Member-only story
From Victim to Officer
A childhood mugging, a squad car ride, and the first flicker of a future dream
The overpass was a solitary pedestrian bridge — barely wide enough for two people — connecting the manicured side of the city with the rougher neighborhoods, just a five-minute walk from our school. We leaned against the metal railing, watching cars rush beneath us in a blur of colors and movement. This was our secret spot, where we could chain-smoke Lucky Strikes without fear of discovery, discussing life’s intricacies with the mismatched wisdom of a twelve and fourteen-year-old.
My friend, Victor, took a long drag off his cigarette, exhaling a cloud that hung in the autumn air.
“This damned school, man,” he said, flicking ash over the railing. “Those teachers have no idea what they’re doing. And don’t get me started on those other dudes.” He squinted against the smoke.
“One day, I’ll show them what’s what. They think they’re so smart.” I nodded silently, watching his cigarette burn down to the filter.
Despite being a repeater, two grades behind because of his behavior, some of us looked up to Victor. Especially me, with my father always emotionally absent and no replacement in sight. Victor was unusually tall for his age, with a slight hunch that curved his shoulders…
