“And it’s my solemn duty to announce the closer of the Shallows.”
A riotous protest.
Charlie stood at the forefront of the crowd.
“One person can’t just close this place!”
The handful of businessmen that stood before us sneered. A small group of police officers bolstering their ranks and casting an imposing shadow over the rest of us.
A short round businessman stood before the rest, a briefcase overflowing with countless blueprints and files practically spilling from its seams.
“To make way for the development of the promising Fair Green Mall, this unsanctioned playground; as well as many other areas, have been put up for the destruction, and construction, of this new establishment.”
More riotous jeers and protest.
The small man clears his throat and his police guard menacingly step forward.
Silence.
“These plans have been on display at the city capital for over a year now. You all should have begun your protest months ago.”
Charlie growls.
“This is bullshit.”
A bark of laughter sprouts from the uneasy audience.
“Total bullshit!” Heckyl shouts.
The man smirks.
“Well you can go bring up your concerns with the governor. Meanwhile,”
He turns to the league of construction works waiting just out of sight.
“Tear it down!”
Within the next twenty minutes, we all watch in horror as The Shallows is torn into by swarms of men armed with tractors, chainsaws, and fencing.
Hope for saving our sacred place was crushed within the maw of progress.
And as the confrontational masses slowly dispersed, I quickly caught up to Charlie.
“Charlie! Wait up!” I shout and he looks at me.
“Go home Freak.”
I ignore the hostility in his tone.
“We can’t give up. We’ll find a new place. A better place.”
His face twists.
“There IS no better place Freak. This was as good as it was ever going to get. I built this place from the ground up! It may not have been the best place but it was home.”
He turns away.
“Just go home. Shows over. Cue the curtain.”
I watched him wander away.
Hopeless.
Homeless.
“Fuck you pigs!” Heckyl screams and chucks a rock at a passing police officer, squealing in a twisted glee as it makes impact with the man’s head in a spatter of crimson.
Immediately a slew of cops began after him as a few others tended to the downed officer.
“Get down on the ground right now!” an officer screams and Heckyl just jeers.
“Fuck you!”
And chucks another rock.
A gunshot sounds.
Heckyl drops.
The last few people scatter in fear.
I just stand there.
Watching silently as the shouts became screams.
“He’s dead!”
“Dead!”
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