GANG WARFARE
We never
meant to hurt anyone.
Me, Ginge
and Joey were the Denver Street Gang, with our headquarters in Joey’s garage.
The four from Bennett Road used the old office building. It was only kids’
stuff – yelling insults, chucking stones, letting tyres down.
Then Ginge
suggested it would be fun to smoke them out with that tin of sludge off the
garage floor. How were we to know it would burn that fierce?
Three of
them got out the back, but Kevin broke his ankle and couldn’t run, so they just
left him.
They’ve
got a nerve calling themselves a gang.
.............................................................................................
Thanks to J Hardy Carroll for this week's Friday Fictioneers' photo prompt. to read other stories by our group of writers, visit https://rochellewisoff.com and follow the links.
I have again been busy working on getting my first book published. The print version of A Volcanic Race went live on Amazon today and the ebook should follow shortly!! Once I've recovered from the excitement I can start revision work on the second book in the series.
Well done on capturing such an authentic voice. Who hasn't done - or heard of - youngsters' pranks going wrong? But I hope Kevin escaped!
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
'We didn't mean it' is the eternal cry of such kids, isn't it?
DeleteInteresting – the lack of conscience wrapped up in youth.
ReplyDeleteWell put, Helen, and thanks for commenting.
DeleteUnless he escapes, it's something they'll have to live for the rest of their lives. Nice one liz.
ReplyDeleteClick to read my FriFic!
The guilt will creep up on them slowly as they mature.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteHow quickly things can escalate. Well told. Love the voice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
ReplyDeleteWell that was horrible. Maybe they should give up being a gang. One needless death is enough.
ReplyDeleteMore than enough! Thanks for commenting, James - although I'm hoping you didn't mean my writing was horrible!
DeleteNever leave a man behind is surely the first rule of any gang. Poor Kevin.
ReplyDeleteExactly - they have no right calling themselves a gang.
DeleteA clever idea of yours to have the narrator shift the responsibility onto the other boys for leaving their friend behind instead of saving him. Very typical of teenage boys, albeit usually with much less serious consequences.
ReplyDeleteTeenagers, boys and girls, will often try to slip out of the blame zone.
DeleteI loved his criticism of the other gang! Outrageous.
ReplyDeleteOutrageous is right. Thanks Sandra.
DeleteHow were they to know? Indeed. Nice take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting.
DeleteOoh, Liz, that packed a punch!
ReplyDeleteConvincing writing.
Well done.
From prank to tragedy, we don't even realize how close to the edge we walk. Great story!
ReplyDeleteWell put, Lore, and thank you.
DeleteYes, prank can turn tragic. He was quick to take himself out of the blame.
ReplyDeleteMuch too quick - a future politician?
DeleteGreat story. The voice sings!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen.
DeleteScary in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteMaybe Ginge and her crew rescued poor Kevin. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteSomeone else who writes their own happey ending!
DeleteGreat story. You could hear the remorse quickly change to it was their fault, as a true gang would have looked after their own.
ReplyDeleteThaks Irene.
ReplyDeleteHow easy child plays can turn into disaster... i remember once when I set fire to a mailbox... I was never found out, and so happy that the house didn't catch fire..
ReplyDeleteIs this your first confession?
Delete'I didn't mean it' or 'It wasn't my fault' are the eternal refrains of youngsters caught out. Well captured.
ReplyDeleteThank you Clare - I lost count of the number of times I heard those words from my own kids!
DeleteI don't doubt that similar things have really happened.
ReplyDeleteMore than likely.
DeleteGreat voice Liz.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn.
DeleteI could just picture this. Horrid friends that Kevin has. Hope he gets out and dumps their sorry arses
ReplyDeleteHe probably crawled out, recovered, made his fortune and never spoke to them again. Will that do as a happy ending?
DeleteHeartrending story told from a child's viewpoint, Liz. Good writing. All the best with your books. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThank you and thank you, Suzanne.
Delete