I shot upright in the bed, for the third time of the night, my hands and body clammy with sweat. I looked at the clock, 5am it said, I placed my head in my hands, the early summer light streamed through the window, I shivered slightly, not with cold, but fear, as I thought through the nightmare.

It was always in the park, under the sodium lamp, its yellow light, illuminating a small patch around me. I would spin looking for the source of the heavy breathing. I hand would cover my mouth from behind, and I'd scream, waking up.

I made my way down the stairs quietly, trying not to wake my parents, once I reached the kitchen I closed the door and sat down at the table with a bowl of coco pops, and flicked on the early morning news on sky. I ignored the adverts and most of the news, as it told about some local flower show.

"I group of teenagers were found dead in the early hours of this morning, each victim of a gunshot to the back, one of the group is still un accounted for, a young boy named Kyle Drumland, aged fourteen." I dropped the spoon with a clatter, ignoring the milk and mushy cocopops as they landed on my lap. I just stared at the horrific scene of where I'd been the night before. The reporter continued, "If anyone has any information reflecting on this dreadful shooting, please call the number being displayed now.

Panicking I fumbled with the house phone, dialling the number as it came up on the screen, I pressed the call button. I kind sounding woman answered

"Hello, Hillton Police hotline, are you calling with information for the ongoing case."

"Yes, my name is Adam Erikson, I was there late last night,"

"Please stay on the line while I hand you off to the detective on the case" There was a crackle and then another woman's voice answered, this one more comandeering

"Hello, what information do you have for us"

"I'm Adam Erikson, I was in the park last night, some guy was following me, so I left through the Estate gateway, where my dad picked me up, but before he got there, the kids, from the news, invited me over, I talked to them a little, before I left."

"I see Adam, thank you for calling, could you tell me your age please,"

"16"

"I see, could you ask your dad to give us a call as soon as possible, we may have to speak to you at a later date. Goodbye" she hung up before I could reply. I shivered, what a nightmare. Once my dad came down for breakfast, I explained everything to him, my mum lingering angrily in the corner of the kitchen.

I headed up to my room, where I sat looking at the journal, I gently brushed his photo, 'you'd keep me safe' I thought to myself. My dad took me into town that afternoon, he said my mum needed space, to deal with me.

I sighed as I rested my head on the window, watching as we drove down the high street and into the supermarket car park. I headed into the shop, while my dad bought a ticket. There I collected a trolley and began trawling the isles for food and drinks.

After a about half an hour, my dad had sent me off to find eggs, when I felt a finger tapping my shoulder, I turned around and before me stood a beaming girl.

"Adam!" Alice screamed and enveloped me in a hug. I hugged back, as my best friend cuddled me. "It's been ages!"

"I know, I just needed to be alone, after, you know" My voice cracked a little. She smiled knowingly,

"the funeral was lovely, his parents gave a speech on your behalf, they wished you were there, but they knew you were hard hit."

"Great" I mumbled, she frowned

"Adam, why don't you come round mine, we can catchup, get you outta your house." I smiled

"I'd like that, let me just get these eggs  back to my dad and tell him where I am going." My dad was ecstatic that I was going back into the world again, but warned me not to go near the park.

I met Alice outside the shop, where we'd arranged to meet; she was munching on a mars bar, a bag full of sugary snacks hanging from her over hand. Once we made it to her house, she fumbled with a key and let me in, closing the door behind her. I assumed her parents were at work.

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i don't know why the weird new line thing is like this, if anyone knows Help would be geatly appreacitated.

updated May 29 '11 by d-w