Revenge by Mark A. Cooper

the best sport you can do,” Jason enthused.
    It was an hour’s drive to Port Malaga. The ancient Spanish town sat in the center of Costa del Sol. Soft sea breezes from the Mediterranean coastline regulated the summer heat, making the harbor a favorite tourist destination for northern Europeans. The ancient streets were overcrowded with modern, oversized hotels, restaurants, and bars. Gift shops selling tacky tourists trinkets of Spanish bullfights, donkeys, and beach towels littered the streets. The ice cream shops had customers spilling onto the payments and out into the busy street. The entire town was relaxed with a party atmosphere.
    Jean found a place to park, and they walked along the shops and bars like any other family on vacation. Most of the British and German tourists were sunburned and smelling of coconut oil and mosquito repellent. Jason was relaxed. He enjoyed the company of the others. Jean treated him and Joanne as part of the family, and he was enjoying the motherly attention. Martin was four years older but immature for his age. He made Jason laugh and forget his troubles. Joanne didn’t speak much, and when he caught her looking at him, she immediately looked away.
    Night was coming, proclaimed by a blinding orange sun piercing an immense, fluffy wall of clouds to the west. Soon darkness would spread across the sky—but not here. Here the blazing neon lights would garnish the harbor and tiny streets.
    â€œThis is it. The Red Bull, they cook proper English food and have a disco, so you kids can dance after,” Jean explained, tugging Joanne behind her. Jason allowed Martin to follow next. He was about to follow them in when he noticed a man across the street watching them. As soon as Jason glanced his way, the man pretended to be looking at a rack of postcards.
    What is he doing on his own? Why is he watching us?
    Jason was now concerned. He couldn’t be sure, but he could have sworn the guy was the same man he had seen on the airplane.

Chapter 16
    Come on, Jason. We are waiting for you,” Joanne murmured, grabbing Jason’s hand and pulling him inside. She led him to the table where Jean and Martin were smiling broadly at them. Jason then realized Joanne was still holding his hand. He immediately let go and started to blush. He was worried about the man by the postcards, but he told himself that it was just his imagination. What he didn’t see was the man on the Vespa scooter taking picture after picture of the happy group.
    â€œLooks like you’ve already found yourself a girl, Jason,” Martin said and grinned, knocking Jason with his elbow.
    Joanne beamed. Her large dark eyes sparkled.
    â€œI’ll have whatever Jason is having,” Joanne said as she moved her chair closer to his.
    Distracted and still a little rattled, Jason retorted angrily. “Order your own stuff and don’t hold my hand again. I already have a girlfriend,” he barked above the noise of the music.
    When the waitress brought them their food, she asked if Joanne was all right. She noticed her face was red and tears were running down her cheeks. Jason felt guilty and was quiet until they got back to the villa.
    Everyone quietly drifted off to different parts of the villa and went to bed. Jason was just about to turn over when Martin pounced on his bed, pinned him down, and glared into Jason’s face, his nose touching Jason’s.
    â€œYou upset that Joanne again, and I’ll give you a black eye, karate or no karate. You got that?” Martin hissed at Jason, spitting into his face at the same time. Jason thought about throwing him off and hitting him, but Martin was just trying to be protective. It was a noble thing to do.
    â€œOkay. I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to her in the morning. Get off me.”
    â€œGood,” Martin said, pushing himself up off of Jason. “Next time, you won’t get a warning.”
    Jason turned over. He wished it was