As we walked, more and more alleys appeared on both sides of the road. I was confused. Is this the right way? Only then did I realise that I had taken the wrong turning. I didn’t matter though. This road will still lead me to the school, I thought. Maya seemed to be enjoying herself as she heeled beside me. As I walked past an alley, I felt cold hands grip me by my neck. I was pulled into the alley by three strangers. Two of them pinned me to the wall while the other took out a gun and pointed it at my head. Fear gripped me as the man said, “Give me all of your money. Now!”. Slowly, I took out my wallet and threw it at him. He caught it and smiled at me maliciously. I saw his finger on the trigger move. There was a flash of gold and the sound of a gunshot. The three ran as they heard the siren of a police car. I was confused. I looked down and my blood went cold. There was Maya, lying on the floor with a blood stain on her chest. She was shot. I didn’t know what to do. I screamed for help and people came running. As I looked at her, she gave me a look. That same look. I couldn’t help myself from letting tears stream down my cheeks.

It has been two years since Maya passed away. Yet, there hasn’t been one day that I never think about her. A part of me says its my fault I allowed her to come with me. It’s my fault she died. But life goes on. Though I know I have to forget her one day, I know that I will never feel that same warmness or see the same look again.