The Price ࿊f Peace

☮️:055

Mention of Death, and past Drug usage. ⚠️

Somewhere in Oakland
Friday September 22nd, 2024

Elijah was on his third draft of the letter he was supposed to be writing to the love of his life. He'd scrapped all of the predecessors in attempt to perfect it.

His baby deserved perfection, and only perfection.

His court date was fast approaching, and he already knew how it was going to go. With all of his priors, and the evidence that was so clearly presented on the night of his arrest, they had him dead to rights.

There was no point in even combatting the guilty charge. That would not only raise too many questions, but it would most definitely be useless.

There was really no good outcome from this case. He could claim self defense, but it was flimsy. That would raise question of Syara and why she was there, what she saw, what she did..

She'd be capable, but he didn't want her involved. He wanted to make sure she had no connection to him or the case any further than she already did. He wanted her to have a clean slate, and he was aware that this was selfish and that he was making a decision for her, but he didn't mind if it meant she'd be able to live out all of the dreams she told him about.

Elijah didn't have dreams really, until he met her.

He wanted to open a tattoo shop, and live off of it, but real aspirations? Not at all. He didn't even plan to live to 30.

Not until he met her.

She showed him... a lot. And in such a short time, he fell in love with her. She had so many big dreams, and he could see it in her.

It was barely even a choice to trade his little life for hers, as she was his life.

He knew she wouldn't understand, but he'd try to make her. He'd never hurt her, intentionally, and he wanted her to understand that.

She was his one and only.

His forever and always.

And, she was a human being, most importantly. A very smart, intelligent, loving, gentle, intellectual, strong woman. And he wanted her to get everything she deserved and more.

Even if it meant he had to let her go.

__________________

The drive up to visit Elijah was long, as always.

Camarro always drove with no music when he was going to visit E.J. He was just never in the mood for music to cushion the blow that came with seeing his little brother in those Alameda blues.

Camarro realized why 'Bir was so adamant about their grandmother not coming to visit. He'd barely even let Camarro visit. Camarro had to force him by showing up so often and guilt tripping him with letters, and pictures.

The first time he actually came out to let him visit was Christmas of 2018. He brought Nylah, and Elijah's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Lakeisha had come too, but she just stood there mugging.

Elijah almost cried holding her, and Camarro snuck a picture that's still hanging in Ny's bedroom at his condo.

As she started getting older, Elijah had stopped getting into so much trouble, but the last time he went back, he wouldn't let Camarro bring her anymore.

Anytime Camarro tried to combat it, he'd just tell him, he barely wanted him to see him like that. Anyone else was an absolute no. The only reason Camarro could come was because he was starting to get annoying.