ASHLEY

55

Just as I'm slipping into eternal darkness strong hands are released and air comes rushing down my sore pipes so fast I start coughing my insides out. I rest my hand on it gently as I work to regain my normal breathing rate and control my erratic one.

   Isaiah is thrown into the wall so hard everything on it comes crashing down on his head. Hard punches are flying directly to his face without any intent to cease. Blood covers his face and the collar of his shirt. "I can't believe you put your fucking hands on my girl! Imma kill your sorry as, Isaiah! Imma kill you!" Spit flies from Kenneth's mouth as he yells in Isaiah's face while delivering blow after blow. He's going to kill Isaiah and I'm sure of it. As angry as I am that Isaiah would try to hurt me like that I can't let Kenneth do something like that. He would ruin his life.

I jump up from the bed and run to Kenneth, desperately trying to pry him off "Kenneth stop!"

"Stay out of this."

"If you kill him you'll ruin your life. Come on Kenneth, you're better than this. If you kill him he wins because you go to jail and you lose everything. Just let me call the police," I beg in a soothing voice. Kenneth's face is set and it doesn't look like he's going to be changing his mind. His face is set form in determination to go through with his intentions to kill Isaiah. I know Kenneth is no killer despite his rocky situation with drugs and being involved in a gang. I know I was wrong to assume he was before but if I'm going to be completely honest with myself he isn't one.

"Just let me call the police, please."

"He hurt you and he killed Spud. He deserves to die."

My mouth hangs open and my eyes widen in shock. But I can't make this about me. There doesn't need to be anything said by me to cause him to go through with his plans. "We can call the cops and let them deal with it. Spud is your friend. They'll immediately connect you to the murder. Or me. This is my house. Kenneth I can't go to jail." Tears fall down my cheeks.

"Fine," he says with a huff, "but no police. I can handle this on my own."

"Are you sure?"

He runs his hand over his face. "I'm sure. Ugh, I can't believe this shit." Another hard blow is sent Isaiah's way. I grab Kenneth's hand and try my best to lead him away from a wailing Isaiah. I'm shoved away from him and watch impatiently as he frantically dials someone's number on his phone. "Darius...listen I need some help...I'll explain when you get here...yeah...that works." He hangs up the phone and storms out the room.

I chase behind him. "Are you going to mention Isaiah?"

"Doesn't matter-"

"Yes it does. If you turn him over they'll kill him for sure," I argue.

He abruptly stops in the hallway causing me to slam into the back of him. "So you clearly still have feelings for him."

   I roll my eyes. My feelings have nothing to do with it at this point. Whatever feelings I had towards Isaiah are long gone by now. What he did-tried to do to me tonight is unacceptable. Nothing can be said or done that would make me forgive him. Let alone trust him. "Don't do that. I'm not like you-"

   "And what is that suppose to mean? Of course, you think I'm a murderer."

   "I know you aren't. That's why I couldn't let you do that to him. It's not you. What I meant is that I can't just walk away from this."

"What?" I ask Kenneth after reaching my breaking point and redirecting my attention from his piercing stare.

He shakes his head and shrug his shoulders nonchalantly. "You always see the good in people, that's all. I alway envied you for that and I still do-"