Punjab

As Shakira and Terry walked home from school, they looked at each
other before they entered the park.

The park was the short cut to where they both lived. Both knew the
dangers of walking through it - older kids from school, junkies,
perverts, gangs and stray dogs. They decided to chance it.

Shakira was the first to spot the trouble. Someone was getting beaten
up, and she insisted that they go and see. Terry could see that the
people doing the beating were white, and he held Shakira's arm.

"They're racists, Shakira".
" We have to stop them".

As they approached, one of the attackers turned to face them. He
recognised Terry and looked Shakira up and down. The others stopped
assaulting and turned also.

"What are you lot doing?" Shakira shouted, seeing a young guy about
their age rolling around, cuts on his face.

The gang crowded round Shakira and Terry, silently.