Chapter 10
Robert and Yoshi finished their lunch in peace. They chewed on their sandwiches and washed down their food with a cool refreshing box of apple juice. As they sat under the shade tree of the newly reclaimed playground, they decided that everything is simply better today. All there fear, all their guilt, it all vanished along with their lunch.
For the first time since they started school, classmates were talking to them. Carrying on conversations about nothing in particular and laughing at all the lame jokes they could come up with. It seemed like a distant memory. All the horrible things that took place has already started to thin into nothingness. Like a thick fog over the swamps of Louisiana, it disappeared and left them wondering if it ever really happened in the first place.
Everything seemed to be going so smoothly, that they almost didn’t hear the bell ring. The group of children scattered into the halls, cramming themselves through the doorway. A sea of bodies washed themselves closer and closer to their next classes.
Robert and Yoshi strode down the purple corridor forgetting what it was like to be afraid. They passed the lockers and made a right turn at the school library. They followed the long ramp down into the lower section of the building.
Yoshi and Robert laughed and chatted happily on the way to Gym class, not noticing how slowly they were walking. After a moment or two they noticed they were the only ones left in the building. Almost the only ones, in the pinhole of sunshine nearing the exit, stood a large shadow. One lone person was waiting for them.
Robert and Yoshi froze. They have seen that shadow enough to know exactly who was waiting for them…Brad.
“Do you think he’s going to beat us up now, or do you think he will drag us to the playground first?” asked Yoshi
“I think he will do it now, look around, there is no one to stop him.”
Robert swallowed the lump of fear and continued to slowly walk towards the massive boy.
“Should we run?”
“No. he is faster than us.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Nothing, keep walking”
Yoshi started to shake. He thought of the pounding that was about to happen, sending his brain into overdrive. He replayed every mean thing that they did to him, every word that was spoken. He watched himself kick Brad, call him a worm.
“This is going to be the worst one yet.”
“Yep” replied Robert
Brad started to walk towards them, one foot in front of the other, cutting off any escape route that they may have. The gap between them started to close in, leaving only moments before the abuse would start up again.
“I’m sorry I got you into this mess.” Whispered Yoshi
“I was there too. I deserve it as much as you do” whispered Robert
The shoes echoed in the hall way, keeping a bizarre beat going.
Now able to exchange facial expressions, Robert let out a confused sigh. Yoshi stopped cringing and opened his eyes.
“Why hasn’t he hit us yet?” mouthed Yoshi
“I don’t know.”
It looked incredibly odd coming from Brad, the smile that is. It started from his jawline and spread close to his ears. Yoshi and Robert smiled uneasily.
“He’s trying to trick us.”
“No, I think it’s real”
Yoshi looked at Brad’s smile and thought long and hard
“It’s kinda creepy” he whispered
Both of them giggled uncontrollably before bringing it back to silence. For what seemed like an eternity, they stood face to face with their old enemy. Silence, painful silence was the new torture that Brad was putting them through.
He took a step forward, directly standing toe to toe with Robert, he spoke softly.
“Hey guys.”
“Erm…hi”
“Hi Brad”
“I need two more people for dodge-ball today, do you want to play?”
Yoshi and Robert let out a sigh of relief and gave Brad a genuine smile this time.
“It might be nice to be on the other side of the ball for once.”
*~*~*
CowBob and Yo-Yo sat along the porch, rocking in the old wooden chair. It creaked as it glided back and forth. The shade cast from the over-hang was a welcome relief from the scorching heat.
Yo-Yo sipped the fizz from the mug and sat in silence for quite a while. The many townsfolk could be heard celebrating in the old trading post. Cowbob simply rocked back and forth, neither enjoying the day nor shunning it. Yo-Yo started to pace back and forth, making the wooden slats creak as he did so.
“What’s on your mind?”
CowBob stood, dragging the new gifts he received out from behind his back. Twin six shooters were painstakingly etched in the black leather holsters. Latched inside were two guns, both custom made for quicker reloads. He pulls them out, slowly letting the light trace the grooves on the handles. Yo-Yo’s eyes widened as he saw the detail embedded on them. On one, the word justice was scrolled upon it, a symbol of the many thankful people he had saved.
CowBob lifted the other higher in the air for Yo-Yo to see. This one was special, an invite into a whole different world. The word Fury was carved, a reminder of the fierce bravery a hero must always have in the pursuit of justice.
“I don’t reckon they know I’m a bounty hunter” CowBob said with concern in his voice
Yo-Yo just stared at him, taking in the moment, absorbing every sentence and restructuring it in his mind.
“For such a smart feller you are awful dumb sometimes you know that?”
CowBob gave him a spiteful glare.
“Now hold on just a cotton pickin minute, I…”
Yo-Yo raises his hand up and silences the man
“I’m not done.”
“A person is defined by their actions CowBob; they can be whoever they wish to be. I reckon you are no longer a bounter hunter.”
Yo-Yo tosses the glossy chrome badge, landing it in his lap. Cowbob stares at it for a moment.
“What is this?”
“You didn’t think you were the only one with gifts did you?”
He spun the new Yo-Yo out of its hiding spot, stealing back the badge and placing it in his pocket. He slowly pinned the deputy star on the lapel of his shirt and gave it a little flick.
“I done made my decision. There ain’t nothing left for me out in the wild. I’m staying here.”
Cowbob thought long and hard.
“It seems we have hit a cross-road partner”
Yo-Yo felt sadness wash over him.
“Does this mean you will be blowing on out of here?”
“It means I’m gonna have to make a decision”
A rogue rubber band was bounced off the wood, and flung itself upwards, knocking off CowBob’s hat. Three more came, missing their mark by mere inches.
CowBob dove off the porch and rolled in the sand. He dug his boots deep, leaving little trenches from the pressure.
The shadows of several gum chewin’ gun totin’ outlaws were cast in the backsplash of the afternoon sun.
In an instant, Cowbob whipped out Fury and Justice. The light sent an ominous glare from the tips of the pistols, letting all who caught glimpse; know they were in for a fight.
CowBob gritted his teeth and placed a bead on the large shadowy figure.
“I reckon that decision was just made for me.”
YOU ARE READING
Cowbob and the Teeter-Totter Gang
ActionWhen his Pa accepts a job in New York City, Robert is ripped from the only world he has ever known. With his farmhouse vanishing in the distance of the rear-view mirror, he is forced to cope with life’s problems in the usual way. He closes his eyes...
