Friend’s Like These

Chapter 7

Alternating blue, white, and red lights flashed through the windows of the upstairs apartment above Abraham’s Café. Six police officers took pictures and notes of the gruesome scene. Three different people’s blood was spilled on the kitchen floor, coating the white tiles with a deep crimson. The three bodies had been taken from the scene moments before, rushed to a hospital via ambulance.

A distraught Rebecca sat in a chair in the hall where her brother, who lived down the street, crouched beside her, comforting her to the best of his ability. “What happened to the boys?” She asked in a shaky voice.

“They were taken to the hospital.” Joey, Rebecca’s brother informed his disheveled sister.

“I want to go there. I want to see them.” She demanded, getting to her feet.

“Let me take you, you can’t drive like this.” Joey said, holding onto Rebecca’s still shaking shoulders. He led her to her truck, where he helped her into the passenger seat before getting into the driver’s side.

“Ohhh…” Sasha groaned. “Ahh!” He then exclaimed, as a sharp pain raced through his stomach area.

“You’re awake.” An unknown voice spoke up. Sasha opened his eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the surprisingly bright light of wherever it is he was. His vision was blurry but he could make out the form of a woman dressed in what looked like doctor’s scrubs.

“I must be at the hospital.” He thought. Then everything that happened came back to him.

“Oh shit…” He groaned.

“Honey, your vision will clear shortly, it’s just a side affect of the anesthetic.” The apparent doctor said, smiling. “I’m glad you made it.”

“Where’s Cy?” Sasha asked, ignoring the woman’s comment.

“Who? Do you mean the Boy who was brought in with you?” The doctor asked. “He’s just fine, his arm’s broken, but that’s all. He’s in the room next door with his mother.” The doctor informed, flashing a brilliant white smile. Now, do you have any parents? Since you’re underage, we need to ask if there’s anyone we can call.”

“Do you know the guy that I’m assuming came in with me?” Sasha asked.

“The knife wound and the head trauma?” The doctor guessed, her expression becoming a little crest fallen.

“Yeah, I guess. Anyway, that’s him.” Sasha answered.

“I’m sorry, he passed away.” The doctor explained, coming to sit in a chair next to Sasha’s bed.

“He’s dead?” Sasha asked in disbelief.

“I’m sorry, yes.” The doctor replied.

“How’d he die?” Sasha asked.

“Well, actually, he had a heart attack before the knife even stabbed him. The alcohol thinned his blood and raised the pressure causing unnecessary strain.”

“Well isn’t that ironic.” Sasha said, a small smile invading his pained features.

“I’m sorry?” The doctor asked, a little dumbfounded at Sasha’s manner towards his father’s death.

“He died just like mom…” Sasha said more to himself then to the doctor. “Killed by his miscalculated actions. He killed her and then ultimately killed himself.” Sasha said, a dazed expression coming over him, though it was unknown whether or not it was from thought or the morphine flowing through his veins.

“Alright then… You should rest now.” The doctor said, getting up, but Sasha caught her arm.

“I want to see Cy.” He said.

“Alright, I’ll send for a wheel chair, but only for a little while, you need to stay in bed.”

“Sasha!” Cy exclaimed as a nurse wheeled through Cy’s hospital room door.

“Hey, how are you?” Sasha asked, rolling himself up to the side of Cy’s bed.

“Better than you I see.” Cy replied. “what did the doctor say?” He asked.

“I’ll be fully recovered in about a month. The bullet missed every one of my internal organs.” Sasha informed his friend.

“Just then, Kim’ Cy’s mom, woke up. She had been sleeping in a chair next to Cy’s bed.

“Sasha!” She exclaimed, running over and hugging him.

“Hi Kim.” Sasha replied, while still smothered in a hug.

“What do the doctors say?” She half demanded.

“I’ll make a full recovery in about a month.” Sasha said again.

“Great honey, I was so worried about you both!” She said, hugging Sasha again.

“We’ll be fine.” Sasha assured her.

“Boys!” A second female voice burst out.

“Rebecca!” Cy and Sasha said together.

“Are you ok?” Rebecca asked walking in followed by her brother, and looking over each one of the boys thoroughly.

“Yes, we’re both fine.” Sasha assured her.

“So, umm I’m assuming you know what happened?” Cy asked Rebecca.

“I heard the gunshots and came as fast as I could. I hit Sasha’s dad in the head but that was only after he shot you.”

“Really? You stopped him?” Sasha asked.

“Well…yeah.” Rebecca said. “I’d never let anything happen to you boys as long as I’m around to say something about it.” Rebecca said in a righteous, but entirely truthful tone.

“Thanks Rebecca. You’ve saved me again.” Sasha said, pulling her into a hug.

“Someone’s got to look out for you boys.’ She replied, a small blush appearing on her face.

“So…” Kim started, uncertainty heavy in her voice. “What about your dad?” She asked.

“He’s gone. He died of a heart attack even before Cy stabbed him.” Sasha informed the waiting people.

No one quite knew what to say, so Sasha broke the heavy science.

“It’s better that way, he won’t hurt anyone, including himself, anymore.”

“You’re right. Cy added. “Now all that’s left is to get better.”

“Yup.” Sasha replied, smiling. For the first time, he was truly happy. The last burden in his life was gone and the road ahead was clear.

End

Friends Like These

Epilogue

Sasha and Cy were discharged from the hospital one week later.

Cy moved in with Sasha to help him recover. The funeral for Carl Andrews was also held that week. Sasha did not attend.

Since Sasha was still a minor, and both is parents were deceased, Sasha became an orphan. However, this did not last long, because as soon as she heard, Rebecca got the papers to adopt Sasha until his 18th birthday. Sasha continued to live and work in the café where Cy was now also employed.

Sasha made a quick recovery just before school ended for the year. Cy continued to live at Sasha’s after that as well. Sasha never looked back on that day. He never questioned himself on whether he did the right thing; he never spoke of it again.

With the help of Cy, Rebecca, and Kim, Sasha recovered emotionally too. Later, he was quoted in saying, “Where would I be without friends like these?”