Jamie: The Road to Glory

"Jamie, wake up! Wake up, goddammit!"

"Huh?" Jamie responded, blinking against the harsh light. "Joe? What are you doing here?"

"Have you forgotten everything? Was the punch really that hard?" Joe exclaimed, his voice laced with concern.

Jamie looked up, taking in the slums surrounding him. "Oh right, I remember. We fought those street kids yesterday, right?"

"Yeah, we beat them up, but one of them landed a lucky punch on your pressure point, making you faint," Joe replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Jamie sighed, shaking off the remnants of sleep. The sun shone brighter than most days, illuminating the packed streets of the slums. The city he came from was painfully poor, with the opulent rich quarter visible in the distance. Meanwhile, the governor of the city lived comfortably, surrounded by wealth, while the people in the slums struggled to survive. Cops roamed the alleys, ready to arrest anyone caught stealing or causing trouble—a daily occurrence. Many hated the governor, but there was little they could do. Even if another rich person were elected, nothing would change for the poor community.

"So, Joe, what's the plan for today?" Jamie asked, glancing at his friend.

"We need some food and cash, right?" Joe said, determination in his voice.

"Yeah, that's right," Jamie replied.

The two friends ventured into the bustling streets, weaving through the crowd in search of food stands, but they found nothing. The slums were overcrowded, making movement difficult. Finally, they stumbled upon a side road that connected the town square to the rich quarter. They spotted a small hole in the fence—just large enough for their twelve-year-old bodies to squeeze through. With a quick glance around, they darted into the rich quarter, excitement bubbling within them.

Inside, they quickly spotted a convenience store. They slipped inside, swiftly filling their pockets with food before making a hasty exit.

"Hey! Stop!" the employee shouted after them, but their feet carried them away as fast as possible.

As they wandered through the lavish streets, admiring the beauty of the quarter, they suddenly encountered the street kids from the previous day.

"What the hell are you doing here, bitches?" one of the street kids shouted.

Joe met his gaze, unfazed. "Looks like you're less today. This should be quick."

The tension escalated, and a brawl broke out—five against two. Jamie and Joe landed solid punches, while the other kids struggled to retaliate. In a matter of moments, they emerged victorious. But just as they celebrated, the police stormed the area, cutting off any escape routes.

"Oh shit, there are cops everywhere!" Joe exclaimed, panic rising in his voice. "This must've been a setup!""Jamie, split up! Run left, I'll run right!" Joe shouted.

Without hesitation, they both bolted, each taking their own path into the chaos.

Jamie sprinted through the winding streets until he finally found a secluded spot at the edge of the slums, a place where the police rarely ventured. There, he collapsed against a wall, breathless. Time passed—days, months, years—yet there was no sign of Joe. Alone in the shadows, Jamie felt the weight of their choices pressing down on him.