It only takes him a moment to recover. Reid leaps up and hugs Leila. The stick drops at their feet and he kicks it violently away.
"We have to go," he says. "Are you okay?"
She nods, manages to stop sobbing, but the tears continue to fall.
Reid clutches her hand and they run together back along the trail. It's Leila who pulls him into the trees at a certain place. He trusts her instantly. His fury burns him up inside, so much he can barely think of anything but what he is about to do to Joel.
They are back with the group so fast he is almost shaken out of his anger by the familiar sight of the pit and the pack. Everyone stares, some kids falling back, but even Joel is in complete shock when Reid runs straight for the bully. Leila's hand drops away just in time to save her from being dr
