The Price of Love

Chapter 5:

Chapter 5:

I got my very first check on Friday and realized I couldn't cash it until I opened a bank account. Obviously I couldn't ask my parents because they would ask too many questions. So I put the check in a box under my bed. It should be safe here I thought.

I was spending all my time with Leo. We walked to school together, sat next to each other in class, ate lunch across from each other, walked home together. Kids at school would ask me if we were dating and I would laugh and say no. How cute, me date? I was way too busy. After school me and Leo did our homework in my backyard and eventually Leo joined the same martial arts program as me. Leo and I were together almost 24/7 so when he fell sick I didn't know what to do.

"Just leave him at home," William said over the phone,"But tell him to stay out of trouble."

"I don't think he'll listen." I said biting the inside of my cheek nervously.

"Well you make sure he does," William replied,"It's all on you."

"Yeah you're right," I lied, "He'll listen."

"See nothing to worry about." William laughed.

I laughed too, but it was more of a nervous laugh.

I was at the foot of Leo's bed the next morning at seven am. He was really pale and coughing into his sleeve.

"I'm going to school but I'll be back right after," I said to him, "Please stay out of trouble."

"What, come on Karla. I won't do anything wrong."

"Just stay home and out of trouble."

"Fine." Leo muttered.

"Promise ?"

Leo hesitated then said "Promise."

I let out a sigh of relief as I walked over to the side of the bed. I bent down and hugged Leo. He weakly wrapped his arms around me then dropped them, moaning in pain.

I whispered sorry and grabbed the house key his parents had left me.

"Bye." I said as I shut his door.

"Bye." He called after me.

I stared off into space during class wondering what Leo was doing. He really did worry me. After an entire day full of anxiety, school was over and I could go home. Just as I was getting to the door I saw the weekly school newspaper and picked one up.

"Gang member found dead, stomach stab wound" I read.

"Hey you have to buy that." The guy selling them said.

I pulled out two dollars from my pocket, gave them to him then walked away.

"Bruno Sanchez was found dead on Drew blvd. A pocket knife stuck in his stomach. Funeral was packed with friends and family. Buried at Silent Hollow cemetery" I scanned through the text.

"Silent Hollow..." I gasped.

It was five blocks from my house and two from the school. I couldn't help thinking Leo had gone to Bruno's grave, I knew him so well.

I started running towards the cemetery praying Leo wasn't in trouble. I was too worried about Leo's safety to acknowledge that I had killed Bruno and gotten away with it. That's how stupid I became when Leo was concerned. Once at the gate I noticed Leo standing over a grave, disgust on his face. But what I noticed more was a crowd of black and red wearing guys armed with knifes and guns walking towards him.

"Leo!" I yelled running towards him.

He looked back at me confused then noticed the guys too. I grabbed his hand and we ran through the graves, every step was hell for him. I heard the guys getting closer and bullets colliding with grave stones. We got to the end of the cemetery and while I was helping Leo jump the gate I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I jumped after Leo but ended up on the floor and Leo hushed me. The corner of my eyes filled with tears and I realized I had been shot. Leo picked me up and carried me a few feet away behind a tree, the guys were gone. I sat upright and stared at the blood streaming down my leg. Leo ripped a piece of his shirt off and tied it around my leg. He looked up at me and I looked back at him. Pain reflected off both our eyes.

I took out my phone and called 911. We sat still for a while and then the paramedics took us both away. Leo held my hand as the medics worked on me in the ambulance and I soon drifted away because of the anesthesia.