*Sadie*
Something knocking on my bedroom door woke me and I'm not happy. I groan as I get out of bed and storm towards my door pissed, once I opened it "what?" I hissed "cool yourself Sadie, I came to tell you that it's already 9" Xavier told me. My eyes widened and I slammed my oak door to get dressed. Today is the day I'm going to visit my sister, today is the day I will speak to her for the first time in 8 years.
I threw on a pair of dark blue jeans, a black t-shirt, my combat boots, my leather jacket, my shades, and left my hair down deciding not to mess with it. I ran out of my room, downstairs, and straight out the door to my bike, and just like that I was gone. It was maybe a 15 minute trip, considering how fast I was going, and let me tell you this I felt like I was doing something right for once in my life. Parking my bike, I slid my shades onto the top of my head, brushing my hair back, took a deep breath and walked down the gravel path until I found her. I kneeled down to her grave and began talking.
"Hey Sallee, I know it's been 8 years since I last came but I needed to talk to you, I miss you sissy and I'm sorry that I didn't keep my promise and I let you down, but please understand sissy that what I did was for you and ever since mom and dad.... I have never been the same. Everything's different now, I have been leading the gang since I was 12." I paused taking a shaky breath "I mean I didn't see it coming, I don't think anyone did, I know that your death wasn't an accident but everyone else thought it was, mom and dad thought it was, I was trained from then on out. I'm having nightmares Sallee, and not the normal kind, I swear they are so real that when I wake up I can still feel it."
"That's enough about me, how are you? Is heaven good? I wish I could see you again, hear you again but I can't. I'm friends with two cops at the station Josh and Max, I know you knew them both cause they were the ones who always interrogated you. Well Sallee, Happy birthday to us, you would have grown to have been such a beautiful 28 year old."
"I miss you sissy, but before I leave promise me one thing, that you'll never leave me alone?" I asked into the wind and a tear slid down my cheek as I began to walk away from her grave but I stopped turned around and walked back. "You know, it's hard for me every birthday and I always do the same shit to help get rid of the pain. I can handle mom and dad being gone but you? It's too much, you were my idol, my older sister I looked up to for help, you were supposed to be there to pick me up when I fell but you never were, you were supposed to be there for me but you weren't there."
"That's why I don't come anymore, cause it's hard for me the last time I was here, after I left I tried to kill myself. Its so goddamn hard without you, I needed you, I still need you but I have to accept the fact that you will never come back." By then I was bawling as I fell to my knees "you left when I needed you most" I whispered as I bawled up next her grave. " I know I did and I'm so sorry, Sadie." I heard her soft voice and I looked up to see her still 15 year old face, but behind her stood two people, one a man and the other a woman, "mom and dad" I whispered and they only smiled "Sadie, you didn't let me down."
"Now as I look at what you have done in your life, it's everything I knew you could be, Sadie your the leader of a gang, your strong. I was there to watch every time you crumbled to pieces from the death of me, mom, and dad, but remember we're always right beside you no matter what, I promise. I love you Sadie and Happy birthday to us, also before we go take it easy on that kid that wants to join the gang. I have seen what your future holds just take it easy Sadie and say hello to Josh and Max for me, okay?" I could only nod "Goodbye Sadie" with that all three of them disappeared.
I shot up from the ground, 'I dreamed seeing them?' I questioned myself. I don't even remember falling asleep, but I guess I did. I pulled my phone to catch the time "2 just great" I said to myself. I got up brushing the grass off of me, looked down at Sallee's grave and whispered "goodbye" and walked to the entrance of the cemetery.
When I got out I noticed a cop car parked next to my bike. "Josh, Max" I said casually they stepped out of the car and walked towards me only to hug me "how are you?" Max asked and Josh asked at the same time " I'm better now" I spoke truthfully. "Did it go well?" Josh asked I looked at him "she says hello" was all I whispered and their eyes widened for a second "really?"
I nodded "well I better get going if I'm going to set up in time for this joining." We bid our farewells and left. I towards the house and the two idiots towards the station. By the time I got home the rest of the gang was out, good thing too, they have been hanging around the house the past three days instead of going out. Actually if they were still here by the time I rode up I would have told them to ride out.
I walked into the kitchen turned the light on to go searching for a beer. My stash is empty and the boys must have taken all the liquor. Damn it, I slammed my hand on the counter. I looked at the clock, 2:46, I have a few hours to spare. I darted upstairs to my room to change into my gym clothes, a ocean blue sports bra and black Nike shorts, to go to our gym that's in the basement.
One...... Two.... inhale....... Three.... exhale, punch. My motion sent the punching bag backwards as if an actual person. I wish I could get into a fight now. I stop punching the bag and think about it for a minute, I owe it to Sallee and me. I jog upstairs change into a pair of dark jeans, a white tank top, my leather jacket, and my combat boots.
I was walking down my staircase when I heard something outside, its to early for the guys to be back, just then the first gun shot comes through the window nearly hitting my shoulder. I move the rest of the way down the stairs and begin dogging bullets. Damn it, how did I not notice them moving in on the gang house, now it's lead to this. I'm still dodging bullets when I reach my gun that I had set in the living room. I randomly began firing the way of the windows and heard grunts, moans of pain, and thuds.
Just then everything stopped as had I. It was something weird, I slowly began to stand but quickly regretted it as I was shot in the first the shoulder then the leg. The only thing I could tell you was that a second later I heard the sound of bikes and shots ringing through the air along with the yelling from my guys. Black spots were invading my vision and I couldn't stop it. The last thought I had before I fell unconscious was 'I don't want to die, I need to stay strong for my gang, my sister, my family, and me.'
*Josh*
I'm walking through the station when the dispatcher kicks on "911, what's your emergence?" I stopped to listen "my, my friend, sister has been shot and needs an ambulance." A male voice stuttered from the other end of the line "okay sir, what is your location?" The silence was heavy until he spoke again, when he gave the address the air was sucked from my lungs. "Okay sir we will have an ambulance on the way" dispatcher said "please hurry" he whispered.
"How long will it take?" I asked the dispatcher, he looked confused as to why I would ask a question like that but said "um, I could be 10 to 15 minutes before they get there, why?" I just glared at him "it's none of your damn business" with that I walked away to go find Max. "Max it's time to go" I said once I found him and he looked at me confused "I'll explain in the car." My tone was final and he grabbed his jacket as we walked out of the station.
"Where are we going?" He asked once in the car "the hospital" I said "why?" He pressed I looked over at him and said "Sadie" he went wide eyed and l pressed harder on the gas. I looked back in the rear view mirror every so often making sure nobody that following us.
*Arriving at the hospital*
On the drive here we ended up behind the ambulance. I got out of the car in time to see her being pulled out of the truck. She had an oxygen mask on, a bandage wrapped around her shoulder and another one around her leg both completely drenched with blood. They rushed her inside and it scared me how her body started violently shaking. It took everything in me to keep from following after them but Max was also there to hold me back.
Slowly I could feel myself begin to panic as we made our way into the hospital, Sadie lost her sister to a car crash and her parents to a murder. We made our way over to the receptionist desk and I went straight into panic mode "Max" I said weakly he looked at me with panicked, saddened eyes. Sadie, no matter how much of a criminal she is, she is like family to us and we couldn't handle it if we lost her. He put his hand on my shoulder and gripped it hard for reassurance. He walked over to the desk and asked for her room number but we found out she was put into surgery but she'll be in room 324 once she's all stitched up.
I couldn't sit down so I just paced the waiting room but stopped when the doctor came in "Sergeant Josh, asking about Sadie McKenna?" He asked and I just nodded "well I have some good news but of course some bad news" I began shaking with nervousness so Max spoke up "what is it doc?" He looked down before continuing "well she'll make full recovery but she has slipped into a small coma from the pain and the poison" I was now confused "poison?" Me and Max asked at the same time "yes, I even went as far as having it tested to see what kind it was but it came back as unknown and I certainly have never seen this kind of poison before." He said truthfully and I just feel the tears welding up in my eyes but I hold them back, I can't let her die I can't "when she wakes up, will she remember?"
I asked nervously and my voice small "I honestly don't know but there is a large percent that she won't remember" he said apologetically. The burning in the back of my throat got more intense the more I held my tears back but I just let them go as I crumbled. "No no no, this can't be happening, she's going to be just fine" I muttered to myself as I rocked back and forth. Max and the doctor looked at me with sympathy and it wasn't long before Max joined me. "Boys you make my job seem so hard" he said through tears, Doctor Hill has always been there for any of us and is the most trustworthy doctor and I am happy to say he is like a father to me and Max, and nobody can take that away.
"Sorry doc we don't mean to" I finally said and began to stand "do you wanna see her?" All I could do was nod my head and we followed after him. "So tell me how has she been since you know what?" He asked in the elevator "she's been the leader of a gang since she was 12, how do you think?" Max said and the doctor looked surprised "she gets into fights all of the time and today is her birthday so she visited her sister after 8 years, she wasn't taking it all well."
I said and the doctor sighed "wow she's really changed since then, huh?" He asked and we just nodded "but no matter how many criminal charges she has against her she will always be like family and you know that too" I added as our elevator stopped on the floor where she is. My head is spinning because this is the reality of now and it's taking its toll on me. I then remember Sadie and push forward to follow after Max and Doctor Hill to her room. I'm the first one to enter her room and I pale as I see her. She has a bunch of tubes connected to her, skin pale, eyes closed, she's still and cold, bandages covered her left shoulder and her right leg.
I can't handle the sight right now because it reminds me of to much. I take out my phone and dial Ryder's number and I wait for him to pick up. "Hello?" His voice sounded gruff and irritated "boy that's not how you answer the god damn phone." I snapped at him and I heard snickering "get me off of speaker unless you want your whole class to know about what I'm about to tell you" I said and heard shuffling.
"Okay your off" he said and I continued "the ceremony tonight is cancelled" I said "why?" He questioned "cause she's in the hospital" my voice cracked "Josh?" He asked "yeah?" There was a pause "are you close to her?" I thought about it "boy why don't you come by cause there are only certain things I need to talk to you in person for you to understand and this is one of those things" I said and I heard shuffling "okay I'm on the way" with that the line went dead.
*Ryder*
I was on my way to the hospital thinking about, Her and what my uncle could possible have to say to me in person. I was so consumed in my own thoughts that I didn't realize I was already at the hospital. I walked straight to the receptionist and asked about her "I don't know her first name but I'm here with my uncle" she only rolled her eyes and said "what's the last name?" I thought about it for a second "McKenna" her eyes widened "r-room 324" I nodded and left for the elevator. When I stepped onto the floor I could hear crying and this was the moment I have ever seen my uncle cry.
"Josh?" He looked up and walked towards me "I need to talk to you my boy" he said with sadness and I nodded. "To answer your question I am close to her, family wise close" he spoke and I now know he sees her as family. "Ryder, she's already lost so much and I wouldn't be able to handle it if she leaves for good" he admitted and I felt heartbroken for him. "I have known that girl for almost all of her life, whether she remembers or not, she had a 10 year older sister Sallee, both girls shared the same birthday but when Sadie turned 5 her sister was found dead in a car accident after months of her disappearance."
He took in a shaky breath before continuing "a couple of years after that her parents were murdered in front of her, it was then I found out that the previous leader of the gang had been training her and took her in as his own, only for him to be murdered shortly after she became leader." Wow this is pretty harsh even for her "she looks at me and Max as part of her family and the trust she holds in us is something nobody can take but Ryder she has lost so much in her younger years that she doesn't know what to do." He bowed his head and said "don't hold this against her, if and when she finds out whatever you do, don't deny it that you know about her and her past through me, cause if you do she will end up hunting you AND me down for it and sorry but you can't run from her she knows every inch of these woods like the back of her hand and you don't" he said truthfully. I couldn't help but feel as though being watched "don't look" Max said suddenly coming up beside us. "Why not?"
I asked "rival gang spy is here watching" he said and suddenly everything clicked "is Sadie in here because of them?" Josh and Max just nodded but something was off "what is it?" I asked them and Josh's phone vibrated gaining his attention "I need to go to the lobby stay here." With that he was gone and Max frowned "what is it Max?" I asked and he shook his head "I just realized that once she wakes up from this she's going to want to go home" I was confused "so your going to take her back to her home, the gang house" I said and he shook his head again "no I mean to her old house."
Now this was truly interesting "why is that?" He looked at me surprised "why all the questions boy?" He asked in return but I just shook my head "may I go see her?" I asked and he looked pained "your not going to like what you see but okay." I slowly walked into her room to see her still pale body laying still on the hospital bed, her left shoulder covered in bandages same with her right leg, different tubes and IV's are attached to her, I still moved to the chair beside her.
"I know I was getting ready to start out and everything and I wasn't very respectful in the beginning, but from what my uncle says about you your trustworthy, a great leader, your unique. I don't know if you can hear me but the doctor said you have a high chance of not remembering anything if you come out of this coma." I paused to look at the ceiling "everyone still needs you Sadie stay strong and please wake up" I whispered and then with one last glance at her I left the room. Max was sitting in a chair outside of the room with his head in his hands a Josh walking towards us. "They're here" was all he said and Max's head shot up and he got up from his chair like his ass was on fire.
"Do we need to leave?" He asked and Josh just shook his head "no just stay out of their way" he paused a moment "Max just do something for me" he said and Max encouraged him to go on "Vincent is on high alert, make sure that none of the boys start anything." I cleared my throat and their heads snapped to me and taking notice that I was standing there the whole time. "Do I need to leave?" Josh and Max seemed conflicted on how to answer my question "fine I hate hospitals anyway" I finally said and walked towards the elevator. I'll be back later, was my thought as I walked out of the hospital.