Kurzgeschichte
Who the hell would go out with you?

Who the hell would go out with you?

Caroline was on her way to Vivien. The two of them had planned to spend the day together. Going shopping, eating hot crepes and watching a new movie in the cinema in the evening were planned for this cold Saturday in the middle of December. Caro sat on the train in the direction of Wansbek Markt and read a novel by her favourite author. It was an interesting story about a detective who chases a worldwide wanted murderer. At the moment he oversees a person who most probably has contact to the murderer and waits for his assistant.

“Hey, with that thick jacket you look like you´re concise”, said Jack who suddenly appeared next to Caro and grinned at her like usual.

“Do you have to scare me like that?”, Caro asked resigned. He was her classmate, a hyperactive boy who didn´t know the meaning of being silent. In her class he was one of the best in sports but unlike most of the others with a similar personality he wasn´t stupid. Actually he was really smart and sometimes he could be pleasant too, but even though most times he wasn´t very sensitive.

“Don´t be angry”, he replied, “Did you see the price for the new high-tech plasma TV at the store? There is no ordinary person who can afford it.”

“Too bad.” She didn´t really wanted to talk to him. “Good things have their price and not everybody needs a high-tech plasma TV. Most people are fine with just a normal TV.”

He sighed and shook his head. “You´re really cold-hearted, y´ know?”

She didn´t answer and tried to read her book. Maybe he´d go away if she just ignored him.

“Na, change of the topic”, he said like he hadn´t realized her intentions, “Can I copy your notes from last biology lesson? It was so boring that I´ve fallen asleep halfway.”

“That´s your problem, not mine”, she replied annoyed, “You know what we´re doing either way, don´t you? Don´t play dumb.”

“I don´t feel like reading the entire chapter in the book and the notes of the others aren´t very useful. It´s more handy to copy them from an honour student like you.”

Caro shut her book and glared at him angrily. “Do your homework yourself you lazy bum!” Having said that she got up and went to the door since next station was Wansbek where she had to get off.

However like he had nothing better to do and wasn´t just rejected Jack stayed behind her. For a moment she thought about hitting her brand bag over his head but sadly that would be considered bodily injury. Such a pity. Then she got out of the train and walked across the station platform to the stairs. Jack stayed right behind her like a shadow what gradually got on her nerves. Also he had this stupid grin in his face when she turned around to him for a second.

After seeing that she went faster but then she heard loud steps a short distance behind her. When she turned around again she saw a man in dark clothes with a hood. What was frightening her was the knife she discovered in his right hand that was directed at her. Then the man ran towards her and screamed that she should hand over her bag. Was he a thief?

In that moment Jack moved before Caro. His sharp eyes had already fixed the knife and with a skilled grip he grabbed the wrist of the hand in which the knife was held. Then he threw the man just above his head like he wasn´t about twice as heavy as himself. After the man landed hard on his back Jack quickly turned him around so that he laid on the stomach and leaned with his knee on him while interlocking his arms on his back. With these simple handles he overwhelmed the man like it wasn´t something difficult.

Eventually he took out his mobile phone and typed in a short number. “Is there the police? I´m at metro station Wansbek Markt and here is a middle-aged man who just tried to attack a helpless little girl with a knife.”

“Who is a helpless little girl?”, Caro asked sore. Still she was somewhat amazed by that move just now. How did he manage to do that with his not extraordinary strongly looking body? Furthermore with his dark brown hair reaching almost on his shoulders and his cunning facial expression he didn´t look like a brave hero but more like some dark villain.

“Okay, thank you, I´m counting on you guys”, he said smiling and put back his phone.

Only a few seconds later a man in a blue suit with the inscription ‘security chief’ came and grabbed the man hard. The gun in the holster at his belt seemed to say the rest, the thief gave up resisting and just laid flat on the floor mumbling angrily to himself.

“Then we´re leaving him to you, Mr Security Chief”, Jack said while putting his arm around Caro´s back, “Have a nice day and greet the police men for us.”

Then he just pulled the confused Caro with himself and left the station.

“Hey, we have to wait for the police since we are directly involved”, Caro said still slightly perplexed, “And take your arm off me!”

“I don´t feel like answering the questions of the police”, he replied not really enthusiastically, “In my opinion that would take far too long. Weren´t you heading to your friend Vivien?”

She looked at him surprised.

“See? And the police will come to you with their questions soon enough. I know that well since I´m helping out at the police station sometimes, even if it´s only at the office. If the thief confesses it will go fast but if he keeps silent it can take several days. However I think it will go fast with all the surveillance cameras there.”

“Good to hear”, Caro mumbled resignedly, “When do you plan to let go of me?”

“You´re indebted to me”, he grinned without answering the question, “So for repaying that debt you will go out with me next Saturday.” With having said that he took his arm off and jogged across the street.

“What?!” She looked behind him dumbfounded. “Who the hell would go out with you?! Hey! Listen to me you idiot!”