World War II ended more than eight decades ago, yet the countries of the world still haven't found the peace everyone hoped for. School bell rings. The teacher says, "That's all for today." As everyone leaves for home, I start packing my things.
Out of nowhere, "The Bull" shows up — Chad, the school bully. He isn't called the bull because he eats like one. He's called that because he's ruthless on the football field. He'll do anything to win.
He comes up close and asks, "Where do you think you're going?" Before I can answer he cuts me off. "It doesn't matter. You're coming to practice with me. Say no and I'll beat the crap out of you."
I had no choice. I wasn't strong enough to stand up to him. The practice — if you can call it that — was him beating the life out of me. When he finally let me go it was evening.
I went home, changed my clothes, and got ready for my part-time job. I lived alone. Rent and bills don't pay themselves. Even though I was a little late, my boss didn't complain. He looked at me calmly and said, "Thank God you're alright. Get to the shop."
My boss was a forty-nine-year-old man named Bob. He'd run the business for ten years and lived with his wife, Amanda. They treated me like family, even when I was late. Bob told me he was heading home and asked me to close the shop at the usual time.
I worked five hours. Only one or two customers came in. When the clock hit midnight it was closing time. As I was about to lock up, a woman rushed in wanting to buy something. I thought about telling her we were closed — but I didn't. I helped her, she paid extra, and said, "Thank you." After that I closed the shop and headed home.
On my walk home I kept thinking about a way to teach Chad a lesson. I was lost in thought when I heard a sound from an alley nearby. It was the middle of the night. I looked around — there was no one in sight — but curiosity got the better of me.
I walked closer to the alley entrance and saw blood on the ground. My heart raced. I was terrified. Maybe it was a hurt animal, I told myself. I stepped forward to check.