Finally I've come up with a contribution to Chuck's little challenge. Vicious Cycle JJ was afraid of just about everthing. That was a fact which he tried to keep hidden, especially from his father. JJ walked across the playground,kicking pebbles in his way as he thought of last night. Last night he had been unable to hide his fear of the dark and his father had beaten him. He rubbed his hand over his still sore behind and scowled. He wasn't a sissy, really. His thoughts were interupted when he ran smack into someone. "Hey!" he grunted looking down into the fightened eyes of Clarence, the new boy. He got the sudden impression that here was someone more scared of things than was he. This made him feel superior and he like that feeling. "Hey!" he said again, "Watch where you're going!" Clarence scuffled out of the way of JJ's clumsy shove. "Ssssorry" he stammered. How many times had JJ said that as his father stood threatening above him? "Sorry isn't good enough!" he shouted, echoing his father's words. He shoved again and the smaller boy sprawled in the dust at his feet. A feeling of power surged through JJ and he lunged forward. Strong hands grabbed him before he could throw a punch into that tear streaked little face. It was a face that reminded him too much of himself. He hated that face-that look of submission. He tried to attack again, to obliterate the tears and fear, but the teacher's hands were too strong. JJ sat in the principal's office waiting for his parents to pick him up. He was not sorry. He wrapped the fading impression of power around himself, hoping it would keep him strong in front of his father. They came at last, his mother tearful and quiet as always. His father looked at him with an expression that JJ had never seen before. Could it be? Was his father actually proud of him? He didn't dare look more closely so he missed the smile on his father's face as the big hand cuffed his head more gently than ever before. As they walked out to the car, they passed Clarence looking small and lonely. JJ smiled a terrible little smile and felt the strength flow back through him. For the first time he looked forward to school the next day.