HUNTED
1023 Words
Leon ran.
His breath came in sharp gasps as he tore through the Brooklyn streets, his sneakers pounding against cracked pavement. Streetlights flickered overhead, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted as he moved.
He didn’t know where he was going. All he knew was that Raul would be right behind him—and that Jay wasn’t the forgiving type.
His mind screamed at him. He had just made the worst mistake of his life. But deep down, he knew—it wasn’t a mistake.
He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t pull the trigger.
But now?
Now, he was as good as dead.
---
Nowhere is Safe
Leon turned onto an empty street, slowing his pace just enough to catch his breath. His hands trembled as he pulled out his phone.
One missed call from Kia.
A dozen texts from Jay.
Jay: You playing with me?
Jay: Raul told me what happened.
Jay: You got five minutes to call me before it’s a problem.
Jay: Too late.
Leon’s stomach dropped. He knew what that meant.
He wasn’t just on Jay’s bad side. He was marked.
The streets had rules. You didn’t cross your people. You didn’t walk away. And you sure as hell didn’t make Jay look weak.
His fingers hovered over Kia’s contact. He wanted to call her. Wanted to hear her tell him it would be okay, even if it was a lie.
But he couldn’t.
If Jay knew where she was—where his mom was—they were in danger too.
He couldn’t let that happen.
So he did the only thing he could.
He kept running.
---
A Desperate Call
Leon ducked into an alley, hands on his knees, trying to slow his breathing. His mind raced. He needed a plan. He needed help.
He scrolled through his contacts. There was only one name that made sense.
Darnell.
Leon hesitated. They hadn’t talked in years—not since Darnell had left the game. But if there was anyone who knew how to disappear, it was him.
Leon tapped the call button.
The phone rang. Once. Twice.
Then—
“Who the hell is this?”
Leon exhaled sharply. “It’s me. Leon.”
Silence. Then a low chuckle. “Damn. Thought you were smart, kid. Why you calling me?”
“I need help.”
Darnell sighed. “Of course you do.”
Leon’s grip tightened on the phone. “Jay’s coming for me. I need to get out.”
Darnell was quiet for a long time. Then—
“Meet me at the old laundromat on 145th. One hour. Don’t bring your phone.”
The line went dead.
Leon’s heart pounded. He didn’t know if he could trust Darnell.
But he didn’t have any other options.
---
The Chase Begins
Leon ditched his phone in a storm drain and caught a subway heading back toward Harlem. He kept his hood up, head low. Every stop, he scanned the car for familiar faces, waiting for the moment someone would recognize him.
When he finally stepped off at 145th, the city felt different.
Colder.
Darker.
Jay’s reach was everywhere. He could feel it.
The laundromat was an old, run-down spot that had been out of business for years. As Leon approached, he spotted a single car parked outside, headlights off.
Darnell.
Leon knocked twice on the glass door.
It swung open immediately.
Darnell stood there, older, rougher than Leon remembered. His beard was thicker, his eyes harder. He didn’t say anything—just stepped aside, letting Leon in.
“You look like hell,” Darnell muttered.
Leon collapsed into a chair. “I need to disappear.”
Darnell rubbed his jaw. “Ain’t that easy.”
Leon exhaled. “Jay’s gonna kill me.”
Darnell leaned against the counter. “Yeah. He is.”
Leon snapped his head up. “So you just gonna let that happen?”
Darnell studied him. “Why should I help you, huh? Last time I tried to warn you about this life, you ain’t listen.”
Leon’s fists clenched. “I know I messed up. I know I shouldn’t have got involved.”
Darnell folded his arms. “And now, suddenly, you wanna walk away?”
Leon’s voice broke. “I don’t got a choice.”
Darnell sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Alright. I can get you out. But it ain’t gonna be clean. You ready for that?”
Leon didn’t hesitate. “Yeah.”
Darnell studied him for a long moment, then nodded. “We leave tonight.”
---
The Trap
Leon felt a weight lift off his chest. Maybe he actually had a shot.
But then—
BANG.
The front window shattered, glass spraying into the air.
Leon dove to the ground as more gunshots tore through the laundromat.
Darnell yanked him up. “Move!”
They sprinted through the back, kicking open the rusted door into the alley.
Headlights flashed. Tires screeched.
A black SUV skidded into the alley, cutting off their escape.
Raul stepped out first, gun in hand. Three more guys followed.
Leon’s stomach twisted. They found him.
Jay wasn’t coming to negotiate.
This was a message.
Raul smirked. “Told you, Leon. You signed your death sentence.”
Leon’s heart pounded. There was no talking his way out of this.
Darnell stepped forward, eyes cold. “You sure you wanna do this, Raul?”
Raul scoffed. “You ain’t got pull no more, old head.”
Darnell sighed. “Guess not.”
Then—he pulled his gun.
Everything exploded at once.
Leon hit the ground as shots rang out, bullets sparking off the alley walls. Darnell fired back, hitting one of Raul’s guys in the leg. The man screamed, collapsing.
Raul cursed, ducking behind the SUV. “Take them out!”
Leon scrambled for cover behind a dumpster, heart racing.
Darnell tossed him a gun. “You ever shoot before?”
Leon’s hands shook as he caught it.
He had held a gun before. But never like this.
“Time to learn,” Darnell muttered.
Leon’s pulse pounded.
This wasn’t just about survival.
This was war.
- Writer
