Chapter Fourteen: AlvaroThe spring had gone out of his step now. He dragged his feet through the dust, head down, feeling so low, so deflated. He wished he was a grown man, strong and resourceful, he'd know what to do then. He'd lead them all up into the mountains, flush out the vile creature that had brought this blight to his village. No one would stand in his way, no one would dare.
“Well, well, if it isn't Don Luis.”
Luis groaned inwardly. Alvaro. Of all the people to meet on such a day as this, why oh why was it always him? Would he never tire of playing these horrible, vindictive games?
Luis brought up his head and locked eyes with Alvaro's.
“Ooh,” said the big bully, his hands reaching out in mock horror, “you look scary! What you trying to be, Luis? A man?”
“He'll never be a m
