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.

I hear my mother call my name, it is noon, time for us to go on our daily walk.  I rush into my room, and quickly find a pair of slightly worn out pants.  The stains of dirt and torn chunks of dark grey fabric don’t bother me.  I am excited about playing outside. 

I run through the front door swinging it wide open.  The air rushes through my lugs and the sun gently wrinkles my forehead. I feel like I haven’t been outside for so long.  The semi circular street surrounding our apartment building is packed with cars.  It’s quiet now, I hear a kindergarten teacher talking to her students.  I squeeze my mother’s hand and we continue walking.  She has a strong grip.  She looks down at me and smiles.

We pass large shrub of bushes.  It’s warm enough for little red fruits to start blooming.  I rip one of them and hide it in my front pocket; my mom doesn’t notice.  A neighboring boy runs up to us; it’s Sergey.  He is wearing neat black shorts and a plain dark t-shirt.  Out of breath he asks “Can Max play?” I look up with a smile and see my mother nods to me “Go on”. 

Sergey runs around the corner and disappears in a large jagged opening of a crackled wooden fence. I follow him without hesitation.  On the other side I feel like I am in a maze. Piles of large cement blocks, some curved, some rectangular are surrounding me. I climb on top of one and see my friends talking in a group.  Sergey is there, he invites me in; they want to play a game. I see my mother in the distance, I wave to her, and she waves back. 

We start playing hide and seek; it’s my turn to search.  I turn around and start counting; I like a challenge so I don’t peek.  When I reach hundred I turn.  Quickly scouting the area I start walking forward.  I clip my leg on a rusty metal bar and fall.  Slowly and in shock I push my self off the ground.  I feel like my face was hit by a hammer, it hurts; it hurts so badly, I scream.  

Sergey along with a few other boys appear.  They have stunned expressions of horror.  Without hesitation Sergey rushes to the fence in search of my mother.  In seconds my mother is here, she is terrified.  She grabs me and rushes me to the apartment.  Stumbling trying to catch her pace I cry, “It hurts”.

I want to wash my hands and face, mommy runs into the living room to call my father.  I grab a clump of cheap soap, look in the mirror and freeze. My mouth is covered in blood.  Three pieces of flesh and broken bone are dangling from the top of my jaw.  I scream “What have I done?”  Mommy grabs a soft cloth and dabs it in to warm water.  She wipes my blood of my hands and face.  She tells me everything is going to be ok.  

I can’t talk, it hurts. 

She puts me to bed, turns the lights out and leaves to look for the ambulance.  It’s dark, I can’t close my eyes I keep thinking “What have I done?”