Chokehold: I was a 5th Grade Pro Wrestler - Chapter 1 - The Death of Arthur Shelby

“You killed him, Gavin”

Gavin Capaldi, 8 years old, stood over the still body of Arthur Shelby as his cousin; Rodrick looked on with wide eyed terror. His heart was beating rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath.

“We're going to go to jail.”

Gavin dropped the wooden plank he was holding and looked at Rodrick. Once again he found himself in a mess. All because little snotty nosed brat Rodrick was unable to stay out of trouble.

Gavin's mind slipped back to moments earlier, before the commotion; before he “killed” somebody. He and Rodrick were just swinging underneath the willow tree minding their own business when he showed up.

Arthur Shelby was bigger, stronger, and meaner than all the other boys. Two years in the same grade afforded him with gifts the other boys didn't have, and a chip on his shoulder they didn't need. When he saw the two boys swinging he could barely contain his glee.

“Two chumps in one place,” he thought as he walked over to the boys. “I'm going to be rich.”

Arthur bent over, picked up a hand full of sand, and mushed it into Rodrick's face. Some of the sand got into Rodrick's eyes causing him to scream in pain.

Gavin stopped swinging, looked at the scene unfolding, and calmly addressed Arthur.

“Hey, why don't you mess with me?”

Arthur walked over to Gavin and got into his face.

“Hit me.”

Arthur pulled his hand back and lightly slapped his face.

“Hit me for real.” Gavin said.

This time Arthur pulled as far back as he could and hit him right in the stomach. The blow barely registered with Gavin as suddenly his face contorted into a mask of rage. He tackled Arthur sending them both into the middle of the sand pit.

Sand and dust flew everywhere as the two boys rolled from the sand pit onto the pavement. Punches were flying and tempers were flaring, but neither of them could get the upper hand. Then, they spotted it: The Wooden Plank.

First it was Arthur. He saw the plank out of the corner of his eye. Lunging for it, he tried to break away from Gavin. His sudden motion caused the other boy to react. Searching for a reason for his retreat, Gavin spied the weapon, grabbed the plank, and kayoed Arthur.

The first blow hit Arthur in the shoulder merely rocking him and seemingly sending a surge of adrenaline through his body and tingle of fear down Gavin's spine. The second blow hit Arthur directly in the center of his forehead, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Gavin, in a state of shock, looked down upon him. His hands were still tightly clutched around the slender plank handle. His eyes were glossed over. In his head he could hear a faint whisper growing into a roar.

“RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!!” Rodrick screamed as he took off toward the house.

Gavin snapped out of his trance and back into the present just in time to dodge a plank shot from a bloody, but revitalized Arthur.

Both boys flee into the safety of Gavin's home. Arthur, a bit disoriented and still clutching the plank, knocks on the door of the house and attempts to get the boys into trouble.

Gavin, feeling quite brave, emerges from behind his mother's silhouette, opens the screen door walks out and kicks Arthur in the shin and cowardly slithers back behind his mother, simultaneously creating the fear of Arthur's revenge in his heart and earning the ire of his mother.

That was the first and last time Rodrick spent the night.

To be continued in:

Chokehold: I was a 5th Grade Pro Wrestler - Chapter 2 - Ouch! Plant a tree not a seed.