Renegade Rising (The Renegade Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

know,” Falcon said. At this Gisbo was interested.
    “What? Huh? Tell me!” Gisbo asked.
    “Well, since you asked so nicely. You want to know what happens when someone loses heart? Well, you become nothing more than a hollow being . . . a shell that slaves his life away with no purpose, kinda like these people you speak so fondly of around here. That’s not what you want, now is it?” Falcon asked. Gisbo shook his head. Falcon rubbed at his hair and continued.
    “My boy, you are at a pinnacle point in your life right now, where your dreams are called into question. Unfortunately, the average person gives up when the going gets tough and instead accepts a mediocre existence. Life, as we get older, has a nice way of snuffing out who we really are. It’s only the strong that doesn’t let it hinder them. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. In fact, it requires all that you are,” Falcon said. He reached for a short cigar in his pocket, lit it and puffed away.
    “Hm,” Gisbo said.
    “Yeah, ‘hm’ is right. Now, let me tell you a little something about these buggers you talk about, the guys that have it easy. There’s another word for ‘em: prodigies. Prodigies are never happy, you know. Be thankful you aren’t one,” Falcon said, blowing out a thick plume of smoke.
    “Yeah, I beg to differ,” Gisbo said.
    “Oh, they may look happy, but such people have nothing to strive for or achieve anymore. The only thing they care about is keeping their titles; but you, you’re something different, the opposite of a prodigy,” Falcon said.
    “Really? What’s that?” Gisbo asked.
    “Well, to put it nicely, pal, you’re a failure,” Falcon said. Gisbo was stunned.
    “Hey!” Gisbo said.
    “Now, now, let me finish. Being a failure is a good thing,” Falcon said.
    “No, it’s not!” Gisbo argued.
    “Yes, it is because you already know more than those who got it all right the first time. You know of every way to get it wrong. See? And when you get it right, you’ll already know more than the prodigies. Those who are dubbed failures or outcasts, those who work hard, come from nothing and fight on with a fiery desire, they, my boy, have nothing to lose and everything to gain and what do they gain? How about an unrivaled satisfaction you can die happy with. If you ask me, that sounds pretty good,” Falcon said. He paused for another puff. “The very moment you can die without regret, kid, is the very moment you start to live. This is where a self-made man comes from. As long as you don’t give up, you’ll never truly fail,” Falcon said with glimmer in his eye. He blew a smoke ring in the air.
    Gisbo sat on his front steps deep in thought, not uttering a word. Falcon sat beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
    "Oh, I know what this town thinks of you, Gisbo, I know. I say, don't let a name like yours become a hindrance. Instead, turn it into a strength. Consider your name a lucky one. Not every boy gets fighting experience every day by boys wanting to pound him. Either way, far as I'm concerned, you’ve been given quite a rare gift. Use it to help you in your quest to become a great warrior,” Falcon said. He rose and stretched with an obnoxious grunt. He then began to pat his pockets.
    “Well, seems I’ve run out of speeches for the day. Got to go, kid. But hey, do me a favor, would ya? Never, ever lose those dreams of yours. Chin up,” Falcon said.
    "Don’t you think your opinion is a little biased? What, being a fellow failure like me? You’re a janitor, man! And you clean up crap shoots all day long! A lot of heart and desire there I bet. Big dreams in an occupation like that. You must have found a hell of a lot of fortune cookies in the trash or something because . . ." But before Gisbo could finish his sentence, there was another loud CLUNK that echoed off his skull.
    "AH! Where do you get off? Gahhh!" Gisbo said rubbing his head. Falcon smiled at him.
    "Hmph, at least my words didn't fall