{"id":72,"date":"2026-06-24T05:27:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T05:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theronrussell.com\/?p=72"},"modified":"2026-06-30T06:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T06:01:17","slug":"hole-in-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theronrussell.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/24\/hole-in-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Hole In Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Note from the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I was in seventh grade, my English teacher gave our class an assignment to write a story involving a character from mythology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wrote one called The Hole in Time<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was inspired by the movies I loved, the people I knew, the questions that filled my imagination, and the town I had just moved to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grew up in a diverse family and in the suburbs outside Flint, where diversity was simply part of everyday life. My playgrounds looked like my family gatherings, children from different backgrounds playing together without giving it much thought. Moving to Byron was a culture shock. For the first time, I found myself in a place where the color of a person\u2019s skin could determine how they were treated. As a thirteen-year-old, I didn\u2019t have the words to explain what I was seeing, but I knew it was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The events in this story weren\u2019t born from headlines or history books. They grew out of things I witnessed as a boy, friends who were targeted because of the color of their skin, adults who looked the other way, and the realization that doing the right thing often meant standing alone. I couldn\u2019t fix those things at thirteen, but I could write a story in which someone tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t an indictment of a town. Every place has its virtues and its scars. Byron had both. I met some wonderful people there, people whose kindness I still remember. But I also encountered prejudices that had been handed down through generations, and as a thirteen-year-old I struggled to understand how something so wrong could become so ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many ways, this story became my answer to a world I didn\u2019t yet understand. It carried my hurt and confusion, my anger and fear, but also my stubborn belief that one act of courage could inspire another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To my surprise and delight, the story was selected for publication in a student magazine, becoming the first piece of fiction I ever saw in print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years passed. The magazine disappeared. The manuscript was lost to time and circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For decades, I thought the story was gone forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, while talking about my writing journey, pieces of it began returning to me. A bridge over the Shiawassee River. A bright light. A barber who hated long hair. A brave boy who stood alone when no one else would. A girl named Beth. A meeting with Hades. A hospital room. And an ending that left the reader wondering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What follows is not a word-for-word copy of the story I wrote at thirteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is something different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the story I remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reconstructing it, I have tried to remain faithful not only to the events I remembered, but to the imagination of the boy who first dreamed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find moments that feel wonderfully earnest, overly dramatic, or filled with impossible hope, leave them just as they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how thirteen-year-old me believed the world worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if I\u2019m honest, part of me still hopes he was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn’t the story I wrote in seventh grade. That story is gone. This is the story I remember writing\u2014and perhaps, in some ways, the story I was trying to write all along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter One<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom Harrison shoved his hands into the pockets of his jean jacket as he started across the bridge over the Shiawassee River. It was cold enough to see his breath, but not cold enough to stop him from taking the long way to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He always liked walking across the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes he leaned over the railing and watched the water moving underneath. Other times he looked for turtles or ducks. This morning he just kept walking. First hour was math, and if he hurried, he might make it before the second bell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His backpack bounced against his shoulder with every step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom wasn\u2019t thinking about homework or school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was thinking about music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His favorite band had a new album coming out, and he\u2019d been trying to convince his mom that one more cassette wasn\u2019t going to bankrupt the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also didn\u2019t agree with his hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It hung down over the back of his jean jacket in soft brown feathers. He spent more time getting it to look right than he\u2019d ever admit to anyone. The silver stud in his left ear had started plenty of arguments too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His grandfather said boys weren\u2019t supposed to wear earrings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom always answered the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only in the left ear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His grandfather would shake his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t make a bit of difference to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom thought it made all the difference in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He smiled to himself as he reached the middle of the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when he saw it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first he thought it was a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bright light appeared at the far end of the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much brighter than headlights should have been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stopped walking and squinted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The light grew larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It swallowed the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom threw his arm over his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next thing he remembered was lying on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His head hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a few seconds he couldn\u2019t remember where he was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He blinked several times before sitting up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was still on the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The river flowed beneath him just like always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing looked different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He rubbed the back of his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was weird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe lightning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe he had slipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There wasn\u2019t another person anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom picked up his backpack and dusted off his jeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If he hurried, he could still make first hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He took off running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time he reached the school parking lot, he was breathing hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something caught his eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of them looked old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One looked like it belonged in a movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another had giant round fenders and shiny chrome bumpers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pickup truck rumbled past him with a split windshield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat kind of car show…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids hurried past him toward the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One boy stopped and stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another whispered something to his friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then they both laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat are they looking at?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He glanced down at his clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue jeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jean jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-top sneakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything looked normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Didn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shrugged and headed inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019d worry about the strange cars later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now he just didn\u2019t want to be late for math.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pushed open the classroom door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The room instantly became quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every head turned toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher at the blackboard slowly lowered her piece of chalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked around the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Miss Morgan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A smile slowly crossed her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMiss Morgan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah… my math teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class burst into laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher held up her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow, now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked toward the third row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeth, I believe someone is looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A girl about his age looked up from her desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for just a second…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom forgot every question he was about to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Two<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Hour<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stood in the doorway staring at the girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She couldn\u2019t have been much older than he was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brown hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue sweater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books stacked neatly on her desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled politely, but looked just as confused as everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher cleared her throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYoung man, are you planning to stand there all morning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom felt his face get warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are two empty seats. Pick one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He slipped into the desk beside the girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as he sat down, she whispered,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Miss Morgan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou asked where Miss Morgan was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy math teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard of a Miss Morgan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m serious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before he could answer, the teacher slapped a ruler against the edge of her desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cClass.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone became quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy name is Mrs. Abernathy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wrote it across the chalkboard in neat white letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stared at the writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He didn\u2019t remember ever having a Mrs. Abernathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe she was a substitute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That had to be it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lesson started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom already knew everything she was teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That wasn\u2019t unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was unusual was how everybody was writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No calculators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No mechanical pencils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost everyone was using wooden pencils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even their notebooks looked old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Tom reached into his backpack for a pencil, several kids turned around again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One boy pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another snickered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The girl beside him looked embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Tom whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She leaned closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…they\u2019re looking at your hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy hair?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt sure is long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom almost laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot really.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked honestly surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy, uh, brother\u2019s hair barely covers his ears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom reached up and touched the back of his neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His hair brushed his collar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It had never seemed long before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then her eyes moved upward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noticed the silver stud in his left ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her eyebrows rose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have your ears pierced?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked completely puzzled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s the left ear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe… left ear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She kept staring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally she shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He didn\u2019t know why she wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He just knew she didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the bell rang, everybody stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not one person rushed for the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Abernathy dismissed them one row at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat are they doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWaiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can see that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis school and everything about this day is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside, Tom finally caught up with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She turned around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust Beth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeth Morgan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stopped walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His stomach dropped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth tilted her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He forced a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou look like you\u2019ve seen a ghost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at her for a long moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…thought you reminded me of somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never met you before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom wasn\u2019t so sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they walked through the hallway together, a group of boys standing near the lockers watched them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One elbowed another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tallest boy smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomething ain’t right about you\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked Tom up and down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou one of them funny boys?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His friends laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boy pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another pointed toward Tom\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd your earring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of them laughed loud enough for everyone to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy sister wears earrings too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another added,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe he wants to be a girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The whole group burst out laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know what we do to boys who want to be girls around here?\u201d Their leader said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou guys are weird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boys stopped laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are the weird one!\u201d his buddy spat while twirling around like a girl dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe take sissy boys like you out behind the bleachers and pound the sissy out of them!\u201d His other buddy added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at Beth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should probably just ignore them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been ignoring people like that for years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked at him curiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor years?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrust me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill,\u201d she said, \u201cthat\u2019s the Duke Hargrove and his gang best ignore them and stay away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Three<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bell rang for lunch, and the students poured out of the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth caught up with Tom before he reached the front steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou walk home for lunch?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy, uh, family owns the hardware store downtown. We can walk together if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled noticing the way she hesitated at saying family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They started down the sidewalk toward Main Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a while neither of them said much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom couldn\u2019t stop looking around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The town looked like Byron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the same streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same little stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But everything looked…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old fashioned, in extremely good shape for its age, but old fashioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gas station had two men in matching uniforms pumping gas for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gas pumps were different<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There wasn\u2019t a single plastic sign anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every advertisement seemed to be painted directly onto brick walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the Coca-Cola sign hanging outside the drugstore looked like it belonged in one of his grandfather\u2019s old magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stopped walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is really weird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe whole town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just Byron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom said quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…I know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They crossed the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shiny black car rolled slowly past them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom whistled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve only seen cars like that in old movies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat movie?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom opened his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He couldn\u2019t think of one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not because he didn\u2019t know any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because he usually caught them on the UHF on Saturday morning after cartoons and well past the beginning but interesting enough to stick with them until the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They reached the middle of the one block town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An old man tipped his hat as Beth walked by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfternoon, Miss Morgan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Mr. Jenkins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom watched him disappear into the barber shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes everybody here wear hats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot when I come from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sure say some funny things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they walked farther down Main Street, Tom noticed a boy about his own age sweeping the sidewalk in front of a grocery store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recognized him immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had seen him near the school that morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boy glanced up for only a second before looking back down at the broom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy isn\u2019t he in school?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked toward the boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t go to school here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked surprised that he even had to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause he\u2019s colored.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stared at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo?\u201d He said half question half statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s not nice to call him that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She lowered her voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have their own school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked back at Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI said it\u2019s stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou think colored children should go to school with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t call him \u2018colored.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom let some frustration come through his voice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what everybody calls them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, they shouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what do you call him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSamuel\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a kid like us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom laughed nervously, realizing he had scared Beth a little and trying to ease the atmosphere he smiled slightly and said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey do where I come from.\u201d He finally added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth searched his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou mean…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…the same classrooms?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe same teachers?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe same desks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverybody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth was silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked back toward Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then back at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard of such a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time all day…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wasn\u2019t sure about his surrounding things had shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A whistle echoed from across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three boys stood outside the soda shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tallest one smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t a friendly smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke Hargrove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, Beth…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou bring your girlfriend downtown?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other boys laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth quietly sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIgnore him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke crossed the street with his friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stopped only a few feet away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he said, looking Tom up and down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…my daddy says long hair\u2019s for girls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom folded his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy daddy says Jesus had long hair. You gonna call Him a girl too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boys laughed nervously. Unsure how to process the reference to Duke calling Jesus a girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke stepped closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Sunday school teacher would stick a bar of soap in that mouth of yours for that maybe I should put my fist in there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd that earring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI bet he sits to pee too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in my left ear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat difference does that make?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom opened his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How could he explain something that really did not make sense?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt just does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds like something a sissy would say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would give you a knuckle sandwich\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut my daddy says you don\u2019t hit girls…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…unless they\u2019re your wife and need straightening out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His friends joined in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth tugged gently on Tom\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right Beth take your new girlfriend away maybe she will want you unlike your parents!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom saw the tears welling up in her eye, so he let her lead him away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind them Duke shouted,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou better get that haircut before somebody does it for you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had only gone half a block when the door to the barber shop flew open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An older man stepped outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White apron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gray hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scissors in one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pointed straight at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The barber marched toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat hair\u2019s a disgrace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo respectable young man wears his hair like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Tom could react, the barber grabbed him by the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome on inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll fix you right up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom jerked backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want a haircut!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The barber tightened his grip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have much choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth gasped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Wilson!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The barber barely looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis boy needs someone to teach him right from wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom twisted hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His jacket slipped free from the barber\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stumbled backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth right behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They didn\u2019t stop until they reached the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both of them breathing hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth finally laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen anyone run away from Mr. Wilson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom leaned against a tree trying to catch his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never had a barber chase me before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time all day…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They both laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Four<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down by the River<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom and Beth wandered toward the Shiawassee River until the sounds of Main Street faded behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The river moved slowly beneath the old bridge, sparkling in the afternoon sun. A pair of ducks drifted lazily along the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom skipped a flat stone across the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It bounced three times before sinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been very good at that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy grandpa taught me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She picked up a rock and threw it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It landed with a loud plunk.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right you\u2019re not very good at that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth picked up a rock and threw it at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tease me.\u201d She said with a half pout, half smile look on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They both laughed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a while neither of them said anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked across the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything looked familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was Byron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But somehow…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth finally broke the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo where are you really from?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI told you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cByron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean before today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always lived here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She studied him for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sure don\u2019t act like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sat down on the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, tell me about your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged and sat beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy dad works a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mom says he can fix just about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a little sister.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy foster father owns the hardware store.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy foster mother teaches piano.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have two foster brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe older one thinks he knows everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got cousins like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he took on a more serious look as he saw the look in her eyes as she talked about her foster family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind me asking but why are you in foster care?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mom and dad were on a road trip holiday, and I stayed home so they could celebrate their 5th<\/sup> anniversary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her eyes were starting to tear<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to talk about it if you don\u2019t want.\u201d Tom said, feeling a little guilty for causing her to cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to if you want to hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d He answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn their way home there was a really bad storm, and they didn\u2019t see a stalled car and they hit it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was crying more now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom took her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled and whipped the tears away<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAny way I was staying with my dad\u2019s cousins, they said they already had too many kids and could not afford to raise another, so I was placed in foster care. This is my third home I\u2019ve only been here a few weeks, and Duke and his gang have tormented me ever since I arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing the subject, she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes your mom know where you are, is she expecting you for lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s smile faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Realizing he was somewhere impossible he wondered if he would ever get to go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stared at the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish I could call her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCall her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked puzzled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a payphone up by the drugstore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mom won\u2019t be home, and we don\u2019t have an answering\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He suddenly realized he was about to describe things that didn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth tilted her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnswering what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They sat quietly again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A breeze rustled the leaves overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGet him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another voice laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shouting was coming from behind the grocery store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth\u2019s face lost its color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She already knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom started walking toward the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth hurried after him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He kept walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom, wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The voices grew louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou think you\u2019re good enough to look at us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A thud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone cried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom rounded the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel lay on the ground, trying to shield his face with his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke Hargrove stood over him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two boys held Samuel down while Duke shoved him back into the dirt with the toe of his boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth grabbed Tom\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom didn\u2019t take his eyes off the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause that\u2019s Duke.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She lowered her voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis father owns half the town around here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe sheriff won\u2019t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe teachers won\u2019t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNobody ever does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom watched Duke shove Samuel again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel didn\u2019t fight back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He just curled tighter into a ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom quietly asked,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy doesn\u2019t anybody stop them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t have an answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom slowly slipped out of her grasp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His voice was barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomebody should.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He started walking toward the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth stood frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wanted to stop him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But something in his face told her she couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Five<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somebody Should<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke laughed as Samuel curled tighter against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou goin cry?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the other boys shoved Samuel with his foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe he\u2019ll cry if we kick him harder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three of them laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stepped into the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLeave him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laughter stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke turned slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe sissy\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom walked between them and Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI said leave him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke folded his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He simply held his ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel looked up from the dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His lip was bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One eye was already beginning to swell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth stood at the mouth of the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke shoved Tom in the chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stumbled back one step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boys laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought you were goin save him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at Duke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy daddy says you should never start a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMine says if somebody gets in your way…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shoved Tom again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…you knock \u2018em down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom nodded slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy daddy also says…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He settled into a stance without even thinking about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…if somebody won\u2019t stop hurting people…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…sometimes you have to stop them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first punch came fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stepped aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke stumbled past him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Duke could turn around, Tom grabbed his arm and threw him over his hip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke landed flat on his back with a loud WHUMP!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a second…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Duke\u2019s friends blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou threw Duke!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other boy charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom spun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His foot snapped up just like he\u2019d practiced a hundred times in class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kick caught the boy square in the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOOF!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He folded over and dropped to his knees, gasping for air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third boy yelled and rushed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom ducked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boy sailed right over his shoulder and crashed into a stack of wooden crates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRASH!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apples rolled across the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth covered her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had never seen anything like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither had Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke scrambled to his feet, his face red with embarrassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boy who had caught a kick had recovered as well. He yelled and charged Tom like he was about to sack the quarterback during the JV game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom grabbed him by the ear and yanked down. The boys momentum, speed and size drove him face first into the cement, an audible CRACK could be heard as he screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou broke my nose!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke took this chance to sneak behind Tom. While throwing a wide haymaker punch he shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou cheated!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom could do very little to react. He let his training take over; he took the punch squarely across the cheek. Instead of fighting the blow he moved with it. Hitting the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke cheered and looked triumphant until he saw what Tom had done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was rolling as soon as he hit the ground, right over his shoulder coming back up on his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom could feel blood starting to trickle down his lip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCheating? In a fight?\u201d Tom said half mocking the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke roared and charged again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time Tom caught his wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before he knew what had happened, he was lying in the dirt again with Tom\u2019s knee on his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom pointed a finger at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he said, breathing hard,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…are you done?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a long moment…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nobody spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally Duke looked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stood and stepped back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He didn\u2019t offer another punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He didn\u2019t gloat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He simply turned toward Samuel and held out his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel looked at the hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slowly…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he took it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom helped him to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel brushed the dirt off his shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind them, Duke climbed to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He brushed the dust from his clothes and glared at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is for today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke pointed a finger at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy daddy\u2019s goin-hear about this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom answered without thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll wish he didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three boys backed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not because they wanted to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, for the first time in their lives…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone had stood up to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth walked over slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked from Tom…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to Samuel…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

then back to Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve never what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen anybody stand up to Duke.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomebody should.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Six<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heroes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a long moment, no one moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alley was silent except for Samuel\u2019s heavy breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom brushed the dust off his jeans as though nothing unusual had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel nodded slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He started to walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom turned around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel looked at him with wide eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t even know me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at Samuel for a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel seemed almost confused by the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom continued,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy daddy says if somebody\u2019s getting picked on and you can help…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shrugged again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…you help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel looked at the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo one\u2019s ever done that before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom didn\u2019t know what to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, he simply smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGuess today somebody finally did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth was still staring at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe what I just saw.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou make it sound like I fought a dragon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou might as well have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve always been mean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut nobody…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…nobody ever fights back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked toward the end of the alley where Duke and his friends had disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe they\u2019re not as tough as everybody thinks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time in her life…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wondered if that might be true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel brushed the dirt from his shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mama\u2019s gone ask what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou could tell her three ninjas attacked you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat are ninjas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He rubbed the back of his neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re always saying strange things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked up at the afternoon sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three of them started walking toward Main Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People looked at them as they passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not because of Tom\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because word was already spreading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old Mr. Jenkins stepped outside his store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then at Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then back again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He slowly tipped his hat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled politely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wasn\u2019t even sure why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the street two women whispered to one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A man sitting on a bench watched Duke limp past with dirt on his clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one said a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But everyone noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth broke the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She glanced at Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then back at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI told you to ignore Duke.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just got tired of watching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth stopped walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo did I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a moment she looked toward Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She lowered her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…I never thought one person could make any difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy dad says most people think that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat does he say after that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom thought for a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe says that\u2019s why the world\u2019s got so many bullies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth was quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She turned toward Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWould…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…would you like to walk with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel looked surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou mean…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three of them continued down Main Street together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others simply watched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the first time anyone could remember seeing a white boy, a white girl, and a Black boy walking together through the center of town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one stopped them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But everyone noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And somewhere, though none of them could know it yet…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

history noticed too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Long Walk Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The afternoon passed quicker than Tom expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Abernathy never mentioned the fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither did any of the other teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But every time Tom looked up…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone was watching him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some looked afraid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke never came back to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the last bell rang, Tom slung his backpack over one shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth was waiting outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was beginning to think you\u2019d forgotten me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even know where I\u2019m going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together they started down the familiar road toward the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long shadows stretched across the sidewalks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time all day…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

everything felt peaceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou still haven\u2019t told me where you learned to fight like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI take lessons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat kind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMartial Arts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou learned that in art class?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo Martial Arts like Karate Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes everybody where you come from know it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got beat up plenty before I learned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I was little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy dad said I could either spend my life getting picked on…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…or learn how not to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, he taught you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe found somebody better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo now you are the karate kid?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked away and smiled at the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo his name is Ralph\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They reached the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither of them seemed in any hurry to cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth leaned against the railing and watched the water below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt sure is pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt always has been.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou really do love this town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just wish…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish people were nicer to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked back toward town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo do I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For several minutes they simply stood there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watching the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listening to the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither one wanted the day to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Beth spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you came.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo am I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked down at her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, very slowly…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

she reached over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her fingers brushed his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom felt his face grow warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled shyly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither one said anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They simply stood there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holding hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth reached into her sweater pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She pulled out a small silver locket hanging from a thin chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was my mother\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy foster mother says I should keep it safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted you to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom carefully held it in his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiny flowers were engraved on the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he opened it…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

there was no picture inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just an empty space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mother died before I could remember her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom gently closed the locket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember being sad, not really.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked toward the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just wonder what she was like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom handed it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…she\u2019d be proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth\u2019s eyes watered just a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one had ever said that before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ground trembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you feel that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFeel what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another rumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louder this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge creaked beneath their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds exploded from the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRACK!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earth split with a sound like thunder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A section of ground near the riverbank collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stepped backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dirt beneath him gave way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reached for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She grabbed his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one impossible second…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

they held on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the ground crumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their fingers slipped apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Past roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Past rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Past darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth\u2019s terrified scream echoed after him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom wasn\u2019t sure how long he fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It felt like forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The darkness swallowed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was no up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only falling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His feet touched solid ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stumbled forward and dropped to one knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complete silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom slowly stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cave around him was enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its ceiling disappeared into darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strange blue light drifted through the air like tiny stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A river, glowing faintly beneath the stone floor, wound through the cavern without making a sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom turned in a slow circle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only his echo answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnybody?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blue lights continued drifting through the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older than anything Tom had ever heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello Tom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Tom replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have been called many names.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The voice continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe unseen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe wealthy one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe illustrious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…and occasionally…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…monster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the darkness, footsteps echoed across the stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tall figure emerged from the shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wore a dark robe trimmed in gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His long gray hair rested across his shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A crown of black metal sat upon his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one hand he carried a tall staff carved with twisting vines and ancient symbols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His eyes weren\u2019t angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

very tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom swallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old man smiled faintly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe your people call me…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHades.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s eyes grew wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Hades?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe one and only bodacious one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom took a careful step backward. Though he couldn\u2019t help smile a little hearing a term from his own time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat I had horns?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI blame painters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom couldn\u2019t help smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou still know how to laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany who arrive here have forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked around nervously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAm…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…am I dead?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades considered the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the moment…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…let us simply say…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…you are between moments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are thirteen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom folded his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fourteen in October.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades nodded seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom wasn\u2019t sure if Hades was joking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He thought he might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He hoped so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades began walking along the glowing river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without thinking…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For several minutes neither of them spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Tom broke the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy am I here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He rested both hands on the top of his staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he looked directly at Tom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause history is a curious thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt rarely changes because of kings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt rarely changes because of armies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt changes because ordinary people decide…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…that something is wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom thought about Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Duke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Beth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just didn\u2019t want them hurting him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is precisely why you were chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChosen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou believe you came here by accident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades gently shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou did not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old god lifted his staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blue river began to glow brighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its surface became smooth as glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images appeared upon it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stepped closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He saw Main Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

it was different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel walked through town carrying books beneath his arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one stopped him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children of every color ran together across the schoolyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth stood on the front steps of the school smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duke watched from across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked older now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades answered quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou reminded them they had a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pointed toward the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCourage spreads.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo does fear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne heart teaches another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne family teaches another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne generation teaches the next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom watched the pictures change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A frightened boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One brave decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like ripples spreading across water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom whispered,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt keeps going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt always does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since falling into the darkness…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fight had never been about winning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It had been about beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind them…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

far above the cavern…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a faint voice echoed through the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was still calling his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades closed his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTime for what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old god smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo go home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut what about Beth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hades looked toward the distant light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf she remembers you…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…then perhaps…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…you never truly left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home Again<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sound came first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beep…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom come back to me\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeth!\u201d he yelled reaching out his hand to grab hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beep…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it Tom fight you can do it\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom stretched as hard as he could he was so close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beep…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That didn\u2019t sound like the Underworld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It sounded…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

annoying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tried to open his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything was blurry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bright white lights hung above him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smell of rubbing alcohol filled the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone squeezed his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His mother\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He blinked again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her face slowly came into focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like she had been crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThomas!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

she shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s awake!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A moment later his father hurried into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, without saying a word, wrapped Tom in the biggest hug of his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom winced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDad…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father laughed through watery eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been wanting to do that for two days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo days?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His mother nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe doctor said you had a concussion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou were hit by a car.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s heart skipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA car?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father pulled a chair closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey found you unconscious near the bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s eyes drifted toward the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bright light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It hadn\u2019t been magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It had been…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hadn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later that afternoon, the doctor finally let Tom go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything looked normal again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plastic signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pickup trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything is exactly the way it should be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat a crazy dream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His father looked over from the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat dream?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somehow…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he wasn\u2019t ready to tell anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three days later…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom returned to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking through the front doors felt strangely familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids hurried past him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lockers slammed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers called for everyone to get to class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything was exactly as he remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he stepped into math class…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The room looked exactly like it had before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same desks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same chalkboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss Morgan wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A different teacher stood at the front of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He raised his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Miss Morgan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class became strangely quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher looked puzzled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMiss Morgan?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy math teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few students giggled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher smiled kindly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s sitting in her seat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher glanced toward the third row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe you\u2019re looking for your seat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom slowly turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A girl was sitting there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brown hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue sweater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked up from her notebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a moment…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

neither of them moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s heart began pounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It couldn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The girl smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not a big smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just enough for him to recognize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

very gently…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

she tapped the empty desk beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom slowly walked over and sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither of them spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teacher began taking attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked sideways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The girl continued writing as though nothing unusual had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was this girl in his class before the accident and he simply forgot about her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or did she follow him from the past?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s breath caught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stared at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

she finally looked over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There, resting against her sweater…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was a small silver locket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiny flowers engraved on the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exactly like the one beside the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom looked at the locket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then back at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She simply smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bell rang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside the classroom window…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a breeze stirred the leaves of the old maple tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For just an instant…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom thought he heard a familiar voice carried on the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCourage spreads.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then it was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it had all been a dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

he knew one thing for certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world could be changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

all it took…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

was one person willing to stand beside another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The End<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Note from the Author When I was in seventh grade, my English teacher gave our class an assignment to<\/p>\n

Continue readingHole In Time<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t