He began to become aware of what was going on around him at present again. There was the same sound of the machines, accompanied by a hum of voices. 

            Once again Jamie mustered the courage and the energy to open his eyes. This time he did not just see his mum and dad but his entire family. His nan and grandad sat close on one side, his mum and dad doing the same on the other. At the end of the bed was his uncle and auntie, along with his baby cousin lying in the pram, unaware of what was going on around him and unaware of the world he would be growing up in.

            An overwhelming sadness came over him as he realised that they were all here for one reason only. He was going to die. He knew that that was the only time that more than two visitors were allowed; he had seen it on television. This was the last time that he was going to see everyone who meant so much to him.

            Jamie decided he needed to engage with each one of them once more before he went forever. It was too painful for him to speak, and the pain-killing gas mask over his face would have made him incoherent anyway. Therefore he gestured towards his cousin by nodding his head in the direction of the pram. It was enough. His mum lifted the small precious bundle of life he adored so much and placed him next to him on the pillow, just high enough for Jamie to place one small kiss on his cheek.

            After that his auntie and uncle moved along the side of the bed and both hugged him as gently as they could, and each kissing him on the forehead.

            Jamie looked towards his nan and grandad and remembered all the special times he had spent with them. He thought about all the minor things that made his stays with them so special, like being allowed to stay up that little bit later than his parents would let him, and the constant supply of sweets that always seemed to be there.

            His nan was too upset to speak, just held his hand tightly, unable to let go. His grandad grinned at him, ‘You’re a good lad Jamie,’ he said, ‘I love you.’ Jamie attempted to grin back but it soon became a grimace as he once again felt the enduring pain in his side.

            Then Jamie turned to his mum and dad. He knew he did not have long now; he was beginning to feel more dreary and out-of-this-world than he had since he had woken for that first time in hospital. His dad held his hand whilst his mum stroked his head gently, which was exactly what they were doing when Jamie died. He closed his eyes and fell asleep forever.

            Jamie’s mum screamed in pain, anger and sorrow as her baby boy was taken away from her. Similarly, the grief was evident all around the hospital cubicle, with not one dry eye other than that of Jamie’s baby cousin, who slept peacefully in his pram.

            To his family, Jamie was a ray of sunshine, a much-loved importance in their life. He was the centre of their world. He brought happiness, pride and joy. But now, to everyone else, he was just another victim of gun crime, another statistic.