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Walking into the semi-dark building, Sierra Montgomery noticed a crowd of people mumbling and looking down at something on the floor. As she approached the group, there was a slight hush as some of them recognized whom she was. The closer she got, the more she could make out what appeared to be a female on the ground.

At first Sierra wasn’t too sure because all she could see was a person’s back. The outfit, a white baggy FUBU sweater and navy blue Guess jeans were splattered with blood.
Once she realized it was a girl, her first thoughts were ‘where were the cops?’ and ‘why was everyone standing around looking and not trying to help her?’

Seeing crime in the building was something she had to endure for as long as she could remember. People being robbed or a crack head being jumped was part of the norm but to see someone actually murdered, now that was something else. The tenants had been complaining to the landlord to have surveillance cameras installed in all of the hallways. When the lights blew, the hallways would get very dark and it was hard to see a person’s way out more or less a stranger in front of them. Sierra assumed now that someone was hurt it would finally be done.

Getting nearer, Sierra noticed the girl’s sneakers looked very familiar. As quickly as she thought it couldn’t be, she knew. Lying on the floor bleeding to death was her best friend Angelina Williams. Pushing her way to the front, Sierra began yelling and screaming curses at the same time. People moved to the side to let her pass.

“Oh my god, Angie! Angie, can you hear me? Angie, what happened?” Sierra bent down to talk to her friend and let her know she was there. Seconds later, the paramedics arrived and took over, shoving her to the side.

“What the fu….? Don’t push me, I know her!” Sierra yelled to their backs. The two women ignored her as they tried to work.

“Miss, can you hear me? Miss?” They tried calling her but Angie didn’t respond nor did she flinch or move when they nudged her. Turning her attention away from Angie, Sierra looked at the crowd that was steadily growing and started yelling at them too. The lights from the various opened doorways sent shadows across everyone’s face.

“What the hell happened here? Talk to me! Tell me something!” No one replied though. They stood there just as stunned as she was.  Sierra turned back around to see what was happening but by then the paramedics had strapped Angie onto the stretcher and was rushing towards the awaiting ambulance.

Running to the stretcher Sierra grabbed for her friend’s hand, “Angie can you hear me? I’m right here girl. I’m coming with you! You hear me. Don’t you give up! Angie!”
“Hold up, miss we need you to calm down. Do you hear? We need you to calm down?” The EMS paramedic stopped Sierra as she started to yell.  Sierra knew she had to calm down in order to help her friend but she was still in shock from seeing her on the ground bleeding. “Are you related to this woman?”

“She’s my best friend. We live right next door to each other. Her mother is my godmother.”

“Okay fine, can you come with us? My name is Terri. We’ll need to ask you some questions about your friend.” Terri stated as she jumped in the back of the ambulance. Her partner was already at the driver’s side door getting in.

Terri looked to be about thirty-five years old. She had short bleached blond locks, a caramel brown complexion and a medium athletic build. She’d been doing this for six years already and knew time was of the essence. She didn’t have time to argue or get into reasons why things happened. She quickly locked Angie into place and went to assist Sierra with the step.

“Yes I’m coming with you. No one is home at her house. Both of her parents are at work.” Sierra replied.

* * * * * *

In the corner near the stairs stood a figure watching the entire event take place. If Sierra wasn’t as distraught as she was, then she would have noticed the figure standing near the stairwell. She would have seen the worried look cross their face as they turned and walked towards the exit. But since she wasn’t thinking straight, she paid it no mind, jumped in the ambulance and closed the door.