Ese.

Forty-Four.

Andree

We landed in Montgomery that evening. Right after we got off the plane, we went right to the hotel to meet up with Jay.

Unfortunately, we figured we could not bring our weapons on the plane. Ironically, Jay called and said he was willing to help, so we met him at a hotel and he took care of our weapons.

"Where are we supposed to go?" Minnie asked.

"We're going to meet up with Jay at some hotel." I said in a low tone.

"Let's go." Hernando yawned. "I'm really tired."

"You slept through the whole plane ride." Greg laughed. "How are you tired?"

"Aye, Minnie," I said. "Call us a taxi or something."

We walked out of the airport while Minnie called us a taxi. After she hung up, we awkwardly waited for the taxi. Finally, after fifteen minutes, a taxi van pulled up in front of us. We all got in after putting our bags in the truck. We told the driver where to, and we made our way.

I sat back. Throughout the whole ride, I looked at Montgomery. It wasn't really like New York, but it wasn't how I imagined it to be.

Soon, we arrived to the hotel. I paid the driver and we got our bags out, and made our way inside. The desk woman looked at me and grinned. She was a young, white woman with short, blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Oh my," She gasped. "You're Andreson Valdez!"

"Yeah," I said. "My friend Jayson Dominguez checked into here. Where is he?"

"Last door on the left of the third floor."

"Thanks." I mumbled.

We left the lobby and got inside of the elevator. Minnie pressed the button for the third floor and the doors closed. We waited and waited, and waited, then finally the doors opened. We stepped out and starting making our way down the hall. We made it to the last door on the left, and I knocked on the door. Shortly after, Jay opened the door and gave us a blank stare.

"You gonna let us in?" Hernando laughed.

He stepped to the side and we all walked on. I put my bags on the floor and sighed. "Thanks Jay."

"Welcome, Ese." He nodded. "So, what's the plan?"

"1900 Montgomery street." I said. "That's where they got her."

"Alright." Jay smirked. "Come on."

We followed Jay into a bedroom and he threw our bags of weapons on the bed. We all put bullet proof vests under our shirts, tied our Bandanas around our heads and mouths, and loaded the clips to our weapons.

"Y'all ready?" Greg asked as he buttoned up his shirt.

"Yeah." I loaded my AK Pistol.

"Alright, I'm ready." Minnie sighed as she pulled her hair into a ponytail. She grabbed her tech 9 and smiled.

Jay grabbed his keys off of the table, so I prayed a little in my head.

"Alright, let's roll out."

__________________

TWO DAYS AGO

December 15th, 1992

Jada

"Joshua, I can't find Isa anywhere." I panted. "Even her parents say they haven't seen her. I mean, why would they continue the party if she's not here?"

"That's ridiculous." He scoffed. "Maybe she's inside."

"Right... I didn't look there, yet." I nodded.

We walked up the steps and opened the door to Isa's apartment. We walked inside and all the lights were on.

"Isamariá!" I called out for her to answer. But, I didn't get a response.

"Woah.... What the hell?" Joshua said.

"What?" I looked over at him.

He pointed at the wall. There was red stuff which looked like blood smeared all over the wall. I knitted my eyebrows together in confusion. The only letters I could see were three 'K's'

"Joshua, that says-"

"What the hell are y'all doing in here?" George interrupted me.

"We're looking for Isamariá."

"We told you we don't know where she is." Her mother growled. "So get out!"

"So, why are you having this party then?" Joshua raised an eyebrow.

"We're celebrating her birthday." George nodded.

"But, she's not here!" I shouted. "You don't even know where she is!"

"The last time I saw her, she was with her friends." Her mother growled. "So get out."

Then, came silence. I could hear the loud music playing outside. I rolled my eyes and grabbed Joshua's hand. "Come on, Joshua."

We left her apartment and walked back down the steps.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"I'm about to find Rebecca." I growled.

Surprisingly, she was here. She was all dressed up and hanging around Rosa, Mary, Tony, Ace, and Justin.

"Oh, look, it's Jada." Rebecca scoffed.

"Don't be rude, Rebecca." Mary punched her arm.

"Isa's parents say that they haven't seen her since she was with you guys." I growled. "And, I'm tired of you acting like a Saint. Rebecca, I know you had something to do with it."

"I would never do anything to hurt Isamariá." She gasped. "She's my best friend. I wouldn't come to her party if she wasn't."

"Yes, you would." I snarled. "Cause' you're a fake bitch."

"Excuse you." Rosa scoffed. "You can't just come over here and accuse people of stuff. Who do you think you are?"

"I'm about to beat both of your asses-"

"Jada, calm down." Joshua chuckled. "Let's just go."

"Whatever." I turned around and began walking back to my apartment. "I'm calling the police."

"Good idea."

I walked inside of my apartment and closed the door after Joshua walked inside.

"You're back early!" I heard my father shout from his room.

"Dad!" I ran into his room. "I'm going to call the police, Isa has been missing for weeks!"

"Woah, Woah, Woah," My dad stood up and put his hands out. "What are you talking about?"

Joshua stepped into the room and smiled. My dad shot him an odd look and shifted his attention back towards me.

"Well, nobody has seen or heard from Isamariá in like a week. I need to call the police."

"Honey, If she wasn't here, Kathy and George wouldn't have the party."

"Exactly!" I exclaimed. "When I asked them, they said they hadn't seen her either. How do you not know where your own daughter is?"

"Maybe it's just-"

"No, it's not!" I interrupted him. "Please, dad?"

"Fine." He said. "I'll call the police."

"Thank you."

I smiled.