Jeremy was interviewed by the television reporters after the incident in the park. Thay all crowded around him. The reporters pushed and shoved each other trying to get a good vantage point so they can hear what he has to say.

“Mr. Gomez, how long have you known Reggie?”

“Yes! How long have you been friends?”

He stared at the reporters who asked the question with blank eyes. He’s still shocked by what had just happened. Reggie died while he held him on his bloodied arms.

“Aaaahhh… sice we were in high school.”

Jeremy spoke with a quivering voice.

“Who do you think did this to him?”

“I dunno… I dunno!”

He exclaimed while pushing the reporters away from him.

“Can’t you see? He’s dead! My friend is dead!”

Before matters got even worse, the police ushered the reporters away from Jeremy. This will provide him with more breathing room so he can relax.

“That’s enough folks! That’s enough! He had more than he can handle today.”

Some of the reporters still insisted on asking him questions. They are persistent. The others followed the instructions of the police with no complaints.

The policemen assisted Jeremy to one of the squad cars parked nearby. He is not being arrested. They are just protecting him from the nosy reporters.

Gomez entered the police car quietly. Not a single word emanated from his mouth. In his mind, he just wants this to be over… he needs to stop! He can’t take it anymore! His best friend Reggie was shot right in front of him and he was not able to do anything! What kind of friend is he?

The policemen boarded the vehicle. Two sat beside him in the back seat while the other did the driving.

Private Jones gunned the engine to life. It sputtered at first. Then he shifted the gears so they can move forward. Slowly the squad car made its way across the sea of reporters. When they encountered some by standers, Jones sounded the siren to get them out of the way.

Meanwhile, as the squad car carrying Jeremy left the scene, the reporters were in a huddle discussing among themselves the details of the shooting.

“Who do you think did it?”

“It could’ve been any one.”

“Yes! I agree. There are a lot of possible suspects.”

“Let’s not eliminate the possibility that Jeremy might have been part of all these.”

“True. But it could also be somebody from the rival school.”

“Or the organized crime syndicate?”

“Whoever the suspects are, these are just mere speculations unless the police have finished their investigation.”

“That’s right! So let’s just wait for the next press con.”

The small talk continued until the police dispersed them.

Jeremy and the policemen that accompanied them reached the station. Jones parked the car in front of the entrance. Sgt. Edison and Private Velez escorted Gomez out of the squad car.

“Follow me, Jeremy,” spoke the sergeant in a low tone of voice. He is already in his 50s so that’s the way he speaks. They say that if you get old your voice also lowers down.

The ace player obeyed the instruction of the sergeant. He moved in the direction pointed by the officer. Jeremy settled himself on to a plastic chair with a modern design located beside a wooden desk. He erected his aching back. It has been aching since the episode in the ball park. It is only now that he felt the pain after his senses have come back to him. He waited there until the sergeant was able to give his attention to him.

“Alright, Jeremy., can you recount to us what exactly happened?”

Gomez stared at the sergeant for a few seconds. Then he began to speak. Although his whole being is still in partial shock, he had the mental strength to say something about the shooting.

“We were playing pick-up basketball. It was just a simple game really. Reggie and I, we were merely shooting hoops for the fun of it. You can’t ask the other players in the park if you don’t believe me.”

“Mr. Jeremy, nobody here doubts you. We are all ears. We need all the information you can give us that would lead to the apprehension of the shooter.”

He gawked at the crowd of policemen who are now attentively listening to them. He is a basketball superstar. He has made a name for himself after the buzzer beater he shot in the Finals that won them the championship. This situation can’t be avoided.

Jeremy continued with his story…

“As he was going for a lay-up, I heard the sound of gun fire. At first, I thought it was just the usual disturbance in the area. Then I saw Reggie fall down. Blood flowed from his chest. I rushed to his side and tried to revive him. But it was to no avail, my friend is dead! He died in my arms!”

The sergeant pacified Jeremy. He is becoming hysterical. He decided to bring him to his house so he can calm down. They will continue the investigation tomorrow. The sergeant took note of everything Jeremy said anyway so there should be no worries.

Private Edison brought the squad car around and the sergeant together with Pvt. Velez accompanied him to the vehicle. Edison drove slowly. In a few minutes, the four arrived at Jeremy’s pad. They escorted him to the 9th floor, where his room is located. When the police were sure that he is secured, they bid him goodbye.

Jeremy sat on his leather seat, the one he used for gaming. He switched the television on so he could watch some shows that would take his mind from the shooting.

“A college player from the Falcons team was gunned down early this morning. Police identified the victim as Reggie Harris. A gunshot wound on his chest caused his death. As of press time, the police are investigating his friend, Jeremy Gomez, who is also in the scene when the shooting happened.”

He became agitated by what he saw. He quickly pushed the power button of the remote to turn it off. How could he relax when this is what he sees on tv?

Gomez stood from his chair and went to the fridge. He grabbed a bottle of beer and popped it open. He gulped it down as if it were soda. After he finished one bottle, he got another… and another, until he became intoxicated and felt dozing off.

He lied down on his bed to grab some sleep. This would make him forget everything that occurred today… Jeremy fell on a deep sleep. He had one bottle too many.