Inside the Shadow

Chapter Eighteen: Soulful Eyes Pov- Zach

"You go in and I'll stand cover. Keep on your toes, we will only get ten minutes tops." Standing outside of a home I did not recognize as Aaron picked the lock of the secluded front door. I slipped in after he got it open and began searching around the living room not finding much more than a watch in a bowl by the entrance and a few twenties scattered on a table so I headed upstairs. In the hall, I came across the master bedroom where I found a jewelry box on the vanity that was full of all sorts of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, so I dumped them into the bag that I had brought with me. I opened a wardrobe that was within a walk-in closet in which I discovered a metal safe. Having the memory of Aaron relaying the code to me before, I pondered if I could remember. "I think it was nine, twenty, fourteen." Whispering to myself as I spun the dial, giving it my best shot seeing as I only had a few moments left before I was risking my life. The safe clicked releasing the lock and allowing it to open, presenting stacks of hundred-dollar bills making me drool. I didn't hesitate to fill my bag to the brim before heading back out of the room entirely, and downstairs through the living room, for the front door.

'Click'

Hearing what sounded like the cocking of a gun I froze in place, only a few feet from the exit. "Drop it, boy. I'll shoot." Came the deep rumble of a middle-aged African-American man standing only about eight feet away holding his weapon up, pointed directly at my chest. I instead chose to attempt to bolt out of the front door feeling brave about my ability to dodge bullets. As I reached for the knob I felt the energy around me booming loudly, sending a crack noise into my ears, as a sonic wave of three bullets deafened me. A few more rang out as I made it to the porch where Aaron had been waiting. Thinking that we had made a break for it, the last three shots were fired as one pierced my back going straight out through my chest, sending me to the ground. Having hit my head on my way down I laid there, bleeding out in two places or more as Aaron snagged the bag I had and ran. I then closed my eyes and accepted my fate. "Fuck." Both, the homeowner and I shouted before I jolted up into a sitting position, perfectly fine and safe. I was then laying in my bed, no longer bloody, but oddly enough my brain must have felt as if my dream was so real that it caused my former wounds to hold a phantom pain. Rubbing my face aiming to wake myself fully, I was glad that what I experienced was a dream. Taking a few deep breaths I gathered myself and got out of bed for the day proceeding to collect a clean outfit to change into after my morning shower. As I headed across the hall to the restroom I checked my phone I had grabbed off my nightstand hoping to see a response from Mairi. "Of course not." I stated loudly as I honestly saw that coming. Having been active with Kelly for almost a month I definitely understood her feeling forever betrayed, I just loved her and didn't want to have to let her go. I decided to play some music while I bathed, mostly a mix between Suicide Boys, Kendrick Lamar, and Abd El Fattah Grini. I chose to skip shaving; My face now bore dark strands of stubble. Finishing up the rest of my grooming routine, I took my dirty clothes to the washroom and headed to the kitchen.

"Rayihatuh jamilat mithluk ya eazizati." Approaching my father assisting Fatima with breakfast before he left for work. 'It smells beautiful, like you my dear.' I shuttered slightly at his words, I guessed I was still amazed by how quickly their relationship progressed. I sighed heavily, unexpecting of the immense aroma that had filled the air of sautéed onions and potatoes. Being nosey, I got closer to them to see what they were accompanying. Fatima had sweetened Vermicelli noodles and egg omelets which meant we were feasting on homemade Balaleet. This was considered more of a celebratory dish meant for Islamic holiday, but it appeared that she felt we deserved it. Honestly, I found it strange how sweet Fatima had been, given when I called home for a bail-out the other night she was the one who answered. She alone wanted to lie to my dad of her own freewill trying to hide the fact I had gotten arrested. I had thought she was able to lie so easily and it made me question her a bit, maybe I was paranoid though. "Shukran ya hubiy." Fatima responding to my father, meaning, 'Thank you, my love.' I quickly collected a glass of milk wanting to get out of there before they nuzzled up against each other as they began to kiss making me turn away and headed to the table to wait for my plate. Mailk was already seated in his spot eating a piece of Fatimas homemade pita bread known as Khobz Arabi. Hopefully he prayed before eating, or else my father might have his head. I sat in my seat diagonal to his wanting those two love birds to hurry up and save all the gushy shit for later.