The small room seemed oppressive. The very air he was trying to breathe burned out before it inflated his lungs. The only sound was the gasps of his fear, locked tightly inside of him.1
The only furniture in the room was an old scarred wooden table and two straight backed chairs, no comfort would be found here. A place where many dark and horrible secrets had been spilled out in a gut wrenching confession..whether or not they were true confessions, was of little importance to the men who would soon be in this room. To the left of the boy was a large mirror. He knew from watching television that on the other side it was a window for others to watch him as he tried to maintain some kind of control. He felt like he needed to pee his pants. Both fists were squeezed tightly shut as if, somehow, that would stop the desire to urinate...to run, to scream and cry.2
Suddenly,the door was thrown open. The boy almost fell out of his chair, the men laughed at his apparent fear. The short greasy man was smoking a cigar, the stench made the boy gasp and struggle harder for a breath of air. 3
The other man, the older one, said "Bob, take that smelly thing out of here". "I need to talk to this young man alone."4
The boy quickly sat up even straighter, this was a friend ..he looked rather like his own Dad, surely he would help him get out of here. He wanted to ask him if he had kids ..a son, but instinctively knew that he would not be allowed to speak unless asked a direct question.5
The kind looking man sat down and placed a Coca-cola in front of the boy...6
"Go ahead son, open and it and get you a drink ..you look thirsty."7
The boy cautiously picked up the cold can and resisting the urge to hold it tightly against his throbbing temple.8
He softly replied..."Thank you, sir."9
For a moment in time, the only sound in the room was the pop of the tab and the sound of the boy gulping the cold fizzing substance down his parched throat...hoping it would give him strength to suck in a lung full of air.10
The man looked at him and smiled softly,"Son, I have a boy about your age." "How old are you 15?"11
"No, sir, I am only 13..just a little big for my age." 12
Laughingly the man said, "My name is Dan Meyers, my friends call me Danny. Do you want to be my friend?" 13
The boy felt better, whether the cold drink or the kind man was responsible..did not matter...this man knew he was innocent..he would help him. He raised his head and looked at the man.14
"Sir, my name is Billy Roberts." "Mr.Meyers,can I call my parents..I have been here for hours and I know they must be worried."15
Looking hurt, the man said, "I thought we were friends." "Why don't you can call me Danny." "We'll call your parents in a few minutes." "Now we need to talk about the break-in at school tonight."16
Billy replied with sincerity, "Sir, uh,Danny, sir..I was not at the school. I have been at the arcade and was on my way home when I was picked up by a patrolman." 17
Danny shuffled his feet and looked over at Billy..18
"Billy, we know you were at the school. "A boy wearing a red ball cap and a white tee-shirt, was seen breaking out a window and crawling through it." "It's okay. you can tell me all about it, then we can all go home."19
The weight of the red ball cap on Billy's head was crushing him,he struggled to reply,"Danny, sir, my friends were with me at the Arcade, just call their parents .I know they are all home by now ,it is after midnight."20
Suddenly Danny scrapes back the chair and abruptly stands up and leaves the room. Billy needs to wet his pants, he should never have drank that coke.21
He squeezed his fists and his eyes shut and his brain was playing the same words over and over.."Momma come and get me, I am scared."22
After what seemed like forever, the two men enter the room, this time, Bob, the greasy fat one with cigar stained teeth scoots Billy's chair around to face him. Danny stands in one corner not really paying any attention, or so it seemed. 23
Bob leaned down and in a deep nicotine flavored tirade begin to spew words at Billy. "You are the one that did this. We know it, you know it, so lets get the whole thing over with and call your parents to come get you." "This is your first offense,the Judge will go easy on you."24
Billy tried to shrink into himself, away from the nicotine fouled air and the maniacal looking man in front of him. There was no where to go, Bob continued talking in quick raspy sentences..he was so close that Billy could see his nose hairs and feel his every breath. Each word he spoke seemed to take up more of his own air.25
Bob continued acting unaware of the very smell of Billy's fear. "We are going to take you to a cell and lock you up for the night, or until you are ready to admit the truth. What do you have to say?" 26
"Sir, may I please go to the bathroom and can we call my Dad, please?"27
Bob suddenly walked across the room to Danny and they whispered for what seemed like hours, all the while Billy's bladder was trying to burst.The men turned and walked back to Billy with a piece of paper."28
Danny quietly said, "Now, son, just sign this confession and we will take you to the bathroom and home, no need to call your parents to come get you." "You help us we will help you, okay?"29
Billy could no longer think of the Arcade or the break-in at the school. All he could think of was if he didn't go relieve himself soon he would pee. And if he did what they wanted, he could go home. All he had to do was tell his Mom the truth and she would believe him. Because he was up so late past his bedtime and it wasn't his fault, she might even give him one of her big hugs that always made him feel safe. He looked up at Danny and whispered past the unshed tears in his eyes.30
"Yes, Danny, sir, I will sign." "Then can I go home,please?"31
In a matter of minutes it is all over. A 13 year old boy has confessed to robbing a school, while his parents are frantically searching all the streets that lead to the Arcade. Because Billy is always so responsible and they are fearing the worst.32
His Dad has called the Police Station a number of times, but is always told the same thing, "No one here by that name."33
Billy is lead out of the Police Station to a parked car and two officers drive him home...it doesn't matter to Billy now, he is asleep in the back seat, his ball cap resting lightly on his curly brown hair. The innocence of youth resting lightly on his tear stained face, and the front of his pants still warm from the urine his bladder released.*34
Bob and Danny have just done a perfectly legal interrogation. Billy's parents are frantically searching for their son. The city never sleeps. And before you judge Bob and Danny..remember..13 year old kids are breaking the law..each and every day. They are not all like Billy.35
Author notes
contest poem about a teenager in trouble I know this is very long and seems to be directed against the Police,not so, just a fictional piece based on some random thoughts ,so please do not take offense..there are boys and girls 13 and younger ,carrying guns,having babies and just generally lost in our society
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
-
I have been thinking about entering the SOM contest on AP and so have decided to look at other stories from this site. This story was easy to read that is to say I thought it well written, in that the storyline was interesting and clear. A fictional story no doubt but a theme that I am sure happens too often. Good that you take on such thoughts for such things keep Americans from not taking for granted everything they might hear.
I have read your other two stories and like this one best. (For whatever that is worth). You have talent and I look forward's to reading more from your pen in the future...peace
-
Wow. This piece is something I think occurs too often... then on the other hand the real kids that do this aren't punished often enough... a sad piece, but well written. Good luck in the contest!
-
ncle in reply to your comments about the legality of the interrogation...I do not know how legal this is , but I do know that after raisinf 13 kids and seeing how things go...I must tell you that this piece is based on real events that happened with 4 of my sons...childish pranks are not treated lightly in Arkansas.....freda
-
You don't need 'homestar runner' in this contest, must be another one you're commenting on.
Kept my interest going, but not sure about the facts on interrogation of a minor being legal w/out parents notifed, other adovate present. Thanks for entering this in the contest. -
thanks for your comment and critique..I have worked on it...but probably still have errors...lol...freda
-
good writting i love it .. but you have some spelling errors and grammer errors as well .. this is isnt bad writting though be sure to keep up the good work!!
-
This wasn't too long a piece at all. There were, however, several spelling and grammatical, as well as punctuation mistakes all throughout the piece. Also, when a new character begins to speak, please, start a new line.
Anyway, as for the piece itself, yeah, it's true; there are kids much worse doing much worse things. All I can think of, though, is this: who in their right minds would want to go and rob a school?? Not a bad write. -
'I am sorry we can't accept your entry in our contest since it is a prewritten piece. In the original posting of the contest rules, the "no prewrites" requirement was inadventently omitted. We'd appreciate if you remove this poem from the contest and enter a freshly written one.
Fondly,
Meera
AW Manager -
This was a really kool story. Its good and it keeps your attention. Good Luck in the contest
.
-
hey thanks for the warning about homestar runner...actually,I did put it in but for some reason it fif not "stay put"..anyway it should be there now ..again thanks
freda -
good story there i enjoyed it. My biggest note is that u didnt put homestar runner in ur authors comments...did u read the rules? everyone gets a warning. I just gotta make sure u follow the rules. Anyways great story good luck in my contest and thanks for entering.
Adding your comment:
1 - 11 of 11
