The Nobodies

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Thursday

3:28am

 I wake up from the unmistakable sound of a gunshot outside. Of course I didn’t think much of it because in the dangerous streets of Detroit gunshots aren’t uncommon. Not even bothering to look out my window I drifted back off to sleep. It wasn’t until 4:08 am after I heard the sirens and saw the flashing red and blue lights dancing across my window’s curtain that I decided to get out of bed and see what was happening. I didn’t realize that as soon as I pulled back the curtain my life would be changed forever. I couldn’t fathom the fact that I could have so much grief, sadness, and anger when I was fine just a moment before. And I certainly didn’t think I would see my little brother’s lifeless body on the street.

 I don’t even remember walking out the door I just ended up there, next to him. Desperate I fell to my knees and cradled him in my arms praying, just praying…that he will be safe. The paramedics took him away after a while and placed his body carefully into the ambulance. After I tore my eyes away from the scarlet puddle my brother left behind I grabbed one of the paramedic’s jackets and asked if I could go with him. He ended up answering my question with a question.

“Where are your parents?” he asked

“There still out.” I said robotically

“Where?” The paramedic asked as he climbed into the ambulance. I just shrugged and tried to climb into the ambulance with him, but he stopped me.

“Is there anyone else home?” he asked

My eyes widened and I nodded just before I ran inside to the sound of crying.

I yelled “I’m coming Sophie! Don’t worry I didn’t forget you!”

Barging into the nursery I found baby Sophie screaming her head off. Quickly I grabbed her and a bag full of diapers and some clothes. Then I ran into my room to grab some money placing that in the bag too. I ran out to the ambulance meeting the same paramedic with a surprised look on his face.

“You were here alone with your little brother and this baby!?” He asked in exasperation

I just nodded and tried to climb on board again but he stopped me.

“How old are you? What’s your name?” He asked

I got so angry at him and at the world that I just had to scream at him to let some of it out.

“We can talk on the way there but right now we need to get to the hospital!” I exclaimed

For the third time I tried to get in the ambulance but this time I pushed past that paramedic when he tried to stop me. Then I firmly sat down next to my brother’s cold body. A different paramedic sitting next to me said;

“Hey a minor can’t be in here unless you’re accompanied with an adult or injured. It’s against protocol.”

I quickly snapped back saying “well, it’s against your civic duty to leave a fifteen year old alone with an infant!”

The first paramedic I spoke to turned toward the one I was sitting next to and said;

“Joe, she’s right. We have to bring them along.”

“But Tom our boss is going to kill us!” Joe exclaimed

As Tom closed the doors of the ambulance he said

“He’ll understand. If we leave them we might have a law suit on our hands.”

Joe nodded as the ambulance started driving down the street. It was only after about two blocks that I realized the siren wasn’t on.

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