The boys waited until the instructor left before they began to take their revenge. Desmond realized that it would happen almost as soon as the teacher decided that all three of them had to stay after. He was prepared for almost anything.

At first it was only the usual; tripping and pushing and cruel names. After a while it progressed. They took out the swords to ‘train’ with, despite it being forbidden without the instructor. They handed Des a sword and began to fight with him. He defended as best as he could. He was slower and weaker and afraid to hurt them. They just laughed and continued attacking, unscathed by the idea of hurting, or even killing the 5 year old boy. They hadn’t even considered the possibility of that happening.

They slashed and slashed as Desmond began to lost his footing. He was scared, they were laughing. They were becoming excited by his fear, savage in their swings.

The boy finally fell just as a sword was coming down at him. He couldn’t defend. He was slashed across the chest.