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One of the things both children held in common was their mutual lack of social skills. The older was standoffish and quick to anger, always looking to violence as his first option. The younger was shy and awkward, unable to communicate with others effectively. Night and day, dark and light, North and South. Polar opposites, yet best friends still. The younger of the two boys, being quiet and bad with people, quickly became a popular target for bullies. He was weak, and had not the will to fight back. It wasn't long before his friend realized this, and was soon to the one to come to his rescue. And this was where it all went to hell. XXXX
One sunny spring afternoon, several particularly mean kids surrounded the two friends, beating harshly upon the younger. As the attacks grew worse, the older friend's anger grew louder, until he finally snapped. XXX
And down the bully went, straight onto the path of an incoming train. XX
'It was murder' they said. 'That boy is a monster' they said. No one could take the truth, and in a small town, the death of a person so early in youth was unfathomable. The culprit - the protector - was chased out of town, forced to part with his only friend and the only home he'd ever known. Away he went, with his mother and shattered dignity in tow. XXX
Now, a great many years later, he returns, with a new name and a new motto: 'Stay away from others, and then you can never hurt them.' XXX