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  Contents

  Title Page

  Happy birthday, dear Rudi

  What’s up with Steven?

  The plan

  Revenge

  Fireworks!

  Hits and misses

  Marco = trouble?

  A hundred metres of madness

  Always one step further

  What’s inside the box?

  Trouble

  Drowning in Old Spice

  Friends you can do without

  The rock concert

  Lose your pain

  Embrace your pain

  Jump! Jump! Jump!

  The power of words

  Revenge is sweeter when the blood flows

  War wounds

  A fist in the stomach

  The smell of blood

  Never doubt, never dread

  The fall

  The last scene

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Happy birthday, dear Rudi

  ‘It’s brilliant!’ cried Rudi.

  ‘More than brilliant!’ cried Liz.

  ‘Oh, please!’ sighed Steven. He lay stretched out on Rudi’s bed. His hand behind his head. ‘It’s only a video camera. Even simple mobile phones can shoot videos.’

  ‘But not like this one.’

  Rudi stroked the camera. His fingers lightly touching the buttons. He unfolded the small screen. ‘I’ve always wanted one.’

  ‘Oh, please,’ Steven called out again. He shook his head. ‘Get over it, will you? It’s not as if you’ve found a girl.’

  Everybody knew Rudi was struggling to find a girl.

  Rudi didn’t know why he had so much trouble.

  With girls.

  It was supposed to be easy. He was a cool guy. Not even bad looking, he thought.

  Perhaps it was the dimple in his cheek. It made him look like a mommy’s boy.

  Or perhaps he had bad breath. And nobody told him.

  Perhaps he just didn’t understand girls. They could be very strange.

  Rudi shifted his gaze to his friend, Lizz.

  She was kind of cute: slim body, black hair … She wanted to get a tattoo on her shoulder.

  She showed him a picture of it once:

  But her mom refused.

  Even Rudi didn’t like the idea.

  She had a super silky skin. A tattoo would only spoil it.

  Rudi smiled. He would love to slip his hand over her shoulder one day. Perhaps kiss her skin …

  But that would never happen.

  Lizz wasn’t interested in Rudi. She was into tough guys. Rudi was too tame for her liking.

  Okay, he did have a few muscles. He got them from playing rugby.

  What he also got was a bloody nose once. And he only cried very, VERY softly.

  But other than that he was just a normal bloke.

  At least Lizz and he were still friends. Ordinary guys make for good friends.

  ‘Happy birthday,’ said Lizz.

  It shook Rudi out of his daydream.

  Lizz wrapped a few streamers around Rudi’s head. Then she tied a silver balloon to his shirt button.

  Rudi laughed. He liked it when she touched him. But he didn’t want to show it. So he asked: ‘What are you doing, Lizz?’

  ‘I’m wishing you well!’ she answered playfully.

  ‘No, wait,’ said Rudi, stopping her.

  He switched on the camera. Then he aimed it at her. The image on the small screen was bumpy at first. Then it fell into focus.

  ‘Okay, Lizz, say that again.’

  Steven rolled his eyes, irritated. And looked away.

  ‘Happy birthday, old Rudi!’ Lizz cried out.

  She posed for the camera.

  Her smile looked just like Paris Hilton’s.

  What’s up with Steven?

  That evening Rudi was sitting watching TV till very late.

  His parents had already gone to bed.

  Next to him on the couch was a small side plate. And a dried-out slice of birthday cake. He’d already had three slices. And some custard tart. And blueberry tart.

  Rudi grinned. Luckily one’s birthday only came once a year. He would have to shake the extra weight off during rugby training. A fly half should be fleet of foot.

  Steven said Rudi has wings on his feet. That’s how it feels when Rudi is heading for the try line. When he knows nothing will stop him now.

  It was a pity Lizz didn’t like rugby heroes. They weren’t her style.

  Rudi’s thoughts suddenly shifted back to Steven. His pal acted a bit strangely today. What was wrong with him?

  Rudi picked up his mobile phone.

  He sent a message to Lizz.

  WHAT WAS WRONG WITH STEVEN TODAY???

  Her reply came shortly after:

  STEVEN IS JEALOUS. DON’T WORRY. SLEEP TIGHT, B-DAY BOY!

  Rudi nodded, deep in thought. She was probably right. Steven’s parents aren’t well off. He’ll probably never receive a huge gift on his birthday.

  The plan

  The following day Steven was in a better mood.

  He first paid a visit to Rudi’s fridge.

  ‘I’m as hungry as a wolf,’ he complained.

  He helped himself to some leftover cake.

  A HUGE helping.

  Rudi was sick of cake. He poured them some soft drinks.

  Then they went outside. Steven collapsed in a garden chair.

  ‘Where’s that camera of yours, old Rudi?’

  ‘Why?’ Rudi asked warily.

  ‘We should try it out.’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘No, dude,’ said Steven. ‘That’s not what I meant. I think we should make a cool video.’

  ‘Of what?’

  ‘I don’t know – of stuff.’

  ‘Stuff doesn’t make good videos, Steven,’ said Rudi. ‘Ideas make good videos.’

  ‘Then we should think of a good idea.’ Steven gulped down some more cake. A dreamy expression played in his eyes. ‘Where’s Lily today?’

  ‘I don’t know. Around. She’s probably hanging out in the shade. Near the fish pond, reading. Why?’

  ‘I haven’t yet said hello to her today.’

  Rudi frowned. ‘I don’t understand. Were you supposed to? You came to visit me.’

  Steven sighed. ‘Never mind, forget it.’

  Rudi shook his head. Strange. Since when was Steven interested in his sister?

  ‘I’ve got an idea,’ said Steven. He wiped up the last few cake crumbs with his finger.

  ‘What now?’

  ‘For the video, man.’ Steven put the plate down. He stuck his hand in his pocket. And pulled out a bunch of red fire-crackers.

  ‘What? Fire-crackers? Are you ten years old again? You aren’t allowed to set those things off here,’ said Rudi.

  Steven pretended not to hear Rudi. His eyes shone. ‘I think we ought to.’

  ‘Is that your wonderful idea for a video?’ asked Rudi.

  Steven dangled the string of fire-crackers in front of Rudi’s face. ‘No, that’s not all …We are going to scare Lily with them!’

  Revenge

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Rudi. ‘Lily would be furious.’

  ‘And rightly so,’ said Steven. ‘But she would laugh her head off afterwards.’

  ‘And the video?’ asked Rudi. ‘Where does it fit in with your brilliant idea?’

  ‘Come on, Rudi,’ said Steven, shaking his head. ‘Some days you’re as stupid as mud. We frighten her with the fire-crackers. And we tape everything with the video camera.’

  ‘And then?’ asked Rudi.

  ‘Then we upload it to YouTube!’

  ‘Lily would definitely hate that,’ laughed Rudi.

  ‘She would love it!’ cried Steven. ‘You’ll see
. Your sister has a good sense of humour.’

  ‘But the whole wide world will see it!’

  ‘Exactly!’ cried Steven. ‘We are going to make her famous. World famous.’

  Rudi didn’t know why he was even considering it. It was a bad idea. A very bad idea. The kind of plan Steven would typically use to impress a girl. The kind of plan that never worked.

  But then he recalled the previous week. Lily had gotten hold of his Facebook password. It was written on his rugby calendar. And she had used it! The guys at school had a field day with him. Boy, did they laugh! Some still question his love for knitting and crochet work. And why Winnie the Pooh is his favourite book.

  There were also those terrible photos she uploaded of him as a young lad.

  But worst of all: he’d been Facebook friends with the All Blacks’ rugby captain for a few days! He hated the All Blacks!

  ‘So, are you in or out?’ asked Steven.

  Rudi smiled. ‘Do you have something to light the crackers?’

  Fireworks!

  Steven carefully explained the plan to Rudi:

  1. Rudi would hide behind the vines in the garden. From there he would be able to see everything. But Lily wouldn’t be able to see him.

  2. Rudi would switch on the camera. He would record everything.

  3. Steven would sneak through the garden. Lily wouldn’t see him if he approached from behind.

  4. At the herb garden he would have to be extra careful.

  5. At the rose garden he would have to be extra, extra careful.

  6. When reaching the fish pond, he would light the fire-crackers.

  7. He would then throw the crackers. They would land on the paving. Right in front of the garden bench where Lily sat reading.

  8. Lily would get the fright of her life.

  9. She would run straight into Steven – her hero’s – arms.

  10. She would immediately fall madly in love with him.

  11. They would live happily ever after.

  The end.

  Okay, that’s not really how Steven explained it.

  Steps 9, 10 and 11 were totally different:

  9. Lily would make a few funny moves with her arms.

  10. She might even jump up and down on the garden bench. Anything hilarious would be fantastic.

  11. They upload the video to YouTube.

  That was the plan.

  But that was not what happened.

  Rudi watched as Steven slipped the fire-crackers in his pocket. Then the lighter.

  He was glad his parents weren’t home. This whole affair could land him in serious trouble.

  Steven rubbed his hands together. He cracked his knuckles. Rudi didn’t know why. He wasn’t going to a fight!

  Steven gave a confident smile. He showed Rudi the thumbs up.

  Rudi switched on the video camera.

  ‘Are you ready?’ asked Steven.

  Rudi nodded. He turned the camera on himself first.

  ‘Guys and girls,’ he announced. ‘Are you ready for some fireworks? My pal, Steven, plans on giving my sister, Lily, the fright of her life. I reckon he is looking for trouble. Or attention. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Don’t try this with your sister. Steven is a real idiot.’

  Rudi smiled broadly.

  ‘Let’s check it out …’

  He turned the camera on Steven. Steven gave a maniacal laugh. Then he dashed off, away from the camera.

  The camera followed him as he zigzagged through the garden. Past this bush, around that tree. He was like the hero in a video game.

  Or like a guy who wished he was the hero in a video game.

  For a second the camera angle shifted to Lily. She was still oblivious. She kept on reading.

  Then Steven was back in view again.

  He tiptoed past the herb garden. A thumbs up sign showed he was still okay.

  Then onwards.

  Slowly.

  Softly …

  Past the rose bushes.

  Now both Steven and Lily appeared on screen. Lily had still not heard or seen anything. She turned the page.

  Steven sneaked off to the reed bush.

  He removed the fire-crackers from his pocket.

  Using the lighter he struck up a small flame.

  It died in the breeze.

  ‘Idiot!’ whispered Rudi softly. He laughed.

  Steven tried again.

  Everything was going according to plan …

  The crackers’ fuse lit up.

  Steven smiled broadly.

  Three.

  Two.

  One.

  Steven raised his hand.

  He tossed the fire-crackers forward.

  No!

  Something was wrong.

  One of the fire-crackers in the bunch caught. On Steven’s watch!

  The first crackers went off.

  Lily jumped to her feet. She stared back over her shoulder.

  She wasn’t startled.

  She was laughing.

  Steven was the one filled with terror.

  He wasn’t laughing.

  He threw his hands in the air. His arms swung about wildly. But the string of crackers was still stuck.

  His eyes were wide.

  The fire-crackers were banging, banging, banging around his arm.

  Steven tried to stop them. Smacking at them furiously.

  Not watching his step at all.

  And then it happened.

  Rudi watched in horror as Steven tumbled into the fish pond.

  The water – and a few koi fish – splashed over the side.

  Steven tried getting to his feet again. But the bottom of the fish pond was slimy. His feet slipped out from under him. More water and fish splashed out of the pond.

  At long last the final fire-cracker died with a hiss.

  But there had been fireworks.

  Just as Rudi had promised.

  Hits and misses

  ‘You guys are crazy,’ said Lizz at school. She dropped her bag next to theirs. A strange smile appeared on her face.

  Luckily Steven had recovered from the shock. ‘Did you see the video?’ he asked.

  ‘I did … and the rest of the country as well, probably,’ she answered.

  ‘The rest of the world!’ boasted Rudi. He couldn’t believe Steven still uploaded the video. His plan ended in a total fiasco!

  Steven gave a satisfied smile.

  ‘YouTube is wonderful,’ he sighed. ‘It makes stars of ordinary people …’

  He scratched around in his pocket and fished out his mobile phone. He opened the YouTube app. ‘Look at that … 384,123 hits. Only 145 people weren’t impressed.’

  ‘My mom is one of them,’ said Rudi.

  ‘Your mom isn’t my target audience.’ Steven sighed happily. ‘Hey, but what did Lily say?’

  ‘Lily thinks you’re a nutcase,’ answered Rudi.

  Steven grinned as if it was a huge compliment. ‘But did she like the video?’

  ‘Duh!?’ cried Liz. ‘You planned to blow her up with fire-crackers. Do you think she liked your video?’

  Steven’s grin was broader.

  ‘I’m very lucky I wasn’t grounded,’ said Rudi. ‘My mom hates fire-crackers. It upsets the dogs. You know how much she loves animals.’

  ‘Aah, sweet!’ said Lizz. She put her arm around Rudi’s shoulder and gave him a quick hug. His cheeks turned red immediately. Within a second the glow had spread throughout his body. It felt amazing.

  Then Lizz leaned over Rudi. She snatched the mobile phone. Again she watched the YouTube video. ‘Cool comments, aren’t they?’ she said.

  ‘My fans …’ replied Steven with pride.

  ‘Hey, guys, check this out …’ said Lizz after a while. ‘One of your fans wants to meet you. His name is Marco. He lives in the neighbourhood.’

  Marco …

  The name sent a chill down Rudi’s spine. He couldn’t explain why.

  Marco = trouble
?

  ‘I think he’s here,’ said Liz. She sounded very excited.

  Rudi stared out the window. A shiny motorbike stood in the driveway.

  A guy dressed in black leather got off. He was about Rudi’s age. He removed the helmet and checked himself in the rear-view mirror. Then he drew his fingers through his dark hair.

  ‘Sexy …’ whispered Lizz.

  Rudi stared at her anxiously. He didn’t need competition. Had she already fallen for Marco? She hadn’t even met him yet!

  ‘He looks kind of rough,’ said Steven.

  ‘Exactly what I like …’ said Lizz. Light-footed she hurried to the front door.

  Girls! thought Rudi. He felt annoyed.

  Marco approached the house with a cool swagger.

  Rudi didn’t want to judge people. But something told him: Trouble was on the way.

  ‘Don’t you have anything stronger?’ asked Marco. He took the glass of Coke Rudi held out to him.

  Lizz laughed. She sat down next to Marco. Too close, thought Rudi.

  ‘Rudi drinks nothing stronger than soft drinks,’ said Lizz.

  Rudi wished he could spill some Coke on her. Why did she say that? Was she trying to impress Marco?

  Rudi decided to keep his mouth shut.

  It was clear she had fallen under Marco’s spell. Enchanted by his swagger. His deep voice. His cool, lazy way of talking.

  Steven pulled a face. He probably noticed it too.

  At first the conversation centred around school. Marco was in a neighbouring school from the one Rudi and his friends attended.

  ‘I’m in Gorge High,’ he said. ‘Not that I attend very often. You know what I mean?’

  He grinned, taking a sip of soft drink.

  Rudi frowned.

  ‘I liked your video,’ said Marco. He turned to Steven. ‘It was quite funky. You’re very talented, Steven.’

  Steven pushed his chest out slightly. He seemed pleased.

  What? thought Rudi. It was a hilarious video, but talent? Steven set off some fire-crackers. And ended up in a fish pond. It was more stupidity than talent.

  ‘I think you could do more,’ said Marco. ‘Do better …’ Danger hid in his voice.