josh Santos pov.( sixteen years ago)
I was running.running toward daily check and my heart was beating fast. It was beacuse of the call I had gotten from Jennifer.the bus had stopped at the beginning of the street.as I ran.i tought of grandpa.I was worried as hell.i was scared.
he was the only family I had left.
Jennifer had not explained further in details. I could see the hospital building.I ran straight to the building.the gates were open.i ran past it then continued to run forward. I climbed the stairscase to the door.
it was open and I could see the inside of the building.the receptionist block was empty.
Jennifer wasn't around but they were other people within.
I was confused.so i decided to call her.i was about to bring out my phone from my pocket when someone called my name.
"Mr Santos."
I saw Jennifer.she had a gloomy countenance on her face.
"where is he?
"what happened?
"it was an accident."
"the bus he was on."
"it gat hit."
"everyone on the bus gat injured."
"how is he doing?I asked.
"not fine josh."
"his legs are broken."
"along side his ribs and he has a head injury too."
"you can help him right?
"you guys need to help him."
"the doctors are doing their best josh."
"you need to wait and see if he regains consciousness."
I nodded while cleaning the tears on my face.i couldn't believe I was already shedding tears.why wont I? he was the only family member I had left.
"its going to be okay josh."
"Just try and calm down."
"come on."
"take a seat."
I hesitated before going to sit down on the chairs at the corner of the hall.near the wall at the right direction.
I put my hands on my forehead.i was having a headache now.the news had made me lose sight of every thing.i could feel my heart beating fast.
I watched as Jennifer walked toward the staircase at the end of the straight path and then she began to climb up. she'd gone up to the next floor.I wanted to follow her. to see my grandpa.
I rested my back on the chair and raised my face to the celling.I couldn't believe this was happening.i had woken up.only to find out that he was not in the house. now he was badly injured.
an accident.i thought about it.my parents had died from same incident.only they had died on the spot.it was at indigo street.
after closing from bells garden.grandpa and I were at home that day when the call came from the police.
now.it was his turn.if anything was to happen to him.I knew I would be alone.i couldn't possibly survive without my grandpa.I never thought I would have to. one could never predict life.
especially death.
my phone began to ring.i brought it out from my pocket.It was Amanda.i stared at the phone.i was wondering if I should answer it.
I looked at the staircase. to see Jennifer. I quickly put the phone away and stood up.
the expression on her face had changed.
"am sorry josh."she said.
she walked to where i was standing and then she hugged me.
I was staring at the staircase.it was as i tought.the look on her face said it all.tears began to pour down from my eyes.I held onto her and began to cry.he was dead and they was noting I could do about it.
Sarah heard the gunshots.along with everyone in the Building. and outside too.
Sarah and April both looked at each other in a knowing way.
grace was behind and she was staring at both of them.
"what's going on?she asked.
"some one is here."
"that's what is going on."
she walked toward the nurses behind her.
"get up."she yelled.
"all of you."
they looked terrified and scared as they stood up.
"are they any police officers in here?
"yes."one of them answered.
"shit."Sarah said.
"why didn't you tell me?
"it came from the roof."said April.
"the gun shots."
sarah stared at the men who were outside the building.they seemed to be patrolling round the compound.
she was right. something was wrong.they were in trouble. she put on the radio.
"if any one of you come in here."
"l'll be forced to kill everyone in here."
"and those inside the building."
"you better not hurt my girls or I'll kill you and everyone in this building."
Sarah put off the radio and nodded at April.
"get up."
she yelled.the nurses were already standing and they were ordered to go toward the staircase.
"stay behind."
"watch them."Sarah said.
grace nodded.
April led the way toward the staircase and the women followed.Sarah was following behind.they began to climb up the staircase.Sarah didn't know how many police officers were in the building.she didnt think about it. the
fact that someone could actually be in the hospital who worked for the Torino police department.the gunshots had confirmed that an attack was made.
she couldn't help but think that they had been killed.this terrified her.they climbed up to the second floor.April came out from the staircase and observed her Left and right direction.
"clear."she whispered and then she signaled the women to move leftward.
Sarah brought out her phone and looked at it.they were no calls.
she dailed one of her girls number. those who had gone up to the roof.they was no response. something was wrong.an enemy was within the building and from the gunshots earlier. some one had been killed.Sarah wanted to find out who it was.none of her girls were responding.
"move it."she whispered.
they got to the stairscase which led to the 3rd floor and she ordered the women to take the lead.
"we are going to the roof."she said.
"aren't we supposed to check the rooms." asked April.
"yes."replied Sarah.
"but I have to see what happened to the girls first."
the nurses were 20 in total and they walked past the 2nd floor. then to the third floor.April and Sarah watched from behind.looking at their backs as they moved.
"what about the helicopter?
"I don't know."replied Sarah.
"I haven't heard any sound yet."
they climbed up to the 4th floor.
then to the fifth. the hall was quiet.
so were the passageway.Sarah had her back turned as they walked forward.
toward the staircase which led to the 6th floor.
"I don't see any one."said April.
"stay focused."
Sarah turned around to face the staircase.
she thought that who ever was in here would have ambushed them by now.even with the hostages. it turned out that they were still hiding.Sarah didn't know how many they where.
"go on."
"move."
the women began to climb the staircase.they were afraid.
they came out from the staircase.
into the 6th floor.
the hall was empty and it was silent. Sarah was busy observing the corners at each passageway.she was listening for any sound.
she signaled April to move forward. toward the left passageway.at the end was a sign which pointed to the staircase.
April was at the left corner. with her gun pointing up.the women were ahead while Sarah was behind.
watching thier backs as they moved.her instinct told her that something bad had happened to her girls.she couldn't wait to find out.they got toward the end of the passageway and the women began to climb the staircase.
April and Sarah waited behind.watching as they advanced forward.
Sarah signaled April to move forward.
Sarah began to move up. She was watching her back.
the other shot gun was at her shoulder holster.
the woman had opened the door and were all heading outside.April too.Sarah got to the roof and turned around to inspect her surrounding. she could see the town.the helicopter was parked on the roof. they was no sign of her girls.a confused look could be seen on her face.
"where the hell are they?asked April.
"I don't know."Sarah said and began to walk toward the steel caravan and that was when she saw the blood.her heart skipped a beat.she kept on moving until she reached the back of the building. that was when she saw their bodies. resting on the building.lucy
grace and Bonnie.they were dead. bullet holes could be seen on their bodies.
Sarah lowered her gun and tears began to come out from her eyes.April seemed to have noticed that something was wrong. She was focused on the blood.
but as she got closer. she saw them.
her expression turned into a grimace. she quickly covered her mouth with her right hand.
"no fucking way."she whsipered. she removed her hand from her mouth and she knelt down.she was crying.
"who could have done this?asked April.
Sarah was staring at thier bodies with a dispassionate look on her face.her eyes were calm.the sight of their dead bodies weakened her.
a gunshot was heard.followed by screaming. It was coming from the floors below. it caught thier attention.Sarah hurried to where the women stood and she went to look at the police officers and military men who were at the ground.they were moving into the building. it dawned on her.
grace.
who was left behind.
had been killed by the same people who killed the others.
the hostages began to run outside of the building.
"shit."
"shit."
"shit."Sarah said.
"April."
"get inside the helicopter."
"we are leaving."
April was walking toward the helicopter and the women had gathered together.
"I can't leave my mother behind."
"well."
"you don't have a choice." Sarah said.
she went into the helicopter.
April opened the door and kept staring at her with a disappointed expression on her face.
"we can't go back down there."
"they are coming for us."
"the others are dead."
"do you want to die too."
"April." Sarah said.
"get in."
"right now."
April wasn't moving.she seemed to be thinking.
"if we leave."
"we can't come back."
"can we? she asked.
the helicopter blades began to spin.
she stared at her and they both shared a knowing look.
"no."
"we can't."she shook her head.
April went into the helicopter and closed the door.the helicopter began to lift into the air and it was moving backward and going below. they could see police cars and military vans moving on the road.in pursuit.
bullets began to hit the helicopter as it advanced in the air.
Sarah quickly increased the altitude and they went higher in the air.
the helicopter moved toward the rightward direction.crossing the express and then it continued to move further away from the town till it Crossed it's boundary and the walls which enclosed the town.
April watched from above.
at the town. they got away.they had Lost thier sisters. her mother was still in the hospital.she doubted if she would ever see her again.
"our targets has escaped sir."
the general maintained a calm posture.he was sitting down on a chair.
"what next sir?asked one of the soldiers who was by his side.
"now we report back to the base."
"inform the mayor that we have cleared the town of it's threats."
"yes sir."the solider responded and brought out a phone from his pocket.
"is it safe for the people to come out now? asked the chief.
"the lockdown continues."
"til further notice."
"more soldiers and the air force navy will be coming in."
"we are not quite done."
on the screen tv which the surveillance camera displayed the hospital.the hostages could be seen outside.along with police officers and the soldiers.
an ambulance was outside too.
it was confirmed that four dead bodies were seen inside the hospital building. two of them had escaped. the heathens gang were still at large in the town and their current location was unknown.
"they are coming in sir."said the soilder.
"the mayor of olive city and Hampton's governor."
a surprise expression was seen on the chiefs face.
"good" replied the general.
"the sooner the better."
he was staring at the other council members who were on the screen.they all seemed to have thier various thoughts in mind as they stared back at him.not speaking.
Fred had gone straight to the hospital. to meet onswart who had successfully completed his mission.
he was with his daughter. in her room.
Fred didn't blame him for not being able to kill them all.the hostages were free now. that was all that mattered. the detective and police men who were admitted in the hospital had been checked out by the doctors. he was the only one left.the bodies had been put in the morgue and they had been identified.
the others were April hi may and Sarah Lancelot.the leader of the gang.the doctors had further explained that their mothers were admitted in the hospital.it explained why they risked everything to come here.police officers were stationed outside thier rooms.
"do you think they would be coming back?
"to control things in the town."saidonswart.
"the council members."
"I highly doubt that. "
"the mayor of olive city is coming."
"same with the governor of Hampton."
"they are bringing special forces."
onswart looked at him and nodded.
"I guess they are coming to oversee the affairs in the town."
"who knows."
"if it ain't that."
"they wouldn't be coming now."
"would they?
"let's just wait and see."
"you checking out today."
"right?
"yeah."
"I am."
"we have a job to do."
"the heathens gang need to be found."
"don't they?
"well."
"the general's soldiers are on it."
"they are the last gang on the list."
"yes."
"they are."
"what about zero?asked onswart.
"he's no where to be found."
"damn it."
"yeah."
"he sure knows his way around this town."
"mother fucker sold us out and now he's gone."
"don't worry buddy."
"we'll find him."
"we'll get them all and things can go back to normal."
"and what's that?
Fred shrugged.
"Peace and quiet."
"I guess."
"a town without gang members running around."
"now that we have support from the cities government."
"things are gonna go smoothly."
"I pray so."replied onswart.
"I really do."
onswart daughter was sleeping on the bed and the time on the wall was 1:30.pm.
josh Santos pov.
sixteen years ago.
it had been six days since grandpa was Buried.the priest at bells garden had officiated the service with a couple of guests and church members.
Amanda and my other friends had atteneded too.my close friends from school.
they had found out later on.i had told them the next day. the game had ended and the tigers were victorious this year.
I didn't get to finish the match.I didn't care about going to school too.i spent my days in the house. mourning my grandpa.
after the burial.i had locked myself in the house and switched off my phone. Amanda had come to visit. I didnt allow her in. nor did I answer when she knocked the door.
I preferred to be alone.
my family were gone and I was left alone in the house.his death was unexpected.i felt lost and confused. suddenly.the plans for the future no longer made any sense.my neighbours had come to console me.
I didn't answer them. I was a ghost in the house.everything seemed pointless now that he was gone.
another week went by in a flash.i had spent 13 days at home and I was out of food and weed.I had a few lavanders in the bank.grandpa's possession were now passed to me.this included his atm card and bank details.
the house was on rent and he had paid for a year. his pension benefits would be cut off next year.
I remembered the discussion we had. concerning me going to collage and then getting a job to save up.Mr brown and I were both grieving.we had both lost a family member.I had not gone to see him ever since the burial ceremony. he had attended.i didn't think about him anymore.but then.he'd crossed my mind today and I needed to visit him. I came outside for the first time since the burial. two weeks inside the house.without talking to anyone.it was afternoon.the street seemed to be less crowded and less busy.
they were no vehicles on the road.I went into the porch.
then into the lawn.with two ATM cards in my pocket.i needed to withdrawl cash from the atm machine. it was Friday. school was still in session.I had left my phone at home.i had switched it off.i didn't want to talk to anyone.grandpa's death had made me realize how short life was. anything could happen and they was no telling when it could all be over.I was left to fend for myself.now that he was no more.I was free to decide what kind of life I wanted. so far.i didn't know what I want. everything was meaning less now.I had found out. I was alone.without his company in the house.
I got to the atm machine and no one was inside. holy high was just a couple mile ahead.i didn't know when I would be resuming school or if I would be going back there for this session.it was our final year. before we.the senior high school student would be going to collage.i also doubted if I would be going to college either.things were messed up as they were.
I walked toward the ATM machine and then. I brought out my card.inserted it into the atm machine.then put in the password and then i put the amount on it.five thousand lavander notes was brought out from the ATM and I took it before putting it in my pocket.
I began to walk backward.i stopped by the bus stop and kept on waiting and watching for the next available bus that would be coming.i wanted to go and see Mr brown.my mind told me to go see him.
a bus was coming and I watched as it drove toward the bus stop and then it stopped. the doors opened and I went in.I took a seat in the empty bus.only the driver was present in the bus. we began to move forward.driving past my house.a memory of grandpa sitting down on his rocking chair came to my mind and a fresh wave of sadness came upon me.I had carried the chair into the house.it was no longer useful outside.
the bus keot moving and it continued to drive ahead.till we exited the street.by taking a left toward the end of the road which led out of brevely hills.
the bus continued to move ahead.until we approached the road that led into James end street and oxford street.
the bus took a turn toward the right direction of the road.
into oxford street and it kept on moving down the road till we arrived at the bus stop.
I came out from the bus and watched as it moved forward. oxford street was quite different from brevely hills. Walls enclosed the street.the stores around were open.at each opposite side of the street.
I began to walk down the sideway.i wanted to get a list of food in the fridge and kitchen but then.Mr brown would have to come first.i saw the sign board which had the word garage written on it. in white colours.I walked toward the building and saw that the wooden double door were open and inside of the building could be seen.spare parts of vehicles were seen. cars which were destroyed and in need of fixing filled every corner of the huge spaced room.
I walked into the garage.observing everywhere.it was quiet in here and they was no one around.i had noticed.
Mr brown usually stayed in his shop.working late till evening.
grandpa had told me about him.they were close friends and he usually visited a lot.
thinking about him made me angry and sad.
"hello."i said.I walked down the staircase.then into the building.
I was beginning to think that no one was around when I saw him coming out from a passage way at the left corner of the building.it appeared to be connected. he was bare chested and his face was stained with black oil. he stopped walking when he saw me. I was staring at him.
"josh."
"is that you?he asked.
"yeah."
"I decided to stop by."
"to check on you?
"glad you could come."
"how are you?
"how can I help you?
"um."
"I was wondering if I could work with you."
"of course."
"your grandpa told me about it too."
"yes." I nodded.
"no problem."
"you are free to start anytime."
"sure."
"what about you?i asked.
"am good."
"thanks for asking."
"thank you too."
"I'll be starting tomorrow."
he smirked.
"that's good to hear."
"I'll be expecting you."
I looked around for a while before turning around and walking toward the exit.
I walked out from the building and began to walk in the sideway.this side of the town was less populated and it mostly had business stores and buildings.
as I walked.I thought of Rachel.i had not visited after the burial.I didn't feel like going after any of them.what I needed now was more alone time.i needed to work too and i would be starting tomorrow.I got to the starting of the street and at my right direction was james end street. Police vehicles were parked on the road.their sirens were on.It would seem that someone was arrested.
I could see somebody inside the vehicle.
naked ally was still faraway.
I waited for the bus while watching the police officers as they walked around the coffee shop.it was closed and a yellow tape was used in baricading the door.I didn't need to be told that something terrible had happened.
a bus came along and stopped.it's doors opened and I went in.the seats were filled. expect for the ones at the back. the bus began to move forward. I went toward the last seat at the left direction of the bus. I sat down and sighed.I closed my eyes and i saw the image of my grandpa's face in my mind's eye.