ChaptervThirtyvFive: WrongvPlace, Right Target
The afternoon felt normal. Too normal. Malik should’ve known that meant something was off. He stepped out of the house, keys in hand, glancing back briefly before shutting the door. The sun was still up, casting long shadows across the block. Kids were playing, music echoed faintly from somewhere down the street, and a couple of familiar faces nodded as he passed. “Yo, Malik.” He looked up. Three of the guys from the block leaned against a parked car nearby. “You heading out?” one of them asked. “Yeah,” Malik replied. “Just grabbing a few things.” They exchanged looks. “Say less, we’ll roll with you. Been inside all day anyway.” Malik hesitated for a second. Then nodded. “Aight.” It didn’t feel like danger. It felt like routine. And that’s what made it worse. 🛒 THE STORE
- Writer
