Wishing on you

Chapter 3

"YOU CRAZY BITCH!" I bellowed, stumbling toward the stairs, my vision blurring. I made it to the front door, my eyelids growing heavy. I fumbled for my phone in my back pocket and dialed Daniel's number, my brother. He answered on the first ring.

"David, what did you do now? I told you I don't want anything to do with you," Daniel's voice was laced with frustration.

I growled, trying to maintain some semblance of control. "Well, I don't care, Daniel. I'm older; you listen to me."

Daniel's tone remained firm. "Yeah, I don't care who's older. You still act like a child who didn't get their way. I have a family now; I can't be a part of your stuff anymore. I killed someone for you and almost died because of it. I almost lost the love of my life and my child, all for you. I don't owe you anything. If anything, you owe me."

I knew I had to try a different tactic. "And I'm telling you, I need help. I want out too, but I did something bad, and I need your help," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice.

Daniel's skepticism was palpable. "Last time I helped you, you went back. I don't trust you."

My mind racing, I scrambled for a response, anything to convince Daniel to help me. But the darkness closing in around me made it hard to think.

"I need you," I urged, desperation creeping into my voice. "You told me if I ever needed you, you would help me, and I'm using that right now."

David's tone was laced with hesitation. "David, that was a long time ago. We were 20, and I helped, and you saw what happened. I'm not putting my family through that."

I knew I had to appeal to his sense of responsibility. "You say a long time ago, but it was five years ago. I won't ask again. I need you."

I glanced down at my hand, and my heart sank. More blood. "Fuck," I muttered under my breath.

Daniel's voice was laced with worry. "What?"

I took a deep breath. "I've been stabbed, okay? Please meet me at the park where we went as kids. I'll be there in 2."

I could hear Daniel's muffled conversation with someone in the background. "Amore, I have to go somewhere. Are you good with the kids for 30 minutes?"

A female voice responded, "Yeah, I'm okay. They're both napping. I'm going to rest."

I heard footsteps and Daniel's reassuring tone. "Your back is still hurting."

"Yeah, but it's okay, Daniel. Just like the other kids. I promise I'll be fine for 30 minutes."

Daniel's voice was filled with affection. "Okay, I love you."

The female voice responded, "I love you too."

Daniel muttered, "You're so lucky I'm a nice guy."

"Whose back is hurting?" I asked, confused.

"My wife is having another kid," Daniel replied, his tone preoccupied. "Now shut up, I'll be there in 10."

He hung up before I could respond. Another kid, I thought, how many do they have now?

I hesitated for a moment before dialing the police.

I dialed 911, trying to sound scared and worried. "911, what's your emergency?" a woman asked.

"I'm calling because my neighbors have been yelling at each other," I said, attempting to disguise my voice. "I didn't know what to do, but it sounded like someone got hurt."

The operator's tone was calm and reassuring. "Okay, can you tell me the address?"

I provided the address, trying to maintain the charade. "Okay, I'll send someone out there. Can you stay on the phone with me until they arrive?" she asked.

I continued walking to the park, the phone still pressed to my ear. As I approached a familiar tree, memories flooded my mind. Daniel and I used to sit under this very tree as kids. Suddenly, I felt lightheaded and disoriented.

"I-I have to go," I stuttered, ending the call abruptly.

A few minutes passed, and I saw Daniel pull up in a gray car. He rushed toward me, his expression worried.

"What the hell, man?" he exclaimed, his voice seeming to come from far away.

I struggled to speak, my vision blurring. "You can't take me to a hospital... Call my emergency contact... They know what to do."

As I finished speaking, everything went black, and I passed out.