Abomination Read Online Free

you?’
    ‘I might have.’
    ‘Go on then.’
    ‘Well, how about, Snotty Scotty, Snotty Scotty, brain is dead and clothes are grotty ?’
    A chorus of enthusiastic noises greeted Tracy’s suggestion, and it was then I realized the whole thing must’ve been thought up and rehearsed at lunchtime. I mean, it wasn’t a brilliant song, but it was too good for Tracy Stamper to have made up right there and then. Anyway, before I knew what was happening Simon darted forward and pulled me into the middle of them and they were dancing round me, kicking and punching and singing the song. I swung my bag, trying to break out of the ring, but somebody grabbed it and jerked and I went sprawling and shoe leather started coming from all directions, thudding into me. I thought, this is it, they’re gonna kick me to death , but then I heard a shout and the kids scattered and next thing I knew Killer Kilroy was squatting next to me and Martha looking over his shoulder. Turned out she saw them laying into me and ran to get a teacher. Didn’t boost her popularity I can tell you. Or mine.

12. Martha
     
    I only saw because I’d decided to hang back. I thought, I’ll wait till everybody’s gone, then walk home for once instead of running, so I locked myself in the toilet and waited. After ten minutes it was dead quiet so I came out. I was tiptoeing across the porch, listening, when some kids started chanting. I could hear thuds and cries as well, and I knew somebody was getting beaten up.
    I nearly went back to the toilets. I don’t know why I didn’t. Something stopped me, that’s all I know. I crept to the doorway and peeped out and it was Scott, surrounded by all these kids. As I watched, he fell down and they started kicking him, and I knew it was my fault. He’d spoken up for me when Simon Pritchard kicked me in class, so they’d turned on him.
    I didn’t know what to do. If I was brave, I’d have charged at them, punching and kicking to rescue my friend, but I’m not so I turned and ran back, heading for the staffroom. As I crossed the hall, Mr Kilroy came out of the PE store and yelled, ‘ Walk , girl, don’t run!’
    ‘Please sir,’ I gasped, ‘there’s a gang beating a kid up in the yard.’
    I don’t like Mr Kilroy because he’s sarky to kids who’re useless at PE but give him his due – he didn’t hang about. ‘Show me,’ he rapped, so I ran and he followed. When the kids saw him coming they ran like rabbits. Scott was lying on the ground. Mr Kilroy knelt beside him and talked to him and sort of examined him and I wouldn’t have believed it, he was so gentle. All I could do was stand like a lemon, watching. When he’d made sure nothing was broken he helped Scott to his feet and steered him inside. I trailed after. They went in the First-Aid room where Killer used cotton wool and antiseptic to clean the cuts and grazes on Scott’s face and hands. I stood in the doorway. Scott knew I was there but he wouldn’t look at me. I wondered if I should leave. I was about to when Mr Kilroy turned.
    ‘Do you two live in the same direction?’
    ‘Yes,’ I said, though we don’t. Scott frowned but didn’t contradict me.
    ‘Good,’ smiled Killer, ‘then you can walk the patient home, Martha. It is Martha, isn’t it?’
    I nodded. If you’re no good at games, Killer doesn’t know you.
    ‘Splendid. Off you go then. Oh . . .’ He looked at Scott. ‘I shall want the names of your attackers, lad. First thing in the morning, OK?’
    ‘Yessir.’
    ‘Where d’you live?’ I asked, when we’d walked side by side across the yard without speaking.
    ‘Dinsdale Rise,’ he murmured. ‘Why did you tell Killer we lived in the same direction?’
    ‘Because . . . I knew he hoped we did. And because it’s my fault they set on you.’
    ‘ Your fault? How d’you make that out?’
    ‘Well – they did it because of what you said to Simon, didn’t they?’
    ‘Maybe, but I chose to say it so you’re not to