Safe | Oscar Diaz .

S i x .

Friday Night
8:45 PM

"Araceli," I heard Latrelle's voice.

I got up ensuring that my knife was in my pocket, and the gun I had was tucked away under my hoodie before walking out of Novah's room.

I looked at everyone in the living room as they glared at me, "I asked for the meeting to be alone." I whispered to Maurice, Novah's dad.

"Respecting your wishes, they're not here for you I promise." He guided me down the hall to his room that Novah always referred to as meeting room. "Now, what's up?"

"I had a panick attack earlier hearing how Q was talking, and to be honest I don't think I can stay here. Without feeling that I'm gonna be watched." I looked up at him. "I have somewhere I can go that's not to far from here, I just need a ride off the block."

"You know even giving you a ride off the block isn't going to help. He'll know where you are while over here. He walks everywhere." Maurice spoke up.

"And he'll be all over your house now that I'm here. I don't wanna be the cause of that." I pleaded honestly.

"You got protection to get out of here?" He asked me I nodded, standing up showing him the gun in my waist, and the knife in my pocket.

"Go get your bag, I'll try to get you on the other." He stood up and grabbed his things. "Come on, they don't have to know."

I walked out the room heading for Novah's room grabbing my bag. She was out with her mom, so she wouldn't have a billion questions to ask.

"I'll be back. King watch it." Maurice stayed before walking me out the door.

He drove a couples blocks before stopping the car, and telling me to get out. "Hey, thank you for everything. I know it's not your job to provide me protection, but my dad would've done the same if Novah was in trouble and you weren't here." I got out standing on the corner trying to figure out where I was.

I was about 2 miles from my Tío's safe house for his runs, and sighed in relief still keeping aware of my surroundings.

"Out alone are you?" I heard his voice following me.

"I'm going somewhere else. It's obvious I can't be there." I continued walking speeding up my pace.

"How's you sister?" He stated I could tell he was smiling, "That shot should've done some damage."

Hearing him talk about Maya was making my blood boil, but I continued walking trying to get as close as I could before starting anything.

"Oh, the silence. Same way she used to treat me." He chuckled still following me. "We're all alone out here Ara..Celi." He broke my name up. "Are you scared?"

"No, actually I'm not." I finally broke my silence. "Not of a coward like you thinking he'll get what he wants by putting hits out on two girls?" He looked at me shocked, "Yeah we know about that, so what're you gonna do?"

I looked at him nervously, but remembered I had my protection, "Shoot me Q. Stop contemplating, and shoot me." I yelled at him, "Just like I thought a coward."

He reached behind his back making me reach under my hoodie pulling my gun on him, "Coward, couldn't even pull it out in time could you?" I placed the gun on his forehead.

"You're not gonna shoot me." He smiled pulling his gun out.

"Who says?" I backed up a little putting space between us.

"You're too scared." He smirked aiming at me.

I lowered the gun to his stomach where Maya was shot steadying the gun with both hands, and pulled the trigger. I gasped at what had happened in shock, and shot him again in the chest when I saw him reaching for his gun.

I felt tears falling down my face, and ran in the opposite direction towards Tío Rickey. "You did the right thing. If you didn't shoot he would've." I kept telling myself as I ran.

I had finally made it to Tío Rickey's, sweat and tears clinging to my face. I knocked softly on the door trying to catch my breath. I didn't get rid of the hoodie, and I could feel the blood still on my face.

"Mija." He looked at me shaking his head, "No. It's okay mija." He pulled me into a hug as fresh tears rolled down my face.

"You'll stay here. Ease your mind. We'll get you back in a few days." I sighed stepping into the house dropping the gun I still clenched in my hands.

"He was going to shoot me." I spoke softly into the dark as I got dizzy.

- A Week Later -

A week had passed with Tío Rickey pleading with me that I go home, and that it was safe. I had finally giving in still numb to any emotion due to what had happened. I was a murderer, and for sure the Prophets will be looking for Q's shooter.

I was terrified of going back, but I had to make sure that Maya was kept safe. Tío Rickey told me to keep the gun, and to use it if either of us were in danger. Telling me to act normal as if nothing happened which at this point I didn't know how to do.

We reached our block, and I could see Maya in the driveway waiting for me. I looked across the street seeing Cesar look up smiling, and the Hyna on Oscar's lap making my heart sink. As if I wasn't already in enough pain as it is.

I put on a smile as we pulled in, and Rickey grabbed my shoulder, "You'll be okay mija. You're just like your father. You protected yourself and your family."

I got out being engulfed in a hug by Maya, "Oh babygirl. I missed you! Why did you stay so long? I've been back since last week."

"Had to ease my mind. It was a lot." I gave her a fake smile.

"Glad to see you're home." Cesar came up, "We've missed you."

"I'm sure." I looked over his shoulder.

"Don't worry about him. He missed out." He nudged me.