The Children’s Train

Peter rolled under Commandant Karl Radley’s big black car, which Peter had watched until Radley went into the headquarters building. He attached a crude homemade bomb to the undercarriage and rolled out. He had learned a few things from his friend Abraham, the Ichabod-looking scientist. Peter stood up and strolled away without looking back.

A short time later, Radley emerged from his meetings, walking in his fast-paced stride with his driver hurrying to keep up. Radley flipped his gloves in the palm of his other hand, as he passed two police officers standing nearby. They were too busy talking to notice the arrogant commandant or appreciate his incessant need for power. Radley stopped suddenly and turned toward the two officers. The driver opened Radley’s door, went around the car, and got in.

Radley’s turned-up nose flared. He took his gloves and slapped the two officers across their faces. “Salute when I walk by you!” he yelled.

The driver started the car. It exploded in a fuel-induced ball of flames.

Peter eagerly looked back to see his final revenge fulfilled against the abhorrent commandant. Instead, he saw Radley rise from the ground where he had taken cover, shaken, but very much alive, and Peter realized it was harder to kill hate than he thought.