Trey had always known pain.
Growing up deep in the hood, he was just another kid trying to keep his family afloat. His momma was sick, and with his pops rotting in prison, it was up to him to carry the weight. He wasn't even old enough to vote, yet here he was—doing errands, cooking meals, keeping the lights on.
It was just him, his baby brother Jimmy, and his younger sister Liz. They had each other. That was enough.
Until the day Jimmy didn't come home.
---
It was supposed to be just another afternoon. Jimmy had gone out to play with his friends like always. But hours passed. Then more. By nightfall, worry turned to panic.
They searched the whole block. When that didn't work, they formed a search party. The streets were cold and empty—almost too quiet.
They called it the Devil's Time.
That late hour when gangs painted the streets red and stray bullets searched for new names to add to the body count. But tonight? It was different. The silence felt like death holding its breath.
Trey walked beside his mom, holding her trembling hand. She'd refused to stay home.
"He's out there, Trey," she said, voice cracking. "My baby's out there…"
Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence a girl crying, not far off.
Trey's heart dropped.
He ran toward the sound, shoes pounding against cracked pavement, lungs tight. He turned the corner and saw it.
His brother.
Jimmy's body lay crumpled beside a trash pile in a narrow alley, blood soaked through his little shirt.
"No…" Trey whispered, his legs giving way.
"No, no, no!"
He dropped to the ground and cradled Jimmy's cold, lifeless body. Voices in his head screamed louder with every heartbeat.
"Why him?"
"This ain't real."
"God, please… take me instead."
Behind him, the crowd stood frozen.
Among them—his mother.
She just stared, eyes wide, hand over her mouth. Her lips moved, barely forming words.
Then she collapsed.
"Momma!" Trey shouted, still holding Jimmy close. He wanted to run to her, catch her before she hit the ground… but his body failed him.
Time stood still.
Everyone just watched. Blank faces, motionless, as if the moment wasn't real.
Trey snapped.
> "What are y'all waiting for?!" he shouted, voice hoarse with rage.
"Don't you see she fainted?! Help her or get the fuck out my way!"
He let go of Jimmy and rushed to his mother, grabbing her arm and trying to lift her. She was twice his weight, but he didn't care.
He had to.
Footsteps echoed—his boys finally showed up.
> "We came as soon as we heard," said Quando, out of breath.
"My car's right at the corner—let's go!"
They helped Trey lift his mom, and a few others carefully carried Jimmy's body. The ride to the hospital was dead silent. Nobody spoke. Nobody dared. The weight was too heavy. Trey's mom was like a second mom to all of them—kind, tough, loyal.
At the hospital, doctors rushed her to the ward. They waited, pacing, praying.
Hours passed.
Finally, a doctor stepped out, removing his gloves.
"She had a heart attack… but she's lucky to be alive."
"You can see her in the morning, once she regains her strength."
Trey didn't flinch. No words, no tears—just a single drop falling from the corner of his eye.
He sat there, wondering what kind of karma was out to destroy him.
"She's strong," Quando said, putting a hand on Trey's shoulder.
"She's gon' be alright. I promise."
They left Jimmy's body in the hospital morgue and slept in the chairs outside the ward. Or at least, the others did. Trey couldn't close his eyes. The night stretched forever.
---
Morning came. The sun rose, birds chirped.
But for Trey, it was just another cold day.
A nurse approached.
"You can see her now."
They all stood up—except Quando. He was gone.
Trey and the others walked inside the ward. His mom was sitting up, weak but awake.
Her face lit up.
Trey rushed to her side and grabbed her hand, tears threatening again.
She opened her mouth to speak but the door burst open.
"Missed me?" Quando asked, walking in with Liz by his side.
They all chuckled, the tension breaking for a second.
Liz ran to their mom and hugged her tight.
"My baby…" their mom whispered, squeezing her.
The moment was warm, soft—even healing. But then she paused.
Her smile faded.
Her eyes searched the room.
"Wait… where's Jimmy?"
Silence.
Like the whole world stopped turning.
Trey looked down.
He couldn't answer.