The Start Of A Good Thing (Book 1)

Chapter 4

India was still walking down Glen Street and still felt uneasy. It seemed as if the area got darker than before; like the deeper she ventured through the neighborhood the creeper it got. Although there were children playing outside and a few friendly faces, a large amount of the youth looked criminal.

            Every now and then she would glance behind her for her own safety. And every time she looked, she saw the same two guys from earlier, Zone and Spade. She tried not to consider the idea, but those two were following her. She didn’t want to run, but didn’t feel safe at her current pace. India thought it’d be best to find a way to slip out of sight, at least long enough for them to pass by.

            She crossed the street calmly, walking past another group of guys who looked just as ominous as the two following her. Zone and Spade shortly came behind India. Slowly but surly, they were catching up with her. Zone halted next to the guys on the porch, exchanging a few words with them while Spade continued to trail India.

            India checked behind her and only saw Spade. This was relieving and suspicious at the same time. Why would one stop pursuing her, and the other not? There had to be an alterative motive for this, but India wasn’t trying to find out.        She slipped into the next ally a few feet ahead of her. In such a rush, she didn’t pay attention where she walked and bumped into someone by the wall. It was Trevor. He turned around and looked at India with a can of spray paint in hand. The two exchanged stares, recognizing each other from school.

            India broke eye contact upon hearing Spade’s voice. “Damn, where she went?”

            In the blink of an eye she dashed by Trevor and behind the dumpster on the side of the wall. Normally, Trevor would have hid as well, but he was still surprised to see India here. He looked at the dumpster trying to piece together what was going on.

            “Aye! Check it out!” Spade shouted, entering the ally. Turning around, Trevor appeared dumb founded. When Zone and two other gang members came in the ally, Trevor realized he was in trouble. “Where you from cuz?” Spade barked, already knowing the answer to his question.

            “Damn…” Trevor murmured. He took a step back as the gang members closed in on him.

            “It’s yo ass now homeboy,” Zone taunted as he cracked his knuckles. Trevor clenched his paint can, getting ready for a fight he couldn’t win.

            Spade made the first move and rushed Trevor, but was struck across the head with a can of spray paint. Trevor then grabbed Spade’s shirt and flung him to the ground. It wasn’t long after that, that Trevor became overwhelmed. Zone and his two buddies engulfed Trevor with a barrage of fists. They snatched him up, slamming him on the down dirty concrete.

            India took a quick peek around the dumpster and saw the brutal beating that was indirectly her fault. By now the gang had Trevor struggling to get up while they pummeled him with kicks, punches, blows from rocks, and any other item they could get a hold of.  India closed her eyes in horror and hid back behind the dumpster. She cringed at the heart numbing sound from each painful strike.