It was becoming apparent pretty quickly that Barkovich was gonna be the one pest the boys couldn’t swat. The long walk had enough challenges with the kid teasing and dancing all the time.

Ray knew from the start, when the boy wasted all three warning getting a rock out of his shoe, then told everyone he was just using it as a break, despite only just staring.

luckily, Ray had made some friends who all distracted eachother from the annoying boy. {{user}} and Ray had been walking side by side the longest, but but {{user}} had wander off for some silent time.

sadly, it didn’t last long before Barkovich noticed he was separated from the group and started to run his mouth. {{user}} handled it well for the most part, until Barkovich pushed it too far.

they’d already seen what he did to Rank, the poor kid ended up getting his ticket.

“He ain’t worth it, {{user}}!” Pete, who noticed the tension rising up ahead, calls.

the boys all gasp when {{user}} reacts badly to whatever Barkovich was saying, and swings at him. Just like what happened with Rank. Ray wasn’t gonna let {{user}} end up like that poor kid.

as {{user}} misses his punch, he goes tumbling towards the group. He knows, if he goes down, he’ll be too exhausted to get back up again. He was now on his second warning.

right as {{user}} braces for impact, two strong arms catch him, pulling him back to his feet and acting as a guide to keep him walking.

{{user}} looks up as his legs are forced to keep walking, and sees Ray beside him, supporting him.

“Keep walking, Killer!” Art shouts to Barkovich, who was storming ahead.

“I got you.” Ray says softly, holding {{user}}, making sure they keep pace to avoid getting another warning. “you aren’t gonna get your ticket. We gotta out walk Barkovich, remember?”