Frightened Boy

Then I was caught, so suddenly my arms whipped out in front of me. My leg was trapped between two bodies trying to smash through the same space—I jerked at, trapped animal, losing my shoe in the process. Anything not to get trampled.

My struggles were successful; I broke free. Not too far ahead was a break in the road where the crowd could thin out. I focused on it, ignoring everything around me.

The nice-smelling woman, the one who stepped on my foot, screamed. I watched her go down hard as an older lady behind her used the young brunette for balance.

The pretty girl’s hand shot out and grabbed my ankle; her fingers clenched my foot. My shoe was gone, and I could feel her cold skin. My first female contact in years.

She was already on the ground, lost. I jerked my leg out of her grip with manic strength; she was beyond saving. Lilacs and lavender had no place on the streets of Banlo Bay. Her face was twisted with terror; another cadaver. I just turned and ran. Heroics were a luxury.

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Copyright Scott Kelly 2011
Cover by Greg Poszywak
Check out more of Greg's work at: http://thegregorythomas.deviantart.com/