DOWN BY LAW // WHEN THEY SEE US *DISCONTINUED*

Chapter 12

She wouldn't be mad.

She'd want me to live my life.

You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, and to show people how to embrace their complications, and see the flaws, and the true beauty and strength that's inside of all of us.

1991 Brooklyn, NY
Crossroads Juvenile Center

Dmirikel Jackson

"How does it feel to be a free woman?" My mother draped her arm on my shoulder. It felt wrong. Being free while they're still locked up is wrong. Megan was discharged a day earlier from me. But freedom was freedom, so it's still free my girls until it's backwards.

Yusef was free.

Kevin was free.

Antron was free.

Megan was free.

Raymond was free.

I was free. But my hearts still on lockdown.

I hopped in the car with my mom while she started driving. She managed to get me an interview to be the cook at the diner. She told me I had to get one, and be homeschooled. They'd talk about me in high school, plus they probably didn't want me around other people anyways.

"I promise you, we'll get your sister out," mom smiled, the only reason we were released was because of Tupac opening the re-investigation. They had no solid proof that we hurt that lady and the bail they set was $10,000 but she paid it somehow.

I didn't question her ethics or how she got the money. My mom was a G, the whole family was, so I knew we were cool. They wouldn't release any of them from prison or even give them a bail, they said it was too much of a threat.

In reality they just wanted us to suffer.

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1991 Queens, NY
Queensbridge

I started hanging the clothes, the job had me occupied 24/7 and the little seconds I had was handling chores, taking care of my little sister, Dejah, and doing my homework. Megan came over sometimes but she was busy with work so it made it impossible to spend time with her.

Grown people stuff.

Long story short. Raymond had got a girlfriend who wasn't me, surprise! But if he wanted to fuck with opps it was okay with me.

"Paco! Gimme' a pac of gum and chick-o-sticks," I smirked, hearing the door ring, someone walked in, "don't forget my licorice and blow pops," Megan nudged, we we're some big ass kids. "Oh and give me some peach rings and an Ariz-"

"You better be paying for yo' own stuff, because I ain't got enough," I shook my head, this girl was gon' be the thing that emptied my pockets.

Someone behind me slammed $5 on the counter, I looked up at the muscular guy. A black wife beater tee and I peeped the cross tattoo on his neck.

He was fine. No fine was a understatement, that man was heaven sent.

"You got a staring problem," he chuckled staring at the candy necklace around my neck, I shook my head. I didn't want his money, handing him back his $5.

"I'll pay for my own stuff-" I started putting the stuff away, Megan snatched the stuff out of my hand. Placing them back on the counter, "you must be crazy, that's free food," she smiled grabbing the $5 out of his hand and winking at him.

It's not free if it's coming from someone else's pockets. I don't like feeling like I owe somebody something.

"You're stubborn," he winked at me, licking his lips, "I like it," I rolled my eyes, grabbing my bags and walking away.

"Catch you 'round," I heard him cackle with his homeboys.

What's up with me & hispanics?

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1991 Wyoming County, NY
Attica Correctional Facility

Rose Smith

"You cheating on me?" Monica whined, hugging Lyric, she's been dipping off with Korey everyday but I don't judge her. If it was Yusef, I'd do the same.

The girls hadn't noticed but it was odd how Megan & Dmirikel stopped writing us. And that Regina girl from juvie was also here, and she sure was staring.

Hard. Like she had something against us or something, she looked familiar when I first saw her though.

"You single?" Some girl winked at me, I rolled my eyes in disgust. They could never, I wasn't interested in being somebody's hoe. Or girlfriend, I ain't like girls, never will.

"Regina," I clicked my tongue at the girl who purposely walked by our table. Lyric glared at her while I focused on her attire. She wasn't even wearing prison clothes, she had this weird look going on.

"Problem bitch?" She stood near our table, everyone else started circling around, instigating the situation.

"YOURE THE PROBLEM BITCH-" Monica charged at her, swinging like a vine. She was doing blows, I ain't even think Monica could hit hard enough with her skinny ass. She had to be throwing her back & bones into them swings.

"Get that bitch Monica" Regina laid flat on the floor, all that spark she had in juvie was gone. I can't believe Monica just laid out a 23 year old.

Baby girl had hands. She should've been fighting.

"Cool it," the guards came, escorting both of the girls away.

Shit was crazy, but things always happened like this.

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1991 Queens, NY
Queensbridge

Dmirikel Jackson

"You move on quick," Megan commented, almost making me lose my concentration. I was in the middle of a dice game against the Mexican at the store, and she kept trying to plug me with him.

"You not even playin' right, you boutta lo-"

"Shut up I got this Meg," I needed that $30, I looked at the dice, 10, "FUCK" I muttered handing him the $30. He had a real kick outta' taking my money.

"Here," he handed me a $50 bill, "it's obvious you need it more than me," my eye twitched in agitation while he downed a Corona. He's been teasing me the whole game, blowing smoke from his cigar in my face.

"I don't need it," I gave tried giving it back but he just pushed my hands away.

"I'll take it," Megan chimed in.

"Stop being stubborn, take care of your family," he winked.

Why was he so nice to me?

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A/N: Why didn't she tell her sister that she's out?

Why didn't Yusef tell Rose?

What happened to being a team?