SLAM!
PJ's back hit the banister and the air was knocked out of him. He stood, helplessly trying to catch his breath, as he watched Mark Horton and his gang pour the contents of his rucksack on to the floor. Paintings, sketches, doodles and pens and pencils carpeted the floor. Tears welled in PJ's eyes as the bullies stamped their muddy rugby boots across the papers, destroying the work he'd spent hours and hours on. Swallowing back the sobs and blinking back the tears, he could do nothing to stop them. There was only one of him, and he was weak.
Chris had been observing the events at the bottom of the staircase from the landing above. He had the perfect view, and still remained completely out of sight.
It was a Tuesday morning, the middle of second period, and almost everyone was in class. Chris had skipped this class, like he'd skipped most of his classes over the past few years at Dark Wood. Nobody ever noticed; Chris was so quiet that the teachers didn't even know he was there. He only attended drama and art class now, and caught up on the work from other classes in his spare time. It was a heavy price to pay, but it was worth it if it saved him the harassment.
Mark Horton and the rest of the rugby players had just finished rugby practice before the big match after school that day. He assumed the new kid had gotten lost on his way to the toilets or something and had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
PJ's face was a dark shade of red, he was obviously holding back tears. Chris let a smile play on his lips, he was sort of glad that Mark and his gang had found a new target. However, at the same time, he felt bad for the boy. He had considered going to help him, but there were too many of them and, although they were both over six foot and stood taller than some of the boys, they were massively outnumbered.
Chris swung his backpack over his left shoulder, turned and began to walk back to North Wing. PJ wasn't his favourite person, not by a long way, but he still wasn't prepared to stick around and watch him get hurt. He'd see what damage had been done later anyway.
