by Scott Scherr

Created on: November 14, 2008

Flavor of the Month

Sarah had a choice to make: Cut through Malacaster Park to get home faster or take the long way around and get back just after Sam did, mom's latest flavor of the month boyfriend. Sam was the worst one to date. Not only was he a drinker, but he was a hitter too. And that temper...Sarah could still feel the bruise from the last time she screwed up; the backhand across her left cheek when she dared to raise her voice at him for calling her mom a whore. Good ole' mom just looked away. Thanks mom. The only thing Sarah looked forward to was getting home one evening to find the flashing red and blue lights at her house. That would mean mom had had enough (or the neighbors finally got sick of all the screaming) and the cops were finally called in to take the latest boyfriend away. Mom was always good about that at least. When she'd had enough, they were gone for good and no taking them back. Sam had already pushed the limits and Sarah thought for sure the physical abuse would have ended it by now. Perhaps mom was weakening.

Either way, Sarah could not afford to be late again. Mom was good about letting her spend more time away at her friend Jessica's house, as long as she got home before he did. He did not want either of them out after dark. Mom especially. Sam was extremely insecure and always questioned her when she wasn't home when he got back. He certainly wasn't going to tolerate any teenage girls out messing around with boys on his watch. It didn't matter that Sarah wasn't seeing anyone. To Sam they were all up to no good. Whores every last one with know business being out passed dark.

So now that left the park to consider. Three girls had already gone mysteriously missing in the last year wandering around at night in the park. A cop came by Sarah's school last month and spoke to them about safety in numbers and that sort of thing. He said to avoid low lit areas. Gave a list of dangerous spots after dark and Malacaster Park was near the top of the list. Vandals had frequented the place and they made it a point to throw rocks at the few park lights there until they were all busted out. The city couldn't keep up with the repairs fast enough.

Now the place captured the darkness due to the fact it was surrounded by trees that blocked most of the neighboring street lights.

So Sarah had to make a judgment call: Cut through dark Malacaster Park or risk the wrath of good old Sam. The lesser of two evils was obviously the first, but that park was creepy

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