Reece in my arms

Fourteen

Thought I knew the world already

Little bag in my pocket, phone buzzing

Thinking we were heavy

You laughed

Said we’d flip it, then we’re gone

Cheap cologne, school shoes, same block

Just a different dawn

Car park light, man’s face all wrong

Voice low, “Where’s the rest?”

You stepped up, said, “Chill, it’s calm”

Knife flashed, straight to your chest

I froze

Then I saw the red on your shirt

You dropped, eyes wide like, “Bro?”

Whole sky fell into dirt

Reece, I still see you in my arms

Blood on my hands, I was trying to stop the dark

You were fifteen, talkin’ like we’d own the city

Now it’s just your name echoing inside me

Reece, I still hear you try to breathe

Mumbling my name while you’re slippin’ from the street

I was fourteen, screaming at the night, “Don’t take him”

Every time I close my eyes, I’m right back with you, fading

I pressed on the wound, you grabbed my wrist

“Tell my mum…” then you coughed and missed

Blue lights miles away, or that’s how it felt

Time slow, every heartbeat like it might melt

Your phone rang in your pocket, same ringtone

I wanted to answer, say you’re comin’ home

But you were getting cold, I was losing my grip

Whispered, “Stay, bro, please, we’ve still got trips”

Sirens got louder, your pupils got glass

Whole childhood shattered in the shattered glass

I was just a kid playin’ gangster, dumb

Didn’t know the price till you didn’t get up

Reece, I still see you in my arms

Blood on my hands, I was trying to stop the dark

You were fifteen, talkin’ like we’d own the city

Now it’s just your name echoing inside me

Reece, I still hear you try to breathe

Mumbling my name while you’re slippin’ from the street

I was fourteen, screaming at the night, “Don’t take him”

Every time I close my eyes, I’m right back with you, fading

They zipped you up, I just stood there shaking (shaking)

Neighbours in the curtains, whole block vacant

Police with their questions, I lied, I broke

‘Cause I saw your brother’s face in the smoke

Now every shortcut, every alley’s a shrine

Every siren sounds like you calling my line

I grew up fast, but a part stayed there

Kneeling in the dirt, fingers tangled in your hair

Reece, I still see you in my arms

Blood on my hands, I was trying to stop the dark

You were fifteen, talkin’ like we’d own the city

Now it’s just your name echoing inside me

Reece, I still hear you try to breathe

Mumbling my name while you’re slippin’ from the street

I was fourteen, but I swear I felt a hundred

Swore on your name I’d never let my life die how yours did