Chapter 6 – The World's Enemy
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Ten seconds elapsed. Silence ruled the park for the time being, and only the wind's rustle could be heard. The staring battle between the bullies and the black-haired boy went on. Abby crept towards the couple.
"Sherman, is Penny okay?", Abby asked.
"I don't know… I-I hope so.", Sherman stuttered, not knowing the right answer. To their surprise and relief, Penny moved a bit. Next that they heard was her sobs. She was crying silently and was so upset. The eyeglassed boy held her closer with a hug.
"Penny…"
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Meanwhile, Danny glared sideways to the couple and saw the girl's tears. Looking back to the bullies, he put his hands inside his side pockets. The three culprits gulped.
"Hey, three idiots, what's with you? You guys were so violent a while ago. And now, you're like kids who got spanked.", he mocked.
"Shut up, skinny. All you can do is to stare.", the short stack replied.
"All I can do is to stare, and yet you're shivering? What a scared cat. Besides, I'm not on your league. All you can fight are girls and triangle enemies."
"So?", the fatso asked.
"Why won't you take me one on one?"
"One on one? On what? A staring contest?"
"Well, if that's what you want. I'm sure you'll never win."
"This guy's crazy! Let's go boys.", he said to his sidekicks and walked away.
"Geez! Shivering with a stare, huh?", Danny mocked with a smirk.
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With that, Danny went to the couple.
"Sherman, Penny, are you two okay?", he asked.
"Yeah. Thanks for saving us.", Sherman replied.
"No problem."
"Just what in the world was that, Danny?", Abby asked, "You just barged in there and stared like a post. What if they hurt you?"
"I-I fear that, too. Good thing this battle manual worked, or else.", and he showed a little book from his pocket.
"If you only know how much I, I mean we, got worried…"
"If you only know how much I got worried when no one dared to stand and defend them, and we're more than 30 here."
Seeing the truth of those words, Abby and the rest agreed with them.
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While the rest of the class was rumbling about what happened, Sherman and Penny walked to a shade and got into a serious talk.
"Are you sure you're okay?", Sherman asked his sweetheart as he dusted off some dirt on her.
"I'm definitely not okay…", she replied as she fixed her face with a hankie. Those tear trails must be removed at once.
"What can I do to make you feel better? Shall we have some ice cream or chocolates or…"
"I want you to help me get even."
"But Penny!"
"But what? It's just unfair to let it slide. Look, we just compensated what I've done. You know that. Then, they backstabbed me and beaten you. And, they even called me and my mom a slut!"
"I understand, Penny… but I think that's not a good idea…"
"Then what is the good idea? Let them get out and then they'll do it again?"
Sherman went out of words. Penny was right, he thought. They must not go unpunished, but what could they possibly do?
"If you won't help me, then fine. I'll do it myself.", she threatened and began to walk away.
"I'll help you, Penny.", he assured and pulled her by the hand, "You're right… we must do something."
"Well then. I want you to do a plan on how to get my, no our, revenge.", she grinned.
"But I think it's going to be hard. They're sixth graders and are much bigger than anyone else here. We can't just attack them with the two of us alone."
"Who told you that we are alone? The whole class is with us. Right, guys?"
And their classmates responded positively. Moreover, they ratified that they do some punishing tomorrow. The whole class was listening to their dialog and was sympathetic to the couple. Sherman's plan was all that lacked. Later, being asked for the plan, he told the team to bring water balloons as the first step.
"Water balloons? Don't tell me…", Penny asked.
"Uh huh. We're gonna do some throwing, though I still have to plan the positioning and escape points.", Sherman replied.
"Geez! You're really like your dad.", she chuckled.
"Hey! Now you're smiling!"
"Uhm… I'm not going with you guys tomorrow.", Danny suddenly declared.
"Why?", Sherman asked.
"Just not fond of that dirty work."
"What? You're not helping us tomorrow?", Abby asked with an annoyed voice.
"Yeah. So good luck to us."
Abby frowned. Sherman and Penny nodded and said in unison, "We understand. Thanks."
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Evening passed and morning came, and it was the next day. Since the start of the class, everyone was dead nervous about what was to happen. Aside from what Sherman told them, they brought slingshots and similar weapons. Carl and Mason even brought the modified crossbow they used to shot down Penny three years ago. By lunch, Sherman explained the plan to the class. It got everything covered, from positioning to escape points and timings.
"Guys! Don't forget about the escape points.. Or, the police might take you as well.", he reminded his classmates.
"Police?", Penny asked.
"Yeah. I have assigned someone to call them after the battle. Let's start 'Operation Weaver'."
"Weaver? I thought it's 'Operation Water Balloons'."
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As planned, the class grouped themselves into two groups. The first was composed of 10 students that were to play dodgeball and was set as baits. The couple was included in this group. They ran straight to the park with no unusual route pattern. On the other hand, the second group was composed of the rest and was the striking team. They were to position themselves in and behind trees, at the payphone booth, etc. as long as it's away from the supposed entry point of the bullies. Concerning the route pattern to the park, the second group dispersed into different ways, only to meet at the park.
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After following their respective route patterns, the revenge seekers made their way and positions without suspicion. About 30 minutes later, as Sherman and Penny was having a "sweet" dodgeball battle, the three sixth grade bullies approached them. As for "Operation Weaver", it's show time!
"Look who's here, Sherman, the three incredibly abnormal idiots!", Penny started. The bullies did not like what they heard and grunted.
"Oh boy… Run!", Sherman exclaimed as the sixth graders chased them.
By the time they reached the center of the field, Penny took a quick spin and threw a water balloon on the fatso's face. Enraged, he lunged for a punch, only to stop as the next event's commenced.
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Apparently, the throw done by Penny was the commanding signal. The striking team went out from hiding and pushed the attack. Projectiles rained in the properly timed ambush. The students basically filled those water balloons with water, through there's a handful that used vinegar, mud, or paint. Having stepped on a trap, the bullies did their best to run, but of course, the barrage overran them.
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Meanwhile, as the one-sided crossfire raged, the ten baits ran their way to the "safe" edge of the park. Unfortunately, Penny slipped and was to be hit by a projectile. Her sweetheart shielded her, took the hit, and then pulled her to a dock.
"Sherman, are you okay?", she asked immediately.
"Yeah. Just wet.", he replied with his signature smile.
"You should have dodged."
"But you might get hit, Penny."
"Whatever… thanks, smart guy."
"You're welcome."
"And thanks for helping me always. Don't worry; I'll try my best not to pull you into troubles like this."
"It's just fine… as long as we can get out of it or fix it together."
With loving smiles, the couple stood up and ran to their escape points. The others did the same afterwards.
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After blanking out for seconds, the bullies found themselves wet and dirty. The place was laden with exploded balloons, mud, and paint splatters. Furthermore, there's a police visibility and the culprits were all gone. In the end, they were condemned to clean up the park as community service. Never again that the bullies went there.
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At the payphone booth, a boy chuckled with the turn of events.
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Notes:
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To be honest, this chapter did not reach what I wanted this to be. I'm totally depressed and demotivated right now. I'm like heartbroken. :(
Case in point, Chapter 7 might be horribly delayed. I'll try my best getting over it, though, and I'll update soon. Thanks for understanding.
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Post-war events next chapter! Stay tuned!