SandScript 2020

I’m Right Here
Heidi Saxton
Steve brushed the small gash on
his head. His fingertips came
back sticky, coated in wet, hot blood. Steve
planted his palms in the gravel and pushed
his thin body up. His vision blurred and he
swayed to the left, reaching out towards
the hot metal pole holding up the swing set
to steady himself. Blood poured from his
forehead onto the rocks in heavy splats. His
stomach turned at the red splotches. He
didn’t notice the crowd of sweaty fourth
grade boys gathering around them. All he
could hear was his heart. Thud. Thud. Thud.
He grasped the hot metal pole
holding up the swing set. Steve looked up at
the goliath boy. I need to get out of here.
The goliath was only one year older
than Steve, but he had almost thirty pounds
on him. The goliath’s shirt rode up exposing
his large belly. He barreled towards Steve
hunched over like a football player going in
for a tackle. He pushed Steve to the ground
and grabbed onto a fistful of his shirt with
his beefy, dimpled hands. The goliath hit
Steve in the face. He could taste blood. He
wiggled out of the goliath’s grip and scuttled
away.
The students booed when Steve ran
FICTION
91