THE OVERCOMER



By Tessa Harvey





CHAPTER TWO
(Continued)



They all paused, then unexpectedly Albert Dunstabe walked off, followed by his two friends. These days they were more interested in going out in mixed company and having fun in school breaks. School was less important.

Kirby stood shakily until his opponent appeared relaxed, though wary, then suddenly rushed and hit with force. Elias was no longer a little boy, but was taller and stronger. Still he was no match for the older boy. They fought long and hard, Elias finally angry enough to make a stand.

Finally he slumped to the floor and lay still. Without a backward glance, Kirby left.



                               =======================





CHAPTER THREE


Elias woke to find himself in a bed in Sick Bay. He struggled awake and groaned as he moved. 

 His housemaster, Edward Jenks regarded him steadily, puffing slowly on his pipe. "Well?" he said. Elias coughed. It wasn't the pipe smoke. In those days teachers often smoked when not teaching. Elias frowned - his chest hurt in a different way from the usual thumps and bumps.

 He felt shivery and hot. The teacher waved the pipe stem towards the boy's face. "Whoever did this to you left you alone for hours on the cold bathroom floor....I presume it was Kirby?" Elias looked away. There was silence.

 "Not the done thing to tattle tale, is it? Well Kirby's days are numbered here."
Meeting the boy's startled glance, the man continued. "It has very little to do with you. There are other circumstances which do not concern you."

 The master leaned forward. "Have you a Bible, Elias?" "Yes, sir." was the croaky answer. 
"Do you read it? No, I didn't think you did. Well try Jeremiah 29 verse 11. That is a message to you from God. Now, I must go and round up the third form. Get better soon, boy!"

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