This ancient, rickety cottage, just standing all alone out in the abandoned woods, mould  surrounds me as cautiously but steadily, walk through the surrounding trees. A glimpse of movement near the cottage cottage catches my eyes.

I hold my breath. 

I thought I was alone. 

The “figure” comes closer steppin’ over every twig and every rock. Though it is just smaller than I am, it’s probably more dangerous than I ever will be.

The way it moves through the forest is extremley familiar. Dangerously quick, but certain, very certain, not to trip or stumble over anything that will cause her to collapse into the damp soil beneath her swift feet.

It seems as though it might explode, because of the way it is panting so heavily. 

It reveals itself and out comes; Mim? Mim is my only friend who is a girl. Mim and I are born a month apart. She has below-shoulder length thick light brown hair and has sparkling, medium brown eyes and she wears a white sleeveless shirt and light blue jeans. 

I’ll tell you somethin’s ‘bout Mim...

Mim is very helpful and very enthusiastic, when it comes to encouragin’ people or tryin’ out new things. She is also adventurous, courageous, positive and trustworthy to everyone. She ain’t afraid of nothin’ even if she has to fight people who are bigger or taller than she is. Mim is all ‘bout respect. You respect her, she’ll respect you. She is a fair and kind girl and is always open and very passionate about things. Mim doesn’t care if she gets dirty or has no choice but to live with 7 boys, she is a real Tom-boy and everybody loves her for who she is. 

Most importantly. She is loyal. Mim will stick with you through thick and thin and she will be your best friend, you don’t even have to ask her, she just automatically is.

Mim’s parents deaths were not an accident, it was uncalled for and it was heartbreaking for everyone. Mim doesn’t even remember than much of her parents...well obviously not ‘cause she wasn’ even a year old yet. They both died the day before her first birthday...by the North kids.

To this day Mim’s heart will forever be broken, but still she wears the most contagious smile and laugh anyone’s ever seen or heard. 

See in our town there are sides. The North side is where the wealthy live. And the South side is where the needy and underprivileged live. That’s us. Everyone that lives here was born here, they didn’t come from some fancy-smancy place or some broken down shack. We were all born here and we all live here.

Our ancestors story begins like this; One mornin’ two friends named David Phillip and Michael Hick decided they might take a trip somewhere together. They’ve been wantin’ to go since the first time they met, which was 19 years ago. Which was way before they could walk or talk! But they knew, even without talkin’ or gesturin’ somethin’or anythin’, that one day they would find some place new, start fresh, all by them selves. So they did, they said their last goodbyes to their family and friends ‘cause they weren’t certain if they were comin’ back or not, so they took everythin’ they had, placed it in a truck and drove, drove to who knows where? 

But that we do....

After hours takin’ turns drivin’, lookin’ and thinkin’ ‘ bout where they should build their new life together...until after seachin’ for nearly a whole day. They found the perfec’ spot a land to build their life. 

It was a great amoun’ a space to build a town. They decide’ again, that they would build a town the next, mornin’ ‘cause it was just to late for anyone to be awake at that time.

 So next mornin’ David and Michael did just that...

The wood was supplied by some near by trees, the nails and drills were supplied by Michael ‘cause he was a carpenter and food and water was supplied in their truck. The first few days, Michael taught David how to use a drill, and David taught Micheal how ta’ cook a decen’ meal. After learnin’, they set to it. 

Days past and they were still buildin’, then weeks past and they were still buildin’, then months past and they were still buildin’.

Then after ‘bout 11 and a half months, almos’ a year, workin’ everyday, all day, they built a fine lookin’ town.

The houses in the town were the perfec’ sizes if you had people in your family. Meanin’ some houses had an upstairs were others didn’t, and some had porch’s and others just had stairs leadin’ to the front of their houses. They made sturdy, but appropriate buildin’s for any type a person who would like to live in a wide and capable livin’ space. 

Until things when wrong...

They were completely finished. Done. It was the end of buildin’ their new town, and the boys were especially excited ‘bout today ‘cause now that they’ve got their families with ‘em. David and Micheal can now have the pleasure of people livin’ in their brand new town! 

Now who wouldn’t want people, especially their families to live inside somethin’ that they’ve had the privilege to build? David didn’t want that...

David was a selfish, fool who onl’ loved his parents and their money. While Michael here, cherished and loved his family no matter if he got gifts or not.

 And here’s where things got outta hand...

Michael went an hopped in their truck, beepin’ for David to hurry up. But David never came. Michael hopped out of the truck, confused by the holdup. He went to David sayin’ “What’s the holdup, we all done now, ya know. Come on, hop in or I’ll put you in, buddy.” He said jokingly. David looked up from starin’ at the floor, as a sly grin spread across his face...somethin’ was ‘bout to happen and it ain’t gonna be good.

“Come on, buddy. Hop in. We need ta get goin’ right now.” He said sounding annoyed. David felt somethin’ bubblin’inside him. “Well, Michael. I’m not really sure if I even wanna let your old, nasty hags into our brand new town.” David said with some heat in his voice.

“Your joking, right mate?”Michael said with some heat and confusion in his voice. 

David had had enough of Michael wasting his time, actin’ like an idiot. David lunged at Micheal hittin’ and bitin’ whatever flesh he could find. David  had transformed into the livin’ monster that he truly is. All you could here were screams of complete agony and the sound of grindin’ teeth. David’s eyes had become bloodshot and were ready for the kill, he’s lips already chapped and pealing and he’s fists covered with Michael’s blood. Although Michael was startled by the new David, Michael had already suspected David’s hatred for his parents and his compassion to be wealthy. 

Micheal pulled out somethin’ black, silver and shiny from outta his back pocket, pointed it right between David’s eyes and howled at David “GET BACK! RIGHT NOW, DAVID...or I’m, I’m gonna...” Michaels voice trailed away.

“What are you gonna do, huh? Cut me into lil pieces then eat me, Michael? Or stab me like I’m a criminal? Or saw off me leg or somethin’. Huh, Michael what a you gonna do, buddy?” David snarled. Michael’s face formed a sly grin, just like David did a minute ago.

“David, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal.” said Michael side steppin’ over to David. “Ya gonna finally kill me.”laughed David bouncin’ on the balls of his feet. “You don’t have the guts ta kill me. Remember that time in like fourth grade, where I dared ya ta kiss Marcy Drew. But you were to bloody chicken ta even go near the chick. Or, or remember that time in eighth grade where I said for you ta carve ya name into principal Nick’s desk...I though you were done with that crap, so I did it I instead and also sliced that favourite black chair of his. Then I made Tim own up to it, insteada me. Ha that was so funny when he got whipped by that long ruler, hoo-wee, good times.” David coughed. 

“You blamed Tim. Holy shit man.You said that he got really sick, then his mum wanted him ta get home schooled, cuz she didn’t want anyone else at school ta catch what he got? Michael said puzzled. “Nah man, as if I was gonna let some ol’ idiot beat me with a stick.” said David. 

Michael slipped over to David so fast that, when he suckered him in the nose, he tumbled backwards with such force he woulda almos’ got brain damage. Michael bolted to the car, put in his keys and drove. Drove all the way back home without his buddy...

When Michael got home, his family and David’s had made a huge meal to celebrate their success. Michael then told David’s family, that David knew he was going to ruin things because he was to excited to go home, so he stayed and protected their town. David’s parents were a little disappointed that their son could not come, because they knew he loved them, but believed every word that came out of Michaels mouth. 7:00am everyone was up and ready ta go, they got in Michael’s truck and took off. 

Michael stopped the truck a few meters away from the town and turned the truck away so the families couldn’t see and he told them that he had to take care of somethin’ before he showed their creation. Filled with excitement, they understood. 

Michael quickly ran over to a moving object and put it in a headlock from behind...it was David. David had a nasty, yellow and purple bruise around his now squished nose, and a stain of blood. Michael said to David “If you like your new nose, then I’ll be glad to punch the rest of your body, if you want me to...buddy.” All that came out of David’s mouth was “Mmmmmmplttttttttcccccc.” From the slight choke of Michaels grip. David tried to break free, but no one has ever fooled Michael twice, and it ain’t gonna happen now.

Michael put a shocked and sorrow look on his face and yelled “I found him lying on the floor, with a piece a wood next a him!” Hopefully his actin’ would work. “Holy, my poor baby.” Mrs. Phillip cried. Michael placed David on her lap softly and said “I’m sorry I’m just gonna take a walk. I can’t handle, handle th- A fake tear rolled down his cheek. “Oh honey, of course ya can me darling.” “His your best friend, we’ll take care of him, Sugar can you give me your cloth, please.” said Mrs. Hick and Mrs. Phillip.

Michael came back 1 and a half hours later, to the sight of bright yellow lights and light conversations. He was welcomed back and was brought a cup a jo, while being told that David and his parents were in a nice big house across town. 

Both families met in the center of their town. It was a stare down. It seemed as though David had told them about what Michael did to him.

The had shouts begun.

“We never liked ya and those stupid parents of yours, Michael.”Mr. Phillip said with a snarl just like David’s. “Now my son was just protectin’ himself and his lovin’ family, us.” Mr. Hick shouted. “Pttt, yeah right. Your son is just a disaster than happen to find my son!” Mrs. Phillip yelled back. “How dare you, you, you WHTCH!” Mrs. Hick screamed, stomping’ her foot on the ground. Everyone went silent. The two boys eyeing each other out, seeing if one of ‘em breaks the hard, glare.

Finally, someone spoke. 

“Alright, now that y’all had your scream-fest. We need ta make a decision.” Michael said cautiously. “What kinda decision do we, need ta make with you!” Mrs. Phillip glared. Michael glared back “Well, miss-temper. Who’s gonna stay and live in the place?” 

The shouts had begun, again.

All you could here was “Were stayin’, my sons better than your trash of a son.” Or “He built it not your lil’ boy.” Michael’s head pounding from the annoyin’ voices, from  oath sides. Michael had it, with all the funkin’ around. 

“ENOUGH! Alright, just calm the crap down. Their is only one way ta settle this. An it ain’t fightin’ cuz it’s unfair for the Phillip’s. They’re scrawny and weak.” Michael laughed. Some denials. “I said calm down. Now me and David both built this town and none of us wanna leave...so both families are gonna stay here.” He waited for the shouts, but none came. “It looks as though, we ain’t never gonna get along again. So the Phillip’s you get that side of the town all to yourself and the people you wanna let in and we get this side. But the people you bring here stay on your side a town and the people we bring stay on our side of the town, got it?” 

Everyone agreed then walked away, without sayin’ another word.

Years past. The town was still split in two. Us South kids look up to Michael like our own brothers. My name is Michael Thomas Johnson. I was named after him.