Legend of Mace Read Online Free PDF Page A

collection of boys that surrounded him, Roger realized gang mentality was about to take over. He needed to deal with Bowie immediately. “If you want to try something, do it now or back off.”
    Mace and Woody followed at a distance. At the sound of the threat, Mace picked up his speed. The boys never backed down. Bowie pulled out a large knife. “Do you know why they call me Bowie?” he said. He held up the blade and waved it at Roger. The sun glinted off the blade.
    “Because you’re having an identity crises and want to seem tough?”
    Mace reached them just as Bowie swung the knife at Roger. Roger jerked to the side and swiftly grabbed Bowie's arm, twisting it behind his back. The knife dropped and Roger put his other arm around Bowie’s throat, squeezing his airway shut. “The rest of you back off!” he said loudly, as he struggled to keep Bowie under control.
    “Enough!” yelled Mace, pushing his way through the boys, who held their weapons at the ready. “Damn it, Roger, I thought you were a pacifist!”
    “You don’t survive out here getting pushed around!”  Bowie pulled at Roger with his free hand while his face turned bright red. “What the hell were you thinking letting me walk off on my own? It was like releasing me to the wolves!”
    “Let go of him!” yelled Mace. The boy's now all yelled threats.
    “Not until they back off!”
    Mace pulled the machete that hung by his side and pointed it at Roger. “I underestimated you. I shouldn’t have done that. Now let him go or I’ll finish you.”
    Glaring at Mace, Roger pushed Bowie away. He took a defensive posture, waiting for the attack. Bowie fell to his knees and gasped for breath. The boys moved towards Roger, weapons drawn.
    “Leave him alone!” Mace said loudly as he sheathed his machete. “I’m going to escort him to the jail. This was my fault. He is our guest for now.”
    Bowie glared up at Roger and spit on the ground. Climbing to his feet, he dusted himself off. There would be hell to pay.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Roger was beside himself. “That was fucked up,” he said to Mace as they walked. “You set me up.”
    “I wanted to see how you’d handle yourself.”
    No fear remained as Roger glared. “And did I pass your test?”
    “Better than I expected. When you said you were a minister I thought maybe you’d try to convert them. I had no idea you possessed those type of skills." Mace gazed upon Roger with a new sense of respect. "It’s not like those kids aren’t trained.”
    “I’m a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. I actually took it easy on them.”
    Mace looked at him closely. “A Kung Fu minister. Interesting…”
    “There is a strong spiritual connection with martial arts. Body, mind, spirit. They must all be aligned to be effective. It’s where I first became a seeker.”
    “Just don’t call me Grasshopper,” Mace said with an icy gleam. “Or I may have to cut your head off.”
    Roger couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not. Analyzing him for a second, Roger said, “You asked me to stay for a reason. It’s obvious you don’t take in many strangers. What is it you're seeking?”
    Avoiding eye contact, Mace felt his stomach tighten as he looked away. “I don’t know.”
    “I don’t believe you, Mace. I think you’re looking for something. I think you seek redemption.”
    Mace stopped in his tracks and took a few deep breaths. “Stop right there. Don’t psychoanalyze me. I thought you might be good for this camp. Don’t make me second guess that decision.” Inside, his stomach churned. Roger could see right through him.
    “Sorry, won’t bring it up again.”
    “You better not.”
     
    Inside the jail, Crockett and Kelly traded barbs as Mace and Roger walked in.
    “Keep talking, Jersey, I always yawn when I’m interested.”
    “Don’t worry, I will. Are you always this stupid or are you just making a special effort today?”
    “You know, if I really wanted to hear from an ass,