14 Story

I had a pretty good life growing up. I had good grades, was good at sports, and was able to make friends fairly easily. My parents were always supportive of me and I never had to worry about anything. While I was able to make friends, I wasn't able to meet my best friend, 13, until middle school during baseball season.

13 and I got along very well and shared a lot of similar hobbies. It was no surprise to others around us that we would go to the same university. 13 was a good student throughout our childhood as well, but he thrived in college. I, however, began to struggle. My grades had dropped significantly and I had lost scholarships as a result of this.

The support that I had grown up with from my parents was also nowhere to be seen. I felt like I was thrown away and forced to deal with the world myself.

Throughout my life, things came effortlessly. I was able to achieve good grades without the need to study and could succeed in sports with minimal training. I never had to worry about going out of my way to achieve results.

13 had tried to help me with studying before, but I could never pay attention long enough to achieve any results with it. Over time, I began spending more time partying and spending time with the wrong people. Going into our 2nd year of university, I began to get involved in some suspicious activities. I didn't want to get a job and risk missing out on potential fun experiences on the weekends, so some of the new people I hung out with got me into drug dealing.

On this night in particular, I was planning on doing a big deal and had one of them come with me just in case something happened. Shortly after we arrived, I heard footsteps behind me and turned around to see 13 looking at me worried. He must have followed me. He came over and saw what was going on. I could see his look of disappointment.

He grabbed my arm and told me to go with him. The guy that I brought with me seemed threatened by this, as he reached behind his back to pull something out. I told 13 that everything was fine and it will be 2 minutes. He continued to pull me and say that this wasn't good for me. I knew he was right, but I didn't see any other option for me at that point.

The guy I brought had enough and pulled out a knife. I've never seen any of the people I hang out with get violent, even in some extreme cases. He said that he believes that 13 will snitch. 13 assures him that he will do nothing like that.

I start to remember what my life was like before all of this. I remembered how happy I was and compared it to the feelings I have now. I had none, I was just empty on the inside. I began to feel as though I was coming back to my senses.

The guy realized this and began moving towards us. Once he got within striking distance, he yelled that he would make sure 13 stays quiet and thrust his knife at him. Instinctively, I grabbed mine from my pocket and lunged at him.

My knife was slightly larger and penetrated his body fairly easily. Immediately after, I realized what I had done. I saw 13 in danger and my body reacted the way it thought best to protect him. The guy fell backward with my knife still stuck in his body.

Large amounts of blood stained his shirt and started making its way down his clothing. I could tell he was quickly losing strength before he lay there lifeless. I can't believe I just killed someone. My mind quickly filled with fear as I look back at 13.

Why did it have to be me?

I can still be saved, right?