It was comparable to self-torture. Daniella couldn't shake the dreadful vision out of head nor respond to any activity around her. It was like one of those dreams where one becomes stuck, frozen, you want to respond but feel paralyzed; incapable. Helpless, for a lack of a better word. This was no dream, what Daniella just witnessed would be engraved in her mind forever. It would affect her life, her well-being, her safety, her sanity.
Flashbacks of various scenarios floating around her conscious mind:
"Hello, Josh", Daniella smiled.
Josh smiled back, "Hi, Ella!" That was his special nickname for her.
Josh was running around the inside entrance of the building, his usual morning routine. This particular day, however, Daniella paid extra attention to him. Unsure why, she turned again to look at him before she left. He was dressed in a bright red shirt with matching sneakers. His toys scattered all over. Shrugging it off, she continued.
Josh was running around the inside entrance of the building, his usual morning routine. This particular day, however, Daniella paid extra attention to him. Unsure why, she turned again to look at him before she left. He was dressed in a bright red shirt with matching sneakers. His toys scattered all over. Shrugging it off, she continued.
Daniella enjoyed seeing him every morning. She felt empathetic toward his family, and even more so toward Josh. His father, Mario, was the buildings maintenance man. Mario was always in a rush running around the facility with tools. At times, Josh would accompany his father, but more often than not. Daniella mostly saw him alone. Josh's mom, never around, was always behind closed doors. Marjorie would babysit from time to time.
Josh was always happy to see people. Being unusually short and frail for his age, it was difficult for him to make friends. He had no siblings and his parents often argued and acted withdrawn. He was very lonely. He took a special liking for Daniella and her sister, Marjorie. They paid attention to him. Marjorie bought him toys. In fact, she kept a toy chest for him at their apartment.
Now all she could focus on were the tiny crushed legs, she saw; and one blood-soaked red sneaker laying in the middle of the road. It couldn't be...but is was.
Who could do this? Why, didn't they see him?
Daniella in complete utter shock.
The paramedic wrapped her in a warm blanket...
Now all she could focus on were the tiny crushed legs, she saw; and one blood-soaked red sneaker laying in the middle of the road. It couldn't be...but is was.
Who could do this? Why, didn't they see him?
Daniella in complete utter shock.
The paramedic wrapped her in a warm blanket...
