Silent Book: Art of the Thirteen Striking Cobras

Cindy sobbed as she bent over to pick up her books. The three bullies laughed and poked fun at the poor girl they'd just knocked down for no reason.

"What ya crying for you dumb bitch...ain't you ever been knocked on that sweet ass before?" A boy snarled at the girl, he kicked her art book just as she went to pick it up.

"Please," the girl said, choking back the tears. "I have to get to class...I have an important project to complete today."

One of the boys was named Tonna...he had rotten front teeth and wore a military style jacket. "Just because you're late for school doesn't give you permission to walk by the park...our park. Now you gonna have to pay up sweetmeat. Got any cash on you?" The others boys giggled.

"I..I only have a dollar. It was all my mother had to give me this morning. You can have it though...it wasn't going to be enough for me to buy lunch anyhow." Cindy fished around in her pocket..searching for the elusive dollar. She finally found it and handed it to Tonna.

Tonna shook his head. "You sure as hell are one pathetic poor-ass piece of meat. Tomorrow you better bring five more to go with this one...if you know what's good for you."

Another boy called Bottle joined in, he was tall and had a shaved head. Cindy cringed...this particular thug had a very bad reputation. The poor girl hadn't noticed him at first. If she had she would have taken off running at once...but to late! "Hey Tonna, one dollar ain't shit....let's make cutie blow us...I like her lips."

Tonna looked worried.."what if she tells...she knows me? We got english together...."

The third punk laughed at Tonna..."how long has it been sent you went to class...a week...probably longer."

Bottle put his boot against Cindy's bottom and gave her a shove..books, pencils, and girl went sprawling. The boy's tone of voice chilled her to the bone. "She ain't gonna say nothing. I know where she lives. If she narcs on you Tonna, I'll pay her mom a visit. I'm pretty sure Cindy don't want that to happen....now do you Cindy?"

The girl shook her head and fought back the flood of tears. They were going to rape her....all three of them most likely. Trembling she climbed to her feet. The books were left where they had fallen.

"Please don't bother my mother," Cindy said. She's sick and can't take much more aggravation. The girl should have run then but her slender legs were frozen in fear. "That's it...be a good girl and we won't take to long...you might even make it to your second period class....just step over here behind these trees hottie." Bottle was cocky and confident....he'd had plenty of experiences like this before.....sometimes he'd had to hurt girls. Maybe this time would be different, maybe not.

Cindy felt helpless, totally helpless, but she tried again. "Please just let me go...I won't tell.. I just want to get to class, its real important."

That was the cue Bottle was waiting for, he drew back his hand and a real ugly expression formed on his unkempt features. "Looks like I gotta show you who the boss is around her you little slut....."

"Picking on young ladies isn't very nice..why don't you try somebody else today buddy?" No one had noticed the young man who had just spoken. He was very clean cut, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.

Bottle dropped his arm..but only slightly. "Who the fuck are you jerkwad?" He growled, the malvolence seething in his dark eyes.

"My name is Silent Book...I hope you guys don't mind if I help the young lady gather up her things?"

Tonna looked the stranger up and down, "what kind of fucked up name is that. You must be new around here...you had better just keep moving asshole....or you might not be able to move pretty soon."

The new boy leaned down and picked up Cindy's books. He seemed to not notice the three punks. He handed the girl her things and smiled at her. Despite everything, Cindy smiled back....but she was still plenty worried. "Thank you," she said. "Well I got to get going."

"Hold it right there you stupid bitch," Bottle said as he reached out to grab the girl's arm. "Owww, you're hurting me...owwww!" Cindy cried.

Silent Book's arm darted out like a snake and closed on Bottle's free hand before the thug could react. He gave the bald boy's fingers a weird jerk which was quickly followed by a loud scream..."Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!" Bottle shouted as he stared at his hand. "You broke two of my fingers ...you bastard." Tonna aimed a punch at Book's head but missed by a mile. The new boy buried his fist in Tonna's flabby gut. Every bit of wind the punk had flew out his open mouth. He fell to the ground groaning and clutching his midsection. His face had turned a deep color of purple.

Bottle's good hand suddenly flashed a blade. He tried to cut Book but the boy caught his wrist and twisted it. The sound of more crunching bones cut through the cold air. Bottle had had enough, he was crying like a baby as he made a run for it with his busted hands flapping in the breeze. The third would be rapist was close behind. He's watched the entire thing and didn't want any. Tonna on the other hand had to crawl away...puking his guts up the entire time. What a mess.

"We'd better get going if we're gonna make that first bell, I don't want to be late on my first day." Cindy nodded and off they went at a quick pace. She tried to brush her hair back into place. The cold air stung her teary features. The handsome boy offered her a hankerchief. "Use this on your face," he said.

Cindy dried away her tears before attempting to return the cloth. "Keep it as a gift from a new friend," Book said.

"Ok," Cindy replied before tucking the hankerchief into the pocket of her thin jacket. "Where is your coat? Aren't you cold?" She asked the new boy.

"I guess I forgot it...first day of school and all is pretty exciting....besides the weather is gonna warm up today..a lot."

"So you're new huh?" Cindy asked. "I'm Cindy by the way."

"Yep," the boy said. He put out his hand...."I'm really glad to meet you Cindy." The girl took his hand...it was warm and strong...she liked it.

"Aren't you afraid those boys will gang up on you...they have lots of friends...all rotten apples just like them." The concern in Cindy's voice was genuine. "They, and others like them pretty much run the school."

"They're not as tough as they look. My old school was a complete cesspool, we had plenty of really bad dudes to put up with there....kids like those are nothing..believe me." The new kid sounded plenty confident.

"If you say so....I can never thank you enough for helping me. They threatened to bother my mother. I hope they don't...maybe they learned their lesson today. And aren't you afraid of getting in trouble for beating those dorks up?"

"I'm not worried about the cops. They know I'm an alright guy. You might say I have connections...its all cool Cindy. If you're worried I could walk you home...I'd love to meet your mother."

"That's OK Silent, we'll be ok...maybe some other time." Cindy was to ashamed of the rundown duplex where they lived. She hated to admit it but this boy looked like he came from somewhere nice...real nice. She just had that feeling. She put her hand in her pocket and squeezed the hankerchief he'd given her. Cindy was shy but she darted quick glances at her companion. She guessed he was just a hair under six feet tall. He was lean and athletic looking. His hair was jet black and his eyes a very bright blue. When she looked in them, it was like diving into the ocean...sorta. Despite her clothes which were clean but came from the second hand store, the girl felt really proud walking beside Book. As they strolled onto the school grounds lots of people turned to stare at the couple. Especially the girls. Cindy felt their eyes burning into her.....and Book. They entered the building and the girl showed Book to the administrative office. "They already have all my paperwork and stuff...but I better check in and get my schedule for classes."

"I guess so Silent," Cindy replied. "Well I got about half a minute to get to my first class...it was awesome meeting you...and thanks again for everything."

Cindy felt a bit weak in her knees when Book flashed her another of his smiles. "I'm glad I got to meet you Cindy....hopefully we'll run into each other again."

It was Cindy's turn to smile, "that would be very nice Silent...besides the school really isn't that big....I'm sure we'll bump into each other plenty."

"Good," Book said. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Cindy walked away deep in thought. She should have been stressing about the near rape but all she could focus on was...Silent Book. It was nearly to late when she noticed someone was blocking her way. It was Miranda Jones...a cheerleader and one of the most popular girls in school. "So who's the new guy Cindy....is he a relative or something."

Cindy barely recovered from the shock of having Miranda actually address her. "No...we just met while walking to school. This is his first day I guess. He's really nice though."

"Name?" Miranda demanded rather impatiently.

"His name is Silent Book...kinda weird huh?"

"Yes, but kinda cool too....you two aren't ...together...are you?" Miranda asked.

"No, just friends I guess."

"Good," Miranda said before tuning Cindy out, turning up her U-7655 audio player and walking away.

Cindy shrugged and hurried to her first class. It was a strange day....no matter how she tried her thoughts kept drifting back to the new boy. They were exciting thoughts...but filled with questions. It depressed her that Miranda Jones had also taken interest in Silent Book. Cindy knew, that given a choice between her and Miranda....there was no choice. Still, she couldn't stop daydreaming about the boy. A couple of times she caught a brief glimpse of him in the halls between classes. Redlimb Valley High was very large....it wasn't surprising when the two didn't pass within speaking range. Cindy didn't have the courage to actively search him out. It might be that he was nice to her just because he was a nice person. The odds were pretty long against his interest going any farther than that.

Cindy took her time after the last bell sounded. She strained her eyes as she walked here and there looking for her new friend. She missed her bus but that was Ok. She didn't have to walk back home by the park. There was another way...a lot longer but much safer. Cindy desperately wanted to run into Book again but apparently he was already gone. Finally she resigned herself to failure and headed out the front door of the school building.

"Hey, Cindy...holdup...I'm glad I caught you." It was Book.

Cindy's heart skipped a beat. He actually looked glad to see her. "Hi Silent..how was first day?"

"It went great," the boy replied. "But I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you?"

"Sure, anything," Cindy said...glowing.

"Are there any retail outlets close by in your neighborhood?" Book asked.

"Sure Silent...theres a Mondo-Mart just around the corner from my duplex."

Book nodded. "Is there any way possible that you could pick up some school supplies for me...I have my books but I need notebooks, pencils, folders....that kind of stuff..you know. I'll give you money...here." He stuck his hand in his pants and pulled out a bill...he offered it to the stunned girl. "Please keep the change...I don't mind a bit paying you for helping me out....I have a great paying part time job."

The bill was a fifty..."I'll be more than happy to shop for you but that's way to much...don't you have something a bit smaller. You don't have to pay me at all."

"No..NO, I insist you take this. I value my friends highly and want to please them. When they're happy...I'm happy."

Cindy took the bill. It was what he wanted...and she and her mom could sure use the extra cash. "Don't worry about a thing Silent...I'll fix you up right....do you need a backpack....they're great but very expensive..wish mine was still functional."

"No, that's cool, I already have something to pack my stuff in. It's at home." He causally patted her on the shoulder. "I really appreciate your help Cindy...you're the bomb!"

They parted and Cindy hurried away, thrilled to her toenails...for lots of reasons. A day that had started with a nightmare had turned into a fantasy. In....freakin'....credible!

Silent Book watched the girl walk away. At least he seemed to watch her. Actually he was scanning her with monitors that served as his "eyes". The visual input machines in his head were a lot better than eyes. It was even possible to see not only her but what was underneath her worn clothing. Book surprised himself when he utilized that part of his capabilities. This act was illogical and might be contrary to his programming. He ignored the thought and continued to scan Cindy's lithe backside long after someone with normal vision would have given up. At last, he walked swiftly away from the school grounds, down the long winding street, and pass the park where he'd had his first encounter with one of his secondary targets....Jackson Ray Culpepper, aka "Bottle."

Like any other android Silent Book walked quickly and untiring. He actually walked much faster than he appeared to be walking. This was part of his programming, and a good tool that allowed him to move swiftly and still appear perfectly human. At last he reached a rather run down part of the city. He ducked into an alley and darted behind an old warehouse. There was a high steel fence behind the building. Book scanned in every direction to make sure no one was observing his actions. Satisfied, he made a high pitched noise that unlocked the fence gate and made it swing open. Inside was a 200 square feet area that contained nothing except a couple of old, broke down looking vehicles. One was a rusty white van...up on blocks. Book passed through the gate and made the strange noise again. The gate closed and the back door of the van opened. Book climbed inside and the van door slammed behind him.

The back of the van was a completely closed off, secure area, with numerous alarms and defensive systems in place. There was barely enough room for book to move about in. It didn't matter, he was an android and didn't need space. The entire van was a computerized robot docking station. Everything he needed was right there. Book sat down in a chair that blinked and hummed with dozens of functioning electronic circuits all performing some necessary job. Instantly his white t-shirt turned green and his blue jeans turned black. Nothing like a change of clothes.

The equipment was highly advanced, the technology was understood by no one except Book himself and his creators. They were aliens, allied with the new government of the United States. It had been a stroke of good luck when the new president, Fason Deal, had been abducted for study by the Elessonorians. They meant no harm, and in fact were eager to help the fledgling human race better itself. The Elessonorians were more than happy to assist their new friend President Deal. A number of androids had been constructed, many would serve as doctors or weathermen, while many more would make up the new secret police force. Book was a police droid. An incredibly advanced police droid. His assignment was very simple. Make Redlimb Valley High a safe and wholesome place for the city's children to seek an education. The android was programmed accordingly.....including a defensive/offensive program that his creators had learned from the greatest martial artist that ever lived.....it was called the Art of the Thirteen Striking Cobras. It was a program that would be very useful as the android performed his primary function.....to take the trash out of the school system....the human trash.

Silent Book relaxed, if one could call it that, him being an android. He placed the video player ultra-9000 over his eyes. It was a human technology but he found it very interesting. For several minutes he observed the program called the Beverly Hillbillies. Then he switched to his favorite program, and instructional film on hairdressing. This program fascinated Book. It must be truly interesting to be a hairdresser. A part of his own programming told Book that this was yet another illogical glitch in his personality profile. He ignored his bothersome logic cpu and concentrated on the human's hands....as they skillfully sculptured the female's highly complex do. Book watched the program and over for hours. At last he watched several minutes of another instructional video....on how to apply for a position in the United States postal service. This was another favorite but only to soon Book switched off the video unit and put it aside. Is was time to consider his primary programming....still, he paused for a few seconds to review his memory banks concerning the human female that called herself Cindy. It was illogical of him to seek out stored visual images of her hind quarters but he did, ignoring his own computerized brain's demands that he stop.