Chapter Thirteen: Hope Died Along Time Ago

4 years ago…..

Fifteen year old Cameron sat next to his mother on a bench waiting for the bus. They were both going to pick up his little brother from school. His mother Carmen sat on the bench next to him smoking a cigarette. 
Carmen
Fucking bus is always late. Your brother gets out in ten minutes. God damn. 
She took the cigarette out of her mouth and put her hand down close to Cameron. 
Cameron
You almost burnt me. 
She looked at him. 
Carmen
Shut up, quit your bitching, you act like it will hurt that bad. 
She tapped the tip of the cigarette on the back of her other hand. 
Carmen
Zing burn bam done no more pain. 
She put it back in her mouth. Just as she blew smoke out a lady in a business suit walked by and looked straight down at Cameron. 
Lady
Excuse me but have you ever thought about getting your son into modeling or acting? 
Carmen
You ever thought about not talking to people who don’t care to hear you? 
Lady
I’m sorry lady, but your son is beautiful. He could make you a lot of money. I’ve never seen such a child.
Carmen
You think I care about money? It all burns like my cigarette, and like my cigarette, it only brings me pleasure for a short amount of time.
Lady
What’s your name, kid? 
Cameron
My name is Cameron. 
Lady
You got a last name? 
Cameron
I prefer not to tell you. 
Lady
It’s okay, many famous people only go by their first names.
Cameron looked up at the lady and smiled. The bus stopped at the stop just after his lips widened. 
Carmen
Let’s go, get the hell on. 
Cameron got on and his mother turned to the lady. 
Carmen
Thanks lady, but we’re not interested. Now go try and scam someone else. My son is beautiful, but he will never sell his face as a Hollywood whore. 
She got on the bus. The bus drove until they got to the school. When they stopped, people got on, people got off. One of the people to get on was Cameron’s eight year old little brother Christian. Christian looked exactly like Cameron, except smaller because of his age. Christian walked up to his mother and she kissed him on both cheeks.
Carmen
How was school baby? 
Christian
Fine, mom. 
Carmen
Mommy, you call me mommy. 
Christian
Yes, mommy. 
He sat next to Cameron. 
Christian
Hey, my friends asked about you at school today. 
Cameron
Cool.
Christian
They all think you’re cute. They say I’m just as cute, but they like older boys. 
They both laughed. 
Cameron
Tell them, I don’t date kids. 
Carmen
You don’t date anyone, you hear me? No one, no little whore is going to be messing with my sons. 
They laughed. 
Cameron
Don’t worry, one day you’ll find a girl who likes you. She won’t be that thing mom calls them, she’ll be special. Like you. 
Christian
I’m not special. 
Cameron
Yes you are. Don’t ever forget that. 
Christian
Whatever.
Their mom turned to them. 
Carmen
Enough, you two talk too much.
The bus came to their stop and they got off and began to walk the short distance left to their house. 
Christian
Mommy, can you make us dinner tonight? 
Carmen
No, your brother's going to order you a pizza, and that’s it. 
Cameron
I don’t want pizza.
Carmen
I didn’t ask you. Mommy’s going to go out with friends, have a good time and you’re going to take care of your brother.
Christian
It’s okay Cam, we’ll have lots of fun. 
Cameron
I’m sure.
They got to the house. Cameron and Christian hung out for hours before their mom left. After dinner and some TV and drank hot chocolate. Cameron walked his brother up the stairs to go to bed. 
Christian
I wish mom was different. 
Cameron
Save that one for your next birthday. 
Christian got into his bed and pulled the covers over him. 
Christian
Do dreams come true?
Cameron
The ones you have when you’re asleep, or the ones you make for your future? 
Christian
The future ones.
Cameron
Depends on how much you want it. 
Christian
I want it.
Cameron
What do you want to do?
Christian
I want to be a doctor. I want to save lives. 
Cameron
Well, go to school, learn, and you can be one. 
Christian
What dream do you want to come true? 
Cameron
I don’t really have any dreams. 
Christian
Everyone has to have a dream.
Cameron
I’m not everyone. 
Christian
Come on, you have to have one thing you want in life. 
Cameron thought for a second. 
Cameron
The only dream I want, is to be happy. Whatever I do, I’ll be happy, as long as I have my little brother around with me during it all. 
Christian
I like your dream! 
Cameron patted his little brother on the head.
Cameron
I bet you do. 
Christian
If I die, does my dream die, too? Does yours die, too? 
Cameron was caught off guard by this question. 
Cameron
Well, I’ve learned that everything burns, and everything will die, but only dreams will always revive. You don’t need to worry though, you’ll be an amazing doctor one day and I’ll always be happy. 
Christian
I love you, Cameron.
Cameron kissed his brother on the forehead. 
Cameron
I love you too, Christian, and I love no one more than my little brother. 
Christian closed his eyes. Cameron turned off the lights and was about to walk out. 
Christian
Wait, I changed my dream! 
Cameron
Go to sleep Christian. 
Christian
My dream is for you to always be happy, no matter what. 
Cameron
I will. Now go to sleep. 
He shut the door. He smelt gasoline in the air. He couldn't recall if he turned the stove off after they made hot chocolate.
Cameron
How did the gas get turned on? 
As he was walking down stairs he heard the door open. 
Carmen
Thanks girls, I’ll see you tomorrow! 
She closed the door.
Cameron
You’re home late. 
She smacked his face. 
Carmen
Shut up. Mommy had lots of fun tonight. 
Cameron
I’m glad. 
She walked towards the stairs. 
Carmen
Where’s your brother?
Cameron
He’s in bed. 
Carmen
Good boy. If you don’t love me, if you don’t love the world, I know there is no one more you love than your brother. 
Cameron
He’s the only one I see hope in. 
She started walking up the stairs. Cameron started to walk to the kitchen. 
Carmen
I don’t care if you don’t like it in the house, but I need a smoke. 
Cameron’s only thought before he realized what she said was without Christian, he just could not fathom a life of happiness. As those thoughts carved themselves into his head, the house was consumed by an explosion.

Present time....
Cameron looked down at the pile of burning wood of the church. He wasn’t there completely, wasn’t living in the same time the air hit his face, all he could really see, was his little brothers face. One tear ran down his cheek. 
Velis
Are you okay, Cameron? 
Cameron
I’m fine, just reminiscing. 
Velis
About? 
Cameron
Nothing, nothing at all. 
Velis
Well then, you killed the boy. 
Cameron
Yes.
They watched the smoke go up into the sky, and as they heard sirens approaching, they decided it was time to go.
Velis
Let’s go, we have to tell master their hope is dead. 
Cameron still lost in the smoke meeting the black sky mumbled.
Cameron
Hope died along time ago.