DEADEYE

Chapter 3

Lamar inserted an earbud and turned on some music as he walked beneath the night sky toward the group home where he lived. His mother had been killed when he was 5 years old, and his father was a topic he preferred not to dwell on. For a little over two years, it had been just him. While he had adjusted to this solitary existence, he often found himself thinking about his mother. He wondered what life might be like if she were still alive.

As he approached his home, Lamar climbed a small hill. It wasn't very high, but it offered a panoramic view of the city below. From this vantage point, the city's buildings and their illuminated lights appeared peaceful and beautiful. Yet, he was acutely aware of the darkness and danger that lurked beneath the surface.

He stood there for a moment, letting the music play in his ear while he absorbed the view. It was a rare moment of calm, a brief respite from the chaos and complexity of his dual life. Lamar's thoughts drifted to his past, his current struggles, and the future that lay ahead. He knew that while the city might look serene from this distance, it was filled with shadows and perils that he had to navigate every day. The contrast between the serene view and the harsh reality of his life was a reminder of the duality he faced every day.

As Lamar walks through the door of the group home, he is greeted by the familiar bustle and liveliness of the place. Some of the younger kids dash past him, their energy boundless, while one of the group home workers chases after them, trying to wrangle them and get them into bed.

Lamar heads into the living room where the older kids, around his age, are scattered around—some on their phones, others reading or watching TV. Just as he's about to speak, the younger kids run past again. The group home worker, slightly out of breath and with her hands on her knees, looks up at Lamar and says, "Lamar, can you help me?"

He chuckles at the scene and replies, "Yeah, hold on."

Lamar steps in front of the doorway to the kitchen, effectively blocking the kids. "Okay, listen up! Whoever is first to finish getting ready for bed will get whatever they want from the store. And for the second and third, I'll buy you a bag of candy."

The promise of treats immediately catches the kids' attention, and the room erupts with excited chatter as they race to get ready for bed. Lamar smiles, enjoying the brief moment of normalcy amidst his busy and complicated life.

After declaring the winners of his little competition and helping the kids get to sleep, Lamar was thanked by the group home worker. He quickly made his way to his room, ensuring to hide the gun and his notebook in the secret compartment beneath his dresser before his roommates—other children his age—arrived, making it harder to conceal.

With his secret items safely hidden, Lamar settled in to do a bit of studying and finished off an essay for school. Gradually, his roommates trickled in, each one eventually climbing into bed. One by one, the other five boys fell asleep before he did.

As the room grew quiet, Lamar turned over to one side, gazing out of the window. The soft glow of the city lights and the distant hum of nighttime activity provided a backdrop to his thoughts. His thoughts drifted to his mother, his double life, and the uncertain future. Slowly, his eyes began to close, and he finally drifted off to sleep, hoping that tomorrow would bring some semblance of peace.