The Selfless Knight
Anthony, with eyes the color of slate, Anthony with the combed hair and
straight teeth, Anthony who turns his homework in early, never misses
his bus, and flinches when someone slams their hand on the hard desk in
excitement. Anthony, who makes sure the younger kids don’t get picked
on, cries himself to sleep because he can’t protect everyone. Anthony
who gets up for school before his alarm goes off, puts the bottles and
burnt out cigarette ends in the trash, and wakes his younger brother
with a gentle shake.
Slipping out the back door with the fading blood stain on the
threshold with his dirt covered tennis shoes on his feet Anthony takes
Daniel’s cold shaking hand before they step on the bus. Anthony, who
tugs on the sleeves of his sweat-stained shirt and grimaces so they don’t
see the faded marks that cover his skin or the blue and purple patches
up and down his arms, Anthony, who is no one’s close friend, and who
can’t believe in a god but still prays they won’t have to go back there
again, prays for Daniel and never thinks of himself first.
Anthony, who in that muscular body is still just a scared little boy
wanting to run away from his problems, terrified and alone. Anthony,
without a home, just a place he can’t escape. Two more years, just two
more years, he thinks to himself, climbing back onto the bus, letting it
take them back to the place of nightmares with the blood-stained rugs,
the corners soaked in sweat, the words that buzz around his head like
bees stinging him and Anthony, the valiant knight, shields his little
brother from the poisonous bees and the angry bull that charge without
warning and leave deep scars and bloodied bruises. Anthony, who
protects those who can’t protect themselves, with no concern for
himself.
Written By Anna Stowers