Corona: 1837

Ever since Eugene had discovered the secret library and had pilfered the book whose cover had captured his attention, he found he wanted to be like the hero, Flynnigan Rider. He longed and dreamed for adventure, and thought of what it would be like to see the world that was different from the one he knew.

At night he would crawl beneath his blanket and read a tale of adventure where Flynnigan would rescue princesses, travel the open seas, or vanquish enemies and dragons. A great celebration would be held in his honor, and the hero became renowned for his bravery and sword-fighting throughout the land. These stories would fill Eugene with a longing to be an adventurer.

He envisioned himself as a sea captain who sailed the open seas on the finest ship he would construct himself. This ship would make Blackbeard and the other pirates jealous and their boats would pale in comparison to his.

During the day, if the weather was fair and when all the children were outside, Eugene would sit beneath an oak tree he had come across and would immerse himself in reading. The Tales of Flynnigan Rider turned out to be a large collection of compiled stories that were written to entertain and amuse children. The book explored Flynnigan's various heroic and daring adventures, and Eugene was unable to put the tome down.

It was on one day when Eugene found himself confronted by the twelve-year-old Ludwig who had always been Eugene's adversary. It gave Ludwig joy when he tormented Eugene and teased him about his reading and his cronies would laugh along with him. Of course Eugene stood up for himself, but that was not enough for Ludwig to leave him alone, for he made jibes and jeered at him every chance he got.

There was no point in telling the headmaster because Alfred had never been concerned with such affairs and paid little attention to how the children interacted with each other.

Eugene was sitting underneath the oak tree, engrossed in a tale about flynnigan scaling a mountain when the sound of footsteps caused him to look up suddenly. There, standing before him, was Ludwig. His brown, intimidating eyes looked at Eugene and the boy closed the book and turned toward him.

"What do you want, Ludwig?" he queried, trying to keep his voice calm.

Ludwig ignored Eugene's question and glanced down at the book the younger boy was holding. He greedily reached out for the volume but Eugene was quicker and snatched it away.

"I want the book, freak," he answered finally.

"I won't give it to you."

"Give me the book!" Ludwig demanded, "I want to see what this storybook of yours is about."

"No!" Eugene protectively covered the work.

Ludwig knew Eugene was tough and wouldn't give the book that easily. He had to use a different tactic and one that would make the brat give in to his demands.

"I've got a bargain for you," he told Eugene. "If you give me the book, then I'll do something nice for you."

"I don't believe you because you're a liar. You've never been nice to anyone. Even the younger kids are scared of you."

"Please?" Ludwig coaxed, feigning a polite tone. "Can't I look at the pictures at least?"

"No!"

Ludwig's face grew purple with rage and, by force, he threw Eugene to the ground. He took the book and Eugene watched in horror as his rival tore out pages and threw them.

"Ha, ha, ha!" Ludwig teased, "the little boy reads baby books. Ha, ha."

Eugene rose from the ground and wrestled Ludwig. After a few minutes Eugene retrieved his book and looked at the torn pages.

"This isn't over, freak!" Eugene could hear Ludwig's enraged voice as he walked away from where he left the bully on the ground.

The scuffle had caused a ruckus wich the headmaster could hear from his office. Within a matter of minutes he was outside and aiding Ludwig to his feet.

"Master Alfred." The boy spoke in a whining tone. "That freak pushed me down and wounded me."

"who?" the headmaster wanted to know.

Ludwig pointed an accusing finger at Eugene. "It was him. I only wanted to look at what he was reading, but he threw me to the ground and fought me."

"I'll teach that boy a lesson," the headmaster vowed, "one he won't forget in a hurry."

With that the headmaster ushered Ludwig into the orphanage and sent someone to escort Eugene to his office.