The Traveler's Stone

Echos of The Past

The scorching summer sun beat down on the park, heatwaves distorting the air. I was ten years old, and my older brother Nathan was twelve. We were playing near the swings, our laughter echoing through the empty playground. Suddenly, the mood shifted as three older, much bigger kids approached us. They had a notorious reputation, and I saw Nathan's face pale as he recognized them.

"Hey, loser, what are you doing here?" the biggest one sneered, shoving Nathan hard enough to make him stumble.

I stepped between them and my brother, my heart pounding but my resolve firm. "Leave him alone," I said, my voice steady despite my fear.

"Look at this, the little brother's trying to be a hero," another mocked, smirking. "What are you gonna do about it, shrimp?"

Without waiting for an answer, the biggest bully swung a punch at Nathan. Instantly, I moved. My hand shot out, catching the bully's wrist mid-swing. The bully's eyes widened in surprise as my grip tightened like iron.

"Back off," I growled, my voice low and threatening.

The bully's friends moved in, but I was faster. I twisted the bully's arm, forcing him to his knees with a cry of pain. The second bully lunged at me, but I sidestepped and tripped him, sending him sprawling to the ground. The third bully tried to grab me from behind, but I dropped low, sweeping his legs out from under him with a swift kick.

"Stop it!" Nathan shouted, his voice shaky. I could see the disbelief in his eyes as I fought.

I had no formal training, but it was as if something primal and instinctive had taken over. Every move felt natural, every counter precise. The first bully got back up, face red with anger, and charged at me. I ducked under his swing, coming up inside his guard and delivering a solid punch to his stomach. He doubled over, gasping for breath.

The second one had managed to get to his feet and came at me again, but I was ready. I stepped aside, grabbed his arm, and used his momentum to flip him over onto his back. He landed with a thud, groaning.

The third bully, seeing his friends incapacitated, hesitated. "You want some more?" I asked, my voice cold and confident.

He shook his head, eyes wide with fear, and took off running. The other two scrambled to their feet and followed, leaving Nathan and me alone.

Nathan looked at me, a mixture of awe and confusion on his face. "Barrett, how did you do that?"

I shrugged, the adrenaline starting to wear off, leaving me feeling shaky and a bit lightheaded. "I don't know. I just...did."

From that day on, things were different. Nathan looked at me with a newfound respect, and word of what had happened spread quickly. I had always been protective of my brother, but this was different. This was something deeper, a natural ability to defend and protect, an instinct that seemed almost otherworldly.

As we walked home together, Nathan kept stealing glances at me, trying to understand what had just happened. I felt a strange sense of clarity, a realization that I had a strength within me I hadn't fully understood until now.

That hot summer day became a turning point, a moment that defined my path. The instinct to protect, to stand up against impossible odds, was a part of me. And though I didn't yet know it, this strength would be called upon again in ways I could never have imagined.