The Storm

The day had come to a close as most of the people in their homes would be showering and readying themselves to go to bed to awake and prepare for the next morning. Gabriel; however, a young boy in the month of his birthday when he would turn seven. Gabriel a smart child, knew when trouble was near, it was undeniable that he could get that his life was going to come to an end as the glisten of the silver pistol barrel looked at him, he could feel his heart pound, rapidly as if it were going to leap from his chest. The man that stood before him with a smirk, his finger hugging the trigger glaring at the frightened young child whom he had every intention of ending his life as he had done his parents and savior, the lone police officer had taken a bullet from the man for the child who was attempting to run from the bloodshed and find help, the killer didn’t see it happen the way they wanted it to happen.

Gabriel placed his hands over his now closed eyes. The next events seem to happen in slow motion, the ring of the gun being fired, but no pain followed behind the impact of the hit, the next sound was skin chilling at the sound as something hard being slammed against the wall next to him. Gabriel opened his eyes, uncovering them as he saw the source of the sounds, the neighbor's son Leonard Cross had the killer in a choke hold against the wall, neither man noticed the child. Gabriel saw the pistol lying at the choking man’s feet as he tried to escape the raven black haired man's grip. The smile he wore earlier now a look of strain as sweat poured from his pores.
Leonard looked at the man freeing one of his hands as he jabbed the man roughly in the temple, knocking him to the ground Leonard kicked the gun in the air, catching it spinning around the man had found his footing and was ready to punch Leonard who squeezed the trigger with perfect aim he shot the killer in the head. He looked at Gabriel throwing the empty gun onto the fallen man's chest, Leonard walked over to the young boy kneeling to him, “Gabriel, are you alright? My parent’s sent me over to assist you once they heard the gunshots. I will be taking you to my home tonight and get this sorted out in the morning, do you understand me?”

Gabriel looked at the man in front of him who also looked at him waiting for his answer.
“My mom, she told me to run, I tried, but he stopped me.” Gabriel now felt tears come from his brown eyes.
Leonard looked at the fallen woman then at Gabriel, “You have done well to make it this far, no matter what comes in your mind don’t allow yourself to think that you have failed her. Make her that promise, Gabriel.”
Gabriel looked at the older man who still looked at him, “I promise.”

Leonard stood to his feet getting his cell phone opening it dialing a number as Gabriel sat on the floor, cradling himself as the held back tears made their way down his face.

“Yes, mother. I know, no I can’t do that. I know, I’m sure you would take care of Gabriel. Mother, now you’re just being funny, I will take Gabriel in until everything is settled. When I am called again, I will place him under your care, money wise you and father couldn’t take care of a child right now. That was inappropriate, I do not hate children, why would I risk my safety to protect something I hate? Humorous, really mother, I’m laughing on the inside, I most certainly will not do that. Fine mother, I will see what I can do about that; No. I am going to hang up on you if you can’t agree to disagree, you are not able to take care of a child in the state of mind Gabriel is in. It looks like a horror film over here and the child is crying his eyes out, I will take him to therapies and get him stabilized emotionally before I hand him to you… Really, that’s very thoughtful, I don’t mind retiring from the service, it was starting to become a bore anyway. Bye Mother, we’ll see you in a little while.” Leonard hung up the cell phone closing it as he sighed. He looked at Gabriel kneeling down to him, holding him close.Gabriel looked at him, wrapping his arms around Leonard’s neck, crying into the raven-haired man’s shirt. Leonard picked up Gabriel leaves the house, Leonard got into a bullet-gray convertible. Opening the passenger door, he sat with the child closing the door. The warmth of the car caused Gabriel to get comfortable laying his head on Leonard’s chest. Gabriel looked at his savior who stared out the window, “Will I get to see you after tonight? What if that guy comes and tries to do that again?” Leonard looked at the child, “You will be staying at my home tonight, then I will try to see if I can have custody of you, Gabriel; relax the dead can’t hurt the living. Just try to calm down.”

Gabriel looked at Leonard, “We are great friends and you are rich, shouldn’t it work that you can have me live with you?”

Leonard looked at the child opening the door, sitting Gabriel in the seat, “I don’t see why not to be honest. I’ll go get you some clothes, is there anything else you want?”

Gabriel watched as Leonard put the seatbelt around him as a faint click was heard. Gabriel nodded his head, “I want my favorite pillow, my favorite blanket, and all my snacks.”

Leonard looked at him, “The pillow and blanket I can get, but I would rather not let you re-enter the home. We’ll go and get you some snacks and food on the way to my home. Just wait here.”

Leonard closed the door. Gabriel watched as Leonard walked into the home.