checkmate

Leo had always been a bit of a loner, preferring the company of books and video games to the complexities of human interaction. But when Jackson finally agreed to let him make some new friends, Leo reluctantly gave it a shot. Jackson just made sure that Leo was careful with people and like a kid... he told him not to get into a stranger's car, regardless of what they offered.

So, Leo set out on a walk through the familiar streets of his small town, hoping to stumble upon someone he could connect with.

However, what he found instead was far from what he expected.

As he walked, the sound of gunshots suddenly pierced the air, sending a chill down his spine. Without thinking, Leo ran towards the source of the noise, heart pounding in his chest. It was a moment of an adrenaline rush that wasn't going to last very long. He had a problem with heading into things head first. It was the first thing his boyfriend warned him about but he didn't listen, he rarely does.

When he arrived on the scene, he saw two familiar faces and a stranger, all standing over a body that lay in a pool of blood.

Malcolm, one of the familiar faces, was holding a gun, and another weapon lay on the ground. The three looked over at Leo who had caught everyone's attention. Malcolm continues to point the gun at the hooded stranger but he still peeked a glance at Leo to see who had shown up. The stranger was also pointing a gun back at Malcolm. The tension was quite nerve-wracking.

He was relieved to know that it was someone familiar and not a stranger or a cop... or maybe more thugs with more unlicensed weapons. Leo maintained still until the armed stranger moved his gun in Leo's direction.

The boy was panicking internally but there wasn't much he could do.

Theo kicked him the gun that was on the floor. It was loaded and ready to go. Leo immediately moves to grab it as a shot was fired but it completely missed him. Without a second thought, he pulled the trigger hoping for the best. He shot the stranger near the heart area. The man dropped the gun and stumbled backward. The stranger stumbled backward, clutching at his chest, and fell to the ground.

Leo's heart was pounding in his chest as he stared at the man he had just shot. He couldn't believe what had just happened.

Malcolm and Theo were shouting something, but Leo couldn't make out what they were saying. Everything was happening so fast. Suddenly, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air, and Leo realized that they needed to get out of there before the police arrived. "We have to go," Theo said to Malcolm and Leo as he was still holding the gun in his hand. "Now."
Malcolm and Theo quickly fled the scene, their footsteps echoing through the deserted streets as they ran but Leo stayed back, not because he was paralyzed in fear but because curiosity took over.

Leo's mind was racing, trying to process what had just happened. He had never fired a gun before, and the fact that he had just shot someone was almost too much to bear. He knew that things would never be the same again but he wasn't willing to tell his boyfriend that. The man on the floor was mumbling something almost inaudible. Leo cautiously stepped closer knowing that it was a very bad idea but he wasn't thinking at the moment. "Who are you?" He questions. He wasn't expecting an answer but he decided to ask anyway.

The stranger's hooded eyes peeked from under his hood. He had a mask covering half his face. Malcolm and Theo realized halfway home that they had left Leo alone. The patrol cars had still not arrived but soon the two boys did, the ones who ran off without him. "Leo?" Theodore asked from behind. The strange man reached for the gun with one hand on the bullet wound, Leo stepped his foot over his hand harshly as the man cursed in pain. "Leo" Theo repeats but Leo didn't pay attention to him. He pressed pressure on the man's hand.