JR SWAT 4: JunIor AdVocates

Chapter 4: Sarge's order!

Washington DC...

Murderer! Murderer! Murderer! Murderer!

Hondo stepped out. He couldn't breath. That voice inside of his head kept shouting, louder and louder. It was on repeat. Over and over. A raspy, cranky, loud, obnoxious voice!

At some point breathing became difficult. He couldn't concentrate. He couldn't swallow. He couldn't think!

SNNIIIIIFFFF

The smell of fresh air was helpful, a bit. He opened his eyes and noticed the pale flowers on each side of the pathway leading to the entrance of the hospital. Breathe in, breath out. Light purple, light yellow, pale rose. Breathe in, breathe out.

"She'll be fine" he whispered to himself. "She's aight!"

He closed his eyes, trying to shut the voice coming down hard on him. Louder, louder. Breathe in, breath out. The knot on his throat, it felt like a huge rock. His entire body began to ache, as the throbbing in his temple was unbearable. He placed a soft palm on his forehead, trying to hold on. He felt as if his brain was going to explode and come out through the space between his eyes. He pinched his eyes shut, he couldn't see anything!

Murderer! Murderer! Murderer! Murderer!

Breathe in, breath out.

One Mississippi.

Two Mississippi.

Three Mississippi.

"I need my baby!" he whispered, almost out of breath.

With trembling hands, he dug into his pant pocket and retrieved his cellphone. Suddenly...

BZZZZZT BZZZZZZT

GASP

How the hell did she know? Wow! Hondo thought, surprised at the name on the screen. That's why she my baby!

"Baby!" he responded desperately.

"Hey, baby! Um...you ok?" Nichelle responded surprised.

"Baby, I didn't kill her. I swear. You gotta believe me!" he responded desperately, losing his breath after every word.

"What?" Nichelle responded panicking.

"Baby, I swear-" Hondo continued desperately, sounding like a mad man.

"Hondo-"Nichelle called.

"I mean- She was right there-" Hondo's breathing was intermittent.

"Hondo, breath!" Nichelle pleaded.

"I can't! She can't die, Nichelle! She can't-" he said, almost hyperventilating.

"Baby, ok, ok-" Nichelle tried to calm him down once again.

"No. It ain't. I'm not a bad person-"

"STOP!" Nichelle demanded sternly. "Stop!" she repeated, this time softer.

Hondo froze, feeling a light breeze swept through his body. Deep breath.

"Hondo, everything's going to be ok. Baby, breathe. Breathe."

For the first time since this morning, he felt a soothing sensation. He couldn't hold it anymore, he couldn't help it. Tears raced down his cheeks, as his jaw trembled. He sobbed quietly, placing a hand over his face to hide it. Truth was, he couldn't hide it. He was broken. Devastated. Nichelle remained quiet for some seconds, understanding her role was of active listener. She couldn't hug or provided a shoulder to cry, but...she was there! He slumped down on a bench close by and let it all out.