Cholo

(10) Diez

I wasn't given the name of the third body that was wheeled into the ER. I was only told comforting words from several nurses, however one let slip that "He's going to be alright." Giving the body a gender, meant it could be anybody. It could be Jamal, or Cesar, or a random person joining the celebration.

I quickly fumbled for my phone. In a rapid motion, I dialed Cesar's number. The call was transferred to voice mail. I clicked it shut. I called my dad. And same thing happened, I was transferred to voice  mail. I hung up chewing on my lips. They're fine. I kept telling myself that they probably were occupied by the events and would call soon enough. My finger wavered above Oscar's number, debating if I should call him too. Los Santos would've been at the party keeping an eye out for any Prophet$ lurking about. He would know what happened.

On in swift action, I dialed the number. He picked up almost to instantly to my liking. "¿Qué onda? [what's up?]" I don't think he checked the caller ID, and probably expected someone else.

I paced in an unoccupied room. "Oscar," my voice barely audible, "what happened?"

It took longer for him to answer, which was unsettling, indicting that whomever was wheeled in last was someone I knew. "It's Cesar, isn't it?" I stopped pacing, lips trembling. I bit back a sob as I waited for him to answer.

I heard him sigh as if he regretted answering the phone. "Pobrecita [poor little woman]-" He seemed to be trying to clam me down but I cut him off, hating how sympathetic he sounded.

"Spit it out."

"No it's not Cesar."  I wanted to sigh in relief but his voice was awfully low.

"¿Quién es? [who is it?]" I asked, dreading the answer.

"Where are you?" He dodged the question.

"Oscar." I warned, growing frustrated.

"Mia, Cesar didn't kill Laterelle." He spoke, choosing his words carefully. "Volvió para el revange [He's back for the revenge.]."

"Gracias, Jesús. [thank you jesus.]" I muttered in reply.

Oscar sighed in frustration. "It was a dumb move that had three people shot. He's no longer a Santos."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "¿Qué quieres decir? [what do you mean?]"

"I have to go." The phone clicked shut.

I was left in the empty room that I mourned the loss of Olivia in. Even though I didn't know Olivia that well. It was saddening how one so young could die so quickly. It was her quince for god's sake! She wasn't suppose to die on her birthday - have her first 'true love' kiss, have sex, jug down some beers; anything that no longer makes an innocent child, but not death.

I was still left without an answer as to who the third body was, or if they were alive.

I found myself doing something I haven't done in a while. I kneeled  next to the bed and prayed for the sick. I prayed for Olivia. I prayed for Ruby's recovery. I prayed for Cesar.I prayed for my mom.  I prayed for my papa, I prayed for every soul I knew and love. I even prayed for Oscar. "In Jesus' name, Amen." I wasn't aware that I was crying until I tasted the salty tears on my lips. I sobbed remembering Ruby's body.

I sat there staring at the wall. I switched off my phone wanting to be alone. There were no more tears to shed, but the hiccups that left my lips. I usually would giggle at the sound, but even that too felt exhausting. The room was slowly suffocating me. I tugged at the collar of the scrubs. Getting up quickly, I exited the quiet room. Entering a hectic environment were the stench of illness wafted the corridors.