Polo pocketed his AK47, just for security and took a double check in the hallway mirror before heading to the bar. He took off his hat to check his hair, the usual glow that was around the top his head was now missing but his short dreadlocks still looked cool.  The bar was busy, vibrating with the bass of rap music.  Polo felt alive and pumped surrounded by people he didn’t understand.  For confidence, he slid a cigarette out of the packet and fumbled in his pocket for a light.  Suddenly, a man ran towards him, screaming, something metal flashing in his hand.  Polo panicked, pulled out his own weapon and fired.  Two shots.  The man fell and dropped his silver cigarette lighter to the floor.  Polo cried, ‘you caught me by surprise’ as the man grabbed Polo by the hands, tears in his eyes and whispered that he was afraid to die.  Yellow taped and traumatised the victims family hoped it would be a life for a life.  Polo’s mother got the call on the phone on the table in the hall.  How could her angel take anothers life? Why was that hat on the table?  For 25 years Polo wakes with murder on his mind.

by Harvey and Mrs A