A Short Novella

Short Novella
Student’s Name
Department, Institutional Affiliation
Course
Professor’s Name
Date
Short Novella
Julius, a talented sprinter, had just secured a lucrative sports scholarship at a renowned institution and was determined to bring honor to his family. It was his first race as a college student, and his dream to represent his country in the Olympics may become a reality if he makes a good impression. Before the race began, he spotted a famous scout in the stands, knowing that this was his chance to make a name for himself. Track and field are highly competitive, with athletes dedicated to breaking existing records. Julius smiled and thought that his younger self would be proud if he saw where he was right now. To understand Julius' story, we must dive into the events that shaped his experience. Julius is no ordinary boy. At 12, he experienced trauma that no child should face. Six years ago, His siblings were brutally murdered in their home, and he had witnessed the entire ordeal.
His parents had gone to work, leaving him, the eldest son, to babysit his two brothers and youngest sister. He was a responsible child, and his parents could not have anticipated that they would encounter problems as he had taken care of his siblings a thousand times before. However, on a fateful day, his neighbors found him hiding in a closet, and he must have been there for several hours after burglars attacked his siblings. Earlier that day, Julius had forgotten to lock the door after his mother left for work, a mistake that would alter the course of his life. The family lived in a low-income neighborhood, and while the parents struggled to make ends meet, experiences filled the home with love and pleasant memories. He lived in a predominantly minority community with wholesome values. However, gang and drug abuse were on the rise.
Two burglars, later identified as Mary and Ben, snuck into the house. Mary and Ben were a couple, and they were addicted to heroin. They regularly committed crimes to fund their addiction, and they struck gold when they found a residence with an unlocked door. They had watched the house for a few days and were aware that the children were left unsupervised. Once the mother left for work, the addicts rushed to the door. The couple rushed in and found the children watching their favorite cartoons. Lisa, the youngest girl, screamed when she saw the intruders, an action that set an unprecedented chain of events. Mary panicked, and a bullet from a gun reached her and grabbed her, striking her head. Lisa fell and died on the spot. Ben choked the other two boys and searched for valuable items in the house. Finally, the addicts made their way to the door and jumped over the fence. Since t...