Marked Read Online Free PDF Page A

or at least what he remembered of it, had been complete agony, except when in the refuge of his home. Whenever he was out, he was not only indiscriminately outcast but was constantly tormented and mistreated by his peers. Daily he was forced to silently withstand insults, attacks, and harassment. He resignedly suffered the abuse and tried to avoid confrontation. But it did no good, and unfortunately only made the already critical situation worse. A gang of bullies made up of six boys from the village about the same age as Komir were his own personal tormentors. He knew he was the group’s favorite target, so he had to stay constantly alert and avoid them at all costs or he’d end up severely beaten. They were always looking to torture him. Afterwards—their egos puffed up like bellows—they’d brag and spread stories about it, terribly pleased with themselves.
    When Komir ran errands for his mother in the village he had to walk cautiously, looking for alternate routes to evade the group. They were always waiting for him, and tirelessly chased after him wherever he went. For this gang, hunting him down and beating up on him had become a fixation. As long as he was far from the village he was safe, but his required attendance at Udag was a problem. During the training he was safe since no one would ever dare to interrupt one of Master Warrior Gudin’s lessons, but before and after the lessons was another story entirely.
    One unfortunate autumn afternoon, everything took a drastic turn for the worse. His life would remain inexorably marked by the traumatic incident; it had enormous repercussions. Nothing would ever be the same for him again. Komir remembered it clearly, as if it had just happened yesterday though it had transpired more than five springs before. On the way to Udag he’d walked into a treacherous ambush. He had chosen to take a detour on the south side of the bridge at the entrance to the town. Unfortunately, the gang was hiding there, waiting for him. He did not realize they were there until it was too late, and he barely had time to react. He saw Akog come out from behind a tree, his face red with rage. For reasons unknown to Komir, Akog utterly hated him.
    When he saw him, Komir’s heart skipped a beat.
    At that very instant, on his left and his right, he saw the rest of the gang emerging from their hiding places, screaming violently. His blood froze in his veins, but the intense fear that followed the initial shock compelled him to take off running. In the past, his quickness coupled with his knowledge of the area surrounding the village had saved him from more than one beating. He ran with a speed born from panic, as if his heart and legs were being fed from the terror raging through him.
    But that time, a few steps from the river, a thin boy named Belgo, who was a year older than him and very quick, gave chase. Throwing himself at Komir’s feet, he knocked him down, sending Komir rolling downhill until half of his body was in the river. He tried to stand up but Joxiel promptly arrived to hold him down. Shortly thereafter he had the whole gang restraining him in the ford of the river. Luckily he was not completely submerged and managed to keep his head above water. He had Joxiel sitting on his chest, Belgo holding his legs, Etxol holding his right arm and Inieg, his left. Overcome with fear and rage, Komir tried with all his might to writhe away from them but he could not break free. The river water splashed his face, filling him with terror.
    Akog walked up to him and, without saying a word, punched him in the face.
    Komir absorbed the impact, but his lip split apart like the peel of an orange. Pain exploded on his face.
    “Give it good to the little bastard!” Inieg screamed furiously.
    “Don’t you worry—I’m going to break his face,” boasted Akog, hitting the defenseless Komir once again.
    “Damned swine!” bellowed Etxol, pushing Komir’s arm even harder into the muddy river