A time when I almost was mugged

Wrote this for an English assignment...felt like it was worth much more.

Every time I walk down that long twisting road, I remember all over again what happened on the cold December evening last year. The light rain, the voices murmuring down the street. And me, hurrying quickly on the sidewalk, eager to get home.

I walked that same road again, leaving school. Stared ahead, wondering about the future. If it would happen ever again.  Staring into the faces of all the passerbys. I think they would be a little creeped out, thinking, "Why's this kid looking at me like that?"

Sometimes the people stare back, and we have this little contest: look away and you lose. If I emerge as the winner, everything's going to be okay. But when they stare back, it's a threat. Hold on to your belongings. Prepare for battle. Stay on your guard.

Here I am, walking this road, Glenwood and Campus. A line of men strolling towards me. Cigarettes in their hands, heavy boots worn, burning gazes. I clutch my jacket tighter against myself, and look at the ground as I walk. They walk past me, a whiff of their nasty smoke in my lungs. My fists which were balled up, release and relax. They are gone.

I won't have to worry. Worry about being mugged. Being alone, weak, scared. Not for a long, I hope. My fists which were balled up, no longer have to curl around the lone item in my hand. A key necklace. "Life" inscribed on it. They are gone. They walked away. They're gone. And so am I. I arrive at the train station successfully, bright, alert and ready.

"Throw anything at me, Life," I think, as the headlights of the train appear.

"Anything."

Author's Note

I was stopped at one time last year, and almost robbed. I was scared. My teacher gave us an assignment to write, and this is what I wrote. A memoir. An observation. I, myself, am not completely sure of the meaning in this story, but I know I was urged to write it. Urged by who? I don't know even that. It just came to me, and I had to do it.

Reviews

[sithlordjp]

What an amazing piece. You describe every emotional beat with such precise detail, you took there with you. Engaging and powerful. You have a great talent! I love how you ended it, with that single word: "Anything". Full of defiant courange and strenght! Bravo!

[Tazz S.H.]

Hehe, thanks! :) means a lot. ^_^