Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
( CHAPTER TWO: END OF THE TUNNEL ) August, 1996.
❛ we have to do this,now.❜
✦
They couldn't believe their ears. Niles was shocked, Marcus seemed terrified and Jamal — well, he was just irritated. But, Tyler couldn't say that he blamed them. After what he just said, he had to admit, it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or any light, in fact.
"I'm sorry, can you repeat that, homie?" Niles stammered, struggling to comprehend what Tyler just said.
Marcus hummed in agreement, "Did you just say the heist is happening—"
"—Tonight," Tyler sternly replied, eyes flashing with certainty. The man's confidence was admirable, yet oh so terrifying at the same time. What did he mean the heist would happen tonight?
"Ty, with all due respect, what the fuck are you talking 'bout?" Niles asked, stuck in a state of disbelief, "We ain't even close to being ready."
Tyler's gelid eyes narrowed at the man's words. He knew he shouldn't have been bothered by their doubts — knowing how close they were cutting it — but right now, he had no time to baby them. They were con-artists, thieves, surely they could work under a bit of pressure? This was their life's work, after all.
"We have to do this now," Tyler said, determination blaring through his eerily calm voice, "Tommy will be out of the house tonight, and he asked me to stay back, so this gives us the perfect opening to do what we need to do."
"B-But what about the van? I already told them to come this Friday—"
"—Well call them back and tell them to make a rain check," Tyler hissed, "I'm not forcing anyone to do this. You all agreed, remember?"
A hush of silence came over the group, proving Tyler's point right. They all agreed to this job. They knew of the plan, and they knew it was coming soon. In Tyler's eyes, they had no right to back out now. Not when they were this close to getting that money.
Jamal, who restlessly chewed on the beds of his nails, let his mouth open like a fish. He was anxious to pitch in, Tyler could see it from the corner of his eye. So, when the darker-skinned male stepped forward, Tyler's face remained emotionless. "No one's denying their commitment to this," Jamal finally spoke, hesitation still present in his words, "We just want to do this right, and you're making that harder for us."
