When It Works

Family Over Everything

Von stood in shock by what he'd just done before moving. As he backed away he felt a cold piece of metal on the back of head. Without turning around he spoke "I did what you asked the nigga dead look at him. You ain't gotta do this." Nobody spoke "BRICKS, BRIIIICCCKKKSSS"   Crying "Man you don't gotta do this shit." 

"Turn around nigga" the voice holdin the gun instructed

Vons eyes nearly popped out his head "TROY Man U gotta understa... before he could finish Troy pulled the trigger putting a bullet between his eyes. 

"I did have to this FAMILY OVER EVRYTHING MOTHA FUCKA" Troy said staring at Von's lifeless body. Without looking up Troy began to walk over to Zac. Once he made it to him his legs gave out the only family he had was gone. The one person he could count on was taken from him by his own best friend. Troy began to cry and talk to Zac. "Why you have to leave me man, on my birthday too! You was pose to live forever nigga. You all got u can't leave me like this" 

Coughing and short of breath Zac speaks "Help me up cry baby this shit sting like a bitch". As he sat up Troy realized the holes in his shirt but no blood. Zac never went to clubs or public events without a vest. "Man shut up I thought yo clock ran out on me" they both chuckle. "I can't believe this motherfucker really pulled the trigger like we ain't all been eating together." 

Zac stands up and regains composure, his heart is heavy and broken. He already had no family so he thought the one  he created held weight. I guess not he thought silently to himself. Walking slowly towards Von he dropped a few tears and promising himself to never trust another nigga to be as loyal to him as he was. Troy was loyal without a doubt and he proved that tonight. Although it was in the back of his mind how Troy knew to be there, behind the club at that very moment. He thought on it a while before asking as they began to walk towards the car.

Looking at Troy with a puzzled look on his face Zac asks "How'd you know to be there?"

"That nigga was acting weird all night kept side eye's you and shit... nigga wasn't his normal self. I saw that same look in Uncle Ray eyes when he killed my dad. So I just followed y'all to make sure and I'm glad I did. You the only family I got!" Troy replied

"I don't even know what to say or think at the moment, but I appreciate it I'm forever indebted I love you bro."

"We all we got" 

"No doubt! Now let's find this nigga Bricks" 

It's almost 3AM and Zac and Troy make it to Zac's house. Inside they don't speak like much of the car ride home, both of them are still in shock someone they considered family tried to take one of them out. Zac showers in his master bath and Troy in the spare room that was practically his because Zac never had company. They both come into the living room at the same time having a hard time to sleep, there's is just too much to be said but no one can find the words. So they sit in silence until Troy breaks it. 

"You are the only father figure I've known I don't know what I'd do without you, even tho it's not the ideal role model for society you always taught me the value of friendship and keeping your word. We gotta figure this out because you can't leave me."

Zac sat letting the words register over his clouded mind and torn heart. He knew what Troy was saying was true. Although Zac was only 5 years older than Troy he was well past his years in maturity. He grew up fast and had to learn to fend for himself for as long as Zac could remember someone in the hood has always depended on him. He never wanted anyone to feel as alone as he did. 

The next morning they both get ready for the day and decide to go to breakfast. It's a diner right on the corner of one of the stash houses and they've become regulars, so when they come in their server already knows what to get. They sit at their normal booth and wait for their food I arrive. She sits Zac's food directly in front of him.(three pancakes, four strips of bacon,over easy eggs, wheat toast and two cups of orange juice.) She places Troy food next. He's a picky eater he has a waffle bacon and scrambled eggs with water. She proceeds to sit Vons food down which caught them both off guard although it wasn't unorthodox because they're usually together . Zac looks up and tells the waitress he wouldn't be joining them today. With a confused yet nonchalant tone she says ok and walks off. From outside Bricks watches as Zac and Troyneat breakfast and there is no Von in sight. Infuriated Bricks makes a phone call never breaking his gaze from the sight of Zac. 

Just as they are wrapping up and paying for their meal in storms the police and they're headed directly towards Zac and Troy. Both of them are Thinkin it must've been cameras in the back of the club and this must be about Von. Seeing the panic on Troys face Zac recites the rules (NEVER SNITCH, NEVER RAT, NEVER CRACK) he looks him in the eyes and tell him I GOT YOU. Troy takes a deep breath and accepts whatever fate awaits him. To both their surprise they only arrest Zac. Looking back at Troy he's praying he isn't being crossed again in less than 24hrs by someone he loves.  

They arrive at the station and they place Zac in interrogation. He wits what seems like forever before a detective finally comes in. 

"Mr. Taylor we've been lookin for you, Hard man to reach." 

Zac just stares blankly waiting on the detective to tell him why he's been arrested. See who knew it came with the game but they couldn't pin his operation to him if they tried. So the only other thing would be Von's murder and he didn't pull the trigger so that wouldn't stick either. And he would never give Troy up even if he was the reason he was there. Zac was loyal to a fault and that bit him in the ass with Von, but he was gonna play this by ear and see what unfolds.