On the way home

She just kept her head down. Look at her feet. Don't look at them. Ignore them. Some one grabbed her bag and yanked on it. It nearly pulled her off her feet. She pulled on her bag. The kid let go. She kept walking. They were yelling at her and throwing snow balls. One hit her in the head and the snow packed into her ear. They had fallen behind a bit by the time she got to the small hill of snow that separated the snow filled school park and the slushy streets and houses. She hoped that they would stay and play in the snow in the park. As she got to the top of the hill something changed. She wasn't sure what but she dropped her bag and started running. She didn't look back but could hear them now. It sounded like the entire school was after her. Only four blocks to home. Four blocks. As she reached to block with the church, she knew she couldn't make it. In front of the church was the stone sign flanked by bushes. She dropped to her knees and crawled in between the sign and a bush. She tried not to look as the other kids crowded around yelling and laughing. For them is was so very festival. Hands reached in from both sides. "Get her", "Drag her out" filled the air between the grabbing hands. She couldn't help it she started crying. Tears and snob ran down her face. The hands were pulling at her like she was the rope in a tug-o-war. Finally one of the older boys grabbed her arm and twisting, pulled her out. Dragging her through the now muddied snow. Pulling her to her feet and shoving her into a circle of waiting kids. Their faces were a blur as they pushed and shoved and pulled. She tried to stay on her feet but they were pushing her from one side and from another. She landed on her stomach and mud splattered her face. Some one stepped up on her back. She turn on to her side to get them off. The school fat kid stepped up and sat on her side forcing her onto her back. He started smacking her face and head, laughing and calling her names. Finally bored with watching the kids started to leave. Deprived of their audience the ring leaders dumped her retrieved bag into the mud next to her and with a last kick of muddy slush, they headed off to their own homes. Leaving her to walk the last two blocks to her house soaking wet and covered in mud.