Back in the pines, while the adults were still deep in their meeting, Curze trailed behind Trey until they reached a small clearing with a pool glistening at its center.
There splashing and wrestling in the water were a few other young relatives. Liya was among them and little baby Piper — Lurnze's youngest — darted about with boundless energy.
Curze looked around carefully. His sharp eyes found no signs of his step-siblings.
Looks like those troublemakers aren't around he thought with relief.
"Curze! Come on — the pool's warm and not too deep!" Liya called.
"Big brother Curze!" Piper squealed, running into his arms for a hug.
Curze caught him smiling faintly. "Hey little guy. Having fun without me I see?"
"No no! Sister Liya just found the pool and I told Trey to call you. I swear!" Piper said, his bright eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Really?" Curze chuckled softly. He knew Piper was lying. The boy was mischievous just like his father.
A mocking laugh sliced through the moment.
"Oooh look who it is…"
Curze's smile faded. His expression hardened. He had expected this.
From the bushes Alfy stepped out with three others, his little sister Tuna and the twin brothers Gog and Goc.
Curze's gaze grew cold. "What do you want Alfy?"
"We don't want you here. We own this pool" Alfy sneered.
"No you don't!" snapped baby Piper, planting himself in front of Curze like a tiny shield. "Liya found it first not you!"
"Step out of the way egg-face" Goc hissed.
"My face isn't an egg dummy!" Piper shot back, hurt by the insult. Being the youngest his baby fat was often teased.
"You're always causing trouble Alfy! I'll report you to Granny" Liya chimed in.
"I'm not causing trouble" Alfy huffed. "I'm just saying this pool's mine. Strength decides everything. Granny said so herself. But don't worry — you and baby Piper can stay."
"But I found it first!" Liya argued.
"Don't worry Liya. I'll handle this." Curze stepped forward, voice steady. "You're right about one thing Alfy. Strength is everything."
Alfy frowned. "Hmph. Don't think I'm the same as last time. I've eaten way more than you. And I'm not fighting alone."
Snickering he motioned Gog and Goc forward. Only his little sister hung back, content to watch.
Curze's eyes flicked around the clearing, checking for the mothers. None in sight. He caught Trey peeking from behind a pine — clearly he had led him here on purpose.
Curze's lips curved into a sharp smile. Good. As long as it's just them…
"Even with the three of you you'll still go crying to your mommies" he taunted.
"No we won't!" Gog spat.
"Besides you'll be the one crying… Oh wait—" Goc snickered "you don't have a mommy."
The trio laughed. Curze's chest burned with fury.
With a snarl he lunged. His arm swung toward Goc's face but Alfy intercepted blocking with his hands.
In the same motion he leapt over Alfy, pouncing on Goc and smashing his face with a slap so sharp the sound made the onlookers flinch.
"You—!" Gog roared, charging with his fat frame for a body slam.
Curze sprang upward clutching a pine branch to swing himself aside. Gog crashed into the dirt beneath. Mid-air Curze whipped his leg down like a whip aiming for Gog's back. But Alfy rushed in fist flying toward Curze.
Curze twisted, meeting fist with shin. The impact jarred them both. Alfy groaned as his arm throbbed with pain while Curze only staggered slightly.
With a burst Curze lunged and smashed his fist into Alfy's gut.
"Hrahh—!" Alfy wheezed, stumbling back.
But before Curze could press, Goc caught him from behind in a clumsy arm-lock.
Wrong move.
Curze seized Goc's head, rolled, and slammed him into the hard ground. The impact knocked the air from the boy's lungs, tears bursting out from the pain.
BAM!
Gog struck from behind, slamming Curze down.
Curze snarled, twisting violently. His arm lashed out, cracking across Gog's face and sending him reeling.
Alfy charged again, this time landing a solid punch across Curze's face. But Curze didn't fall. His eyes blazed, his body humming with rage.
With a growl he caught Alfy's arm, twisted savagely, and slammed him against a pine tree. Alfy cried out struggling as Curze bent his arm back further and further. Desperation drove Alfy to snap his jaws toward Curze's arm but a brutal slap cracked across his mouth silencing him.
Curze's grip only tightened, his anger spilling from years of swallowed humiliation. He wanted to break Alfy. To hear the snap. To end the bullying.
"What is going on here?!"
The sharp command of a female voice cut through the clearing.
Curze froze. His rage wavered. He released Alfy, panting hard, shame settling heavy in his chest.
He sighed. He knew he was in trouble.
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