Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

February 11, 1880
3:30 PM PST

Seventeen-year-old Martin McFly was walking home from school. He, along with his brother, Seamus, and his sister-in-law, Maggie, had moved to America from Ireland two years ago, in search of a better life. They currently lived in Virginia City, Nevada. Because Martin wasn't married, though, he often felt like a 'third wheel'. Because Martin was ten years younger than his brother, his brother was sort of like a father to him, ever since their parents have died in Ireland.

Martin had medium-length brown hair and slate-blue eyes, and he was five feet four inches tall. He often felt insecure of his short height. For the most part, he was a very easy-going young man with a sarcastic sense of humour, and was even a bit on the sensitive side. Like his brother, Martin believed in being nice to everyone, and would defend people who were being bullied. Because he dared to stand up to the bullies, though, he himself often became a target for bullies. He had one major flaw, though. He didn't want anyone to think that he was a coward - so, as a result, he often let people provoke him into taking foolish risks.

Just then, Martin was accosted by Bart Needles and his three buddies.

'Hey, Martin, I bet you cannot walk the ridgepole of a roof,' Bart taunted.

'Yeah,' chimed in Bart's friend, Clarence, 'I knew a girl in Las Vegas who could walk the ridgepole of a roof. Surely you're not afraid to do something that a girl can do.'

'Of course I could,' Martin said, rashly.

'Then I dare you to do it,' taunted Bart. 'I dare you to climb up there and walk the ridgepole of Mr. Nelson's kitchen roof.'

Martin turned pale, but he decided that he had no choice but to take on Bart's dare. He walked toward the house, where a ladder was leaning against the kitchen roof.

Then his friend, James Nelson, who lived in that house, shouted out, 'Please don't do it, Martin! You'll fall off and be killed. Never mind Bart Needles. It isn't fair to dare anybody to do anything so dangerous.'

'I must do it,' protested Martin. 'I cannot let Bart and his buddies think me a coward. I shall walk that ridgepole, James, or perish in the attempt. If I am killed, you are to have me fishing pole.'

Martin then climbed up the ladder, and tried to balance himself onto the ridgeful. He managed to take a few steps before he fell over, lying limp on the ground.

Bart and his gang then ran off, refusing to accept any responsibility for Martin's injury.

'Martin, are you killed?' shrieked James. 'Oh, Martin, please speak just one word to me and tell me if you're killed.'

Martin dizzily sat up and said, 'I'm not killed, but I think I'm injured.'

Then Mrs. Nelson ran outside, and asked, 'What's the matter? Where have you hurt yourself?'

'My ankle,' replied Martin, 'Oh, James, please take me home. I know I can never walk there. I'm sure I couldn't even hop so far on one foot.'

'Yes, James, please hitch up the horses and take Martin home,' said Mrs. Nelson.

oooooooooo

As James was carrying Martin into his him, Seamus ran out and, with tears in his eyes, he asked, 'Oh, James, what has happen to me dear Martin.'

'Don't be very frightened, Seamus,' insisted Martin. 'I was walking the ridgepole, and I fell off. I expect I have sprained me ankle. But, Seamus, I might have broken me neck. Let us look on the bright side of things.'

'Oh, Martin,' Seamus said, gently, he he carred his younger brother into the house, 'you really need to learn to stop taking such foolish risks. You could've been seriously hurt by trying to walk across that ridgepole. You're lucky that all you have is a sprained ankle.' Seamus then gently laid Martin onto his bed.

'Bart and his buddies would have called me a coward, though,' protested Martin, 'if I had refused. I couldn't let them think that I was a coward.'

'Why do you care so much what Bart and his buddies think of ya?' Seamus asked, gently. 'It's just a bunch of hot air from some buffoons. The people who truly matter would not of thought the less of ya for it.'

'Maybe I am a little too sensitive,' Martin said, with a sigh. 'I can't stand the idea of people thinking less of me. I guess I just wanna be liked.'

'There's nothing wrong with being sensitive,' Seamus said, gently. 'Being sensitive is actually a good thing. However, you are way too sensitive. You care too much of what other people think of ya, that you keep on taking foolish risks. Seriously, Martin, you need to relax and just enjoy life.'

'Aye,' said Martin, with a sigh. 'I guess you're right. It's just that I'm not very good at saying 'no'. That has never been me strong point.'

'Please, Martin,' Seamus said, placing his hand on Martin's arm. 'Think of about it. You have so much to live for. I don't want to lose ya.'

'Aye, Martin,' agreed Maggie, 'Please consider the future. Your brother and I are just loking out for ya. We love ya dearly.'

Then Seamus and Martin hugged.

Seamus then turned to his wife, and said, 'I shall go fetch the doctor, Maggie. You stay here and tend to Martin. It looks like poor Martin has been badly injured.'

'Aye,' replied Maggie. Then turning to Martin, she said, 'Let this be a lesson to you, Martin. Your life is a very precious thing, and I cannot stand to see that taken away from you. You mean so much to us.'

Martin sighed. Martin loved his brother and sister-in-law dearly, and he knew that they thought the world of him, and were looking out for him. Still, he didn't share his brother's confidence to stand up to bullies like Bart and his buddies. While he was good at defending victims from Bart, he was not as good at defending himself. He remembered the time when he was seven, he had refused to go sledding down that one hill, feeling that it was two dangerous. The next day, he had been ruthlessly teased for it, to the point where he ran home from school, crying. Since then, he had vowed to never again let anyone consider him a coward. Then Martin had fainted.