The sun beat down on the courtyard as Michael and his sister, Mira played a heated game of tag. Their laughter echoed off the walls as they ran around the garden, the sound of their footsteps on the stone pavement filling the air.
"Tag you're it" giggled Mira as she touched her brother but Micheal stood frozen in his spot. He spotted some movement in the bushes and it dawned on him that they had come.
In the distance among the bushes stood a young boy around the same age as micheal pointing the gun with shaky hands but Mira was oblivious of the lurking danger. She giggled and pulled on her brother persuading him to run and it an Moment the blast of the gunshot was heard
Michael's instinct kicked in immediately. They had come for not her so she must not die in his place. He spun her around and pushed her to the Curb as fast as he could. The loud bang of gunshot deafened her ears, rendering her unconscious for a few seconds as she flew to the curb, her head hitting the ground. "Get inside, shut the doors" he whispered, clutching his chest tightly. She heard his whisper, he sounded breathless. The once playful atmosphere has now become dense.
"No!" she whispered back in a failed attempt to scream. 'Bang!' 'Bang!' she heard two more shots. Tears welled up in her eyes and she stared at the lifeless figure in front of her, heart racing as she crawled to the figure. She looked up as she heard the ruffles in the bushes. Her eyes burned with rage as she watched them escape. The Air was suddenly thin and everything else seemed hazy. She grabbed the lifeless figure and held him close to herself. Hot tears rolled down her face and her hair was covered in blood. "Micheal why?" She cried as she passed out on her dead brother.
A few hours passed.
The Siren could be heard in the distance as Her mom and dad rushed out of their cars.
"My goodness Mirabel are you Alright?" Her mother said pulling her away.
"Michael, he pushed me away, and he took the bullet and now ....." Her voice trailed off
"shush, it's alright my sweet little darling. Say no more"
"But mom...." she said still holding on to her brothers hands when the medic pulled him away from her.
"Mira should go to the hospital" dad interrupted picking her up and soothing her. With trembling hands she hugged her father tight like she would never let go
"where is Michael? is he alright?"
"Mirabel don't talk, just let me take care of you"
"You're all I have Dad, please don't let them take you away from me like they took Micheal" she said as she closed her eyes. she didn't know that in a few months she'll be losing her dad too. in a few days her world will come crumbling down, and she'll be forced to leave. leave the place she's lived all her life. go to a new town and start her life afresh.
.........
"Mom I don't want to leave. this is where my dad and brother were buried I can't just leave. I thought you loved Dad"
"Mirabel my love this place isn't safe for us anymore. and according to your father's will I am to take over the company. we are going to the head office in New York I thought you will be excited"
"I don't have a choice now mom do I?"
"I'm sorry my love you don't" mom replied with a bitter smile.
"it's fine mom let's do this" I smiled as we drove off to the airport.