Secrets in the Snow

Chapter 5

"You're never gonna catch me!" Squealed a young curly haired lad as he zipped through the streets of Etruborg.

"That's just what you think!" His friend called back as he ran hard, staying right on his tail.

The boys were young, age twelve, and their lives were full of mischief and fun. After a hard day of breaking into merchant wagons and stealing various food items, the boys were now involved in an intense game of tag. The boy with the brown curly hair and the cheeky grin ran as fast as he could, nearly toppling over a few elderly women as they maneuvered down the sidewalks with detest in their eyes. The taller, blonde haired boy eyed his target like a wolf eyes its prey. Shaemus never minded being "it". To him, it was more fun doing the chasing than to be chased. The blue eyed boy's heart pounded in rhythm with his flying feet as he dodged carts and bodies alike trying to keep up with his friend. Gryffell was a quick lad, but the wolf was gaining. In a few short strides he would feel the hand of his friend grab his shoulder and utter the most awful words of "Tag, you're it."

Thinking fast, the fleeing lad made a sharp right turn down one of the many alleyways the kingdom had to offer. Shaemus had to skid to a sudden halt, nearly passing the shaded alleyway because he was running so fast. He quickly made his way into the dirt paved outlet, hoping Gryffell hadn't managed to go too far. When his eyes adjusted to the darker lighting, he noticed his friend just standing there facing two young brutes. The one in the center was big and tall and had hair the color of a strawberry. Freckles covered his callous face as his beady yellow eyes stared coldly at Gryffell. Standing to the side of the strawberry brute was a smaller boy, but he looked just as cross. His dirty black hair hung down in his face, nearly covering his mud colored eyes. Shaemus felt himself tense up as he stared down the enclosing threats. They only looked to be a few years older than himself, but they reeked like vile creatures.

"Well look what we have here. A couple of mongrels, no doubt. What do you think, Lizard?" The red haired boy sneered, spraying it more than saying it.

"You said it, Copperhead. These two look like a couple of mangy shit heads from outside the kingdom," The boy called Lizard spat as he eyed the younger boys, sizing them up.

"Hey you, dip shit," Copperhead teased as he gave Gryffell a light shove, "What the fuck are you and your albino lookin' friend doing in our alley?"

"He's not albino! His eyes aren't even red!" Gryffell shot back with a hostile stare.

"Feelin' brave, are we? You're pathetic," Copperhead growled as he grabbed Gryffell and punched him in the stomach.

Shaemus felt a fire ignite inside him as he watched his friend fall to the ground in pain. He flashed his icy stare at the black haired boy who was advancing on him. If the boy wanted to be called lizard, then he would be treated as nothing more. Shaemus brought his knee up with the force of a thousand men as it collided with the boy's crotch. Lizard cried out in pain as he doubled over, coughing and gagging. Copperhead raised his red brow as he watched his henchman be defeated by a twelve year old. It did not sit well with the brute.

"I'm gonna kill you! You fucking piece of shit!" Copperhead yelled as he launched himself at Shaemus.

The older boy grabbed Shaemus and put him in a headlock. Shaemus snarled and spat as he struggled to get out of the redhead's grasp. He bucked and tugged and beat on Copperhead's arm, hoping it would release his neck, but it was to no avail. A sharp pain rose in his side as the brute's fist struck his body. Copperhead cackled with delight as he inflicted pain on his victim. Shaemus had seen many snakes before slithering out in the woods. This boy may not have had scales or a slick belly, but he had all the personality of a venomous serpent. Shaemus flailed his arms wildly, trying to grab hold of anything that would cause pain in the narrow eyed bully. To his luck, the fingers on his right hand found their way to the tramp's head. Shaemus grabbed a big tuft of Copperhead's hair and tugged with all of his might.