𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 • 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳

8 years Earlier

"Marisol." I heard a voice in my room. I groaned. I threw my pillow at the door. "Come on get up, time to go to school." Angel walked in.

"Its 6:20 am."

"It doesn't matter." He threw my pillow at my face. "Get ready sleepy head, im taking you." He closed the door behind him. I got out bed and got ready. I tied my shoes and headed downstairs.

"Mmm huele rico!" I said setting my bag on the couch. Mama made eggs and bacon. Angels favorite. My mom made my plate.

"Lo sé." She smiled.

"Wheres Ezekiel?" I asked with a stuffed mouth.

"Close your mouth." My dad playfully wack my head with the newspaper. "He went to see Emily." Me and Angel looked at each other and laughed. I finished my breakfast and washed my plate.

"Bye mami." I kissed her cheek.

"Be good." she kissed me back.

"Lo sé." I walked to the living room and gave my dad a kiss. "Bye papi."

"Bye mija." Angel said bye to mom and dad and we walked out. Angel got on his motorcycle and passed me a helmet.

"Come on." I got on and we sped off. We arrived to my middle school, everyone looking at my brother. "Be good. Be smart."

"Dont worry." I pat his helmet and walked away. I went to my locker to put away the helmet and lunch. I walked to my next class. My classes were boring, but also easy. You're looking at a straight A student. Spent 8 hours in this hellhole of a place, stayed afterschool for Latinos club, getting out late since we were doing a project for the up coming pep rally. It was about 7 pm and walked to the art store which was close to the meat shop my parents owned.

"Hola Marisol." The cashier said. I smiled back at her. I walked to the paints and got what I needed.

"Hey Maria." I set the paints down and waited for her to add the total.

"Whats the new art project?" Marias brother Christopher said as he added the paints in the bag.

"Painting my mom a portrait of herself." I gave Maria the money.

"Well, shes gonna love it. Have a good night Marisol. Tell your parents i said hola."

"Okay. Adios!" I walked out of the store and headed down the street. I put on my headphones and listened to music. It was dark already, only the lampposts were the only thing shining down. I looked up to see red and blue flashing lights outside the shop. I ran, hoping that it was not the shop. I took off my headphones and ran into the shop. The officers couldn't hold me back. I turned around the counter top and saw my moms body.

"Marisol!" Ezekiel yelled. I dropped my bag of paints and ran to my moms body. I cried as i shook her.

"Mami! No! Mami!" Her blood was all over my hands and my clothes. Ezekiel grabbed me and took me to the back room.

"Marisol!" Ezekiel looked at me. All covered in blood. "Listen to me."

"Moms dead! Shes dead!" My father came running in and as the two of us. My dads eyes popped out and ran to me. "Shes dead papi. Mama is gone!" I cried.

"Dad." Ezekiel told my dad but my dad started to cry. My father walked to the counter top and cried over my mother. Ezekiel hugged me tight.

"Shh. Its okay hermaita." Its not okay. We lost our mother. The paramedics took my mom and put her in the truck. We saw the whole thing. My dad held me close and so did Ezekiel. The lights went away. We went home. Angel heard the news and came home. I ran to my room as i heard the men fighting. I cried for my mom. She cant be gone. I never told her i love her this morning. Angel and Ezekiel came in and didn't know what to say. They sat next to me on bed and held my hand. We sat there for hours, saying nothing.

"I didnt get to say i love you." I whispered. The boys looked at each other and then at me.

"She knows." Angel choked out. "She knows." He repeated. He looked at the almost finished portrait of our mother. He rubbed his eyes and walked out.

"Angel!" I yelled out. Ezekiel held me back and ran after him. I waked downstairs to my father. "Papi?" He didnt say a word. He had a drink in his hand and sighed. "Papi?"

"Not right now Mar-" he didnt say my name. He was hurt. Tears fell down and i walked back upstairs to my room. I got in my covers and cried. I have nobody anymore. 13 years old, seeing my mom dead on the floor at place you all spent a lot of time at, that fucked me up the most. No 13 year old can see that. Matter in fact, no age should go through that.

Months Later
Its been months since the death of my mother. Angel barely sees me and pops anymore. Ezekiel is in revenge mode. Dad, well, he barely speaks to me, i remind him too much of my mother. He doesn't call me by Marisol anymore, he calls me Fernanda. I had nobody. No more late talks with Angel, study sessions with Ezekiel, and even watch baseball games with pops. I slowly went into depression after that. I told nobody, i tried to be happy, it never really worked. At school, thats when i have to put on a show, everyone is so sorry, i dont even talk to anyone there and they think they know me. I was by myself for the day while my dad was cleaning the shop. It was late at night. I ate dinner by myself, just i was getting to clean my dishes, i heard a knock. I walk towards the door and open to see a police officer.

"Is Mr. Reyes home?" He asked me.

"No. But im his daughter." He sighed.

"I need to tell you dad something important." The back door opened and i saw my dad. He walked towards the door.

"Can I help you?" I hid behind my dad.

"Im hear by California Police department that your son, Ezekiel Reyes is going to state prison for murdering a police officer." My jaw dropped. My father stood there, he was losing his family. I walked away so I wouldn't hear more. I was no longer gonna be the glue. I lost everyone i love.