D is for Dread
I’m rather late with today’s, having been struck down by a hot day and Andheri in general. But the delightful Jai Ranjit pushedΒ me to explore my creative limits and how can I resist a challenge? He gave me ‘D is for Dread‘ and challenged me to write a story that had a positive ending. Here’s today’s #AtoZChallenge.Β (and have you read A, B and C as yet?)
~O~O~O~O~O~
D is for Dread
We took our casualties. We took the hits, like men. Sticks and stones, there were some broken bones. But that John, he cries like a girl anyway. Some guys canβt handle Grade IV fire. Weβve left him behind.
Thereβs brief respite. Weβre home with our families. The summer is beautiful. But we all know whatβs waiting at the end of it. These past four years have been playground fights, in comparison.
It must be done. The women speak of it with almost demented cheerfulness. But at night, when Iβm sitting on the steps, watching my mother shell peas, I hear her sniff and say, βHeβs not ready yet.β Iβm tempted to run out and hug her. But I hold back and trudge back to bed. The time for tears is past.
It went by so fast. Yesterday Monica walked to the end of the road with me. We didnβt say much. It was everything that we were walking together. When we reached my door, she said, βSee you.β I nodded, unsmiling and turned away. We both know she wonβt. By next summer, sheβll have forgotten me. In fact, this Saturday, I know sheβs seeing another guy. He lives next door to Allen. Allen, my best buddy, he gave it to me straight. Or maybe he was just happy to see her go. Allen never liked her. Allen doesnβt like girls, never has.
But heβs a good friend to have in all times. Especially in times like the one weβre going to be having. We donβt yet know what their militia have in their arsenal. Everyone in my section knows Iβm the bravest of them all. But Iβll be glad to have good olβ Allen at my side, flanking me, especially when the bus drives up tomorrow to pick us up.
I lay out my uniform on the bed. Itβs crisp and new. The unfamiliar colours, that Iβve only ever seen on the older lads are now mine to touch and wear, every single day. I hang them up carefully, turn off the light and try to sleep. Iβm going to need my wits about me.
Tomorrow, fifth grade.
~O~O~O~O~O~
*Image courtesy olovedog on FreeDigitalPhotos.net