Growing up was burden untill I meet him. I saw him in the park where I use to play with Mark.Being bullied was common as being sick with lean body was terrible as it is which also worried my parents a lot.

I Felix have a sweet memory of my childhood due to certain someone

Felix- Mark I feel bored . There is nothing much to play and I feel sluggish too.

Mark - That's because you are being too much pampered by aunty.

\*Neighborhood bully enters\*

Mark- It's fine if you don't feel like playing let's go.

Felix-Huh? Suddenly what happened you were telling i am lazy and what not now you want to go home?

Bully - That's cause he has some brain little beauty

Yup that's right. I was called little beauty because of my golden hair which shine under the sunlight but that doesn't make things any better. I was bullied because of my appearance more then being complimented.

Mark - Time and again we have told you not to call Felix with names.

Bully - Well you aren't any better. You are just 2 peas in a pod. You are more like a frog with the princess. Hahaha

This was daily scenario for us. No amount of talk can go through his thick brain. And that was the day I saw him for the first time. Nope I don't know his name. I saw him climbing the walls from a far. He had black hair with red eyes. Well quite opposite to me . What we had in common was maybe nothing.

Unknown boy- What's going on? Why would you bully this kids everyday?

Bully - Huh? And you are? I have never seen you here and what business does it have with you if i bully him or not.

Unknown boy- Well that's fair since I know none of you either. But it's been quite a time since I saw you bulling both of them

Matter of fact was, being bullied never had me bothered as much untill this kid showed up. The pity in his eyes made me more miserable than getting hit by the bully. It was true mark and I use to be hit time to time we complained about this to his parents. Being chairman his father left the matter to resolve on its own.

Mom was worried about it and her trouble made sense. So she would ask me to stay home. Mark was the only hope which gave me strength to leave my house and yet face the bully. But the unexpected sympathy made me realised how i looked in the eyes of others.

Bully - You wanna wife him up or something?? Ugly duckling. He is the little lady of our park. Even after saying his face makes me sick and getting punched by me. Shamelessly he appears everyday . Don't you think that impacts on my people because of this lanky?

Unknown boy- Well I don't know if he will leave a impact or not. But you sure do with that fat a\*\* face. Don't ya?

This made the bully lose his temper not like it was any better but this made him lose his face infront of those boys who followed him for gaining favours.Resulting in fight between the Bully to keep up his image as the bully boss while the kid to fought to make a secure place for me. I didn't want any but it isn't that bad to have someone stand for you.

Bully - Alright ugly duckling. Let's set the date and time to fight. If I lose I won't bully the princess anymore but if you lose.You will leave this neighborhood forever?

Unknown boy - Alright.This coming Saturday half past 5 . In this playground. Let's do it.

Bully - And what will be the round about?

Unknown boy- That will be decided on that day itself.

~~~~~To be continued ~~~~~~~~~

...Like any other day we were here again on the playground. But things were different this time. We were here to see the changes which could happen in our life because of this kid. Sure enough he had his own share of pain since me and mark have been following him for past few days....

Mark - Felix isn't this where the local people are always mentioning not to move around?

Felix - Yeah, seems so.

Mark - Glad you remember. Then what are we doing here that's exactly I want to know.

Felix - Don't you remember that day when that boy appeared out of nowhere. We saw him appearing behind that bully.

Mark - Yes, so what now? Are we going to be a stalker? Felix are you really going to go behind that boy. He looked as dangerous as he was with that shabby look. Do you really mean to do this?

Felix - Mark I don't mean to stalk him. But i just wanted to know. How he was aware of our situation when he mentioned seeing us being bullied for several days.

Mark - Well do as you wish but let's get this done quickly we have to go back soon. Oh god, do you see how they are treating him with injury on his leg.He is practically limping but they show no mercy to him. Yet he challenged for a battle. What a show off.

...Mark wasn't happy about the situation what I brought him into. But we were together since childhood practically like siblings so other than being displeased he could do nothing other than listening to me. I was well aware about how upset mark is. About all these things, but he followed me nevertheless....

...We continued to follow that boy till he reached the area where usually orphans were brought to city for daily wages and later were either sold off or where turned into beggars. He was injured with his left hand barely been left to move. He could hardly get any work done with that hand. While they continued to beat him for small mistakes untill his left leg got broken too.After repeatedly being reminded by Mark we left the place. I wanted to take him with me to my home. Neither I had courage nor I could explain my parents about the situation, so we left it believing time will heal everything....

\#SATURDAY - The day of judgment \#

Felix- I am worried. I don't know what that kid is going to do.

Mark - Let's just hope for the best.

\`\`\`\` Neighborhood bully enters ~ So princess. You are here. I thought you ran off with your ugly friend. Well good to see you are still here to see how I am going to smash that arrogant face of his into the earth.

Mark- (whisper - well we will be more than happy if you first smash yours first)

The air was suffocating as it was, and mark passing comments were to lighten up my spirit. But the fear clouding the faith seems heavier as the time passes by.

~~Unknown kid enters ~~~

Neighborhood bully - Well look who it is. What's up duckling I thought you left the princess on my mercy. But guess not since you here to show your heroic view. Aren't ya?

Unknown boy - Fatty I don't have family assets like you. So let's not waste more time and get down to business.

Neighborhood bully - I like that attitude of yours of being aware of how poor are you. Alright let's continue. What's the game?

Unknown boy-Well since the deal was already made if I lose I am leaving this neighborhood and If you lose you are not to show up here anymore.

Neighborhood bully - Yes, that's right.

Unknown boy-So the game we are playing is based on our physical condition. Since I have my left leg and left hand injured with my thumb and index finger movable. We have to reach a destination after completing the race. The one who first complete the race and cut out a flag from the white paper kept at the end of the race. Wins it. (Smiles)

Neighborhood bully -Well since this has come to this let me prepare for the equipments. (Signals to his fellow)You there, go and bring the paper and scissors and put at the destination as per instructions. (Whisper - Bring the heavy metalled scissor hard to move with his injured hand)

Unknown boy- But remember the road are thin which also includes passing through the tunnel. With your fat body I will be more than suprised if you reach the destination in the first place.

Neighborhood bully - Hahaha. Do i look so stupid to you? You have chosen the road with tunnels so that I won't be able to pass through them. Anyhow, destination where is it?

Unknown boy-We will keep the finishing line next to the wall which Marks the end of this park.You just need to climb that wall and jump the other side make the flag out of the paper. That's it.

Neighborhood bully-You see I am fat, so it will be difficult for me to climb the wall. And on top of it crossing the tunnel is more difficult but still let me win this fiar and square even after you choosing difficult path for me.

...The match was about to start. Mark was afraid that we are already betting at the losing game. Neighborhood bully was specially right about the boy choosing the road with tunnel in order to get him stuck inside it. But Mark and I were well aware about bully making the scene about it since that tunnel isn't that narrow to begin with. He has been playing through the tunnel from past many years which the unknown boy is unaware of. Only to show the game is being unfair to the bully even if he loses the match. Whereas my biggest concern was about this unknown kid reaching the finishing line. We saw the injury on his leg and hand. Crossing the wall with that leg and after reaching, he has to move a heavy metallic scissors with injured hand...

...We were aware that using such scissor was wrong since he won't be able to move it. But saying other word would bring all three of us in trouble so Mark advised to let the matter go. Mark already left the hope . While other children who were here today for supporting bully cheered him up. Mark decided we should leave the ground before we see our last hope fallen into the ground and vanishing like us forever. Even after knowing we had our bet this time on already lost battle I wanted to stay since he started all this for us. So after convincing mark we stayed for the match to begin....

Neighborhood bully - Alright let's start it.

Unknown boy - Hope you remember the condition and leave after match.

Neighborhood bully - Confident, are we? Well that's good to have unless you see me rubbing your pride and confidence into the ground.

...With the whistle blow the match began. Both of them tried there best to win since each end has something to lose. But fact was clearly known that the bully was at end where he could simply lose his power, pride and name which he upholds as bully boss due to his parents. Whereas this kid will vanish to thin air if he loses the bet....

Neighborhood bully - Well running is sure tiring but just you wait for me to finish this and make you cripple for the rest of your life.

Unknown boy - Waiting for the tunnel, aren't you? So you stick inside it for others to come and help you out?

Neighborhood bully - Hahaha (gasping for air) Silly, you are new to the area, I have spent years playing in this playground. Do you really think I can't come out of that tunnel? I was just acting out for sympathy so that even if I lose people will understand that I was at wrong end for receiving the shame.

Unknown boy - Haha, you sure are smart. But that doesn't make you any smarter with such thick skull.

Neighborhood bully - Well we are almost about to reach the tunnel. Even though I am fat I am very much capable of coming out of it (stops and grasps air)

Unknown boy- (Slowly reaching near bully) Even if you can cross the tunnel this weight of yours will be the reason for your doom.

Neighborhood bully - So will your leg. You can't come near me unless I stop to grasp the air. While you may easily cross the tunnel. Climbing and jumping the wall will be much difficult for you compared to me. Forget about reaching other side to cut paper flag.

Unknown boy- I don't know about you. But I don't bet on the losing game.

...The Neighborhood bully and the boy kept passing comments until both of them crossed the tunnel with bully leading the game. The injury on the unknown boy leg got worse after so much of movement....

...Mark insisted we should leave but leaving him with such injury while he tries his best for us was not something I could do. While neighborhood bully reached near the wall but due to his excessive weight was unable to climb the wall. While the unknown kid struggled to meet the ends....

Neighborhood bully - Get here, all of you. Lift me up so I can cross this over. Do you all really think this is a joke. If I lose I will make sure none of you reap any benefit from me in the future.

Unknown boy(reaching near the wall) Make sure you don't break off their shoulder. Since they all look fragile like glass under heavy pressure of bulldozer. While I am just left to cross this wall and make a flag with small injuries to my hand.

...##The boys helping the bully kept laughing and would lose strength to hold him up while the unknown kid looked for ways to climb the wall with broken leg##....

Felix - Shell I help you?

Unknown boy(turning around) And how do you plan to do so?

Felix - I... I will also pick you up, so you can cross the wall.

Mark- And with that body of yours? You must be kidding. Move aside let me do it.

Unknown boy - Look, I don't know what you guys are planning to do. But I am running out of time!! As he continues to make effort to climb the wall. I may definitely lose if he gets over this. This was my final call to make him lag behind till I win. So kindly move aside and let me assess the situation.

Mark (angrily) So you didn't have any plan before you made such condition??

Unknown boy - Would I still be standing here if I did? (raising eyebrows)

Felix (giggling) -Ok, ok. We will leave you at peace. Alright

...While I dragged mark with me. I had no clue what this guy was up to. He had no plan. He made a random bet with his pride and life on line. Funny how he was nonchalant about the situation.Whereas we had anxiety attacks whenever we saw neighborhood bully making an attempt for almost crossing the wall....

...In between all this chaos the boy dragged an iron rod which was kept near the edge of the park. He brought a rope and tied it to the heaviest rock in park. While keeping the iron rod as a bridge to cross over the park walls. He dragged himself to make his final move while falling several times....

Neighborhood bully - While what you are doing is practically cheating but since I got people to help me. We are at even now. So whoever wins. Wins it a fair point.

Unknown boy- I never mentioned people helping as a cheating. But since you made this conclusion on your own. I am glad that my win won't affect you that much. All I have left is to make flag with this injured hand of mine.And then i win.

Neighborhood bully(*thump* falls over other side of the park) I liked how you are confident from beginning about winning this. But here I am at the other end while you still struggle to reach this side. And remember even if you reach you have to make the flag. And with your 2 fingers left let's see how you do it.

......Neighborhood bully reached the other side of the wall while the unknown boy almost made it. The only task left was making the paper flag. Neighborhood bully got little injury while falling from the height with such weight. He waited for few minutes to recover.While the unknown kid felled with already injured body. ......

...This situation made us all realize who was going to win. Even after reaching near to the neighborhood bully. The unknown kid with injured hand is supposed to make a paper flag. The constant reminder from neighborhood bully about his hand injury hit the reality to our face....

Mark (avoiding eye contact) - It's okay even if we lose. He made lots of efforts for us. Let's give him a treat before he leaves.

Felix (With uneasiness) Yeah, yeah. We shall do that. He almost made it. But the neighborhood bully purposely kept that heavy metallic scissors in order to make him lose.

Neighborhood bully (Shouting from other end) It's him who made the deal. I was bound to keep my share equal aren't I? Anyhow, why cry when he almost reached the ending. It's just he lost by a bit.

...While the neighborhood bully and his friends start to enjoy there win before the match ends. Mark and I felt somewhat uneasy about it. But since we saw how the unknown kid made a deal for climbing the wall with no plans we expected him to do same for this time too....

...While everything was in chaos the unknown kid started cutting the paper in shape of the flag....

Mark (Blank stare) What is he doing?

Fèlix- Ha, Haha. (in disbelief about what he is seeing)

Neighborhood bully(Angry) That's not how it is supposed to be. You said it will be hard to make a flag with your injured hand.

Unknown boy(using right hand) - Yeah I know (smirk) it definitely would have been painful.

Neighborhood bully- I am not asking if it had been painful or not but what you are doing is not fair.

...While neighborhood bully argued about the kid using his other hand to cut the flag out. The unknown kid was done with the flag....

...Everyone was left amused by how he manipulated everyone from the start about his injured hand and the level of difficulty he is going to face while cutting it....

Neighborhood bully - I don't accept this. This is not fair.

Unknown boy- And what is not fair about this?

Neighborhood bully-You used your other hand. You said you left hand is injured and using only your thumb and index finger will be lot difficult to cut out a paper flag.

Unknown boy-Yes, And?

Neighborhood bully- But instead you used your right hand. That's cheating.

Unknown boy-Yes, I told it was difficult to use only an Index finger and thumb. But I never mentioned not using my other hand. Did I?

Neighborhood bully(In disbelief)

Mark (Happily) So it settles here. We won. We are the winners and hence we won't tolerate any bullying.

Felix (Shy) Thank you

Unknown boy- (stares at Felix) Take care.

Felix- Wait, i ....um we wanted to treat you for a meal.

Unknown boy( indifferent) You got what you wanted. I did what I could. This ends here. I have errands to run. I am leaving.

...While neighborhood bully still in disbelief of him losing the bet and chaos of us not leaving the park. Unknown kid with his injured body and limping, dragged himself till he vanished into the thin air....

...Mark and Felix being happy about winning and to show there gratitude towards the kid. Secretly visited the area to meet the boy but to there surprise the area was clean with no human at sight. Leaving Felix heartbroken to treat him for a meal for helping them. Mark leads the way back to there home....

Unaware of the fact that Felix and mark visited near the area he lived.The unknown kid made several rounds near the park to check if Felix was still being bullied. Upon reassurance the boy left the neighborhood for good.

~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued ~~~~~~~