Hi. read my new story

[Janice Johnson]

(This story is a type of story I have never written before. This is part 1 of the story)........

Darryl, Sean, Mario, and Julian were all standing on the street corner.

“Slim, I dare you to shoot that guy with this gun, Sean said to Darryl, handing him a pistol handgun. It’s loaded.” Darryl looked at him warily. “You want me to SHOOT him?”

“Yes. It won’t necessarily kill him, Sean said. If you know where to shoot him, he added with a mean smile and a wicked gleam. Darryl looked warily at the gun in his hands.

Mario said, “Come on, shoot him. It’s plain fun. You would do it if you were our friend.”

Darryl bit his lower lip. He hated the thought of his friends thinking of him as a sell out, but he couldn’t just shoot a guy. Maybe he could in the old days, but nowadays, he just couldn’t. But wait, he could pretend to shoot the guy, and his friends would actually think that he actually shot him.

“Hey guys,” Julian said, “Let’s leave him alone.” Darryl breathed a sigh of relief, but he took that sigh of relief right back a few seconds later when Julian said, “Let’s leave him alone so that he can shoot the guy by alone, without us.”

“Good luck, Champ”, Sean said with a sneer. “Bye Slim”, Julian and Mario said, and Sean led them away.

Darryl took the gun and nervously aimed it to the guy’s right, then the guy’s left.
.
Darryl realized that he just couldn’t do it, not even pretend to shoot the old man. Just then, his fingers accidentally pulled the trigger, and the old man crumpled to the ground, his face in shock.

No! What had he done? That wasn’t supposed to happen! He was now a murderer! He hadn’t meant to do it!

Darryl ran home, took his suitcase, and frantically began repacking his bags. He put in clothes, some money he had left in his old drawers, toiletries, food, his I.D., shoes, and school supplies.

He would just call his mother later and tell her that they had suddenly decided to have his Winter Break for only one day. Now I am thinking of lying, he thought to himself. Oh well. He looked at the clock. It was 6:30! His mom would be here in 30 minutes! He had to leave NOW!

Darryl took his suitcase and quickly scribbled a note that said, “Mom, I was here. I just got a call from Johnson School that said that school is rescheduled for the day after tomorrow. I’ll probably see you tomorrow. I am going to a friend’s house tonight. Love ya, Darryl.”

He took a sandwich from the fridge and began to eat it. Is that what murderers eat? A cruel inner voice mocked him. He dropped the sandwich, suddenly losing his appetite. He picked up his suitcase, and picked up his keys, and opened the door. The last person he wanted to see was on the other side. His mother!

“Darryl! I haven’t seen you in ages, she said, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight.

“Hi mom, he said, giving her a forced smile. Why didn’t he leave sooner? He gave her a hug back. She suddenly noticed his suitcase. She gave him a perplexed look. “Darryl?” Why do you look ready to leave?”
Darryl gulped. “Mom, I am going out. Read this note.” He handed her the note.

“Darryl, why would you need this BIG suitcase for a little sleepover? And why would they only give you one full day of a break?”
Darryl stammered, “I don’t know.”

His mother said, “Come on. Have dinner with me. Talk to me.”
You want to have dinner with your murderer of a son? He thought guiltily.
“Mom, I’m not hungry” Darryl said aloud. I ate some food already.” He gestured at the half-eaten sandwich.

“Darryl, that sandwich is half-eaten”, she said disapproving. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah mom. I’m okay. He dropped his suitcase and keys.

“Darryl, come on, come eat with me. I have meatloaf and mashed potatoes. It’s on the stove, but just needs to be warmed up a little.” She began to warm up the food.

She escorted him to the table and asked him to sit down. He did. He gulped and gave her another forced smile.

“Darryl, how’s it going? How’s school?”

“It’s fine”, he said nervously. He began to blink nervously.

“Darryl, is something wrong?” She asked him, worried.

“No mom” he lied. “I’m fine.” I just killed a guy today he said mentally.

He began to wring his hands nervously.

“Darryl, is something bothering you?”

“No, I’m just nervous about being home,” he said truthfully. After all, he WAS nervous about still being home.

She said, “The food should be ready. Set the table.” He went to the cabinet, took out the plates and cups and silverware and set the table.

She served the food and gave them juice. She sat down and began to eat. Darryl picked up the spoon and mechanically put it through his mashed potatoes. He knew he didn’t want to eat it.

“Darryl, the funniest thing happened today at work. This guy picked up the phone and said, ‘Hi, I’m John. Can you help me’?, instead of “Hi, I’m John. Can I help you?’” she laughed. Darryl smiled a weak smile.

He began to mash the spoon into the mashed potatoes, wearing an uncomfortable smile.

“Darryl, something is bothering you, isn’t it?” she asked/stated.
“Mom, I’m okay”, he said, his stomach hurting.

She gave him a curious look, and then resumed eating. “It’s nice to have you home, Darryl. I’ve missed you.”


“Mom”, he said, his voice cracked with emotion. She stroked his hand, and he almost choked on his guilt.

She ate and Darryl looked at her with wide, scared, and sad eyes. When she caught him looking at her, he quickly put on a bright, fake smile.

“Darryl, are you sure everything’s okay?” She asked him cautiously.

“Yeah sure”, he said in a too bright, cheery voice.

She said, “Darryl, I’m almost done eating and you haven’t taken one bite yet”, she admonished. “Why don’t you eat?”

He reluctantly put a spoon of mashed potatoes in his mouth. It tasted like cardboard to him. He swallowed, and then took a bite of the meatloaf. It tasted like rubber to him. He swallowed, grimacing.

“Mom”, I really don’t want anymore. “I’m really not hungry. He pushed the plate away.

She looked at him, with concern in her eyes. “You do look a little off.” “Are you sure you’re okay?” She touched his face. “You don’t seem a to have a fever.”

“Mom, I just feel a little tired.”

“I’ll put the food and juice inside the refrigerator and you can get ready for bed.”

“Okay, mom.” He was grateful for that. He went to his bedroom, got his nightclothes out, and went to the bathroom and took a warm shower. He washed his hair and got out of the shower. He dried himself off, put on his nightclothes, and brushed his teeth. He went under the covers and put his head on the pillow. He tried to go to sleep, but found it hard to. Memories of what he’d done to that old man kept playing in his head continuously. He decided to think of happy thoughts, but he kept thinking of the old man. His stomach twisted, and his heart felt as if someone were squeezing it. He finally got to sleep a while later.

[Lee]

Please continue with this story!

[TripperFan]

I agree - don't leave us hanging!!!!


You're stories are really good Janice - good use of human emotions and conflict!

[Lee]

How old is Darryl in this story?

[Lee]

Please let the police have some sympathy toward Darryl.

[Kay Scarpetta]

Oh man... if I ever accidentally shot someone, I'd have a breakdown right then and there. Please do continue with the story!

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by Kay Scarpetta

Oh man... if I ever accidentally shot someone, I'd have a breakdown right then and there. Please do continue with the story!

I know - I'd be shaking so badly there's no way I could ever hide it for long - like an hour even!!!

[Janice Johnson]

Darryl was walking down the street when a policeman stopped him and said, “Where do you think you’re going?” “You did a bad thing. You know what you did.” He motioned to the dead body. “You know who did this.” He pointed to Darryl.

“No! I didn’t mean to kill him! Leave me alone!” He began sweating and began to run. The police said, “You can’t run from what you did." He began to run after Darryl, and Darryl tripped, causing the policeman to catch him. He caught Darryl by the shoulders and spun him around, making him face grieving mourners. They were all staring at him with sad, accusing eyes. “Why did you do it? Why did you kill him?” one asked sadly.

“I didn’t mean to kill him. Please! I can’t take it anymore! Leave me alone!” He tried to leave, but the policeman held him firmly. Darryl began violently trying to squirm and twist his way out of the grasp of the cop, but he couldn’t.

The mourners chanted, “You killed him. You killed him. You killed him”, in a constant monotone.

“Please just leave me alone! I didn’t mean to do! Just let me go! It was a mistake! Please!

All of a sudden, he found himself awake in his room. His mother had been shaking him awake.

“Darryl”, she said in a concerned, firm voice, “Come with me.” He got up. His mother said, “I’ll make us some tea and you can tell me what’s been bothering you.”

She put her arms around his shoulder and led him out of the room. She led him to the kitchen and had him sit down. She glanced at the clock in the kitchen. It read 3:00 am. She looked at him. With a look of worried concern in her eyes. He was sitting, looking down at his hands, a miserable expression on his face.

She grabbed tea bags from the cabinet, and put water in the kettle and put it on the stove. She put the bags in the water and turned on the stove. While the tea was brewing, she watched Darryl’s face. He looked worried.

She stared at him as the tea brewed, then it was ready to serve. She took two clean mugs from the cabinet and filled two mugs. She handed one to Darryl and he accepted it. She took one too.

He cradled the mug in his hands, and took a sip. He looked sad and nervous.

“What’s wrong Darryl?” He looked up and she didn’t like the look of doom in her son’s eyes.

He looked miserable. “Darryl, what happened?” She asked him, holding his hand. She was really worried now.

He knew he should tell her the truth right now, but he didn’t know what to do.

“Darryl, you had a bad dream, didn’t you.” It was a statement, not a question.

He sadly nodded. Is that why you look so sad right now?” She asked him, not convinced that that was the sole reason that Darryl looked so sad.

“Darryl, I have a serious question to ask you.” He nodded for her to go on.

“I heard you screaming, ‘Leave me alone! “I didn’t mean to do it! It was a mistake! Please just let me go! I can’t take it! Please!’ “Not exactly in that order though. You were also moving on your bed as if you were trapped.” She took a deep breath and gazed at him solemnly but lovingly and concerned.

“What didn’t you mean to do? What was a mistake? Why were you screaming ‘Leave me alone!’? Why did you look so trapped?”

He hung his head down low, in shame and regret. He could barely bear anymore.

“Darryl, something is definitely wrong with you. Ever since you were a little child, you have hung your head in shame and regret whenever you do something wrong, like the time you got an F for a Spanish class in the 6th grade, but told me you’d gotten a B+. When I found out the truth, you hung your head. And when you stole a candy bar from a food store when you were eight, you ate it, but then hung your head. Darryl, it’s your trademark. Now tell me what’s wrong."

Tell her the truth, a little voice whispered inside of him.

“Mom, will you still love me no matter what I did?" He asked, still letting her gold his hand, and his head still bent down.

“Of course Darryl. You’re my son. I love you and I have always loved you, and I will love you unconditionally forever. Now tell me what happened.”

He took a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to do it.” He said, shakily. “I killed an old man by accident. I didn’t mean to do it,” he repeated.

“Oh Darryl. Tell me how it happened.”

[Janice Johnson]

Originally Posted by webwarrior762004

How old is Darryl in this story?

17.

[Lee]

Janice Johnson:
17.


Being 17, he probably doesn't have a good chance as a juvenile.

[Hollow]

hmm i skimmed through it and all i saw was "mashed potatoes". sounds GD N STUFF.

[Janice Johnson]

She looked at Darryl’s face. He looked a little hesitant.

“Darryl, how did it happen?” She asked him again, a little more firmly.

“I. I.” he stammered. He didn’t want to tell her how it happened. He didn’t want to tell her about his friends.

“Darryl, just tell me the truth.”, she said softer now, patting his hand.

Darryl just stared at her, helpless. He had a guarded look in his eyes. He also had a tied look in his eyes. He knew she knew he was hiding something, but didn’t quite know how or want to let it out.

“Darryl, it’s something really bad, isn’t it? She said. He nodded.

“Look Darryl. You’ve already told me you killed a man. How much worse can it get? She asked.

Darryl thought, “She has a point”. He nodded. “You have a point, mom”, he said aloud.

“So tell me how it happened,” she said softly, squeezing his hand.

It’s time to tell her everything, the voice said again.

He took a deep breath. “My friends Julian, Mario, and Sean gave me a gun and told me to play a game where you shoot people. I didn’t want to do it. They said if I were their friend, I’d do it.” Darryl felt like cringing as he recalled his story to her. He felt like a fool. I didn’t want them to think I was a sellout, so… He paused, not wanting to continue the horrid story.

“Go on, Darryl”, she prompted softly, gazing at him with a caring gaze. He took another deep breath and then continued. “They left me, and then I still had the gun in my hand. I was going to pretend to shoot him. I aimed the gun at his right, my left. Then I realized I couldn’t shoot him, not even pretend to. Then my finger accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting him and he crumpled to the ground. I got so scared, I ran home and began packing. I was ready to leave. Then you showed up,’ he finished.


“Wait a minute, Darryl. Where is the gun?" she asked.

“I must have dropped it when I started running,” he said shakily. I don’t know where it is.”

“Oh Darryl”, she said wrapping her arms around him and hugging him. She got up and got the phone, punching three crucial numbers.

“What are you doing mom?” he said panicked, knowing what she was doing. Calling the police on him.

“I can’t have a murderer in my house”, she said evenly.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His own mother had called him a murderer. Worse, she was calling the police.

“Look, mom, it was an accident. I’m not a murderer.” He said, his heart pounding.

“You killed somebody. It’s time for you to pay for that. She told him calmly.

She spoke into a phone. “My son killed someone. I need someone to come over and get him. She told her address and hung up.

“I can’t believe you did that mom!” He screamed at her. He felt betrayed.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. “Open up! Police!” a voice yelled on the other side of the door.

“Hide me mom”, he said scared and wide-eyed. “Don’t let them find me,” he said holding her arm.

“No. It’s time for you to pay for what you did to that man.

“I never should have told you what I did! He said furious. He was so angry at her.

He stormed out of the kitchen. He ran around the house, looking for a room to hide. He found one. The basement. He hid in it and stayed there for a while, scared and shivering. Then the door opened. He saw his mom.
“Darryl, it’s time for you to get locked up, she told him softly.

“No! I didn’t mean for it to happen!” He said, scared.

She looked at him with compassion. “Look, Darryl. She said softly. “I’ll tell them it was a false alarm. Just stay here until they leave.

‘Thanks mom.” He said happily and grateful.

She went up the stairs. A couple of minutes later, she returned.

She said, “They’re gone.”
Darryl smiled and said “Thanks.”

“Since it was a mistake, you know what you have to do now, don’t you? She asked him.

He knew. “Turn myself in? He asked gulping. “Yes honey. I’ll take you to the police station first thing in the morning. Now go to sleep.”

He gulped and went upstairs to his room, and went to sleep.

In the morning, he woke up, feeling nervous. He went downstairs and saw his mom. “Hi honey, are you ready to go to the police station?” She began making him breakfast.

“Yes. I’m ready to go”, he said, feeling nervous. She told him to get ready. He went into the bathroom, and showered and brushed his teeth. Then he dressed and combed his hair.

When he was done getting ready, the food was on the table. He began eating, feeling better about eating than the day before. He ate eggs, toast, and sausage. He drank orange juice. She ate too. “Mom, this may be the last day you see me,” he said weakly.

“Don’t talk like that Darryl.” She said, holding his hand. She asked if he was ready to leave and he said yes. She got the keys and they left.

On the way to the police station, she looked at Darryl’s face. He looked nervous, and he was silent, but he looked better than he had before. She said, “It’ll be fine.” He smiled at her, a little hopeful smile.

“We’re here.” She announced and parked in the parking lot. He got out of the car, and they began walking to the station. They got into the station. They went up to the police window. There was a policeman there.

“My son has something he wants to tell you.” She said. “Tell him Darryl. Tell him everything.”

He took a deep breath, and told him the whole story, including dropping the gun. While telling the story, the policeman listened with interest. Darryl finished.

The police looked confused. “Son, what are you talking about?” No one reported a death yet, let alone of an old man.” But, I will have to come with you to the area where the old guy was.” He told another policeman to take over for a while. The other policeman agreed.

Darryl and his mom agreed. They all went into the police car. The police drove to the area where Darryl said the guy was.

They all got out of the car. Darryl looked around. So did they. “I can’t find the gun or his body.” Darryl said. “Neither can I” the policeman said. “Neither can I” his mom concluded.

“Are you sure this isn’t a joke?” The policeman asked. “It’s not, I promise.” Darryl said. “Are you SURE this isn’t a joke?” It’s not Darryl said.
Sean came out to the area.

“There’s one of my friends!” The ones I told you about”, he said pointing to him. Sean’s eyes widened.

“Son, do you know about a death, a gun, and this guy here?” The policeman asked Sean.

“Yes. Sean bent his head down. We told him to play a shooting game.

Then Sean said, “There are Mario and Julian now. Mario and Julian showed up. “That’s the rest of them! Darryl said, pointing to them. They walked up to them.

The policeman said, “We are looking for a gun, and a dead body."

Mario said, “Do you mean this gun? He pulled the gun out of his pocket with a rakish smile.

“That’s it! Darryl said, his eyes wide.

The policeman demanded that Mario give him the gun. Mario gave it to him.

[TripperFan]

interesting to see where this is headed now.....

[Lee]

I'm confused:why did the mother want to turn Darryl in and then change her mind?

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by webwarrior762004

I'm confused:why did the mother want to turn Darryl in and then change her mind?

Ya - that is a good point - I was wondering that myself - what was the mother thinking? I CAN actually see a mom turning him in for his own good, or saying to him, either you turn yourself in immediately, or I'll have to do so myself, but why did you have it go that way?