Amboo
October 2008 Poet of the Month...Woot!
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Rough District
It was after midnight in New York City. In a small street in Manhattan, an elderly man who appeared to be in his seventies walked home alone. The street of high office blocks and apartments, busy in the daytime, became a cold deserted valley at night. Frightened, the man wearily hobbled down the street, thoughts racing through his mind. A mugging,he thought to himself, that's the threat I face here. He peered over the rim of his glasses, looking from left to right for any glimpse of another person, nothing. It was not wise for him to be out walking this late; this district had become famous in the news recently. A favourite spot for criminals.
He didn’t like this; the street was even more quiet than usual, no cars or other pedestrians to be seen. He had walked this street when he was a boy and never once felt threatened. It was a respectable friendly neighbourhood, but criminals and thieves had long since dissipated the area’s good name. The man was wearing an expensive suit, bought from his savings he earned back when he was a lawyer. It’s not right that an elderly man should have to feel scared in his own city, he thought. “I’m not far now. Keep it together,” he mumbled under his breath as he slowly made his way to his apartment. Would this be the night that the walker got mugged, tossed into the gutter by the vile criminals that prowled the city? The same criminals that would not think anything of leaving an old man to die on a public street, blood pouring from the gash in his head.
At that moment, two young men were walking down an alley, a block away from where the old man desperately tried to quicken his pace. “We need some money Craig,” Andrew said to his companion. Walking out of the alley they spotted the old man up the road.
“An opportunity just came up,” sneered Andrew to his friend. They eyed the hunched man, making his way slowly along the pavement. Craig nodded at his partner. No need to talk, a nod was all that was needed. They waited until the street was quiet and then made a run for the old man. He had seen them coming from the corner of his eye and desperately tried to run, but his fragile bones would not travel like his mind wanted them to. The fragile man gasped for air while his attackers drew nearer. Andrew ran in front of the old man and blocked his path while Craig Grabbed his shirt Collar and threw him up against the wall.
“W-What do you want?” he said, trembling. Craig shook him Violently.
“Everything you’ve got!” threatened Craig through his teeth. “Can, you, understand, me! Everything; your watch, money, and I bet you've got some bank-cards for us as well!" He gave a blow to the old mans stomach and released his grip.
“If I give… you – you won’t hurt me?” pleaded the fragile old man. The pair laughed at him. He took out his wallet and offered it to Craig nervously. Craig tore it out of his hand.
“Ten dollars, what good is this!” shouted Craig.
“Yeah, the notes, give us the notes” Said Andrew, while tossing the man against the wall. “Quickly, the money!” ordered Andrew.
“Ok, I’ve got some bank notes in the inside pocket of my suit, just give me some room to get them for you.” Said the man, his voice shaking with fear.
“Yeah, that’s what I wanted to hear, give him some room” said Andrew. As both of them moved backward the elderly man reached inside his suit. He pulled his hand out from his pocket… Bang. Two shots rang out into the night causing a cat to screech on the balcony of an apartment overhead. The two criminals slumped to the pavement lifeless. The old man took his wallet back from the hand of the criminal, placed the gun back in his pocket and walked to the door of his apartment. With one final cold stare he looked back at his victims and then carried on.
< Message edited by amboo -- 7/3/2008 12:28:59 >
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