The boy – short contest story
“I want to die!” the little boy told me, tears streaming in rivulets down his chubby cheeks.
It’s not often that children step into the path of an oncoming bike, holding out the palm of their hand as a traffic warden would. Having been a Social Worker for several years, I thought he had run away from home after a hiding.
This was not the time to offer platitudes. I hugged him, and rummaged in my backpack to get him a tissue. I also drew out a bottle of orange juice, which he gulped thirstily.
“Thank you,” he said, with unfathomable pain in his eyes. “Do you want to tell me about it?” “Lean your bike against the wall, and let’s sit down on the kerb, and I’ll tell you!” he said with a quiet authority I could not fathom. I put it down to what I had assumed to be a tough life – maybe he had younger siblings, and he was obliged to care for them, together with regular beatings.
“I almost died three times, you know…” he said, and I swiveled round to look at him. “Yes, I did, too. The first time, I fell out of my cot. The second time, I was run over by a car. The third time, the neighbour’s pit-bulls injured me so badly the parents decided to switch off the life-support system.”
I noticed his quaint use of the word “the” with ‘parents’ – but I didn’t comment. This child would give Charles Dickens a run for his money any day, so precocious and eloquent was he. “So, I said, half perturbed, half amused, “why is it you want to die a fourth time?” “Third!” he exclaimed.
“It might not be that difficult for you to understand…” he said, his eyes delving deep into my soul. “As a writer, you must have heard of re-incarnation.” “How…?” I asked. “I don’t have time to explain. I just know. This time, I am finding it extremely difficult to walk towards the Light” (the way he said it gave the word an upper case initial). “I cannot seem to find the right Path” (ditto).
“So, what do you want from me?” I asked him. “Nothing, really. Nothing and everything. I want you to go to this address (and here he dug his tiny hand deep into the pocket of his jeans and drew out a crumpled sheet of paper, smoothing it on his thigh) and give this to the parents so they can share it with the neighbours. Only then will I be free. I cannot go myself. Don’t ask questions. Please.”
I took the paper from his hand, and looked up as a shadow fell upon me. “Exercise whacked you out then?” sniggered my friend. “No, I was just…” but when I looked to my left, the boy was nowhere to be seen.
Tanja Cilia – She is an Allied Newspapers (Malta) columnist. She also freelances in maltese and English for print and online media. Contact her at tanjachilja(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
The Inheritance indeed a different short contest story.
good story
I really enjoyed reading this short story….very moving and it brings tears to your eyes….good one
Excellent story.
ehhh is it my stupidity or does it end on another page? If so could you guide me to page two?
Fascinating story, Tanja. I would vote, but I can’t figure that out. If I could vote, I would give it at least 5 stars.
Janet Elaine Smith, multi-genre author
Very compelling story. It made me shiver at the end. Completely unexpected, and that’s what makes it superb.
Very nice Story – really Good
Tanja,you probably won’t like me making comparisons,but I have to say the ending to the story was as good as any of Jeffrey Archer’s many short stories which I love so much. Wow,got any more?
)
excellent story and i love the way it ends. well done!
A very good story with an unpredictable ending. Well Done!
Good story, did you go to the parents address? What happened?
Tania you are keeping us on tender hooks!!!!! Wow!!!!!
Great little tale – packs a lot of punch in a low word count.
Tanja,
I don’t understand how to vote,but I give it five stars.
love it
Exceptional!!!!!
Great work as always Excellent!! You Make us proud !!!
Good storyboard
Loved it but what was at the address he gave you? What did you learn there? I want more!!!!
Moving and makes you want to read more…..5 stars!!!!!!!
My kind of perfect formula for a short story. Starts by hooking you, orientates you, fills you in and then finally surprises you with a key turning-point at the very end! Well done.
I’m with Camilla on this–more please!
Love it Tanja!
Very moving story,Tanja. I would love to vote but this site confuses my old mind. I don’t know how to vote here. I’m sorry! Jay
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