~The only sound ,to be heard, as the mad man laughs...~
~When they reached school. Much to Josiah's displeasure was the fact that Horace was nowere to be found. It was typical. He was known to go with his father to pick up provisions and horse feed with his father. The rest of the day him and Clara enjoyed themselves, writing notes, and causing their general trouble in class. It was a good time then. During class and when they were together, exploring, the countryside, Clara acted normal up until it was time for her to go home. When the time came she always grew more quite and somber. When the end of class came she reacted much the same as she always did. A pursing of the lips here, and the clenching, of a hand there.
As usual Josiah walked out of class with Clara with the other thirteen children. It was most likely that they would be walking home that day. Since they lived in the same general area, it was not, a big deal for Josiah to walk with her on his way home.
As they turned to leave down the dirt road to her farm, there was, a loud gunshot noise and a shuddering pick came down the road. Inside was Horace and his fat father Benny. Benny was a balding man and was perpetually red in the face. A drunk was what he was, but, there was not better a farmer in town. Horace on the other hand was a large jawed, scraggly haired youth. His noise was pinched back and his face was always set in a perpetual grimance of anger. His responses were only snaps and retorts when he spoke.
"Clara come on, we gots, to get a move on." Horace shouted over the noise of the truck. Clara nodded and began walking towards the pickup. Josiah stared over her shoulder at Horace with death in his eyes. Horace caught the look instantly. He took advantage of the moment and shouted. "What the hells youse starin' at Wilkinson?" Josiah did not hesitate.
"Im starin' at that s**t youse gots' on youse face!" He retorted. This spurred Horace to hop out from the side of the pickup and begin to walk over to Josiah, heedless, of his fathers reprimands.
"Well Im gonna, fix, that damn mouth o' yers." Horace called back. His sister moved in front of him and grasped his shirt.
"Horace leave im' alone he ain't doin' no one no harm. He jus' stickin' up fer me!" She pleaded. Horace shoved her down roughly, causing her, to skin her knee. Clara yelped. This sent Josiah's body into motion. He swung his fist forwards and slammed it into Horace's nose. Due to the fact that Horace had been punched in the face to many times or he the he had a weak nose ,caused it, to crunch to an awkward angle. Blood flecked everwere. Horace was not fazed by this though.
Horace repsonded with an uppercut, knocking Josiah back. Josiah was dazed but managed to swing a left and connect it with Horace's jaw. It was a good blow and niether was really experienced in fighting. Horace had one thing on his side though.
He was bigger and he was more of a fighter.
Horace responded by kicking Josiah in the gut and knocking him down and climbing atop him. He pinned Josiah's arms and began punching him again and again in the face. By now the children had all gathered and cheered them on. Benny moved over and grasped Horace by the collar and dragged him. Josiah had climbed to his feet, spitting blood from his dripping nose and mouth, only to slam a well connected blow into Horace's nose. There was a crack and Horace clutched his nose as blood splurted out. The teacher grabbed Josiah and dragged him inside.
All the while back he could hear Horace's crys, "Lemme go pa! I had him! He busted ma' nose! God damnit!" Horace shouted. "I'll get you yet Wilkerson!"
Clara looked back and followed after them with her fists clenched...More in terror than in anger.
Inside the teacher marched him and took a rag and wiped his face and plugged his nose, lecturing him, "You should have known better than to fight that degenerate of a young man. You leave people be and not stare!" She said.
Josiah remained silent as he fumed. His nails cutting into his palms. He had lost a fight.
"I'll never lose again." He muttered.
"Whats that young man?"
"Nothin'. Get the hell of o' me." Josiah shouted as he shoved her back. He marched out the door, heedless of the teachers reprimands and walked home, with only his company, to fuel his rage.~
~Is like a concave scream...~
