short stories

It was late August, and the autumn leaves were starting to change on the elm trees. Penny had been suspended from school after she got into a fight with Lexi, who made fun of her brother, Jay. That was something Penny wouldn’t tolerate, not even from a friend. Her brother was her prized possession, even after his death. He died in July due to a misuse of drugs, pressured by his loser friends. Ever since then, she felt like she didn’t matter, she could die the next day, and the world would just move on. 

As she stepped outside, memories of the fight flooded back. She had given Lexi a horrid concussion from hitting her head on the sidewalk, but in that moment, she didn’t care. “Everyone has a price to pay,” Penny said to herself. Her week of suspension was up, and she walked to school with her friend Diana.

“Man, that fight was crazy!” Diana said, unable to contain her excitement.

“It wasn’t a fight, she didn’t fight back,” Penny replied flatly. The rest of the walk was silent. 

When they arrived at school with ten minutes to spare, Penny noticed that all eyes were on her. Groups of kids from every social circle were murmuring. “Man, word spreads fast,” she thought. Eventually, the whispers died down as the bell rang, signaling it was time for class. 

Penny made her way to her homeroom, but Mrs. Frieta wouldn’t even look at her. After roll call, an announcement came over the speaker: “Could Penny Jane please make her way to the front office?” 

Reluctantly, Penny got up. She walked to the office and sat in the chairs provided, waiting for the principal. When he was ready, he called her in, and standing off to the side was a state trooper. 

“Hi, Penny. I’m glad you’re back from suspension,” Mr. Sherlock said, but his tone made her uneasy. 

“Why are you glad, and why is a police officer here?” Penny asked, confused as he continued, “As you know, you gave Lexi a terrible concussion…”

His voice began to break, and panic welled up inside Penny. “W-What happened?” she stammered, fear gripping her.

“Penny,” he said, tears streaming down his face, “she... she died, and we are going to help you fix the problem you created, Penny.”  

“No!” Penny exclaimed, unable to understand what she had heard.  

“Yes, she did, and like I said, you are going to fix what you did,” Mr. Sherlock replied between sobs.  

“You’re joking, right?” she questioned, getting up to pace around the room.  

“No, Penny!” Mr. Sherlock yelled, “You did it! You killed her! You got what you wanted, didn’t you?”  

“No, no, it was an accident,” Penny said, her tears streaming down her cheeks.  

“Penny, it isn't an accident when you put a young girl's life in danger!” he shouted, his anger reflecting off.  

“Do you hear me?”  

Mr. Sherlock stepped closer and closer, making Penny feel cornered.  

“Mr. Sherlock, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice trembling.  

“I’m putting you in the place where you belong,” he stated intensely.  

As soon as the words sank in, she ran for the door, but it was locked.  

“You thought you could leave, Penny?” he asked mockingly.  

Penny was at a loss for words.  

“Now, Penny, sit!” he barked.  

She complied, fear tightening her chest.  

“Good. Now it’s your turn to feel what Lexi felt.”  

“Please… please don’t do this. I'm sorry!”  

“Well, little Penny, it’s too late for sorry now, isn’t it?” he scoffed.  

She flinched, but before she could react, Mr. Sherlock struck her with the police officer holding her down, and everything went dark.  

“Sleepy night, night, Penny.”  

Penny woke up in her bed, sweating. It was only 4:26 AM, still three more hours before she had to get up for school. Today was supposed to be her first day back from suspension after giving Lexi a concussion.