SHACKLES MADE OF GOLD
796 Words
Leon sat in the back seat of Jay’s SUV, staring out the window as the city blurred past. The streetlights cast fleeting shadows across his face, but inside, he felt nothing. Empty.
Jay sat beside him, legs crossed, exuding the same quiet confidence he always had. Raul was up front, drumming his fingers on the dashboard.
Nobody spoke.
The weight of Leon’s decision pressed against his chest like a stone. He had no choice. That’s what he kept telling himself.
But deep down, he knew—there’s always a choice.
And he had made the wrong one.
---
Back in the Fold
They pulled up to a high-rise in downtown Brooklyn, one of Jay’s spots. A penthouse suite. Security at the door. Luxury built on blood.
Jay stepped out first. “Come on.”
Leon hesitated, then followed.
Inside, the place was all glass walls, expensive art, and furniture that cost more than his mom’s apartment. Raul grabbed a drink from the bar, kicked his feet up like he owned the place.
Jay sat down, gesturing for Leon to do the same.
Leon didn’t move.
Jay smirked. “Still got that fight in you, huh?”
Leon’s jaw tightened. “What do you want?”
Jay leaned forward. “I want you to understand something.”
He gestured around the room. “This? This is power. This is control. You think you had a way out, but you never did. You belong to these streets. Always have.”
Leon’s fists clenched. “I ain’t your property.”
Jay chuckled. “You sure? ‘Cause last time I checked, you just signed your life over to me.”
Silence.
Jay leaned back, his smile fading. “You wanna survive, Leon? You play the game. You follow the rules. You stop acting like you got a way out, ‘cause you don’t.”
Leon felt his stomach twist. “What if I say no?”
Jay’s expression darkened.
“You won’t.”
---
The First Test
Leon spent the night in one of the guest rooms, staring at the ceiling. He knew what Jay was doing.
Breaking him down.
Making sure he had nowhere else to go.
By morning, the orders came.
Raul tossed him a burner phone. “You got a job tonight.”
Leon didn’t respond.
Jay’s voice was calm. “Think of this as your initiation. You prove yourself, we move forward.”
Leon swallowed hard. “What’s the job?”
Raul smirked. “You remember Marcus?”
Leon’s chest tightened. Marcus was an old associate, a mid-level dealer who used to be tight with their crew—until he stole from Jay.
And now?
Jay wanted Leon to handle him.
Leon shook his head. “Nah. I ain’t doing that.”
Jay sighed, standing up. “See, this is why you ain’t built for this.”
He walked over, voice lowering. “You think I trust you? After what you pulled?”
Leon stayed silent.
Jay’s voice turned to ice. “You prove your loyalty, or we put you in the ground. Simple.”
Leon’s heart pounded.
Raul tossed him a gun. “You got till midnight.”
---
The Crossroads
Leon walked out of the building, the weight of the gun burning in his pocket.
His whole life, he had been running from this moment.
Now, there was no more running.
The streets were quiet as he made his way to Marcus’ last known spot—a small apartment in East Flatbush. His mind raced with every step.
Could he do this?
Did he even have a choice?
When he reached the building, he hesitated at the entrance. His hands were slick with sweat.
Then, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
Leon hesitated, then answered.
A familiar voice whispered, “Leon, don’t do this.”
His breath caught.
Kia.
“How did you—”
“I know Jay sent you. And I know what he wants you to do.” Her voice was urgent. “But you don’t have to.”
Leon’s throat tightened. “You don’t get it, Kia. If I don’t—”
“They’ll kill you? You think they’ll stop there?”
Silence.
Kia’s voice softened. “You still got a chance, Leon. But not if you pull that trigger.”
Leon closed his eyes. He wanted to believe that.
But the streets didn’t let you go.
They swallowed you whole.
Kia’s voice was firm. “Come find me. Before it’s too late.”
The line went dead.
Leon stood there, heart pounding.
Two choices.
Kill Marcus and fall deeper into Jay’s grip.
Or walk away and paint a target on his back.
His fingers brushed the gun in his pocket.
The clock was ticking.
And Leon had to decide.
- Writer
