He kicked at a couple of rocks, the cuffs of his jeans, slightly rolled up calling the attention away from his dirty shoes. A pack of cigarettes were neatly tucked into the sleeve of his white t-shirt. He silently counted his steps.
I sat on the side of the tracks, a daily norm after school – anything to keep from going home. It wasn’t a pleasant place.
He stopped, looked over at me and nodded towards the tunnel. I got up and slowly followed him. I guess most girls are fearless at fourteen, I was no exception. He was cute and I do mean cute, an intriguing stranger. He stopped halfway underneath and leaned against the concrete wall. He took a comb from his pocket and ran it through his oily black hair, his hand followed making sure every strand was in place. He reached towards me and gently took my wrist pulling me closer to him. His hazel eyes stared peacefully into mine, a slight smile formed on his face. He took my other arm and tightened his grip. His lips gaped open revealing a gruesome, damp, red, teeth-filled, tongue-less hole. He forced out the word “secrets” from his chest using what he could of his vocal cords. I ran quickly away, tripping over a railroad tie. I lay there frozen in fear. He turned back, leaving me alone. I found out later that he was the estranged son of my mother’s boyfriend. It didn’t take much to realize what would happen if I told my truth. I guess it was a warning of the sort.
I’m now blinded. I no longer see a future for myself.
Leesa Writes 