The Savior

It all happened on a typical October autumn day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at a high school named Kingston High School.  The day started out like any other school day.  Students trudged into school at their own leisurely pace.  They went to their lockers, made sure they had their proper materials, and then walked to their classes.  Teachers reviewed their instructions for the day's lessons.  While this all happened, a couple of kids were huddled around a table outside of the school far out of sight of any passing students or teachers.  Among them was a bully magnet named Steve Bart.

Steve, a freshman, was the "perfect" bully victim.  His clothing consisted of pants, a green turtleneck long-sleeve shirt, large headphones that stuck out like Mickey Mouse ears, and Harry Potter like glasses.  He didn't seem to have any friends either.  At lunch, he always sat alone in the corner of the lunch room.  

At Kingston High School, teachers were oblivious to Steve's plight.  They were busy with their teaching , overwhelmed with their  class loads, and counting the days until summer.  When a teacher would walk down the hallway, the bullies paused long enough to make sure that the teacher was out of ear shot before beginning again.  Name calling was the least of Steve's problems.  This is where the headphones were helpful.  They blocked the taunts that kids whispered to him.  The physical abuse was another matter.   To the other kids, he was known as Defenseless Steve.  This nickname was given to him because of his lack of retaliation during a fight.

Today wasn't much different for Steve.  The group by the table outside, unsurprisingly, was a group of bullies taking shots at the young freshman boy.  Steve lay on his side and was curled up in a ball.  He laid there rocking back and forth as the group of juniors took turns punching and kicking him.  Butch, the leader of the group of bullies, slowly walked to the bruised and bloodied student.

"Why you never fight back little boy?" taunted Butch.

"Yeah! Why you never fight back little boy?" repeated one of Butch's followers.

No answer.  Steve never retaliated and always took his beatings.  Butch prepared for his next punch.  His arm wound up and hung in the air for several seconds hoping for a dramatic effect.  Steve allowed himself a small peek and instantly wished he never allowed himself to do so.  The fist quickly came down and screamed toward Steve's covered face.  That's when the unbelievable happened.

"Stop!!!" yelled a loud and booming voice.

All five heads turned towards the voice.  Surprise filled Steve's face as he soon realized that finally someone was standing up for him.  His savior was unfamiliar to him.  He stood at about six feet three inches, had olive colored skin, and held a look that could turn even Medusa to stone.  Butch would be as dead as a dodo if a fight was going to break out.

"Well, well, well.  What do we have here?  A senior standing up for a little scrawny freshman?" asked Butch with a sarcastic tone. 

"What? Think beatin' up on freshmen makes you look soooooo cool do ya?" replied the senior.

"You know what, your dead Fred.  Look at reality, it's five on one.  You can't win."

"I am not looking for a fight. Just stop picking on Steve."

"Yeah well you're going to have to fight if you're going to stop us.  Julian, let's go."

Butch and a chubby looking kid named Julian slowly walked towards Fred.  Steve couldn't believe what was happening.  Some one finally stood up for him!  He was astonished.  Pain was ignored as Steve slowly got to his feet.  Everything in his body screamed for him to stop, but he could not let his savior fight on his own.

"I'm gonna beat you like an egg!  I'm gonna smash you like a pumpkin!  I'm going to cream you like corn!" screamed Butch.

Julian just followed along, but said nothing.  It was clear that he did not want to try and fight Fred.  The two bullies too up boxing stances and slowly closed in on the senior.  Fred seemed unfazed by facing two opponents and took up a boxing stance of his own.  Butch attacked first.  He threw a mean looking punch that Fred easily sidestepped.  Fred countered with a right hook that connected with Butch's jaw.  Butch staggered backward.  Steve saw a window of opportunity.  He stuck out his leg, and was able to successfully trip Butch.  With a loud grunt, Butch landed heavily on the ground.  Everyone went silent. 

Julian grabbed his friend by the arm and said," Let's got outta here."

The two left, embarrassed by their quick defeat.  They were soon followed by the rest of the group.  Steve allowed himself a big grin. 

"Hey, if these guys bother you again, my friends and I will be there.  I've got your back," said Fred.

Steve thanked Fred, but Fred shrugged and just told him," No problem."  The two shook hands and walked back to school together.