The Sky Has Fallen

| Chapter 02

The guard told us the fair was closed for today, but when we got back to David's house, the news reported a different story.

"Is Sapphire worth the risk? After the events which occurred today at the Chicago World Fair, many beg to differ. The long-standing debate of evicting our Pylon 'roommates' has become a hot topic this morning after a young woman was harmed during a demonstration."

With a cup of tea to my lips, I stared up at the television hanging on the wall in my uncle's kitchen. The news anchor described what happened at the fair but chose to omit the horrible details.

No one would want to know about the blood spilling out from the woman as they tried to eat their breakfast.

"This is sad..." My aunt Nancy sat beside me at the table. Like me, she had a cup of tea.

When David and I got back, we explained to her and my uncle how someone almost died in front of us. Hearing it from us had to be a lot harder than listening to the details on the news. We were there, in the heat of it. The shock and fear were all over my aunt's face. Yet rather than let the panic bleed onto her family, she made tea.

Tea makes everything better.

Reaching over, my aunt placed her hand on mine. "Did you see if they pulled the woman to safety? Was there an ambulance?"

I glanced at my aunt as the news anchor continued, as if she knew to answer my aunt's question. "Twenty-four-year-old Janie Silverman was taken to Cook County General where she is currently in stable, but critical condition. The Pylon officials stationed at the fair today are not available for comment."

"I didn't see an ambulance, tía." I gave my aunt a weak smile before placing my mug on the table. "A lot of Pylons were running, though. They called for someone."

"Called for someone?" My uncle Hector leaned against the counter; eyes glued to the screen. He clicked his teeth disapprovingly and shook his head. "Try to cover up this murder, that's what they did."

"A murder?" David slid his hand through his hair, frustrated with his father. "Why would they want to kill her?"

"I don't know." Crossing his arms, my uncle kept his gaze on the tv. "Tell me the good they do."

I lifted my tea, knowing I had to finish it. If I let it get cold, my aunt wouldn't let me hear the end of it. She would remind me how she put her whole heart into making it.

The glance she shot my way confirmed my thoughts. I smiled weakly and sipped my tea, all while I continued to listen to the tv. "In other news, a recent group of Sapphire dealers have been arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute. Tests have been ordered to check the quality of the vials in their possession."

"That!" David pointed at the tv as the screen changed, shifting the images over to people huddled together near a city viaduct. Underneath it read 'Sapphire addiction rises,' but I wasn't sure David caught the tagline. He continued, "They've been giving us this magical shit for a long time."

My uncle faced his only son. "Oh yeah? They're putting drugs out on the streets for them, too?"

My gaze drifted towards David. Standing next to his father, they were practically twins, age difference aside. And tattoos.

Although, my uncle Hector had roman numerals written on his fingers. Growing up, I always wanted to ask what they were for, but knowing David's constant run-ins with police, I could only assume my uncle had been the same.

Like now. The back and forth between the two. The stubborn attitude.

Just drink your tea, Gus.