Hell School

Chapter 14

 Chapter 14

   ...far from summer's adventure...

  By twelve, I was at Ronald's house. He offered me a bottle of beer and I declined. I am probably still upset with him, I can only hope he is sincere. Before the arrival of his unknown friends, there was no reasonable conversation between us; just a couple of stares and questions about what we will do on the final day of the hell week. 

 The final day is the fun day. It is the reason why we celebrate hell week and I have always put on the same outfit with Ronald, though he makes his own interesting than mine. But I don't see that happening this year. I will not be the victim again.

 His friends joined us and we took our leave for the park. I know nothing about his friends except that one time they sped past me on my way to the store.

I jittered uncontrollaibly throughouthroughoutit our drive to the park. Ronald noticed6y I was not doing well but I snubbed him. I was only expectant of reaching the park, moreover, my little bird friend was following me. I sat in the middle of two of his friends at the back seat of his Hilux, while he drove. Their beer stench nearly choked me to death. I tried to keep my eyes on the road and the bird that followed us.

 "Is everything alright with you?" He asked, peeking at me through his inner mirror. I ignored him and try to keep my composure. 

 He continued driving and spying through the inner mirror. Something was off with him and I felt it. I was only driven by curiosity to know what he's up to.

 The sun was still hanging oppressively when we reached the park but no one really cared. Children running round the statue of the golden soldier, towering in the middle of the park. Couples holding hands and enjoying the summer air around the flower garden. And rebel teens dressed in an all black shirt and jean skating to and fro. Nobody really cared about what is happening next to them. 

 Ronald exchanged pleasantries with the all black boys, smiling and showing off his skateboarding skills.

 "Who are you?" One of them, with a headband asked, pointing to me.

 Everyone of them was dressed in all black except Ronald who had white stripes on his shirt.

 "He's um.. a friend," Ronald answered with rubbing his nose and sniffing like a cocaine addict.

 These faces were strange, most especially the ones we just met at the park. Some of them had black cotton gloves, while some had wristbands fitted round their wrists. 

 "A friend? Is he with us or what?" The guy said, chewing gum clattering in his mouth. 

 With them how? He confused me with that question and I demanded a response.

 "I don't understand what you mean," I said puzzled and slurring my speech.

He scoffed softly and they all jeered. I didn't care about what made them laugh, but I definitely demanded an answer. I was supposed to be here for a nice hangout with Ronald, but it seems to be a set up. Ronald kept his silence when they jeered, and for the first time Ronald was mute with his tail between his legs in the midst of friends.

 "Yo dude," he said spitting out his gum, "you one of us or not."

 I was about to reply him, then Ronald cleared his throat shunning me with his look, "he is," he said, "just new but smart and will catch up faster." 

 They chanted a hoo loudly and deeply, while Ronald smiled at me.

 I stood frozen. Shocked. Ronald is not the Ronnie I used to know. He is driving me somewhere I don't feel good about, and once again his secrets is about to make me a victim. 

 "Welcome to the hood bro," the guy said stretching his hand put in a fist bump. I was reluctant at first but Ronald kept pushing me with his evilly eyes under those bushy brows. 

 I bumped his fist and they all chanted again, this time louder and deeper, such that they started to draw attention. I forced out a smile as they slapped my back softly saying "welcome to the hood." I had zero idea what Ronald got me involved in. But their chants created an inner peace within me.

 Ronald called me aside and whispered into my ear "don't mess this up."

 Heck! What do I care.

 We started skating round the park. We raced each other. They had great skill and dexterity compared to mine. The skateboard felt strange beneath me but was fun. It was far from the feeling I had when I was with my father -- totally strange. I wanted to reconnect with him, maybe he's too far away for me to reach him. Since my father's departure, I had not stepped on one and my mother was happy I didn't. Ronald knew the story, and knew I loved skateboarding once.

 After two hours of rollicking in the park, they disappeared -- a few of them together with Ronald. I could only see those that came to join us at Ronald's house. They noticed I had discovered Ronald's disappearance, they tried their best to contain me.

 "Where's Ronald?" I asked one of them. They stood still, staring at each other without saying a word. 

 "Coming soon," they replied and continued skating.

The sun had gone down and darkness was starting to surface, no Ronald still. I became restless. I don't understand why I was so concerned, but sometimes I feel we are not so different. His father died, my father good as dead. We both suffered the tragedy of living without a father.

 It was totally dark now and the park was about to close, then I heard someone yelling "wait!!!". I saw Ronald alone running out of the flower garden, scared and a black face mask dangling down his ear. I was shocked when I saw a pistol in his hands.

 "Where are you coming from?" My voice trembled.

 "Get in the car now!" he bellowed. His friends, three of them, got into the car.

 A man ran out of the garden and shouted "stop there!"

I was scared so I ran into the car. My heart stopped completely when I saw Ronald fire the pistol three times at the man. Ronald might be fierce but not like this. And then I realized what s**t I had put myself in.

 I planned for a hangout, I got something far from it.