The Decision

I'm running, I'm free, I'm out, I'm headed up the street. But where am I going?

I had no idea. I knew it couldn't be too far, I had people and items to collect. If I can convince Mrs. D that is.

'Think now. Where can I go? There's a playground a few blocks from here...I'll head there.'

I was at the park within five minutes. I sat down at a picnic table to gather my thoughts. I knew I was on the verge of tears. If I let slip that little bit of control I had left, I would surely break down and cry.

A deep well of feeling came over me. One that frightened me more than anything. Desperation... Despair. That's an out of control feeling. To not know where you're headed or in what direction and at a loss as to what to do next.  That's panic, that's desperation.

I sat on the park bench looking down at my socked feet. They were soaked through and I had two ice bricks at the end of my legs. It was fall at that time and not alot of sunny days left.

At the back of the D's house, ran railway tracks. A small strip of greasy bushes lined the railway behind and ahead. Close enough to watch the D's house and wait for Mr. D to leave. There was no way I could walk up to the front door knock while he was there, to wait was my only choice.

I took off my socks and rung them out, then put them back on my feet. I ran my fingers through my hair. I began to make my way through the park trying to stay on the high ground for my socks sake but, it was useless.

Wet was wet.

Getting through the park, I started to descend towards the railroad tracks. I walked along gingerly and picked my way over stones until I saw the back of the D's house.

I made my way as close as I could keeping behind the greasy bushes. I almost fell on my face! At my feet was a yellow milk crate. I pulled it out of the tangled grass and propped it behind the bush then sat down to watch their house. What seemed like hours was probably only minutes. It crawled along and took forever for that sun to go down or for someone to fire up that car and leave.

It would be Mr. D, Mrs. D wasn't allowed to drive it. Finally dusk arrived and I was super hungry, very cold. More time past when I heard a crash. I looked and saw the kitchen light swaying back and forth then the sound of glass breaking. Then I heard the tell tale sign of Mr. D's vehicle firing up. The spit of gravel, a squeal and he was gone up the street.  I waited a few minutes just to be sure, then I came up the side of the house along the fence line. I stopped at the end of the fence and waited there a few moments longer just in case Mr. D returned.

I came around the end of the fence and walked up to the front door.

I could hear nothing inside it was completely silent. I knocked again. Still silence no sounds of kids running around. But the warning bells on my head were ringing loudly! I turned the handle, the door opened.

It was dark...a familiar smell was in the air.

The coppery smell of blood.