The Hood Diaries

Chapter 10: Caine & Abel

I run to my car and sit there for a second, thinking where could he have gone? And why does this keep happening? Tears start to peak their way out of my eyes. But I fight the urge, I've done enough crying. This whole year all I've done is cry. It's time I get myself together. My mind goes into over drive. I start thinking of the different hang outs Rodney and Ray Ray use. I'm gunna try and make things right, starting with Ca'tye. If it's not too late.

I drive to four different spots and they were either all shot up or abandoned. I felt like I was driving through a war zone. The streets of overtown were completely deserted. The only people on the streets were the gangs running them.

After a day of driving around, I don't know where else to look. I punch the steering wheel in frustration, hurting the shit outta my hand. I pull the car over to see if I can bandage my, now throbbing, hand. Now I have to add a broken hand to my list of problems.

Feeling all out of options I go to South Point Pier, where me and Ca'tye had our first fight. Which I now regret. Why couldn't I just enjoy the moment with him?

Even south point is quiet today. The ocean breeze pours over me like a sense of calm. For the first time in awhile I take a calming deep breath. I pull out the letter Tye wrote for me and reread it over and over. I crumple up the letter and think about throwing it in the water, but what if this is the last piece of him I may ever have? I start to get frustrated and angry again. The uncertainty is unbearable. In an angry rage, I scream out as loudly as I can. And honestly it felt good. I sit on the rocks and plug in my head phones. Hopefully music can take me away.

I have lost nearly every important person in my life in a matter of months and now it seems like I might have to add Ca'tye to that list. As if my heart doesn't ache enough, suffocate by J. Holiday comes on Pandora, and memories of Ca'tye start flashing through my mind. From the day we met to the last night we shared together. All of it. Before I can wallow in self pity, my phone rings shocking me out of my self torcher.

I look at my phone and it was a call from Roc. Just as I'm about to hit ignore, I remember that he may have some information.

"Hello?" I say unenthusiastically

"Thank God your okay."

"Thank God I'M okay?! What have you done Roc? Nychelle is dead, my brother is laying in a hospital bed, and Ca'tye is... Why? Why are you guys doing this?!" I felt like I was seeing red all over again.

"Look Draya, none of this was supposed to happen. I tried my best to protect her but I had to choose between her and your brother."

"My brother? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Rodney knew what was about to go down. He set the whole thing up. I had nothing to do with this. I need you to believe that."

"What do you mean he set it up?" What the hell is going on in these streets?

"Look I can't talk too much over the phone. Can you meet me?"

"Are you crazy?! The only reason I answered was because I wanted to know if you know where Ca'tye is or if you heard from him? And to find out about my brother. The last thing I need is to be seen with you of all people. I don't need any one thinking I'm affiliated with yall."

"Look l'll tell you anything you want to know if you just meet with me. "

Every fiber of my being is telling me this is a bad idea but I need to know. If I sit here for one more minute I'm gunna lose it.

"Okay, but somewhere low key"

"Cool cool, Umm meet me at MLK park tonight at 6. Behind the playground."