Angel De La Muerte

Chapter 1

I walked with the crowd with Trevor by my side. My bag was slung over his shoulder as he navigated through people much shorter than him. 

It was a few weeks into sophomore year, and everything just seemed to pass by. We walked over to Brian, who sat on the hood of his car waving at us. " Hey. " He said, reaching around my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around his waist and sat beside him. The guys began to talk about their plans for the weekend, which I knew I couldn't join.

Trevor, and Brian were my best friends since middle school, it was almost impossible for the three of us to be seen apart at school. They were two of the few people that could actually enter my house. Despite my father's approval of them, the rest of the family still disliked how I was so close to two straight guys.

My uncle's Impala pulled up in front of the school, he smiled and waved at me, I raised a hand to tell him I'd need a moment. " Is that a new car? " Trevor asked, nodding to my uncle's direction.
" No, he just doesn't use it that often. " It was half a lie. Technically it was vintage, but my uncle had just bought it last week. My family was rather rich, due to good business. Trevor smirked and waved at my uncle Anton. We couldn't see his face, but I was sure he was frowning. " I have to go, I'll miss my dad if I'm late. " Trevor and Brian nodded and jokingly waved me away.

I gave tio Anton a kiss on the cheek, but I could tell he was still staring at the boys. " Neither of them is my boyfriend, tio. " He smiled and began to drive off.
" I know hija, because if they was, they'd be dead. " He joked, placing a cassette in and bobbed his head to the music. I looked out the window and let my mind wander.

Almost instantly I found myself in the living room, filled with familiar faces. Some uncles and cousins rushed around, carrying bags and boxes. I found my dad standing in the kitchen, talking to uncle Matt. " Papa! " I gave him a tight hug, taking in the smell of his perfume, my face buried in his chest. He kissed my forehead and placed an arm around me.
" How was school, Casandra?" He asked. I smiled and shrugged,
" Same, we had chemistry today. " He pat my head and motioned to uncle Matt. I gave him a smile and leaned my head forward for him to kiss. " Sam and Chiko are in the living room. " He pointed at his sons, who I was relatively close with. I nodded and walked over to them.

It was common for member of my family to come together at our house, and since I didn't get to leave very often, it was a good source of entertainment. I was never alone, I always had someone to keep me company, mostly family members.

" Hermanita! " They said in unison, each giving me a tight hug. Chiko was the elder son, from my uncle's first wife. He was only four years older than Sam and I. " Want any food? " Chiko asked.
" Sandwich, please. " He snapped his fingers and hopped to the kitchen. My dad reached around my shoulder and kissed my head.
" We're going. " I nod and watch him exit the house, followed by uncles and older cousins. My brothers nodded at my direction and whispered a few things to Sam before walking out the door.

As soon as I got up my bedroom to change the cars began leaving the front yard. I could hear Chiko's off tune singing as the smell of bacon barged in through the open door. I took a moment to look at my naked body in front of the mirror before putting a sweater on. I liked how I looked, and there was no reason for me not to.

" Food's ready! " Sam shouted.
" Coming! " I shouted back, making my way to the stairs. I was barely halfway down before I could see Sam's frowning face.
" Why don't you ever wear pants? " He spat. " People can see you from the windows! " He got up mid-sentence and shut the curtains. Chiko took a seat, and placed the sandwiches on the table. " She's at home hermanito, let her wear whatever she wants. " He said, I stuck my tongue out at Sam, and he pinched my cheek in return.
" Anything for bébé Dara. " He joked.

A pit formed in my stomach without reason. I tried my best to act fine, but I couldn't shake the feeling of dread. Cars rushed past the house, and a few people walked by, dogs barked, and cats ran about. Until it all stopped.

A few cars were approaching, but stopped right outside. I took to my feet and jumped to the basement door. My shoulder hit the wall as the windows exploded. My hands found the knob and I fell down the unlit staircase. I could hear Chiko and Sam follow through the thundering mess upstairs.

Glass was shattering, the house felt like it was shaking, I was barely breathing, and everything stopped. Tires screeched outside, then it was just our breathing. " Is everyone okay? " Chiko sighed.
" Yes. " Sam and I said in unison, but Sam's voice was cracking, you could feel the pain in his breathing.
" Sam? "
" I- I'm shot.. " He wheezed. I heard footsteps go up the stairs, a blinding light filled the room. I blinked the blindness away and searched for Sam. He was leaned over the dryer, clutching his stomach, blood seeping through his fingers. " ..my brothers' shot, you gotta.. " Chiko was talking on the phone, probably 911.

I walked over to Sam, helping him put pressure on his wound. " Ambulance is on the way! " Chiko called out. Every step he took upstairs was accompanied by breaking glass. " You're gonna be alright.. " I whispered to Sam, making him force a smile.
" Someone will die today, and tomorrow, and the day after that, just be safe.. " Tears trickled down his face, his lips turning white. The smell of saw dust began to creep in, but it wasn't enough to mask the metallic smell of Sam's blood.

My wrists began to ache with the pressure I was putting on his stomach. Chiko stood outside waiting for the Ambulance. I was sure it was only a few minutes, but it felt like hours.

Finally, people in uniform came down the steps. They put Sam on a stretcher and took over from me. I followed them up and saw the shattered mess of a house I had. Paintings were unrecognizable, every breakable object was broken, and the walls were barely walls. " We'll follow in the car. " Chiko told the paramedics and a policeman begged for his attention.
" Ma'am, can you answer a few questions? " An officer approached me. I nodded, eyes trailing the ambulance until it was out of sight. " Can you think of anyone who would want to hurt your family? " I rolled my eyes and stared him right in the eye. I wanted to say no shit, but I didn't.
" I'm not sure.. " I said as weakly as I could.
" Did you recognize anyon- "
" I don;t want to offend you, but officer, we were being shot at. I didn't exactly have the time to look anyone in the face. " He gave me an annoyed look, but tried his best to be comforting
" Of course, you can go see your brother now. " I nodded and walked over to Chiko who grabbed my hand and jogged to the car.

He placed me on the passenger's seat before rushing the car out the driveway. " They'll meet us at the hospital. " His fingers were twitching, and his eyes barely blinked. I sat there as still as I could, staring at him.