Teddy was sitting at the kitchen table, his gaze lost in the cracked linoleum, when his mother, Sarah, shuffled in. She looked weary, her face lined with concern, but there was warmth in her eyes as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Tavon... you've barely touched your food. Are you alright?" Her voice was soft, layered with a worry that only a mother could carry. She hadn't asked much about Marlon's death, but she didn't have to; she could feel the change in her son.
Teddy forced a smile, but it was hollow. "Just thinking, Ma. About Marlon."
Sarah's face softened. "I know, baby. He was family, but you can't carry that anger around. Marlon wouldn't want you caught up in any mess."
He wanted to tell her everything-that he'd gone too far, that he'd done something he couldn't take back. But he couldn't bear to see the look in her eyes if she knew the truth. So he just nodded, trying to push the memories of B-Dawg, Slim, and Double-C out of his mind.
But then, the whispers started again, slipping between Sarah's words like an echo. "Tell her, Teddy... confess. She deserves to know." The voice was gentle, coaxing him, and for a moment, he almost did. But he bit his tongue, shivering as his mother pulled him into a hug, her arms tight and comforting.
"You're all I have left now," she whispered. "Promise me you'll stay safe."
YOU ARE READING
The Whispers of 4th District
ActionWhispers of the 4th District follows the harrowing journey of Tavon "Teddy" Williams, a young man from a rough neighborhood in 2074, who seeks revenge after the brutal murder of his beloved uncle, Marlon. With limited access to advanced technology a...
