Fear. The town reeked of it.
The once safe Parkson now a haven for thieves and murderers.
Understand this, this is not a heroic novel for people who like the good guy winning. This is an account of a life that changed nothing, succeeded in nothing, lost everything... but tried.
She ran out of the car park screaming for help, but at this time of night no one would. The would-be carjacker caught up and through her to a nearby wall and showed her the knife to quiet her, then raised it ready. This is a regular thing in Parkson, since the local police went under "new management".
I wasn't going to let Parkson, my town, go unprotected. I put him into a headlock and grabbed his wrist, digging my nails into his veins. Warm water trickled down my arm as he released the knife but then grabbed my arm. I was spun around to face him but couldn't get more than a glance before a fast swing collided upon my cheek. I was down but still conscious, hoping the lady ran by now. I felt my hoodie being forced off me and I was being picked up with my hair. I could smell the beer on his putrid breath as he laughed "you're gunna cop it now"
I said nothing but stared him down until he drew back his fist, I closed my eyes waiting. "Get the fuck off him!" screamed the lady, and as we looked to her, she was holding his knife at arm's length to his head. After thinking out his options he tossed me back to the wall and walked away staring at her.
When she judged it safe she came to where i was crumpled against the wall and checked if i was ok. She looked shocked as she said "you're only as old as my son"
i forced myself to get up and put my hoodie on before running across the street and hiding behind a pub. From here i could watch and make sure she's safe as she calls the cops, but i had to get home, the hit gave me a huge headache and it was starting to make me dizzy. I headed back home through backstreets and hiding places to avoid police cruisers searching for him.
My house was typical housing commission as in old, cracks in the walls and no fly screens so it was easy to lay my leather jacket on the window sill and hoist myself in. It wasn't my first night out.
I wanted more than anything to just sleep but i knew I would feel worse if i didn't take an asprin and icepack my jaw. Then in just five hours i had school.
I was fifteenteen.