I try not to use current tragedies for a story. It’s hard enough for the families. But I can’t get one poor kid out of my thoughts. I can’t even begin to imagine what he must be going through. And can’t stand to see the same reaction and inaction when events like these occur with alarming regularity.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to the mall—an unplanned fun family outing on a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon. Return an item and grab burgers and shakes on the way home.
Four people left the house that day. Only one lived to see another day. He wouldn’t ever go back to that home, would never see his parents or little brother again. There were too many memories. Too much pain. And too few willing to give up the “right” to a hunk of metal in order to keep the senseless killings from happening to another innocent family.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.