Bloodlines

Chapter One

Julian Hilliard as Luke James

"Jones!"

I looked over my shoulder and felt a small smile curl over my lips. "Officer King. What do I owe the pleasure?"

"I wanted to introduce my new partner to you. And to see if you wanted some lunch."

I looked over the partner. She was tall, blonde and totally his type. Jaime was brunette with baby blue eyes and a love for his job. One of the reasons he got more out of me then anyone else. He was a good cop and a great friend.

"Call me Jones, everyone does. You?"

"Jenkins. Alice Jenkins."

I shook her hand and said, "Lead the way."

I fell in step next to them, my hood secured over my hair.

"Got anything?"

I bit my lip, glancing around slightly. "Some big movement of drugs and weapons on First Ave soon. Seems the DEA is getting too close for their liking."

Jaime nodded, taking my word. Jenkins was less certain, which I thought was rather smart. Jaime trusted me a little too much, but I would never willingly break his trust in me. He was too good for that. Too kind. We turned the corner, finding a hot dog truck, one that I enjoyed the most.

"You know what I like, Jaime."

He chuckled. "You don't want a restaurant or anything?"

I fake gasped, my hand over my heart. "Was the great Jaime King asking me out?"

Alice laughed at my theatrics and we joined her, getting in line. After getting an extra order for me, we sat on a bench and ate, talking about their day and some jobs they did.

All of a sudden, I heard running footsteps, making me look up and gasp. Luke was running to me, a stab wound plain as day in his belly. I leapt to my feet and caught him before he fell. He was gasping and coughing, writhing a little from the pain. I heard them call for a bus, but my focus was on Luke. He was only seven years old, thrown away by his family like me. But he could never get the same break I got. How did he even run here with that wound? Adrenaline? I thought he would be fine today! It was light out and he stayed away from the haunts of the worst! And most would never hurt a kid like him! He was only seven years old!

His brown eyes locked on my blue ones, coughing hard. "Viv... I- I tried to get away. They"-cough- "They caught me. They... wanted... to show you... what happens... to those... who snitch."

"W-who?"

"Diego's... crew..."

I felt my tears fall like a waterfall, sobs pounding through my body as I tried to keep some kind of pressure on the wound.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! It's all my fault! This is all my fault!"

He coughed hard, his small hand pulling on my collar. I leaned in, my ear close to his lips.

"...S'not your fault. It... mine. Front.... Pocket."

"What?"

"Front... Pocket... Read letter..."

He coughed harder, blood pouring from his lips. I gently pulled a bloodstained letter from his pocket, sliding it into mine. He beamed at me, before more coughs wreaked through his frame.

"I'm scared. I'm so... scared! I don't want to die!"

I sobbed, pulling him into my lap, hearing the sirens get closer and his whimpers and coughs.