"Come meet me under the old Rockford bridge right now," read the text from Gene. Pete was never thrilled when Gene's fname came up on his phone. This usually lead to another beating or public humiliation at his bully’s hands. Initially, Gene left Pete alone, not particularly having anything against him. Who Gene really didn't like was Jack, Pete's best friend. Gene didn't have anything personal with Jack either, he was just a racist. One day, freshman year, Gene spray painted "GO HOME JAP" all over Jack's locker. Before Jack could even do anything about it, Pete leaped on Gene from behind and punched him repeatedly in the face. Pete then subsequently got suspended for month, while Gene not so mysteriously got off with a single detention. Ever since then, Gene has left Jack alone, but has tormented Pete whenever he got the chance.
Pete knew that the text was almost definitely a trap, but he also knew that if he didn't oblige Gene, something worse might happen. Letting out a deep sigh, Pete turned and headed towards the old Rockford Bridge. The bridge wasn't too far away, and without even 5 minutes of walking, it was already in view. The Rockford bridge was blocked off ever since a boy had fallen off and drowned there nine years ago. It had become local superstition that the boy's ghost roamed the bridge at night, searching for his parents. In reality, if anyone went ghosthunting, the only spooky thing they would find would be the odd hobo taking some shelter under the bridge.
"Hey, Petey!" Gene yelled from under the bridge, using his unflattering nickname for Pete, "Come down here!"
"I'm coming Gene," Pete grunted, as he stumbled down the hill leading to the small creek flowing under the bridge. As expected, Gene was leaning against the foundation of the bridge, with one hand holding a lit cigarette, while the other was held behind his back. What's he hiding? Pete tilted his head to see, Nothing good, probably. Let's just get this over with. "What do you want Gene?" Pete asked, trying not to sound too annoyed, "I gotta be home soon, man,"
"What do I want?" Gene repeated the question, like he was pondering life's deepest mysteries, "Why Petey, my boy, I just want us to be friends. Don't you want to be my friend?"
"Not really," Pete said honestly, too tired to play Gene's games today, "I'd rather be friends with literally anyone else."
"Ouch, Petey." Gene made fake sad face and took a puff from his cigarette, "You hurt my feelings, Petey. Did you know you are the only one who does that?"
"I'm the only one who does what?" Pete asked, as Gene blew smoke directly into his face.
"You're the only one in this town who disrespects me," Gene tossed his cigarette, and approached Pete, "Everyone knows my family. When people see the name Graham Bell, they know to respect it. They know we can make them lose their jobs if we want. They know we can buy their houses. They know we rig elections and they know we can buy police officers. So I never really understood why you can't figure it out. Why don't you understand that you are so, very much below me?"
"I guess I'm just an idiot, Gene," Pete had no idea where this confidence was coming from, but decided to roll with it, "So if you're going to hit me, then fucking hit me you spoiled douchebag!"
"Oh, I plan to, Petey," Gene said, as he pulled out of his hand from behind his back, "But first we are going to play with what I found under the bridge." Gene held out his hand, inside of it was a...
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author