Free Access

Justin sighed. It was time for yet another rugby lesson, and he hated playing rugby. He didn't really like any kinds of sport, but rugger was worse than most. It felt to Justin much like a glorified punch-up, and he didn't like to fight.

Justin came from a gentle home. His mum and dad were quiet and thoughtful people, and there was a real sense of harmony at home. Justin rarely heard anybody shout, and there was never any question of hitting each other. Justin was always glad to reach home, for he much preferred home to school. School was noisy and often violent, especially when they were forced to play games like rugby, or when an argument arose in the playground and the boys started to fight.

On such occasions, Justin would make himself scarce. He would keep well out of the way as his parents had suggested, and he would stay clear until tempers had settled and the playground was once again under control.

But perhaps today's rugby lesson wouldn't be quite so bad, for the teacher had been called away and the boys were to get on by themselves. That meant that Justin could avoid the lesson altogether and skulk about on the touchlines until it was time to go in again. He'd probably be freezing cold by then, but at least it was better than having to endure the scrum.

While the rest of the class were getting stuck into the game, Justin hung about at the edge of the pitch, amusing himself by watching a trail of ants and wondering how many ants there were per square foot of field. Justin enjoyed natural history.

His reverie was broken by raised voices. Despite himself, Justin looked up. For a moment, all he could see in the centre of the field was a circle of tangled arms and legs. Then, as the scrum broke loose for a moment, Justin spotted a small boy on the ground. He recognised him instantly as Patches, the most unpopular boy in the class.

Patches was a pain to everyone who knew him, and was mostly avoided. Justin automatically avoided him because he was often the centre of trouble, and Justin never wanted to get involved. Other people disliked him because Patches was always rather full of himself, and not very trustworthy.

Now Patches was on the ground, and six or seven boys were top of him. At first, Justin thought it was just part of the game, but then he noticed a fist which thumped into Patches and evoked a howl of pain.

Justin felt trembly inside. He could feel his legs beginning to shake, and he wanted to run away and hide. For all the boys were at it now, kicking and punching and hitting and scratching, and Patches was curled up into a little ball trying vainly to defend himself.

Justin didn't know what to do. He didn't even like Patches, and it wasn't his fight, so surely the best thing would be to go away as he always did until the trouble was over. Besides, Justin had no idea how to fight, so he didn't think he'd be much help to anyone.

But try as he would to turn away, Justin was drawn again and again to that figure on the ground. Almost without knowing what he was doing, Justin found himself tearing across the field. Without stopping to think, he flung himself into the scrum and began to punch and kick at the nearest attacker. Such was his force that the boys were taken by surprise, and with a few good shoves Justin had soon cleared the whole pack. He reached out a hand and helped Patches to his feet, then took him quietly back into school.

But as they made their way off the pitch, Justin knew he'd made himself some real enemies for the first time in his life. And he heard the boys mutter, "We'll get you for this, Justin Carter." Justin knew his school life would never again be the same, and that his days of sitting on the sidelines watching the action were over. A large part of him regretted what he'd done, because he'd always enjoyed keeping out of the way. But another part of him knew he couldn't have done anything else, for there are times when evil must be faced even at the risk of losing a lovely way of life.

And on balance, although it wasn't easy, Justin decided he'd probably done the right thing. He didn't much look forward to the future, but he had a feeling God would be with him and whatever happened, he'd be all right in the end. And despite his fears and anxiety, Justin suddenly felt very content.