Stuck

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. 

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  He had no siblings and his parents often argued and acted withdrawn.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...

Nicholas Eagerly Runs

"Ms. Spencer!...Ms. Spencer!", Nicholas yelled, as he tried to catch his breath.  

Still frozen with fear, Daniella was unaware of sight and sound. She lacked all of her senses.  She did not hear Nicholas, the officer nor the paramedic. 

"Miss, can you hear us?", asked the paramedic, gently.  Nothing, not a voice, a touch, not the young attractive gentleman who was sprinting and screaming; very eager to catch her attention.  

"Damn!", Nicholas winced.  

He was just about to reach Daniella when he felt a sudden piercing sensation.  The pain was so immense it caused him to forcefully collapse hitting the pavement.  His head ricocheting off of the cold ground, deeply cutting his cheek as it bounced. Blood everywhere.   

Trying to come to and open his eyes, garbled voices reverberating... "He's been badly injured!". 

The police lieutenant quickly gave instructions to his officers,"Clear the immediate area within a 2 mile radius, now!"   

"Man down, man down.  We are dealing with a possible gun shot wound to the right groin!  Extra medical units required!" 

While Nicholas couldn't see or hear clearly additionally baring the worst pain he had ever experienced, Daniella remained his main concentration.  Was she okay?  Nicholas attempted to call her name again when the paramedics placed him on a stretcher, placing oxygen over his bloody mouth. 

Nicholas could barely move or keep his eyes open. But every time he gained consciousness he attempted to rip the oxygen off of his face and pull himself up. While they just met in class, no less, her weak, defenseless stare was frozen in his mind.   He knew he had to get to her. She needed him. 

A short Nap

Overly exhausted from last evening, Nicholas found himself unable to keep his eyes open.  

"I have to be able to make it home in time, to take her shopping", he thought to himself.   

He quickly glanced at his cell phone to check the time. He shut the car off and carefully pressed the button to recline the seat all the way back. Next, he made sure the doors were locked and pulled a worn, disheveled Yankee hat over his eyes. Nick had the Yankee hat for years, his mother gave it to him on his 13th birthday.  It had been his dads and if he ever lost it, he himself, wouldn't be able to function. Now it was time to rest a bit before he drove home.  

Nicholas's mother relied on him as the male, head of household. His father, Thomas, died when Nick was only 4.  His mother remains extremely frail and not completely "with it" since her husbands death. At an early age Nick became used to responsibility and a whole lot of it. 

He was one of three siblings.  He had twin sisters Bianca and Bella. Bianca and Bella were two beautiful young woman whom he loved very much. He assisted his mom with them from the day they were born.  It was his duty to protect them at all costs. They were quite a handful and didn't even try. Similar to Nick, they were both knockouts.  Long light brown hair, nearly perfect shapes, and beautiful green eyes.  Now in their late teens they both desired boyfriends but it was unacceptable, especially when Nick was around.  But they were able to sneak in their fair share of fun when Nick was out. And, Nick was out often.

Waking up about an hour and a half after pulling his cap over his eyes, Nicholas jumped up at the sound of his phone alarm.  Perfect, he thought, I will arrive home just in time.  

He stuck the key in the ignition and was off. Little did he know, what he was about to experience would be life changing.  

Nicholas managed to speed on the parkway and made it to the exit in less than 10 minutes.  His mustang was his pride and joy, it always got him to where he was going quickly and effortlessly.  This evening, it wasn't going to be able to save him.  

While he was able to get to his town, the traffic was at a standstill a few blocks in. What in God's name was going on.  It was only a couple minutes after 5 PM.  He was going to have to park and sprint home.  He would borrow his neighbors car, he couldn't be late.   

Securing his vehicle as he exited, he took off running.  Nicholas only made it about two blocks when he saw Daniella.  He couldn't just leave her. Daniella was sitting in her car surrounded by police and a paramedic was about to asses her.   She didn't look well at all.  In fact, she looked helpless not completely there.  His heart started racing. I need to save this woman.  He readdressed his focus on Daniella and immediately ran to her rescue.