In the world where David Williams had just lost his life, the chaotic scene slowly settled into a grim reality. As the police rushed him into the ambulance, the paramedics quickly assessed the extent of his injuries. Despite their best efforts, it soon became clear that David was already gone. The heavy weight of this realization settled over them as they sped towards the hospital, the mournful wail of the sirens echoing the tragedy of the moment.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the staff confirmed what the paramedics had feared. David Williams, age 20, was declared dead on arrival. His identity was swiftly confirmed, and the hospital staff made the somber call to his guardian, Gram.

Meanwhile, David’s coworkers, George and Zhang Xi, arrived at the hospital, their faces etched with desperation and guilt. George, usually composed, was now a wreck. He paced restlessly, his hands clenched into fists, while Zhang Xi, her eyes red and swollen, leaned against the wall, silent tears streaming down her face. They tried to argue with the staff, demanding to see their friend, desperate to reverse the irreversible, but their pleas were in vain.

As the reality of David’s death sank in, they sank into chairs, blaming themselves for their perceived failure to save him. "He was always there for everyone," George muttered, his voice thick with grief. "Always putting others first, even if it meant risking his own life."

Zhang Xi nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "He saved us today… and those kids. He didn’t even hesitate."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Gram. The older man approached the front desk, his usually strong and commanding presence diminished by the weight of the news. After a brief conversation with the staff, he turned to George and Zhang Xi, a tear escaping the corner of his eye.

"Are you David’s coworkers?" Gram asked, his voice rough with emotion.

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George and Zhang Xi stood, nodding solemnly. "Yes, sir," George replied. "He… he saved us. We saw him pull two kids out of the way of the thug's car, and then he—" George’s voice cracked, unable to continue.

Zhang Xi took over, her voice trembling. "He came to help us after seeing us inside. The gunmen… they didn’t stand a chance. Two of them are dead, and the other two… they’re not doing well."

Gram listened, his expression a mixture of pride and heartbreak. "He was a brave boy," he said, his voice thick with sorrow. "Tomorrow… tomorrow we’ll say goodbye properly. I’d like you both to come to the funeral. Afterward, perhaps you could tell me more about what happened."

George and Zhang Xi nodded in agreement, their faces solemn.

With a heavy heart, Gram approached the hospital staff again, asking to see David one last time. The nurse led him to the room where David’s body lay. As he entered, he saw David’s calm, peaceful face, as though he were simply sleeping. The sight shattered the last remnants of Gram’s composure. The strong, dependable man who had been a pillar of support for David for so many years broke down, tears streaming freely down his face.

"How am I supposed to face your parents now?" Gram whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "How am I supposed to tell them that I couldn’t protect their boy? That you’re gone… just like them."

He fell to his knees beside the bed, his body wracked with sobs. "What am I supposed to tell Alisia?" he cried, his voice a broken plea. "She’s only twelve… How do I tell her that you’re not coming back? That her big brother is gone?"

Gram’s grief filled the room, a poignant testament to the bond he shared with the young man who had become like a son to him. "You were so strong," he lamented, his voice barely audible. "So strong-willed, even after everything you went through. I wanted you to keep living, to keep smiling… But now…"

His voice trailed off, overwhelmed by the weight of his loss. The silence that followed was deafening, filled only by the soft sounds of his sorrow.

In that moment, as Gram wept over the lifeless body of the young man he had loved like a son, the world seemed a little darker, a little colder. David’s bravery had saved lives, but it had come at the cost of his own. His heroism would linger as a testament to the sacrifice he made. Yet for those who loved him, the pain of his loss was immeasurable.

And so, with tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, Gram bade a final farewell to the boy he had raised, the boy who had always aspired to be a hero.