BUTTERFLY EFFECT | KV

THE DRIVE BACK

DAYVON BENNETT
| VON |
ATLANTA , GA 📍

Von gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove back to Atlanta, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of worry and frustration. The sky was darkening, and the hum of the tires on the road was the only sound accompanying his racing thoughts. He checked his phone periodically, hoping for updates from Durk but finding none.

He decided to call Dess, needing to hear her voice. The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Hey, Von," Dess said, her voice a mix of relief and fatigue.

"Hey, baby. Just checkin' in. How you holdin' up?"

"I'm okay. Just... missing you. Jayda came by earlier, and we talked for a bit."

Von's grip on the wheel tightened, a wave of anger surging through him. "Jayda came by? Dess, I told you no company. We don't know who we can trust right now."

Dess was silent for a moment, taken aback by his tone. "Von, she's my best friend. She was just checking on me. What's wrong with that?"

Von tried to keep his voice calm but failed. "What's wrong is we don't know who's feedin' Deshawn info. You gotta be careful. I told you no company for a reason."

Dess felt a sting of hurt and confusion. "Von, you can't just expect me to shut everyone out. Jayda's been there for me through everything. I trust her."

Von sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew he was being harsh, but the stakes were too high. "I get that, Dess, but right now, we gotta be extra careful. I just want you safe."

"I know," Dess said softly. "But Jayda wouldn't do anything to hurt us. You have to trust me on this."

Von exhaled deeply, trying to reign in his frustration. "Alright, just... promise me you'll be careful. We can't afford to take any chances."

"I promise," Dess replied. "Just come back soon. I feel better when you're here."

"I'm on my way, baby. I'll be there soon," Von said, his voice softening. "I love you."

"I love you too," Dess whispered before hanging up.

Von tossed his phone onto the passenger seat, his mind still churning with worry. He understood Dess's loyalty to Jayda, but the situation was too volatile for him to take any chances. He needed to get back to Atlanta, get the answers they needed, and figure out how to put an end to Deshawn's threat once and for all.

As he drove through the night, Von's thoughts kept circling back to Dess. He couldn't let anything happen to her. She was his world, and he'd do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant making tough decisions and having difficult conversations.

Hours later, as he approached Atlanta, the city lights glowing on the horizon, Von felt a renewed sense of determination. He was getting closer to the answers they needed, and he wasn't going to let anything stand in his way. He'd make sure Dess was safe, no matter the cost.

THE PLAN|

Von pulled into Durk's driveway in the early hours of the morning, his body aching from the long drive. The house was quiet, the neighborhood still wrapped in the embrace of sleep. He grabbed his bag and headed to the front door, where Durk was already waiting.

"Bout time you got here," Durk said, opening the door wider to let Von in. His Chicago accent, thick and familiar, provided a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.

"Had some things to take care of," Von replied, stepping inside. He glanced around, the familiar setting grounding him. "Any updates?"

Durk motioned for Von to follow him into the living room. They settled on the couches, and Durk pulled out a map of the city, spreading it across the coffee table. Red circles and notes littered the paper, showing the progress they had made in tracking Deshawn.

"We got eyes on him," Durk said, pointing to a few key locations. "He's been movin' between these spots, layin' low. Word is, he's plannin' somethin' big."

Von leaned in, studying the map. "We need to find out what that 'somethin' big' is. Can't let him catch us off guard."

Durk nodded. "I been thinkin' the same. Got a few guys who can get us closer, but we gotta be smart about this. Deshawn's desperate, and desperate means dangerous."

Von's mind was racing, his thoughts flashing back to Dess. He couldn't let Deshawn get anywhere near her. "What's the plan, then?"

Durk leaned back, his expression serious. "We apply pressure. Make him move. We hit his spots, shake up his crew. Force him to make a mistake."

Von nodded, his resolve hardening. "Aight. We hit hard and fast. But we gotta be careful. Can't afford any slip-ups."

Durk agreed, reaching for his phone. "I'll set things in motion. We start tonight. You in?"

Von's eyes narrowed with determination. "Hell yeah, I'm in. Let's end this."

Durk made a few calls, setting their plan into action. As they waited for confirmation from their contacts, Von's mind drifted back to his conversation with Dess. He needed to make sure she was safe, now more than ever.

"Durk, we gotta keep Dess outta this. Can't let her get caught in the crossfire," Von said, his voice firm.

"I hear you, bro," Durk replied. "We'll keep her safe. She's got Kayla lookin' out for her, right?"

"Yeah, but I still worry," Von admitted, his frustration evident.

Durk placed a hand on Von's shoulder. "We'll handle this, Von. Deshawn's time is runnin' out. We'll make sure he ain't a threat no more."

As the night wore on, Von and Durk solidified their plans, mapping out their moves with precision. They knew they were taking a risk, but it was a risk they had to take. Von's thoughts kept drifting back to Dess, her safety the only thing that mattered.

Finally, as dawn approached, their plan was set. Von stood, ready to face whatever came next. "Let's do this, Durk. We take Deshawn down, once and for all."

Durk nodded, a fierce determination in his eyes. "Together, bro. We got this."

With their plan in place, they headed out, ready to face the dangers ahead. Von's mind was clear, his purpose unwavering. He would protect Dess, no matter the cost. And with Durk by his side, he knew they had the strength to see it through.