Free The Escapist by Madoc Fox

choice than how Oscar perceived typical friendships would be forged.  This is perhaps why Oscar was so taken aback by the sight of his chubby companion standing toe to toe against the unnatural goliath that was Edmund.
    Jeering children formed a ring around the two verbal combatants, a wall that pulsed organically as those further back shoved and clawed their way forward to the epicentre of the entertainment.  It was strange in itself that the children were behaving in such a boisterous manner, for Oscar had rarely seen them so animated.  As he passed through the crowd to get to the middle - finding he had little need to push or shove as most children merely gave way upon seeing it was him- Oscar found himself filled with emotion as his friend stood proudly defiant against Edmund. 
    “You’re a liar and a bully,” Piggy courageously said, his finger thrust accusingly in Edmund’s face. “Tell everyone what really happened to Oscar, Edmund!”
    Despite his shaking legs, Piggy gave quite the imposing impression.  Edmund, whose defence had been compromised by this outright confrontation, seemed stunned by the surprise attack.  Not use to being challenged so brazenly a panicked look had entered his eyes.  The other children seemed to have sensed his hesitation, one or two of them bravely giving a whoop or yelling “hear, hear”.  The wavering crowd confounded Edmund further, causing him to throw an appealing look to Flynn and the rest of his outfit for support.  But the gang remained silent, no longer so sure of the imposing leader they had thought themselves to be following.  Edmund glanced around wildly, a manic glint in his eyes, slowly turning to triumph as his gaze alighted on Oscar.  The moment of doubt had passed.
    “’Ere, what lies have you been spreading Osscar?  This little piglet..” The surrounding crowd murmured in laughter, as he continued.  “…seems to think I have done something wrong?”  Looking innocent was not a strength Edmund could play to and despite his best efforts his jutting chin just gave an illusion of stupidity.
    “Quit the act Edmund.  Okay, you can try to kid everyone with your big stories.  But all of us know what you’re capable of.”  Oscar turned imploringly to the crowd as he spoke, the many uncertain faces clearly showing the weak hold Edmund had.
    “Oh, really?  How can you say that Oscar, after I saved you?”  The dig was cheap and fell weakly on the ears of the audience.  Spurred on, Piggy jumped back into the argument in a second.
    “You’re scum Edmund, everyone here suffers because of you.  Tell the truth or I’ll…” But the inherently empty threat was all too easy to detect and Edmund leapt upon it with ferocity.
    “You’ll what Pig-gy?”  Silence sat heavily on the wall of children who by now had ceased jostling each other and were drinking in every moment of the extraordinary confrontation.  Edmund moved forward, his giant stature making the chubby boy seem to shrink in comparison.  His gang also appeared revitalised, leaning in ready and alert.  Sensing catastrophe Oscar stepped closer to the pair, ready to dive forward if the precarious situation rapidly exploded.   Yet to everyone’s surprise it was not Edmund who ignited the fuse 
    “…or I’ll get you Edmund.”  Piggy finished, before lunging forward and swinging his rear leg towards Edmund’s crotch.  Easily, Edmund blocked the kick and started for Piggy but Oscar threw himself at his arms before he could translate the movement into a proper punch.  Oscar attempted to wrestle with Edmund, at one point even holding a slight advantage as he had one of Edmund’s arms twisted back on itself, but it was short lived.  Even before Edmund’s superior strength could win out, one of his cronies, a short stocky kid named Gregg had waded in and ripped Oscar away.
    Punches and kicks were thrown wildly within the scrambled cluster of boys, so much so that the surrounding