When Thorns Fall From The Sky

Given that I am only 14, I think it's fair to say that it was not my fault that Jamie died. It was a gang fight. Nothing that could have been me. After all, I'm not a SkyThorn.

I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start from the beginning. My name is Shoshonia Tyrania Larkon. Do not ever call me that or you will die at the stroke of midnight. Just call me Shelly. My mom and dad died when i was just eight years old. And not sorry to say it, good riddance. They did no good to our family.

Jamie was my twin brother. We were very close. We both were very athletic, which comes in handy. We both had tan skin and flawless skin. I'm not a Narcissus, if that's what you're thinking. I've just never had a zit. He didn't either. I have an older brother to. His name is Erick, and he is 21 years old. If it weren't for him, us three would have been split up.

It is very hard to forget the day that Jamie died. So hard that i gave up trying. Because that was the day that Jamie and I turned 14, and had the biggest argument we have ever had.

I know that this is stupid, but it was over a pancake. He wanted the last chocolate chip one, and so did I. So, we began to wrestle around on the kitchen floor. He didn't care that I was a girl, or that I was 10 minutes younger. I didn't care that he was a boy, or 10 minutes older. I learned to accept that a long time ago. Around here, no one goes easy on you, no matter what.

I tried kicking him while he pinned me down. I got him hard on his shin, and he grabbed my auburn hair and pulled hard. I almost cried out, but I was tougher than that. He was still pulling on my hair, so I bit down on his arm. We continued to roll around fighting.

Eventually, we let go. We caught our breath, and then started fighting again. In the midst of our fighting, Erick walked into the room and took the pancake. When Jamie and I realized that 15 minutes later, we started fighting even more. "It's all your fault Shelly!" he shouted. "It's supposed to be my special day!" "It's my birthday too, you know!" I yelled back. Boy, did he make me mad or what!

Then, without realizing what i was doing, i hit him. that was something that we never do. That was the reason we hated mom and dad so much. They would hit us. "Oh, Jamie I didn't mean to! I really didn't! I'm sorry!" i pleaded with him, but he just ran out the door. And because he's my brother and I love him so much, I followed him.

"Jamie stop!" he didn't hear me. If he did, he just didn't care. We ran for about seven blocks when Jamie stopped and I caught up to him. "You know i did not mean to hit you, so please forgive me! I'm just mad because, well, I don't know, because mom and dad never made chocolate chip pancakes for us, and they're special with all of the little money we have." I said, all in one breath. "Don't sweat it Shelly, I'm just mad to." he said, then put his arms around me. It was a mark of the closeness between us that he forgave me so fast.

"Aw, look guys, some lovebird Larkons! I thought you freaks were related!" I heard a raspy voice from behind us call out, followed by some laughter. "Get behind me. When i signal, run!" Jamie instructed. I was so scared, I didn't even argue.

"Go away, SkyThorns! You are nothing but garbage, and i don't give a crap that you're bugging me and my sis, but i will in five minutes if you are still here." He boldly said. But now, looking back, i wouldn't think of him as bold. Just stupid.

More laughs from the horrible gang came after Jamie finished talking. There must have been at least 15 SkyThorns, and they were all about 19 years old. They stopped laughing, and took a step toward me and Jamie. I saw Jamie cross and uncross his fingers, a signal we developed when we were younger. I took of running.

"Hey! Get that dumb chick back here!" They all shouted, but none came after me. Instead, they ran up to Jamie and started beating him. "Jamie! Jamie!" I screamed. I could not believe that was happening. My brother was dying, and I could do nothing about it. I felt too scared to move, but I ran back to him anywas. "Get off of him!" I said pulling one of the gang members back. He turned around, punched me hard in the mouth once, then turned back and resumed kicking him. I continued to fight them, but they were so much stronger. Finally, one pulled out a gun, shot Jamie once in the neck, and pointed the gun at me. "We'll give you one chance now. Leave, or we'll shoot you too." I looked down into the dead grey eyes of my brother. As much as I wanted to stay and fight, I knew that I would die. So I turned and sprinted away, sobbing.

"Jamie's dead! It was the SkyThorns, there were so many of them, I couldn't do anything about it! I'm sorry." I told Erick once I got home. I was crying then. Oh, my brother, why him? Why not me?