StickFigures

Heisstaringatthehorizon,andslowlyworkshisgazebackthroughthe surfaceofthewatertothespotbyhisfeet. Anunusualcoolbreezeblowsthroughthebeach.Hestandsupandrubshisarms andlegs. "Theremustbesomethingthere."Hetellsthegirlbesidehim. Thegirlhaslongblackhair.Sheispaleandthin.Sheistallerthanhim. Sheisdrawingstickfiguresfightingonthesand,withherfinger. "What?"Shelooksupathimandraiseshereyebrows. Hesmiles."Nothing." Theyhavecometotheshoretoescapeherparents.Hehadparents.Theydied. Thenhewentmovingplacetoplace,neverstayinglongenoughtoactuallymake friends.Helivedinthemountainsonce.Hetendedagardenthere.Notmuchof whatheplantedgrewbecauseoftheshadeofthetrees.Hecamedowntothe townafterafewmonths. "YouknowIcan'tstayherelong." Shestandsup."Butyoupromised." "Ididnot." Shesitsdownonthesandagain,anddrawsastickhousewithastickgirland astickboystandingbesideit.Justassheisabouttodrawthestickarmof thestickboytoholdthestickhandofthestickgirl,herfather'smencame. Shegrabsahandfulofsand,standsup,andthrowsitatthem."No,goaway." Oneofthemengrabsher.Sheknocksherselfoutofconsciousnesstryingto headbutttheoneholdingher. "No,notthistime."Theboypullsoutaknifehehashiddenunderneaththe sand.Hehadmarkedtheburialspotwithasmoothpinkstonehehadfound earlier. Theonecarryingthegirlhasleftalreadytowardsthevehicleandhasplaced heratthebackseat.Themengatheraroundhim. Theboyjumpsatthemenandstabsoneofthemintheneck.Theknifegets stuckintheflesh.Ashadowfallsontheboy.Hehearsthecrunchofhis skullbreaking,asoneofthemenbashesitinwithabat.###

RufusReyC.Montecalvo AUG2013