Inktober '24: "Backpack"

I mentioned on my Instagram that I can’t draw (yes, I'm endlessly jealous of my brither and his skill). As such, instead of responding to the daily prompts with artwork, I'll be writing tiny stories (around 300 words, give or take). So here's the first piece, responding to the prompt, "backpack."

☆☆☆

Liam was careful; more careful than he's ever been.

He peeked around the corner. All the 5th and 6th graders were already on the bus and gone. It was quiet. He cinched his backpack on tight and doddered his way out of the gate and down the sidewalk as quickly as his little legs could carry him.

Earlier, at recess, he and Jayden and Kya were swatting through all the brush deep in the back of the schoolyard looking for the kickball. Liam had told Kya to roll it bouncy because Lee could kick the ball to another planet. That kid was huge. But he had trouble when the ball was bouncy. Kya didn't listen and they ended up digging through the grass that Mr. Bell said they don't pay him enough to cut. And that's where they found it.

Liam huffed as he walked down the sidewalk. Just a few more blocks before he made it to his grandma's house, his backpack shifting unevenly against his spine. He really wanted to stop at Jasper's for a Twix and a bag of CheeWees, but he couldn't risk it. There was no time. Liam jogged ahead a few steps, certain that would make all the difference in the world in how fast he'd make it to Grandma's. He hurried along, admiring his own willpower as he passed the corner store. Then Ricky stepped out of the store and Liam felt his blood turn cold.

Ricky was the meanest (and oldest) 6th grader ever made, and Liam could tell by looking at him that the $1.35 in the pouch of his backpack was about to be commandeered.

But it wasn't. Ricky sneered and walked past.

Liam scurried to Grandma's house, went straight into the backyard, gently sat his backpack on the fluffy grass, and unzipped it. The tiny dragon inside craned its neck out and let up a smoky and shrill little roar.

☆☆☆

Hope you like it. Let us know what you think.

~Leonce