Chapter 1

There is smoke everywhere even the air is filled with soot, l can't even breathe properly neither can l see clearly cough a few times and my throat is dry before trying to get up but l can't seem to something is blocking me. I struggle to lift my head a little in order to see what it is, my eyes are killing me feels like there are broken glasses in there tears stream down my cheeks uncontrollably. I then move my hands to feel my legs but l touch someone's shoulder covered in a sweater; shocked l move my hand to trace the object that is lying atop. l moved my hand around and suddenly l reach closed eyes l move my hand further and feel a person's head immediately l recognize the haircut from somewhere. I use the life left in me to move the body and soon after l stumble and stagger eventually l am on my feet. I face the dead body Infront of me, my knees buckle and l fall back onto the rough surface not because l am powerless but because the dead body belongs to my dad, it's my dad.

How can it be what happened, I can't seem to fathom this? It takes me a couple of minutes to take it all in and here l stand drained of all power in the midst of our house which has been burnt down to the ground and there is still unextinguished fire at certain parts of the house everything is barely recognizable.

People are starting to gather around and some using their mobile phones, calling an ambulance...the cops...911 l suppose.

I start crying my heart out scanning everywhere for both my mother and little brother Josh. Once again l stumble on another dead body, all the color drowns from my face when l saw my mom lying on a broken vase. It must be a bad dream l hit my head twice and it responds with a sharp pain, l am not dreaming it's actually happening. I continue looking around and that's when flashes from last night start coming back.

I remember everyone on the table ready for diner and l was helping my mom dishing out. I was the one who had prepared fish lasagna and l had set the table and everything else so everyone was really looking forward to it.

"How was the interview did you get the job." Mom asked as we were getting juice.

"I did-----" and before l could finish dad butts in.

"That's good news." Dad says grinning from ear to ear.

The whole family congratulate me with smiles but mom notices something.

"What's wrong pumpkin, you don't like the job?"

"No l love it of course but they said l am a little young so l will be getting a senior field detective on all my cases for a year." I say disappointed.

"What, you don't need to feel bad it's actually a good thing you will learn from an experienced person after this year you will be unstoppable right Frank?" Mom says eyeing my dad who had been distracted by the food on the table.

"What?" He asks absent minded and they each exchange looks with each other.

"Yes of course pumpkin, you don't have to feel bad this is what you wanted and l am so proud of you, my baby." Dad says and mom smiles hugging me passionately.

"So, when are you starting?" Dad asks.

"Monday, though l am needed at the Precinct on Saturday." I tell both mom and dad.

"Am l the only one who is hungry." My little brother impatiently says and everyone laughs. We all hold hands and we thank the Lord for the food before everyone digged in.

"It really smells nice sis." My little brother compliments as we start to eat.

"And it tastes delicious where did you learn to cook this wonderfully," my dad says as he stuffed more food in his mouth.

The compliments kept coming as we proceeded with eating.

"We will go shopping tomorrow you still haven't bought any new clothes." My mom says.

"I will call in sick tomorrow," she adds.

"We don't have to make a big deal out of it, l already have so many clothes to wear." I say.

"Listen to your mother Detective Givens." My dad says proudly.

"It has a nice ring to it Andy." My little brother adds soon after dad.

"I have something for you pumpkin." My dad says as he went into his room to collect the 'something'.

I curiously wait for his return and watch mom as she smiles at me. After dad comes back, he hands me a small box that fits perfectly in my palm and l am thinking what could be this small.

"Car keys!!!!!"

Of course, car keys would fit in the small gift box, l abruptly hug my dad tears of joy streaming down my face.