11
Oct
2006
Green Jackets
Between tests, assignments and that yearly honor roll award ceremony I hardly notice high school anymore. I am a loner, people know me; I am that chubby kid. I tend to distance my self from them; I don’t make an effort to socialize. I try to blend in.
I like to stay late at school, I really enjoy working with computers. Mr. Mooney is my programming teacher. He’s a Scotsman in his thirties. He has a clean black goatee, he wears slick glasses; we like to call him Millhouse sometimes. I enjoy talking to him; he has a great sense of humor.
It’s Wednesday afternoon and I need to get home before it gets dark. I pack my books and turn off the computer. “See you tomorrow Mr. Mooney” and I run out of the computer lab. It’s a two km walk to my house. I don’t like to take the bus, it’s not cheap, and having extra change in my pocket is a priority. The streets are almost empty, most students are long home enjoying the usual six o’clock television show.
Ahead of me I see two teenagers, they are wearing similar green jackets, and black pants. They must be from my school. As I gain closer I recognize one of them. It’s Darien, his un-tucked shirt and lowered pants make him look like a gangster.
I continue with the same pace and pass them right as we enter the residential area. I don’t acknowledge them; last thing I want is to draw attention. Continuing my pace I gain some distance and some comfort. Suddenly,
“Hay, you have any cash?”
Just keep walking you don’t need to answer,
“Hay you, do you have any money?” I hear the voice again this time angrier.
I briefly turn and see Darien staring at me. He has that smirk on his face, I feel like a kitten that will be drowned soon.
“I don’t have anything.” I turn and continue walking.
“Come on I just need a toonie” this time the voice is much closer, they are right behind me.
I don’t like this, I am not particularly brave but I will not let him push me around. I look Darien straight in the eye and don’t say anything.
They back off for a second, I continue heading forward. I hear some murmuring. Suddenly a strong thrust lunges in to my back. I fall forward but manage to maintain my balance. I turn around and get my guard up. Darien’s partner tries to kick me again, he misses and I grab him by his neck, squeezing it between my biceps. I know I have him, my grip is tight there is no where to go. Darien jumps on my back and places four direct hits to my neck. I loose my balance and fall on the ground.
The concrete is wet. Two sharp kicks hit my back. A car passes by, a woman looks at me; I hope she stops. She keeps driving; I lift my self off the ground. Two more kicks this time hitting my ass. I stumble in the nearby store, they stop; I’m saved.
I catch my breath and try to stay in control, my hands are shaking. I spend the next half an hour moving from store to store hiding from them. There is only about a kilometer left to my house, and it seems that Darien is no where in sight. I take a deep breath and leave the secure walls of the shopping mall.
I walk quickly; about ¾ further I notice two figures far behind me. It’s them, I know they see me, I turn and run; I am so close. I quickly glance behind, they are chasing me. I run behind a random building, they don’t follow; I lost them.
Taking side alleys trying to avoid major open areas I make my way home. I’m safe I made it.
