Zero Degrees Part 1 - By Leo Sullivan

Author’s Note

First and foremost I would like to thank the Lord Almighty for giving me the gift of writing. Thank you to my parents, family members and friends who have been there for me through it all. I love you. To all of the loyal readers who have supported my work since the release of Forbidden Fruit, I dedicate this one to you.

I started writing “Zero Degrees” years ago, but for some reason I never finished. It just wasn’t going in the direction hat I wanted, so I put it down for later. Recently I signed with Leo Sullivan’s publishing company (Sullivan Productions LLC) and we discussed doing a collaboration. After digging the old manuscript out, I blew the dust off and asked him if he’d help me bring Zeaira Rowe to life. He obliged and we present to you our first collaboration “Zero Degrees”. Thank you Leo Sullivan, you’re such an artist when it comes to words.

Readers, I hope you enjoy and feel the passion that we poured onto each page.

I do not condone underage sex, drug use or violent behavior. However, the circumstances in this book are real and true to life. Just because we don’t talk about certain social issues do not mean they don’t exist. Some of the subjects touched in this book are taboo, because the characters are minors. As a society we have to acknowledge that these things are happening to be equipped to educate and lead our youth in the right direction. Please pay attention to this cautionary tale.

Nika Michelle

PART ONE

Chapter 1

1993

I watched as the blood oozed from his head. I was supposed to feel something, like remorse maybe, but I didn’t. As his eyes stared blankly at me all that flashed through my mind was the abuse that he’d afflicted upon me and my mother over the years. Shit, it actually felt good to see him lying there dead. It was finally over. As I sat down on the sofa, I placed the gun on the coffee table and picked up the house phone to dial 911. My mom was due home from work in less than twenty minutes. I didn’t want her to see police and paramedics when she pulled up, but what was done was done. I’d murdered Goody and I knew the consequences of my actions.

“911, what is your emergency?” The female dispatcher asked.

“I just killed my mom’s boyfriend,” I stated calmly.

“Ma’am, did you just say that you…”

“Yes, I just shot and killed my mother’s boyfriend.”

“Okay, was this an act of self-defense?”

“In a way, yes, shit, the sorry mufucka’s been beatin’ on my mom and tryin’ to rape me for years. I got tired of that shit, so while he was under the sink fixing a pipe I shot him.”

“What’s your address ma’am?”

“1215 Shaw Rd. in University Estates.”

“Okay. We’re sending someone there right now.”

“Thanks,” I said sarcastically.

“Ma’am, please stay on the line until…”

Cutting her off I said, “You don’t have to worry. I won’t run. I know what I’m facing and I accepted that before I did it. I really don’t give a fuck. He won’t hurt me or my mom anymore and that’s all that matters.”

“I understand,” the operator said.

“Do you really? Have you ever watched a huge man beat on a helpless, defenseless woman for nothing? Huh?” I asked angrily. Not meaning to take my aggression out on her didn’t stop me from doing it.

“Uh, no, but…”

“Well, you don’t understand.”

“Look ma’am…”

“Stop callin’ me that. I’m fourteen years old. I’m hardly a fuckin’ ma’am.”

“Fourteen? I’m sorry. You sound much older,” she said.

“Be me for five minutes and you’ll see why,” I told her.

I hung up the phone without giving her any more information and waited patiently for the cops to arrive. Twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door. Walking slowly to the door like a zombie, I knew that it was the police. When I opened the door there were two detectives standing there with their badges visible.

“I’m Officer Greyson and this is Officer Stephens. We received a call from this residence. Is there someone here who’s been shot?” Officer Greyson looked to be in his mid-forties and was heavy set with broad shoulders. A fringe of graying hair ringed his head and his skin was the color of a brown paper bag. He had sharp features and deep penetrating brown eyes that held mine. His partner Stephens was white and looked a lot younger, like he was straight out of the police academy. He appeared