Chapter 1
The girl was small and slim, but also quick and agile. She slipped free of the hands trying to pull off her headscarf. From far away, it might have looked like a game. Up close, you could see the tears in her eyes.
Raffi McCaffrey gripped his metal crutches. He wished he could turn them into weapons. He would aim them at the bullies and paralyzing rays would knock them to the ground.
But Raffi was weak, because he had sickle-cell anemia. His friend Carlito was in perfect health. The three bullies were tough guys from eighth grade Frank and his gang.
They were blocking the exit from the school yard. They wouldn't let the girl with the scarf leave until they had had their mean fun.
Raffi was about to yell at them to stop, when he heard the squeaky sound of an old van. His dad had come to pick him up.
The van pulled to a stop in front of Raffi and Carlito. In the back was a bulky shape wrapped up in blankets.
"Hi, guys! Hop in. I've got a delivery in the neighbourhood before we head home."
As he got out of the van, he noticed Raffi was upset.
"What's wrong?"
Raffi looked over at Frank and the other two boys, who were still bothering the girl in the scarf.
His father understood right away. Raffi had already told him about these bullies. He stood for a moment in thought, then reached into the van and pressed the horn.
The horn blared for a good five seconds. The bullies were startled and looked over at the van.
Raffi's dad took a few steps toward them.
"Isn't it time for you to go home, gentlemen?"
"That's none of your business," answered Frank.
Mr. McCaffrey stayed calm.
"I think it is," he replied.
"We were just playing a game with her," muttered another one of the big boys. He seemed less sure of himself.
"Well, the game is over now," Mr. McCaffrey said firmly.
At that moment the three thugs realized that, while they were talking, the girl had slipped away.
Frank muttered a swear word through clenched teeth. Then he pulled up his hood, and his buddies immediately pulled up theirs. The three shuffled off, their hands in their pockets.
"Have they ever picked on you, Raffi?" asked Mr. McCaffrey.
"No, they just make fun of him," Carlito answered for Raffi. "They say they don't waste their time on cripples."
Raffi's dad sighed.
"Do you two know that girl?" he asked.
"No, she's new in school."
"We only noticed her when she began to wear that headscarf," added Carlito.
"Does she have any friends?"
"I don't think so," said Raffi. "But why did those guys want to pull off her scarf?"
"People like that don't need any reason. There were bullies like that in my school too, when I was young. I guess there always will be bullies. But that's no reason to let them keep on hurting people. I'll have a word with the principal."
"We should run after them and pull off their hoods!" declared Carlito.
"They certainly deserve it," laughed Mr. McCaffrey. "But let's not stoop to their level."