Eleven years ago
"Where's my lunch money, Spaz? I gotta eat."
"So shake down your mom for money and leave me alone!"
Defiant blue eyes glared up at the threatening brown ones. Joe knew full well how much older and bigger Kevin was, but he was not going to give up his money without a fight.
Kevin gripped the front of Joe's shirt and hauled him up into the air until they were nose-to-nose. "You got some kind of death wish?"
Joe grinned cheekily. "You don't got the balls to do anything to me."
And with that, he swung his foot and connected solidly with Kevin's groin. Kevin cried out and, releasing Joe, fell to his knees clutching his injury.
Joe picked himself up from where he had fallen and smiled sweetly. "Or, at least, you don't anymore."
Kevin glared at him. "You'll pay for that, Runt!"
"Still picking on first graders, Kevin? Why don't you grow up?"
Both boys turned to see a seven-year-old blond boy walk up to them with another fifth grader. The two younger boys eyed each other coolly.
"Blow off, Biff," Kevin snarled at the fifth grader. He turned his gaze to Joe. "This ain't over. When you least expect it, I'll be there."
He limped off, much to Joe's amusement. He turned to face the newcomers.
"Hi, I'm Joe Hardy," he announced, holding out his hand.
The older boy took it. "I'm Biff. This is my cousin, Allen. We saw what you did to Kevin. Pretty slick, but watch out. He's going to come back for more."
Joe puffed out his chest and extended his jaw. "I'm not afraid of him."
"Whatever," Biff grinned. "Catch you later."
As he ran off, Joe caught Allen's appraising look. "What?"
Allen shrugged. "You got guts for bein' so small."
Joe scowled at him. "I can take care of myself fine. Why? Looking for a bodyguard?"
Allen snorted. "Yeah, right. Been nice knowin' ya. Kevin's gonna clean the floor with you."
"We'll see," Joe shot back, and he turned and ran for his classroom.
Recess couldn't come soon enough for Joe. As soon as the bell rang, he shot out of the classroom and was one of the first to reach the playground.
"Gimme your money before I pound your face in!"
Joe whirled around and tensed, waiting for a fight. It took him a full minute to realize that Kevin wasn't talking to him. Against the fence several yards away, the bully had cornered a terrified first-grade boy.
Without stopping to think, Joe ran at top speed at Kevin. Holding out his hands, he ran into the older boy with enough force to knock Kevin to the ground.
The first grader stared at Joe in complete shock, then ran away from the fence.
Kevin surged up off of the ground and dove at Joe. Joe backed up quickly, but his feet tangled up in each other and he fell.
"Why don't you leave everyone alone?" Joe shouted.
Kevin's grin was feral as he yanked Joe to his feet and cocked back a fist. "You're dead meat, twerp."
A foot came flying out of nowhere, hitting Kevin in the shin. Kevin yelped and hopped back, letting go of Joe.
Allen shoved Kevin back further. "Get lost, creep!"
Kevin moved to act, but the playground monitor caught sight of them and was heading their way. The bully made a slashing motion across his throat and left.
Joe and Allen assured the monitor that everything was all right, then retreated to the swings.
"I didn't need your help," Joe told him, crossing his arms. "I coulda handled him."
"He was gonna cream you if I hadn't come along!" Allen exclaimed, incredulous.
"That's my problem, not yours!" Joe shot back. He turned to go find his brother when Allen's hand on his shoulder drew him up short.
"Why did you help that first grader?" he asked. "He doesn't know you, and Kevin never woulda come after you."
Joe gave Allen a look that said he couldn't believe the older boy even had to ask. "'Cause he was gonna hurt him."
Shaking his head in disbelief, Joe ran off. Allen watched him go, lost in thought.
The rest of the day passed for Joe without incident. Slinging his backpack over one of his shoulders and saying goodbye to a few classmates, Joe headed for the slide, where he would meet up with Frank.
He never made it.
A hand grabbed his arm and swung him into the side of the school, out of sight of teachers and students. Joe's head struck the brick wall, and he slid to the ground, stunned.
A dark figure loomed over Joe. The boy felt himself being jerked back to his feet and held up against the wall. Joe's eyes cleared, and he found himself staring into the predatory gaze of Kevin Dawson.
"Time to take out the trash, Runt," he sneered.
"All right," Joe managed to say through a splitting headache. "But I'm feelin' kinda nice, so I'll give you a chance to apologize, and then we can forget the whole thing."
Kevin's face turned red. "Your mouth's gonna get you in trouble some day."
Joe grimaced. "Yeah, so's yours unless you start brushing your teeth."
With a cry of outrage, Kevin slammed Joe back into the wall, then threw his fist into Joe's face. Joe fell to the ground, unable to defend himself.
Kicks assaulted Joe's body, and he curled up against them. Quickly, anger filled him, and he swung his own foot out. It hooked around Kevin's ankle, and Kevin fell onto his rump with a solid "oomph!"
Joe rolled to his knees, clutching his stomach. Though filled with pain, his blue eyes glared at Kevin.
"Had . . . enough?" he gasped.
Kevin yelled and moved to punch Joe again. Joe braced himself for the blow.
A hand caught Kevin's fist inches from Joe's nose. A fist struck Kevin in his eye, and he fell back. Two familiar figures stood between the boys.
"Haven't you had enough, Kevin?" Frank Hardy asked, arms crossed in a stance identical to Allen's.
Kevin glared. "You want some of this?"
"Some of what?" Allen scoffed. "Looks like you're the only one on the receiving end."
Frank took another step forward, looking imposing even for a seven-year-old. "I'm gonna tell you one more time. If you don't leave my brother alone, I'm gonna make your life miserable. Now beat it."
Kevin looked like he was about to argue, but thought better of it. "He's not worth the trouble, anyway," he said, and sulked off.
As soon as he was gone, Frank knelt at Joe's side. "Joe? You okay?"
Joe nodded. "I had him right where I wanted him! How did you know I was in trouble?"
Frank helped him to his feet and nodded at Allen. "Your friend here came and told me what was going on. We decided you could use a little back-up."
"He's Allen," Joe said.
"Yeah," Allen replied. "But, my friends call me Biff."
