Back In The Game

Chapter 5

LaShawn's POV

     'Shit,' I thought to myself. How did they find me? What do they want?

"Hands up where I can see 'em. Both of you," said one of the guys. Marie and I  slowly put our hands up. I hope they don't shoot.

"W-what do yall want?" I say, my voice shaking. I clear my throat, trying to stay calm.

"You know what we want, Shawn," he told me. He stepped closer and closer, the barrel of the gun inches from my chest. I tried to think. I tried to think of what they could possibly want from me. The second guy stepped closer to Marie, slowly raising his hand to touch her face. Tears started to form in her eyes.

"Man leave her out of this," I say to him. It's all my fault, she shouldn't even be in this.

"I want my money Shawn," the guy said to me. I finally recognized him.

"Steven," I ask him. I haven't seen Steven in almost 5 years. His frown slowly forms into a sly grin.

"Nice to see you again too. Hopefully now, you have my money," he said, frowning again. Money? I didn't owe...

"You remember don't you? You were struggling to keep yourself together and you needed that cocaine. Of course you didn't have any money, so like the good man I am, I helped you out."

I looked over at Marie, her fear has now turned into shock.

"Ill get you your money, I need until Friday, and I'll have your money," I tell them. "How much?" I ask, not ready to hear the answer.

"$600," he tells me. I couldn't argue. Not right now, with Marie still in danger. I nod, and they lower the guns and back out of the door slowly.

"You have three days, Shawn," he said as he turned to leave.

"Shawn..." she said, her voice soft.

"Let me explain," I yell but she is already out of the door. I rush after her but when I get outside she is nowhere in sight. Of course she isnt. Times Square isn't exactly the best place to spot one out of a crowd. I pull out my cell phone and try to call her. I just want to make sure she is safe. When she dosnt answer I get in my car and drive to her apartment.

Marie's POV

I rush down the street,  getting as far away from LaShawn as possible. He used to do cocain?

I look behind me and he is nowhere in sight. I slow down to hail a taxi. I tell him to take me back to my apartment and when I get there, his car is pulling in to the parking lot. After paying the driver I do my best to rush inside without him seeing me but of course it doesn't work.

"Marie, wait," he yells to me. I turn around to see him running towards me. "Please just let me explain." he begs. I roll my eyes and finally agree to listen to him.

"Fine, you have five minutes. Thats it," I tell him and head up the stairs and into my apartment.

I sit on the couch and wait for his so called explanation. He sits down, timidly, on the other end.

"Okay..." he starts slowly. "A few years ago, I was in the crack game. It really messed me up. When I couldnt afford it, I would do anything to get money. That's when Steven came along. He offered to help me out just as long as I paid him back. I figured he wasnt asking too much so I agreed. A year later, I realized what I was doing with my life. I didnt want to die that way so I got myself some help. I got clean. Im still clean," he says looking up at me with sad eyes.

"The only thing still on my shoulders is paying him back. I didn't mean to bring you into that. I didn't even know they were coming for me. I am so sorry," he says rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's okay, just pay him back and it will all go away right?"

"Hopefully. But you never know," he says as he stands up to leave. "I really enjoyed hanging out with you today, and maybe after I get myself out of this mess, we could do it again," he askes me.

"Maybe," I say with a small smile and walked him to the door. Before he could leave though, I gave him a hug. He was hesitant at first but then wrapped his strong arms around me.

"Goodnight Marie," he said and left.