A thought on a rather gloomy day

N E E D L E S S S W I F T

Alex was a short, petite boy with dark brown hair and freckles tracing across his nose, he had recently turned 8 years of age. Alex was an adventurous child yet he was quiet and reserved. Every day he would travel 10 miles to a ravine all on his own, but today the occasion was different. Alex knew he would not be missed after this last trip. 

Once he reached the ravine he scattered his dogs ashes on the ground and in to the air. Penny was his faithful companion for many years until 2 years ago when his parents had shot Penny for protecting Alex from one of his fathers fits of rage. Alex climbed down the large rocks near the ravine and set near the edge of the water, the water seemed shallow but Alex knew it was deep and if at any point he fell in, he would hit his head and drown. Alex fumbled around in his pocket and pulled out a single mint chewing gum, he popped it in to his mouth and chewed, savoring the sharp tang of the mint and the frosty feeling of the air when he breathed in. Mint chewing gums are the only thing he would request when he visited the market at the end of the month, and that is if he had found the pennies sometimes dropped on the street. 

A family of spiders caught Alex's attention, he picked the smallest spider up and placed it in his small clammy hands, he inspected the spider and spoke to it 'I wish I was a spider sometimes you know? You're free, you make beautiful webs and you don't have to worry about food because with the plague around flies are everywhere' Alex sighed and placed the spider back on to the ground with his family. Needless to say Alex didn't have much of a loving family, it seemed normal in society. His father would come home every day and find some wrongdoing and of course it was always Alex at fault. Just as swift as the accusations from his father would come the night beatings. 

Yet last night was the last beating. 

Alex looked down at the ravine and jumped. 

If an unwanted child jumps to his death in the water and no one is around to hear it or see it, does it really matter?

Reviews

[Wicahpi]

Tragic story with so much sadness. I felt sorry for you character. What's even more tragic is that this type of story plays out in the real lives of so many children and adults, alike. Nice use of all the given words. Last night I watch a documentary on Netflix called "BUCK". This story reminded me of him. His father was merciless. It's so awful that any child has to suffer at the hands of abuse. Thank you for entering the 10 Words I Give contest! Well done.

[RavenShadow]

Thank you for your lovely review. I really tried to capture the innocence of the boy against the brutality of life. I watched that documentary too, just amazing.

[Wicahpi]

Yes it was amazing (is amazing) that Buck is so gentle with the horses and his family, when it would be too easy to be his father.