Animal Kingdom

Chapter 1- Welcome To California

I watched it happen. I saw her do it. I saw her stick that fucking needle inside her arm, like she's been doing ever since I was little. I thought she was okay, until I tried to wake her up. She's always okay. But it was different this time, she wasn't okay, she didn't wake up. I saw whatever soul she had left leave her eyes as foam started to come out of her mouth.

The paramedics did all they could. I knew it was no use, she was too far gone. This isn't the first time they've come here to revive her, it's just the first time it didn't work. After the countless trying and failing to revive my mother, the paramedics asked me if there was anyone I could stay with, since I'm a minor. But little did they know that I've been taking care of myself for a long time. I was able to find my mother's up to date iPhone, even though I don't have a phone at all. I looked through my mother's phone. I saw the usual contacts:

Camryn ♡

David ;)

Ethan ♡

James

Phi

But who in the hell are these other contacts ? I've never seen these before. I mean I don't go through her phone to often anyway. But, still I've NEVER seen these contacts before:

Smurf

Pope

Baz

Deran

Craig

"So do you got someone to go to or what kid? Cause if not, the police will have to place you in a foster home." the paramedic told me.

Fuck that, I'm not going to a foster home. I call the first person on the new contact list, Smurf. I remember Smurf from when I was a little girl. I'm nervous, I have no clue as to what's going to happen once the other person picks up. As I'm thinking about what's about to happen, someone picks up.

"Hello" I heard feminine voice say.

"Umm, hi is this Smurf ?" I asked.

"Yes, Alex, is that you ?" I heard a female voice say.

Damn, I guess I really do sound like Alex over the phone. Hm.

"Uh no, this is 'Phi' "

" 'Phi' who?" Smurf asked on the other line

"Phoenix"

"Phoenix, what's good baby, how long has it been 10...11 years ?"

"Umm, yea I think so, listen, Alex is dead, she uh, she O'D. I-I didn't really know who else to call..."

There was silence on the other line, I was getting anxious.

"... Ohh baby *incoherent mumbles*. Why don't you pick up a few things sweetie I'm gonna come pick you up." I guess Smurf said

"But- *click*."

And before I could even ask her how she knew where I lived, she hung up. I just have so many questions now . More so like who did I just call and if Alex wanted nothing to do with her mom and the rest of her family, why did she have saved contacts of them in her phone?I watched the paramedics carry her away in a bodybag, as numbness ran it's way down my spine. Carrying her away from me. I went back into my room and started to pack my things: clothes, shoes (at least the good ones), some jewelry, etc. I don't have too much of anything.

 Alex (I refuse to call her mom) used any money she got for drugs, her boyfriend David is- was the only reason we were able to stay in this ratty ass apartment was because of him. In exchange for: sex, drugs, food in his stomach, clothes on his back, and a roof over his head. He paid rent. My mother got the drugs from some shady dealer, James, downstairs at the bottom floor. His father, Rodney, used to deal to my mom, but he went to prison after his nearby meth lab exploded. So his son took over the family business. But everyone who was everyone knew damn well James didn't cook right. His batches were known to cause overdoses, but no one snitched since he was the cheapest in the neighborhood.