In the middle of it all

Present Day | A Second Encounter

"I guess the rumors were true. Y'all lost your crib down South." Snickers, one person in the mass. He was a Rox gang member.

I had gone to the West side with Nate, Asad, Kyle,and Izzy. Ty was at home with mum JJ. He was basically limited in where he could go. With mum and JJ especially. Sha busied herself as much as she could with her job. She'd sometimes drive around our house, in hopes of seeing him. Aneesa was on a little date with her brat-of-a-boyfriend. I tried convincing her to come with us but I knew it'd be futile. She was in love.

I had told them about my encounter with the Rox gang two weeks ago. JJ warned me that they might roam around the area much more now. Protection was necessary. Tanisha thought it'd be better for all of us to walk around that area with someone rather than alone like before. And so I did. We were now standing in front of each other. Five Silvers versus eight Rox. Quann; his girlfriend; a slim man with a height of 1,83m (6ft); a 5'6ft ( 170cm) teen with a piercing look and four other men.

"Your leader's a pussy. A damn weakling." argued Kyle.

"Watch what you say."

"Or what ? What's he gonna do, huh ?"

"You know, word on the street is that he's locked up." surmised Nate. " Not even near his release date. He deserves worse for killing our Leader. "

"Draco was a wack-ass leader." added the teen. "How can you act all tuff but get shot by a kid." he chortled.

"Don't you dare disrespect Draco like that." barked Izzy. The teen examined her from her legs up. For a brief second there was softness in his eyes.

"Whatever." He said,. "Didn't he also shoot another of you ?"

"That was a lucky shot." commented Asad.

"No," countered the slim man. His voice was monotone and had confidence in it. "There was nothing lucky about that shot."

"Facts. You get hit from a distance, that's aim." Quann added. I glanced over at him and I saw no remorse in him. It was as if he meant it. I felt like saying something about it but suddenly a wave of timidness went over me.

"Look at me all you want, I'm just speaking facts baby girl." Quannell continued. "He could've taken care of all of you that day if he wanted to but knowing our Leader, he most likely had a plan. If you didn't know, he doesn't like to get things wrong."

"Female." The teen spoke. His gaze was directed onto Izzy and his hands were signaling her to come closer.

"Female ?" repeated Isabel in a quizzical tone.

"Tell me your name and I'll never call you that again." He said. She glanced at Nate, unsure of what to say. His eyes were fixated on them so she looked back at who was speaking to her. "I go by Tao. You can tell me yours."

"Izzy."

"Link."

"Never asked." His eyes were still on her. Then they moved on me. "My brother told me about you. Titi, you know Riri ?"

"Tao." The slim man spoke. He looked back, briefly lifting his chin. "Naveen wants us." The man left followed by the other men with him.

"Is Naveen your new Boss ?" asked Asad.

The slim man turned around. "Who said we had a new Boss ?"

"What's your name ?"

"How's JJ doing ?" There was a moment of silence. The man laughed, "I'm surprised she hasn't killed herself yet." He continued. "My sister always said she was weak. Her and Alpha.."

"What's your name ?" Asad asked again.

"Kai." He finally answered. "Now you." He nodded his head up, returning the question on him.

"Ghost."

He nodded and walked away with the rest of the guys.

"Let's go Shawn." The woman took her boyfriend's hand and pulled him away.

"Shawn ? You actually settled with that white boy name ? Whatchu gonna do ? Sing her Senorita ?" I blurted out.

"Weird as fuck." mumbled Tao. "Pleasure meeting you, Izzy." said Tao with a smile. As he glanced at us, his smile dropped. He turned the other way and walked away in the same direction as his fellow gang members, hands in his pockets.

"Fuck outta here Belladonna." hollered Shawn.

"Ay my name's Tamika ! Tamika you hear !" Asad put his hand on my shoulder and that's when I knew I was acting foolish. I closed my mouth and my arms dropped to my sides.

"Shut up bitch. Let's go Drea."

"Quann !" hollered Izzy. They didn't look back. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Quann !"

"Leave it. Let it go. Quann is gone." I said. It was easier to say than to believe it. I, too, hoped that he had turned around. We walked back to the Daoudi's house and squatted there. His grandmother came back home and cooked us a meal. We ate with her before going back to the mansion.