Now
- Shorty warns us that there's not much time left before he dies so he has to speed up the rest of the story. He's in the dark and knows that he will die this way.
- He's already told us that Tintin visits him in the hospital, but he reminds us of that. He figures Tintin will be the next gang leader, but Shorty doesn't care too much.
- Stephanie also visits. She's torn up over Biggie's death and the fact that no one wants to give him a funeral.
- Everyone says it will only cause more violence, but Stephanie doesn't think it's fair. Maybe everyone should stop worrying about what will cause more shootings, and actually do something for a change, Stephanie says.
- Shorty can tell that she's upset, and he wants to comfort her, but he's not sure how.
- Stephanie tells him she's going to France to get away from the Site. She doesn't want her baby to grow up like this.
- Even though Shorty doesn't forgive Biggie for killing his dad, he agrees this is best for Biggie's kid, especially since Biggie isn't around anymore.
- Finally, Shorty's Manman comes to see him.
- He breaks down and tells her everything—and we mean everything.
- She sits there quietly and takes it all in… before blaming herself. It's her fault he got mixed up with a gang in the first place, she claims.
- Then she tells him a secret she's been holding onto for a long time: Marguerite is dead. She died the night his dad did. His mom just didn't want to tell Shorty because she didn't want him to be broken and jaded.
- She figured that if she lied and said Marguerite was still out there, Shorty would have hope and purpose to keep living.
- Ouch. Shorty can't believe his mom would do that. His heart is broken, and he wants to hurt his mom right back.
- Thankfully, he doesn't. He keeps the fact that Biggie killed his dad to himself and asks his mom to leave instead.
- Before she goes, she tries to give him the other half of the heart necklace that Marguerite wore.
- Shorty is too broken up to do anything, though, and his mom leaves.
- That's when the earthquake happens.