The Kiss of Death [Dave East]

07

HE SHOOK HIS HEAD, NOT BELIEVING HIS EARS FOR A SECOND. "No, no! Fuck! Unc!" He screamed into the phone, his voice wavering and growing shaky. He leaned over the motels balcony, his knees getting weak. "I'm sorry, Russell." His uncle Bobby said. The seventeen year old finally broke, his body hit the ground, the years and cried coming out. The phone went flat due to his uncles empty card credits. His cries rattled through his chest uncontrollably. His father was dead. Died in prison.

"Yo! Russ!" His best friend came to his side, dropping to one knee. "You straight son?" Harden tried to help him up, but Russell aggressively shoved him back. "Fuck off of me!" Russell screamed, but Harden understood his hurt and pain. The two were battling each other off, Russell trying to push him away and Harden fighting to hug him. "Ease up! Ease up, blood!" Harden yelled and Russell finally stopped, leaning into his friend.

"Calm the fuck down! The fuck happened?" Harden barked helping Russell pick his head up. His eyes were wet with tears which caused his lashes to clump together. "My pops man." He sniffles, rubbing his left eye. "Smoke got my pops." He sobbed again, Harden cursed lowly, placing one hand on Russell's head, muttering words of encouragement to his long time friend.

"We gon hit her harder. Trust me." Harden patted Russell's head as he retreaded his head back. "I have to." Russell responded. He stood up with Harden, rubbing his eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie. They walked silently to the motel room 101. Loud music could be heard from the door, he shoved it open and stepped in. The strong stench of weed and alcohol became more distinct. "Shit. What the fuck happened to you?" Everyone laughed at the comment, acknowledging their dust covered clothes and heavy pants.

"My dad's dead." Russell's statement was enough to ruin the atmosphere. The music was slowly cut off, and everyone stopped sipping and smoking. "Shit dawg. You straight? How it happen?" He was asked, Russell swallowed harshly, his fingers twitching out of anger.

"We need to get back, start firing at th—"

"No!" Russell yelled. "No! They have a lot more man and fire power. We're soft compared to them. We do what we've been doing, go after their business. Hit their delivery men. We have half their product, most of their money and took down one warehouse. Their Union is barely holding on. Yous don't fuck it up!" Russell screamed. "We cross into their ends. Anyone who's selling for Vicelords gets a buck 50. Don't kill no one, just scare their young bulls off the corners." They nodded and then all gathered to leave the motel.

The room was eventually empty, except for Harden, Russell and an uninvited presence. "Rico what the fuck do you want?" The youngster sighed, rubbing his nose. "She killed my brothers, ya know? And now she killed your uncle. She sent both of us a message. We have to reply." Now annoyed, Russell rubbed his face aggressively. "You think it's that easy blood? I kill Anissa, that leaves her right hand, Spades alive. That leaves Marcus, who's in prison alive. That leaves her little boyfriend Dave alive. It leaves the Union alive. She's a fucking god, man. Un-fucking-touchable, you hear me?" He noted. "They all come shooting at us until their clips are empty. They'll make sure our whole fucking legacy is done. Burnt up. They'll kill family. They'd die for her. We need to scare her into submission." Russell stated.