I curse as I jump off my board and sprint toward the sound. It goes on and on, slowly getting louder and louder. There is a small path between two buildings- a dentistry and a burrito shop- and that is where I find him.

He’s slumped across the concrete wall and using his hands to cover something on his stomach.

Blood. Lots and lots of blood. That’s what he’s covering. I rush toward him.

“What in the hell happened?!” I say frantically.

“They took my bread… the picture. The picture!” It is just now that I notice his thick accent. I wonder why I didn’t hear it before.

“Yes, yes. The picture, I understand.” I do not understand, but I have seen many frantic people, and most of them were dying. The most I can do verbally is agree and calm him down.

“Calm down. Calm down!” he looks up at me with panic as I speak to him. “You need to calm down. Where is your mother? The woman from the photo? That was her right?”

He nods. Shadows crawl across his tan skin. “She...she…” Tears start to stream down his blood stained cheeks. 

His hand is still plastered to the wound with blood, and I peel it away. I rip open the shirt to find a deep gouge right across his stomach.

“Who did this?”

He looks up at me. I try to search his eyes for any answer of what is going on, but only find fear. I scoot over and gather him in my arms, and I whisper into his ear.

“It’s all going to be okay. Don’t worry. Just close your eyes. It's all going to be alright. It’s all going to be alright.” I rock back and forth and run my fingers through his hair. I begin to find myself crying as well. I am bewildered. I never cry. 

“I’m scared, cousin.” The boy says. This boy is my cousin. "Don't leave me. Please, cousin." Another round of sobs wretch out of his mouth and I hold his head in the crook of my neck, pecking the top of his matted hair.

“I know. I know. I'm here. It’s all going to be okay. What is your favorite color?” I can’t think of anything to say or do that will comfort him.

“Green.” He manages to mumble out between his groans.

“So is mine.” Green is not my favorite color.

“Really?” A spark shows slightly in my cousin’s eyes. It flickers out instantly.

“Yes, really,” I smile, “What is your name?”

He looks up at me and opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. 

Don't close your eyes. Whatever you do, don't close your eyes!

He goes limp in my arms, and I start to shake. He’s dead. I gasp for breath as I cry out. I do not understand why this boy was so important, but he did not deserve this. He did not deserve any of this.

At least I got to hold his hand as the light behind his eyes faded.