Fists and Threats

For a moment, all that was around me was a dark mob, devoid of anything resembling life. All that accompanied me was a rustle of win, and still, that felt soothing. All along with my blowing hair, I could realize that I was flying, and though that fact was the only thing that could entertain me, I cherished this moment. Until, a flash of light caught my eye, and I winced.

Closer, and closer, not minding my anxiety and effort to halt, the light enclosed me nonetheless. And, eventually, I could distinguish its shape, a nearing mirror. Only seconds after my head had made contact with it, and everything went dark again.

The first thing to enter my view was an iron fence, and it didn’t stay that way for long, for I was flying towards it at a rapid speed. Promptly, I covered my face with my forearm, reducing the damage inflicted by an adequate amount.

Despite the impact on a different part of my body just now, the sensation I felt was mostly on my cheek, still hurting from the boy’s fist before me. Beside him were four more guys, rendering my escape completely non-existent. Brutishly, my collar was grabbed.

“Say that again, I’m the bully? So, you’re supposed to be the hero, right?”

This scene…

It looked like I got punched so hard that my brain went back to the end of my middle school days. It had been quite a moment since I’d recalled it, whether it was deliberate or not, I was really good at blocking this out. After all, even though I lacked detail, it’s no doubt that this time of my life was not pleasant.

Following the boy before me's response, for better or for worse, I managed to curve my mouth into a smirk.

“I’m not the one beating another kid in the back of the school. So yeah, Mark.”

“Hey, I ain’t the godforsaken guy who dates a slut.”

Instinctively, I could feel my face grimace into the shape of wrath. And my forehead was launched at his face.

As Mark fell back, his minions sprung into action and their fists almost landed on my face. Before the guy on the ground shouted with a slight grunt.

“That’s enough for today, he’ll learn his lesson.”

Even though my situation was now safe, I didn’t have it in me to shut up.

“You really think I’ll stop hanging out with her just because you guys scared me?”

“Stan, I know it’s hard to believe it but we have literal pictures. She goes out at night and flirts with old men. I know you’re smarter than to associate with those types of girls.”

“Oh, am I? Those pictures can be completely taken out of context. You’re not her, how would you know?”

Mark was now standing up and facing me directly, though his eyes averted only after seconds, and his back was now against mine.

“If you’re that charmed by her then sure, I’m tired of arguing. But we’re not just going to leave you alone brainwashed by that bitch.”

“Try me.”

When it was certain that they were out of my sight, I hasten my feet toward the gates. And under a tree just opposite where I am, there she was. Seeing whom I wanted to talk to, I rushed toward her, only to dwindle in speed after taking a better look at the girl.

The cheerful and bright Kiri was nowhere present, leaving the blob of dark shade standing before me. Despite the sun radiating on us, her demeanor was as if blocked out her whole surroundings, and it felt like she was isolated in her own world. Desperately, I seek even a glimmer of that once so exuberant aura. But even her eyes were not in view, being covered by her nightly sable.

“What are you standing there staring at me for?”

Her voice broke me out of my trance. Ensuing it a realization, maybe I was just being a little too dramatic, I thought.

“Oh, uh, nothing. Don’t mind me.”

“Ok then.”, as her feet stepped into motion, I followed her.

This has always been a usual occurrence since the paths to our home were mostly intertwined. However, slight differences could be noticed in the air adjoining us today.

“You know, I’m not going to ignore that swollen bulk on your face.”, said Kiri.

“Well, I’m not hiding it. Actually, I take pride in this wound.”

Albeit my effort in lightening the mood, Kiri gave me a concerned look.

“Stan, you don’t have to protect me… I can handle this myself.”

“You know that’s not the case. They are harassing and spreading rumors about you, it’s verbal, so it’s technically impossible to deal with them. So, you can only endure it, but it doesn’t have to be alone, I’m here with you.”

The words just came out of my mouth on their own, and I was content with them.

From the corners of her lips, it curved up into somewhat of a smile.

“Thank you, Stan. You’re a great friend.”

“No worries. Besides, rumors will die down eventually, right? Even if there are pictures, not like you actually went out with those old men anyway. By the way, what were you doing going out at night anyway?”

She looked to the side.

“I’ve just been a bit bored recently you know, and the city at night really is fun. You know you should go with me sometimes too.”

“I’ll pass, don’t want rumors to be spread about me too.”

“Don’t joke about that right now!”

“Since when was there a limit to jokes for you? Jeez.”

We both laughed at my unwell-timed joke, and it felt like everything was right again. Like it used to be, just us having our own fun, and no one had a say about that. When it used to be more simple.

“But seriously though, everything will be okay. I still remember the promise we made at that summer lake.”

“No shit, that was nearly a month ago.”

“You and your- You know what, fine. Because everything will be fine.”

Yes, it would.

Though surprised at my own optimism, I let go of the doubts and simply cherished this moment. Until, a few cracks abruptly entered my vision, and everything bursts into shards just like a dropped mirror.

“No, I need to know what happened next!”

Despite my desperate cry, the pieces just kept falling. As if they wanted nothing to do with me. As if it was necessary, something was blocking me from getting to them.

“Let the past be the past”

I could hear Kiri’s quote behind me, and it took me no time to turn around. Finding that there was more to such a vague answer, I needed to deny her.

Suddenly, the dirty pig who delivered me to my recollection once more entered my perception. Even though it proved difficult to adapt back to the reality of the present time, the frustration inside held me still, and I knew what to do.

“You pack quite a punch for an insecure asshole.”, I taunted.

“Oh, so you want another then?”

The verbal exchange was quick, and so were our blows. With his speed, I could only cover my face with my forearms, and it certainly left me grinding my teeth and holding back tears. Though, with this strategy, there’s an opening for me here and there. And I utilized it fully with some light jabs, dealing a decent wound to my enemy. However, I felt like I forgot something. Or someone. Yet, before I could act out such a predicament, something hard hit my back.

Once more, I was back at the black hole I had just been in a moment ago, and I knew I had to look back at more of those irksome memories again. It was not before long when I was sent flying again into a shattered reflection.

This time, my face was toward the classroom ceiling. To accompany that, throbbing pain in my back, and a rolled-over desk.

“I told you this won’t stop unless you break up with that slut.”

As I averted my eyes back before me, it was Mark and his four boys as usual. However, a girl was blocking the entrance to the classroom this time. She gave off nothing but disgust from her facial features, it was like I was only an insect in her presence. Notwithstanding, she still spoke to me.

“Don’t be that desperate for just a girl, you’re brainwashed by her. Oh, or is it that you just want to be special? Liking the girl who’s hated by everyone would surely make you think that way. Attention whore.”

The sarcastic tone gave me an irritating tick, yet I managed to give off a smirk.

“Attention whore? Wow, didn’t know we were soulmates, Susan.”

She slid her head to the side and infuriatingly questioned.

“What?”

“Don’t even pretend, the whole reason you’re spreading hateful rumors about Kiri in the first place is because you’re jealous of her. And you’ve always been, don’t look at me like that, you know you are. She’s way too fun and exciting compared to a bland miserable fuck like you.”

Having expressed the truth, I knew I wasn’t going to be unpunished. Mark’s fist was now only inches away from my face, and I was bound to take flight backward again. However, having anticipated his strike, his attack left nothing but a scratch. Then there was nothing left, apart from me giving a taste of his own medicine. As he was sent airborne, I accompanied him with words.

“And that goes for you too Mark, you’re only doing this because she tells you to.”

I had gained an advantage, and so gallantly I approached my enemy lying on the ground, only to be pushed back by two of his boys. I was now sedentary again, and there was nothing I could do apart from witnessing Mark gaining back his standing.

“Stan, if you’re going to bring morals into this, you’re a fucking hypocrite. Kiri is going out with old perverts at night, do you think that’s ok? Are you not going to help her?”

“The pictures are out of cont-.”

“Stop being so ignorant, if that was the case it wouldn’t have happened three fucking times already. We’re living in a civilized time, the likes of her shouldn’t be in it. You’re a good friend, Stan, but Kiri needs to understand that her degenerate actions have consequences.”

“Is this your problem then? Shouldn’t the school or her parents be the ones to decide, why you? Who made you her guardian?”

A loud stomp could be heard from the entrance, and Susan wanted attention towards her again.

“That’s enough. Just beat him already.”

Contradicting my expectations, Mark just stood still on his track. Baffled, I eyed him with suspicion, only to meet his face. He gave off hopelessness as if he had given up.

Why was he like that?

“This is the last straw, Stan. If you won’t break up with her after this then you’re a lost cause. I’m through with helping you realize that.”

What the fuck?

Do you think you’re the hero here? Do you think all of your bullying and harassment is justified? You’ve given up on helping me, huh? That must mean that you’ve really been trying to get me on the right track. Oh yes, spreading rumors, and bringing everyone’s hateful attention to a poor girl must make you such a great person. Surely you’re the one in the right.

No, there’s no point in insulting him, only my fists do.

I tramped my feet, and the room echoed with my wrathful sound. But before I was any closer to the fucker before me, everything shattered into pieces, again. Darkness once more shrouded me, yet, it wasn’t long before another dirty pig’s face was in my sight again.

You.

Stood between us were three other boys lunging at me. I stood tall, then braced myself. The closest one had gotten close enough for him to punch, nevertheless, his arm was still retracting to gain force. Utilizing this opportunity, I gave him a forceful slide smack and he fell behind me.

Not losing momentum, I threw a front kick toward the second’s knee, taking advantage of my long legs. Before he could fall to the ground, I managed to take hold of his shoulders and throw him at my third enemy. He dodged it, regardless, his vision was now averted from my position. I rushed toward him and strike a round kick, resulting in him flying to the side.

That whole sequence most likely engraved some fear into the group’s leader, judging from his shaky stance. There was nothing between us now, and so I lunged toward him with my fist retracted. Despite my dominance, his punch made contact with my face, and I began to fall to my knees. It proved difficult to focus on my Irises, and even more so on my mind.

However, I refused to quit there, and so I regained my posture. Stomping my right foot behind, turning my right heels, and so did my hips, my arm launched like a flash into the disgusting pig’s visage.