I'm Right Here

Chapter Nine

I'm seven years old. My mom and dad are happy together. My dad, while still occasionally being pushed around by Merle, is starting to stand up for himself.

"Only a matter of time now before daddy will stand up to him, and we'll find a nicer place to stay, and we'll both be able to get good jobs... Oh, maybe I should go back to college!" My mother happily exclaimed one day. She rambles on sometimes, a habit that I could have when I am comfortable around someone.

My mother has long, beautiful black hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin. I look just like her, except my skin and eyes are a couple shades lighter.

She's the most beautiful person I know, inside and out, and I'm glad she's my mom.

One day, we're sitting at the little restaurant where she works at. I'm reading a book. Everything is peaceful and quiet, until a man bursts into the store angrily.

"This guy again." One of the waiters, Jack, says, rolling his eyes. Jack and a couple of the regulars at the restaurant, walk to where the man is

"Melissa!" The man bellows angrily.

Melissa is a young, blonde waitresses that gains a lot of attention from men. She comes out from the kitchen, looking a bit scared.

Jack approaches the man.

"Leave." He says. "Mel wants nothing to do with you anymore."

"Let me hear her say it herself!" The man says, pure fury in his eyes. I see my mom rush to the phone. Probably calling the police. I have seen the guy walk into the restaurant once or twice, but he was usually sent out by Jack. Now, he looks drunk, and ready to kill someone.

Another waitress, Emily, grabs my hand and pulls me aside.

"Let. Me. Hear. Her. Say it!" He roars. Melissa shakily walks towards him.

"It's... Over." She says calmly.

"What?!" The man yells.

"I said it's over, Jeff! It's over!" She cries.

"Say that again you little bitch!" He roars, now pulling out a gun.

The patrons of the restaurant scream.
Jack jumps on the guy, trying to wrestle the gun away from him. The man shoots Jack in the chest. Jack crumples on to the floor.

More screaming. Emily holds onto me. I cry, terrified, praying that Jack will be okay, and that the police and ambulance will arrive soon.

Jeff points his gun at Melissa, who's sobbing, holding Jack's heading her lap, as he bleeds. She tries to stop the bleeding with her hands, but even from where I'm standing, I can tell that it's bad.

"Say it." Jeff hisses.

Melissa let's out another sob.

Jeff points the gun at Percy, the chef, who has come out of the kitchen.

"Say it!" Melissa stays silent in terror.

Jeff pulls the trigger, shooting the chef. In the head.

Melissa screams.

"SAY IT!" Jeff yells.

"I hate you! It's over, Jeff! I hate you! I hate you! I hope you burn in hell, you-" She gets cut off with another gunshot. She is shot in the chest. Now everyone is screaming and crying.

Jeff begins to shoot randomly, not seeming to care if he hits anyone or not. One manages to hit Emily, who collapses next to me. Luckily, it only seems to have hit her arm. Another patron also gets shot, in the leg.

Then, we hear the sirens. Jeff takes one dark look out the door as the police exit their vehicles, ready to shoot. Jeff points the gun one last time, this time, at me. Suddenly, there is someone standing in front of him.

My mother. He shoots her instead. She falls to the ground, bleeding from her chest.

I scream.

He finally puts the gun up to his head, and kills himself.

Jack Thompson. Age twenty four. Died trying to save the lives of others. A wonderful person.

Melissa Lee. Age twenty. Died while standing up to abusive ex boyfriend. An amazing friend.

Percy Howard. Age fifty. Died while trying to call the police.
The most talented and humble cook in Georgia.

Dawn Dixon. Age thirty. Died protecting her daughter.
A courageous mother.

Jeff Sunder. Age twenty five. Killed himself after murdering four people and wounding several other.
A coward. A murderer.