Hayden Depression piece

THE BURN OF THE RIOTS

When my father died I thought it was the hardest thing I would ever have to go through - I was wrong. Watching my family as I was dragged away from them was even worse.

It all started on the night of the huge riot on cuba street in wellington. My father had recently lost his job because his employers couldn’t afford enough money to pay him due to the governments ideas. He joined the protest but didn’t come back from it, he wanted to get his money so we could live but he was trampled by

police horses.

Ever since that night it has never been the same. We had no money coming in so i was forced to work. But one day i just thought it was too much. I never returned to work again. We weren't as lucky as some of the rich people with their stacks of money, endless food supplies nice comfy clothes .My solution was to steal it from them. It worked.

My mother did not know about my thievery but if she did she would not tolerate she was already too sick i couldn't let her know this. I decided to keep it a secret. When she asked where i got it from i had to lie and say that a friend felt bad for us and gave it to us. She would always say “oh what a nice boy, what's his name again?’ and i will always reply “Ummmmmm, his name is James. You won’t know him he goes to a private school”. Every day i would run off and steal some food and money, it wasn't much but it was enough for us.

But one time it didn’t work out the way I planned. I was seen and the cops were called on me. I had to run or they would catch me. I couldn’t put more stress on my mother's shoulders.

This was the only way to get money though. My mother was too sick to work and my two little sisters were 5 and 7 so they were too young to work.

But with no luck I was caught just outside my own house.. I was right in front of my family being dragged away. My mother saw the mess i had made. She looked disappointed and terrified of my choices.

”What have you done?,” she asked, her eyes filled with tears “this is not how I raised  you”

“I’m sorry, I had too” I cried at her feet “It was the only way for us to live”

As i am being dragged away from my family i realise it is best for me to go, otherwise they could get blamed for my actions. So I Said goodbye to my family and let the police take me.

They tried taking me to a prison but i managed to escape. I was literally running for my life.

If they caught they would do worse than put me in jail,

but what about my family?

No i have to keep running i can never go back.

I have to start a new life.

now here i am hiding in an alley with whatever i could steal on my way.

I could never show my face.

I am a disgrace and i am known to be a fugitive now.

So i really don't have a choice but to hide. So i guess this is my life now; running from the police and stealing. My biggest regret was leaving my dying family behind, alone and starving.

i can’t imagine the look on my mothers face now. Yet i still try to get back without getting noticed.

So i sit down and pray.