Time bomb

It’s almost noon. The bell will ring soon, telling everyone it’s lunch time. The sun was scorching in the sky, baking the classroom. Woo felt his back sticked to his school uniform. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, making their way further down. Thanks to his eyebrows, the salty liquid avoided his eyes and continued trickling down his temples. He ran his tongue on both of his dry lips. His eyes were shifting from a target to another, marking their faces. He cracked his knuckles, it’s a gesture of showing he’s trying to calm down.1

The pain and humiliation that were inflicted upon him will be redeemed today. Woo has brought the right tool for the job. His eyes were still scanning his targets when the bell rang. As expected, one of the boys approached him.2

“What’s up piggy?”, They gave him nicknames. Names that would make people laugh when they hear them. Woo hated those names. They called him ‘piggy’ because he was fat, ‘froggy’ because his face was overwhelmed with pimples, the name he hated the most, ‘for eyed pig’ because he had spectacles on his nose.3

As if giving names was not enough, they would beat him from time to time. They punched him in the belly if he got the highest mark in math test. Sometimes, they jabbed their fists to his ribs if he ended last place in the 100 meters sprint during PT class. Those boys even slapped his face in turns just because they hate the way Woo walks.4

Sometimes, he wondered, what does it feel to hit someone? How about giving bad nicknames? When he cried and begged for mercy, they ignored Woo, and kept on beating him. What kind of force that drove them to be so merciless? To be so barbaric? 5

After months of brutal beating and humiliations, his mind has reached the boundaries of toleration and revenge. Last night, he sneaked into his father’s library and took something. It was hidden in one of the cabinet’s locker. He once saw his father took it out for cleaning and put it back. He brought it to school today. Woo planned to use it.6

“Are you deaf froggy?”, The bully raised his voice as there’s no answer from Woo. He chuckled. The rest of the gang flocked Woo’s table. Bystanders looked on, hoping there’ll be action. 7

“Guess what, I left my lunch money at home. I’m hungry right now, so why don’t you empty those pockets.”, He laughed while tapping on Woo’s glasses. How does it feels to ask someone to give up their money and make fun of them. He wanted a taste too.8

“Why don’t you beg on the street. You sure look like a bum. Everyone knows it”, 9

The room was quiet. Everyone locked their eyes on Woo. It was so quiet like the death angel itself has descended through the roof. It was as quiet as a tomb. Poor Woo, they thought, wrong choice of words. Soon, the beating will start.10

As for Woo, he felt different. He never felt this way before. Something screamed in his heart. He achieved his first victory. Woo never thought that it would be this tasty. If he knew all along, he would never cried or begged but to counter attack. The overwhelming emotion made him smiled and chuckled. Then, the palm of the bully’s right hand landed fiercely on Woo’s cheek. He felt numb at first, then pain took over. He could hear a high pitch ringing in his ears.11

They laughed. One of them banged on the table, the look on Woo’s face was so funny to him. 12

“Go on! Cry!”, They taunted the poor guy.13

Suddenly, there was a loud bang.14

One of the boys covered his stomach. He was shocked. His mouth trembled like he was going to say something but he can’t. The sting in his abdomen spreaded through his body like a wildfire. He looked down, to his horror, his hands were covered in blood. The crimson liquid soaked his white uniform, dripped to his elbows. There was a horrible squelching sound coming from his wound. Then, he turned to Woo.15

The fat boy was aiming his father’s revolver towards the bullies. There was smoke coming out from the muzzle. The gun was issued to his father by the government, he was a policeman.16

One of the girls in the class screamed at the top of her lungs. Others followed. They flocked the exit hastily. Some of them cried. Panic overwhelmed the atmosphere. Death was somewhere in the class, stalking every possible victims, waiting for Woo to finish the barrel.17

The injured bully fell to his knees. He cried in agony, the pain was so intense that he wet himself. Woo watched the chaos. A grin was carved onto his lips. This is victory indeed. Now he understands the sweetness and satisfaction of hurting somebody. Without warning, he fired the second shot. The small explosion scared the hell out of the students. They screamed and moved at a faster rate. Another bully screamed in pain. A bullet just pierced through his calf. 18

Woo were laughing when he took the third shot. The second bully was put out of his misery when the bullet found its way into his brain. Woo watched the twitching corpse in satisfaction. The overwhelming joy and victory has answered Woo’s question about the chemistry and mysteries of bullying others. This is what it feels to hurt somebody. 19

He stood up and walked towards the panicked crowd. Like a flock of sheeps trying to get away from the sheperd’s dog, the crowd scrambled away in disaray, trying to get the hell away from Woo.20

“Mama.. mama.. help me..”, Woo was stunned. He turned to his first victim. The poor guy was sobbing on the floor, still covering his abdomen. He moaned and sobbed, calling to his mother. “Mama.. where are you??!! Please.. I don’t want to die..”, He remembered doing the same everytime they beat him. Crying and sobbing like a child, calling to his mother. Woo locked his gaze upon the dying bully, still sobbing. “Mama.. please.. somebody.. help me”,21

Suddenly, something took away his victory, his joy. The sweetness of revenge was swept away by an unknown feeling. This new emotion that Woo couldn’t describe, it’s weird. Watching at the helpless guy, his heart felt like it was grasped by an icy hand. What is this? Is it guilt? Mercy? 22

“No.. no! you shouldn’t beg!”, He fired another shot, then another. He missed, both of them. The next thing he knew, he was crying at the scene. Woo’s hands tremble, his feet felt like jelly. The overwhelming guilt was unbearable. This is unfair he thought. Why would he felt this way? He wants to be merciless, just like the bullies. Woo cried, sobbing, then he laughed. He’s unsure of his feeling right now.23

The uncertain feelings clouded his judgement. His doubts questioned every action he took today. His head hurt. A few teachers and the principle arrived at the scene. They were shocked beyond explanation. They never thought the fat boy would explode this way. 24

Woo turned his head towards his teachers. Guilt and regret were painted on his face. 25

“I’m sorry”, He put the muzzle to his own temple and fired the last bullet.