Excerpt: Fallen

Ten minutes later, Lucas left the Pastor's office to rejoin his parents in the fellowship hall. Most of the other church goers were gone already, and with them all of the cookies. His father looked like he had calmed down a bit but wasn't happy looking either.

"Did you have a good talk with the Pastor?" His mom handed him a sugar cookie that she had saved.

He took the cookie, "umm, yeah."

His father growled and started to herd them to the door. "Let's get out of here. I'll deal with you more once we get home. For certain you are grounded for the next month, at the very least."

Not wanting to put up with his anger, Lucas pulled away once they got outside. "I'm going to walk home."

"Get your ass in the van, now." His father pushed him against the van, clenching Lucas's arm.

"Ouch. Let go of me." Lucas remembered what the Pastor had recommended he do in this type of situation. "If you don't leave me alone I'll call the cops and tell them you're abusing me."

It took a minute for him to let go. "Fine. Walk."

Lucas watched them both get in the van and drive away. His mother was the only one to look back out of concern. Once the van was out of sight, he could relax and breathe a little easier. His arm still hurt a little so he massaged it as he started the long walk home.

Not many people were out on the streets, which he preferred. No one to deal with or worry about as he walked along the sidewalk kicking a stray rock whenever he could find one. A couple blocks from the church he noticed a couple of guys bunched together near two parked cars. They were real close and a few things were traded between them. He watched for a second and then shrugged it off. He wasn't stupid; he knew it was a drug deal but didn't care since he wasn't involved.

A sharp crackle sound, similar to fireworks, interrupted Lucas' quiet walk.