K I L L O R B E K I L L E D
1779 Words
After Mr. Hampton pulled off, we went inside to smoke. Surprisingly, they had already gotten over what had just happened. I guess it shouldn’t be a surprised when it came to Karen and Stacey, but this was the first death that Emma has witnessed while being with us.
She showed no visible signs a conscience would be having on a person who hadn’t been through something this extreme. It honestly made me wonder what else could be going on inside her brain. I didn’t question it too much.
We waited around the phone hoping it would ring soon. Everything was about to change but we just didn’t know how. I made sure that everyone there knew it was a high possibility that we could die during this process.
I also made sure they knew it was possible for all of us to walk away unharmed. I tried to keep the balance. Stacey’s phone made a noise, informing her of a voicemail. She checked it.
“STACEY, I LOVE YOU SO MU…” (explosion)
This wasn’t good. In a piece of our mind, Jim and my mom, both, were now dead before we could do anything to save them. Stacey dropped her head as we all comforted her. Our tears were one. Karen pulled me to the side.
“I’m sorry this happened, Justin. Things were just starting to get better.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, too.”
She hugged me.
“Cousin, we have to call this off. Call Mr. Hampton and tell him it’s over.”
“I’m not calling this off, Karen. I need to know what happened. I don’t even know if my mom is dead yet. Hell, for all I know, Jim’s still alive as well.”
“No, Justin, they’re not. Don’t let your emotions come in between life and death. Besides, their death has given all of us a clean slate. If that group feel justice has been served, we’re in the clear. Which means we could live our lives as normal people.”
“I can’t give up on this. I’m not. If you wish to pull out, so be it. I’m seeing this through until the end.”
“Cousin, please, don’t make me choose. Before, I felt I had to do this for the sake of putting an end to our torture. Now that we’re cleared, we no longer have to fight. I’m not looking forward to war if there’s no need for it.”
“Then stay. I’ll go alone if I have to.”
Stacey tears had stopped due to realization of the dangers her father had always been in. She was sad, but she knew how to manage.
“I don’t expect y’all to see it from my point of view, but I’m still following Mr. Hampton’s lead when it comes through.”
“Babe, it’s over. There’s no need for us to continue. The whole purpose was to save them, but…”
“That’s what I tried to get him to see, Stacey. His vengeance is blocking his ability to reason.”
“That’s fine. You can stay here with Karen and Emma, but I’m going to look for them.”
“I never said I wasn’t coming, brother.”
“Ok, good. Then, Emma and I will see this through until the end.”
“I bet you two will.”
“And what the hell does that supposed to mean, Karen? Huh? If you got something you wanna say, then say it already.”
“Ok, I will. I’m not the only one who sees how close you two are. This little sister, big brother crap is bullshit. You both know it.”
“You’re still not saying s**t, Karen. Be clear about what accusations you’re throwing our way.”
“You’re f*****g Emma. Is that clear enough?”
“f**k you, Karen.”
“No, f**k you.”
“Justin, babe, is this true?”
“NO.”
“Karen, Justin has never put his thing inside of me. He showed me how to use my own fingers. That’s it.”
“What was all that s**t you were talking about, how you couldn’t forget what happened between you two the other day?”
“That was it. He gave me a demonstration, never using his own finger or his, thingy. It just made me splash.”
“That’s still cheating, Justin. How could you do this to me? To your baby?”
“Emma, just tell them.”
“About?”
“Jinka. Tell them about Jinka.”
She began with minor hesitation.
“She’s… Well, I don’t know much about her. The doctor said I have split personality. Or an alter ego? Anyway, she just takes over my mind and body sometimes without me knowing much afterwards. That day this happened, Justin saved me from her and showed me how to keep her locked up. We never had s*x. And FYI, I’m close to Justin because he never judged me. He’s only been kind and has stuck up for me many times before. Even when Casper told him of my condition, he remained the same good-hearted person he is right now. He’s like the only one I have left in my family even though I have no family. I thought you two were like him but you’re not. You two are good people, but you’re blind. So yeah, I’m going with him. If we live, we live together. If we die, we’ll die together.”
Karen and Stacey couldn’t fire back. They knew they’d lost that fight so they did the only thing they could. They passed a lit joint to Emma, changing the subject with silence. I stepped out on the back porch with my own re-rolled cigar.
The phone rang.
“Mr. Hampton, I was just about to page you. We have a problem.”
“Yes, we do. These people of yours, were they once called THE SPOTTERS?”
“Yes sir, that’s them. Did you find a location?”
“I did. Only problem is their opposition. Mutual enemies, yes, but our clans are still in a contract of temporary peace. Breaking this treaty, now, could mean everlasting war between us.”
“But Mr. Hampton, you gave me your word…”
“I did. Which is exactly why we’ll still help you, just not as much as I would like.”
“Just get me there, I’ll figure the rest out after touching down.”
“Don’t be a fool. To chop the head of Dragons, you must move strategically with swift precision.”
“What do you propose?”
He paused.
“Mr. Hampton, what can I do?”
“Everyone there should come stay at my headquarters for a few days. From there, we’ll conjure a winning strategy that best suit all of us.”
“They don’t have time. My mom and Jim have already been separated and could already be dead. If I don’t make a move tonight, I’m afraid it’ll be official by sunrise. So, what’s it gonna be?”
“Justin, this isn’t to be taken lightly. The people your mother is facing has grown in the past year and are unpredictable at times. If there’s reason for them to meet us, such as a serious business proposition, maybe they’ll pull back half of their soldiers to secure the transaction. This will give us an army to kill but another will be waiting. Unless…”
He paused once more. I can hear him giving orders to one of his members, but I couldn’t make out what was being said.
“Don’t leave me hanging in suspense, Mr. Hampton. Unless what?”
“I have just sent a request for him to share the names of those captured in exchange for territory. If your mother’s name is on the list, no blood will be shed tonight.”
“I don’t get it. How does that even work?”
“Very simple. A picture and name will be sent to us, of all who’s being held captive by his army. If any are sentenced to execution, which all probably will be, those I have chosen will have up to 72hours before their sentence is carried out. In exchange, I’m offering territory he’s been after for 6years. If agreed upon, we’ll meet at the center point inside the location in question to handle business.”
“So, all we do is wait?”
“For now. Send me a picture of your mother with her name as the caption and I’ll call you with any updates.”
“Thanks.”
The call ended.
I sent the picture and name just as he asked. I turned around to see the girls standing in the door eavesdropping. A part of me is still upset with them, yet my mission kept most of my attention. I re-entered the house and plopped down on the couch.
“So, what are we doing, brother?”
“Waiting…”
Silence. Then…
“Cousin, you know this isn’t your fight anymore, right?”
“My mind is made, Karen.”
“Babe, listen to your cousin. Think about what you’ll be putting your baby through if you continue down this path?”
“The baby will be fine, just like me. There’s no turning back now.”
Silence.
“Well, what did Mr. H say? Is he handling it without us?”
“Don’t worry about it, Emma, things are under control. If it goes as planned, we won’t have to spill much blood, if any. Let’s just wait on the call.”
An hour past. Everyone had drifted off into dreamland when the call came. Simultaneously, we jumped up to the ringing.
“Yeah?”
“The Dragons accepted the terms. We must leave now if we’re to stop her execution. My men should be close, so be ready to join them when they arrive. Your weapons will be provided so bring nothing but fearlessness.”
By this time, I heard the horn of a truck from the driveway. I stood and headed towards the door. Emma on my tail. Karen and Stacey sat with tears in their eyes, comforting each other. I ran over and gave them both a kiss before we hit the road.
It’s time to get my hands dirty one last time before I’m completely free. It’s either KILL, OR BE KILLED. I made sure Emma knew this. This wasn’t a movie. Even if this were a movie, we were the characters the actors are playing. Making the situation, still, as real as it gets.
- Writer
