The busy sounds of hospital chaos echoed through the ears of Koji's loved ones. The cries of people who were being told their relatives passed away, the scratches of pen on paper filling out paperwork, the squeaking of the nurses' shoes and the clicking of the front desk woman's computer.
It'd only been twenty-four hours since Koji had been shot. Twenty-four hours since his family had eaten, twenty-four hours since a video of his shooting had been leaked, and twenty-four hours since anyone had said a word.
Kalani was leaned up against her Mother unable to stop the sniffles from crying so much. Nova wasn't any better, she clutched onto the blood on her shirt she got from hugging Koji's motionless body, staring at nothing for over an hour while her husband paced the waiting room impatiently waiting for the nurse to come back with answers.
Kanaj wanted to know everything that happened, he'd already saved the video that was trending on Instagram and YouTube, he'd spoken with some of the nurses about his broken hand and pierced lung, and he planned on speaking to the police after he got an update on his son.
As much as Nova tried not to look, she couldn't help but watch the gruesome video herself. Watching Koji get caught off guard by taking three bullets to the back wasn't something she wanted to see, the media was already painting him as a suspect.
The comment section was made up of people asking what he did wrong. As if he had to do something wrong. His appearance was wrong enough in the eyes of authority. Other comments asked what drug he was on, why he didn't just 'Obey the law' and most were asking why his parents didn't teach him how to properly treat an officer.
"Kanaj" Nova croaked, moving a now asleep Kalani to the other side of chairs before pointing a bloodied, shaking hand, at the small TV in front of them.
Kanaj's eyes darted to the TV that showcased the seemingly infamous picture of Koji. He was smiling his bright dimpled smile with his hands shoved into the pockets of his favorite black hoodie before the screen turned to the video of his blood-soaked body being dragged onto a stretcher on the ambulance before the female reporter covered the screen.
"I'm here with Florida's Department of Justice about a shooting that happened earlier today, eighteen-year-old Kojias Power otherwise known as Koji to loved ones and family was fatally shot three times after failing to follow police direction at a local Publix, authorities say the suspect supposedly had a weapon, however no weapon was found at the scene. We'll be back later with more information"
"Suspect!?" Nova screeched getting up from her seat. "He wasn't a suspect! He doesn't own any weapons Kanaj what is going on!?" She cried before covering her mouth.
"You know how Koji is" He sighed with his eyes glued to the TV that wasn't showing anything that could help him out. "He's the perfect cover up baby. Black teen reaches into his pocket. He's another name to be shouted at protests" Kanaj revealed. "Same story different name"
"But he isn't! Doesn't the truth matter at all?" Nova whimpered waking a now startled Kalani.
"With stuff like this? No"
Before given the chance to respond, a preppy nurse sped walk to the front of the living room causing all attention to be on her. "Family of Kojias Power?"
"Yes yes, we're here what's going on is he okay?" Nova asked now standing in front of the woman.
"He suffered a broken left hand as you all know, he's out of surgery and ready to see but there's one more thing" She hesitated.
"What?" Kanaj's voice boomed.
The nurses head jolted back a bit from Kanaj's tone, but seeing as the fate of their son's condition was basically in her hands she was able to understand. "He suffered a stroke while we were removing his right lung...the damage is moderate but the left side of his body is weak, he'll need physical therapy and regular checkups but as of now you can go and see him" The nurse explained.
