• The Challenge


    Flying across the land like an eagle gliding freely,
    Odysseus soared off of his skateboard, almost as if in
    slow motion, only to land roughly on the cold, hard ground.
    Sharp bites of pain shot up his spine and rendered him
    useless, curled into a semi-fetal position on the asphalt.
    And still, he would not cry.

    He heard a voice behind him, and recognized it as his opponent,
    Curtius of Robert Fitzgerald High School. The arrogant Curtius called out:

    “What would be the matter, Odysseus? Stand up! Face
    the challenge and fight! Or could it be,
    you are already finished and do not wish to continue?”

    Curtius guffawed loudly. His devoted followers, Ellis and Eidon,
    who likely hadn’t the slightest idea what Curtius was saying or laughing about,
    laughed with him like the loyal dogs they were.

    Odysseus was silent as he reflected on the situation and how he
    had become a slave to Curtius’ deceits and taunts. He recalled having
    created the challenge so as to prevent his best friend,
    Brigit of Richard Montgomery High School, from being hurt
    due to the mocking of the worst tormentors the county
    had ever seen; namely, Curtius, Ellis, and Eidon. At the time, Odysseus
    and Brigit were pacing in circles around the library of Rockville,
    discussing certain matters, when Curtius and his disciples sauntered up to them,
    skateboards in hand, bringing their discussion to a halt.

    The prideful Odysseus spoke with an undertone of suspicion:

    “What would you like with us now? Would you like to inform us about
    anything of importance? If not, I daresay you will move out of our way
    immediately.”

    The arrogant Curtis replied:

    “Of course it is something of importance, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.
    In any case, I have some business with your little friend over
    there. I believe she has something that I would
    like to have. So, if you wouldn’t mind, hand it over.”

    The apprehensive Brigit retorted hastily:

    “The only reason I would take anything from you would be to acquire
    any of my own possessions that you might have taken from me.
    Of course, if you would like to have something that I own, then I am perfectly
    willing to talk it out with you and negotiate a fair trade.
    Now that I have cleared that up for you, what is it you want?”

    Curtius laughed cruelly, only stopping to speak. He said:

    “I am not planning to trade any of my possessions for any of yours. Quite simply,
    I want your cell phone. You have it right now? Of course.
    Well, I would like to have it. It does cost a fortune, at
    least for my family it does, and I have always wanted one.”

    The apprehensive Brigit replied:

    “And you believe that I would just hand it over? You must be insane!”

    Yet, they all heard her voice waver, such as a little girl’s would as she faces
    a grown man with a gun. Curtius smiled wickedly and countered:

    “Oh, but you would. If I told everyone about your-“

    The proud Odysseus interrupted and spoke softly, his voice gaining volume as he
    progressed. He said:

    “You would knowingly steal a girl’s possessions in front of her best friend?
    Because that is exactly what you snakes are doing; stealing! You threaten
    a frightened girl, force her to hand over something of her own, and laugh
    at her cowardly ways. Yet it is you three who are cowardly, stealing from
    another only to prove to yourself that you have influence, when you really
    have nothing, no real talent, no pride or respect for yourself. So why
    should I respect you? Why should I let this go on? I say, let
    us stand up to those who fear rejection and humiliation so they can learn a
    lesson, so we can make a better world! It is because of this that I challenge
    you, Curtius of Robert Fitzgerald High School,
    to a skateboarding contest! The man who does the best tricks, wins.”

    Curtius, a regional skateboarding champion, smirked and said:

    “You are too confident, Odysseus. You should have some humility.
    That way, you might actually spare some of your dignity. But in any case,
    I accept your challenge.”

    And thus began a great skateboarding battle. Never was anything so fine
    and yet so brutal seen in that part of the country before. Odysseus, driven
    by his intense dislike for Curtius and his motives, flew over the asphalt of
    the parking lot in which they held the competition like an eagle flying
    over the Rock Mountains, gracefully, silently, observing its surroundings
    with a quiet eyes, not quite listening to the sounds around it, but still
    actively aware. But none could be more graceful, more silent, more
    attentive than Odysseus was during those moments when he flew.

    Finally, he fell.

    Thinking back on it only made Odysseus more angry at himself.
    He was no professional skateboarder. He had won no contests like
    Curtius had. He only wished to defeat Curtius at the one thing Curtius
    could do only too well.

    And that made him angry. He heard the three laughing in the background.
    Their laughs became fuel for him as he slowly concocted a master plan.
    Finally, the cunning Odysseus called out:

    “Oh, you have won! But please, I beg of you, help me up so I
    can properly honor you.”

    He heard Curtius’ footsteps and then reached up for Curtius’ hand.
    When he got a good grip, Odysseus quickly pulled him down while pulling
    himself up. In rapid succession, Odysseus knocked down the great Curtius from
    his skateboard and taken his skateboard from him. Odysseus then took off like a
    rocket, knocking down Ellis and Eidon, and stopped next to Brigit.

    The three skateboarders had been defeated, and afraid to anger Odysseus further,
    ran away before the cunning man could turn around.

    Odysseus shrugged nonchalantly and asked:

    “Would you care to continue our discussion, Brigit?”

    Brigit grinned widely and replied:

    “Only too happy, my brave Odysseus!”