It was the first day of school. Steven was proud of his Jr ROTC uniform that he had earned the right to wear during his summer military camp. Bill had gone to see relatives for the summer, leaving Steven eager to hear about Montana and to brag about his own summer.

The lunchroom was crowded. Steven tried to find Bill but Bill was too short and he would never be able to see him. With a decidedly disgusted sigh he started to move toward their usual table.

Steven felt gawky having grown nearly four inches over the summer. He was now taller then many of the other eighth graders and he felt like a sore thumb.

"Hey, Stevie can we cut your hand off too?"

Steven froze. It was a direct attack on his family. His father had lost part of his hand in an explosion during his military service. Steven turned to see who would dare to say something like that. It was Edward Vimoor, the rich kid from up the road.

"What did you say?" Steven growled shoving everyone out of his way as he stalked toward Edward. "I'm going to kill him." Steven thought.

Edward and his cohorts just laughed. Steven stopped before them and glared maliciously.

"What are you going to do little Stevie. Hit me?" Edward mocked.

Steven didn't say anything. He just pounced like a wildcat. Both boys tumbled to the ground and Steven started to pummel his face. Edward cried out bursting into tears.

"That's it cry like a bitch!" Steven yelled as he started to choke him.

"Plissken! Plissken! Stop!"

Steven ignored the voice and only heard the other children cheering him on. Steven felt a rush. He didn't want to stop hitting him until he was near death. The principle rushed up and grabbed Steven trying to tear him from the boy trapped beneath the snarling Plissken. Steven tried to hold on to his quarry and squirm free from the hands that were trying to restrain him. He was failing. He knew it as he felt his hands slipping from Edward's neck. The principle behind him finally pulled him to his feet and Steven's mind cleared enough to hear the words.

"Plissken, what the Hell are you doing?" Steven didn't say anything. He saw another teacher holding Bill who was struggling. Steve smirked as he saw the blood on his shirt. He saw Bill look down at the boy on the ground. The friends exchanged a defiant smiles. They would jump anyone if the other did; Bill was always there for Steven.

"Plissken it is the first day of school and this already? What is the meaning of this mess Steven?"

Steven ripped his arms from the principle's grasp.

"He disrespected my father." Snake snapped.

"That is no reason to beat the boy."

"The hell it isn't! He was making fun of my father's hand." Steven retorted.

"Watch your language Plissken. You are too sensitive about his injuries." Steven scowled as the principle continued. "He chose to be involved in the war and now he must live with that mistake."

Steven was stunned. He heard Bill gasp behind him. The shock faded into a hateful rage. "It wasn't a mistake to protect this country. His father had given his hand in service like a sacrifice." Steven thought as his expression turned livid. The principle was serious he could see it. "How dare he?" Steven raised his foot and kicked the principle in the shin as hard as he could. The principle fell to the floor with a shriek of pure pain.

Everyone was stunned to silence. Steven turned to Bill and grinned. He would be in deep trouble, probably suspended, maybe even expelled but no one would ever disrespect his father again.