BANDIT II

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Even if she be not harmed, her heart may fail her in so much and so many horrors; and hereafter she may suffer--both in waking, from her nerves, and in sleep, from her dreams. - Bram Stoker, Dracula

Cleveland, Ohio

Imani...

After my photoshoot, I decided to grab a quick bite to eat. I really wanted In & Out Burger, but I'm not home. I'll just have to settle with whatever is around. We pull up to Wendy's and Bully gets out with me, opening the door. I enter, standing in line while waiting patiently behind other people. I browse the menu, trying to decide if I want a salad, or if I want to be a fat ass. Thanks to both my parents and their fast metabolism, it was gifted to me as well. I can eat whatever in any amount and I don't gain weight either.

"Why didn't we just go through the drive thru?" Bully questions in annoyance. I shrug and laugh. The line finally moves up and I take a step up. After a long wait, I finally get to the cash register ordering my food and paying for it. After cooking it, they hand it to me and I thank them leaving out. Once I get in the car I give Bully his food.

I take my ringing phone out my pocket, answering the phone without looking at the caller ID. I stuff a couple fries in my mouth, putting the phone to my ear.

"So you wasn't going to tell me you was in town huh?" He questions. I playfully roll my eyes, supporting my phone between my ear and shoulder. I'm really hungry.

"I'm in town." I chuckle causing him to smack his lips.

"Imani." He whines.

"Derwin." I mimic his tone, dipping my fries in my barbecue sauce.

"Forreal man! If I knew you was in town, I would of canceled this concert downtown. That shit is long for no reason."

"What is it for?" I question.

"Stop The Violence campaign. With all this massacre shit going on, the team is trying to help the kids to their right mind. So we're trying raise money and build a summer camp to keep the kids off the street and things like that." I nod, eating my food.

"Sounds good, you shouldn't cancel it. It's a good cause. What time does it start?" I really had nothing else to do, and I was about to go to my hotel room and just lounge around. I don't leave until tomorrow.

"Around three." He confirms.

"Ok. I'll see you there then." I hang the phone up, seeing the time read 1:15 knowing I had time to nap. I might be downtown late anyway. Everyone knows I'm a late person, unless it's about money I'm always on time. I get that mentally from my mother.

°°₩°°

I sipped on my Icee, walking around the hot Ohio streets. Derwin said he's out here, but he hasn't text me back for a hour. I was starting to get paranoid like this was a set up or something. I feel an uneasy presence behind me, gulping nervously. The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention, just like that night that I'll never forget. My heart rate decreases to a slow thump and my palms become sweaty. I could hear the footsteps, pounding my eardrum as if they were the wooden sticks, prevailing the traumatizing beat.

I could feel him breathing down on me, preying upon me like the lion waiting to pounce on his evening dinner. That same stare that drove me to him, knowing that night would never be the same again. I felt the tears brew as his arms snaked around me. His soft lips touches my skin as he chuckles in sophistication, kissing my ear.