Impulse.

For My Brother.

                                                July 24, 2019
                                                      Chicago, IL

                    Aaliyah Smith|| Liyah.

continued...

- flashback...

God answered my prayers once again.

Almost like clockwork, a few shadows from the corner of the building appeared

"FBI: PUT YOUR HANDS UP, NOBODY MOVES," law enforcement could be heard shouting through the cold dark building.

Both me & Lana stood to our feet & started to yell and scream so that we could be heard.

The police officers stormed in waving guns & flashlights.

" Xavier Williams you are under arrest for human sex trafficking, drug possession, domestic violence, aggravated assault, & kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law," law enforcement announced throwing him & the 2 others in handcuffs.

- Present-day...

   "Stay right here liy, ima see what's going on," Jordan said hopping out of the car & rushing to the scene.

I couldn't see what was going on. Policeman & Paramedics were everywhere, the whole scene looked like a movie.

I had already endured & went through so much not even 24 hours ago, I couldn't take anything else.

Neighbors stood outside on their porches watching from a distance. Ambulance sirens blared making my head hurt even worse than it already did, & in my head, I kept replaying everything that had just gone down.

- Flashback...

"Hey hey, you're safe now," Jordan reassured picking me up from the floor & into his arms.

I watched as everyone apart of the sex trafficking operation was put in handcuffs, including my mom.

I heard cries of relief from all of the other women that were locked up, now being freed.

- Present-day...

I had to know what was going on. I got out of the car & stood on the sidewalk behind the large crowd standing outside my house.

I just stood there looking for a familiar face, until I locked eyes with my little sister 'Jada' & my big sister Kiera who stood beside her.

Jada & I never got along, still, she ran over to me & buried herself in my arms.

"He's gone Liyah, I can't believe he's gone," she whimpered.

"Who's gone Jae, who's gone?" I repeated trying to understand what she saying.

Kiera then walked over with the most heartbreaking look on her face.

"Liyah it's Rico," she said pointing over at the crowd that was now starting to clear.

My brother's lifeless body laid out on the concrete, whilst lying in a pool of blood.

It took me a moment to register everything that was quickly unraveling.

I couldn't fucking believe that my brother was gone.

Just 3 days ago he was telling me how excited he was to be a father, & now he's gone.

I told myself this was just a bad dream, it had to be.

I blinked twice hoping I would wake up from this never-ending nightmare, but I never did.