The City of Darkness and Blood

Chapter 1

Date: September 22nd, 2002
Location: Solomon City, New York

On a bright, sunny Friday afternoon, a blonde 11-year-old girl with green eyes chased me around the living room; we played cops and robbers. She pursued me through the kitchen outside and around the house while holding a water pistol. "Freeze! Stop where you are!" the girl yelled. "You'll never catch me, copper!" I shouted, putting more speed into my running. Catching up to me, the girl tackled me to the ground, though she was a little rough, and then she took out a pair of handcuffs and put them around my wrists. "You're under arrest, dirtbag," she said, picking me up and dragging me inside the house. "This is not fair. I want my phone call. You hear me! I want my phone call!" I said as my friend shoved me on the couch.

We glared at each other briefly before smiling and snickering, which turned into laughter. Suddenly, police lieutenant Katherine Vlad came down after hearing our laughing. She did not look happy when she spotted the handcuffs around my wrists. "Kendall, how many times do I have to tell you not to play with my handcuffs?" she fussed at her daughter as she came over to us and took the cuffs back after unlocking them with a key. "This is police equipment. We use these on real criminals, not for children's play. And why aren't you packed? We have to go see Grandma and Grandpa."

Judging by the look on her face, Kendall was not thrilled to see her grandparents. They live in Canada, for God's sake. It's a pain to pack suitcases and fly over there. But it's their birthday, and she has to be there. She always told me how they could move here to be closer to them instead of wasting money on airline tickets and passports to see them. That's what I would do. "Aw, how long are you gonna be gone?" I asked curiously, but I sounded a little sad. "Just for a week, Jason. We'll be back on Tuesday," Lieutenant Vlad said.

I was disappointed that Kendall was leaving. I looked at her with a sad look. She felt this was her fault because she should've told me about the trip, but I guess she was trying to spare my feelings. Then, I had an idea, more like an attempt. I asked the lieutenant, "Can I go with you guys?" "Sorry, Jason. This is a family trip, and you're not family," the woman said sweetly and with no hesitation, "I know it sucks,"—Lieutenant Vlad knelt to me— "But I'll tell you what. You and your folks can come with us to Hawaii for my birthday. Won't that sound fun?" Suddenly, I perked up with a slight smile on my face. It sounds pleasing to me, but I still wanted to go with Kendall to spend more time together. "Okay," I said, trying my best not to cry. Embarrassing as it is, I had to practice holding my tears in. It was challenging. "We won't be gone long. It's only two days. We'll be back soon. I promise," Lieutenant Vlad assures me.

Suddenly, I heard a car horn from outside. "That's my dad,"—I turned to Kendall—"I'll see you later," I said as we hugged, "Don't forget to call." We stopped and looked at each other with sad expressions. "You know, I won't," she said.

I hugged her mom before leaving the door; I got in my father's car and left. Kendall and I are close, really close. We did everything together—go to amusement parks, bowling, etc. Her going to Canada to see her grandparents is another thing. It's the time we don't hang out together. I hate it, and quite frankly, she does too.

At home, I was playing a racing game in the living room. In the game, a blue car and mine were neck-and-neck. He tried to outrun me, but one hit of my nitro boost, and I made it to the finish line. I was declared the winner. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I screamed with excitement.

My victory was short-lived because my outburst irritated my 17-year-old brother Kyle, who was talking to his lame girlfriend on the phone. "Hey, can it, twerp!" he yelled. I hate when he calls me that. While he resumed talking with his girl, I couldn't help but stare at him. How does he do it? Being popular among his peers, getting girls, being captain of the football team? He seemed to have it all. Sometimes I envy him. I think to myself, will I ever be as famous as him?