Who killed Wanda Day? (DAY! Series Book 1)

Chapter Nine - The reaper, a camera, and a gift

David Daniel Dalton, the unfortunate victim of his mother's love for alliterations, entered the world just in time for Christmas in 1991. Growing up with a single mother and three older brothers - Dominik Dylan, Darius Dallas, and Derek Dawson - was no easy feat. Their mother worked as a prostitute and despite pleasing dicks she had a bit of a thing for another "D" word: drugs. As a result, she often left the boys alone at night to earn her keep on the streets. Thankfully, Dominik was there to step up and take care of his newborn brother. At just eight years old, he became the de facto caregiver for David.

From a young age, David noticed that things were different in his family compared to those of his peers. While other children had parents who were present and attentive, he rarely saw his mother. And when he did, she was usually in a state of intoxication or unconsciousness. As a result, he and his brothers were often left to fend for themselves. Their mother would disappear for days on end, leaving them hungry and alone.

At the tender age of 12, Dominik, David's eldest brother, began to steal groceries from supermarkets. It wasn't long before he found himself drawn into the world of gangs - a common fate for many young boys growing up in the Bronx. With their mother often absent, the gang would gather at home, surrounded by remnants of cocaine and bullet casings. It was a far cry from the idyllic childhood that most children dream of. But for David, it was all he knew. He was just four years old at the time, too young to understand the danger and violence that surrounded him. Instead, he found solace in the games that his brother would play with him. One of their favorites was the "worm game," where Dominik would shout, "We're worms!" and David would obediently lie down on the floor. It was a strange game, but to David, it was a source of joy and comfort. And David was a good worm. Dominik once told him, that he was the best worm who ever wormed on this planet. Only the loud banging bothered David. Once even the window pane was broken, David wanted to get up, but his brother said that the worm game was only over when HE said it.

As David grew older, his mother's absences became longer and longer until one day, she left the house for good. He was just seven years, four months, two weeks, and six days old at the time. Nobody knew what had become of her, but he believed that she had started a new life somewhere else, free from the responsibilities of motherhood.

With their mother gone, the children were left to fend for themselves. It wasn't easy, especially for black people living in a run-down high-rise building. The two middle brothers soon turned to a life of crime as well, as it was one of the few ways they could make ends meet. While the three older brothers may have done things that nobody should ever have to do, they always tried to protect David from the worst of it. They hoped that at least one of them could have a future free from violence, death, and murder. (Hahahahaha.)

He may have been young, but he was not blind to the violence that surrounded him. He saw the shootings in the streets, the blood splattering, and the injured. Even if he didn't witness it firsthand, he heard about it from those who did. He heard the talk of drugs and murders, and he knew that he was living in a world that was not meant for any child. It was a harsh reality, but one that David had no choice but to accept.

At the age of 14, he was walking down the street with Dominik when a black BMW raced up. Before his brother could react, Dominik was riddled with bullets. In a split second, David's world was turned upside down. But even in the midst of the chaos, Dominik managed to push David to the ground, saving his life. It was a moment that would haunt David for years to come. He would never forget the sound of the gunfire, the sight of his brother falling. The sound of his brother hitting the ground would stay with him forever, fueling a burning desire for revenge. And when his other two brothers were discussing the rival gang responsible for Dominik's death, David knew he had to act.