Too Equal For My Taste

Chapter 28: A Thwarted Plan

Elementary school kids went home before older kids, so Mike could wait secretly for Ken to come home and hide his things. In this way, Mike would thwart Ken's plan. Ken was to come home and hide his things. Mike would follow at a distance and find the things and find where Ken would hide them, Mike would then tell Jake where they are, and Jake would take them himself. This way, if Ken accused Mike of doing it, Jake would back him up. Ken would be thwarted and Mike would win him over without need to fight him.

At three, Ken came home with Mark. The two were talking very seriously. Mike guessed quite correctly that Ken was telling Mark about the note. Ken didn't even go inside, he sent Mark away, and went on his way himself. Mike followed Ken to the Murtaugh backyard, and hid behind a bush again. He watched as Ken went behind another bush across the yard, and dug up a handful of dirt where the flowerbed was. He took some small trinkets and golden antiques out, and ran out with them. Mike crawled deeper in the bush as Ken passed.

The bush rustled as Mike crawled, and his heart started pounding when Ken stopped and stared hard at the bush. He seemed to think it was a rat, and continued on his way. Mike got up, and kept at a larger distance.

He walked very lightly as Ken led Mike over to the Baker backyard. Mike was beginning to think to himself that it really was working. He'd find out where they'd be hidden, and he would do whatever he wanted at his own leisure. When they walked in their backyard, Mike was beginning to feel safe, being in his own backyard. He was in the middle of feeling triumphant when he felt himself being grabbed from behind. Mike tried to catch where Ken was hiding everything, but he was forced away. He heard drawling laughter as Mike was pushed to the ground.

Looking up, Mike saw Mark was the one who grabbed him. "Wow, I underestimated you, Mark."

Ken arrived to the scene without the trinkets. All Mike knew was they were hidden in his own backyard. "You lousy"-

"What?" Ken tested. "Do tell, what?"

"You lousy ass hole," Mike whispered, getting up. He faced Ken angrily.

"You are so daring," Ken laughed. "I knew that was you behind the bush. Did you seriously think that I wouldn't sense you behind me? Come on, anyone can do that. Or, at least anyone normal can do that. Tell me what were you planning to do, Mike?"

"I'm, gonna get you," Mike breathed.

Ken moved his head closer to Mike, "No, you're not. Mark! Go, the values are hidden in the backyard. Take them and put them away."

Mark nodded, and ran away. Mike was left yelling at Ken.

"You're the one taking things that don't even belong to you," Mike yelled.

"You're a nerd!" Ken yelled back. "Our parents don't give us raised allowance, we get it by force. It's like we're thieves. Why don't you be a rebel!? Or are you a goody two-shoes?"

"Rebel my ass," Mike yelled back. "Rebel in a better way. By stealing, not even the coolest people in school do that!"

"You really are a geek," Ken said lowly. "Mark's better than you. You know what, Mike. I'll let him deal with you. Then you'll really know who the real tough guy is in the family."

Mark had come back, and Ken walked away. Mike felt a little triumph as Ken left, and he only had weak Mark to deal with. However, Mark was underestimated.

"What the hell is your problem?" Mike yelled.

"What the hell is your problem?" Mark yelled back.

"You're the one following Ken, so influential," Mike yelled angrily. "Since when did you decide to get so low?"

"Not low, Mike," Mark said. "It's a little thing called being with the right people."

"The right people?" Mike repeated. "What right people? Ken is the right people? You had people like me and Jake protecting your ass. You need Ken? Boy, you really are Fed-ex!"

"Ken's better than you!" Mark yelled angrily. It seemed Mike had touched an old nerve by calling Mark an old nickname that was dumped and forgotten three years ago.

"Jake and me could kick that guys ass!" Mike yelled. "Then where are you?"

"You're not gonna beat him up," Mark said firmly and confidently. "He's got connections. Unless you want a big fight and a big loss, you'll avoid Ken at all costs."

"Oh, what am I scared of him now?" Mike said sarcastically. "What is he, some Big Boss Gangster? You're a thief now! You're a low-life thief! And I thought you were better than that."

"You're a kid, Mike!" Mark yelled. "What do you know? I don't even know why I'm talking to you. You're only nine. When you're older, you'll understand what I mean by the right people. It's the only way you'll get accepted in society, and I've been rejected by you and the rest of the family too much."

"It's over!"

"And you still treat me like a piece of SHIT!"

Mark kicked Mike in the shins, and walked away. Mike started after him, with little pain in his shins from that weak kick. Before he could get to Mark, Ken jumped from behind a tree, took him, and pinned him against the wall. "Don't you dare? I promise you, you will be very sorry."