I flipped the TV on, stabbing my blueberry muffin with my fork and shoving it in my mouth. I saw James' face on the TV and I nearly choked.

"James Willis, a court lawyer, was found dead a day ago in his Suburban home, bleeding out on the third story in his and his wife's bedroom." A quick sign of "viewer discretion is advised" showed up. I wanted to turn the TV off, but...

The TV showed a picture of Uncle James next, his lifeless body slouched at his desk chair. "The killer is still unknown, and police are coming to the scene today, back to you, Alice." The screen switched again, now to the weather. I sat there, feeling stunned. He was murdered?

Murder...

"Mur...der..." I repeated slowly, "murd...er." My mom came downstairs, coming into the living room, shaking her head. "You shouldn't be watching the news, Leslie. Screws up your brain. Everything's fake."

"Murder."

She looked at me.

"James was murdered?"

"Yes." Daniele Willis answered, avoiding eye contact with me. "Why?" I asked, standing up. My mom sighed, "because there are some bad people who don't have morals." I stared. "Who killed him?"

"Leslie, really, how would I know?" Her voice shook, eyes getting watery. She was a terrible liar. "Was it dad?" My mom burst out into tears, dropping onto the floor and crying into her hands. I watched, I watched her cry. I watched her sob and sob and sob- and I did nothing. I stood there, not understanding. Why?

Why do people cry?

Why do people care?

Why do people continue trying to live if they're just going to be murdered?

Everybody dies. I let that sink in for a couple seconds. I smiled to myself. Someday I wasn't going to be alive. Uncle James was right. I had too much pride to kill myself, so I was destined to live on this stupid earth forever. I could go to the army and recklessly get myself killed. I could become an assassin. Hell! I don't care!