The party at Adam's house was always the biggest. Ryan and Katherine stepped inside, greeted by a crowd of people and pulsing music. The bass thudded so loudly that Katherine instinctively covered her ears. Together, they weaved through the house, scanning the rooms for their friend Adam. They finally found him in the living room, standing quietly in the corner beside the sofa.
"Look! Adam is over there," shouted Katherine. Ryan glanced over and smiled.
They made their way through the crowd toward him.
"Hello, Adam! Long time no see," said Ryan.
"Hi! What do you think about the party?" Adam asked.
"It's good, but the music is a little too loud," Katherine replied with a laugh.
"Come on, let's dance," said Adam, taking Katherine's hand. Ryan watched as they disappeared into the crowd.
"Unit 225, respond to a noise complaint at 4 Lakestreet," crackled a voice over the police radio. "There's a loud party disturbing the neighborhood."
"On my way," replied the officer, turning the wheel toward the address.
Meanwhile, Ryan cracked open a can of beer and walked into a quieter room. "At least it's not as loud in here," he thought. Still feeling restless, he headed outside for some fresh air. As he stepped into the night, a police car turned the corner and drove straight toward the house. The vehicle slowed and stopped just a few meters away from him. The officer stepped out.
"Hey, you! Do you know who organized this party?" the cop asked.
"No, I don't," Ryan replied.
"What are you eating?"
"Why do you care?" Ryan asked, confused.
"I said, what are you eating? Is it drugs?!" the officer shouted.
"No, it's not," Ryan said, reaching for he's phone.
"Get your hands where I can see them!" the cop yelled.
Ryan didn't listen. He continued reaching for his phone,
Bang. A loud noise rang out.
Inside, Adam and Katherine had grown tired of dancing. They went to grab a drink.
"Adam, have you seen Ryan? I haven't seen him in a while," asked Katherine.
"No, I haven't," he replied.
"Let's go look for him," she said, grabbing Adam's arm. But before they could step outside, a gunshot rang out.
They rushed to the door and swung it open. Ryan lay motionless on the ground, blood soaking his shirt. Katherine dropped to her knees beside him, her hands trembling.
"Someone call an ambulance!" Adam shouted.
"You're going to be okay," Katherine whispered, brushing the hair from Ryan's face.
"We both know I'm not going to make it," Ryan murmured. "Please... tell my mom I love her."
His voice faded. By the time the ambulance arrived, Ryan was gone.
The cop drove home in silence.
"Why did I shoot him?" he whispered to himself.
He collapsed into bed but barely slept. The next morning, he sat on the couch, staring blankly at the news.
Footage of protests filled the screen—demonstrations had erupted all over town. People were demanding justice. But the case never made it to court. It was dismissed. The justification? The officer believed Ryan had a weapon.
A few weeks later, Ryan's funeral was held. The church was packed with people who came to say goodbye.
That same day, the officer drove to the cemetery. He walked slowly between the graves until he found Ryan's. Blue and purple flowers surrounded the stone. He knelt beside it, overcome with guilt.
"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you."
He stayed there, still kneeling, as the wind whispered through the trees.