Michael Hargreaves had witnessed his closest friend, Daniel Richards receive a severe caning with commendable courage. His friend had returned to sit beside him after receiving six strokes on his underwear and six strokes on his bare bottom. Only in the second part of the punishment had he made some noise in reaction to the searing pain of the cane. Michael Hargreaves who now faced the same punishment prayed he too would show such fortitude.
"Approach the desk, remove your trousers and bend over!" instructed the sports master, Mr. Jones. Hargreaves sighed and raised himself up from the bench. Slowly he removed his jacket. He stood momentarily before the large, oak desk and then lowered his school trousers. Even sixth formers at Hartwell were required to wear uniform, although their trousers were black as opposed to the grey of the boys lower down in the school. Richards and Hargreaves knew they were probably the very first sixth formers to be caned at Hartwell, where canings were rare in any case. Only the fact that they were both approaching vital examinations had prevented them from being instantly expelled.
Hargreaves had lowered his trousers and bent over the desk to reveal his pale blue boxer shorts. The fabric stretched as he bent over fully, just as his best friend had done, to ensure that his bottom was in the required position. He too had a fine bottom due to his passion for cycling and swimming. He was no rugby player but had a young body to be proud of, one which compared favourably to that of his best friend.
Mr. Jones again approached the desk and raised Hargreaves' shirt to expose his bottom more fully. The caning commenced. Hargreaves gasped loudly after each stroke of the cruel cane and his bottom moved from side to side in more pronounced a manner than his friend's had done.
"Keep your bottom still!" barked Mr. Jones. Hargreaves closed his eyes firmly and willed himself not to move his bottom. He was only too aware that his friend had taken his punishment so well. The first six strokes were delivered. Hargreaves waited for his underwear to be removed and six more strokes to be delivered on his naked bottom. Mr. Jones soon approached the desk and lowered the boxer shorts in one brisk move. He admired the way in which he had delivered the first strokes. Each stroke lay horizontal on Hargreaves' bottom, the force of each stroke had left a clear mark on each buttock.
Hargreaves breathed heavily and readied himself as best he could for this more terrible punishment, without even the slightest protection of a thin layer of cloth. His bottom stuck high in the air, a most perfectly- positioned target for the caning which would now continue. Mr. Jones delivered each stroke with what Hargreaves felt was even more power than before. He could not help himself and cried out after the eighth stroke. "Please no!" he pleaded, to no avail. The caning continued mercilessly. By the end Hargreaves was openly crying. He took a while to compose himself before being able to stand and dress himself. He was in agony. The Headmaster's final words were lost on him. Both he and Richards were escorted back to their rooms by Mr. Jones who ensured there was no communication between the young men en route.
A little later Hargreaves heard a knock on the door. He ignored it, in no mood for visitors. It would not be long until the more inquisitive of his friends would be demanding a view of his stripes. "Michael!" whispered Daniel Richards from outside the room. "For God's sake let me in! " With a feeling of longing for his fellow victim, Hargreaves slowly moved towards the door and opened it to allow his best friend to come in.
"Well," said Richards. "That was some ordeal. I thought you took it well, Mike". Hargreaves thanked him, but felt he had let his friend down a little.
" I guess we are going to have to be more careful in future" continued Richards. "Still," he added, "At least in here we can be safe." He moved closer to his friend and kissed him fully on the lips.
The End