Shattered Mirror

Chapter Four: When Credit is Due

"A street thug and a paid killer are professionals - beasts of prey, if you will, who have dissociated themselves from the rest of humanity and can now see human beings in the same way that trout fishermen see trout."

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Fatim 

The bright lights in the room almost blinded me to death as I look around the room. There was a nurse standing on the opposite side of the bed I was laying on and she was looking down at her clipboard in her hands.

The door open and in walked in Ms.Maya. "Ms.Maya?" My voice was groggily. I attempt to sit up but the pain I was feeling in my head wasn't any help.

Ms.Maya rushed to my side. "Child laid back and relax." She told me in a concern tone.

I adverted my eyes to the blonde nurse who was checking the IV hooked up to me. "Why am I here?"

The nurse and Ms.Maya rose one eyebrow. "You don't remember what happened?"

I shook my head before resting my head on the soft, comfortable pillow. The nurse faced Ms. Maya before saying, "She is going to be and she can be release in about a couple of hours. Just give her some Advil for the headache and make sure she gets some sleep."

The nurse left and I took the chance to question Ms.Maya. "Ms.Maya.." I started off but was soon cut off by her with her hand up.

"I told you can call me aunty."

I gave her a faint smile. "Aunty why am I here?"

She sighed and her eyes looks as if she was worried or scared and also as if she was crying. "You and Amour," She say referring to AJ's first name but she only uses it for two reasons, If AJ is in trouble or she's worried about her. "You and Amour went to some party without telling me and something happened and I got a call saying you had passed out in the middle of the street."

It was as if what she was saying went through one ear and out the other. The only word I heard was the name Amour. "Where is she?" My voice cracked.

Aunty sighed and was on the brink of tears. "I don't know."

__________

Thick clouds of smoke mix with the wind and the smell of chocolate hit my face. I sat there looking at the clouds and to my enjoyment one cloud was shaped as a dog even if it was only 9pm on a Friday night.

I place the Dutch that was sitting in between my fingers up to my lips. The smoke fill my lungs and I perch my lips out, exhaling the smoke. I kept repeating this cycle until there was no more left.

I never really smoke and this was my second time, but with Amour missing for the past day, things were weighing heavily on my mind. The cops couldn't do a damn thing about it until she was missing for 24 hours.

I dropped my Dutch onto the floor of the buildings steps, before stomping on it. One of Amour's neighbor, Ms. Green, was glancing out through the window of her apartment, looking at me. I rolled my eyes and headed back upstairs, inside the apartment.

"Her name is Amour Jenkins...." I heard her spoke into the phone. My breathe got caught in my throat as I sat on the couch. "She was last seen on Thursday around 8pm."

There was a loud knock on the door and I turned to Aunty for her approval. She gave me a nod and I went to go open it. About two cops were standing right there in front of me.

"Oh thank god!" Aunty screeched before hanging up the phone right as the lady was talking. "About damn time!"

I stepped aside, letting them in. The first cop had a smug look on his face while the second cop looked concerned. I mentally rolled my eyes and the cop who had the smug look was awkwardly, starting at me an it was making me feel slightly uncomfortable until I looked away breaking hi gaze.

"Okay ma'am can you please describe her and tell what happened?" The second cop asked.

"I have some pictures of her." Aunty offered.

"That's good we can use that. We're working on a amber alert and it should be up in a couple of minutes. Can you describe what she was wearing?"

I could her sighed and I decided to speak up. "She was wearing a black crop top that say 'BADDIE' in bold, white, cursive print and my cheetah print leggings went nicely with my black Doc Martins boots. A chunky, gold chain was paired with her gold studded earrings and her hair was pulled back into a slick ponytail." I told them, remembering every detail.

The first officer took notes while the second took out his pan and his pen, preparing to take notes also. "How do you know what she was wearing?" The second cop questioned me.

Something inside of me wanted to snap on him for asking that."I was with her." I say in a matter of fact tone.

"What happened that night?"

I glanced at Aunty and sighed before speaking. "We went to a house party on--"

"Wait the house party that got shut down because of the shootings?"

Aunty Palm her mouth and got up walking into the kitchen. "Yes,"

"There was at least one injury person at the party. But anyways, can you describe what happened since you was with her?"

My forehead creased. "Umm....after we finish dancing we went to the kitchen to grab somethin' to drink and then the lights went out, the music stop, and gunshots went off. I heard her screamin' but I couldn't see so I followed her screams to outside but she wasn't there and then next thing I kno' I woke up in the hospital."

The second officer nodded as he took notes. "The question is why was she screaming? I don't think she is missing because If she was she would find a way home. It seems to me as if someone kidnapped her." The first cop spoke with sincerity in his tone.

I felt my heart dropped and break into a million pieces. "My baby!" Aunty wailed.

"I'm sorry but we are going to do the best that we can to find her. The amber alert should be up soon." They both stood up and headed towards the door .

Aunty sat there on the couch speechless with no motion.

I walked them to the door and try to be politely as possible. "Thank you." On the inside I actually wanted to say 'You sons of a bitches is gonna' find her even if takes a more than days! I ont' give a fuck what you have to do!'

The second cop gave me one last look before leaving but this time his deep, icy, blue eyes held no emotion as it glister as he snickered and I couldn't tell what it meant but I knew it wasn't right.

________

It was a little chilly outside at this time of the night as I took a step down from the buildings steps. I snuggled myself deeper into my sweater and walked down the street.

Aunty didn't know I left the apartment since she basically cried herself to sleep as I comfort her. I knew she was going through a lot at this moment. It isn't easy if your child went missing or supposedly was kidnapped, and that's something no mother should hear especially if that is your only child.

My mind was clouded with different thoughts and I need some peace to think and walking was something that was needed. I knew if Aunty woke up and found out I left at almost 11pm she would throw a fit and have a heart attack, which I don't blame her.

Some stores wasn't even open except for the gas station, 7/11 and etc. There wasn't much people out. I turned the corner almost nearing the alley.

Once I past the alley I kept walking until I saw a couple of boys hanging around the corner store, selling. My hands was starting to sightly shake due to my nervousness. I didn't want to approach them in the wrong way nor get shot at especially if they work for someone else.

One dude pated his friends arm , pointing towards me as they all looked at me. I swallowed the lump that was forming inside my throat and as I approach them.

"Do any of you guys kno' where I can find a man name Harlem?"