The Price ࿊f Peace

☮️: 030

Somewhere in Oakland
Friday June 1st, 2024

Syara woke up with her face mashed into a warm chest with a cover strewn over her body. At first it was more difficult than usual to open her eyes as they were extremely heavy, and one of them was a little swollen, but managed a squint in the direction of the body she was laying on.

She was very much still being cradled to his chest, and he was actually holding her tighter in his sleep than he had when he was awake.

He was so handsome. She admired him as she looked up at his sleeping face.

She wondered what he thought about her now. Not that she cared, she just didn't feel like getting the same speech that she'd been getting since the 4th grade about controlling her anger.

If she did care—which she didn't, by the way—she would likely be embarrassed. Like extremely embarrassed. She'd scantly cried in front of anyone, and he had her weeping in his arms like a baby.

She was supposed to be a thug.

He took care of her..he didn't even look at her oddly. But that had to send him off. For good.

Either way, she could enjoy it for now.

She had already completed her three days of work at the orthodontist office, so she had today, and the weekend to count up the money she missed out on the day prior.

"You up?" She heard from above her, feeling the vibration on her ear from the rumble in his chest.

"Mhm." Syara rose her chin to still lay on his chest and look up at him at the same time.

Elijah rubbed her back for a second as he thought.

Syara sighed, she already knew what was happening. He wanted to talk. It was inevitable.

Elijah forged on regardless, swallowing before he spoke. "Wha' happened?"

"...hm?" She asked him, what did he mean 'what happened?'

"I wanna hear it from you," he clarified, hoisting her up a little as he tried to get more comfortable.

Syara laid still for a moment, trying to figure out what exactly he meant. "At the trap?"

Elijah was silent, indicating a yes, his tired eyes still closed.

"Sticky and his sister pulled up seven deep, on hots and they packed me out. Nothing too serious, they ain' even break anything." She explained nonchalantly, playing with the hem of his hoodie.

Elijah nodded, "mmm.." he sounded.

"You straight?" He asked her, above all, his hand stilling on her back.

"I'm coo'." She shrugged.

"You calm enough to think rationally?" He asked her seriously.

"Never." She responded, honestly.

"Mm." Elijah expected as much. "Whatchu' wanna do?"

"Mm.. I want Sticky, first—" she began to list.

"Sticky handled." Elijah cut her off finitely.

She paused, "Huh?" She asked, confused.

"He's handled." Elijah responded, looking off at the wall in front of him. "So, what you wanna do about his people?"

"Ima figure that out when I come to it." She shrugged, lying back down on his chest. "That's too many bodies. I ain' gon kill all of 'em."

Elijah nodded once again. He was silent for a moment, pensive, as was she, but his was weighted. He had more to say.