Your Stage : I’m breaking into actually writing it out instead of keeping it in my head. by Khalilah Samuels

Please provide a little feedback. I spent about an hour writing this and I just want to break out of my shell....... Being the lone survivor of a brutal attack on his family, kept him constantly reliving that dreadful day. As he gazed into the memory of a commotion and hearing his dad cry out, “please.......not in front of my boy”, the pace of his heart quickened. He heard his mothers screams but couldn’t see what was going on because his dad had him held against his chest and told him to keep his eyes closed. His memory becomes more vivid when he recalls his dad body shift and suddenly his eyes was filled with fear. To his horror coming towards them at a fast pace was what he saw as a monster; tall, all black, running towards them with a machete. Before he could scream at the sight, he felt what felt like a hammer to the face and his dad collapsed on top of him. He felt the blood trickling from his eye. He got one last look at his dad and watched him get dragged away. That was the last he saw of his parents. He didn’t know his family so he spent the rest of his childhood in group homes until he turned to the streets. With years of tears full of “why”, it was easy to turn to drugs. He was quickly swallowed by the belly of the beast and saw no purpose, no hope, no faith, no reason to live. He was in a dark place without a speck of light. As he neared a underpass, he came across a couple snuggling and having a cigarette break. He smiled at the site of the pair because he had never been in love.....”Say young man, can you spare a cigarette”? The young fella reached into his pocket and gave him one. Then he continued his to his destination. He found a spot and sat down. As he took a pull, tears started to roll down his eyes and he whispered “why me”? He started to cry uncontrollably and begin to contemplate suicide. Nearby was a thick broken piece of glass. As he continued to suffer, he heard what sounded like wheels rolling so he scrambled to gather himself. As the sound got closer he heard a familiar tune.....”for what is a man? What has he got? If not himself, then he has naught....”. He smiled and joined in loudly......”TO SAY THE THINGS, HE TRULY FEELS.....AND NOT THE OF ONE WHO KNEELS.....THE RECORDS SHOWS....I TOOK THE BLOWS.....AND DID IT MYYYYYYYYY WAYYYYYYY”. He couldn’t stop smiling because that was the best he ever felt since his parents was alive. He always watched his dad serenade his mom with this song. His amazing flashback was interrupted by a voice. “Good evening young man, thank you for joining me” he chuckled. “No.... thank you”, he replied. “Well since we’re a duo now, what’s your name and what brings you here”?, the mysterious man said jokingly. “I’m Johnson.....and life”, he replied as he hung his head low at the thought. The mysterious man sympathized with him and said, “young man....you have to be able to watch life devour your heart and still live.....your still here”, then he suddenly walked away. That comment awakened something in Johnson that he felt hadn’t before. So much, that he couldn’t sleep. He started to realize that he never tried....never wanted anything else but to be with his parents again which was never gonna happen. He realized his pain was the reason behind his turmoil. As he stared across the highway he noticed a billboard that read 1-800-RECOVERY followed by, “Don’t be ashamed of wanting a better life.....call us now”. He scurried to his feet because he remembered passing a payphone along the way. He nervously dialed the number, “hello, my name is Johnson.....and I’m tired”. The next morning, he reported to the location of the recovery house and began his journey. He successfully completed his program, remained clean, went back to school and got a degree in Business Management. He went on to become a prominent CEO of a nonprofit organization to get homeless men off the streets and give them a second chance at life. It was named in honor of his parents. As he sat in his office, he laughed to himself and said, “after all of this.....I still don’t have a girlfriend”.