THE MURDER Laura

THE MURDER Laura and her 7year old brother Reign huddled behind the living room couch. Their bodies trembling with fear as they watched in horror.The sound of thunderous crack of a gunshot had torn through the air. Reign clutched his sister’s hand tightly. His hands were shaking and his breathing was fast.Laura’s eyes were wide with terror, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. She peered cautiously over the edge of the couch. Her heart pounding loudly in her ears. In the middle of the living room, their father lay motionless on the floor. A pool of blood slowly spreading around him. Laura felt a scream building in her throat, but she forced it back.She knew that any sound could attract the attention of the intruder. Reign buried his face in Laura’s shoulder, his small frame shaking with sobs.Laura wrapped her arms around his face and mouth. She wanted to shield him from the horror that was before them. She strained to hear any movement, her senses on high alert.Suddenly, a new sound reached their ears. The distinct click of a gun being c****d. Laura’s breath caught in her throat as her mother’s anguished cries echoed through the house.Abruptly silenced by another deafening gunshot, her mom lay beside her dad dead. The pool of blood streamed to where they were.She touched it in her hands and kissed it in tears. This blood, was her mom and dad. Tears streamed down Laura’s face as she realized their parents were gone.She cried bitterly but tried not to produce any sound. With her bloodied hands, she held embraced her brother tightly. She pulled Reign closer, shielding him as best she could.She was silently praying that the intruder would not discover their hiding place. Time seemed to stand still as the siblings huddled in the darkness.Their only company was the haunting figures that had ruthlessly taken away their parents and made them orphans. The men stood tall one of them stepping on her dad’s chest.He lit a cigarette, puffed and passed it to the other goon. In this moment of unimaginable horror, their world of these sibling had been shattered.Just like that, 17yr old Laura, had been left to take care of her 7yr old brother. At such a tender age, it was a huge responsibility. The minutes ticked by like hours. Laura and Reign remained frozen behind the couch, too terrified to move.Laura’s mind raced, desperately searching for a way to escape their situation. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached their ears. The footsteps were drawing closer with each passing moment.Laura’s heart pounded in her chest as she realized the intruder was approaching their hiding spot. She tightened her grip on Reign. She silently prayed that they would not be discovered.The footsteps stopped just on the edge of the couch, and Laura held her breath. Her entire body tense and panicked. The sound of the intruder’s breathing filled the air. Laura could feel the presence looming over them.He sat on the handle of the couch and they were right there. Just as she thought they had been found, the man moved away, retreating towards the front door.Laura released the breath she had been holding, her relief short-lived as the sickening realization dawned on her, her parents are gone. Reign looked up at her, his eyes filled with tears.Laura knew they couldn’t stay hidden forever; they would need to find help. They need to alert the authorities and ensure their safety. Cautiously, Laura peered over the edge of the couch. Her heart sinking as she took in the horrific scene before her.The lifeless bodies of her parents lay on the floor, their eyes open but unseeing. Laura couldn’t hold her tears anymore. Reign followed her gaze, and a strangled cry escaped his lips.Laura quickly covered his mouth, her own tears spilling over. They had to remain silent, lest the intruder return and finish the job. The deafening silence was shattered by Reign’s anguished cries as he rushed to his mother’s lifeless body.“Mommy! Mommy, wake up!” he wailed, his small hands grasping at her clothes.Laura’s heart shattered at the sight of her little brother’s pain. She hurried to his side, her own tears streaming down her face as she knelt beside their parents.With a trembling hand, she reached out to check for a pulse, praying against all hope that they were still alive. But as her fingers pressed against her father’s neck, she felt nothing. No flutter, no sign of life. A strangled sob escaped her lips as the devastating realization set in. Her parents were gone. Reign had crawled onto his mother’s chest, his small body racked with sobs. Laura lay on her father's chest and cried in anguish.He was the best father in the world. He gave her everything and wanted the best for her. He spolied and accompanied her wheever he had time. He was a busy man yet very present father in his kids lives. He promised her a car and vacation on her 18th birthday. He wanted to attend her graduation. They had big plans. Her mom told