I've Arrived

What can i do anyway?

   Egon and Vin in School

    Homeroom and Math have ended. Math was excruciating, as always.

Egon sits down for English, gently placing his backpack next to his seat. 

                    So far, Vin has been well mannered.  No movement, no sound.  Egon is a little concerned.
Is he alive in there? I'll visit the restroom after class and check on him. 

   Vin is bored senseless. 
The droning voice of the adults, on and on..  The scratching of pencils on parchment. An occasional cough or sneeze.   All he can see through the peephole is a floor, furniture legs and human feet in shoes.

That damned alarm sound that makes everyone stand up and move to a different room for even more torture.
Why didn't Egon warn me about that blaring sound?  I nearly soiled myself and his bag when it went off.  My ears are still ringing, making the same dreadful sound.

Why does anyone need to know about this shake-spear character? Or numbers?  It's utterly useless.  What everyone needs to know is which taverns serve the best Ale.  And where the most supple bossomed ladies frequent.   This drivel is making my head hurt.  Egon, this better be nearing the end.  Or you'll find nothing but my lifeless body soon.  Death by endless trivial shit.

   The noise shrieks in his ears once again. Vin fights back groaning out loud.  He is beginning to regret coming along.  This wasn't turning out to be a fun day with Egon like he had anticipated. 

After a quick restroom break, scents of food permeated within the bag.  Egon has moved to a different location.  There is much more talking. The sounds echoed, indicating a larger room.  Everyone seems engrossed in conversations all around them.  Everyone, but Egon. Vin peeps out and doesn't see any other feet around where Egon is sitting.

Judging by smell and Egon's noisy chewing,  Vin deduces he is scarfing down some cereal bars.  

Egon opens his backpack an inch, letting in some blinding light.  He drops in a cereal bar out of its wrapper, then closes the bag back up. 
  
                      Vin is able to maneuver the bar into his mouth without much movement on his part.
He thought of me.  I think he's falling for me.

   The day proceeds with more of the previous torture.  Admittedly, he winds up dozing a couple times.  After the next shrill ring, everyone starts stampeding outside, including Egon.  Vin ventures a peep out the hole and spots Egon's bike up ahead. 

   "Hey Shithead!" A gruff sounding male yells out nearby.

  Egon turns around "Yeah?"

                   Did Egon reply to the name shithead?  Does it have a meaning of endearment in this World?

Egon turns back to his bike and fumbles with the lock in a panic.
I can escape this.
Of course the fates won't grant him that. Luke and his goons are upon him before he is able to free his bike. His heart starts to hammer in his chest.

While the backpack hung from the handlebars, Vin can see a tall blonde boy with a smug look on his face. Six other boys were glaring, standing next to or behind the blonde.

"Know your place Shitface, you don't run from me."
The blonde gives Egon a shove. Egon stumbles back a step, yet keeps his balance to remain standing. He stays silent, head lowered to the ground.

Vin is shocked at this display. That bitch used force on my boy.
Come on Egon where's that mouth of yours? You get angry over less than this. Blow up at him! Punch him in the throat! Why are you so quiet?

"Your family must be so poor, Shitstain.  What? You only have two shirts and one pair of pants for years now. They're full of holes and as stained as you. Your shoes are falling apart. What? Mommy and Daddy can't even afford a shirt? Or do they not care about you? Like everyone in school."
The six goons guffaw and jeer, while Luke stares Egon down, smirking in glee.
"Don't I get an answer Eeegooon?!"

Silence ensues. Vin finds himself distraught and torn.
Do I do anything? Can I do anything? What can I do? I could make matters worse. Egon told me what could happen to me and to him if I don't abide by the conditions. It's best I stay where I am, as I am. Yes. But, this isn't Egon. I don't understand.

"Just as I thought Shit-fer-brains. You do know better than to speak to me. I'm feeling generous today, I think I'll give you something.."
In one swift motion Luke punches Egon directly in the stomach. Egon clutches his abdomen and crumples to the ground.

                    "Ta ta." Luke singsongs as he walks off. His posse sounding like a pack of hyenas as they followed.

Vin is astonished while holding back tears.
Why would anyone say those things. This doesn't make sense.
He brings his attention back to Egon.
The boy is shaking, trying to take gulps of air. His breathing sounding choked. Vin is too anxious to adhere to the instructions any longer. Most of the crowd has dispersed anyway.
He whispers "Egon? Egon!? Are you ok?"
Even though it's obvious the boy isn't.

Egon turns his head toward Vin slightly. Through gritted teeth he manages to gasp, "Wait."
He lets go of his stomach with one hand to retrieve his inhaler. He takes two puffs straight away. Dropping his hand with the inhaler to the ground, he braces himself.   trying to keep himself steady.

Jolts of pain from his stomach are radiating though his whole body.
Inhale.  Exhale.  Steady.  Inhale. Exhale.
I'll be fine,  I've overcome worse. Keep going.

Standing up, he tries to keep his legs from wobbling.  He pockets the inhaler then tugs open the bike lock. Wincing as he mounts his bike.

His head swims as he embarks away from the school.  Wishing the whole building and all connected to it, would disappear.