The Lone Fox


The days had slipped by quickly, and before anyone knew it, it was already Friday. With the weekend so close, Ryan couldn't help but have a feeling of relief he had survived another week. He looked forward to spending some time with his beloved sister. They always spent their free time together on the weekends.

Perhaps Ryan was a little childish for his simplistic desires, or perhaps he just didn't wat to grow up. Whatever the reason, he wasn't ready to grow up just yet. Not like his sister had to. She would have to be the adult for both of them.

Angelina was the main source of support in Ryan's life, and he knew without her, he would not be able to gather the motivation needed to get up in the morning and live. He wasn't depressed, so much as empty. He didn't feel like he hated life, just that life wasn't giving him anything, and that there was nothing to look forward to for him.

He knew Angelina's future was bright, and probably brighter than his. Angelina had been being offered scholarships since she was in eighth grade. Ryan had a 3.7 average, and had a few small scholarships, but nothing compared to his sister. She had been offered a free ride to many different schools. Always she would tell them she needed time to decide, and would do so when she graduated high school. She was a senior this year, so that decision wasn't too far away in reality. Whatever she did, she wanted to stay with Ryan, and take care of him until he graduated. For that reason, she wouldn't get a dorm, and demanded she could live at home with Ryan. That always made him feel guilty, as she wouldn't get to experience the full life of a college student because of him.

He always had pleasant thoughts about Angelina. Angelina, his pure, motherly, virgin sister. Ryan knew she had made a promise to not have sex until she was married. He knew that when Angelina made a promise, she kept it. She never made a promise she couldn't keep in her entire life.

She was so innocent, so pure, so flawless. Ryan couldn't remember a time in his life where him and his sister showed signs of sibling rivalry. His sister was always sweet to him, and had a smile like sugar, with the personality to back it up. She had always been as carefree as she was now. Surely though, she had problems of her own, but more than likely never discussed them for the sake of Ryan. She knew she was Ryan's hero, and signs of weakness in herself was a bump in the faith Ryan had in himself. She was the most solid example in Ryan's life.

School was as always, a challenge to Ryan. He had such a hard time fitting in, that he was possibly the most socially awkward person at the school.

Lunch he would always sit by himself, and not draw attention to himself. He lived in solitude at school, and that same solitude followed him home. Only his sister would qualify as any kind of “friend.” Rarely did Ryan trust other people either. Wanting nothing to do with the people of this school, he would always isolate himself in his own personal sphere.

The day progressed as normal. Class in the morning, lunch at noon, and gym after. Ryan always detested gym. He wasn't athletic, and was often so clumsy he would ruin his teams chances of winning. When the pressure was on, he often choked.

This particular day the activity in gym class was basketball. Being as short and non-athletic as Ryan was, it went without saying that he seriously hindered him teams chances at victory.

The game ended with a score of 26 to 24. The last shot was made by Ryan, but he panicked and missed the final shot, causing his team to lose the game. He felt rather low about himself. The other students however were more upset than he was.

After changing out of his gym cloths in the locker room when everyone left he started heading out. He always waited until everyone was out of the locker room, not just because he was embarrassed to take his cloths off around anyone, but because he wanted to be no where near the other kids in a closed area after he cost them the game.

Sighing lightly, he grabbed his bag and made his way outside to begin his walk home.

Out in front of the school, a group of familiar faces from the locker room were standing together. They formed a sort of half moon shape and glared directly at Ryan. He could feel himself as the topic of discussion with the intensity of their eyes.

Slowly they made their way closer until Ryan was surrounded by the older muscular boys. Their musky body sprays seemed to combine together to create a manly scent of strength. Ryan knew without a doubt any one of them could crush him, let alone the entire group. He could feel the hostility from them towards himself.

“What's up Ryan?” Grinned the tallest of the group.

Ryan tried to make it through the group and back onto the sidewalk, but a chubby, rather rotund boy pushed him back into the circle they entrapped him within.

“What's wrong? We just wanted to talk about that game in gym, squirt.” The tall one said while insulting Ryan's height.

They all were juniors, Ryan recognized most of them. The one leading the group, and the tallest boy there was Roy. He had quite a record of getting into fights, but was let off easy quite often because he was a star of the football team.

He flicked Ryan's forehead, “why so eager to leave? That hurts my feelings you know.”

The other boys laughed while inching in closer.

“Hey!” A voice echoed from down the sidewalk.

The group all turned to face the stranger who dared draw their attention and challenge them. He looked older, and looked somewhat fit, but no where near the strength of the young athletes surrounding Ryan. His hair was jet black, and rather messy, but he had a part of it shading his eyes. The eyes fastened to his face were a vibrant turquoise, and glinted in the sun. Giving off an aura of being somewhat of a loner, he seemed quite confident in himself.

The air around this boy seemed to move to his command, and sway to his mood. With his black hooded sweatshirt with its small white stripes up it, his torso was covered well. Only unzipped a slight bit to reveal his white t shirt underneath. It seemed to go with his black pants, which Ryan spotted chains hanging from the pockets, and they appeared to be faded with age. On top of his t shirt sat a silver necklace bearing an emerald gemstone dangling from the chain.

“What'd you say?” Roy yelled back in anger and frustration at the older boy.

“Leave the kid alone.” The other stared.

His eyes bared the most serious expression that Ryan had ever seen in his life. He could feel fire burning behind them.

He took a step forward, “leave him alone, or I'll make you regret it.”

“You just take your best shot tough guy.” Roy challenged.

“You'll regret that.” He threatened.

The group dashed towards him hoping to take him by surprise. He was more than ready for them though. Flipping one of them over his shoulder and allowing his face to meet with the pavement, he took a swing at another taking him down as well.

Roy and the chubby one attempted to work together to defeat him, however their teamwork was mediocre at best. He jabbed the large one in the gut, then kicked him directly in the chin. His leg extended so quickly and accurately the large one didn't even see it coming.

Taking a swing, Roy attempted to fend for himself, however it was over quickly. Being punched in the cheek, then tripped with a swift movement of the stranger's leg, Roy was down for the count.

“Come back when you learn to fight.” The stranger commented as he stepped over the bruised and defeated team.

He walked over to Ryan gently and helped him off the ground.

“You okay?” Asked he.

He had a whole different attitude about him now. He was calm and collected. It was as if all that built up anger he just unleashed onto them just disappeared. Ryan suspected he was more of a quiet and reserved type. With a lot of charm about him, he seemed to be the kind of person who rarely said much.

Ryan stood, “I'm fine...”

“Well that's good.” He smiled.

He had an innocent smile. His face simply beamed of innocence.

“What's you're name?” Asked he.

Ryan replied, “Ryan.”

“Cool. I'm going to accompany you home.” Said he.

“What's your name?” Ryan asked the stranger.

“They call me Fox.” He responded.

The walk was quiet. Fox didn't have much to say. Even though Ryan had plenty to ask, but he held his tongue out of nervousness. The presence of this older boy seemed to make Ryan nervous, especially after he saw his fighting.

“What grade are you in...?” Ryan managed to get out.

“I'm a senior.” He replied plainly.

“Oh have you met my sister? Her name is-” Ryan was cut off.

“Angelina. I've seen her around. Never talked to her really.” Fox admitted.

Ryan walked silently for several minutes before realizing they were close to his house. He decided to inform Fox.

He pointed, “my house is just over there.”

Fox took a glance and studied it for a moment.

“So it is.” Said he.

Ryan took a few steps ahead of Fox and turned back around to see him. Fox's turquoise eyes met with Ryan's. It made him slightly nervous. Fox had a gentle face, and looked so harmless, but after the fighting he displayed he was quite intimidating.

“Well... Thank you for your help!” Ryan bowed.

Fox was casual with his reply. “Just steer clear of their type. They won't bother you again, I'm sure. If they do I'll kick the shit out of them again.”

“Thank you very much...” Was all Ryan could think to say.

“No problem kid.” Fox responded.

With that Ryan turned around to head to his home. After only two steps he turned back to realize that Fox was already long gone. It was nice to have someone look out for him besides Angelina. This someone though did it by choice. Whether that choice was by just desire to fight, or actual interest towards a friendship with Ryan was left to question.