Two Of A Kind

A Revenge Tale

Amy was persistent. "So, Richard," she said, "You think you can hide it from me?"

Richard's face turned bright red. "I'm just tired," he repeated, trying to change the subject.

Amy rolled her eyes. She knew that Richard was lying. Richard sighed. He knew he couldn't keep his secret much longer. But before he could say anything, Uncle George butted in.

"So, a neutron walks into a bar and asks, 'How much for a drink?' The bartender replies, 'For you, no charge.'"

Everyone groaned, except for Grandma Helen, who laughed heartily at Uncle George's joke.

Later that morning, Sarah's parents, David and Lisa, arrived with Sarah. They were planning a shopping trip to the city, and they invited the Halls to join them. "It'll be a fun day out," David said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Uncle George, ever the comedian, insisted on joining them. "I'm the perfect shopping companion," he declared. "I'll be able to bargain with the best of them."

David and Lisa exchanged a weary look. They knew that Uncle George's idea of "bargaining" was more like haggling, and they were dreading the inevitable chaos.

David made excuses to avoid taking him. "We need someone to look after the kids."

"Isn't Sarah going with you?", he asked back.

David persisted, "It's only her. The other kids are going to be here. I heard Amy talk about her homework to do today." David turned to look at Amy. "Yeah, I have some work to do.", she declared.

Uncle George decided to take care of the kids and Grandma Helen. The group left for the mall, leaving Richard, Amy, Emily and Grandma Helen at Uncle George's charge. "Your aunt missed a moment to stay with her husband.", he started. "Mildred should have stayed. At least for my joke."

Uncle George started cracking jokes. "Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!" he chuckled. The kids forced a smile, but they were more interested in doing their works. 

Richard did want to stick at home. He met up with Ethan at their usual spot, a small park near their neighbourhood. As they talked, Richard couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He glanced around, but he couldn't see anything unusual.

Suddenly, a group of guys emerged from the shadows. It was Jake and his gang. Jake had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to get revenge on Richard, and now he had it.

"Well, well, well," Jake sneered. "Look who it is."

Richard's heart pounded. He knew that Jake was trouble, but he wasn't afraid. He faced Jake with a determined look.

"What do you want, Jake?" he asked, his voice steady.

Jake smirked. "I want to teach you a lesson, that's all."

Before Richard could react, Jake's gang attacked. They punched and kicked, overwhelming Richard. Ethan tried to intervene, but he was outnumbered.

As the fight raged on, Richard felt a surge of adrenaline. He fought back, defending himself with all his might. He managed to land a few punches, but he was no match for the sheer number of attackers. Richard found an opportunity to evade the attackers.A wild chase ensued, with Richard dodging and weaving through the streets, narrowly escaping capture.

At one point, Richard tripped over a loose brick and fell to the ground, pain shooting up his knee. He could hear Jake's laughter getting closer, victory within his reach. In that moment of desperation, a voice echoed in Richard's mind - the voice of his wise old neighbor, Mrs. Johnson.

"Sometimes, Richard, the best way to win a battle is to outsmart your opponent," she had once told him during one of their many conversations on her porch swing.

With a newfound determination, Richard quickly scanned his surroundings, his eyes landing on a discarded rope lying nearby. The next moment, using all his strength and agility, he grabbed the rope and swung it around a nearby tree branch, creating a makeshift tripwire.

As Jake and his gang approached, their faces twisted in triumphant sneers, Richard pulled the rope taut. And with a swift movement, he yanked it, sending Jake and his gang tumbling to the ground in a heap of surprise and confusion.

Gasping for breath and heart racing, Richard stood victorious, his face covered in dirt and a smile of satisfaction playing on his lips. Jake and his gang, now humiliated and defeated, glanced up at Richard in disbelief. However, they were on their feet soon. One of those guys grabbed Richard's arms, preventing him from moving.