We don't need another hero
... Apparently, this train has plenty.
Marcus leaned against the door of the subway, enjoying the music pumping through his headphones. A little Beethoven always helped to smooth the commute after a long day.
They got on the train two stops after his. He noticed her at first; young, sweet, though a little sad looking. He guessed she was in university. The U of T sweatshirt was a bit of a give-away. She had a beauty that Marcus had always thought of as classic; straight blonde hair, fine features, high cheekbones, and just a small cleft in her chin to offset her otherwise flawless appearence.
She shyly tucked a stray lock behind her ear, and turned to look at her companion. He was pretty unremarkable looking; homely almost. Marcus chuckled to himself, envisioning throwing a penalty flag for "Too Hot Girlfriend".
Marcus closed his eyes, enjoying the music. Two stops later, he sensed a change. A palpable threat permeated the air. He could taste the fear and anger; smell it thick in the atmosphere. It crawled over the back of his neck, chilling and nipping with pointed puppy teeth.
Eyes snapping open, he sought out the danger. It was Miss University and her homely companion, now ugly, his face now contorted in anger and disgust. His mouth was running, small flecks of spittle emerging, punctuating his fury like so many wet exclamation marks.
Marcus assessed the situation quickly. She had done something to raise his ire; deservedly or not, he knew what the next step would be. He had some experience in the area; he sported more than his fair share of bruises.
Shifting his weight to spring into action, he dialed down the volume to his personal soundtrack. Sure enough Ugly's arm came back; so complete in his fury that he did not realize that he was in public. Before it had a chance to go forward, a small Asian woman stepped forward.
"You no hit her," she announced.
"Shut up bitch, this is none of your business," he snarled.
"I make it my business," his diminutive foe replied.
"And I'm making it mine," a burly construction worker announced.
"And mine," a high school student added.
"Mine too," Marcus added quietly.
"You touch her, and I will peel you like a grape," a punk-ish looking girl added.
"Fuck all of you," Ugly announced, and exited the train as it came to a stop. Miss University stayed on, but looked quite embarassed. She mumbled her thanks and smiled shyly.
*****
Four days later Marcus was reading the daily free rag, when he came across a brief news clip.
22 year-old man murdered in city's west end, no suspects.
He knew that Ugly wouldn't bother Miss University again.
Marcus leaned against the door of the subway, enjoying the music pumping through his headphones. A little Beethoven always helped to smooth the commute after a long day.
They got on the train two stops after his. He noticed her at first; young, sweet, though a little sad looking. He guessed she was in university. The U of T sweatshirt was a bit of a give-away. She had a beauty that Marcus had always thought of as classic; straight blonde hair, fine features, high cheekbones, and just a small cleft in her chin to offset her otherwise flawless appearence.
She shyly tucked a stray lock behind her ear, and turned to look at her companion. He was pretty unremarkable looking; homely almost. Marcus chuckled to himself, envisioning throwing a penalty flag for "Too Hot Girlfriend".
Marcus closed his eyes, enjoying the music. Two stops later, he sensed a change. A palpable threat permeated the air. He could taste the fear and anger; smell it thick in the atmosphere. It crawled over the back of his neck, chilling and nipping with pointed puppy teeth.
Eyes snapping open, he sought out the danger. It was Miss University and her homely companion, now ugly, his face now contorted in anger and disgust. His mouth was running, small flecks of spittle emerging, punctuating his fury like so many wet exclamation marks.
Marcus assessed the situation quickly. She had done something to raise his ire; deservedly or not, he knew what the next step would be. He had some experience in the area; he sported more than his fair share of bruises.
Shifting his weight to spring into action, he dialed down the volume to his personal soundtrack. Sure enough Ugly's arm came back; so complete in his fury that he did not realize that he was in public. Before it had a chance to go forward, a small Asian woman stepped forward.
"You no hit her," she announced.
"Shut up bitch, this is none of your business," he snarled.
"I make it my business," his diminutive foe replied.
"And I'm making it mine," a burly construction worker announced.
"And mine," a high school student added.
"Mine too," Marcus added quietly.
"You touch her, and I will peel you like a grape," a punk-ish looking girl added.
"Fuck all of you," Ugly announced, and exited the train as it came to a stop. Miss University stayed on, but looked quite embarassed. She mumbled her thanks and smiled shyly.
*****
Four days later Marcus was reading the daily free rag, when he came across a brief news clip.
22 year-old man murdered in city's west end, no suspects.
He knew that Ugly wouldn't bother Miss University again.
posted by Surly Canuck at 1:15 p.m.
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