“Shh, keep it down. I heard he’s been bitter ever since he got hurt.”
I forced myself to stand, ignoring the strange looks around me and slowly walked out of the venue.
I hurried to the hospital and the doctor examined my ankle with a frown. “The glass is stuck in your skin! Your ankle is already weak, so you need to be more careful!”
Just then, my phone vibrated. I picked up the phone and heard my mother was crying so hard she could barely speak.
“Nolan! Your father’s been kidnapped! Hurry… Please, save him!”
I ran out of the clinic and saw Bennett standing there. He looked at me with a cold smile. “Well, if it isn’t our lame Mr. Hollis"
“You were so proud at the banquet earlier, weren’t you? Didn't you push me down? Where’s that confidence now?”
I didn’t want to waste time arguing. My voice was cold. “Where’s my father?”
Bennett laughed like he’d just heard something funny. “Oh, you mean that old deaf man?”
“I threw a rock at him and he still laughed at me! What? Your dad’s deaf, you’re lame, guess missing something runs in the family!”
I ignored his insults and pulled out my phone, calling Talia again and again. Ninety-nine calls, no answer. On the last try, the call finally went through.
My voice was cold. “Talia, I’m giving you one last chance. Where is my father? Tell me!”
She stopped for a moment, sounding annoyed. “How should I know? This is all your fault for making me angry. Don’t use your dad as an excuse! Calm down first, then come talk to me!”
The next moment, the call suddenly ended.
I looked at Bennett’s proud face and a strong feeling of helplessness came over me.
My father was my biggest weakness. He had been deaf since he was a child and raised me by working at a construction site.
Since he couldn’t hear, his coworkers would throw small stones at him to let him know it was time to eat.
Bennett slowly lit a cigar. “Nolan, want to know where your father is? Fine! Get on your knees and bow three times!”
My hand shook as I gripped my cane tightly. After a long moment, I clenched my teeth, leaned on the cane and slowly knelt down.
Bennett looked at me and laughed loudly. He clapped his hands, then took out his phone. “What a great moment! I have to record it!”
I gritted my teeth. “Where’s my dad?”
He put his phone away and gave me a mean smile. “Since you already knelt, I’ll be kind and tell you.”
"Here's a hint: Southville River."