The door to the gate out front made its creaking noise, making Jennie open her eyes. She couldn't see at first, but soon noticed the small breathing of the person underneath her. Sitting up a little, trying not to disturb them, she peered up to see a small face that squinted, opening only one eye to look. He saw her. Kai smiled and pulled Jennie's head back down to his chest. She felt like her body was filled with goosebumps, and his warm hand moved along her back, each of his fingers tickling her spine. She heard the jingling of keys, and it awoke both of them from the moment that had not started. He jumped after being startled, sending Jennie falling to the floor before his arm tried to catch her. Gravity, never being a friend of either of them, sent both tumbling to the floor with his body towering over her. The door opened, sending our gazes to the two people who stood in complete shock at the door.
"Uh, I think I'll go." His voice stumbled as he pulled his arm from underneath her weight. He pulled Jennie up using his free hand, and he smiled softly before grabbing his backpack. "I'll talk to you later." He smiled softly towards her while moving past the two standing bodies that continued to block the door. As they watched him leave, one moved to follow, but the words stopped them in their tracks.
"Let him go." The sound of her own voice made it hard for Jennie to tell if those words actually came from her own mouth. It must have been the lack of sleep or still being sleepy that made everything around her so fuzzy. Jennie moved towards the glass cups that were filled, bringing them to the kitchen while becoming surrounded.
"Why was he here?" One voice barked, and she turned to see Tae completely unhinged. He was visibly frustrated, his hands clasped together to hide most of his frustrations.
"He was here because I invited him." Jennie sighed and placed the cups in the sink, turning towards his disheveled face. "Hey, calm down, please." She let out a sigh before taking Minji's hand and going to my bedroom. Tae stood there in disbelief, wondering how she was calmly asking him to let something like this go.
"Where are you going now?" He yelled back towards her as she went inside and pushed Minji into the room behind her. The two girls were in the bedroom room, Minji not as visibly frustrated as Tae stood, watching the whole scene play out. Jennie stood at the door and called back out.
"Tae, go home!" She let the door shut behind my words and laid against it. Hearing these words brought looks of disbelief onto Tae's face, making him furrow his brow before fluffing his hair. He ransacked his hair, pushing it wildly over his head as he looked at the closed door. Jennie waited patiently, hearing Tae's frustrated grunts before the door of the house opened and shut with anger. Minji was staring at Jennie with a face of concern, waiting patiently until she also heard the door close and transitioned her hands from in front of her to her hips.
"You left me." The first words that came out brought Jennie back to reality. Minji had been waiting for her so that they could eat, and Jennie didn't go or reschedule. Jennie's brain began to race, retracing the events and everything that led to the moment. The thought of Minji leaving the cafe, going to class, and even searching for her after she finished classes. The face Minji held showed how much anger and betrayal she truly felt at that moment. Jennie couldn't help but move towards her and bring her into a hug before Minji pulled away.
"Hey, I'm sorry." Minji looked at her with a scolding face, rolling her eyes. "It was just- I." Jennie took a pause, collecting her thoughts and thinking about what to say before her eyes caught on to Minji's saddened eyes. "How about we have chicken or whatever you want to eat, and let me explain. If you still hate me, then I won't bother you." She grabbed her hands, pulled them from her waist, and waved them side to side. "Please." Minji's smile was enough reassurance for Jennie, she let one grasp drop before pulling her from the room to the kitchen.
"Hey, I'm only eating until I find out what happened." Minji stood adamantly with her arms going back to being crossed.
"Fine." Jennie gave her pinky, making Minji smile before we sealed and stamped it.
"Let's get more than one food." Minji began to dance around the island in the room. Jennie obediently nodded, only prompting her to give another order of what she wanted.
While Jennie ordered food, Minji got the living room together and excitedly chattered to herself while muttering how she had been feeling all day. Jennie had not realized just how this was affecting her friend and how frustrated she was. Jennie watched her and could see the pain that she had caused her. With all the energy she had stored, Jennie forced a smile at the end of the phone call, turning to Minji as she collapsed on the floor.
-
The lights in the home were always on, and there was an ominous vibe that resonated from the music playing in the backyard. The voices that carried on were mere murmurs to him as he stood by the gate and waited. The thought of entering the home was the last on his mind, but it was also the only day he was required to come home. The tall house that overshadowed the walkway was just as disturbing and dark. He looked to see the empty road that was filled with cars stretched out, decorating the right side with their vibrant colors. It was similar to seeing streamers, signifying a happy event, but this would be anything but that.
He lifted the backpack that he held on one shoulder while checking his watch: 6:27. He knew he could not be late, but did he need to continue draining himself? With a big sigh and gulp, he pressed the buzzer to indicate his presence. The moment his face lit up in the camera, a buzz followed to indicate the unlocking of the gate. He pushed the gate, trudging up the stairs and approaching the glass door that held remnants of gold emblems blown into the design. The shadows hidden in the back of the opaque glass caused him to shudder at the thought. The handle of the door felt like it was a world away until it suddenly moved, and he straightened his stance. As the handle turned, opening the door to expose a tall figure who looked down to see him standing.
"Son!" The voice yelled with a glass held in the air. He forced a smile as just passed his father, and 4 other individuals were standing with a smile. They were all dressed nicely, jewelry weighing down the necks of the women while they held onto the arms of the men they were with.
"Hey." His forced smile disappeared as his father bent down to meet him. The individual standing before him had a demeanor that did a complete shift. The once smiling face that held gleaming eyes and a proud smirk was now replaced with a serious and angered manner.
"You're supposed to come dressed. Are you trying to embarrass me? Change now." The voice was stern, holding a sinister tone. The face soon made another complete shift as a voice called out to him.
"Jun!" Both looked to a woman with such a small frame in a complete green dress. She was wearing black gloves that reached to her elbows and gracefully held both hands over her stomach. She smiled at the two of them, her hands disconnecting to land on his arm. "Hey honey, I'm happy you're home. Why don't you go change, and I'll borrow your father?" She winked before carrying him away. The conversation had turned to someone's husband wanting to know more about Dad's business, and that was his favorite topic. He watched the two walk away, a demon-like presence that his father held as he stomped towards the other couple, while his mother looked like an angel, gliding next to him. She turned to see Kai standing at the door, thoughts racing through his mind until he saw her eyes.
With a forced smile, he turned his body away from the party and began his trek up the stairs. The stairs twirled slightly, making a slope towards the right before opening up to the top floor. He could look down and see his parents off in the distance, celebrating to their hearts' content. Without making much more of a glance, he left the stairs, turning left to the longest end of the hallway. In front of him were large doors that opened to his parent's bedroom, while just left was a winding hallway that led to his room. He passed by the guest rooms and slowly approached the closed door that was at the very end. He pulled on the handle, letting the door fan open to reveal his old bedroom with its bare walls and books littered throughout the room on various shelves.
His shoulders, which were hitched up high with stress, slowly fell into a relaxed state. He walked into the room, looking over every inch of the desk and walls as he moved throughout the room. The sound of laughs and chatter was muffled as the door softly closed behind him. He laid his backpack on his desk before falling onto the bed and lying on his back. His arms went up, clasping his hands together as his arms outstretched over his eyes. He let out a shaky sigh as the thoughts of how to get through the night flashed in his mind. He knew he needed to smile, he knew he needed to act normal, he knew he needed to talk about his classes his grades, and he knew he needed to be interesting.
The stress made his breathing uneasy before he finally sat up and took out his phone. He noticed the clear screen of his phone, opening the messages that were almost completely empty. He went to the first number on the top, edited the information, and saved the new contact before he sent a message.
'Hey.' He backspaced and deleted the message, trying to think about the right words. His thumbs instinctively tapped the sides of the phone before he typed again. 'Are you free Saturday?' Send.
He let the phone slip from his hand before landing on the bed as he stood up. He walked over to the closet, taking off his jacket and shirt before stopping short of the closet door. He threw the clothes in the hamper before opening the door to the closet. The closet was lined with dress shirts that hung up top, while the bottom hung his dress pants. He peeked through the clothes, scanning the collection of shirts before falling on the light blue color shirt, pulling it off the hanger, and slipping it on. Next, he rummaged through the pants and grabbed a pair that looked very similar to some of the others. While he got dressed, he continued to listen to the faint laughter and conversations being carried through the house. He could smell the food being finished by the chefs, but he just wanted to waste more time.
The music began to lower, signifying dinner was about to start and that I would need to come out soon. Kai looked in the mirror and made sure that his collar was nicely pressed, placed on a watch, and settled on his hair. With a final sigh, he gathered enough courage to walk out into the show that was being filmed below. He walks towards his bed, picking up his phone to see no text message just yet. He let the device slide into his pocket as his feet led him toward the closed door. Once again, he put his hand out to pull on the handle, exposing a woman who was ready for him. She smiled, pulling his arm into hers and leading him down the hallway.
"Your father and I were wondering when you would be down." She said with a smile on her face and patted his hand.
"I was troubled by shirts. I didn't know which would look better on me." He tried to flex his muscles and show his mother just how tight they were in his shirt. "I think this one makes me look more handsome." He winked at her, and she hit his arm.
"Don't. You are handsome, no matter." She rubbed his face and looked down at the party as they slowly arrived at the stairs. "Your father just wants to brag about his doctor for a son." She pulled his chin to kiss the side of his cheek.
"Mom, I'm not even done yet." He rolled his eyes at her, and she hit his hand softly.
"You will be soon." She lifts her head high as they descend down the stairs in front of the guests, who are amazed at the two. "You're on your way, and we can't be more proud." He let out a scoff, turning it into a cough.
"Dad just wants to use me." He lowered his voice to a whisper, and she nudged him a bit.
"Shh, you know your father doesn't think that." The moment his eyes flickered to hers, she was staring straight ahead.
They slowly approached the man as he held out his arm to reach for his wife. He waved in the direction of the food as she unhooked her arm from Kai. His parents walked into the dining area, moving about the room dramatically. Kai walked slightly behind his parents before standing behind the chair across from his mother. To his surprise, a girl with a small frame stood sheepishly behind the chair next to him. He tried not to notice how many eyes were on him as both parents were watching the children as they stood next to each other. The fathers stood at the end of the table, the mothers on the right side, and both children on the left. They, one by one, began to sit at the table before food began being served. As the plates settled onto the table, conversations began. He silently began to eat, trying not to make eye contact before his father began to fill the silence between him and her.
"Kai will be graduating this summer. We're excited to see him begin his next steps." He chuckled proudly as he began to cut into the food.
"Really? We are feeling the same. Our Krystal is finishing school and plans to take her bar exam soon." Her father proudly chuckled as the two men looked at their children.
Kai knew what was going on, and this had to be the most frustrating thing his parents forced him to do. For the past two years, they've been consistently trying to marry the two for their own selfish gain. He had been playing the game of avoiding the obvious because as long as they didn't bring it up, he could pretend to be unaware. He silently ate, ignoring the mothers beginning their talks, boasting them as they both sat awkwardly. They had already held conversations about their lack of interest in each other. She had already met someone, and he was just very much not interested in this stressful life. The night had progressed with Kai not uttering one word, moving on to dessert and games. Kai's phone vibrated in his pocket, prompting him to pull it out and hide it underneath the table. He noticed his father's attention being preoccupied as he unlocked the screen, flashing the message.
'Yes.' He attempted to smile subtly before typing his response.
Let's-'
"Is there something the matter?" The serious tone of his father caught his attention and his phone slid into his pocket.
"I'm the leader of my study group. We're just working on a lab on Saturday." He tried to shrug everything off before trying to eat the fruit salad in front of him.
This was just one more thing for his father to brag about now. He diligently finished the dessert before looking at his parents, more his mother, who continued to disregard his apparent looks. He was ready to escape. After being forced into useless games and hearing constant nags about how lovely the two looked together, Kai decided to excuse himself to his room. He went on the basis of studying, trying to escape with his sanity. He would only make it to the stairs successfully before Krystal was invited to tag along. Kai stared at the man, who smiled at him, gesturing for the two to go. He tried to hide the small sigh escaping his lips before she hastily followed behind him. They made it up the stairs, welcoming her inside before he closed the door behind them. She settled on the bed and laughed as she shook her head.
"Still not out of your rebellious phase?" She joked, crossing her legs as she watched him.
"I'm over this. Why can't you tell your dad you are not interested in me?" He asked, looking annoyed at the thought of them arranging a marriage.
"But I am interested in you." She toyed, making him scoff.
"Be serious." He walked over to his desk sitting down to face her.
"I am." She shrugged and then lay on the bed. She laid on her stomach to prop her legs in the air. "Your cute, annoying attitude, but I could tame you." She winked, flashing a smile in his direction, causing him to swat at the space in front of him.
"Whatever." She smiled and sat up.
"You're just being childish about it. Let's just marry." She said with a drug, moving closer to him.
"Only problem is I don't like conceited girls." He spoke slowly, giving her a wink before he stood up. He walked to the door, opened it, and gestured for her exit. "Tell them you're ready to go home. I need to study." She scoffed before approaching him.
"See you next week." She left the room, giving a sly side-eye. Even though the closing door should have finished the night, there was still more to come.
-
The ice pack was not helping the swelling at all. In fact, it probably felt worse with the ice. Kai continued his walk back to his apartment. He walked by the gate he remembered from the last time he had been walking from his parent's house. He hoped she wouldn't be outside like previously, but it didn't seem like anyone was home. Even though he realized he could not be seen, he wanted to keep going. Hands in his pocket, he held on to the thought of just getting home. That was his main focus. The thoughts continued to pass by in his mind, the moment he knew there was no escaping. He tossed the ice pack towards an empty trash can, trying to think straight with the pain at the back of his head.
As the walk took minutes, it gave him the opportunity to reflect on the night. The thoughts that raced through his mind were difficult, but there was one thing that helped. He wanted to see her for some reason. When he had seen her last time, she might not have noticed, but he could not be sure this time. He thought about the frustrating moment he harbored and the moment she looked at him. Her eyes toyed with him and tricked him, luring him into false security before, but now, maybe it could be different. The thought of her eyes and them looking at him at this moment might not be good. He debated silently to himself as he longed to just rewind to earlier this afternoon. He soon passed the restaurant, noticing it was almost closing time. His hand instinctively went to his pocket, pulling it out to see the text he had not responded to yet. His heart dialed, and his mind cooperated.
"Come out for a second." He tried to sound hopeful, hearing her abrupt silence and her breathing lowering.
"Where are you?" Her response made him smile.
"Well, my heart is with you, and I'm outside." He could hear her small laugh. "Come on out." He got a small okay before ending the call completely. He was seconds from her place, getting to the gate before leaning against the brick as he waited. He could hear the soft footsteps emerge from the house and clatter on the concrete outside. She walked out of the fence, looking for him before he grabbed her arm, pulling her into a deep hug. He held on to her, and it was a hug they both desperately needed, but she just melted, not noticing. He held on to her, taking a deep breath as his nose filled with her scent. It was like time stopped for a minute, but Jennie held on for only so long before her trance was gone. She pulled back and rested in his arms, searching his face before noticing a small cut next to his lip.
"What happened?" Her hand shot up with concern, touching his lip. He winced a little, making her look even more worried. "I'm sorry, why don't you come in?" He smiled softly, shaking his head.
"I'm okay. I promise." He let his land rest on top of hers as he pulled it into his. He let their hands intertwine before kissing the top of her knuckles. "I'm fine." He reassured her before she pulled her hand away.
"I can't let you look like that on our day 1." She was not smiling and continued to look worried before grabbing his jacket.
"Come inside." She pulled his jacket and led him into the home. He followed behind her. He had seen his face, but he was sure it was not that bad. He walked close behind her, watching as she pulled him along, and this only made him adore her more. After walking in, he could see Minji sleeping, and she looked back at him.
"Uh, is she okay?" He chuckled as she sat him down at the kitchen table.
"She's fine. She's talked herself to death." She went to the medicine cabinet and pulled the ointment and bandaid before returning back to him. "Here, now, sit still."
She overtowered him as she took a bit of ointment and spread it on the cut next to his lip. She was so focused, and he was focused on her. He smiled at the thought of her being so careful. The thought flashed that she wouldn't need to just run to him, but maybe she was the same for him. His gaze did not break as she muttered to herself, looking him over.
"How did this happen again?" Jennie caught another cut near his hairline, but when she placed ointment on it, he winced dramatically.
"Nothing, I met with some old friends." She looked concerned and didn't show an inch of belief in what he was saying. "We got a little rough." He tried to play it off with a laugh that soon turned into another wince.
"Well, you need to be careful." She scolded him before going to get an additional band-aid. When the final band-aid went on, he stood up.
"I'll be more careful. I have to go now." He smiled and moved towards the door as she followed close behind. He opened the door, looking back to see her standing there with a smile. "I really just wanted to see you." He leaned down and kissed her forehead before starting to walk out of the yard.
"Will I see you, class?" She called out, and he didn't turn around.
"I'll call you soon. I'll answer then." And with a wink, he disappeared behind the door. He waited outside the gate, listening to her retreat inside before starting on his way. He ran his fingers through his hair, walking past her home and continuing to the staircase that was nearby. Once on the stairs, he climbed up each step, his leg tiring underneath him as he soon stood at the door to his home. He typed in his code. The door let out a ring to signal to him that it was unlocked, pushing it in so that he could walk in. The darkness soon surrounded him as he walked in, kicking his shoes off and flipping a switch. The small room illuminated, books on shelves and tables, strewn around the floor. He let his backpack fall against the wall, scanning the apartment as he picked up a few books to sit on a side table before letting his body fall to the couch.
His face was soon covered by his arm, shielding himself from the light that hung above him as he let out groans. Footsteps pressed into his chest, making him look to see a smiling face staring at him. He smiled as the dog lay down to receive his daily dose of attention. It was the only thing at the moment that could help his mind escape. His hand soon went to his leg, the thoughts racing through his mind as he waited for the pain to succumb. He waited mere minutes before there was no end, forcing him to stand up and walk to the bedroom. The small dog followed not far behind, watching him as he walked around before landing on the bed for the best seat. While changing his clothes, he spotted a few bruises on himself that he just needed to ignore. The thoughts that began to run through his mind were powerful, his fist and teeth clenching together before a bark interrupted. It brought him back. Pulling out the pajama pants that were in his drawer, he finished.
"I'm sorry. Should we eat?" The small dog let out another bark before jumping down from the bed and following behind him. He smiled, thinking about the little dog that yipped and followed by his side. He pulled the extra food bowls from the cabinet and picked up the food that was left on the counter. As the bowl filled, the dog turned happily, spinning himself silly until the bowl was set on the tray stand in front of him. The dog instantly began eating, Kai kneeling down to pet him as he ate.
"I'm sorry I didn't come earlier." He scratched behind the ears a bit before kissing the forehead and walking away. Kai moved to the couch, pulling his phone into his hand and thinking about making the phone call. The thought of taking Monggu on his final walk was sticking out, but he decided to pick up the phone that began ringing.
"Hello," His voice drug out, and he was not happy. The tone in his voice prompted Monggu to look back with care.
"Hey, did you make it home?" The shaky voice annoyed him, his face turning hot as the voice continued. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble." He knew it was not true. The voice tried to appear genuine, but it was not the best time.
"Okay. I got to go." He hung up the phone, the name 'Annoyed' flashing before the phone returned to the home screen.
As the leash was picked up, flashes of the moment a hand picked up the vase from the table made his body hot. His hand reached to his head, touching the band-aid that rested against his skin. For a moment, he found himself stumbling about before he tried to regain his composure. Monggu crept next to him, brushing his face against Kai's leg as he waited for a moment. Kai's body lowered him to the couch cushion, letting his head clear from the fuzziness that danced around and manipulated his vision.
When it passed, he saw Monggu sitting patiently on the floor waiting, giving him a reassuring look by cocking his head to the side. Kai smiled, nodding his head before standing to get the leash. He picked up the small dog, placing and adjusting the leash to make sure it was comfortable enough. As the two happily prepared for Monggu's walk, Kai made sure he had his phone and keys before leaving. Kai locked the door behind him, walking down the stairs until they reached the road. He pulled out his phone as Monggu led the way, clicking the name filled with hearts and placing it to his ear.
"Are you still awake?" His voice called out the moment her phone picked up.
"Yeah, did you make it home?" He smiled at her words, following behind the happy dog that sniffed through the neighborhood.
"Yeah," His voice dropped a bit before speaking back up. "Are you available for coffee in the morning?" He smiled a bit at the sudden pause she took, understanding that she was trying to process everything.
"Sure. Should we meet at the cafe?" His body burst with excitement, thinking about the thought of going out with her the next morning.
"Deal." He was firm with his answer, watching Monggu continue to guide him before her voice picked up.
"Are you outside?" He looked around before letting a chuckle slip.
"Mhmm." He nodded, looking at the sky and then down the road where her home was. "Should I come see you?" He joked, laughing and smiling. The look on his face was not one that matched the way his body felt. As his body ached and throbbed, the sound of her voice gave him the adrenaline he needed to continue to ignore it.
"How about I meet you?" She asked, hearing shuffling as she answered.
"We can meet you." He said back quickly, starting to guide Monggu to the right side of the road as they traveled down.
"We?" Her voice cracked a bit, and he chuckled more.
"My dongsaeng and I." He said, getting a reassuring laugh from her. He looked down at Monggu, who smiled happily and was more excited just to be outside.
"Dongsaeng?" Shuffling could be heard in the background before he heard the wind hit the speaker.
"We're almost there. Just stand by the gate." His smile stretched widely, butterflies filling his stomach at the thought. He began to move a little faster, giving a small jog with Monggu at his side. It wouldn't take long before Jennie was in sight. Kai ended the call and put in a better jog as he ran into a hug, giving them both a burst of energy. The hug radiated with energy that the two needed, both just looking to get a refill of energy that had depleted from the day. Monggu was not fond of being ignored and began to bark until the two separated.
"Monggu, this is Jennie. Jennie, this is Monggu. My dongsaeng." He smiled, and she knelt down to pet him.
"I remember you." They both thought back to the morning that Monggu wanted to say 'Hi' to Jennie, and it made Kai laugh a bit.
"Isn't she a lot nicer?" He winked at her when they locked eyes before kneeling down next to them both. "Shake her hand, Monggu." The dog reached out his hand and waited for her to take it. Jennie took his paw and began to shake the tiny paw. "Monggu, popo." The words were simple, but it would fill Jennie with excitement as the dog kissed her hand.
"He's so adorable." She smiled and looked up to Kai, who was just entranced by their connection and absorbing the moment that he was in. Kai watched the moment continue, smiling and thinking about the feeling that ran through his veins. Jennie looked up at Kai once again, looking at the strength she gained from him.
As her hand continued to brush over Monggu, Kai felt a wave of sleepiness fall over him. He tried to ignore it, thinking of the events that unfolded and how exhausting the entire day had been for him. The feeling continued to grow, soon signaling for him to yawn when suddenly his head began to grow fuzzy. He was sure this was not normal since there was never a time he would become this drained, this tired, and this lethargic. He tried to act normal, moving his body to the brick wall as he tried just to admire her. He just wanted to watch her for a moment. The way that she smiled, pushed her hair back, and muttered to Monggu was charming and definitely pulled him under her spell. He thought about what he knew so far about her, conversations flashing through his mind, and the thought of changing it. Changing everything. He wanted that for her, and he needed that for himself. With one final look at her, he watched her stand before moving to the wall next to him. He smiled, placing his hand over hers.
"I.. think," The words came out in such a breathless manner, being similar to a pant as if he had been running for hours. "I.. think," the moment stopped, and that was when everything began tumbling down.
-
The chaos that followed was shocking, to say the least. The lights, the screams, the cries, and even the barks were waking up the whole neighborhood. The bystanders, who were just trying to see what was going on out of concern, were forced behind the yellow police tape. The officers and first responders were working diligently, but they continued to show no effort of much being done. The home was now taped off, and they were looking at each other with genuine concern about how they were going to solve this one. The sirens in the distant signaled for all cars and pedestrians to split, giving a runway for them to use. The intense wails that broke hundreds of hearts, filled the night, and planned to haunt everyone echoed in the ears of all who stood by watching.
The night was almost gone at this point, the sun soon breaking past the horizon. The transition from street lights, sirens, and flashlights illuminating the place was now lit naturally. As the sun came up, the beautiful light that painted the skies also illuminated a scene from a horror film. As the officers continued to walk in and out, their facial expressions were cold and full of grief for the scene that had been uncovered. The teams of forensics and crime scene investigators filled the home, walking out with packed bags before returning with empty ones. Inside, photos were being taken of the blood that was splattered against the walls and on the floor. One officer who had been completely submerged in their work looked up and, to their amazement, stood stunned at the blood that lined the roof.
Outside, the bystanders stood and watched the paramedics load the ambulances one by one, gasping at the gurney that carried each person as they appeared from the home. The first gurney was rolled down the sidewalk, a hand being adjusted and stuck under the white sheet as murmurs began to grow amongst the crowd. The gurney was loaded into the ambulance, and paramedics stepped inside before closing the doors to the public eye. As this ambulance pulled off, another replaced it. The paramedics stepped out and were ready to load the next gurney, traveling up as the murmurs continued.
The police officers stood guard, listening to the noisy whispers among the older women who held on to each other for comfort. As the second gurney was pulled from the door, the next screams that were heard were blood-curdling and frightening, even to the officers on the scene. The body of a woman was apparent from under the sheet, the shape of the body being outlined as it aid in a resting position. The screaming woman fell to her knees, grasping at her heart in confusion about why the scene had occurred in the first place. The gurney was on its way to being loaded into the ambulance before the screaming woman attempted to run for the person who was lying under the sheet.
The screaming woman held on to the shirt of the young paramedic, begging for information on what just happened. He ignored her, pushing her off as an officer pulled her aside. As the doors of the ambulance closed, the woman stared at the back of the truck as she listened to the officer. The moment the ambulance pulled away, the face of the woman shifted as the police disclosed the events. As she collapsed, the police held out his arms for support, preventing her from falling completely to the floor. As the final ambulance pulled into the cleared runway, the officer led the woman to the house. His arm wrapped tightly around her as he guided her into the room and tried to prevent her breakdown from occurring once again.
As the woman navigated through the room, she found herself crashing continuously into the arms of the officer. The blood that littered the scene, the holes that pierced the floor, and the dust that silently followed their bodies. The next scene sent the woman into pure insanity as the next body was carried from the room, and its shape shook her every being. The small body that she knew perfectly well who it belonged to. The officer called for one more officer to his aid as the woman shook from pure sadness and fear.
She held on to her chest, gasping for air, prompting the officers to carry her to the next ambulance. They lifted her from the ground, holding on to her as she sobbed for the last family she had. As the morning air hit, she took in a small breath before being placed on a bed. The oxygen mask was placed on her face as she shook from the horrific scene that she had just witnessed. The officers spoke, but her ears could not hear anything. The night was silent; her wails were loud, and her body was completely numb.
As time slowly ticked by, the scene had been cleared, civilians were forced to leave, and time continued to go by slowly. A boy who stood on the opposite side of the street stared at everything, his hands balled into fists. This small boy had been standing there from the beginning, watching the scene unfold. His face was pale, staring off into the distance, his gaze at the door that was propped open. The young boy wasn't sure why he moved. He had not moved for the past few hours, his body being weighed down on the sidewalk. Now, his body was moving on its own, and it was headed for the door.
With his fists still balled up, he walked through the few people that remained, passing any officers that were nearby. The yellow tape that stood before the young child did not stop his body, and his mind knew that he shouldn't. His small body let him go under the yellow tape with ease, evading the officer who was preoccupied with the ambulance. As the young boy got closer to the door, his legs began to speed up. The little boy's legs were now outstretched and forcing him to dash closer to the door. On guard, an officer nearby spotted the young child, taking off behind him the closer he got to the door.
The young boy, without even thinking, had completely avoided capture. He continued to run, his feet not stopping as he passed every officer who had been collecting evidence. The little boy's feet squeaked as he paid no attention to the floor and continued through the home. He soon found himself slipping as he walked through the hallway, falling on the floor before standing up once again. He pushed open the door to the room on the left, looking around frantically for something. The young boy's eyes went to the closet, seeing a small crack in the door. His feet carried him to the closet door, pulling it open before falling to his knees. Tears began to fall from the young boy's eyes as he looked into the empty closet, his hands opening and closing as they reached out. The officers who had fallen behind the young boy watched him, his face staring into the closet. The room had yet to be processed, but they waited as the young boy reached.
His hand stumbled through the clothes as it reached for the vent that hid behind them. One small, shaky hand reached to the right of the vent, followed by the other. Both hands shook as they tried to squeeze their little nails into the small cracks. The small, shaky hands began to pull as hard as they could, prying the small vent from the wall. It finally made a small pop, indicating to the young boy to slide it up next. The small vent covering detached from the wall, the boy throwing it behind him as he climbed inside. His breathing shook as tears streamed faster, his knees hitting the metal as he climbed through.
He would bump into something as he took his 4th step inside the vent. The boy put his hand out, taking hold of whatever it was. His hand fell as he pulled; the sweat and tears completely left his grasp unsteady. His hands quickly went to his pants, drying his hands so he could pull one more time. Unheard were the yells and screams of the officers calling to the young boy. Unsure of what he had come into contact with, the young boy knew what he was looking for. Unknown were the events that were taking place in the vents as the officers yelled for backup in rescuing the young boy.
With a final attempt, the young boy finally took hold of the thing that stood in his way, and he attempted to back out as he held on to it. The boy's feet were soon grabbed, being pulled from the closet with his arms wrapped tightly around the object. Feet paraded the floor as the officers rushed to the ambulance, jumping in the back and slamming the doors. The sirens wailed as the truck began to take off, driving as frantically as they could.
-
The hospital walls were bare, the fear of ghosts looming around the hall while families waited on updates about their loved ones. The tears that they all shed in the anticipation that their loved one would be okay, and holding on to hope. The doctors rushed in their white coats, hurrying to the aid of those loved ones. The nurses paced the rooms, communicating and ensuring the care of the patient and their families. Then there were the ones who were just waiting. Waiting to hear the news, waiting to see a nurse make eye contact, waiting for a name call, or anything. That night, it seemed there had been a storm of bad luck that had rained in town. The waiting room was almost full of family members, and there was no way for any of them to know anything yet.
The double doors rushed open, and two nurses walked out to approach the desk, grabbing their clipboards before moving off to their families. One nurse turned to the left side of the waiting room, approaching a small family as they held one another. The nurse quietly looked to pull one of the members aside, a boy taking the responsibility as he walked off to the side with her. Her mouth was soon covered by her hand as she whispered to the boy. Tears grew in his eyes as he nodded in understanding, allowing her to whisper once more before walking away. The boy stood still for a moment, collecting himself before looking at his family, who were looking curiously at him. His head shook from side to side, prompting the family to burst into hysterics as the mother collapsed. Her cries soon filled the room as she wailed for her husband, who she had just learned had passed.
The next nurse would go to the right of the waiting room and then towards the middle. She approached the young girls who were seated, whispering to one of them before walking away, back towards the double doors. The first stood, leaning down to tell the other what the nurse asked of them before she rose from her seat as well. Both girls hooked themselves arm in arm-as they followed the nurse's movement and met her at the doors. She would open the doors and guide the two girls to a room, where they would see a closed door. The nurse turned to confirm their presence before opening the room, showing them the body that lay on the bed. The two girls walked in, seeing the body of the boy in front of them, who lay sleeping peacefully in the bed.