“But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about today, dear friends,” Amal said. “Today, I have a serious subject on my agenda, not that my surgeries aren’t serious, but this is a matter that has an impact on us all. I don’t recall a lot from the day I was shot inside that plane, but the more I learn, the more I realize that what happened to me wasn’t an accident. It happened because of my skin color. I am more than convinced of this. The police received a fake call telling them that I was carrying a bomb. They took action as they should, no problem there. But then they entered the plane, took one look at my skin color, and decided I was dangerous. You saw the video. You all know that I wasn’t armed and that I was doing what they told me to. I went for my bag, yes, because I thought I had to bring it, but as soon as they told me not to, I stopped. You can see it on camera; I raise my hands again after they yell at me, and that’s when the guy decides to shoot. I could have died. I should have died, according to the surgeons here. It makes no sense that I am still alive. And that’s why I believe it is my duty to address this matter. For years and years, we have been witnessing police brutality toward people of color. And we have been sitting on our hands. We have done nothing. Yes, Black Lives Matter. Brown Lives Too. I have decided to join the fight against police brutality. I am suing the police, filing a civil lawsuit against the police department in Houston. I believe in holding this man accountable for his actions. He didn’t have to shoot me, and I don’t think he should be allowed to hurt anyone else. He belongs behind bars like the rest of us would be if we shot an innocent person and almost killed them. And I ask you, my dear viewers, to come along with me on this road to justice. I am not stopping at the lawsuit. We need to wake up our politicians. So, I have decided to arrange a great protest in Washington, D.C., on January 15th. Let’s see how many we can gather. If all of you come, then we will definitely make an impact. I will be there, no matter if they have to roll me there in a wheelchair. My brother will be in charge of all the arrangements since I will be busy with surgeries and recovery, but mark my words: They think they can do this to us; they think they can shoot us down in the street, in our own homes and even public places and get away with it. I say not this time. Not anymore.”
Chapter 25
I took the escalator down, my suitcase in my hand. I looked at my watch, annoyed. The plane was delayed half an hour, and the turbulence had been terrible as they prepared for landing. I still felt a little sick to my stomach from all the bumping. While the plane was in the air, I thought about Amal Bukhari, the YouTube sensation who had recently been the latest swatting victim and who was now stirring up a fight against the police. I couldn’t imagine how terrified she’d have to have been when seeing those fighter jets outside the window and then learning that there was a bomb on the plane. I couldn’t imagine the terror that had to have been going through her mind and the rest of the passengers for that matter. She had talked about it in her YouTube videos that she now made from her hospital bed. I had watched all of them, mostly because I was so thrilled that she was still alive, that the Swatter hadn’t been able to get her killed after all. He had suffered a defeat, and it gave me hope.
The black limo waited for me outside the sliding doors, and I handed my suitcase to the driver, then got in.
“How was your flight?”
Liam looked at me from above his glasses. I didn’t remember ever seeing him wearing glasses before, but then again, I didn’t know him that well.
“Bumpy,” I said.
“Welcome to New Orleans,” he said with a smile as the limo took off, leaving the airport behind.
“Yeah, well, I wish I was here on vacation or just to experience the town. That would have been more fun.”
“You should at least get some crawfish or beignets while you’re here,” he said. “I know the right places to visit.”
“Of course, you do,” I said.
“So, what are we looking at here?” he asked. “You said you found the Swatter’s next victim?”
I nodded and found the boy’s profile on my phone. “FaZeYourFeaRs hasn’t been active for a very long time. My guess is that he felt such a setback from what happened to Amal Bukhari that he needed time to plan his next move. And I have been playing that silly game every day since. It’s become an obsession almost. At least that’s what my family thinks… That I’m just playing video games. My mom thinks I’ve lost my mind, while the teenagers find it kind of cool, yet a little embarrassing; they haven’t really determined how they feel yet. Meanwhile, Alex, my seven-year-old son, is thrilled and wants to play it too. But I’ve told him no. He’s not old enough. So now he’s cross with me. But yesterday, FaZeYourFeaRs showed up again and entered a game with this guy here. My dad found his real name.”
“Who is he?” Liam asked as he looked at the picture. “He seems awfully young.”
“That was my reaction too. I just can’t bear to see a young kid like him lose his life. Now, the kid is one of the top gamers on Fortnite. He actually won the world championships last year, so he’s quite good. But what scares me is that the Swatter is desperate now. After the setback at the airport, he’s in dire need of a win. He wants to be sure that nothing goes wrong this time.”
Liam nodded and took off his glasses. “Then we’ll just have to make sure everything goes wrong this time.”
Chapter 26
THEN:
@MIsstressWolf: Welp! I can’t believe it. Went to Chicago Comicon. The event just got evacuated. Standing outside now. Waiting.
@Legy: What’s going on?
@MIsstressWolf: Apparently, there was a threat. Someone called 911 and said he was on meth and that he would shoot the place up. It was all evacuated. I was so confused as I ran out underneath the whir of choppers. Police are everywhere. It’s so cold outside.
@ DeVilSQuaD666: Ha, ha, baby girl. I can just see you running for your life.
@MIsstressWolf: Excuse me @DeVilSQuaD666? You find this funny?
@DeVilSQuaD666: Sure do.
@MIsstressWolf: How? What could possibly be funny about me running for my life?
@ DeVilSQuaD666: It happens, baby girl. It happens.
@MIsstressWolf: I’ve been standing in the cold for three hours. I’m terrified and thought I was going to die. You still find that funny?
@ DeVilSQuaD666: Very.
@MIsstressWolf: There was a little girl who couldn’t find her mother. She was crying because she thought she was dead. She kept clinging onto my arm while she called her mother’s name. Is that funny too?
@ DeVilSQuaD666: Sure is. To me, at least.
@MIsstressWolf: How can you say that? What kind of a person says something like this?
@Legy: I can’t believe you @DeVilSQuaD666. Why would you taunt her like that? Are you a Troll? Who are you?
@DeVilSQuaD666: Someone having fun, that’s who.
@MIsstressWolf: You’re sick. For all I know, you called it in.
@DeVilSQuaD666: Ha, ha. Maybe.
@MIsstressWolf: You’re not well. Please stop commenting. I’ll block you.
@DeVilSQuaD666: Will do. But I’m telling you. You ain’t seen nothing yet.