Fallen Sparrow

That moment with Axel was on my mind, the whole way to the scene. He was in danger now. Chaos had got to him and into his mins. Across the car in the passenger seat, I could see him deep in thought. Honestly, I would be confused too if tonight’s events had happened to me in his position.

The Castles are a run-down area of Viridity city with tall towers blocks that gave it the name. Gangs and criminals caused havoc in these parts and the police that patrols it, are constantly on their toes.

Half the street was filled with flashing police sirens and ambulances when we arrived. Gurneys were being wheeled past us while I stood in the middle of the road, watching everything unfold.

I was looking at a street, that I’d walked down a thousand times. My mother liked to bring me here, to Freddie’s diner, for ice cream. She always had a strawberry milkshake with shortbread pieces and I had mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Now, the front window had been shattered across the diner floor. Four bodies laid still on the black and white checkered tiles. Greg had respectively laid white sheets over them

“So, what happened here?” I asked one of the responding officers. He was young with caramel skin, dark hair and features.

“It was a drive-by, Detective. No one got a number plate or a description of the car. Five people have been rushed to Viridity City hospital with gunshot injuries.” I nodded and thanked him, headed into the diner.

I walked the scene, looking for anything that stood out. I came to a table where a couple had been sitting. I lifted the white sheet slightly to see the victims face. It was the boyfriend. The girlfriend wasn’t there so I assumed she was one of the people on their way to the hospital. He’d brought her a rose. It was placed next to her cutlery on the right side. I rolled the rose from the napkin and I felt my eyes widen.

Sometimes love is a little chaotic, my beautiful Sparrow.

A similar message had been left at my previous scene except that one was printed on the wall. No one could see it other than me. Naturally, I suspected Chaos and he confirmed it with his visit.

“What you got, Greg?” He was bent over one of the bodies, next to the back wall. I looked briefly over one of the clichés black and white family photos that dotted around.

“Three of the victims died from gunshot wounds,” he explained, “the fourth was an elderly man. He managed to avoid the bullets, but I suspect he died of a heart attack. He’s wearing a medical bracelet stating he has a heart condition. I’ll confirm it when I get back to the morgue.”

“Detective!” an officer called out, rushing into the room. I turned to him inquisitively. “I found a surveillance camera across the street. I have given it to the forensic team to analyse.”

“Good job. Let Tim and Grace know I want to be notified as soon as it ready.”

Back at the station, I’d pinned up pictures of the victims: deceased and surviving as well as the scene on the inside and outside. I’d just received a text notifying me that the bullets were all from the same gun and the footage was ready. I headed down to the lab to find Grace slouched in a chair with a tv remote in her hand and Tim standing behind her. With clenched eyebrows and his arms were crossed over his chest, he was concentrating heavily on the screen.

“Let’s see it.” She pressed play. I saw the street with the large window on the restaurant front in the centre of the screen. A sick feeling sank in my stomach with anticipation. The bonnet came first as the vehicle came into view. Suddenly, I couldn’t see anything but the drivers face. I wanted to vomit. He looked too much like his brother.

I tried to pull away from the man restraining me. He held my head, so I had to watch. Every time I tried to close my eyes, a slap stung my face. My friend sobbed loudly, her body shook with every cry. Watching, I could feel my body burning with rage and heavy with sorrow. The two had blended together like paint and became its own colour – an angry colour.

“Your turn now, Kitten.” A snarl breathed on my ear. It smelt like cigarettes and damp wood. I would never forget that smell. I flinched away, but he pulled me back by my chin. He placed a sloppy kiss on my cheek. I screwed my face up in disgust. The other man held my friend by the throat and growled, “never walk away from me again.” He got up and walked over to me. “And you!” he pointed an accusing finger at me, “you just can’t stop meddling in things you don’t need involving in.” He pulled me up by my throat. As soon as my hands were released, I swung a fist behind me at the sloppy man’s nose. Grabbing the lamp, I used it to smash the other man’s head. The sound of skull cracking didn’t hinder me. I felt my body moving but I wasn’t in control. The painful groans filled the room until they suddenly stopped. It was a fire that didn’t need to be refuelled. Dropping the lamp, I saw the sloppy man steadying himself on his feet and holding his face. My fists clenched so hard that my nails tore the skin of my palm.

I remember his face, the way he smelt, the taste of his blood when it splattered on my face and the sound of the grunt he made as my weapon hit his flesh. I’d had nightmares about it for years, despite his death, but his brother’s face was so similar that it was like seeing a ghost.