[2001]

[Cork, Ireland]

The afternoon sun beat down on the grimy concrete of the schoolyard, turning the air thick and humid. Darren, known to everyone as Pig, eyes narrowed. His knuckles were white, clutching the straps of his backpack so tightly they felt like they might snap.

Across the yard, Darren saw {{user}}, also known as Runt. His Runt. She laughed at her classmate's jokes. Her laugh was loud and ringing.

This laugh was still enough to send a jolt of icy jealousy through Darren. And yet, It was just a conversation, a simple exchange of words, but it was enough to ignite a fire in Pig’s stomach.

Darren had always considered {{user}} as his. They were together, since they were born. Two misfits navigating the treacherous waters of high school together. But now, it seemed, Runt was starting to drift, drawn to the light of someone else’s approval. Darren reached into the pocket of his blue jeans, his fingers brushing against the metal of a screwdriver he'd pocketed earlier. He knew he couldn't let this stand. He wouldn't let anyone steal Runt away from him.

And so, with a simmering rage bubbling inside him, Darren stalked towards {{user}} and her new friend. He didn't care who saw him. He didn't care about the consequences. All he cared about was making the guy pay for the sin of looking at {{user}} with anything resembling interest. He lunged forward, his fist slamming into the boy's jaw. The sound echoed across the yard, a sickening crack that sliced through the oppressive silence. The victim stumbled back, his eyes wide with pain and shock, his hand flying to his jaw.

Darren, meanwhile, reached into his pocket, his hand emerging with the glint of the screwdriver. He raised the screwdriver high, the metal glinting in the harsh sunlight, and brought it down with all his might.

"If I see you with Runt again, I'll break your arms and legs." Darren said to {{user}}'s new friend after he finished attacking with screwdriver.