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Two

The car door slams and echoes through the night. I could hear Daniel's voice through the glass of the windows. "Where are you going David?" He shouted, getting very close to the car. He knocked on the windows, but I ignored him. I shift the gears and speed ahead. Behind I could see my brother standing there in the road in shock. Mom and Dad were behind him suddenly, wrapped in a blanket. I finally focus my eyes on the road. It felt as if I was going the speed of lightning. The world was passing me by so fast.

My car whipped around the corner, making my family no longer in sight. My mind raced. My heart thumped. Three months? I thought. Only three months? Now there is a reason to go against Daniel who is trying to get me into school.

A stop light was ahead. I slowed down just in time to stop at the last second. My breathing rate increased by the second. I looked to my right, then to the left. No other cars, no police, and a red light. My hands twisted the leather wheel to the right and I sped down the road, looking behind. My anger is building up and it needed to be released. I look to my left and there is a place called "Jerry's Pub and Bar", the only place to get drinks and eat decent food.

I pulled into the parking lot with only just a few cars parked around me. I switch the gear to park, trying to relax. The glove box falls open with a click of a button. I file through a few papers and come across my pistol, handed down from my grandfather when he passed when I was 5. Father kept it until I was old enough to have it and practice shooting animals around our cottage, when I was 14. My hands grip around the handle, examining the perfect shape. Head lights flashed in front of my eyes, shining on the interior of my car. In first reaction, I shove the pistol, carefully, into my leather jacket pocket. The car passes and parks a bit away from me. I turn my keys and take them from the ignition.

My car door slams and I set my hands in my pockets. I walk innocently passed the other cars parked in between the yellow lines. All of cars were way better then mine. Mine was also handed down to me but by my father. It was a 1966 Ford Fairlane, brown and rusted. It's only about 5 years old. My parents couldn't afford a new car and my dad is not allowed to drive, so I got his old car. The air smelt like grease and smoke, and I could tell it was coming from the pub ahead of me.

Once I got closer, the smell got stronger. I came to the sidewalk and take a deep breath, trying to clear my thoughts. A man, about 24, was standing near the door cigarette in hand, leaning against the brick wall of the building. The man had a small black moustache above his lip, wore a tan colored jacket that was a little worn with baggy dark jeans, a red cap and tan boots. He wasn't looking my way. The man was lowering his cigarette and blowing smoke into the air. I stood there looking at him for a while, wanting to ask him if he had an extra cig. He must have noticed me staring at him because he turned towards me and lowered his cigarette.

"You want one?" The man said, extending his arm towards me. He basically read my mind. I started nodding my head shakily and slowly.

"Yes, sir." I responded shakily. He reached into his pocket in his jacket and pulled out a packet of Camel cigarettes. There was only a few left, but he still decided to hand me one. I nod, as in saying thank you, and take it into my hands. In my life I have never tried one of these. My friends smoke all the time and so does my father, but I have never tried it. I held the thin, white and brown stick in between my middle finger and pointer finger like the man. The man continued to smoke and I stood there for a few awkward moments.

"Lighter?" The man questioned, looking at me. I nodded once more. He tossed me a metal lighter which was a lot heavier than the cigarette itself. I flipped the lid open and it ignited with flame. The man was looking at me the whole time like I didn't know what I was doing. I really didn't. I raise the cigarette and put it over the flame. Once it was lit, I closed it and tossed it back to him. He caught it and put it back in his pocket. "The names Todd. Todd Granger. What about you kid?"

"David." I inhaled the taste of the cigarette and coughed loudly. Todd laughed. I lowered the cigarette to my side and looked at Todd.

"Say, how old are you kid?" Todd had a southern accent that was very light. He puffed smoke out of his nose, then looked straight ahead. I hesitated to answer. Instead of answering right away, I blew out smoke I have been holding for a moment. Followed by a loud cough.

"I'm 16 sir." My voice was low and quiet. Todd turned his head towards me with his eye brows cocked. He seemed to be confused, like he didn't believe my age.

"16? Only 16?" Todd chuckled. He inhaled another breath of his small bud of a cigarette, then blew out the smoke in rings. "Cause I sure though you were at least 20 when I took a look at ya." I dropped my cigarette onto the ground and stomped on it.

"I wish." I stuffed my hands in my pockets roughly, looking around at the night sky.

"No you don't." Todd replied, a fresh cigarette hanging out of his mouth. "Once you get old, you lose a lot. But, you get used to it. I guess." His voice faded out. There was a long pause after his response. Todd was lonely. Maybe he had no family. Maybe he has no one to care for. Or anyone to care for him.

Waiting for his voice to come back, I glared at the cars lined in the parking lot. My eyes stopped suddenly on the white convertible. I stared at it, thinking of the events that happened not too long ago. My finger tightened around the trigger of the gun in my left pocket. Thoughts raced through my mind. Just at that second, a girl ran out the door, breaking my connection with Jacob's car.

The girl stormed down the sidewalk into the darkness. Once more, the door flew open. A scent stored inside the bar filled the outside air. Cheap alcohol and cigarettes. Jacob came out from behind the door, looking around. Then he turned to me. A jolt of fear was sent throughout my body along with a rush of aggravation. Anger swept his eyes as he stepped up to me, backing me up against the wall. "What are you doing here? Aren't you a little too young to drink?" His alcoholic breath entered my nose and made me cough in disgust.

''Who said I was drinking?" I responded. With that smart remark, he fisted my palms into the wall. I looked over to my left to see Todd watch with confusion.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" He got closer to me. Now he was only inches from my face. I swallowed my fear and looked him in the eyes. My mind raced for things to say back to Jacob.

"Why don't you go continue to drink your life away?" His fists dropped as he laughed sarcastically.

"Smart mouth, aren't you?" Not hesitating, his right fist raised again knocking me in the jaw. I fell to the ground. My body smacked into the ground, knocking all the breath out of me. Seconds later, his foot repeatedly kicked my ribs. Jacob was tougher than me, but not as smart. With every blow of his foot, I attempted to breathe again. Todd finally stepped in.

"Hey hey hey!" He shouted, pulling Jacob's arms back. I clutched my ribcage, catching the breath I lost. "One more touch on that boy and I'll call the police!" Jacob stopped kicking and resisting Todd. Jacob forced his way out of Todd's grasp and looked at me.

"Go crawl to your mother while you still got her." After that remark, he sent spit to my face. My jaw tightened and my mind stopped. With all the strength I had, I stood up slowly. By then, Jacob was about ten feet away. Without a thought running through my mind, I pulled the gun out of my pocket.