They Don't Know {Sequel}

Chapter 39 - MAYA

December 3, 2022
Brooklyn, NY
8:19 AM

The white pills in my hand felt like boulders as I continued to stare at them. When did I stray so far away from the light that this was becoming my new normal.

Over the past month I've been restless.

Sleep wasn't optional and if I did manage to get any type of rest, I'd have these constant nightmares. 

My eyes were low from all of the crying. Every little thing seemed to trigger my fight or flight, it's like I spend my days on literal pins and needles.

Ms. Sasha told me that after I passed out at the hospital that night I had to have emergency surgery on my shoulder after undergoing a much needed blood transfusion.

Luckily the bullet went straight through my shoulder so I didn't have to worry about a bullet possibly being lodged in my shoulder.

The doctor ordered me to wear an arm sling for twelve weeks and then I'd be put in physical therapy for a month. As much as I hated the sling, the pain meds they prescribed me made the pain a lot milder than it was.

Both mentally and physically.

A knock at the door distracted me from one of many mental reflections I had with myself almost every second of the day.

I placed the white pills in my mouth and swallowed them down, taking a few sips from my half empty water bottle.

"Good, I was just about to come see if you'd taken your medication yet."

I looked over the top of my shades and smiled, seeing Jamila in this gorgeous black dress with silver jewelry and black heels that accompanied her outfit perfectly.

"Don't worry. I'm not missing a chance to numb this nag in my head."

She returned a soft smile before coming to stand in front of me as I sat on the edge of the bed. "Your turtleneck looks really good on you babe."

"Thanks," I muttered.

"And your haircut looks good too. Your barber did a really good job on your sides." 

I paused for a moment before thanking her again, staring at the guilty expression she wore.

"Stop it. I know what you're trying to do."

"Stop what?"

"You're trying to cheer me up."

Mila grimaced at my words as she handed me a bowl of orange slices to take with my pills. Almost forgot about the necessary food intake I needed.

"Why can't I cheer you up?"

"Because I don't want to be all smiley and giggly right now."

"No, you don't.....but you should."

"Why? I'm about to go and bury my family in an hour. What's there to smile about?"

"How about smiling because you survived and you're still alive."

"I wish I weren't," I mumbled, throwing a slice into my mouth.

"Hey, we agreed not to talk like that. It's not healthy."

"I'm sorry Jamila but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel responsible. We were supposed to have one enjoyable weekend. I couldn't even keep my family out of harms way long enough to do that."

"This had nothing to do with you-" 

I glared at her as she sighed in defeat, knowing that this conversation was a dead-end.