In A Million Years

Chapter 2: Or Else

Alex couldn't believe it. He swore there had been a gun. How could it have been a cellphone? The incident replayed over and over again in his head. Everytime, he could clearly see the gun in the man's hand. His fingers anxiously tapped the table in front of him. He couldn't think straight. The lack of sleep was catching up with him, leaving him irritable, frustrated, and confused.

"Alex, talk to me, man. You're too quiet."

He glanced at his best friend and sighed. Kyle had been trying to get him to talk all morning, but he just couldn't. He didn't have the energy physically or mentally. So, he ignored him for the moment as he again replayed everything in his head. He vividly remembered kicking the gun away from the man's hand when he went to put him in cuffs. How could he mistake a phone for a gun? He couldn't get his mind around it.

"Alexander, look at me and talk to me!" Kyle didn't appreciate the silent treatment and sounded more like his father than his best friend. 

"Talk about what?" Alex snapped. "I shot and killed a guy who pointed a cellphone at me. A cellphone, Kyle! How could I have been so stupid?"
"It was a high stress situation. He ignored your commands; pulled his hands out his pockets; and pointed something at you. Alex, the whole thing is a justified shooting!"

"I shot and killed him," Alex's voice had lost his strength as he stared at the table. "I can't get my head around it! I feel terrible."
"That's normal," Kyle shrugged.

Alex turned a glare towards his friend. "How could you know?"

"I've been through this too. You know that."

Alex sighed, softening his glare. "Oh, yea..."

Another officer joined them. Kayla Sherman, Rachel's twenty four year old daughter, sat across from Alex and studied him closely, as Rachel had the day before. Alex swore both Kayla and Rachel could see straight into someone's soul if they really wanted. It made him uncomfortable. He tried to keep his face emotionless, but he knew Kayla saw through the mask and saw the pain and turmoil inside of him.

He dropped his gaze to the table once again, hoping in vain to avoid conversation with her. Kyle got up and left the room, most likely at Kayla's silent suggestion. Dread overwhelmed Alex as he tried to think of a way to get out of the situation. He had taken his frustration out on Kyle, but he didn't want to do that to Kayla. She was like a sister to him and he didn't want to snap at her.

"I heard you got to meet the girl who helped you," Kayla broke the silence.

"How'd you hear that?" He met her gaze for a moment.

"I have my hooks in things." She smirked.

She was trying to make him smile. He knew it, but he just couldn't muster up enough energy to do it. Instead, he focused his gaze on the mirror behind Kayla. It revealed his messy hair and sleep-deprived eyes. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to tame the wild mess.

"Would you look at me?" Kayla shattered the uncomfortable silence again.

"Why?" He continued to avoid her.

"I think what you did was justified. There wasn't any reason somebody wouldn't believe what you said."

"It doesn't matter," Alex muttered. "I still messed up, Kay. I shot him and all he had was a cell phone. Can't you hear them outside? I'm a monster to the community! I've torn the city apart--the city that I wanted to help. I messed everything up!"

"Stop it!" Kayla's voice became firm. "Stop wallowing in this self-pity. Alex, you got to go home! That's what's important! You got to go home to your sister and your brother. You get to sit here and talk to me. You're still here to keep Kyle from going too far in some situations and be his best friend. You're a hero to Alyssa Hunter. You got to go home! Don't talk yourself down. Yes, it's not the brightest situation in the world, but you're alive. Isn't that enough?"