Barrel

So for the rest of the day the kids only stared at us as the teacher talked. June finally got her hat back, and she was happy about that. "So, Barrel, you said your parent owns a diner?" June asked me as James drew little sticks people on his work.

"Yeah, they do. Beside that salon place." She raised and eyebrow. "Really? I live right by there. What's it called?"

"It called the Black Cat Cafe. My mom loves cats." June nodded. "I know that place. It's about four buildings down from my house." I turned to James. "Where do you live?"

"Trailer Park."

"The one next to that phone shop? Just outside of town?"

"Yeah."

We carried on talking about where we lived and more about our families. Once it was three we got our bags and came outside. June waited to walk home so James and I walked with her.

"You know what? Since Johnny has a nickname we should have one too." June thought for a minute. "I know! We should call you Lock. Cause of your funny locks of hair." I laughed at that. That was a pretty good idea. "What should you call me?"

James thought. "We should call you Stupid." June slapped him. "NO! Something nice."

"How about Shock?" James put his hand up and prepared for impact. "Why?"

"Because you scare people. You're shocking, and scare people."

"Well, I guess that could work. It sorta rhymes too. Shock, Lock, and Barrel." James frowned. "No, Lock, Shock, and Barrel. I'm better so my name goes first."

She shrugged.

As we headed home I thought more and more about my family. Maybe it would be better if I left. They wouldn't have to pay to take care of me...maybe I should run away...

"Pain, without love. Pain, I can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all..."

Lock and Shock looked at me. Lock looked ahead but Shock looked at her feet.

"You're sick of feeling numb, you're not the only one. I'll take you by the hand and I'll show you a world you'll understand."

Shock took my hand and Lock sang. "This life is filled with hurt, when happiness doesn't work. Trust me and take my hand, when the light go out you'll understand."

Lock grabbed my hand and we headed into a path down into the woods. We chanted as we walked.

"Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all. Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all."

Shock sang by herself for a while. "Angry and agony are better then misery. Trust me, I've got a plan when the lights go up you'll understand."

"Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all. Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing, rather feel PAIN!"

"I know, I know, I know, I know. That's your worried. You know, You know, You know. That I'm here to save you. You know, You know, You know. I'm waiting for you. I know, I know, I know. That you'll thank me later."

I whispered to myself, but I think the heard. "Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all..."

"Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all. Pain, without love. Pain, can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough cause I'd rather feel pain then nothing at all, rather feel pain then nothing at all. Rather feel pain!!!"

As we faded out we stepped into a huge clearing...