Tragedy. (Still working on it)

[AndrewBullock]

Tragedy
By: Andrew J. Bullock



The moonlit light filled what once use to be a dark and gray sky to a beautiful and starry blue one. A rocky and hilly land gave an advantage to see far by standing on the tallest cliff, but also had disadvantages like an upset stomach.

The summer of 2005 came fast. A little to fast for Danny Paine. Danny was an average 15 year old attending Jackson Square Middle School. His summers always turned out to be long and boring. He was living with his Dad in a small town known as Jacksonville. Ever since Danny�s mother, Shannon, died he was forced to move with his Dad, Garret. Danny and his Dad didn�t along to well because of the fact that Danny and his Mom were forced to do everything on there own. Danny�s dad left after he found out Shannon was pregnant. Shannon and Garret have spoken only a few times after Garret had walked out.

Shannon was killed 4 years ago after a hostage situation at the California Security Bank. She was a bank teller at the time it happened. A group of thugs stormed in and shot anyone that made eye contact. Shannon was in an office located in the back of the bank. Two black men busted the door opened and took her life with a gold bullet that was lodged in her jugular vain. By the time anyone got to her she was dead. After Danny got home from school he got a call from a local hospital telling him that she was dead. After he heard those words, he feel on his knees, dropping the phone. He had just lost the only thing that really mattered to him. After this happened the thought of suicide had entered Danny�s mind. He was never the same after that.

Danny was sitting in his window seal thinking of that very day; how it all happened. Sometimes he blames himself for what had happened, but he accepted that there was nothing that he could do now. She�s gone and she�ll never come back. He heard from so many people that she was in a better place and was with God and is always watching over him. He got angry after hearing it because no one really know what happens when others die.
Danny stood up stretching his arms and legs. He walked over to his computer and sent an email to his best friend, James Goodheart, asking him if he could camp out tomorrow night.

James was Danny�s good friend for various reasons. The main reason was because Danny had saved James� life. James went into a small hardware store a year ago and the place caught fire. James was hit by a falling part of the ceiling and had been knocked out. Danny noticed his friend never came out. Danny was asking the clerk that came from the store if there was anybody inside. When the clerk said he didn�t know, Danny ran inside looking for James.

�James! James! Where are you!?� Danny yelled coughing trough the think smoke. The black smoke and debris filled Danny�s lungs. Danny went further into the store after he had no luck in the front part. A large piece of ceiling lay in front of Danny when he walked into the back part of the store. As he observed the structure he saw a hand sticking out from underneath. Danny rushed over yelling James� name. After a few tries Danny was able to get the structure off of James. James was lying unconscious with black on his face and arms with a few cuts. The exit was blocked off by things falling from the ceiling and now was engulfed by a fire. Danny had tears in his eyes because he was uncertain of how he could get the two of them out of there alive. He looked around and saw a large window.

�I�m not gonna die in here.� He said to him self with determination to getting out of there. He walked over, grabbed a chair, and swung as hard as he could, busting the glass out. He carried James over to the window lying him softly on the concrete.

Danny knew that if he wouldn�t have been there, James would be dead by now�

Danny got up from his computer and walked out of his room. He walked down a small hallway. The lights were bouncing off of the pictures giving a small glow in the rooms that were connected to the hallway. He turned to an opining on the left which lead to the kitchen. Garret was sitting at the small, round table that took up the middle of the floor. He was reading a newspaper, but then heard the footsteps of Danny and moved the edge of the paper slightly so he could see Danny�s face.

Danny looked at Garret as he walked over to get a glass of water that he put in the refrigerator to keep cold.

�Dad, I�m going to go camping out with James tomorrow night. We should be back around seven or eight the day after.� Danny got the glass of water out and took a drink.

Garret nodded and looked back down at the newspaper. Garret was one of the best doctors at the local medical research center. Danny and him just didn�t get along because there interests weren�t the same. It was also the fact that Garret left Danny and his mother to survive with no help from Garret.

Danny walked back into his room and lied down on his bed. He thought of events that happened the current day. He was excited about the camp out he was going to have with James. They always had fun together. Danny was glad James was on the Earth. If James wasn�t, Danny would be alone.

A big bay window would set to the right of Danny�s bed. He turns his head slowly to view the stretch of road and houses the window covered. Before he knew it he was out like a light.

It was 11:51 A.M. the next morning. At this time Garret would already be at work leaving Danny another boring day with nothing to do. The sun was bright and warm. So warm you felt like you could just fall back and it�s rays of warmth would carry you.

As Danny would lye sleeping a slim and tall boy about Danny�s age appeared in front of the bay window. He was wearing a pair of lose fit jeans, a casual red short sleeve shirt, and a ball cap that read Tigers. A large back pack would hang off his left shoulder and was slightly opened with four medium sized sticks possibly used for holding up a structure of a tent.

The boy sighed and shook his head as he saw Danny sleeping as if he was in a coma. He moved his left arm close to his chest taking a glimpse at his watch. He discouragingly dropped his arm back down to his side and looked at Danny once again. A slight smile came across the boys face.


!More To Come!


This was another one of my story's I decided to do. I have several as of now, but I chose to post this one. Don't copy my work either..(Not that you'd want to)

I will add more on this story when I can. Just remember to check this post thought because thats where I will add them on. I have like a funny story relife type thing planned for the next portion of the story. I hope you all enjoyed it.


Questions, comments, advice etc. PM me or post it here. I'd love to hear from you!


~Andrew

[nadia]

Its very good!

[AndrewBullock]

Do you really think so? It was just something I thought off the top of my head. I know there are some errors in there.. Just haven't had time to change them. Thank you for that though.... I really needed to hear that.


~Andrew

[Lord Borg]

wow, thats all i can say. wow

[AndrewBullock]

**Continuing story**



The boy sighed and shook his head as he saw Danny sleeping as if he was in a coma. He moved his left arm close to his chest taking a glimpse at his watch. He discouragingly dropped his arm back down to his side and looked at Danny once again. A slight smile came across the boys face. He then looked around and then walked over to the front door.


The smell of freshly cut grass and motor oil from the shed next door filled the air. Not exactly a nice combination to smell. He looked under his feet and saw the words "Welcome Home" printed on a straw-made welcome mat. He stepped back, knelt down and put the mat over to the side. Under the mat was a silver key. The boy picked it up smiling and replaced the rug neatly to where it was before. He inserted the key in the into the gold safety lock and turned it towards his left. He heard a small click come from the lock and continued to smile. He removed the key and placed it in his pocket.


"Good morning." The boy jumped slightly as he heard a mans voice from behind him. He turned around to see who it was only to find out it was the post man.

"Uh.. good morning sir." The boy said slightly rightened. The mail man put the mail in the black mail box that hang off the brick wall. He came across with a smile.

"Don't worry. I won't tell." He then walked off whistling.


The boy shook his head smiling. He then turned the door knob and walked into the hall way. He put his back pack to the side and closed the door quietly. Fresh sents of lemon and rosemary filled the air.


The boy quietly walked trough the house finding his self in the kitchen. He quickly, but quietly walked over to the stove and took two round cooking pans. He then crept trough the house finding the oppend door to Danny's room. He looked in and still saw Danny sleeping like there was no tomorrow.

He quickly sprinted in the room, banged the two pans together and shouted "Fire, Fire," loud enough for the whole town to hear.




**To be Continued... again **

[Lord Borg]

Good addition Andrew, keep up the good work

[Voy_Girl]

I agree, keep it up!

[AndrewBullock]

**Continuing story**

He quickly sprinted in the room, banged the two pans together and shouted "Fire, Fire," loud enough for the whole town to hear.


Danny shot up from the pillows looking around franticly. As he noticed James jumping around with the two pans he feel back down on the pillows sighing.

James let the pans fall down to his side and stare at Danny for a second. He then begin to laugh laying the two pans on the floor.


“Man, did you see your face! You should have seen your face, man." James stood trying to regain control of himself while Danny would stare at the ceiling.

"How did you get in?" Danny said with annoyance in his voice.

"There was a key under the mat. I made a copy and put it there a few weeks ago."

Danny threw the covers over to the side and stood up stretching. He could feel the bones in him crackling and the that great sensation of stretching out one's bones. He let out air and looked over to Danny.

"I told my dad that we're going to be camping out. He said it's cool. I'm going to go take a shower and stuff. You can hang out if you want to." He said while walking out of the room.


It was a little past 12 and James was outside checking the supplies he had brought with him. James looked up as he heard the door close. Danny walked out looking like he had just been through a beauty salon, or so to say.

Sun glasses, lose fit blue jeans, a white shirt and a half way buttoned up shirt with palm tress in a blue flame color caught James' eye. Danny locked the door and walked to where James was. He straighten his back pack while James picked his own up and tossed the strap over his shoulder so it would hang.


They slowly begin walking the side walk.

"Where are we going to?" Danny said while looking down at the side walk.

"Mecbeth Park. That’s great scenery for camping out." James replied while looking around as he walked.


**To Be Continued**

[Lord Borg]

Keep up the good work andrew. Look foward to the additions

[nadia]

Andrew, you are very gifted!

Love your #1 Fan

[zero]

awwwwwwwww don't leave me hanging like this!!!

I hate being cut off when I'm into a story!!

Hurry andrew!

[AndrewBullock]

***Story Continued***

"Mecbeth Park. That’s great scenery for camping out." James replied while looking around as he walked.

**

After stopping at a gas station to stock up on snacks the boys had finally walked into the park. They looked around for a good spot to set up. After finding a good spot the boys set up a tent facing a huge pond in the middle of the park. As they hours passed by the boys had already took a walk around the park several times and were now back at the tent watching the sun set. It was now 6:00 P.M.

"Do you think school will be any easier next year?" James asked as he took a bite out of a Kit Kat stick.

Danny sat next to James as he popped the top off of an old coke bottle and took a drink.

"I doubt it. It just gets rough every year. Makes me wonder if I'll ever graduate." Danny replied as he tossed the cap over to the side.

Before Danny could say anything a black man appeared in front of the tent. He knelt down revealing his park ranger uniform and hat. He seemed to have a mustache and was in his 40's.

"Howdy, boys." He says as he took his hat off.

"What did we do? We didn't break the rules did we? Are we in trouble? Why does everything..." James was interrupted by the park ranger.

"Hold on now, just hold on. I just wanted to give you guys these." He took off two small walkie talkies off his belt and handed them to James.

"Sometimes this park isn't safe at night so we're required to give people radios in case of an emergency." The ranger said.

James let out a sigh of relief and handed one of the radios to Danny.

"These radios lead back to the ranger station not to far from here. I'll be here till the morning. My name is Greg. If you need anything just contact me." The ranger said as he put his hat back on.

Danny smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. Oh, and sorry for my friend here. He freaks out a lot."

The ranger chuckled and nodded. "Have a good night guys." He got back to his feet and climbed into a vehicle similar to a go cart and drove off.

James bumped his shoulder into Danny. "I do not freak out." He said as he observed the radio.

Danny smiled and put the radio he was given next to him. James stretched his arms reaching up ward as his short sleeves went up his arm. At this time Danny just happened to look over and see a nasty bruise on James' upper arm. He grabbed James' arm and brought it closer to his face.

"What the hell is this?" Danny said with a discrete look on his face.

James shook his head and replied in a calm tone. "Oh.. it's.. it's nothing."

Danny let go. "Did he hit you? Did your Dad hit you?" Danny raised his eyebrow.

James took a deep breath and nodded as he looked to the floor.

Danny got a look of disappointment on his face. "Man, you've gotta step up to him. All you're life you're gonna be facin' people that are gonna try and hurt you, but if you don't stand up to them you'll be sorry that you didn't one day."

James looked to Danny. "What if he is the world?" He said referring to his father.

"Then you can just look around him, James and see how much bigger it really is." Danny took a drink and looked to James only to see a tear fall from his eyes.

Danny thought in his mind a little bit while looking to the floor. He then scooted close to James as he put his arm around James' neck. He pulled James so that his head would rest on Danny's cheek.

"It'll be alright... I promise... I’ll stick with you." Danny said trying to be a comfort to James.

As James heard those words from his best friend tears seemed to drop quicker. He felt good when he heard Danny say that. He felt as if he were wanted. For any human to feel like that is great.


***To Be Continued***


Just something I wanted to say. I did take a line from a movie I had once seen and used it in this section of the story. It was fitting at the time.

[nadia]

Nice

[zero]

Oohhh andrew!

I started to get tears there!!!

Very good job sweetie! Very good!

[AndrewBullock]

**Story Continued**

As James heard those words from his best friend tears seemed to drop quicker. He felt good when he heard Danny say that. He felt as if he were wanted. For any human to feel like that is great.

****

"I... I just want him to like me, Danny.. I just want my father to like me.." James finally had let the tears roll out. He rescinded into Danny's shoulder letting the tears sink into Danny shirt.

Danny was unsure what to do because he was as well having problems with his father. Although his father had never beat him, he still had problems with him.

"One day, James, you're gonna be on you're own. You won't have to put up with him anymore." Danny continued to rub James' arm to calm him down.

James lifted his head as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He gave Danny a sterol, but determined look.

"Le.. Let's run away."

"What!?" Danny shot a quick look of concern.

"Let's run away. There's nothing for either of us if we stay here. We're not going to get anywhere." James straighten his back as he stared to Danny.

"Did you cry your brain out or something?" Danny took a drink of the coke he had opened earlier.

"Seriously, man. Think of it. We could go far away. Some place where no one knows us."

"That's tempting, James, but how are we going to get enough money to do that? Unless you're good at stealing money from a millionaire or know anyone else with a load of money then we're not going to be very successful." Danny picked up the radio he was given and began to observe it once more.

James flashed a look of disappointment and dropped his shoulders.

"Don't sweat it. Things'll be better when school starts up again." Danny patted James on the back twice and climbed from out of the tent leaving the radio behind. He took a look around and walked towards the pond stretching his arms.

The sun was just going down as the crickets were beginning to come out to spread their song across Jacksonville. This was Danny's favorite time of day. A gentle breeze, an awesome formation of lights, and a pond sitting right in front of him. He didn't know why the sunset was so captivating to him. Before his mother died they'd both go into the sun room, lay back in beach chairs and stare endlessly into the sky. They would even, at times, fall asleep and wake up the next morning.


"Howdy."

Danny jumped slightly to the side after hearing a familiar man's voice.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare ya." The same park ranger tipped his hat to the front towards the boy after placing back tightly on his head.

"It's okay." Danny said as he looked to the ranger.

The ranger placed his hands on his hips and slightly looked up to the sky.

"Beautiful view, huh? When I was about you're age I didn't care a thing for sunsets. It was all money, cars, women. When you get older though you change. You finally see the beauty of nature you didn't give a damn about when you were 15. But you... you seem to have matured faster then I did. I envy you." The ranger smiled to the boy nodding.


"I'm Danny Paine. Nice to meet you." Danny smiled and offered a hand.

"Greg Dawson." He said as he shook the boys hand.

After shaking hands they both looked back to the sky. Greg seemed to have a questionable look on his face.

"Paine? That’s an odd last name."

Danny smiled as he shifted his body weight. "It speaks for it self."

"Ahh... trouble with life, huh?" Greg said as he looked to the pond.

"Yeah... I guess you could say that." Danny replied looking to his left, opposite from where Greg was standing.

"To much troubles to make you run away?" Greg looked back at the tent then looked to Danny.

"Wait... how did you know that?" Danny quickly turned his body towards the ranger.

"Don't worry," Greg smiled, "It's not magic. You must've been holding down the talk button on your radio I gave you."

"So you heard it all?" Danny sighed.

"Yeah... in fact, I may be able to help you."

"Help us run away?" Danny raised his eye brows.

"Well, me and a few other rangers are going on a trip tomorrow night." Greg took his hat off, scratched his head, and placed it back on.

"Uhh... where are you going to?"


"Alaska. We're doing a search for someone. We can get you clothing if you need it. We can also..." Greg was interrupted by his radio that was hanging from his belt.

Greg, this is Marsha, you're wife's callin'. She says it's urgent.

Greg pressed the button on his radio. "Alright, Marsha, be right there." He quickly ran to vehicle he came in on earlier.

"Think it over!" He yelled as he drove off.

Danny threw his hands up in the air and let them quickly fall to his hips.

"Think it over." He chuckled to himself.

Danny took a quick glance to the sky then walked back to the tent. He could still hear the motor breaking off into the distant pathway. He stopped in front of the tent, picked up a rock, and closed his eyes. He held it close to his face.

When Danny's mother was still around they'd both throw rocks to see who could get it the furthest. If the rock went over the pond it would mean the other person who's rock didn't go over the pond or furthest from the other would have to do a chores for a week while the other sat and relaxed. They'd both eventually gave in and helped the other with what ever chore they were doing for that week.

He opened his eyes and drew back with the rock in his left hand. He cocked his head to the left side and threw with all of his power. The rock flew through the air landing in the middle of the pond. Danny swallowed and walked in the tent.

He saw James on the ground and knelt down to him.

"James?" He placed a hand on James' back. Tears set in James' eyes. Danny thought he must've cried him self to sleep. He grabbed a blanket and placed it on James trying not to wake him. He gave a caring, but concerned look to James' closed eyes. He rubbed his thumb against James' back, removed his hand, and walked over to a corner. He took a blanket for him self and a pillow placing them in comfortable positions and closed his eyes.


**To be continued**

[nadia]

Oh man Andrew that is so good! Well done, can't wait to hear the next bit!

[Illogical13]

That was really good, you really made the characters real. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[AndrewBullock]

***Story Continued***

"James?" He placed a hand on James' back. Tears set in James' eyes. Danny thought he must've cried him self to sleep. He grabbed a blanket and placed it on James trying not to wake him. He gave a caring, but concerned look to James' closed eyes. He rubbed his thumb against James' back, removed his hand, and walked over to a corner. He took a blanket for him self and a pillow placing them in comfortable positions and closed his eyes.

___________


The sound of large engines and the tent shaking woke both of the boys up quickly. They both brushed their eyes and quickly sprung out of the tent only to find a helicopter setting down on the helipad quite close to where they're tent was set up. James put his hand on Danny's back to slow his self as he watched the helicopter set down slowly. A hand was softly slapped on Danny's shoulder followed by a loud voice.

"Howdy boys!" Greg said with a bright smile.

"You've got to stop doing that." Danny said as he was a bit frightened.

"Well, are you commin' or what?" Greg fixed his hat.

Danny sighed as he looked to the sparkling lake. The sun had just come up and the grass was soaked with the dew. He looked to James and gave a grin.

After packing up the tent the boys quickly climbed aboard the copter. In it sat several park rangers with the same green suits and hats. The helicopter was a nice one. It seemed to be a personal transport for a small number of passengers. The seats allowed two people to sit next to each other. They consisted of blue and gray colors. They looked comfortable enough for Danny as he plunged for one next to the window close to the back.

James had a concerned look as he sat next to Danny.

"Danny, what’s going on? Where are we going?" He asked in a whisper.

Danny sighed as he looked to James. "That ranger up there," he pointed, "heard us over the radio... how you wanted to run away and stuff. Well him and the rest of the rangers on here are looking for someone in Alaska. He offered to take us with him so..."

"Alaska?! We're going to Alaska?!" James seemed to get really happy.

"Yeah... that’s right... uh... why don't you sit by the window."

James smiled as they both changed seats quickly.

Greg put a clip board down in a leather bag on the side with a pen attached on the side. He stood in the front of the passenger section and placed his hands on his hips. He took a quick glance of the people that were on bored and nodded.

"Alright boys." He turned around and walked forward a little hitting the two pilot seats twice. "Take us up." He said with a smile as he quickly sat down in the passenger seat next to the black leather bag.

An electronic bell rang followed by a mans voice.

Alright, guys, you know the drill. Buckle up until you hear other wise.

Danny did so as well as the rest of the passengers.

The engines started up leaving a soft hum and a slight shake. Danny leaned out towards the aisle and could see the cockpit glass and the two pilots working. The sound seemed to increase as the helicopter slowly started to ascend. Danny gave a quick glance to James and looked back at the cockpit. The pine trees started to get smaller as they continued to go higher. When nothing was in sight the copter pushed forward. It was as if they were looking slightly down now. With just a few seconds time they had just began they're journey to Alaska.


**To be continued**

It's a little rushed, I know... lol

[zero]

Oooooh I love it! Keep it up Andrew!!!

Great Job!

[startrekgirltng]

Really good.