After the sound of gunshots rung out, everything after that felt like a fever dream. It was chaos. People were running and screaming left and right. Some people were screaming in agony. Everyone wanted to get to safety, but didn't know which direction to go towards. Running towards the police meant getting hit with tear gas and batons. Running towards the back of the protest crowd mean possibly getting shot.
"Fuckkkkk my eyes. It is in my eyes. Goddamn it, " screamed a protestor. Josh noticed a little girl all alone. She was crying and screaming for her mama.
"Come here sweetie, " said Josh. He grabbed her and began to carry her out of the area. The downtown area was now looking like a scene off from an apocalyptic horror movie. Cars were burning as some of the protestors were now rioting in response to the police tear gassing the protest. Many stores in the area had broken window due to people smashing them to loot the stores. One person stood on a streetlight with his fist raised. The man was also shouting.
"This is the police y'all. They don't want peace. They want war. Fuck them. Fuck them pigs. Tonight, is the night of the people. Tonight, is the night we rise. BLACK POWER! " shouted the man.
The little girl began to cry again.
"Shhhhhh. You are safe now. We are going to find your mama and papa, sweetie, " said Josh reassuringly. Secretly, Josh wasn't even sure if either of them were going to make it out alive of the protest that has turned into all-out war.
"Fuck, I gotta find Kelly, Andi and them. They gotta have a car or something, " thought Josh. Josh was running towards back of the protest where the gunshots had rung out. He didn't care if he got hit by a bullet. The only thing on his mind was keeping the little girl safe. Once they got out of the street where the rioting had begun, Josh saw the Pfister hotel. The hotel had lights on and people were waving others to get in to safety. Josh carried the little girl tightly and sprinted with every ounce of energy he had left. At last, they made to the hotel and Josh sighed a breath of relief. Inside, Kelly, Andi and Maddie were sitting on a bench. They were talking to a guy wearing a ski mask who had on a shirt that had the words " Fuck Fascist" and "Black Lives Matter" on them.
"Josh, oh my god. You are okay. I was so worried, " said Kelly while hugging him.
"Who's this little cutie?" asked Maddie pointing to the little girl.
"I saw her alone on the street when they were rioting. She lost, I think, " replied Josh.
"Shit cuz, we gotta post a pic of her on the book(FaceBook). That way her folks can find her, " said the guy with a ski mask.
"Yeah, for sure. Have we met before?" said Josh. The guy took off his ski mask. It was Lian.
"Bro, what the hell?! I thought you were someone else, " said Josh. He dapped up Lian. Lian laughed.
"I ain't known you were one of those ANTIFA people, " added Josh.
"A lot of people don't, cuz. It's a long story," said Lian.
Lian was Chinese. However, he was abandoned by his biological parents when he turned 5. From then, he was in foster care where he was often neglected by his foster families. Fortunately, it only lasted for a year as he was adopted. He was adopted by some very kind hippies named John Smith and Sarah Smith. John and Sarah were college sweethearts. They were minorly famous for running the Student for a Democratic Society chapter at the University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee. In fact, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have a picture of them doing a raised fist. John and Sarah were very calm and patient people. They never yelled nor did they ever lift a finger towards anybody including Lian. As a kid, Lian was taught how to grow crops and taught about accepting and tolerating everybody.
His parents were a part of the Socialist Party of Wisconsin and would often run events to raise awareness on many social issues. It was here where Lian got his first taste of activism. Lian had met Josh and Andi at Riverside in their Spanish class. Once Lian became of voting age, he joined the socialist party and also worked to form a small Antifa group.
"We aren't like the ANTIFA BS that you see on TV, " said Lian, "Today, we were working on rendering aid to protestors." Lian pointed to his opened backpack that exposed multiple first aid kits. Josh was impressed. The group took a picture of the little girl and posted it on Lian's facebook page. The post got multiple share and within a few minutes, Lian was in contact with her parents who came to pick her up.
"Oh my god, thank you so much, "said the little's girl mother. She hugged Josh very tightly.
"I was so worried about my little baby. It happened so quick. The crowd just started running and I was pushed away from little girl, " said the mother with teary eyes.
"Just doing the right thing, ma'am, " said Josh with a smile.
**************************************
Meanwhile at Rick's residence, the civic group were all sitting and watching TV in Rick's living room. They had the news channel turned on to WISN 12.
News reporter: About 30 minutes ago, chaos broke out on Van Buren ST during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. Apparently, someone fired a gun at the police which prompted officers to deploy tear gas and disperse the crowd. While dispersing the crowd, many protestors began smashing windows, vandalizing property and burning cars. Police are now considering this a riot and are asking all citizens to avoid the area.
"Yes!" howled Rick. Rick highed five each member of the civic group.
"Great job, Franklin, " said one of the members. Franklin was the person who came up with the idea to shoot a gun at the protest and gave the revolver to Rick.
"Well, you know how much of a genius I am. I can promise you all this. Those stupid son of a bitches won't be walking in our neighborhoods ever again, " smiled Franklin.
"Hoorah, " said the men in unison.
"What did you do with the car?" asked one of the members.
"I have it in my garage. I am going to go get a paint job for it tomorrow. It'll look brand new, " answered Franklin.
The news channel had the mayor speaking on live.
Mayor: Good evening, my fellow Milwaukeeans! This week has been a rocky one. Videos of the killing of George Floyd has reopened many wounds here in Milwaukee. Just as you are, I am frustrated and angry by how Black Americans are treated in this country. I highly commend those who were out protesting today. In the words of Dr.King, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." However, I am also a firm believer of law and order. I am disappointed in those of you who had chose to be destructive. Your actions are criminal acts and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Many businesses were already struggling and this destruction will only make matters wo-..."
"Fuck you, communist scum, " said Rick. He pointed his middle finger towards the TV.
"I support you guys movement but I don't support your rioting. Ha! Dumbass. That's what you get, " added Franklin. The civic group erupted in laughter.
YOU ARE READING
The People's Power
Teen FictionJosh is a shy, antisocial kid who is often bullied at his high school. Josh is different from his peers. He isn't loud and doesn't like to get up in people's face. But that all changes after a riot breaks out in his city and he is plunged into a wor...
