Song of the Firebird

Forty Nine

'Let me lay a few ground rules before we enter the woods.'

Iqbal and Drew stopped bickering as the latter taunted childishly at the former about the recent advances in relationship, getting bold in the public before their eventful departure. Also, Drew was pissed at Iqbal for settling at the shotgun while he was pushed to the back. He did get an earful though, from the owner of the car for getting dirt on his gem of a car.

'We have agreed to take you both in the team only on one condition. No gunshots from our side. Even if you have the guns under your possession, I suggest you leave them behind.'

Drew snickered. 'As if we could own something like that.' He directed his thumb at Iqbal and said, 'He will be killed legally, putting his racial and religious identities before his intentions even when he is about to save his life, while I', he pointed at himself and said, 'I might not ever see the world outside the bars, given credits to all my records in the juvie.'

'Then I have no means to start a lecture on that part. Stretch your back a bit and get the bags from my boot.'

Drew huffed and looked through the boot from his seat. He pulled up a blaxk trash cover and dug into its contents. He asked in a muffled voice, 'Mind telling us why you have the ice hockey sticks along with a few bulletproof vests?' He grabbed one of the vests and threw it on Iqbal's lap.

'We might have to get ourselves to safety while some of us have promised our loved ones sincerely.' He looked at Iqbal from the corner of his eyes and smirked. 'I prefer my car with a steady supply of the vests and sticks. Old habits die hard.'

'Now that you have given me no reasons to worry', replied Iqbal and wore it under his blue and white Giants varsity jacket. 'It fits well.'

Danny studied Iqbal and checked Drew from the mirror. 'Follow his lead. We have reached the town's border.' Drew snorted back and started changing. 'One more thing. We might not have enough members on our side. I suggest you deliver your blows at positions that would make them lose their stance. If possible, grab their firearms after knocking them out and throw them deep into the woods.'

'They are not that dumb, are they?', questioned Drew.

'Usually, they aren't. We are about to face one of the toughest gangs that boast their muscle power. They might be reduced to a few but keep in mind– they are punch-thirsty men.' In a grim tone, he added, 'Don't surrender to their hold.'

Iqbal nodded. 'I wonder what people like them want with people like our boss.'

Danny smirked. 'I wonder why you had to throw yourselves in without knowing the full story behind her abduction.'

'We might be crazy in that matter, but a small part of me wants to engage for more than a sentimental reason.'

Drew roared, 'YOU!' Pointing his index finger at Iqbal, 'Set your mind straight! This is way different from the army you served in your past. Danny made clear that no guns were to be employed on our side.'

Iqbal flicked Drew's pointed finger, 'I am kidding, Drew. I don't wish that either.' Muttering curses under his breath for his choice of car buddies, he followed behind the Corrado. He wished that Jay would pick up more than one twenty on the speedometer, since he could pick that speed in a matter of less than five seconds.

Inside the Corrado, Ivy and Jay hadn't talked much after they left the café. Ivy studied the interiors while Jay focused more on the road. Jay let his emotions out in the form of cruising swiftly among various automobiles that moved faster than the bees. He drove on the road, close to hitting the borders and getting a dent on his car. He made a new record in reaching Bunna ten minutes earlier than his highest, thirty minutes minus the traffic. He drove past his home. Breaking their silence, he said, 'I live here, in this street. The woods on the south are closer from this side of the town.'