On the path to glory, the Cooper family waits to find paper so their child can start writing their story
—So, my darling, what kind of story do you want to create? Mariah asked, walking alongside him.
"A story of courage and friendship, with characters overcoming challenges," Sarah replied, enthusiasm sparkling in her eyes.
Thomas, with a smile on his lips, added: "It sounds like a great adventure, my little director. I can't wait to read your script."
Arriving at the stationery store, Sarah spent many minutes choosing the perfect paper, colored pencils, and even a small notebook for her notes. Each item she added to her cart was one step closer to realizing her dream.
After shopping, they set off on their way home with light hearts.
But as they turned down a less traveled street, a shadow appeared. A group of young people, their faces marked with hostility, blocked their path. The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Sarah, confident, did not understand the worry that had set in among her parents.
"Look, mom! Characters from my film!" she exclaimed, innocently.
"No, my darling, stay close to us," replied Thomas, his voice suddenly serious.
The group approached, evil laughter erupting in the air. One of them, taller than the others, stepped forward with a provocative glint in his eyes.
"What do you have there?" he asked, pointing to Sarah's bag.
Thomas intervened instinctively, placing himself in front of his wife and daughter. "We don't want any trouble. We're just passing through."
But the young people did not back down. Their laughter quickly turned into hostility. A palpable tension set in. Claire, next to her husband, held Sarah's hand tightly, her heart racing.
"Give us what you have," one of the boys ordered, his voice hoarse.
Thomas, trying to remain calm, replied: "It's just a bit of paper. Let us pass, please."
But things got worse. One of the attackers took a step forward, threateningly. Sarah, who had never been confronted with such violence, felt an icy fear grip her. She squeezed her mother's hand, realizing this wasn't a game.
Mariah, seeing the situation degenerate, pushed Sarah back with a protective gesture. "Back off, Sarah! she shouted, her voice full of panic.
A gunshot rang out in the alley, and in a split second, chaos ensued. The screams, the threats, everything mixed together in a deafening cacophony. Thomas tried to defend his family, but there were too many young people, and violence broke out. Sarah, paralyzed with fear, huddled against her mother's lifeless body.
Time seemed to stand still. Sarah's eyes widened as she helplessly watched the scene unfold before her. The screams still echoed, but everything became blurry. The world began to spin around her, and she felt her legs tremble under the weight of reality.
When the tumult finally calmed, Sarah found herself on her knees, her heart pounding. The silhouettes of the attackers disappeared into the street, taking the screams and the pain with them. But the void they left was much heavier.
Minutes passed, and reality began to creep into the little girl's mind. She looked up, and there she saw her mother, her face white, her father lying on the ground. Despair flooded his heart. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she realized that she was now alone in the face of a world that she no longer understood.
Passers-by, alerted by the noise, finally arrived. Voices were raised, police officers appeared. But to Sarah, it all seemed distant. She was stuck in a bubble, a nightmare from which she couldn't wake up.
Amidst the confusion, a thought occurred to her. She wanted to write a story, create a film. But that day, reality took precedence over his dreams. Pain and loss replaced adventure and imagination. The story that was supposed to be a story of courage and friendship turned into a story of revenge.