Suicide Sisters

43

The night was thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud waiting to unleash its fury. I had just hung up the phone, my mind racing with the implications of what I had just learned.

"That's Waun block" the voice on the other end had said, laden with urgency.

"He must've got word she was on his turf and got her."

The gravity of the situation pressed down on me, and I knew I had to act fast. I relayed the message to Aziel and Yaze, Lani's day-ones in this intricate web of loyalty and danger, before making my way back to Kiya.

She lay on my side of the bed, her silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlight filtering through the curtains.

"You good, Phat?" I asked, trying to gauge her state of mind. But she merely beckoned me with a silent urgency, pulling back the comforter as if inviting me into a sanctuary away from the chaos outside.

"Lay down" she commanded, her eyes glistening with a mix of vulnerability and strength. I complied, shedding my clothes like the burdens of the day, and leaned in to kiss her softly. The warmth radiating from her body enveloped me, grounding me in a moment that felt both intimate and precarious.

"What you feelin?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I spooned her from behind, my body fitting against hers like a missing piece of a puzzle. I could feel the tension in her muscles, the way her breath came in shallow bursts. "You look tired still."

"Overwhelmed" she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "My thoughts are moving faster than I can put into words."

Her honesty struck a chord within me. I could sense the weight she carried, the invisible burdens that seemed to press down on her shoulders. I wanted nothing more than to shield her from the chaos that threatened to seep into our lives, but I knew that some battles were hers to fight.

"Go back to sleep" I urged, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I did what I promised. Yaze and Aziel will do the rest. She gon' reach out soon as she can."

"You saw her?" Kiya asked, her voice laced with a mixture of hope and concern as she turned to face me, her arms wrapping around my neck. I felt the warmth of her body, the way she sought comfort in my presence. It was a reminder of the fragile sanctuary we had built amidst the chaos.

"No" I replied, closing my eyes and savoring the moment. "But I know she will. Don't ask me questions about it. It's work-related."

"Oh" she sighed, laying her head against mine, her fingers gently massaging the back of my neck. "Thank you for helping. It means a lot to me."

"Anything for you" I murmured, the sincerity of my words echoing in the stillness of the room. The struggles we faced were not ours alone; they were shared burdens, woven into the fabric of our lives. And while the night held its secrets, I knew that together we could weather the storm.

As I held Kiya close, I thought about the challenges that lay ahead. The streets were unforgiving, and the stakes were high. Waun was a name that carried weight, a reminder of the dangers lurking just beyond our doorstep. But in this moment, I chose to focus on the light that flickered between us, the connection that grounded me in a world that often felt chaotic and unpredictable.

The night wore on, and I could feel Kiya's breathing steadying against me. I knew she needed this time to recharge, to gather her thoughts and find her center.

As sleep began to claim me, I resolved to protect this sanctuary we had built. I would stand by Kiya, shoulder to shoulder, as we navigated the complexities of our lives. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but together, we would face them head-on.