DUMPING THE GIRL OFF in the middle of an unfamiliar city was not something he wanted to do. Still, Santiago needed to separate himself from her.

Santiago knew a lot of people in this city.

Sometimes that was not such a good thing.

At first he had written it off when they left the parking garage. Across the street he saw a boy he thought he recognized. No words were exchanged, Santiago simply gave him a nod of recognition which the guy returned.

Still he could not shake the nagging feeling that crawled up his spine.

Walking side by side with his companion, Santiago thought he caught sight of the same man yet between the clusters of pedestrians it was impossible to distinguish.

Brushing off the unease, thinking it was his imagination playing tricks on him. Afterall, he had been wound up over Rosenia’s vague warnings.

It was when they turned onto a quiet street that his heart skipped a beat. Again, there he was. Squat man with a slight hunch trailing far enough behind it evades suspicion.

Santiago’s first instinct was to confront him, but he thought better of it. There were a million and one things that could come of that and while he was ready to handle it Santiago had no intention of putting Sylvia in it.

Santiago stole glances over his shoulder, every so often to catch a glimpse of his pursuer. Keeping him in sight the same way they were watching him.

He kept the conversation light. Kept her laughing as he led her to the bus stop. She never noticed a thing. Santiago figured she would be upset with him. He would come up with a lie later, he needed her out of the line of fire.

“What’s good Santiago?” Wesley’s crooked teeth pulled into a smug grin, “Told you I’d see you on the outside.”

Santiago tilted his chin up, “Walk away Wes, you don’t want none. I already put you in the hospital once.”

“Yeah, well I got more than a brick this time.” He smirked as he flashed the gun tucked into his pants.

Santiago laughed, “Oh man is that why you got balls now. You got a gun. Go ahead, you better hit something vital ‘cause if you don’t I will.”

Wesley brandished the pistol at him, “I’m gonna smoke your ass.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” Santiago sneered.

“Santiago!” Sylvia shrieked.

All heads spun towards her.

Any resemblance of a smile was gone now.

In one quick lunge he caught Wesley’s wrist in one hand and brought his elbow down on his shoulder forcing the gun from his hand.

Santiago turned the gun over in his hands. “Really? Broke ass couldn’t even afford a clip.”

Wes clutched his shoulder in pain. “Fuck you, Santiago.”

“Hey!” Santiago barked, “Take your hands off her.”

Sylvia cried out as the man grabbed her roughly by the hair. He was not too much taller than the girl enough to see over her head from where he stood behind her and he was twice as wide. His hands were large enough to cover her entire neck in one meaty palm. “Oh hell no. I got a score to settle with you Santiago.”

“Who the hell is this guy?” He motioned to Wes.

He jostled Sylvia as he hollered,“You fucked my girl!”

Santiago stared blankly for a moment, “I gotta be honest with you man that doesn’t really narrow things down for me much.”

“You a hoe Santiago.” Wes sniped.

“Shut up, Wes!” Santiago ran a hand over his face, “Look. She doesn’t have anything to do with any of this. Let her go and you and I can handle this.”

He pulled a silver pocket knife holding it to the girl’s neck.

Santiago made a step forward freezing when he pressed hard enough to draw blood.

“Hey!” Wesley hollered, “The fuck is wrong with you. You got beef handle that shit don’t hide behind a bitch. This not what we talked about.”

“These your people, Wes.” Santiago glared at him.

A resounding crack echoed down the back street.

Both Santiago and Wes jolted as the knife wielding assailant crumpled to the ground, the back of his head bloodied from where the bat hit him.

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Lola between her darkly lined lips gum popped audibly, swinging the aluminum bat in her heavily ringed hand. Tinted carefully carved brows furrowed over her upturned eyes. “Back from the dead and already starting shit. You good girl?”

Sylvia nodded, rubbing the back of her head as she stared down at the unconscious boy.

“Lolo,” Santiago beamed affectionately, he gave the girl a half hug before he went to check Sylvia over. “What are you doing here? I told you to go home.”

“I saw those guys following you.” Sylvia shot back her face had lost all its color. Her head buzzed, heart still pounding in her chest.

“And?” Santiago said, “You’re ninety pounds soaking wet. There ain’t no heroes in the hood. Next time, call the cops.”

“Aw, this your girl now. Finally taking my advice to stop sticking your dick in crazy.” Said Lola procured an envelope from the pocket of her oversized dickies handing it over he tucked it away quickly.

“No, it ain’t like that.” Santiago brushed her off, “Sylvia, sorry about that. I was trying to keep you out of this mess.”

“Whatever,” She muttered miserably, her throat ached like she had been screaming the entire time though she had barely made a peep. “I’m thirsty and need a nap.”

“Right, I owe you lunch.” He said.

“You buying us lunch that’s so sweet.” Lola smiled wide hoops in her ears and swung as she threw her arm around the slighter girl’s shoulder.

“I’m buying her lunch. I can’t afford to pay for your fat ass.” Santiago ducked her swing.

“Yo! I want lunch!” Called Wes from the floor.

“Fuck off, Wes!” Santiago hollered as they left the boy behind.

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The interior of the diner was cozy and inviting. Walls adorned in vintage signs and photographs that told stories of a bygone era. The space was filled with an eclectic mix of mismatched tables and chairs, each with its own character and history. The worn-out wooden floors creaked gently underfoot, added to the charm of the place.

Behind the counter stood a friendly and energetic staff, bustling about with a warm smile. The open kitchen allowed them to catch a glimpse of the cooks crafting burgers on a well-seasoned grill.

Sylvia had a million and one questions as to what was going on.

Who were those guys?

Why did they want to hurt Santiago?

What was in the envelope?

Why was this girl carrying around a bat?

She eyed the small pink line on the side of her neck in the reflection on the napkin dispenser. That was the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to her. Meanwhile, the two of them were sitting in a diner booth laughing like it was another Tuesday.

She jumped feeling the tap on her hand.

He raised a brow, “Maybe we should get you home.”

“No, I’m good. I zoned out for a second.” Why she said that she had no idea. She should go home. What exactly was she going to tell Rose about this? Should she tell her at all?

There would be no point all she would do is worry and it would get Santiago in trouble.

None of them were really hurt after all.

“Everyone is going to lose their minds when I tell them you’re back.” Lola stuffed another fry in her mouth all while managing not to smudge the darkly painted lips. “I thought I was going crazy when I heard your voice on the phone.”

Sylvia was thankful the girl pulled his focus away from herself.

“They still think I’m dead?” Santiago said.

“Alejo saw you, man. He heard the gunshots. He got there before the paramedics.” She shook her head, “He’s been really messed up over it.”

“What happened to the house?” He asked.

Lola grimaced, “We took what we could, but that slumlord dick threw everything out after it happened.”

Of course he did. No one left to line his pockets, not like he was going to hold it for anyone. They had no family with both of them gone. Santiago doubted he waited for the lease to expire.

Alejandro, he had no idea what kind of a mess his friend had walked in on. Who would be around to tell any of them he came back from the dead and got whisked away from the hospital. “I want to see everyone.”

“For sure, we’ll have a kickback at my place tomorrow. Bring your bathing suit, freckles.” She snapped her fingers at Sylvia.

Sylvia covered her mouth as she coughed. “I’m invited.”

“Of course, the more the merrier.”

Towering trees line the streets, their branches reaching towards each other forming a verdant canopy overhead. Vibrant flowers in various hues dot the impeccably manicured lawns.

The walk home was fairly quiet. The two were rather tired after the day's events though the most exhausting part had been the bus ride home. A bad accident had back traffic up so bad they were stuck on public transit two hours longer than they should have been.

The soft, warm glow as dusk settled with the aroma of freshly cut grass and blossoms was making it difficult for Santiago to keep his eyes open. A few yaps from a neighbor's dog as he charged the iron gates all two pounds of furs bounced and growled with fury.

Sylvia cooed over the feisty creature.

Tucking his arms behind his head they walked up to the drive and both froze in place. A police cruiser was parked out front and the officers were on the porch speaking with Rosenia.

The woman caught sight of them and she let out a sigh of relief pushing past the officers to meet them halfway up the drive. She pulled them both close whispering urgently. “Sylvia go inside. Santiago say nothing.”

Sylvia did as she was told, looking back at Santiago who gave her nod.

There was no way the police knew what happened. Those guys were not the type to go to the police.

Sylvia kept glancing back at the closed door as she entered the house.

Mia sat in the living room glued to the television, her eyes red and puffy from crying.

Skylar sat cross legged on the recliner gnawing on her thumbnail.

Sylvia turned her attention to the screen and her blood ran cold.

Faces etched with shock and disbelief at the news report unfolding before them delivering devastating news. Bellevue academy's basketball team on their wait to the championship had been involved in an accident.

Mia’s heart sank, her eyes welling with tears. Her friend had been on that bus.

No survivors. It echoed like a haunting refrain piercing the hearts of the girls witnessing it. An ongoing investigation was announced over the screen displaying the images of mangled wreckage.

Sylvia leaned over the couch to wrap her arms around Mia’s shoulders and the dam burst. The girl was racked with sobs gripping tightly on Sylvia's arms.

Skylar shut off the television. The screen faded to black leaving behind a lingering sense of emptiness.