Creative Writing: Locked Out

Locked Out

Death is a small price to pay for respect--the words spilled from the headphones like crude oil. Erway Dewey listened to the music barely hearing the lyrics. The words were dark and damaging but soothed the roughness of the harsh surroundings. It didn't matter what the words said anyway, Erway thought, it ain't real life.

Erway stood in the shadow that the old warehouse doorway cast against the rising sun. He hoped the bus wouldn't take much longer because although the building sheltered him against the wind, it was cold and snowing. Today, like most other school days, he got up early so he could lift weights and play a game of basketball in the gym with his friends. It was quiet on North Avenue this early in the morning.

As they walked to the Army recruiter's table, a short man with patent leather shoes nodded his head toward them. He was the man to whom Tim had already spoken about joining. Tim mumbled almost to himself, "I hope they don't start lyin' and promisin' stuff, that'll just make me not wanna go."

They talked to the Army recruiter for some time before deciding to leave. After a brief discussion, they decided to skip the rest of the school day. They skipped school a lot since their senior year began. Erway had a research paper to do for his advanced placement history class so they decided to go to the library.

The library was a catacomb of silence. Only the beep of a computer checking books could be heard. They mostly came to read books and magazines about cars and houses and sometimes they looked for black history books. Tim read books about Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. Erway liked Richard Wright but usually picked books he could use in his advanced placement classes. They spent the day at the library to escape the fantasy of school and the reality of being poor. Hours went by and as the sun began to set, they decided to leave. The setting sun sprayed a pink icing across the crisp winter sky. Erway decided to walk to Tim's house before going

Nowhere to hide. They heard the shouts of the cops. "Hey, stop right there!" Tim threw a small rock that made a loud twang as it hit a 'No Parking' sign. There, looking at the policeman, Erway saw the shiny barrel of the gun sparkling in the auburn street lights and full moon. "Let's go!" Erway shouted already turning quickly on the ball of his foot. There were more police cars sliding around corners and spilling from alleys as they ran. Shots were fired, firecrackers popping all around. Both had been chased by police before but neither had ever been fired at. Chilling fear cloaked them in a warm embrace. Slipping, clawing at the ground, they ran for their lives. Blam! His body was warm, time stood still. It seemed quiet as he began falling. He looked at the moon as if to ask why. The sky was silent. Dark birds flew overhead. Both looked up and wished he could fly. He fell to one knee, his mouth open and sandy. The wind gusts cooled the sweat on his forehead, trash rustled, trees swayed, and he was on the ground.