NEXT UP! 3 174 “Nunya,” Khalil says, meaning none of your business. “What you pull me over for?” “Your taillight’s broken.” “So are you gon’ give me a ticket or what?” Khalil asks. “You know what? Get out the car, smart guy.” “Man, just give me my ticket—” “Get out the car! Hands up, where I can see them.” Khalil gets out with his hands up. One-Fifteen yanks him by his arm and pins him against the back door. I fight to find my voice. “He didn’t mean—” “Hands on the dashboard!” the officer barks at me. “Don’t move!” I do what he tells me, but my hands are shaking too much to be still. He pats Khalil down. “Okay, smart mouth, let’s see what we find on you today.” “You ain’t gon’ find nothing,” Khalil says. One-Fifteen pats him down two more times. He turns up empty. “Stay here,” he tells Khalil. “And you,” he looks in the window at me. “Don’t move.” I can’t even nod. The officer walks back to his patrol car. My parents haven’t raised me to fear the police, just to be smart around them. They told me it’s not smart to move while a cop has his back to you. Khalil does. He comes to his door. It’s not smart to make a sudden move. Khalil does. He opens the driver’s door. “You okay, Starr—” Pow! One. Khalil’s body jerks. Blood splatters from his back. He holds onto the door to keep himself upright. Pow! Two. Khalil gasps. Pow! Three. Khalil looks at me, stunned. He falls to the ground. I’m ten again, watching Natasha drop. a taillight – afturljós a ticket – sekt to yank – rykkja to pin – halda fastri to bark – gelta to jerk – kippast til stunned – furðu lostinn
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