This is a short story which is part of a non-connecting series called Misfortunate Happenings. The stories are not linked in any way, except that something bad happens. This was the second one I wrote. I haven't posted the first, because I didn't really like it. But this one isn't that great either.
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It was a fine summer’s day, with a cool breeze and the smell of salt in the air. Down by the beach, people were walking, talking, swimming and eating ice–cream cones, bought from the thriving shops on the side streets. It was the perfect day for a little fun.
Mark took the great opportunity. He wheeled out his bike from the garage of the beach house, and went for a ride. Speeding down the bike path, with the helmet straps knocking against his neck, he stood up on the pedals and felt the air rush against his skin.
He rode up to the main square, and took a chance at the bike ramps. As he sped up to the gates, he caught his wheel on a stick and flipped forward. He saw the ground rush up to his face, and then, it just disappeared down the ramp. Bringing his feet up over his head, he made a front flip. Landing down with style, Mark felt the rush of adrenalin in his body.
Mark left the ramps and headed into the stalls of the market. He came across a jewelery store that had many interesting pieces. As Mark scanned them, his eye caught a silver chain with an hour glass shaped green stone on it.
Curious, Mark asked the stall owner about what the stone was. He replied with his yellowed teeth that shaped a gruesome grin, ‘That there’s a fine, hand carved jade amulet. Today’s me last day here before I move on to the next town, so I’m havin’ a sale. That there was eighty-nine bucks, but I’ll give it to you for just forty. That is if you’re interested.’
Mark was. He thought that it would be the perfect birthday present for his girlfriend. She was all into jewelery, charms, pendants and things like that. Plus, he might not find something so great again. And on top of all that, this guy would only be there for the rest of the day. He checked his wallet to see how much he had, and found he had just enough.
‘Okay.’ he said. ‘I’ll take it.’
As the jewelery stall owner handed Mark the necklace, a man in ripped blue jeans, a black leather jacket, black sun glasses and a black and white bandanna, ran between the stall and Mark, snatched the necklace and kept running. With lighting reflexes, Mark dumped the money on the stall counter, jumped on his bike and pushed off while slapping on his helmet.
As he rushed through the crowd of scattering people, Mark chased the man though the ally of stalls. As people hugging their purchases scuttled out of the way, Mark always kept the man in his sights.
Dodging around crates and people, the man tipped over all he could to slow Mark down. As Mark saw that he wouldn’t catch up to the mysterious person, Mark saw a new stunt ramp being unloaded. Riding up it, he hurled into the air and landed just in front of the man. The man lost his balance and dropped the chain. Picking it up with triumph, Mark headed home from his busy day. Crossing the road with nothing but the thought of the present in his hand, he knew nothing of what was about to happen to him.
Smash! Mark was thrown off his bike and sent hurling into the air, with the full force of an unseen bus in his side. As he landed with a bounce, Mark’s hand opened, releasing the grip on the necklace. It flew out of his reach, landing on the road, catching the light of the sun.
A seagull, high in the air, intrigued by this land walker, flew near the ground and saw the glint of the necklace and swept down to it. As Mark reached out, the seagull grabbed it in its claws and flew away with it to his nest.
Defeated, Mark lay down his bloody head and lost consciousness with the blur of lights in his eyes from a fast approaching ambulance, racing to his rescue.
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