Stand Up for Yourself

Trebor stops to think and takes a second too long. 

“You deaf? I aksed if you was callin me a liar.”

Thanks to your advice, Trebor builds up the courage to stand up to the bullies. In his mind, he wants to say, “Yeah, I’m calling you a liar. Whatcha gon’ do ‘bout it?” Instead, he clears his throat.

“Well, I’m not saying a liar,” he begins. “I just think you might have been misinformed.” His courage begins to drain from him like air leaking from a tire.

Huge dude #1 laughs and turns to one of his companions. “My boys Con-Flay and Man-Man  told me you was in a gang. Is you callin’ dem liars?”

“I think he’s callin’ us liars, Martinez,” screams another huge dude. 

Martinez turns back toward Trebor. “I fin’ ask you one mo’ time. Is you callin’ us liars?”

Trebor trembles. “No, no, no.” His head shakes so quickly, it’s a wonder he doesn’t get dizzy.

“So you is in a gang.” Martinez snaps his finger and his boys step closer to him. 

Is it too late to announce that Trebor’s a Christian? Yes. Also, why aren’t cars stopping to help him? It’s like he’s invisible to the world around him. 

Man-Man walks past Trebor and pretends to stumble. “Why you trip me for?”

“I.. I didn’t.” Trebor feels alone and afraid. Before the adrenaline can kick in, everything goes black. A moment later, he realizes that he was hit in the back of the head and has fallen to his knees on the sidewalk. Just as his brain registers the scrapes to his knees, a kick to the stomach knocks the wind out of him. He feels warm goop hit his face and realizes he’s been spit on. 

Please, God, let this stop.

The voices fade and Trebor sits up. A man emerges from the church across the street and invites him into the building to get cleaned up. Trebor says yes out of desperation and explains what happened. He is mainly happy that he is able to get cleaned up. He accepts a water bottle and is ready to head home.

“Hey kid,” says the man. “Would you like a ride home?”

Should Trebor accept the ride?

(Choose below)