Beaten by a Girl
A Story Every Day in 2024 Oct 17th 291/366
The boys moved like a pack but Laney was sure of step, and danced away from them, laughing gaily and giggling every time she thwarted them. She was like an ethereal spirit, weaving, seemingly made of something other, the boys' fingers never grazing her, even though their grubby nails came close, so close...
At first, her laughter delighted, teased. There was a thrill pursuing her that all the boys enjoyed. If they could just get her, she would be theirs, for that moment. It would be worth it; the ultimate prize.
But it was exhausting and frustrating and for one boy, humiliating. That one boy was reminded with every dodged attempt and every laugh at his missed lunge and every overstretch and every lifted arm evaded and every extension as Laney skipped away that he was being beaten. And he knew this, literally and metaphorically every day, through words and blows. And Laney's success compounded for him the fact that he was losing, a loser, something crap, something worthless, something that would never do well: useless. These were not Laney's words or actions and if he had focused on those he'd heard from her instead, he would have remembered, "Mark, you're so funny," and "Mark, tell me that story again! I love it!" and he would have felt worthy.
But instead, her happiness was a mockery and all he could think was "I'm being beaten by a girl."
And this couldn't happen because he was already a wimp, a sissy, a weakling. He wasn't weak! But a girl beating him was evidence.
Matt and Luke would have teased him but carefully, away from Mark's home. They looked out for each other; proof of that was due to arrive.
Laney was running, fast in the sun, blonde hair sheeting behind, her voice ringing with life. She taunted playfully; but this was no longer a game.
She reached the edge of the quarry. Mark's simmering resentment had boiled into fury and channelled itself into his outstretched arms and imbued them with a power against which Laney and her loveliness had no chance.
And the boy realised then that he'd become the thing that he hated the most.
***
365 words
So, now we know.
If you want to be reminded of the one to which this story links, where we first see them in the quarry, read:
If you are new to this, start here:
And this was yesterday's:
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Comments (15)
I came back in search of the rest of this tale and I'm skimming through them all to remind myself where I left my off. I think I read this one once before but I didn't comment, which isn't like me. But around the time I would have read this, my life was taken over with worry for my own child. I stepped away from Vocal in general, but especially this story. Too close to home, I guess. But I always intended to get back to it. I think this was the series that hooked me on your writing. I really like the way you let us crawl inside Mark's mind so we understand his struggle and how outside influences have twisted his perception of reality. I wonder how much better the world would be if we all could focus on the positives people say instead of dwelling on our own insecurities and perceived slights.
This actually made me tear up and I knew what was coming. I think all that resentment, all that negativity, from his father. Just created in Mark, something he'd rather not be. Such well developed story and characterisation is why this left me teary. Well done, Rachel! Onwards I goes!
Well that happened.... I see why Mark had so much guilt now...
What a powerful addition to this rollercoaster story. This is going to stick with me.
This one is heartbreakingly good. The way you wove Mark’s inner battle was masterfully done
love this piece
The one person no one can escape is him or her self. That can only be contained and improved upon. Great story and brilliant wrap up Rachel. When is the movie being released?
So sad. A good illustration of "hurt people hurt people." I'd still rather Dave pushed Laney because he is an adult who should take responsibility for his actions. Here we have a kid who ruined his own life by crossing the victim-bully line. Exceptional writing, Rachel. It was like I was there on the scene, witnessing everything with my own eyes.
Oh no. Oh god, this was so bloody sad. I thought I would hate Mark, but I just feel sorry for him now. What an emotional rollercoaster this has been. Writing at its finest.
You did an amazing job showing how the abused becomes the abuser. This is such story. Well done.
Very tragic… especially how sad for Bethan to wonder all these years what happened to Laney🥺.
So sad! But also well observed how the line between a victim and a bully can sometimes be so thin and blurry.
You have captured here in all its horror the pathway to becoming what we hate most - as abusive and unhinged as our abuser. Stunning and so very, very tragic! Really well done, Rachel!
I can't help but feel sorry for Mark as well. Like you said, he could have focused on how she thought he was funny and how interested she was in his stories. But it's always the negative things that leaves a bigger impact on us. Big enough to overlook the positives
Oh, but this story climax was heart wrenching and so very sad. I'm sitting here - just simply stunned beyond mere words.