GODLY INTERVENTION :JOE STEPS IN

 GODLY INTERVENTION: JOE STEPS IN

 

As Dre is again cornered by Cheng and his gang on the high school campus, the air hangs in the balance as tension is palpable. Dre, exhausted from previous encounters, tries to defend himself but is hopelessly outnumbered and no match to the evil ways of the murderous gang. Cheng’s swift and precise Kung Fu moves target Dre’s head, legs, buttocks, eyes and stomach, leaving him distraught. Cheng offers a sinister smile as he circles Dre, delivering a hard kung fu kick on Dre’s temples, sending Dre scrambling.

 

Cheng closes in, this time targeting his arse as he lands another precise kung fu strike. Now he targets Dre’s eyes, trying to blind him, when Joe, a senior and a sort of father figure who always stayed in the background, observing the going on with a keen eye, bursts onto the scene. His sudden appearance catches everyone by surprise. Joe, an ex-marine navy seal, is tall and athletic, known for his combat skills, prowess in swinging the baseball bat, and quiet, confident ways.

 

“Hey, back off!” Joe thunders, his voice strong and unwavering.

 

Cheng pauses mid-strike, momentarily surprised by the intervention. He faces Joe with a look of contempt. The gang members shift uncomfortably, not knowing what to do at the sudden intervention.

 

“What do you want, Joe? It’s not your fight. It doesn’t concern you. Please don’t lecture us on how to handle our affairs. We don’t need any preaching and moral lessons from you. Why don’t you disappear before we take you out, too.” Cheng sneers as he says these words, his tone dripping with contempt and hate.

 

Joe steps closer, his posture confident and unyielding, “I’ll tell you what. Just leave the boy alone, and I’ll forget what you told me. I very well know how to engage the dragon. Otherwise, I’ll make you all regret the day you were born. Your bullying ways stop today, right here, right now. Leave Dre alone. Do you get it? Or do you want me to spell it out for you?” 

 

The gang members close in and circle Joe, trying to intimidate him. But Joe stands his ground, picks up a baseball bat, and swings it menacingly at the gang. His towering presence, courage, and bravery create a moment of doubt and confusion for Cheng and his followers. They knew the consequences of meddling with Joe and were taken aback by his challenge.

 

Dre, lying on the ground bleeding from his head wound and nursing a sore arse, looks up at Joe with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. He struggles to his feet, wiping away the blood trickling down to his face and lips. “Joe, you don’t have to do this, you know,” Dre says, his voice shaky but grateful.

 

Joe glances at Dre and back at Cheng, “Yes, I do. This is my matter now, and I’ll resolve it, even if it is the last thing I ever do. This bullying ends now!”

 

Cheng shudders involuntarily as he sizes up Joe, contemplating his next move. But, before he can take his next step, Mr. Han, the maintenance man, appears. His presence somehow immediately sombers Cheng and his gang's mood.

 

“That’s enough!” Mr. Han says firmly. Mr. Han was familiar with all the dark, sinister, evil and underhand tactics of Cheng and his gang, as he was from the same province as these low lives.

 

Cheng and his gang step back, recognising the threat in Mr. Han’s voice. They knew his reputation and had seen him in action. Cheng’s confidence falters as he glances at the formidable Joe and then back at Mr. Han.

 

Mr. Han walks over to Dre, gently placing his hands on his shoulders, “Let’s go, Dre. Let’s walk away.” He turns to Joe and says, “I’ll take care that this type of incident does not ever occur again.”

 

Joe agrees, “Yeah, you better make sure that Dre is left alone, Mr. Han or I’ll be forced to act. You know me, Mr. Han, I’m not the one who dishes out empty threats. These scums will be history. I swear I’ll personally deal with each of them.” He turns to Cheng and says, “This isn’t over. You decide how you want this to end. I have got my eyes on you and your gang. You decide. It’s up to you.”

 

Cheng's bravado and adrenaline have significantly diminished, and he signals his gang to disperse. They leave, seeing their leader’s authority challenged and shaken, not knowing what to do.

 

As Dre, Mr. Han, and Joe walk away, they have a newfound camaraderie and bonhomie from their shared moment of standing up to bullies. Dre knows that with allies and protectors like Joe and Mr. Han's assurance, he won’t be alone in facing his challenges anymore.