Bad People

• Lucy Matheson Jones, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2021

Laying against the barn wall, watching Millie roll around in hay, wondering what she would do without her dog, there by her side. Every second. Every minute. Everyday. She reaches into her blue bag, and pulls out her mother’s locket. Closing her eyes. Thinking about good times with her Mum, Dad, and Millie. She tries to remember something about where her parents went. 'People in black suits. Hands in the air.' Bad memories start to sink into her head. She could hear her mum's voice. “Go to the barn”, Lola opens her eyes. Shaking.

Getting up off the ground, she wipes the dirt off her pants, calls Millie to come back, and heads round to her corner room of the barn. She sits down. Gives Millie some biscuits. Puts her hand on Millie's back. And closes her eyes. Cold like ice, she sinks down into her puffy jacket. Very, very slowly, she falls asleep. She needs sleep. Lots.