Daniel Taylor's childhood wasn't a happy one. His father ditched their family when Daniel was six, just a year after his little sister Lisa was born. Even before that, his parents were far away from receiving the "Dad and Mom of the Year" reward. But they at least never abused him.

Things changed when his mother started to lose herself in the alcohol and bring her new boyfriends home. It took her about two years to get over her ex-husband and begin to seek new love. Alas, her taste in men always was terrible.

It was fine if it is just some college student eager to spend some quality time with an older woman, but when she allowed an ex-convict or alcoholic to stay at her place for months, things regularly became violent. After all, little kids are so annoying, especially when forced to co-exist with a complete stranger. Especially if you are drunk as hell and just want to release some steam. Thankfully, only the older sibling was a victim of that meaningless abuse. Even if his little sister did something wrong, he was the one who willingly took the blame for everything.

The school was Daniel's safe harbor. Even though he didn't have any real friends due to his gloomy disposition, no one bothered him either. Though after the fourth grade, the class hierarchy was established, Daniel was outside of it. There were cool kids, not so cool kids and losers. Later, some of the cool kids transformed into bullies, and two of the losers - into victims. But it had nothing to do with Daniel. At least, until puberty started.

Though his parents didn't give him much, handsomeness was one of the things his father unintentionally shared with Daniel. Both of his progenitors were physically attractive, even if their personalities left much to be desired.

So, when he was thirteen, Daniel suddenly found out that the girls in his class suddenly started to act rather friendly. Including the girls from the so-called "cool kids" group. And the cool boys didn't like it in the slightest.

So, they added him to the list of bullied kids, alongside a short, scrawny boy and an overweight girl. Daniel wasn't even aware of it at the start. He was just confused about the fact that the items from his schoolbag started to mysteriously disappear. Then, unfriendly gazes from the boys and offensive remarks made him aware that something is wrong. And when he was pushed from the staircase and laughed at after almost breaking his arm, Daniel was certain that he indeed was bullied.

Alas, he just didn't know what to do with this knowledge. When his mother reprimanded him for missing items, he inadvertently revealed to her his ordeal. But instead of helping him, she slapped her son for trying to blame others for his own mistakes.

"Even if they are really the ones who stole the things from you, it is still your fault for being unable to protect yourself from some stupid brats!"

Maybe she loved him a long time ago before his father left them for good. But now she blamed him for her inability to keep any man for longer than six months, and it made her more than annoyed. Now, she almost hated her kids. For current her, they were nothing but leeches that took away her money and kept her away from getting a good man.

Without any way out, Daniel just hoped that the bullying would stop if he just ignored it. Instead, things escalated more and more. Without getting any repercussions for their actions, bullies became even bolder. Alongside with some nasty remarks, he got the same unwanted physical contact the other bullied boy, Ted Nelson, received for a few years.

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Not so gentle slaps on the back of his neck and occasional kicks up the ass made Daniel boil with rage, but he still was too afraid to truly fight back. The last straw was when one of the bullies kicked him while Daniel talked to his little sis, Lisa.

He was able to endure being humiliated and abused, but not right before his sister's eyes, even if she has seen worse at home. More than that, he was afraid that she could be in danger too. So, he mustered his courage and challenged that same bastard into a fair fight.

After seeing his sister home, Daniel met the boy at the promised place - the backyard of the school. As expected, the boy wasn't as alone as he promised. Other bullies and some boys from other classes surrounded the improvised arena to witness "the fight of the century".

Daniel was nervous - he was very familiar with violence, alas until now he always was on the receiving side. He steeled himself. After all, he, at last, was aware that there is someone he needs to protect. He can swallow his pride, he can endure abuse, but he can't allow his little sister to be harmed in any way. It was the case at home, and from now on, it would be the case at school.

The fight was one-sided. But the result was a complete opposite of the one spectators expected. Daniel beat the shit out of that boy who was both taller and heavier than him. His pent up anger and burning desire to protect Lisa made him into the beast. Before anyone can intervene, the other boy's face was a bloody mess.

After witnessing their friend beaten to a pulp, four other bullies joined the "fair" fight and helped him, just a little bit. By doing to Daniel the same thing he did to one of their buddies.

"Hey guys, it isn't cool! It was a fair fight, and the guy won, why the hell you beat him with numbers, you cowards?!"

Other spectators weren't glad at this turn of events, so they stopped the boys before they can kill Daniel for good.

He was afraid to be reprimanded and punished by his mother after returning in such a miserable state, but his worries were for naught. She was delighted.

"At last, you are useful, Danny! We can get compensation from that stupid school and the boy's parents."

He hated to be called Danny. And she knew it. But called him like that anyway. Apparently, his real name was chosen by his shitty father.

"Big bro! Sorry, it is all because of me!"

His eight years old sister was the only person who cared about him. She hugged him tightly and cried her eyes out, apologizing to him over and over even if he already explained that it has wasn't her fault at all. He just wasn't strong enough. Yet.

His mother's plan to get some easy money was fated to fail. After all, when there are two thirteen years old boys with the same level of injuries, both parties would be blamed. And when classmates testify against one of them and swear that both parties' injures received in the "one on one fight", nothing could help to convince the principal otherwise.

"There is no bullying at our school!"

Of course, he would say something like this.

"It was your son who provoked the boy in the first place. We have witnesses!"

 Instead of getting her compensation, his mother was almost forced to pay one herself.

Being left without any food and (even more cruel) internet for three days wasn't new for Daniel, he expected much worse. At least, bullies no more bothered him. Maybe because they were afraid of him catching them one by one, maybe because they got their own portion of tough love from their parents, or maybe because girls no longer were interested in Daniel. Even if you are handsome, it doesn't matter when you are at the bottom of the group hierarchy, after all.

The same couldn't be said about Ted Nelson, though. Even if he got a month-long break from being bullied (thanks to the commotion Daniel stirred), his situation became even worse after that. Now he was a sole target for his tormentors - after all, Daniel was off-limits, and an overweight girl already changed her school.

After getting a similar treatment for a while, Daniel now felt really sorry for Ted. But it doesn't mean that he would risk his safety for the sake of the boy he never even talked to. Still, helping him was in accordance with his plans for the future.

Daniel wasn't satisfied with just being left alone. He wanted to get some revenge for all the suffering he experienced. And, more importantly, the boy wanted to make the school a safe place for his little sister. To achieve all of this, he should become stronger.