The Snakes, a rival gang to The Devils, have declared war through the easiest way possible, creating a body count on the opposing gang's territory. However, the situation is much worse for Jade becasue the first person The Snakes eliminated, was her...
After the shooting ordeal at the boutique, the hairstylist finished dying my hair and I returned home to change my clothes.
When I got to the apartment, the door was cracked open and I couldn't see Cierra. I took out my 8-inch steel pocket knife and held it with a steady hand as I crept into the apartment. I heard a noise in the kitchen and whipped around, slashing my blade towards the sound.
I saw the glass plate drop as Cierra called out, "what the fuck, you bitch! That was fucking china and it was not fucking cheap."
"Holy shit Cierra," I gasped, "I thought someone broke in! Why did you get the kitchenware? I told you I would pick some up today after the meeting."
"I left the door open because the boxes were heavier than shit. I thought it would be a nice surprise for you when you got home because I know that today is a busy day for you, besides I don't want to use my hands as plates anymore."
"I would have picked them up, I am perfectly able to do so," I responded with a glare.
She cautiously took a step towards me and I took a step back, "Jayden calm down I thought it would take some pressure off of your back. Besides, you are the one paying for this apartment and you already have a job. You have already begun your life here and I wanted to help make the transition easier for the both of us."
"DO NOT CALL ME BY THAT," I screamed at her as she used my full name.
She took a breath and backed up towards the kitchen to clean up the shattered glass. I spun on my foot and walked into my room trying to keep my composure. When I was behind my closed doors in my grey room, I slid my back down the wall to sit on the floor. I began to whimper about what has happened, the relationships I've built and the ones I've destroyed, the people I have met and the ones that I have pushed away.
Once I regained my composure, I walked to my half-filled closet and picked out a nice outfit.
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After changing and tidying up my appearance, I walked out of my room feeling a bit more relaxed. Stepping out, I was greeted by the large open space that would soon be our living room, only to find it empty and the rest of the apartment carrying the same feeling. I ignored Cierra's reaction to my outburst and called for a cab to get to the meeting. I can't wait until my bike gets shipped to our place. It was the one thing I would look forward to when I got out of bed in the morning. She was the one piece of my old life I dared to bring with me.
***
After the driver pulled up to the front of The Rose Garden, I entered and was embraced by the scent of black coffee and the sounds of people chatting from every direction. With my eyes set on the back corner, I began to make my way to the small group so I could introduce myself. I meandered over only to have them immediately become quiet. I wasn't expecting it but I was new and unknown to the area.
I stood at the head of the table and looked to my left. Sitting on the end of the booth was a woman with lavender hair, I smirked at her and turned to the rest of the group to reveal the personality that I have always had to smother. "Hey bitches, name's Jade, short for Jayden," I said breaking the silence, the smirk still resting on my face.
***
About twenty minutes after I sat down and made myself comfortable the 'leader' walked in. He was tall and looked like your typical player; dark hair, dark eyes, and muscular. As soon as he was in earshot, he began speaking.
"Sit your asses down and stay alert. Your first assignment is to capture images of danger. Illegal activities, adrenaline pumping events, something that gets your pulse racing and blood rushing while taking these photos. I want these done by next Friday. If I am not pleased with your work... well, it's as simple as you're out of the group. If the images appeal to me, you can stay and I'll give you pointers. The objective of this assignment is for you to crawl out of your shell and experience a more vivid life as a photographer. Y'all got it, good. Now get your asses to work."
The session lasted less than 3 minutes and there was no introduction for anyone in the group. Evidently, they didn't do that sort of thing around here, it was strictly business.
Feeling adventurous, I decided to walk down through the grimy alley to the street behind the café. I took out my camera if I had moments of inspiration I didn't want to miss them. If I thought I was on the bad side of town while I was in the café, then I was wrong. As I stepped around the corner of the street it was like I was transported to another world.
The streets were all torn up with potholes scattered every direction you could turn your head. Most of the shops were closed or shut down and those that remained open had windows shattered and doors missing from their hinges. In one of the alleys across the street, I heard men jeering. I glanced in the direction only to see two huge guys eyeing me as I made my way down the street. So, naturally, I stopped in my tracks and glared in their direction until they looked away from me, then I continued my walk. From the little I could make out, behind the 'bodybuilders', was a 30-year-old looking male on his knees with a gun pointed in his face.
I scoffed. The old man probably owed em' drug money. "Idiot," I said to myself. I wasn't going to get into his mess and risk my life in the process. It's not like I was a coward to do or say something to the group of men, but it wasn't my problem. I genuinely didn't care about what would happen to the guy. Seconds later I heard a gunshot ring through the desolate street. Suddenly, a car pulled up and the man in charge jumped in and sped away with two bodyguards. I peered behind me as the remaining three men began to charge towards me.
I was not normally frightened but these men were large. If I tried to fight them or wait for them to catch up with me, I would be squashed like a bug. So, I did the next best thing, I took off running. You could hear the men's boots clomping behind me as they increased their speed, urging me to run faster. I was soon out of breath as I haven't had the chance to find a gym in this area. These past few days have consisted of heavy lifting, shopping, and being interviewed for various jobs. Not exactly the best chores to preserve muscle strength.
"FUCK! I'm so screwed," I thought to myself. I don't know how I'm going to get out of this.
