You Already Know

Drowning

Adanna was on the dance floor, her hips swaying to the rhythm of the music. Brandon stood a few feet away, his eyes fixed on her, scanning the room for any potential danger.

Brandon's cousin Yousef approached him, and they began talking about their time in jail. "Man, that shit was terrible," Yousef said, taking a sip of his drink. "A complete waste of time."

Brandon chuckled. "Yeah, I hear you. But it's better than being out here on these streets, getting caught up in some bullshit."

Their conversation was interrupted by a guy named Raymond, who approached them, looking for dope. Yousef shook his head. "This is not that type of party, Raymond. I told you this is a family party."

Raymond persisted. "Come on, man. I need something. I'll pay you double."

Yousef shook his head again. "Sorry, man. Can't help you."

Raymond's face twisted in anger. "Well, give me my money back then."

Yousef held up a hand. "Sorry, can't do that either. You owe me five hundred dollars."

Raymond's eyes narrowed. "Fuck that. I want my money back, or I'm gonna cause a scene."

Brandon stepped forward, his voice low and menacing. "Listen, man. You need to leave. Now."

Raymond glared at him but didn't move. "I'm not leaving until I get my money back."

Yousef and Brandon exchanged a look. They knew they had to handle this carefully.

Yousef leaned in, his voice soft but firm. "Look, Raymond. I don't want any trouble. Just leave, and we can forget about all of this."

Raymond sneered. "I'm not leaving until I get what's mine."

Brandon stepped forward again, his fists clenched. "You heard my cousin. Leave, now."

Yousef didn't want Brandon involved in his mess. "I got this bro. He's just a regular. I guess hes tweaking right now, Imma make this nigga leave."

Brandon's heart was pounding as he As Raymond continues to press Yousef for his money.

"Ray I cant believe you're here acting like a fiend. This is crazy"

"Nigga I cant believe you acting brand new like this"

"Bro I told you its a family party bro. It's really not that type of party tonight."

"Ite but I gave you 100 dollars. I wanted two eights, and a gram. If you not gonna gimme the gram then give me my fifty dollars. That way i have my bud and my change."

"Bro . Aint no way I'm giving you anything while you owe me 500 dollars. Lets just say you owe me $450"

"Naw that's not gonna work"

"I cant believe you acting like a fiend up  in the bashment my guy. You need help. Lets talk outside. This is a family party.

"All I'm asking for is a gram Seff. You already have the money"

Yousef and Raymond walked out the back entrance to the parking lot.

 Brandon notices a third man following them to the parking lot. He can't shake off the feeling that something is off, so he decides to follow them to make sure his cousin is safe.

As he approaches the parking lot, Brandon can hear Raymond's angry voice and the sound of an argument. He quickens his pace and sees Yousef holding a gun pointed at Raymond, who has a knife in his hand.

"You ready to cut your own friend? Go home," Yousef says firmly.

Raymond's face twists in anger as he lunges forward with the knife, but Yousef steps back and aims a pistol at Raymond's chest. The air is thick with tension as the two men stare each other down.

"GUN! GUN!" Raymond yells.

The mysterious man who was following them earlier has emerged from the shadows, holding a glock.

As Brandon watches in horror, the man opens fire on Yousef and he  crumples to the ground, clutching his chest. The sound of gunshots rings in Brandon's ears as everything goes black.

"Yousef!!! No! HELP HELP ME!"

As Brandon knelt over Yousef's body, his hands pressing down on the bullet wound, he heard the sound of approaching sirens. He looked up and saw a woman rushing towards him, her face contorted with fear. "He's shot too! He's bleeding!" she cried out, pointing to Brandon's shirt.

Brandon's eyes followed her shaking finger to his chest, where a dark red stain was spreading rapidly. Shock and disbelief seized him. How had he not realized he was also hit? He felt a wave of dizziness and nausea hit him, and his body went limp.

As he collapsed onto the ground over Yousef, his vision started to blur and sounds around him faded into a distant wail of people screaming and crying. He tried to stay conscious, to stay present for his cousin, but it was a losing battle.

The sound of approaching police sirens grew louder and louder until they were almost deafening. Brandon closed his eyes, feeling like he was slipping away, and everything went black. When he opened his eyes he was floating in a sea of foamy  black water. The sky was black and there were no clouds or stars. A strong hand was trying to pull  him beneath the crashing waves . The salty water kept getting in his mouth. The hand pulled him lower. He tried to keep the water out of his nose and mouth.

He tried to stay afloat. 

Then he went under.