Fiction Writing Prompt: "3 Keys"

"You were just given three keys. 
They will open anything you want. 
Use your imagination! 

What do they open?" 

"1. The key to my mansion. 2. The key to my 2012 STi. 3. The key to my safe with a billion dollars." 

"1. Opens my closet so I can get my fresh clothes. 2. Door to my mansion on the top of a mountain. 3. Key to my  chest with magical items." 

"1. Key to safe with a hundred billion $$. 2. Key to my mansion in Hawaii. 3. Key to my million $$ yatte (yacht)." 

"1. to my mansion with a soccer arena inside. 2. to Six Flags Amusement park. 3. To my house in LA with babes." 

"1. Opens my Hummer. 2. Opens my big huge house. 3. Opens up my Foot Locker store." 

"Key 1. Opens my farrari f-50 with 2 12" speakers, custom vinyl with custom spinners, iPod with all my fav music. Key 2. Beach house in Malibu. Key 3. Opens my metal vault with 2 billion."

"Key to freedom. Key to a valtfull of money. Key to a Caddillac CTS V black with black rims that have a red going around the lip of the rim with a bumpin system and an iPod touch 64 g with all my favorite music with Selena Gomez sitting in the passenger seat." 

"1. to lamburgini diablo black gold neon with tinted windows. 2. Key to mansion on private island with lots of girls. 3. key to my club on Mars." 

"1. Key to perminent freedom. 2. Key to bank full of money. 3. Key to my private island."

"Space shuttle. Lambergini deablo. All human siclotys." 

"Key 1. Opens my Saleen Twin Turbo S7 jet black car. Key 2. Opens my huge mangen. Key 3. Opens my garage that has my jet, motorcycles, for wheelers, jet skies, the rest of my cars." 

"Room full of super powers. Utopia. The biggest & best stadium in the world." 

Everyone Has a Story: "A little part of my story"

I was born in Salt Lake City but I was raised in Mexico and were i was raised is not much but thats were im from but i have a lot of storys to tell about my life. i could prolly write a book but im a start by writting about wen i got jumped into my gang so i was around the age of 13 and it all started cuz of my family they are all gangsters so they started taking me out and do stuff that I was only gona get me into trouble but I did dem any way. but so wen i was 13 I got jumped by my cuzins and some other guys to this gang. Shortly after that I started getting into a lot of trouble I stopped going to school I started getting into alot of fights just cuz a stupid color and a lot of other stuff that in the end was not worth it but it took me a long time for me to realize that i guess its true what they say i found that girl i love and she made me change and thank god she is still with me but that's pretty much a little story of how i use to be in a gang and got out of it to change my future and my life... 

AP, age 17

Everyone Has a Story: "My Amazing Dog"

One day when I was watching a bruce lee movie and my mom was throwing my dads belongings in the back of his truck I heard a loud screach of a car slamming on its brakes, followed by the loud yelp or cry of a dog. Frantically I jumped up from the couch to look for my dog Buster, with no sign of him, I bolted out front. To my horror I seen my dog pinned under a vehicle with neibors and family standing around. I then yeled to lift the car off him so we tryed our best with no luck when a massive Soman man stopped his van to then lift the car enough for my broken dog to drag himself free. He had broken his lower back and was paralized from the mid back down. He was taken to the vet and put down due to severe injuries. We cremated him and had his paw print taken and to this day I often think about my amazing dog Buster.

SN, age 17

Everyone Has a Story: "Scouts and Me"

One day me and my scout troop decided to go on a scout camp to heart lake in the mountains as part of the trip we decided that we weren't going to bring sleeping bags or tents. we were just going to use tarps and ropes for shelter and to sleep in. So when we get up there we tie the tarps in a slanted position on top of some trees so that it would keep rain off us and that was about it, there were no walls around us except one facing the exit of the camp, that looked like a slash "l" and we used the other tarps as sleeping bags. Well at night after going fishing and cooking fish over an open fire we all started to fall asleep, there were about 4 people under each tarp, and my group we stayed up and we talked quietly then we started to nod off and right before we fell asleep we hear this amazingly loud rumbling and the ground shaking going BOOM! BOOM! we thought at first it was a minature earthquake, but it kept going in that patter, and it kept getting closer and louder so we were like someone go check what it is then I look out and see a huge bear just standing in our camp, looking around. apparently it smelt the fish but we were all helpless if that bear decided to attack no tent walls nothing. Amazingly it just wandered away and then the scout masters came out with there guns to make sure everyone was safe. And that's my story! :o)

M.J., age 17

Everyone Has a Story: "Out of the Box"

Once i got in the system and got locked up everything changed for me. The first time i got caught up was like the whole world came down on me and i felt like crap. When i first got locked up i didn't know what was going to happen next and was scared that i wasn't going to go home and that i was going to stay longer. But once i left and went home i didn't care and was like "that was nothing" so then i started getting in trouble more til i finally got in to much trouble and had the possibilyty that i wasn't going home and got into a program that could help me with my issues and problems so it did help me get my head straight and set my goals together and get my Education back and have more respect for my family and future so i won't be in a box and have a family.

A.R., age 17

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
And they never will, for you see we can
never truly understand each other unless you
feel the same pain. Maybe then we can all
be brothers.

JP, age 16


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Smiling on the outside crying on the out
but I refuse to sit and pout
on the inside. I let out a real loud shout
Still figuring out what this lifes about
My life takes a whole new route
My lady two months pregnant with my baby
and it so crazy but I've been raised a G
The heat has got the best of me that was
obviously not my destiny. So before it end with
rest in peice I thought of my neice and I know
she be there at least better than any drag all I
gotta do is give her a hug. No long feel the need
to smoke any week. Yes indeed all I need is my
family.

CM, age 16


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I want to do right but dident now how
to do it. I cant sit here and hurt
my fam. I can't and wont be the
bad guy. Im gonna do whats
right being with my family is worth
it. not getting into trouble. I rather
do the right thing not the bad thing.
I wanna get out and do whats right.

FC, age 13


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
A confused kid who doesn't understand what he has
oppurtunitys giving to him
but he throws them in the trash
but when the day comes he will show you all
that he isn't a kid who crumples and falls.

AR, age 17


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I don't even no my self any more
now I em lock up doing the
rong things. Grandma I em so
sorry that you have to see me
like this. I never want you
to see me lock up. I love you
and I miss you. I em trying
to make it right.

MN, age 15


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
All they see is the outside, never looking in
Don't ask me why. But I wish they would
look a little deeper and try to help me out
while I self destruct into a million pieces
then I won't be able to bounce back again
so help me now I save from a gruesome
end and I will tag along writing with my
pen all the things I can win if I set
my mind in motion.

SN, age 17


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I yurn to be free
Just the world and me
Everyone judges what they see
but they don't know me.

RE, age 16

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

The world doesn't understand
what's going on in me
But the only one that does
isn't always around to talk to me
So the young man that has no body
goes out in the street
He is always running on his feet, packin heat
running from the police this is why
this kid shouldn't be on the street.
Because he is always running on
the street on his feet packin heat
while he's running from the police.
But then once he is gone to DT
the person to talk to gets on their
feet to look for him on the street
But he isn't there an now he feels defeat.

GL, age 16
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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
But yet everyone thinks their better
than me, I'm told I'm angry
I'm told I'm hurt And I don't disagree
but look me in the eye and
tell me I don't have a reason
to be, I try so hard to fake it
Just to try and make it
But I just can't shake it
The feeling that the world doesn't
understand what's going on in me.

ZH, age 17


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The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
life has struggle we need to overcome.
I have faith one day I will succeed.
I've made bad choices but I'm changing
my ways. No more brick walls or program
clothes. It's my time to shine and get back
on my grind. I ain't talkin bout hustlin, I'm
talkin bout a job I will enjoy and that I
have worked hard for. Hustlin is easy and
quick but how all I see is brick and I
ask myself "Wess good now?"
I start today by changing my ways.
Money is money but I got to make it
the right way.

TP, age 17


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
tell me do you see me or do you
see what appears to be me?
Do you see a confident young lady or
an overly compulsive young layd
Do you see Beauty or a beast
I know the world doesn't understand me
Because I don't even understand me.

SC, age 16


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I feel sad, like I'm the one who is to suffer or
pay for that mans wrong doings. I"ve lost everything,
How can I cope, when sometimes the ones who ment
me harm are those that said "I love you." When fear
is my friend, I feel like it but don't act. I always was
the one to protect the little ones. And I'll always
remember I'm the survivor and I get to tell the
story. But what happens when that storyes at its end?

AS, age 16


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I live in a pineapple under the sea,
a lonely starfish lives next to me.
We stay up all day and party all night
Until Sarah's class comes and gives us a fright.

MT, age 16


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I live in a rock under the sea, an annoying
sponge lives next to me, we stay up all day
and party all night until Sarahs class comes
so we hurry and write.

JC, age 17

Poetry: "When we met"

When we met for the very first time,
I felt like a rocket in the sky.
I thought you'd be right by my side,
but now your gone and I'm all alone
wishing you didn't do the things you did
You said you lost me but I'm still here
When I told you I loved you I ment it
So I'm gonna be here forever my dear
Mom told me to never judge a book by its cover
Even though you did what you did
I still love you because you were there
when I needed you the most & I'm your love.

TP, age 17

Poetry: "The Life of a G!"

Its hard livin the life
of a g! looking ova my
shoulder at the age of
sixteen. Thinkin what
will happen to me am
I gonna get jumped
shanked a bullet to
my brain? or am I gonna
get to spend another
day with my family. I
know I messed up choosin
this life but know it's time
will I live or die. Thats just
the thing nothing in this
worlds perfect, wait I dont
believe that you see she
my daughter shes undefeated
shes the most precious thing
that Ive ever seen and I pray
to god she don't bang at the
age of thirteen. This aint
the life for a little gir no
doubt about it, it may seem
cool it may seem fun, but its
not the life to be livin on
the run, to have to cary a
gun so you dont get shot
but cops dont care it's just
another bullet on the block
just another Mexican, cops dont
care cuz most of them are
different skin. But I can't
change that, thats their
problem. I got enough of them
as it is but thats how it
is to live the life of a g
you never know what to
expect sometimes I look at
myself then at my man and
think do I really want this
life around my kid. I never
once asked if it scared
her. did we prepare her
never ment to scare her
what does she see through
her little brown eyes Mom
and dad always having
fights. Moms sorry I never
ment to have you see that
but just remember we love
and we never ment to hurt
you. never ment to make you cry
we want to see you smile
tell the day that we die. you
know hun its craz we lost
your little sister but I know in time
you'll learn to miss her. I know
I miss her daddy even misses
her but just remember baby
shes in a better place and
we can't change that no
one understand why it
happened thats why I seem to
cry and cry. Why are we
left here to suffer, what
did I do what did I say to
make god change his ways.
That was my baby I watched
her grow, then you took her
away like it was nothing at
all I cant believe it. I feel
so defeated my hearts torn
to tiny little ity pieces. She
never got a chance to take
her first breath to get her
first glance when she came
she was so tiny so perfect I
didnt understand why she was
just as big as my hand
but what happend, happened
I'll just keep pushin tell the
very end.

MS, age 16

Poetry: "Be True to Yourself"

Be True to yourself...
Speak up!
don't sit down
express yourself
don't tell yourself
open up
dont shut down
Rise Above
don't lean against it's time to
man up And be true to yourself
or lie to your self and lay there And
bleed.

ZH, age 17

Poetry: "Sweet" and "Why?"

Sweet is the sound of falling rain,
and the stream that leaps from hill to plain,
but better than rain or rippling streams
is water hot that smokes and steams.

I sometimes ask God why?
Why him? Why now?
What has he done to deserve this?
He's done everything you asked.
And yet you still can't save him.
I need him here to coach me. I can't settle
for a sub.
I need him on this earth to guide me
Please don't take him from me.
Why him? Why now?

WE

Everyone Has a Story: "My Story"

Mine began when I was 5 years old and my mother split up with my fater. I was so upset about it I cryed. Then we went to pick up this misterious man that my mom new but me & my 2 sisters didn't, and the second he got in the car I knew with all my heart, I hated & disliked this man. I'm not talking about just any old hatred I'm talking the kind of hate you have towards those who torcher people for the pleasure of themselfs. I remember it was my 6th birthday my mom was at work & this man came home & thought it was funny to assault my sisters & for anyone who knows me if anybody touches my sisters i would seek revenge.

This man seemed to know this & wanted so to speak to get rid of me so he cut me open with a sergical knife from hip to hip & I ended up passiley. My mom came home two to five minutes later & found me outside under the tree with my stepdad over me crying & he said to her he fell. Like any other mom she would believed him & took me to the emergency room. I with a scar to prove it was revived but this was just the beginning. I soon reach age 8 & got me & my two beautiful sisters out of that house & into foster care. I'll never forget that because the look upund my moms face dug into me like that knife my stepdad hurt me with.

She was sad & so was I. I soon found he beat my mom and tortured her. She ended up with plates in her face & received a tumor & is struggling. even though she gave us up for him I realize that she was protecting me & my sisters. I'll alway remember that & that's why she's the hardest to replace & is my number one hero.

AS, age 16

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

A gang member who's trying to find her way out. 

Pushin her way through the dark clouds

hoping one day she will find the light

that everyone says is so bright.

Im going to make it cuz I told god I would

change my ways for my daughter, my father,

and my family. They believe in me they never let me fall.

But that one guy that threw me to the wall. he always

let me fall always had to hit always had to fight he 

turned my life to the blackest of night. 

MS, age  16

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

A young man stuck in DT

with no place to be

with all the troubles he may see

waiting for his court date to see 

if he'll be free

RE, age 16

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

A big black hole swallowing everything in sight of me.

Then I see a bit of crap that I let dwell

deep inside getting shoved back while

Everything keeps piling on top of me an

there is greatness locked in a chest

titled DO NOT OPEN ME. So I am forever

searching for that key and with help from

few I can be just like you.

SN, age 17

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

I see kid that now has bin lock 

up for a min but now I em in it to 

wen it. I cant wate to get out of here

so I can go live with no fear. I em going to 

stear in the clear and be good.

MN, age 15

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

A kid who doesn't like being in this facility

but has an opportunity to change his life

so i can be out and have kids and a wife

but first i must change my ways

to be happy and enjoy the rest of my days.

AR, age 17

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

Im sorry for what I did if I could

change it you no I would. But I 

can't and I no I should. If you 

could would you pleez help me.

I found my way to seccess and these 

words are true. Being locked up isitent the way 

I want to go and now I no what I want in my life.

FC, age 13

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
me in recovery waiting to get out and see my lady. I just found out she has my baby. Can't wait to feel the first kick but till then I'll watch time tick it makes me sick that it had to come to this to finally click. Life has hit me like a thousand pound brick. My whole life I've been a royal prick. Playing life like it's a car trick time to not be a fool and get back in school, time to help my baby never gonna have to be shady towards my baby got to set a good example and prove lifes not just a free sample its a test forget the rest when I'm with my familys when I feel best. No more drugs or running with thugs. Just us.
CM, age 16

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
I see a man, strong and fearless as a lion, as delecate and peaceful as a dove,
but like a lone wolf, denying and never seeking love, what I see is my destiny
carved by my desire to lead, I was birthed by darkness, throngs the pain I've gained.
I hold the sun and the moon in my hands and with that I have belong the right hand of death.
JP, age 16

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
A kid who doesn't like poetry is what I see. I'd rather be stung by a poisonous bee. Or get run over by a SUV, or be swallowed up by a giant squid in the sea because I do not do poetry.
MT, age 16

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
I look in the mirror and i ask myself why,
why did you do this to yourself was your life not good enough,
why didn't you play the tape to the end before making your decision
do you realize how deep your whole is dug, do you realize you have to make things right
and fill that hole back in, do you really? I do
JC, age 17

------------------------------------------------
Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see
Someone who loves so deep to imagine
someone who cares and gets sad over the tease of others.
Someone who forgot the battle and has now won.
And finally someone who is remembered for great things.
AS, age 16

------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

a very confused person

who is very infused with strange things, intell that day finaly came

where someone came along & defused that destructive behaver.

When i look back i can't help but pack my backpack & move forward

in hopes of my baby never sayin maybe one day she will be a younge

lady. im hopin she dont go after some dude that act a fool like i did. 

But hey look who the fool is now not me. i got my head on straight.

What about you? 

SC, age 16

------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

A muslim

who got knowledge and wisdom.

I aint shady

but sometimes I'm crazy

when I come around

they bow down

cause I got that crown

yes Im that queen bee

so, step and see

or fall back

and get smacked.

TP, age 17

------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

A soul trying so hard to be

But hasn't yet found a way to agree

with all the conflict inside of me

the fire the ice enough to make the

biggest men flee so take a look

And tell me what you see in me 

And tell me what you think I should be.

ZH, age 17

------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, what you see in me, this is what I see

I see a young man

A young man trying to succeed

A young man going through a hard time

But this young man 

He can succeed

He has the potential to succeed

But this young man keeps messing up

But he has tried and tried to succeed

Finaly he has succeeded

Finaly he is free

GL, age 16

Everyone Has a Story: "Saving My Family"

I was looking for his "stash." I found it-- a box full of pills, baggies of coke, vials of heroin, and a pipe of weed. "This is whats hurting this family," I said. I got it and I went in our backyard. I got the lighter that was in there and I got the kerosine that was in the garage. I put the box on the ground and filled it full of kerosine, then I made a trail of it so it wouldn't explode in my face, right when I lit it, he came home. He went immediatly to his room to look for the "stash." I heard him yelling in anger at how he knew it was there.

He rushed outside and came at me with his fists clenched. I was ready but he didnt go to me, he went to the fire, he put out his hands in it and yelped in pain. "WHAT THE *&^%$& DID YOU DO?!?!" I said that I was fixing this family from your addiction. He hit me with his fists. I hit the ground and went unconsious. I woke up about 5 hours later in ICU. I didn't say anything about his hitting me to the doctors, but I had a bruise in the shape of a fist and a split scalp from the rock. That was my first time going unconsious. He never did stop and he routinely hit me after that.

I will never forgive him for the drugs he used. That's why I will never do drugs.

L.S., age 14

Everyone Has a Story: "My Dad's Last Words"

I felt pretty special to be sitting in the front seat on the way to school. Mom never let me sit up front, but Dad didn't mind it much as long as I buckled up. I loved how Dad drove. He had a lead foot and loved speed as did I.

It was silent in the car, and I hated it. After a period of long silence I reached up for the volume knob and turned the music up. After a few seconds, Dad turned it back down. "Hey, I like that song, Dad," I said though I really didn't recognize the song. I just hated the dead air.

"First grade, huh?" he said half-smiling at me. "You're getting old." I just smiled and nodded my head, silence almost came instantly again. The trees and houses we were passing seemed to be going by more slowly. Dad was slowing down.

"I'm going to miss you." I cocked my head back and nudged him in the shoulder. "Dad, Mom is dropping me off at your house tonight. I'll see you then." More silence as we pulled up to the elementary drop-off. We gently rolled to a hault. He parked the car and got out and came to my side. I hopped out of the car and we started for the door. Dad never walked me to the door, but yet I can't say I didn't like it. It was just weird, he was being weird.

We made it to the front door, and I reached for the handle to walk in, but Dad stopped me. He kneeled down next to me and looked in my eyes. A tear began to form in the corner of his eye until it began to trickle down his face.

"I love you, Son." I reached up and grabbed his cheek and wiped the tear from his cheek. He hugged me tightly and when we finally un-clinged from each other, I pulled back and put my hand on his shoulder.

"You're being kinda silly, Dad. But I love you too." With that he got up and walked to the car. I turned and walked through the door, not knowing that that would be the last time I would see him alive.

I sat there on the porch after school ended, waiting for my mother. Two hours had elapsed. My teacher came out and told me she got ahold of my mother and that she would be here shortly. Sure enough my mother came around the corner and pulled up to the drop-off.

She looked awful. Smeared makeup on her face was noticeable, and so were her puffy eyes. She had been crying. I know she had been.

Later that night, I learned that my father committed suicide. Fire burned my heart, and pain immensely took over my body. I cherished his last words to me, "I love you."

Everyone Has a Story: "My Life Story"

My life story. I have had a hard life. I have been to detention 2 times. I've been to a rehab center and now here. I have a step dad that is abusive, he hits and pushes my mom and he chokes her. I have been so scared most of the times. I want to stop him but I'm afraid he will hurt me. He does pot everyday. He has pushed and thrown me before. I have been really stressed out because of it.

I started doing drugs and then my life went downhill. I have always wanted to become a racer and go pro. When I get out I am going to change and become a racer and not do drugs because my mom and me are going to move away from him and because I want to change. I don't want my mom feeling like she doesn't know where I am. I want her to feel that I am safe, not doing drugs, and not getting in trouble. That is my highest of the most highest goal. I NEED to do for her, myself, and my brother. My mom is going to get a divorce with my stepdad and get a new boyfriend. He is pretty cool. I hope my mom is happy with my disitions [decisions] when I get out.

CBP, age 13

Why I do what I do in Juvenile Detention -- by Sarah

The Starfish Story  

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. 

Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.  

Then, smiling at the man, he said "I made a difference for that one."

With thanks to Mr. Spense for reminding me of this.... 

Everybody Has a Story: Its not no Fairytell

You know when your kid lifes supposed to be fun and games.... mine was kind of like hell. When I was young I had to watch my mom and dad fight over who got the last hit from the pipe or who gets the last pills. My house was never normal. My mom was gang related and that's how she taught me... ever since I was young that what Ive known how to live on the streets and how to handle my own. My dad was tired of my moms gangster friends so he told us he was going to work and never came home. Thats when everything went crazy!

My life went even more downhill. My older cousin was molesting me every day and my mom was to high to believe me. I hated everyone. The only ones I had were my sisters. Our mom was into drugs, alcohol, and her new boyfriend.... I was scared to be in my own house because my mom and stepdad were always drunk and fighting. I really tough I had no one. My sisters were always busy partying and my dad was gone. I didnt go to school that much because my mom would always have an excuse to keep me home.

A couple years went by and my mom was really sick. She was having a lot of ceasures and one time her friend was over and my mom started having another ceasure and then she stopped breathing. We called the ambulance and they came and took her. When me my sisters and my aunt got to the hospital the doctor told us they had to pump her stomache to get the drugs out. When they did that water got in her lungs and gave her namonia. My mom was really mad that she was in the hospital and when we were talking to the doctor my mom checked herself out. She wasn't in her room so we asked a nurse where she went and she told us and we all were so mad.

We went home and my mom was already in her room. I was going to go and talk to her but my aunt said she would later that night. My mom called me upstairs to talk. I told her I was mad at her and didn't want to. She said "mija porfavor. Im sorry. Please just lay in bed with me porfavor." I told her no.... the last thing I told my mom was I hate you! For half the night she was calling my name and I layed there awake crying until it stopped. the next morning I went to tell her I was going to school and that I love her and she was dead overdosed, took the easy way out!

Thats when it hit me you never know what you got tell its gone. So I moved out here with my dad and Ive been in and out of DT and programs ever since. Everyone says Im just like my mom a gangbanger who only cares about the homies and meth! Thats not true. I care about my family but people dont get it. The world is a messed up place. It's not no fairytell.

Poem: Helping Hands

When you want to cry
or even die
you need to understand
& take the helping hand
when your nee's are on the ground
you hear two sounds
the sound of your fear
it seem's so queer
when you hear the right voice
you feel so rejoice
so you start to feel
emotions that are real
now you understand
you should take a helping hand.

A.A., age 15