No one talks to him about how he lives. He thinks that the choices he makes are just his.
Kim was his own man with his own rules. He lived for the rush of life, the thrill of competition and crushing his opponents. Didn't matter what the dare was, he'd do it in a heart beat. It was his life and he made his own choices.
Doesn't know he's a leader with the way he behaves. And others will follow the choices he's made.
His friends Max and Alix stuck with him. Alix would compete with him to push his boundaries and Max would be there to provide support. They were a team, a trio. They could do anything and accomplish anything. If it weren't for Kim, Alix wouldn't have been able to push herself so much and Max would be alone, since he didn't make friends easily. They would follow Kim wherever he went, with no questions.
He lives on the edge his old enough to decide. His brother who wants to be him is just nine.
Kim never backed down from a dare so when some kids from another school challenged him to a bike race, he jumped at the chance. Max seemed unsure about it since the stipulation for the loser wasn't clear and Alix had other reasons. These kids were notoriously competitive and didn't take losing lightly.
"Kim, these guys don't play around. You gotta back down from this," she pleaded.
"No way! I never go back on a challenge. I can beat those guys no problem."
"Hey big brother! Good luck," cried Ken, Kim's little brother.
"Thanks little man! See you guys at the finish line!"
He can do what he wants because it's his right. The choices he makes change a nine year old's life.
Kim got himself set up on his bike. Alix and Max stood to the side to watch. The leader of the other kids stood beside him.
"Twice around the block. First one back here wins. Eat my dust, loser."
"Not before you eat mine, slow poke."
"Racers, ready! Set! Go!"
The two were off. The newcomer took an early lead but Kim was just making him think he was winning till he put on his boosters. Kim kicked his legs into high gear and sped forward leaving his competitor in the dust. Kim won by a landslide and Alix and Max and Ken cheered and crowded him. The other guy was furious.
"No fair! You cheated!"
"Look dude, Kim may be a lot of things but a cheater isn't one of them. So get on your Nikes and get on your bikeys! Buh-bye," yelled Alix.
The loser just snarled.
"You will regret this!"
He came at Kim and threw a punch at him. Kim took the punch and gave one back. The other guy didn't take that too lightly.
"That's it! You're gonna get it!"
He pulled a knife out and lunged for Kim. Alix was trying to keep Ken out of the way but he broke free and ran to his brother.
"No! Come back," she yelled.
"Leave my brother alone!"
It all happened so fast. The boy stood in front of Kim as the other guy surged forward with his knife at the ready. Everything and everyone stopped. Kim, Alix, Max and the other kids were wide eyed. The little boy gasped and stumbled back. The guy with the knife stumbled back as well and ran away with his friends. Kim held his little brother and looked down and nearly lost it. A knife was embedded in his little brother's stomach. Max was calling 112 while Alix did her best to keep it together.
"Hang in there little man," said Kim with his voice cracking.
"Kim, my stomach hurts," the boy whimpered with tears in his eyes.
"I know, we're getting you help. Just hang in there ok."
"I'm scared!"
"I am too. But you're gonna be ok." Then, the boy went still. "Hey, little man! Stay with me! Little dude! Come, on talk to me!"
Tears were in Kim's eyes and in Alix and Max's, too.