Pigs

We didn't do anything. We did nothing wrong. We held our signs up along with our fists, pumping them into the air as we chanted "hands up, don't shoot!" As we did, I looked around at everyone around me. A small girl with her mother, red hair and blue eyes, just like her mom. Her little nose had a hint of pink on it. I looked to my left, and there was a tall white man, wearing a blue hat, it's brim facing the back, he had on a grey shirt that said "NO LIVES MATTER UNTIL BLACK LIVES MATTER" I looked to my right, and there was a tall black man, chanting "Don't shoot!" And then there was me. Surrounded by these people. Then they stopped. They stopped moving but continued chanting loudly. I could see people looking out from their apartments and grocery stores. I ran past people to get to the front, and once I did, I kneeled. I was pale, I could pass as white. I screamed "HOW MANY MORE HAVE TO DIE?!" They were silent. They didn't budge. Of course they didn't. I stood, and once I did, everyone fell to one knee. I saw more white people walk to the front to cover the blacks so they wouldn't get hurt. We had our privilege, and if we were blessed with it, we'd use it correctly. One cop took a step towards me and looked down at me "I suggest you step down and move" At this I laughed, and stepped so we were chest to chest. I looked up at him, and studied him closely. He had a gut, definitely, he was sweating, and his breath smelled horrid. He was an inch or two taller then me, and he had dark green eyes. He had paper thin lips. And his badge number. I smiled and looked up at him. "14188. That's your badge. You are nothing without it. You're just another fucking PIG. You wanna push me? Push me. You wanna shoot me? Shoot me. But each death you cause makes it worse. You want a riot and violence so you look like a hero? We'll show you a fucking riot. You don't scare me. You're just another person who let power get to his head." At this, his eyes widened. The next second I was on the ground, my arms pinned behind me. I didn't struggle. I knew if the media got hold of this they'd paint it out to make me look like the bad guy. Then I was free. I jumped up and saw a tall guy shoving the cop, and before they got a hand on him, I grabbed his wrist and bolted. I could hear more chanting, and then I heard it. A single shot. And then a ear shattering scream. I stopped and looked behind me, and almost fell to the ground. The little red haired girl was on the floor, blood pooling around her stomach as her mom yelled in agony. I sprinted back and scooped her up, yelling at the mom to follow me. And then there was smoke. I squeezed my eyes shut and took my shirt off, making sure to put it over the little girls face. My undershirt was soaked in blood, and so were my hands. I stumbled foward blindly, yelling for the girls mother to follow. I couldn't breathe. Every breath I took burned, my lungs felt like they were on fire, and I wanted to fall and curl into a ball. The loud scream of the girl broke my thoughts. The girl. Red hair. Red blood. Blue eyes. I opened my eyes and sprinted foward. I had to get her out. And then I ran into him. Tall, he looked 7'0. He wore all black. His mask and attire looked like something from Halo. He had a cam on, it was recording. He took a breath in, like he was going to say something, but then he stopped and yelled "LOOK OUT!!" I looked back and through my blurry vision, I saw another tear gas canister flying towards us. I coughed and fell to the ground, applying pressure on the little girls wound. He picked up the gas canister and hurled it back to where it came from, and then he saw the little girl. "Shit...shit shit shit!" He picked me up and said "Don't stop applying pressure." I coughed again and screamed in pain. My eyes were on fire. I couldn't see. Tears were streaming down my face involuntarily. I held the little girl closer, and buried my face in his neck, squeezing my eyes shut even more. He set us down, and I heard the bustling crowd of people once more. "Make way!!" "Is that..blood??!" "My baby!!!" "Get me some milk now!!!!" I coughed again, and gripped onto the little girl as I felt someone trying to grab her. "I-it isn't my blood. I'm okay, please it's her she needs help!" Someone screamed for a medic before they grabbed her again, assuring my it'd be okay. "Open your eyes." I tried to open them, but the pain shot through my eyes once more. I let out a small scream, before someone pried my eyes open, pouring milk into them. I was shaking, and someone grabbed my hand. I gripped it, and closed my eyes shut once more. The pain was dull, but still there. I didn't let go of the person's hand. I was still shaking, and as I mumbled out "Her mom. Her blood, is on me. Where's her mom?" I heard a deep voice reply "They're leaving to the hospital. Don't worry, her mom is with her" The voice. His voice. Why was it so familiar? I opened my eyes slowly, and looked down at my hand before slowly trailing upwards. Him. The giant. I let go of his hand and mumbled a quick apology before standing shakily. My legs felt like jelly. I heard another gunshot before someone yelled "THEY'RE SHOOTING!! EVERYBODY RUN!!" I heard it right beside me, and I heard a small grunt. "You should probably run. I'll be fine. I have gear. You don't." I nodded and started running foward. I couldn't open my eyes and I pleaded for someone to help. Someone grabbed my wrist and said "Don't worry. I got you." I opened my eyes a bit and saw the white guy. He dragged me into a small alleyway and ducked behind the dumpster. I heard him hushing others, and he said "It'll be okay. We just need to stay quiet. You, open your eyes" When I did, he poured cold water this time, and my eyes immediately felt better. I sighed softly and went to rub them when he stopped me. "You'll get tear gas in them again. Don't." I nodded and shook my head before opening my eyes. There was a small sting, but I saw a teenager holding a small girl. Both were black, with beautiful brown eyes. He was hushing her and petting her head, and when that didn't work, he sang softly to her. He rocked her, and the white guy handed him his jacket. "She'll get cold. Cover her. It'll help" We heard more gunshots in the distance, and I swallowed my tears before whispering, "Fortunately, I live in an apartment close by. We can walk there. It's about a five minute walk, we just have to be careful. I have a first aid kit, and a guest bedroom." They seemed unsure, but when another gunshot and scream were heard, they nodded. Throughout our walk, we had to hide in the shadows. The cops were everywhere. The brother had to hush his sister (at least I assumed she was) multiple times. Poor baby. She had tears streaming down her cheeks. When we finally made it, I guided them into the bathroom so I could patch them up. The little girl had a scratch or two, but she had a large scrape on her side. She cried softly when I cleaned it, and afterwards I sat her down and played a Monster High movie on Nextflix for her. I patched up the black teen next. His lip was bloody and his eye was bruised. I didn't see that before. I apologized to him everytime he winced, and he shook his head each time. Once I was done with him he went and sat beside the little girl, laying her head on his lap before putting an arm around her. The white man was okay, but he had a large cut on his leg. I cleaned it and then wrapped some gauze around it. Once I finished wrapping it I helped him sit on my sofa. It was silent for a quick second before the little girl sat up slowly. She paused the movie and then looked at me. She beckoned me over, and then hugged me tightly. I could hear her small sobs, and her entire body shook. I was stunned for a second, but then I hugged her back. Her grip on me tightened as she choked out "Why do they hate us so much?" My heart broke at that, and I pulled back gently, grabbing her face in my hands. I slowly wiped her tears and gave a soft smile, "They may hate you, but the good always defeats the bad. There will always be people who think you're beautiful. Skin color aside." She sniffled and poked my cheek, "I always see beautiful white women. Never black." I smiled and held her hand, "There's a ton of gorgeous black women who are models. Like Winnie Harlow, or Lineisy Montero. You don't have to change or think bad upon yourself. You're beautiful how you are. Don't change for others. That's one thing I've learned as time has passed." She nodded and wiped her tears away before hugging me again. I looked at who I assumed was her brother, and he was smiling at me. I stood up and dusted my knees off, looking at all three. "Well, there is a curfew, and it's pretty dark out now. I'll make dinner for all of us, and you guys can stay here. I have a guest room, and I can share my bed with someone. It's pretty big. Um..by the way, can I know everybody's name?" The black teen extended his hand to me, and I shook his hand, "I'm Chris Glover, and this is my sister, Anny Glover" I smiled and nodded at them before turning towards the white man as he extended his arm, giving my hand a short shake as he smiled, "I'm Tim Silvers." I nodded and smiled, "well, I'm y/n, and it's nice to meet you all. Now, I luckily have spare clothing in the spare bedroom for when my friends come over, so you can all shower. Only problem is...I don't really have clothes small enough to fit Anny.." I looked between the two men before Chris spoke up, "Well, my mom showed me how to wrap a shirt around her underside as a form of underwear, so I can do that" I smiled and nodded before guiding them to the restrooms. Chris and Anny went to my restroom, and Tim went to the guest restroom. As they started showering, I put their clothes on the beds before walking down to the kitchen. I grabbed nuggets and macaroni from the cabinets and freezer before putting the nuggets in the oven and the water on the stove. I leaned against the counter, at peace. The faint sound of water in the background was calming, but I sighed when I looked at the blood on my shirt. I hoped the girl was safe. I'd never forgive myself, even though I wasn't guilty, I felt like it. I buried my face in my palms before I heard knocking from the door. I jumped a bit, but then walked towards it and looked out the peephole. The tall man and another man with dreads stood on my front step. I slowly opened the door and immediately felt tiny in comparison. I stood at a little below their chests (if you're taller then make it higher!! Same goes with skin tone, hair, eyes, etc. Etc.! Remember this story is for you!) "Um...yes??" They looked down at me, and the one with dreads spoke first, "We don't mean to intrude, but um..well...ah we really don't have anywhere to go. We don't live anywhere in the area and we don't want to get pulled over. We're in enough trouble as it is..so..could we possibly stay here for today? If not it's completely fine we don't want to intru-" I smiled and nodded, "It's fine, don't worry. Of course you can. I owe the tall guy over here. He saved me..in a way" I moved aside and they both walked in, glancing at me. They sat down and I walked back to the kitchen, putting the macaroni in the pot. I leaned against the counter again before there was a small knock on the wall, and dreads was standing in the doorway, "um..are you okay? I noticed the blood.." I nodded and closed my eyes, "It isn't mine. A little girl got shot..those..those fucking..those fucking PIGS shot her...I should've..I should've been infront of her...I could've shielded her...it was my fault...I could-" He interrupted me by grabbing my wrists and looking down at me. I didn't even notice I was shaking. I didn't notice the small moon shaped indents on my hands from my nails. I didn't notice my tears. I looked over and saw Anny and Chris standing in the doorway, looking at me with sad eyes. I took a deep breath and shakily let it out, "I'm fine. Excuse my little outburst, it was very rude of me." I gave a quick smile before pulling my hands away gently, wiping my face before turning off the macaroni. I went to grab the nuggets out of the oven, but I was stopped by dreads again. "Hey...go shower, okay? I can serve everyone. You need a break." I stopped and looked up at him, "That's...no I couldn't. You're a guest in my house. It'd be so rude-" He stopped me and let out a small chuckle. God, his voice was like heaven. So comforting. "Go..it's okay. I insist." I nodded and excused myself, walking to my bedroom. Before I walked in, I caught a glimpse of the tall man looking at me. I stopped, gave him a tiny smile, and walked in, closing the door. I sat on my bed for a second before standing, grabbing my clothes and walking into the restroom. I didn't know how long I was in there for. The water was scalding hot. I was sitting on the floor. Everything felt like it was falling apart, and I covered my mouth to keep my sobs quiet. I jumped when there was a small knock on the door, and I heard Anny ask, "I hate to be rude, but..are you okay?" I coughed to clear my throat and shakily responded, "U-um..y-yeah yeah I'm okay!!" I quickly washed my body and hair, scratching at my skin. I could feel her hair. I could feel her warm blood leaking onto me. Her blue eyes filled with tears. Her scream. I banged my fist onto the wall, and sighed, "enough...stop it." I stopped the water and wrapped my towel around my body. I got out and stared at my body. Every stretch mark. Every scar. Some caused by myself, others caused by stupid accidents. I shook my head and walked into my room, the cold air hitting my skin. I put on my clothes (whatever makes you comfy!! Remember this is for you!) And walked downstairs. I smiled at everyone and got my food, picking at it, then eating some of it silently. I put the rest up and walked into my living room. Everyone looked at me as I played with my fingers, "well..um..first I need both of your names. I can't just call you 'dreads' and 'tall guy'." 'Dreads' gave a small laugh and said, "You can call me Riot. Or Mufasa." I nodded and looked at the taller one. "A lot of people call me Tank." I nodded and then spoke again, "Nice to meet you two. Um..I'm willing to share my bed with someone, and the guest bedroom can fit two people as well. Someone will have to take the sofa though. It is comfortable, but I just feel bad." Anny and Chris asked for the guest bedroom, which everyone complied to and said yes. When they went upstairs, Tim said he'd take the sofa, and Riot said he'd take the other. Tank looked at me and shrugged. I flushed pink for a second before shrugging, "Um..okay well, you and Riot can shower before you guys sleep. And change. I'm not sure if you both have clothing..but there's the bathroom in the hallway and the bathroom in my room for Tank." Riot nodded and grabbed his bag, heading into the hallway bathroom before I walked into my room, Tank following in. He walked into the restroom, and I turned off my light, switching on the lamp on his side. I climbed into bed and wrapped myself in my comforter, sighing in contentment as the water ran in the background. I quickly fell asleep to the sound of it. I woke up a short moment later to the movement beside me. "Tank..that you..?" I heard him pause a second before he answered, "Um..yeah. It's me. I'm really sorry if I woke you up." I shook my head and stayed facing the other way so I couldn't see him. I was curious, but if he wanted to remain anonymous, I'd leave it that way. "No, it's fine." I heard the sheets ruffle and then the click of the lamp, and the blanket give a small tug before I heard a small sigh of contention. I hid my smile and closed my eyes, "Goodnight Tank." "Goodnight.." I laughed softly, "My name is Y/N" "Ah, well, goodnight Y/N, sleep tight" I yawned and said "Mhm, you too." Before falling asleep, the sound of the fan and his breathing as they lolled me into sleep.