The Mark of the Blue Tattoo Read Online Free Page B

room the day before, moved forward to stand a pace in front of the others.
    â€œYou chumps are toast!” he said, fiddling with the studded leather band on his left wrist. “You just stuck your noses into Starz business for the last time. Now we’re going to rearrange your faces. By the time we’re done, you won’t need a mask for Halloween.

4 Schoolyard Battleground
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    Even before Gus finished his threat, Frank was taking a half step to the side. He didn’t want a fight, but if a fight began, he needed to give himself room. He breathed slowly and deeply, guiding his mind and body toward the state of unfocused attention of a trained martial artist. He knew that right next to him, Joe was doing the same.
    Frank looked across the space that separated the Hardys from the Starz. The boy directly opposite him was about sixteen. He almost matched Frank’s own six-foot-one, but his torso looked thin, as if all his strength had gone into gaining height. The boy’s dark blond hair flopped over his forehead, partly hiding hissmall, pale blue eyes. As if he knew that Frank was watching him, he put on a fierce scowl. It didn’t quite manage to conceal his nervousness, though, Frank thought.
    â€œLet them come to us,” Frank muttered to Joe out of the side of his mouth.
    â€œLet ’em come. I’m ready anytime,” Joe replied easily.
    The face-off continued. With each passing second, Frank knew that he and Joe were building up more of the moral superiority that is as important in combat as physical strength. Their opponents could see that the Hardys were ready and unfrightened by the unfair odds. That knowledge was draining their own will. Unless they could bring themselves to attack in the next few moments, they would be defeated without a single blow exchanged.
    Gus seemed to realize that, too. His face reddened. Clenching his fists, he took a step forward. “What are we waiting for?” he shouted. “Let’s teach these suckers a lesson they won’t forget!”
    Frank bent his knees slightly and balanced on the balls of his feet. With so many attackers, he would need to rely on kicks to keep them at a distance.
    â€œWait!” a voice yelled. “Stop it!”
    A woman in a green blouse and a denim skirtcame running across the schoolyard. Her shoulder-length hair was steel gray, but when Joe saw her face, he realized that she couldn’t be older than thirty. Was she a teacher? He didn’t think he’d ever seen her before.
    The woman dashed into the space between the Hardys and the Starz that was about to become a battleground. She positioned herself directly in front of Gus. “We have a contract,” she said breathlessly. “No trouble, especially not on school grounds. Remember?”
    Gus looked past the woman and directly at Frank. “This is different, Hedda,” he said. “We have to teach these guys respect.”
    â€œYou don’t teach people respect, you earn it from them,” Hedda replied. She looked to her left. “Marlon, I know you understand. Tell him.”
    Marlon looked uncomfortable at this appeal, but after a moment he said, “Hedda’s right, Gus. Beating up these guys won’t prove anything. Let’s go. We’ve got better things to do.”
    Marlon turned on his heel and walked toward the school entrance. The others seemed to hesitate, then they followed him. Gus was the last to go. Before leaving, he gave both Frank and Joe samples of his best dirty look.
    The woman in the denim skirt watched the Starz drift away. Then she turned and walked up to Frank and Joe.
    â€œI haven’t met you fellows yet,” she said. “Myname’s Hedda Moon. I’m a counselor with an organization called Teen Peace. I’ll be here at Bayport High for the next couple of months, working with young people like yourselves.”
    She offered her hand. Frank and Joe, in turn, shook hands