Feelings and friendship

Chapter thirteen

Hearing the 'bang', I closed my eyes and smelled the gunpowder.
I expected to feel a sharp pain... or something at least. I heard Buddy's voice:
"You'll kill her over my dead body". I opened my eyes and saw Buddy standing with a gun pointing to the ceiling and pieces of concrete falling down on his t-shirt. His eyes were dark but determined as he stared down his mother. My jaw dropped. He pointed the gun at her. She had a look of total shock and anger on her face. "You choose this girl over me? I gave you everything, I gave you life and protected you at all cost." she hissed. It was a true movie scene; she was pointing the gun at me and he was pointing the gun at her. "I love her, mother. Today made me realize something. My love for her is something that never was forced and should never be forced upon. So again, you can try to kill her but that will be over my dead body" Buddy said,  looked at me for a split second with the most sincere smile and tears filling up his eyes. "You don't have to do this, Buddy. She's your mother" I whispered realizing he was choosing me over his own mother. Amina smiled. "You see, my dearest stupid girl. Leo is a true Deloitte, whether he wants it or not. He thinks he's not forcing love upon no one but he's forcing his love for you on me. If you live, I'll go to jail for sure. So, he'd rather see his mother dead or in jail instead of choosing me thus killing you. I should have seen this coming. Us Deloitte's always finish off our parents, it's a family tradition. I killed my father and he caused my grandmother to have an heart attack. Leo's just like his mommy." Amina said with a calm voice while staring down the gun pointed at her. It was quiet for a moment and the tension was building more than I thought possible. The voice of the news reporter caught Buddy's attention as he never lowered his gun. I focused on the TV. There was a news report about an officer Jones who's being investigated about his alleged connection to a cold case. When they stated his name, I could've sworn I saw Amina flinch.

"Good evening to all, we are standing here with officer Maxwell who is currently the lead investigator of the case involving our highly decorated officer Jones. Officer Maxwell, can you confirm that you're investigating officer Michael 'Mike' Jones?"
"Yes, we are officially investigating officer Jones as of today. We have evidence he could be connected to the cover up of a cold case." Officer Maxwell stated.
"What case?"
"An old case involving one of our own people. We can't divulge anymore information, otherwise we could compromise the case."
"Can I conclude that there are more parties involved?" the reporter kept prodding.
"No comment"
"Do you have more information about the current case that's got our community in a frenzy?" the officer said while he raised an eyebrow.
"I take it you mean the killings of the beautiful black girls of this neighborhood, right?"
"Is there another case we should be worried about" the reporter said sarcastically
"With you reporters, I'd rather watch my words. But yes, we are working on it. We think we have someone in custody who might know more about the identity of the killer."
"We have a source telling us the three cases you're currently investigating are all connected. That's the case of Ms. Deloitte, Officer Jones and this unknown serial killer. Is that the case?"
"I can't disclose that information" Officer Maxwell said with a dry ass face. Another officier approached officier Maxwell and they ran off together.
The reporter looked in the camera and said: "There you have it ladies and gentleman, the three cases are probably connected and our heroes of the PD are working hard to catch this serial killer. There is hope just yet. Don't forget, you heard it here first. Back to the studio."

"You see, Leo. We're all going down. That's the officer that helped me and your aunt stay out of trouble all those years ago, he'll squeal for sure. He's not about to go down for a murder he didn't commit, not even for Titi who was his side piece. Now stop this foolishness, put the gun down, let's take care of her and let's go. Because, if I go down... I'm taking you with me."
"I don't care, mother. If the choice is between you hurting Aria and us going to jail for the jacked up shit we did, we're going to jail. One more thing; don't forget... I'm going to jail either way, whether I kill you or not. You'll just be one more body, so what'll it be, mommy dearest? Are we leaving or are you dying? Choose wisely." Amina looked at her son with the gun still pointing at me. Neither of them budged. The suspense was still sky high. 
She cocked the gun. "Well, I guess this is it. But I'll take her with me either way. Do you really think you can shoot me before I shoot her? Shoot your shot, dearie." she said as she shrugged. He cocked the gun, stepped closer to me, switched the gun to his other hand and held me hand. He squeezed it gently.
I felt my heart racing as my journey with Buddy flashed in front of my eyes. From meeting him, him walking me home everyday, his love confession to our rendezvous yesterday and now this crazy shit. Through all this and his crazy way of showing it, one thing I know for sure: he loves me. Oh, that... and that his mother is one sick woman. My mouth was dry and I was still strapped to the table. It was silent for about an half a minute as they stared each other down. "I love you, my sweet boy" she said as a single tear fell from her eye. She focused the gun and aimed to shoot. "No, please" I whispered. Am I crazy? Why am I pleading for his life? "I love you, Aria. I'm so sorry for what I did yesterday" Buddy said, as he cried.  "It's not your fault, not entirely anyway..." I said as I glared at Amina. "How cute, you guys will love each other in heaven or hell then." She said as she got out another gun from her waist. She had one gun pointed at me and another pointed at her own son. "You will pay for your betrayal, sonny boy"

Suddenly I heard a hard bang and saw the basement door flying down the stairs. Amina turned around and pointed the gun in that direction. Buddy looked at me and started to untie me, now that Amina was distracted. He threw a towel on me and lifted me up like a baby, still holding the gun in one hand. I heard many, heavy and loud footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Police, everybody put their hands up!"
Amina was pointing her gun towards the police officers.
"Drop your weapon" the officer we saw on TV said.
"I won't, officer Maxwell. I'd rather die than go down for this atrocity"
"We can talk about this" he said. "You too son, drop it." He said motioning to Buddy's gun.
"Hell no, she's crazy. She'll kill her." Buddy said with the first sign of fear in his voice.
"Ever heard of suicide by cop? I think that's an appropriate way out for me" she said as she walked with her gun cocked towards the police officers. Officer Maxwell fired one shot, Buddy turned his back towards the shot to shield me. I heard Amina scream, felt Buddy shiver and I let out a sigh.