#contemporary lit | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

oklcmc · 2 years

Text

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀،̲،̲⠀𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐓 ❪chapter sies：high risks⸝ high rewards❫⸝ pt. 𝟏╱𝟐 [𝟏𝟖+]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀゛⠀Wasn’t in my plans⸝ neither was this gun up in my hands but you know how niggas get⸝ not knowing why⠀⠀⠀niggas wit’...⠀〟 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀✱ Tory Lanez — G.A.N.G !@#$% ❪2013❫

ׂ ̣ ○ . ° ♰ 𓈒 ॱ 𓂂 word count⠀⦂⠀9⸝ 089

ׂ ̣ ○ . ° ♰ 𓈒 ॱ 𓂂 pairing⠀⦂⠀street fighter!black!male oc ❪keith powers❫ ✕ black!female oc ❪kelis rogers⸝ circa ‘99❫

ׂ ̣ ○ . ° ♰ 𓈒 ॱ 𓂂 forewarning⠀⦂⠀this chapter will contain use of strong language⸝ use of drugs or alcohol⸝ infidelity⸝ violence⸝ gore？and character death. read at your own discretion.

ׂ ̣ ○ . ° ♰ 𓈒 ॱ 𓂂 author’s note⠀⦂⠀⠀⠀‘’⠀⠀⠀This chapter has really given me such the difficult time this past year and coutin’ though strategically thought-out which is why it took me so long to finally dish it out to you guys. I’m happy to finally have completed it though. The second-half shouldn’t be as lengthy or take me nearly as long to write as this did⸝ but it will require your focus a bit more than this one being that I’ll be introducing a handful of supporting characters that will more than likely be apart of the storyline from then on out and I don’t wish to confuse you guys.

With that being said⸝ I seriously don’t know how I be going about writing these lengthy ass chapters⸝ y’all. I just be writing with no intentions of stopping when it comes to this series⸝ ‘cause I really do be havin’ the time of my life here. It would probably be best for y’all to read it at night in order to maintain focus and set the mood⸝ ‘cause as I’ve said before⸝ it’s an extremely long chapter⸝ but do whatever works best for you! ☺

As y’all should know by now⸝ this whole series is dedicated to my pops⸝ but this chapter in specific holds a special place in my heart because he wore that “BEST ON EARTH” track down when he was here⸝ okuuurt?! Happy readings⸝ Mermaids!⠀⠀⠀‘’

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀〝⠀IT’S NOT EASY TO ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀MAKE THAT CHANGE ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀THE STREETS KEEP ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀CALLIN’ ME!⠀〞

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀-ˋˏ⠀VINEGAR HILL⸝ BROOKLYN ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀FRIDAY⸝ OCTOBER 𝟕ᵀᴴ⸝ 𝟖：𝟐𝟓 AM ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀TYREE’S PAD⠀ˎˊ˗ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀🐉系🍱🥢🥡💮𓈒𓄹

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐎𝐌��𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓

ㅤㅤㅤ“𝕿HEY’RE COMING TO GET YOU, BARBARA.” The infamous, yet daunting line quoted by the character Johnny in the 1968 Cult Classic Horror film Night of the Living Dead resonated throughout the living room area from the surround sound system, drawing the uneven audience of young adults in for the early October morning.

There was Isaiah whom was casually lounging in his favorite seat in the apartment; Bianca whom was assisting Kei in the impulsive decision of dyeing her afro and thin eyebrows different concoctions other than pink and honey blonde then there was Kei herself, seated stiffly in a metal folding chair before Bianca with her rose gold Apple iPad Air 2, a half-filled cocktail flute of cranberry mimosa and a joint of the strain Sour Diesal burning between her fingertips as her dilated pupils bored into the 50″ screen to the front of them.

It was apparent in her body language that Kei had an severe case of paranoia in the Horror film genre since her youth, more specifically, Kinemortophobia since zombie pictures usually gave her nightmares post watching them, but it seemed misfortunate to ring in the month of October without one, so there she was, toughing it out for Isaiah and Bianca though it felt like she’d panic worse than the character Barbara at any given second.

On the other hand, her current predicament and the film itself resurfaced memories from home and the morning after her abduction. Horror films were always Antonio’s thing while the cool metal against her bottom gave her post-traumatic flashbacks of Raphael’s abuse.

“Ah!” Kei yelped and flinched in her seat when witnessing the flesheater jump out at Barbara unprovoked. “See, this is exactly why I don’t watch this stuff.”

“Ohh, would you stop being such a wuss, Kei? This movie isn’t even scary. If there was an actual apocalypse happening, you’d be the first to go.” Bianca taunted through her infectious giggling, Isaiah joining in on the fun through his cheerful expressions.

“Yeah, well I’ll be dragging y’all down with me since y’all want to laugh.” Kei fired back, going to adjust herself in her seat before taking a hit of her spliff to calm her nerves.

“Not if my sniper bullet catches you first!” Bianca mocked, causing their laughter to swell.

The sound of the locks being turned had actually came as some sort of relief for Kei since she couldn’t think of a better comeback for Bianca. In walked Tyree and Lamar with a few paper bags brimming with groceries and necessities in tow.

“Ahh, look what the cat done drug in.” Bianca smirked smugly once her and Isaiah’s laughter subsided.

“We could hear y’all cackling all the way from the elevator. What’s the big idea?” Tyree asked, him and Lamar proceeding into the kitchen to place the bags on the counter.

“Oh, nothing except the fact that your girlfriend is a pussy when it comes to Horror movies. Who would’ve thought?”

“Correction: It is not the Horror pictures that I am afraid of, but the zombie pictures.” Kei rectified in a matter-of-factly tone, holding her trigger finger up in defense before returning to her research on contemporary furniture pieces on Bianca’s tablet.

“Same difference.”

“Well good thing she ain’t gotta worry much about zombies when I’m around to ward ‘em off, ain’t that right, baby girl?” Tyree approached his girlfriend of two weeks with a welcoming peck on her lips and a Aftera emergency contraception pill box in hand.

“Yeah.” Kei felt her full cheeks become fervent and the pit of her stomach flutter at her pet name, her top alignment of teeth closing in over her bottom lip as vivid flashbacks of their consistent late night and early morning sessions came flooding her memory as it had been all that morning.

The intoxicating aroma of his signature Calvin Klein cologne invaded her senses, taking her to a state of euphoria, but the floral and musk notes of a woman’s perfume other than those of her own had constantly left her with suspicions. She’d constantly interrogate Bianca throughout the day about the matter, but she’d leave her with more questions than answers. Damn, was he good at covering his tracks because each time she’d decide to do some diggin’ of her own, she’d come up short. As bad as she wanted to confront him on her own, she knew he’d do nothing but shut down on her again and they had already made so much progress these past few weeks, she didn’t wish to setback the bond they shared with one another. She hadn’t wished to share this source of serotonin with any other woman, but especially not Brooklyn again!

“Mm,” Tyree emulated Kei’s then dazed facial expression. “I got your stuff.” He handed over the overfamiliar box of contraceptive to which she happily accepted.

“Thanks, daddy.” Kei grinned, pressing her full lips against his once more.

“I think I’m going to barf.” Lamar overdramatically stated from the kitchen area, rolling his eyes with envy.

“For Christ’s sake, read the room! There are children in here! That’s exactly how all those hickies ended up on her damn neck and why she keep poppin’ morning-after pills now!” Bianca exclaimed, gathering all the trash from Kei’s dye job together.

“Mind your own business, Bianca!” Tyree spat.

“If y’all wouldn’t put y’all’s out there so often then maybe we would!”

“That ammonia shit reeks,” Tyree kissed his teeth, his top lip curling. “Make sure you clean all that shit up.” He ordered, retreating back to the kitchen area to begin stashing the groceries away.

“Yes, massa. Will there be anything else that I can assist you with while I’m at it? How ‘bout pullin’ the stick out your ass to start? Jeez!” Bianca expressed, tossing the tint brush back inside it’s bowl with much attitude. “This was your girl’s idea to begin with.”

“It’s true, baby.” Kei shot him an innocent grin with her shoulders hunched to which he could only stare at her dumbfoundedly.

“Whatever.” He brushed the situation off, proceeding to stash goods away with his bodyguard.

“Why don’t you come get yours done while you’re doing all that bitchin’ and complaining?” Bianca suggested.

Kei perked up when hearing this.

“Ohh! That’s a great idea, baby! We’ll be twins!”

“The fuck I look like? Arthur Fleck?” Tyree scoffed.

“No, but you sure are actin’ like him.” Bianca remarked.

“Fuck you.”

“Isn’t that what Kei’s here for?”

“Please, baby?” Kei pleaded, drawing him in with her dough-like eyes.

“I... don’t know, baby girl,” Tyree sighed in defeat, tossing the bag of Harvest Cheddar flavored Sun Chips into the air. “I got a lot of shit on my plate right now.”

“Such as?”

“Such as gettin’ styled before this cage match tonight at Club Murder. Stakes are high. This match is going to determine who stays to control New York and who flees, so it’s important to Soldier and I want to look the part although he hasn’t made his decision on who’s going to be his leading man as of yet.”

“C’mon now, Tyree. I don’t even know why you’re stressin’ that shit. You know as well as I do that it’s always going to end up being you over everyone else on the roster.” Lamar stated the obvious.

“I won’t ask you for anything else.” Kei solemnly swore.

“Not even that Edra “Boa” sofa you’ve been beggin’ for me to purchase you these past two weeks?”

“No.” She lied.

“Aight, it’s a bet then. Set me up.”

Bronx⸝ New York City 12：39 PM

Nineteen-year-old captive, Kei Valentine stood hunched over in the full-length mirror of the curved fitting room in Syndicate Urban Streetwear otherwise known as S.U.S., an privately held apparel chain, specializing in authentic curated luxury pieces, owned by one of Soldier’s former henchman by the name of Sean “Snowman” Scott, donning an original 1998 Thierry Mugler Spring/Summer Haute Couture piece.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓⠀⦂⠀* THIERRY MUGLER ✯⠀╱⠀haute couture s╱s⸝ circa ‘98.

She’d continuously feel the need to nip and pick at her love handles or suck in the FUPA she assumed she had packed on over the past month through the high-quality iridescent mermaideesque sequin fabric with an exasperated sigh despite their being anything stored there contrary to her own insecurities. She didn’t deserve to wear this peace, at least not feeling like this she didn’t.

“Baby girl, you dressed yet?” The sound of Tyree’s voice and the hooks attached to the solid black curtain gliding against the rail when he decided to snatch it back had Kei straightening her posture and pretending to smooth out her dress on instant. That’d make one less thing for him to complain about though the answer to his question was evidently written all over her face. “You don’t like it?” Tyree sighed, somewhat disappointedly as he tucked his hands inside the front pockets of his dark wash straight-leg jeans before slowly beginning to gravitate towards her.

“No, I never said that,” Kei emulated the sigh he allowed to escape past his lips no less than a minute ago as she admired his new hairdo from afar. They were finally matching. “I love the dress. It’s just that... I feel... Fat in it?”

“Fat?! Baby, c’mon, this is like the fifth piece you’ve tried on today. We’ve spent more time trying on and purchasing shit than we have actually gettin’ ready. If this extra thickness is what you’re gettin’ so worked up about then put the blame on me. I’m the one that’s been giving you extra back shots lately.” His large hands gave her curvy backside a vigorous squeeze, causing her to fall into a fit of contagious giggles before his fingertips brushed against the unfinished ink of a floral design running up the left side of her back and gripping onto her waist, bringing her close to his groin.

“Baby, I’m serious.” She pouted at him through the full-length mirror they were standing in front of as he propped his chin upon her shoulder.

“I’m serious too. The dress looks fine, you look fine.”

“That’s the thing, I want to feel it. This is your big night, after all.”

“I can make that happen, easy.”

“Yeah? How so?”

“Let me show you.” Without a care in the world of the curtain remaining open to the rest of the department, Tyree brushed the curls of his girlfriend’s bleached afro aside before his wet lips revisited the same overfamiliar areas of her neck that he patiently learned would make her moan and bruise easily. It had all took her back to their first time.

With a wicked grin ghosting her parted lips, slit eyes, and her hands pressed flat against either side of the mirror, Kei submitted herself to him completely, knowing she anticipated this moment of passion just as bad as he did.

Fog clouded the mirror at the cadence of her breathing as he cautiously hiked the thin layer of clothing up around her waistline before impatiently yanking her G-String down to her knees with her assistance.

“Damn, baby, you givin’ all this good shit up to me in the fittin’ room?” His breath teasingly fanning over ear, his teeth sinking into her helix shortly after as their eyes enticingly locked within the reflection of the mirror.

“Yeah...” Kei concurred in an unsteady breath. She wasn’t at all embarrassed to admit to this newfound exhibitionism kink of hers.

“With the curtain wide open? You just tryna be seen, huh?”

“Yeah...” She repeated in a moan, hearing him finally undo the fly of his slim straight jeans.

“Bad girl.” He remarked, going to press his hand at the center of her back in order to get her to assume their favorite position, but not before she could catch a glimpse of something unexpected through the mirror.

Kei could’ve sworn her eyes were deceiving her when seeing Sean alongside Raphael, Tec and even Soldier himself observing her and Tyree’s actions from afar as if they were on display at a museum. She could’ve cared less about those who played part in their usual circle of allies, but she held herself up to a certain standard when being in the presence of Soldier and so did Tyree because he was the one who taught her to do so, even if he was too selfish to admit it.

“T-Tyree, the crew!” Kei stammered, her heart hammering against her ribcage in embarrassment as she attempted to sit upright.

“Fuck the crew right now. I’m tryna be balls deep in some pussy.” He stated with his hand and eyes still placed at her mid-back.

“No, baby. I mean that they’re standing right behind us!” She hissed in a pant.

“Oh, shit!” He expressed, glancing over his shoulder as he released her from his firm hold and immediately went to adjust his jeans back around his waistline before assisting her in doing the same with her G-String and dress.

With a sheepish grin stretching across both their beaming faces, The couple both would simultaneously turn to face their peers, hand in hand.

“Ahhh,” Raphael laughed out obnoxiously, one hand placed on his clenching abdomen as the other pointed out the obvious. “Tyree really out here tryna get some cutty in the dressin’ room—” Everyone excluding him had found this unamusing. It wasn’t until the back of Soldier’s heavy hand came swinging into his puny chest, nearly knocking the wind from him that he had actually piped down.

Soldier beckoned Tyree in the direction of the sitting area before walking away with Raphael and Tec in tow, leaving the couple to bid their farewells for the time being.

“We’ll pick up where we left off at when I get back, hm?” Tyree whispered into Kei’s citrus scented curls before pressing his lips into her temple and against those of her own.

“Take your time.” She simply nodded her head in agreement to this though fret was still evident in her expression as she smoothed her hand over the wrinkly white graphic T-shirt that he was then clad in before untwining their fingers. She had only hoped he would receive the answer that he were looking for on the fight that night as she sent him on his way.

She faced the full-length mirror once more, already feeling differently on the opulent fabric that adorned her physique when she spotted Sean rearranging some authentic NBA Jerseys on a display stand nearby. Then would’ve been the ideal timing to bombard him with a question that had been boggling her mind since she first stepped foot inside his establishment. Lamar was right, maybe asking questions she had no business to was her problem to begin with.

“Hey, Snow?” Kei called out to him by his nickname as she gradually approached the curtain of the dressing room while adjusting the abstract translucent bangles clamped to her right arm as well as the new one of one hundred and one authentic Jacob & Co. Astronomia Fleurs de Jardin wristwatches embezzled in “Rainbow” topaz, sapphires, tsavorites, rubies, amethysts and mother of pearl gemstones secured to her inked wrist by white crocodile straps “Mind if I ask you a question?”

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓⠀⦂⠀* JACOB ⅋ CO.⠀╱⠀astronomia “rainbow” wristwatch.

“Depends...” His voice trailed and not once had he ripped his eyes away from the task at hand.

“On?” Kei challenged the tradesman, hoisting herself up on the glass display side of the corner L-shaped service counter.

“If I like your question or not.”

“Fair enough. Where’d you get the vintage couture pieces from though? I mean, as a self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast even I know that these fabrics weren’t just shipped here in quantities on the back of some semitruck, that’s for damn sure, so what’s your secret?”

“I’d have to kill you if I were to tell you.”

“Eh,” She giggled, hunching her shoulders as she gripped the perimeter of the counter she was then seated upon before continuously going to swing her smooth legs. “If you only knew half the shit I’ve been through these past two months, you’d know that I’ve got nothing else to lose at this point.”

“Aight, so boom, ‘bout six years back these three prep school kids from the middle-class suburbs had decided to finally find their rebellious streak in hackin’, scamming and boostin’ high-end exhibitions. I mean, from Bob Mackie’s at the Phoenix Art Museum to whatever it is you have on out in Paris. Call themselves the Notorious 3. Anyway, when shit really started gettin’ hot for ‘em out there in the streets, I figured that I’d take it off their hands for ‘em in exchange for a few racks I had lying ‘round, sent ‘em on their way. We’ve been in cahoots ever since then. Don’t get it twisted though, these niggas might be crafty wit’ the work, but nevertheless, heavily armed,” An sibilated sigh escaped past his lips as he shook his head. “They’d have my head for even openly discussing this with you right now, but with you being a new edition to The Soldier family, I’ll make the exception. Consider this information and that dress ya housewarming gift from me to you. Now while I’m surprised you haven’t heard of ‘em yet, besides Bianca stoppin’ by for a few intricate pieces here and then, that shit just been collecting dust in the basement for real ‘til Tyree bought you along. I’m pretty sure you’ll put ‘em to good use with fashion “Expertise” and all that.”

While Kei begun to see the greater good in people again, Tyree had made his way over to the suede mustard yellow Verner Panton Cloverleaf Vis-ב-vis sectional sofa of the sitting area in which Soldier, Raphael and Tec were then situated in.

He snatched a champagne flute up from the serving tray resting out on the cocktail table before him before skillfully plopping down in the seat nearest and rear-facing to Soldier without any spills, thankfully, and that’s how it’d always been established.

“What’s the word on tonight, boss?” Tyree queried, taking a sip from the Luc Belaire Bleu brand champagne that sat within his flute.

“Bones has made it clear to me; Winner-take-all, loser skips to Jersey.” Soldier had always spoken upright although with his elbows propped up on the back of the sofa and his closed fists covering his mouth, it’d always give off the impression that he wanted to remain inconspicuous.

“The opponent?”

“He’s going with his best man... RetcH.” Soldier sighed out deeply, his chest rising and falling.

“And you?” Tyree glanced over at Soldier who continued to stare straight ahead.

“As for me...” His is hands fell into his lap. “Richie’s a coward, Raphael and Slim are too damn hot-headed, Tec fucked up his wrist in the latest squabble with Teddy and as for Bianca and Kei... Immediate disqualification. They’re women, so there ain’t no way in hell I’d be putting ‘em up against RetcH, so that leaves me with you, Devlin.”

“What?!” Raphael exclaimed, jumping up out his seat on the sofa. “Man, this is bullshit!” He kicked the cocktail table over, causing the glassware atop to shatter on impact and for Kei and Sean to glance over in his direction.

“Watch yourself.” Even in the condition of a fractured wrist, Tec had still managed to stand up from his place on the sofa, fully prepared to inflict pain on his own crewmate until it came to Soldier restraining him from doing so.

“Nah, nigga, you better watch yourself!” Raphael snarled, finally having the confidence to actually step to Tec after the fact. “Can’t you see he always puttin’ this wide neck ass nigga before us?! Thinkin’ that somehow, someway he’s gonna reincarnate Trent! Yeah, I said it! Fuck it!” Tyree hadn’t paid much mind to Raphael’s usual antics, but the mention of his deceased older brother had him balling up his fists.

“That’s not true!” Soldier retorted.

“The fuck it is! I can’t even recall the last time I’ve been tagged in. Man, I’m out this bitch, and Tec, if you knew any better, you’d be right behind me!”

“Fuckin’ envious ass niggas,” Tec snarled, watching Raphael to the the exit before going to sit the cocktail table up by use of his dominant hand. “It really be your own bloodline. Don’t even trip on that shit, T. There’s much bigger shit at stake here.”

“Tec’s right,” Soldier stated with yet another deep sigh. “I need you laser focused tonight, so be lenient on the booze... And the women. We dress the part, avenge Trent, collect the cash prize and get out, hear me? Look, I know that RetcH is a rather touchy subject for—”

“Soldier, don’t take this the wrong way, but when’s the last time I’ve ever disappointed you besides what went down in the Red Room awhile back, hm? I know what I’m doing. I don’t need anyone holding my hand the way there. You just give me a time and I’ll be there.”

“Yeah, well your brother said the same thing,” Soldier sighed at the distinct memory of Trent’s fate before standing up from the sofa and signaling for Tec to send for their chauffer outside which he obliged to do so. “I’m not saying all this to get you riled up, Devlin. I have more faith in you than you probably want to believe. I just want you to understand what we’re up against. You’ll be ridin’ wit’ me to the venue tonight, so I’ll have my chauffeur pick you and the girl up around nine o’clock tonight,” Tyree simply nodded his head in agreement as Soldier placed his hand upon the fighter’s broad shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “Best of luck, Champ.”

Washington Heights⸝ Manhattan 9：45 PM

The twenty-eight-minute duration of being chauffeured from Tyree’s pad in Vinegar Hill to Club Murder in Washington Heights in Soldier’s custom Cadillac Escalade ESV was radio silent.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐒⠀⦂⠀* SOLDIER’S⠀╱⠀custom cadillac escalade esv.

Between him, Tec, Kei and Tyree, they all were trying their very hardest to conceal their evident apprehension as far as the forthcoming street fight and all parties involved. The silence was probably most suitable to majority of them that weren’t directly involved in a situation such as this, but for someone of Tyree’s status, being too comfortable was never an option as it would somehow always lead to shit going left within his life.

Comfortability is what had gotten Trent hemmed up the same night he had met his own fate. Comfortability was what Tyree had felt that split second while lying in Bianca’s lap before death came calling shortly thereafter. Comfortability was what bind him to Kei and all the futile women that came before her; therefore, he had no intention on following the masses. This lifestyle of his required living on edge, so what was a man to do other than indulge in the fruits of his labor?

He sat slouched in one of two rear Italian-leather reclining seats aside from Kei, clad in a fitted solid white crew neck T-shirt, an solid white polyester Champion brand pullover hoodie and slim fit dark wash and distressed Diesel brand jeans which underlined the sky blue Moncler Idil quilted-shell down jacket that were responsible for color coordinating with the “Do the Right Thing” colorway of his Air Jordan 3 Retro LS’ as he carelessly faced his second bottle of Luc Belaire Bleu champagne.

The Cartier C-Decor sunglasses customized with diamond cut out lenses and rimmed with VVS diamonds seated upon the bridge of his broad nose, the Richard Mille RM 56-02 Tourbillon Sapphire wristwatch secured to his wrist, the white diamond sterling silver cross huggie earrings dangling from his earlobes, his 14K white gold diamond pinky ring, his signature Sacramento pendant draping from his neck and even the custom double white gold open face cap that spread from his left lateral incisor to his cuspid had all reflected under the SUV’s interior lights and tied the look together.

“Baby, take it easy.” As if on cue, Kei’s disparate tone came to Tyree’s distress before Soldier could, swiftly snatching the half-empty bottle of champagne from his possession in the nick of time before he could stain his attire as the SUV came to an abrupt stop in what seemed to be some sort of overcrowded back-alley.

She placed the cork back on the bottle the best way she knew how before safely placing it on the tray table before her and cupping his speckled face within her hands. The pad of her thumb swiped against the soul patch beneath his bottom lip in order to collect whatever bit of liquid that previously lied there as his hooded eyes zeroed in on her before he pressed his lips against hers.

“Don’t coddle the man. He hasn’t paid his dues just yet.” Soldier’s remarks caused the couple to drift to their sections of the vehicle as if they were two children being chastised by their father all the while his eyes remained focused outside the rear door’s window.

The 32″ LCD television installed behind the back of him and Tec’s heads displayed a default screen of The Big Apple and acted as a partition between the passengers and chauffer when it had began to descend. The chauffeur announced their arrival to the venue before going to step outside the vehicle in order to open the rear door for them.

“Ladies first.” Tec politely insisted, extending his dominant hand for the teen to grab in which she obliged to do so after nodding her head in agreement, a small smile gracing her lips at his chivalry. From there, her hand was lent over to the chauffeur who assisted her in stepping outside the idle vehicle.

Her eyes almost immediately ascended up the bustling factory building as she boldly went to step a few feet away from the vehicle with her clammy hands grasping onto the handle of her transparent glass devil-horned Coperni X Heven Swipe handbag which had only held a tube of Fenty Beauty Diamond Milk Glass Bomb Lip Luminizer and a sufficient amount of green apple flavored Jolly Ranchers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓⠀⦂⠀* COPERNI ✕ HEVEN⠀╱⠀glass swipe bag.

The plant was overcome by it’s usual debris, graffiti art and bystanders which had been sectioned off by a chain-link fence. The grimy circle top muntin grid windows displayed a wavering reflection of warm lighting that she could’ve easily mistaken as burning flames upon first glance. The scenery seemingly danced in her pupils and made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She didn’t have peel her eyes away from what looked to be purgatory to know that it was a sign.

She was merely seconds away from retreating to the vehicle until a familiar source of stability came snaking around her waist with a reassuring peck on the cheek. There was the man of the hour, Tyree with Soldier and Tec in pursuit, in that exact order.

Tyree glanced over to his right at Soldier who only simply nudged his head in the direction of the entrance where one of Bones’ brawny body men stood. He took Kei’s dainty hand in his before being the one to take on the responsibility of leading their way there.

There were no proper greeting exchanged between the quartet and body man, not even a query for entrance tickets, entrance fees nor wristbands, for one, as he broke his previous stance just to push and hold the vandalized industrial door open for them to enter. The venue had still not been fully accessed as there was a brief, yet corroded corridor for them to pass through as well as another industrial door being bogarted by yet another one of Bones’ brawny body men.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀〝⠀Like the way she work⸝ ayy ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She always puts me first⸝ ayy ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀And I know I’ve been around ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀But I swear you got the best on Earth⸝ yeah⸝ yeah⸝ yeah⸝ yeah⸝⠀〞

The quartet moved in a phalanx of stealth in order to reach the final entrance of the venue, Russ’ “BEST ON EARTH” single as well as the various howls of excitement by partygoers were muddled while draining in through a closed door, amping their dramatic ass entrance more than ever before.

It was almost melodic to the half of them. For Kei, the feeling of insecurity had set in far before they reached the inside of the plant, maybe even before this newfound claim to fame of being Tyree’s eye candy. It couldn’t get any worse than that.

Though her resting bitch face was apparent, she could still distinguish the feeling of her heart palpitating with apprehension inside her ribcage with each leap she took towards the entrance in her transparent Season 7 Yeezy brand pumps.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓⠀⦂⠀* YEEZY⠀╱⠀season 7 pvc pumps.

The same warm lighting of the industrial caged fixtures mounted on either side of the narrow hallway which irradiated the rich rose gold Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer that coated her fair skin, her habitual holographic beat, gemstone jewelry pieces, both old and new, and the iridescent fabric of her Thierry Mugler frock at the very same time felt blistering rather than majestic in her panicked state of mind. The forewarning of a restricted area sign pinned to the wall to their left raised her suspicions about what they had gotten themselves into even more. Very telling for a nightclub named “Club Murder.”

The industrial door was pushed open by Bones’ second body man upon their arrival, the loose curls of Kei’s high ponytail surging in the humid wind the nightclub bore. Ironically enough, all of the teenager’s previous subconscious protests leading into the makeshift Steel Cage Match venue had dissipated the very moment she was welcomed into it. The scene was becoming second nature to her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐒⠀⦂⠀* CLUB⠀╱⠀murder ☠︎

Beams of light from the strobes suspended above the eight-foot wire cage in the center of the room danced upon the members of the secret society who surrounded it or hung out in the mezzanines on the outskirts of it, making bets or simply indulging in their preference of alcohol or marijuana.

Speaking of bets, Richie had nearly missed their arrival when jogging past them in his “Space Jam” colorway Air Jordan 9 Retro OG sneakers, a No. 2 pencil tucked aside his prescribed Cazal brand eyeglasses on his wide ears and a Casio brand printing calculator in hand just as “Flipside” by Freeway commenced throughout the scene, but not before Soldier pulled him back using the Puerto Rico flag bandana hanging from the back pocket of his dark ankle jeans.

There was absolutely no one that they could name who stood more proud in not only their line of work, but their ethnicity as well other than Richie. He was absolutely ecstatic to be back in his hood.

He swiftly dapped up his eses, planted an appropriate kiss on the cheek of his “Mamacita,” simply bid “Good luck,” to Tyree and he was on his merry way, and so were they.

The quartet remained phalanx as they moved towards the caged platform where Lamar, Bianca and Slim had been anticipating their arrival. They embraced each other, the women practically squealing to be in the presence of each other again since the early hours of the morning so that they could excessively compliment one another on their risquי evening attire.

Tyree came out his Moncler puffer and Champion pullover, handing the items over to Lamar just as the feedback of a microphone could be heard throughout the venue, causing the sidebar conversations of the crowd as well as the accompanying 2000′s music to slowly minimize.

Who would’ve thought that the 1967 Boogaloo single of Pete Rodriguez’s “I Like It Like That” would summon such an hyperactive spirit that would put the male as well as some of the female species in attendance in an uproar.

She playfully salsa danced her way to the middle of the caged ring where a suspended vintage microphone swayed, just a swinging her 30″ bone-straight frontal as well as the high-slit maxi skirt of her crystal-embellished canary yellow Moschino by Jeremy Scott set that meshed well with her Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony Sparkle sandals and Loree Rodkin jewelry pieces. Her signature stiletto shaped acrylics, white toes, toned stomach and bronzed skin is what had really set it off.

She didn’t have to try hard to garner anyone’s attention. It was as if she was born for this. An organic entertainer.

“What’s up?!” She greeted, peering out into the open crowd that fully welcomed her. “It’s hot than a motherfucker in here! Y’all ain’t hot?!” She asked to which the crowd verbally agreed. “Cue the fans, please! Let’s get my people’s some air!” She demanded, the industrial floor fans stationed around the venue powering on subsequently after. “There we go! That’s better! Anywho, how y’all doing out there tonight?!” She gripped the microphone, stalking the ring as she received mixed feedback from the crowd. “I heard that. If you ain’t catch on by now, I’m ya Master of Ceremonies for tonight, Celina Rodriguez, but ya nigga just might know me as Cece from Seventh Heaven Gentlemen’s Club back in my stripping days, haan!” She expressed with her tongue hanging from her mouth. “Ain’t no shame in my game, but we movin’ on to bigger and better things, jhu herd?! One of ‘em being that it feels so fuckin’ good to be back in my hood of The Heights, but it feels even better introducing tonight’s street fight between RetcH of The Stallions,” She extended her arm in the direction of RetcH whom was making his way to the platform, tugging at his joggers with a Backwood tucked snug between his lips. “And Tyree of The Soldiers!” Tyree pressed his lips against Kei’s before doing the same. “Price just went up! Yesterday’s price is definitely not today’s price, feel me?! So we got $17,000 on the line tonight which will be in safekeeping between my legs until the winner is announced,” She smirked, her face contorting in the most animated fashion yet, causing everyone including the fighters to break out into a fit of contagious laughter. “So I hope you can recognize the scent of good pussy once it reaches your possession, okuuurt?! I kid, but not really though. Fellas, please let it be known that there will be no crowd or weapon assistance during this quarrel, just y’all fine asses and this metal gate, so without further ado, let’s get duuurty!” She emphasized in her thick accent, Redman’s “Let’s Get Dirty (I Can’t Get in da Club)” cueing subsequently after, causing the crowd to go berserk. She made an exit from the ring and boldly approached the rest of Soldier’s crew.

“What’s up, girl?!” Celina exclaimed, tapping at the shoulder of none other than Bianca who had her back turned towards her at the time being as she sipped her Sugarfree Red Bull Energy Drink through a coffee stirrer, obviously attempting to sway the attention of someone other than.

“Hey, girl!” Bianca greeted once turning to face her and proceeding to pull the announcer into a tight hug. “Long time, no speak.”

“Yes, how long has it been now? What, six years?”

“Yup! I think the last time I seen you was when me, you, Star, Trent, Tec, Ra and Soldier were kickin’ it at Seventh Heaven in Chelsea.”

“That’s right! The good ol’ days. I kind of miss it sometimes, y’know? The underground was way different then,” Celina recollected, shaking her head as she glanced down at her crystal-embellished sandals. “I’m sorry to hear about Trent. I know he cost you guys a great deal.”

“He did,” Bianca nodded her head in agreement while playing with her stirrer, trying her very hardest not to reopen old wounds though the fight transpiring before them was already triggering enough. “But all that’s water under the bridge now. Uh, let me introduce you to Kei, Tyree’s girlfriend,” She switched the subject matter, swiftly grabbing a hold of Kei’s wrist and yanking her to the forefront. “She’s game now.”

“Hi.” Kei squeaked bashfully, extending a wave in Celina’s direction as she sucked on a Jolly Rancher from her handbag.

“Nice to meet you.” Celine winked, internally wishing to suckle on the newbie the same way she sucked on the hard candy.

“That’s his personal bodyguard, Lamar and close friend, Slim. Also apart of the family now,” Both, Lamar and Slim would exchange simple head nods with her. “I’m pretty sure you remember Tec and your ex-fiancי, Soldier.” Kei had nearly choked on her candy at the mention of Soldier and Celina’s failed engagement.

As much as he inserted himself in the affairs of his tribe, you’d think he’d barely have any of his own. This whole “Mixing business with pleasure,” myth had never stemmed from Bianca and Trent to begin with. It had all stemmed from him and Celina.

“Celina...” Soldier greeted bitterly, keeping his eyes forward on the fight.

“Safir...” She smirked while calling out her ex-fiancי’s government name, folding her arms across her full breasts, fully aware that her presence alone was getting beneath his skin. It would pain him to state his ex-fiancיe was doing well without him.

“It’s nice to see that Bones finally took a chance on pullin’ your ass out of Seventh Heaven and puttin’ you on an actual stage.” Soldier chuckled amongst himself and the men of his crew. This was the most Kei had heard him speak since meeting his acquaintance.

“Yeah, something that your broke, egotistical ass couldn’t do at the time!” She retorted, causing ‘Ooh’s’ to fall from the women’s lips almost immediately.

“Get lost, tramp.”

“Fuck I thought, sorry ass nigga,” She rolled her eyes, reshifting her focus on the women. “Anyway, I’ma go make my rounds around the club before I catch another case over this nigga. It was nice seeing y’all.”

“Bye!” Kei and Biance said in unison, watching her walk away before focusing in on the cage match as everyone else had been.

It was an active game of tug of way by this time within the brawl with who would ultimately win.

For a minute, it seemed as if RetcH wouldn’t give Tyree a break from his repetitive combination of restraining him before slamming him face down into the bloody vinyl tarp of the ring using all his body weight. He had given Tyree enough space to bring himself up to his feet this time, but maybe that wasn’t the brightest idea, seeing Tyree charge at him with a closed fist then another that was powerful enough to have RetcH’s blood splaying against his white T-Shirt merely seconds before falling face down on the vinyl tarp.

Picking RetcH up by the sides of his face, Tyree sent two straight blows to his nose before finishing the combination off with an effective dropkick. He maneuvered the ring enough to keep his adrenaline flowing until RetcH collected himself.

You would’ve assumed he regained the upper hand of the brawl when front kicking Tyree into either sides of the metal gate, causing him to enfold in pain before attempting to lock him in a weak grapple which Tyree broke with an upper cut punch straight to his chin, causing his head as well as his body to fly back against the gate.

“Doesn’t feel so good being defenseless, does it?!” Tyree skillfully spat blood onto the tarp, his right hand gripping the back of RetcH’s neck before repeatedly slamming his face into the gate until he was leaking profusely. He was sure to have some facial fractures after that.

RetcH laughed menacingly, his face almost unrecognizable as ichor fell from his split lips and nostrils simultaneously.

“Just like your bitch ass brother!”

This is for my brother, pussy!” One last powerful head thrust against the gate was enough to lay RetcH out for good.

“I believe we’ve got our winner,” Celina exclaimed, her voice vociferous enough to carry out throughout the arena without the use of an microphone as she entered the cage, waving a small kraft paper bag of the winner’s earnings. “Tyree of The Soldiers!” She announced, causing the arena to erupt in a wave of celebratory howls as she handed the money off to Tyree. “Congratulations, T!” She grinned, giving him a round of applause.

Fat Joe’s “Take a Look at My Life” blared throughout the scene as Tyree soaked it all in, pulling Celina into his chest while pumping his fist into the air.

The hype soon began to die down, causing everyone to begin to disperse. Instead of walking outside the cage as any ordinary person would do, Tyree jumped it, landing directly where his crew mates were then located at.

Kei was the first to approach the reigning champion, awarding him with a soft kiss on the corner of his lips as his arm snaked around her waist.

“Yeahhh,” Tec was next to approach Tyree, chuckling as he lifted his arm in victory. “I knew you could do it!”

“Send me a postcard from Jersey!” Soldier teased, watching Bones and those of his crew escort RetcH off the premises. “Time to celebrate!” He exclaimed, turning on the heels of his oxfords as he went to vacate the building with the vast majority of the attendees.

“Where we headed?” Kei asked, perking up.

“Sorry, ma. Grown folks business. Maybe next time.” Tec answered, making her feel less than as he went to follow behind Soldier.

“Sorry, baby. Lamar’s going to take really good care of you.” His statement had almost sounded promising as he went to remove his arm from around her waist, retrieve the rest of his personal belongings from his bodyguard and caught up with the rest of ‘em, but even she knew it was bullshit.

Another night of staying out late, rippin’ and runnin’ the streets for him and crippling anxiety for her.

When did the cycle end?

11：56 PM

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐓𝐘𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐋𝐈𝐍

The cork being popped on a cold bottle of Moכt & Chandon Imperial Brut by Soldier resonated throughout the rear end of his custom Cadillac Escalade ESV as we, as in me, him and Tec cruised down Lexington Ave.

I was elated to know my winning streak had yet faltered as everyone was probably expecting it to due to previous conflicts and now this war between The Soldiers and The Stallions had finally came to a standstill which meant RetcH was out the picture, yet something on my spirit still felt uneasy about this whole “Skipping town” ordeal. Bones or anyone on his crew, for that matter, had never took too kindly to coming in second place, even in our earlier fights. Though they were far too cowardly to admit to it.

I made a mental note to check in on Kei once we reached our destination just to put my racing mind at ease some. It’ll make me less anxious knowing that she at least successfully made it home in safekeeping with Lamar.

“You really proved yourself tonight, kid. You should be proud. We all are, and I know damn well Trent is,” Soldier gloated, reeling me back in. “The Soldiers obviously still have a lot of work to do. More training and I want to believe I spoke about expanding our operation, but before I get into depth about that, I think that you should have this.” He reached into the pocket of his seasonal Louis Vuitton brand pinstripe suit and pulled out a sentimental piece I felt I hadn’t seen in ages.

“Trent’s chain?” I was almost sure there was an whole assortment of emotions wavering my face as I outstretched my hand for it. It was simple, but it meant a lot to me. His initials encrusted on a small script pendant with a 14K yellow gold diamond tennis chain to match. “I’ve searched high and low for this. Where’d you get it?”

“Trent gave it to me your first night of witnessing his street fight. Said to keep it in safekeeping ‘til I felt you deserved it. It was almost as if he knew he would... As if he knew you would...” He cleared his throat. “You’re a man now, Tyree. No one can take that from you.” He nodded, a reserved smile ghosting across all of our lips as I clasped my brother’s chain around my neck with pride.

I was in the midst of admiring my new piece when we pulled up to a traffic light on the intersection of Lex & East 125th Street.

If someone would’ve forewarned me that the next chain of events to take place would change my life for the worse, I probably would’ve assumed that they were lying, but at least I could’ve braced myself and those around me.

It all happened so fast. The LCD used as a partition situated behind Soldier and Tec’s heads descended for the second time that night. An overfamiliar stenciled arm stretching right outside of it, a Glock 29 handgun clenched within their unsteady hand with the barrel pointed straight in my direction the very second multiple bullets began to propel from the chamber.

Fortunately enough, my reflexes had kicked in, causing me to lean over in my seat and the lead to hit the LCD behind me instead, blowing the fuse completely out of it. Yet a slug had still managed to penetrate my shoulder when the chauffeur went to wrestle the hitman for control of the firearm which fell into the rear seat once his wrist smacked against the perimeter of the partition.

“Get down!” Soldier shouted, yanking me down to the vehicle’s floor with him and Tec by my Champion pullover.

One situation was nearly under control and here went another when a year 1970 model Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible pulled up to the left of us and began to riddle our vehicle in more hot projectiles, some shattering the rear windows, causing shards of glass and champagne to rain over our tense bodies as we took cover. It was mad wild to me how the ESV was custom made without a bulletproof feature.

I could distinguish the distinct smell of gunpowder and the rubber burning from the tires slipping as the chauffeur attempted to lead us to safety. We barely made it past the stop light when the vehicle began to swerve, making it even easier for the convertible to ram us from the side, sending both American owned vehicles crashing straight into a street light.

The realization of me catching another stray bullet hadn’t set in until my hand was clutching onto my side where the injury resided and the indistinguishable taste of metal was overfilling my mouth. I was sure I’d be reunited with my brother that night.

There wasn’t much time to spare on thinking a rational decision through, only acting on impulse when multiple footsteps could be heard shuffling towards the 125th Street Station entrance.

I reached across what looked to be Soldier and Tec’s unconscious bodies in order to retrieve the same loaded Glock 29 left lying in the seat, that was once used to take me out with before pulling the inner handle of the rear door to the right of us. A guttural groan escaped my larynx, fresh blood staining my fronts and veins protruding my temples as I went to pull myself up from underneath the two of them. I was almost positive that the chauffeur had died on impact by the way the imploded airbags upfront were then hissing.

“T, it ain’t worth it, man!” Tec shouted after me once stirring from his previous state, his dominant hand outstretching in my direction as if that were enough to stop my reigning terror.

I hadn’t exchanged a single word back to him, only a daring glance before sprinting towards the entrance off pure adrenaline. Someone had to pay for the damages caused.

A round of bullets from an submachine Uzi being handled by RetcH himself rang off just as I had reached the top of the mezzanine leading into the subway system, blowing out the fluorescent light fixture below the nomenclature, making it even more difficult for me to identify which direction he was heading in without my eyeglasses. I recoiled to refrain from being struck a third time that night.

The moment I heard him duck off like the little bitch that he was, was the moment I picked myself up the best way I knew how and boldly jogged down the staircase leading to the turnstiles in which I jumped with whatever strength I had left in me. My wounds carelessly leaving a vestige of my very existence not too far behind.

I jogged the second mezzanine leading to the empty platform of the train cars just in the nick of time to witness one depart the station with my cousin onboard, him gesturing finger guns to his temple. As I stood there applying pressure onto the wound on my left hip, I really couldn’t help but to think was he behind the whole operation and were RetcH onboard as well.

I guess I got the answer to at least one of my questions when a silhouette emerged in my peripheral. The clicks of an empty clip coming to his dismay.

As he went to discard his weapon onto the train tracks to our right, I cocked mine back, aiming straight for his left kneecap and pulling the trigger. My hit had obviously landed, hearing the way his below resonated throughout the station before he went to hurl himself against one of the vandalized tile columns of the platform. I did the same, unbeknownst of what he was capable of pulling next.

“RetcH, what’ll you say we put these guns down and settle this like real men?” I queried breathlessly, my head tilting back against the pillar and my heavy eyes squeezing shut the second I felt a spell of dizziness overcoming my body.

“Let me get this straight. Y’all niggas initiate the war between us and now you really expect for me to believe we’re both gon’ walk out this bitch alive, on some “Kumbaya” shit?!” RetcH chortled, groaning in pain and I’m sure, clutching his knee shortly after. “Nah, fuck that! Bones’ deed gets done tonight! With you and your brother out the picture, Soldier’ll have no choice but to leave the underground. I can reclaim the title of what’s rightfully mine, Bones takes back control of his clubs again and The Stallions live happily every after.”

“So that’s what you want to be remembered for?! Going out like a sucker?!”

“Well thank God you or Trent won’t be there to tell it.” This slick response came from the right side of my column.

All I could dwell on in the moment was how’d he make it to me so fast as my feeble body was slammed into a nearby metal column, my wounded shoulder catching majority of the impact.

“Aah!” I shouted out in pain, striking my elbow into the middle of his back continuously until he broke his restraint around me and went reaching for the gun secured in my hand instead.

Though severely injured, our bodies scuffled around the perimeter of the platform for possession of the firearm. My index finger impulsively pulled back the trigger, lodging two bullets directly into RetcH’s abdomen.

I had to admit that it was most exhilarating to finally witness the emotion of fear wash over my long-term rival’s face than anyone else’s in my past body count as he clutched onto my shoulder for stability, his body going rigid before me. The distinct traction of a nearby train car could be heard as well as felt beneath the soles of our name-brand sneakers.

I knew I was slightly immoral before that moment, but chuckling in a man’s face as he was losing his life just made me seem damn near demented. Gee, maybe I had lived up to those Arthur Fleck accusations after all.

“You shot me...” Retch heaved the inevitable, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth and instead staining my attire furthermore.

“You bought this on yourself,” I stated, peeling his hand away from my shoulder before carelessly shoving his declining body overboard onto the train tracks to finish off the job. “Payback’s a motherfucker, ain’t it? Ya drop-off’s here.”

I hadn’t once flinched when hearing the way the train car impacted his body as it passed through, instead I stashed the gat inside the waistband of my jeans, pulled on the hood of my pullover, turned on the heels of my Air Jordans and proceeded to limp my way back to Tec and Soldier’s aide this time around.

“Yo, he aight?” I had arrived on the scene just as Tec was pulling Soldier’s wounded body from the burning ESV, police sirens wailing in the near distance.

“He’ll survive, I’m sure. You on the other hand...” Tec grimaced, catching a glimpse of me hissing as I added pressure onto my side wound again by use of my hand.

“It’s just a flesh wound. I’ll be aight.” I lied.

“Well don’t just stand there. We at least gotta get him to the other side of the street before the Jakes come.”

I went reaching for Soldier’s arm only for him to snatch it right back.

“You two get outta here!” Soldier sputtered on his own blood.

“No, no way! You’re coming with us!” I protested, attempting to grab for him again.

“I said, ‘Go!’” He bellowed. “They’ve been trying to pin me down for years now. There’s no sense in fighting it. Y’all have a better chance at escaping without a cripple at your sides.”

“Fuck that! You gon’ be alright. We gon’ get you the fuck up outta here, man. Bones gon’ get his!” Me and Tec grabbed at either of Soldier’s arms in attempts to get him across the street safely, but by then, cop cars had begun to swarm the area, making it less likely for us to make an escape with Soldier without the risk of being caught up.

“W-We gotta get the hell up outta here, man!” Tec stammered, tapping at my shoulder. “Let’s go!”

“Freeze!” The detective of an Italian descent shouted out as he barricaded himself behind the passenger side door of him and his partner’s assigned vehicle with a firearm aimed in our direction and a ginger beauty, clad in a lab coat, standing not too far behind him.

“He said, ‘Freeze,’ punks!” His partner of an African-American descent reiterated his command quite rudely, might I add, as he aimed his weapon in our direction as well.

Still, Tec and I boldly ducked off in the opposite direction with a plethora of unanswered questions on the momentous night we had. The main one being, how would the crew ever function properly without the dependence of Soldier?

It was all downhill from there.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀？ as 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 ゛⠀𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐌𝐀𝐍⠀〟𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐓

⤷ occupation：sole owner of syndicate urban streetwear ❪s.u.s.❫ clothing shop

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀belcalis ゛⠀cardi b⠀〟 marlenis almבnzar as 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀 ゛⠀𝐂𝐄𝐂𝐄⠀〟𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐙

⤷ occupation：past exotic dancer for seventh heaven gentlemen’s nightclub⸝ soldier’s ex-fiancיe⸝ upcoming rapper⸝ actress and now master of ceremonies for club murder