. Racist prick was always giving him detention.

  “What happened?” the doctor asked.

  “She wuz attacked by an intruder.” Tama could feel the doctor sizing him up as Leila’s attacker. He reframed from sneering at him. The bastard would probably be on the phone calling the pigs if he hadn’t covered his tattoo. Shit, he was sick of people looking at him like he was the cause of all evil.

  “Are you her partner?”

  “Nah, a friend. She’s married to my mate.” Tama noticed the man’s expression change, as though he wasn’t the only suspect now.

  “Follow me,” the doctor said.

  “Look, Doc, I’ve gotta go find her husband. I’ll leave my number and you can call if you need me.”

  Leila reached out for Tama. “Please don’t go after him.”

  The doctor gave Tama a quizzical look. “You know who did this?”

  “You’ll have to ask Leila that.” Tama kissed Leila’s forehead. He smiled at her, trying to sound reassuring. “I’m just gonna look for him, nuthin’ else.”

  Tama watched as they wheeled her away, then went back to the desk and gave the nurse his number.