Tarnished

Chapter 15: Chelsea

After I heard Wynter was headed home, I wondered how she afforded to travel. I check my credit card and sure enough, two bus tickets had been purchased last night. She was going home. I dialed her number and she picked up on the first ring.

"Wynter?! What city are you in?"
"um..."
"Wynter Haven, I called my card and I know you got tickets, now where are you?!" She paused before answering me. "I don't know, all I know is that in two days I will be home. Mama I will be home, we will be together again. Shawnee is with me, I promised to protect her always." I got online and ordered two plane tickets one for me and one for Autumn. She had to come get her daughter right?  I was getting ready to call a cab when some dude pulled up in a car. "Yo Autumn, you got my money?" I turned to face Autumn. She looked nervous. A cab finally got there and I walked up to it and started to load my luggage. Pow! pow! I screamed and dropped to the ground. I heard tires screeching and a car speed away. I looked up and saw Autumn laying in the grass. I called an ambulance and raced to her side. "hold on baby! Fight! " I demanded with tears running down my face.  The ambulance got there and loaded Autumn in, rushing her to the hospital. "she is losing a lot of blood! Keep her stable!" I heard one of them say. By the time I got to the hospital, she was already in surgery. I sent Wynter a text. Autumn was shot. We're here at San Diego County Hospital. She is in surgery. I put my phone up. A few minutes later I received a text. Wynter: omg! But what r u doing there? Keep me updated. I replied with: she called me to come get you from the group home. Btw I know about what happened with you and Trey. We will talk later. As soon as I finished the text , a doctor came towards me."Chelsea..right?" I nodded and he motioned for me to follow him. He proceeded to tell me that the bullets pierced Autumn's  major organs and that she has severe internal bleeding.  I drop my head as I could feel the tears forming. I walk into her room and see all of the machines. There was so many wires and tubes hooked up to her. Her hair was let down and she looked like she was 16 years old. I grab ahold of her hand, as the tears fell. What happened to her? What happened to my best friend that was once so full of life? She squeezed my hand, making me look up. Her eyes were open and she gave me a smile. I smiled back and gave her hand a small squeeze. Her eyes suddenly went glossy as her heart rate slowed down and then....flat lined. She was gone. My best friends was gone. I immediately regretted every bad thing that took place and wished I could take it back. Doctors and nurses walked into the room. I watched as they unplugged all the wires, tubes, and machines. I walked up and placed the sheet over her body.  I went into the hallway and just slid down the wall. I remember the first day we met. We were in kindergarten.
"mama I don't want to go to school" I whined as we stood outside the classroom. A little girl with big bushy ponytails walked up to me. " I don't wanna be here either, but we can go in together and be best friends forever..my name Autumn." I smiled, "I'm Chelsea" we grab hands and walk in together. I smile as I reflect on our memories.