1 CH 1. Prologue PART 1/2

Nikeal was born into an ordinary family. His father worked as a firefighter and his mother was a botanist. This was the reason he was grown around plants and had a great role model. He looked up to his dad because he was always risking his life to save others, and who wouldn't want to do the same.

As Nikeal was growing up, he learned how to survive on his own as his father was always at the fire station and his mother was constantly going on business trips out of New York to go on research trips.

Although he was given a nanny to take care of him, the nanny neglected him and often ordered him around. This left a lasting impression on the young boy and he started to develop habits that were unusual for an 8-year-old.

At school, he was called a clean freak and a maid. His manipulative classmates took this privilege and abused it. They often ordered him around and made him do everything for them. Yet, he never spoke out as he saw this as a normal thing.

During one family dinner, his father asked, "Nikeal, is your babysitter always telling you what to do?"

Nikeal nodded in agreement and his father frowned. His mother was not there as she was on a research trip.

"Do you want me to ask her to stop telling you what to do?" asked his dad.

Nikeal thought about it for a while as he was chewing on his dinner. As he gulped a bit of rice down, he said, "I'm good. It's not a problem for me and I like to see her smiling all the time."

His dad was conflicted. His mind was racing with thoughts such as, 'He shouldn't be kept away from something he likes' and 'It's better if he grew up like a normal kid'. He looked at Nikeal and said, "Your babysitter said that she is... moving, yeah, moving so you won't be able to see her tomorrow."

"Awww. Can I say goodbye to her?" asked Nikeal. He was sad to see the person who he thought he knew very well had to depart.

"I'm sorry son but you can't. She said she would be leaving this morning so you wouldn't be awake when she leaves for her new house," said his dad. He seemed sad at this news but if you weren't younger than 10, you would understand that this is faked.

"OK Daddy," said Nikeal with a frown. He got out of his chair with his food and threw the rest out. His eyes were watering. He ran to his room and shut the door closed but didn't slam it as he thought that he should at least have some decency.

In the middle of the night, Nikeal's dad opened the door to his room and checked to see if he was sleeping.

After confirming that he was, he shut the door closed. He walked over to his room and took out a Blackberry Bold. He opened a messaging app and typed a message saying:

"I'm sorry to inform this to you Carrie, but you do not need to come in to supervise my son anymore. You will receive this week's payment through your bank account."

He sent it to Carrie and went to sleep.

As Nikeal woke up, he saw his father wasn't the one to wake him up or in his mother's embrace. He got out of his bed and walked around the house. He tried calling his father's name but he never answered. Nikeal got the idea that he was still sleeping so he went over to his room. What he saw was horrific.

His father was laid out on the floor. The room was splattered with blood but most of it was on the floor. The bedsheets had several stabs and tears. The walls were riddled with bloody handprints, seemingly trying to get away. The wallpaper was ripped and torn.

He closed the door and just slid down the door. He sobbed and sobbed until he heard.

"Honey? Why is the door open? Nikeal?" asked a feminine voice.

Nikeal recognized this voice. The sweet melodious tone and the scent of nature filled the house. It was his mother.

Nikeal ran downstairs bawling. His white t-shirt was partially drenched in tears of the poor child.

"My goodness! What's wrong baby?" asked his mother in a worried tone.

"Daddy *hic* is bleeding *hic*. You need to *hic* help him," said Nikeal.

Nikeal's mom ran upstairs and slammed the door open. She saw her husband slumped on the ground lifeless.

Her mouth was wide open. Her eyes saw the slaughter in front of her, but her brain was still processing what had happened. Just after, her eyes started watering then, she also started bawling.

She then took out her phone and dialed 9-1-1. The operator soon picked up and asked, "9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

Downstairs, Nikeal could hear the subtle chatter followed by sobs every once and a while.

After waiting a few minutes, Nikeal and his mom could hear police sirens coming from down the street. They parked in front of the house and quickly got out of their car.

Nikeal's mom walked out of the house, yelling and crying. One policeman caught her in his arms and said something on the radio. But, it was so quiet that Nikeal couldn't hear it.

Nikeal then walked out of the door after her and ran to his mom too. Police barged in and searched the house, looking for any signs of evidence, possibly from the murderer.

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The next day, you could see Nikeal and his mom in a hospital hallway with smooth light blue tiles and concrete walls. They were visiting Nikeal's father.

The doctors didn't want them inside just yet and didn't give any further clarification.

Nikeal looked at his mom's teary eyes from crying all night and the black circles under them.

One doctor entered the room and said to another one, "So, patient Mr. Nockson is in a coma, right? Send someone to send the news to his family."

The other doctor nodded and left the room.

Both mom and son who saw doctors leaving and entering started tensing up. She started to tap her foot on the ground. She looked around anxiously, just waiting for anybody to tell her, her husband's condition.

Suddenly, someone walked up to them both. He said with a grave tone:

"I am sorry to tell you this but... your husband is in a coma."

Nikeal's mom bawled on the ground. The messenger had to help her get up. He had seen this many times. Nikeal was still clueless as to what a coma was. But, seeing his mother cry like that only made him cry too.

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A few days after receiving the news, Nikeal's mother started packing luggage. She only packed what she considered essential. Nikeal coincidentally saw this and asked her, "Where are we going, Mommy?"

His mom looked at him with serious disgust. She answered, "Not we Nikeal. Only me."

"But, who is going to be my babysitter?" asked Nikeal. His mother ignored that question and finally finished packing. She put on a sweater and a coat considering it was cold outside.

When she reached the door, she said to Nikeal, "Nikeal, go to the neighbor's house if you ever need something. Mommy's going to go far away from here for a little while. Ask the neighbor to call this number. You'll stay at a place with a lot of kids, just like you! Also, you get to be taken care of by babysitters all day," passing a piece of paper to Nikeal.

"OK," said Nikeal receiving the paper.

His mother turned to face the door and walked out.

All Nikeal could see was her leaving going down the block and disappearing from his sight.

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[Word Count: 1313]

Honestly, I didn't post yesterday because I was feeling tired and didn't feel like posting. But, at least I finished about 33% of the chapter when I fell asleep. oops.