The wall

Hard work and broken sticks

The concrete frame in the wall housed a large metal door that had begun to deteriorate due to weather and time, two large pieces of wood had been used to board up the door however one was missing, broken from place.

“This is what I wanted to show you,” he said and turned to look at her. “I found it a few months ago.”

“Did you break the wood off?” she asked as she stared up at the door.

“Yup, it took a while but I was able to get one down,” he said and looked on with pride.

“We should leave…” she said and turned to walk away.

“What, hold on?” he said and grabbed her shoulder “You aren’t seriously leaving now are you?” he asked.

“This isn’t fun anymore, Cairo,” She said and kept her eyes low, “We should just go home and forget we saw this.”

“Don’t you want to know what’s out there?” he asked.

“I told you that I don’t.”

“Your just scared,”

“Yes I am scared and you should be too,” she stomped her foot “We don’t know what’s over there, not even the grownups know,”

“If no one Knows, then why is everyone afraid?” he asked in annoyance.

“Because whatever is on the other side might be dangerous.”

“Not too dangerous for my dad, and if he could do it then so can I.”

“Cairo…”

He turned toward the door and jammed the stick between the wood and the wall. “It’s ok, I’ll do this on my own.

Magda sighed and walked up to him “You’re a dummy, you know that,” she grabbed the end of the stick “As long as I’m around ill always have your back.”

He turned his head to her “Thanks mags you’re the best,”

“Even if it is something extremely dumb you set your mind on,” she said and rolled her eyes.

The pair began to push with all of their combined strength. They worked tirelessly for a good five minutes before they noticed any give away in the boards integrity.

“Oh, Alright I think it’s finally coming lose,” He said letting out a deep breath.

“Let’s hurry then my hands are starting to hurt.”

“OK, I think one last good push should do it,” he said and wiped the sweat from his head.

Once again they braced down on the stick with all their might. Their force gave way to a sickening snap that echoed through the air sent a flock of birds in a nearby tree into the sky. Both youths tumble back knocked off balance by their own strength.

“Aw geez, the stick broke!” Cairo said as he righted himself.

“Did we at least get the Board off?” she asked as she lifted her hat off the ground and placed it back on her head.

Cairo looked at the door and still intact plank that sealed it. “Nope… its shut,” he replied and kicked up some dust with his foot.

“Well don’t worry we can just find another stick an…,” she said but was interrupted by the echoing whistle of the factory signaling the start of the dinner break.

“like I was saying we can find another stick.”