The Mafia's Little Prince

:21:

✦⋆✦ Leonhart, age 13 ✦⋆✦

3 days. It had been only 3 days since we lost Naomi. I stood in the black tux beside Gavin who had the same tux on. Everyone was gathering in the funeral home. I kept my nails dug into my palms as I stood quietly, watching. Everyone hugged Genevieve and Lennox. Students from school hugged Zaria who was crying and kept her face down. I looked at the open casket but stayed in the back. 

This...was my fault. If the Brysons had friends, of course, they'd come after me. Did they think I killed the Brysons? If all that was due to the Brysons having friends who wanted me dead for payback....then Naomi really was-

"Leo." Gavin yanked my hands apart. I looked at my palms and saw blood where my nails dug in. He took a hankershift out and tied it around my left hand before taking mine out of my pocket and tying it to my other hand. "Now, if you dig, it won't bleed." He whispered, looking away. I lowered my hands and put them in my pockets. 

"Leonhart." Genevieve waved me over to where some people were. They looked at me. I tensed up when she waved me over. I didn't want to go over to the casket side. I looked away, feeling bad for being rude. A gentle hug pulled me in. Genevieve whispered. "Don't worry, I understand." Her hug tightened. "How about you go check on Zaria." She let the hug go. 

I looked to see Zaria now sitting with Valencia. I nodded slowly and walked away. I got over and heard Valencia.

"I heard the men were looking for Leonhart?" I froze. "Gene said a note with blood was left on the gate and that they'd keep coming back until they got hi-"

"Val!" Harlow scolded softly, moving her eyes my way. Valencia stood up when she saw me. 

"Leonhart, I-"

I backed away. My chest hurts. So they all knew it was my fault? They'd have to hate me. Zaria...she looked over at me but looked away, hiding her face crying. I saw everyone looking my way. I can't read the room. I-

I took off, hearing my name. If anyone was a killer, it was me!

I ran down the street and heard the sound of feet behind me. If I stayed with them, I'd end up killing them all! I turned a sharp left, sharp right and kept turning, knowing I'd soon lose whoever sounded far behind. I slid down behind a dumpster and covered my mouth. The feet ran on and soon, the silence swallowed me.

I sobbed, hugging my stomach. 

"Leo," Gavin sighed and held his hand down. "Come on. Let's go ba-" I slapped his hand away. 

"If you stay with me, you'll be killed next," I spoke, not looking up. He scoffed and yanked me up.

"This pitty party? It stops! You can mourn your sister's death, yes. But to start a pitty party about 'oh it's all my fault', that ends!" His grip tightened.

"No one asked you!" I hit him, and I used more force than usual. His lip bled, but he didn't let go.

"What happened to me being your friend?" He asked, drying his bloody lip. "If we're friends, I won't let you sulk behind some dumpster and miss your sister's funeral! If you want to run away after, fine! But I'm coming with you! First, you have to go to her funeral or you will regret that the rest of your life that you let your pity party keep you from putting your sister to rest!" He yanked us out from behind the dumpster.

"Why are you even here! You have a choice to go move somewhere else! Somewhere more peaceful! So why are you here!" I cried, trying to pull free. He yanked me along, not letting go.