Doing what is right, not what is easy.

[bradspyjamas]

I'm typing this with one hand and so jacked up on pain meds that I doubt this post will make much sense. So this my advanced apology for the poor spelling and positively illogical sentence construction I'm certain you are about to encounter. I gravel at your feet and beg forgiveness but I need to say this:

You see this evening I've been admonished (admittedly quite politely) by the police, yelled at by my best friend and my mother has told me my actions were stupid and irresponsible.

I disagree.  

Quite vehemently actually.

I'm actually quite proud of myself.

I've always believed that I would not walk away if I thought someone was in danger. Always hoped that I would not pretend I couldn't see what was happening in front of me, that I wouldn't be a coward. That I would act for others as I hoped others would act for me.

I know now that my belief was correct. I might be an idiot but I'm not a hypocrite.

I took my usual short cut home from the station tonight.  It's a sort of alley-come-path down the back of the flats and I don't often see anyone down there.  Only this evening I rounded the corner to find two teenagers pinning another lad to the wall. I won't repeat what they were calling him, but safe to say they had issues with homosexuality and were under the impression this boy needed to be straightened out.  

I supposed I'm lucky they were so preoccupied with being menacing at first that they didn't notice me back up and call the police. Who told me to get out of there, that they were on their way and I shouldn't get involved.  

You've probably guessed that I didn't.  

Because as I hung up the lad called for help and they started using their fists. 

I'm still not sure what I thought I was going to do.  I'm 5'4 and relatively slim. The most warrior like thing I've ever done is pretend to be a Thundercat when I was five (and I was Snarf)

So I shouted "take your hands off him, I've called the police," and barrelled straight in. As it was I only managed to get one of them in the balls before I was overwhelmed.  

Apparently they also have authority issues and didn't like being told what to do. 

Thankfully their intended victim also decided to fight back and the wail of sirens did what my words couldn't and scared them off.

By that point they'd made quite a mess of the right side of my face and broken my arm in two places. The lad who they'd been intending to beat the seven bells out of has cracked ribs and a broken jaw. I'm eternally grateful that neither of the little shites were carrying knives.  

I doubt they'll be caught.  The lad is too frightened to say who they were - he definitely knew them though - and they had their hoods up and their backs to me until I got to them. I barely got a look before I got hit so hard my vision blurred.

The police were great and the hospital staff patched me up in no time but they all made it plain they didn't approve, that they thought I'd done the wrong thing.  My bestie, who is still here - apparently I can't be left alone as I have a head injury - is still fuming that I'd put myself in danger for someone I didn't know.  And my mum, who my bestie called because "she had a right to know her daughter is injured" is frantic.  I've only just managed to convince her that I don't need her to fly back and nurse me.  It's a broken arm, it'll heal, I'll manage. As my Nan used to say, I've made my own bed, now I must lie in it.

I don't care that I didn't know the lad from Adam. He needed help, I was there. That's all there is to it.

I do care that I've worried the people I love but I can't regret my actions. I will never, under any circumstances, accept that trying to help another person is wrong. 

Despite the injuries, despite the anxiety I've caused my loved ones, despite everything, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I just wish I lived in a world where it wasn't necessary in the first place. 

PS my bestie has just sort of beta'd this for me so it probably makes sense for the most part. He's forgiven me for scaring the heck out of him - I think - well, he's gone to make me chicken soup and hot orange which sounds like forgiveness to me ;)

Comments

[k-nightfox.livejournal.com]

I think you RULE! I happen to disagree with everyone who disagreed with your actions. I have gotten my arse kicked more times than I care to think about because I intervened when I saw bullying. I literally see red when that happens in front of me. Might be because I was raised by a bully and I fought back with him too.

You did the RIGHT THING and everyone who told you otherwise is really just scared that you could have been hurt worse. They love you, they don't want to lose you.

I for one commend you to the ends of the earth for your act of courage. That boy might well have died if you hadn't intervened.

You have nothing but my deepest admiration.

[fuckyeah.livejournal.com]

....Holy fuck, you're kind of my hero. Yeah, maybe it was a bad idea to get involved, but who knows what those two might have done if you hadn't stepped in. It fucking sucks that we live in a world like stuff like this happens, but I think it's people like you stepping and doing the right thing that helps change the world.

[alilypea.livejournal.com]

Wow way to fucking go! I approve wholeheartedly. I wish there had been more than a few instances when someone like you stepped into my life.

You're awesome.

[be-my-precious.livejournal.com]

i think what you did was tremendously heroic and took a LOT of guts... and i approve. i mean, that poor kid didn't deserve to have the crap beaten out of him and those thugs deserved anything you dished out.

i hope you feel better soon and are more coherent, etc. *hugs*

[asya-ana.livejournal.com]

Holy smokes! You qualify for Camelot knighthood. Although I hate to think what could have happened to you, calling the police before barging in was a life-saving move. And given the seriousness of your and the lad's injuries even with police involvement and fighting back, I'm terrified to think what they would have done to him if you hadn't been there. I'm sickened.

[itzcoatl.livejournal.com]

You are so brave!!! I do admire you. It's so great that there are people like you who will risk themselves to help others.

It's a terrible shame that the lad isn't going to say who the two thugs were though, as they are just going to carry on doing the type of thing they're doing.

Hope you feel much better soon. *Gives you big hug while carefully avoiding your broken arm*

[lycoris.livejournal.com]

*hugs you* You were incredibly brave and amazing and I think you were amazing. I hope that your arm and head feels better soon and that those little swines get caught and chucked in jail where they belong. You take care of yourself.

[seths-dream.livejournal.com]

You are a true hero.

That's all I can say.

You are an amazing person for doing what you did!

[halesmoon.livejournal.com]

I understand why your loved ones are worried, but I hope if I'm ever in your situation, I could do the same thing you did. Based on how bad both of your injuries were, if they'd all ganged up on him, he very well might not have made it. At the very least, there might have been some permanent damage.

For what it's worth, you're kind of a role model for me right now. :)

[phantmgreeneyes.livejournal.com]

Oh babe, I am so proud of you! Seriously, that is so awesome!!! You get massive hugs and rewards for your bravery!

[bradspyjamas.livejournal.com]

Stalk away - I'm kind of stalking you so it must be ok ... right ?!?! XD
And thank you being so nice - I'm squirrelling away all the lovely things everyone has said in my memories so that the next time my self esteem tries to take a nose-dive all I have to do is remember :)

[bradspyjamas.livejournal.com]

Face still looks a little like Bradley's in this icon (in the sense I have bruises not in the sense that I am attractive) and the arm will be in plaster for another three weeks at least but other than that, I'm fine. Spending a lot of time dictating fic ideas for when I can type with both hands again :)