This story is by Debra Campoli and was part of our 2019 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
My face was burning crimson as the wooden door slammed and locked. I did it again. I just can’t walk the straight line according to the rules. As I look around the confinement I must get used to, I think of all that I will be missing.
My buddies will be riding into the wind all day. Just thinking of it makes me feel the breeze whipping through my hair making my eyes water. I don’t mind the tears flowing down my cheeks with the sting of the air. No, I am not crying. I shouldn’t have gotten caught!
Yes, the rules must be obeyed. But, why does everyone always assume the worst? I wasn’t stealing that car! I was just borrowing it and eventually going to return it. I wasn’t allowed to speak and explain myself because those in charge were so angry and sarcastic relaying how I was a repeat offender.
The sun shining through the one window is adding some extra warmth in here. I love the feel of heat from the sun when I am free. Being free is the best feeling in the world. I bet I could live outside in the open air forever. Who needs rules? Who needs to have to do what they are told? I just want to be left alone in my own world which has more than four walls.
As I am laying on my bed, I notice a spider web in one of the corners of the ceiling. The spider is moving a little, but now he stopped. It seems like he knows that I am watching his every move. Actually, I am checking him out so that I can see what he plans to do. Will he swing down on his spidey web and crawl on me? He must know that I would slam him with something and end his life much in the same way my life is over by being confined. I’m going to have to keep a watchful eye on him.
I wonder if my friends know where I am yet. I was supposed to hang out and probably go swimming today by Cody’s. He has the best yard! I guess the word gets passed around pretty fast once you are in trouble. I don’t really like it because some of my friends will think that I am a thief and would steal something of theirs. Who cares? Just let one of them give me some kind of attitude and they will see just what I could do to them!
I can hear footsteps coming to check on me. I’m just going to close my eyes and let them think I am sleeping so I don’t have to talk to anybody. Phew! That was easy enough. Easy Peasey. I can play their game.
Oh no! Where’s that spider? There he is! He is still looking at me and not moving. Ha, he doesn’t know that if he does make his way close, he’s a goner.
I really hate not being able to do anything. I can’t be with friends. I can’t watch tv or use the phone. This is the worst being confined. Maybe I could just close my eyes and wait until dinner is served. At least I can still eat. They didn’t take that away from me too! I’m kind of tired now so I may as well close my eyes, for real this time, and take a nap to pass the time.
I open my eyes to discover the sun is going down making it darker looking in my room. A completely wasted day by being here. When will I learn that I am the one who suffers? I am the one who messed up all by myself. Nobody made me do it. Nobody asked me to do it…just my own big idea!
Where did that spider go now? Oh man! I can’t see very good now without the sun shining brightly. I hear something. Someone is coming.
The door opened and the lovely warden smiled and held open the door. I jumped up and ran grabbing onto her waist in a huge hug.
“ Love you, Mommy! I’m sorry. I promise I will be a good boy from now on. I wasn’t going to steal Joey’s matchbox car. I was only looking at it and wasn’t gonna keep it. Oh, Mom, there’s a big spider in my room! Can u go get it?”
Leave a Reply