by Linette King
“Run the course. Whoever put their cards in first and kills their opponent wins.” I heard the ref say.
A “3” flashed across my face followed by a “2” then “GO”. I took off running. I had to jump over a hurdle but I failed. When I hit my knee on it, I swear the pain felt so real. I looked next to me and the other girl had just past me. I knew I needed to beat her, so I hopped up and ran faster. When I neared her, I reached out and pushed her. I heard her scream out as she fell and rolled. I looked back and she was getting up slowly. As soon as I turned back around I had to duck. A tree branch came out of nowhere. Then out of nowhere, I was no longer on a track. I was in a house. It was pitch dark as I walked through the house slowly. I had no idea which way to go until I saw a flashing green arrow. I ran in the direction it was pointing.
“Ahhh.” I yelled out as I hit the ground.
The other girl close lined me. I didn’t even know where she came from. I thought I left her on the track. I sat down and massaged my neck until I caught my breath.
When I stood up, I was in the desert. I looked around as I spun in circles until I spotted her running. I took off behind her but it was so fucking hot. I brushed up against a cactus as I ran past it. It burned like hell and I could feel the blood dripping.
“Aaarggh!” I screamed out as I broke a piece of the cactus and took off with it in my hand.
As soon as I neared her, I threw it at her. It hit her in the back and she fell down. I ran up to her and stepped on her back as I snatched it out of her skin. We both screamed out. Right when I was about to hit her again, a slot showed up. It had a picture of a card, so I reached out and stuck the card in it. I heard the crowd cheering and that’s when I saw that we were back in the room. Someone began pulling the game pieces off of me one by one until I could only see my head again. Next, the shades were removed. I looked down at my side and saw a few large scrapes.
“What the fuck?” I said out loud.
“Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!” The crowd began to chant. I didn’t know what the fuck was going on.
Then I noticed the other girl was sitting at a table with sushi in front of her. I walked up to her just as she picked it up and place it in her mouth. We were left in the room alone for at least thirty minutes.
I felt like a fucking caged animal the way all of those people were watching us from their seats. I realized we were both a part of some sort of game that those people probably paid big bucks to come and see. I’m just glad I won. I jumped backwards when the girl started to hold her throat. She stood up and reached out for me but dropped down to her knees. I was so confused as I watched her start to throw up. She fell over on her side and scratched at her neck. I didn’t know if I was supposed to be excited but I was. She started to have a seizure and I just stood there and watched. I had no urge to help her or even yell for help. I guess one of us had to die and I’m just glad it wasn’t me.
After she died, Ronald came back and got me. We stopped in some little room where they had a doctor to check my wounds. I had to get stitches but fuck that, I was alive. He led me back to the room and I put my clothes back on.
“Was she allergic to sushi?” I asked because I had no idea why that happened to her.
“You chose the pufferfish card. Pufferfish has poison in it. If it isn’t prepared exactly how it should be, you will ingest the poison.” He said but I was still confused.
“So she ingested the poison?” I asked because I was trying to clear shit up.
“Yes. It takes about thirty minutes to take effect but once it does, it doesn’t stop until you’re dead.” He answered.
We pulled up to the house and Silk opened the door for me. “Good job.” Silk said as he took a gold folder from Ronald and lead me in the house. I was confused and tired but my first date was a successful one.
Rashard
I could tell these niggas weren’t use to not getting sleep. In this game, some days you didn’t sleep and it was normal to wear the same fit two to three days in the row. Shit, when you’re trapping, the grind don’t stop. There’s always someone lurking, waiting to catch you slipping. Meech and his crew were always slipping. Those same niggas from the club could have easily come here and bodied all of them. Luckily for them, the guys that were coming for them are amateurs.
“Man what the fuck going on?” Meech asked once he finally woke up. We all turned around and looked at him. They had laid his body on the couch last night but he fell on the floor and nobody tried to put him back.
Peanut rushed to him and gave him dap like he thought the man was dead or some shit. I can understand that they’re happy that their boss is ok, but we got shit to do. Meech needs to get his ass up and get his organization together before it falls.
I gave them a few minutes to speak with Meech then I cut the shit off. “Man, y’all niggas need to boss the fuck up! Shit is about to change around here. Either you stay on board and get this money or there’s the door.” I said as I gestured towards the door.
This will be my first time in the spotlight because you know a nigga normally stays behind the scenes. I couldn’t help but reflect on the years of being the man. Man I had a whole lot of shit going on with playing ball, going to school and running the streets. Shit wasn’t as hard as you would think though. I’ve always been smart and cautious. I could go anywhere I wanted without a team because nobody knew who the fuck I was. This will be different because I’m going to be front and center with these niggas. I know one thing though, these mufuckers ain’t fina get me killed. They ain’t even close to being ready for war.
“Yo who them niggas was though?” Meech asked me like I was supposed to know. Before I could respond, his phone started to ring again. His shit had been ringing a lot. Shit I was hoping it would go dead but it didn’t. “What up cuzzo?” Meech answered the phone.
I shook my head as I listened to his one sided conversation. He gave somebody the address to where we were and disconnected the call. I shook my head because I was going to need my team or what was left of it anyway. Dre’s fake ass was dead and nobody had seen or heard from Twan’s ass, so he may be somewhere dead too. Especially since him and Dre were click tight at all times.
I picked up my phone and called my nigga Deuce. “Finally got the stick out ya ass?” Deuce asked as he answered the phone.
I hadn’t really been fucking with him since I found out his ass is married. Candy is like my sister but I knew he needed to be the one to tell her and so far he hadn’t. Hell the last time I talked to Candy, she was still very much so happy and in love with his ass. They had a crib out in Louisiana.
I think we all lost touch after we left Detroit. Candy and Tamia didn’t talk much anymore but that was kind of my fault. When I did that whole “coma” thing, which I admit was a bit over the top, I forced Candy not to tell Tamia. Well actually, I didn’t tell her not to say shit but her loyalty to me wouldn’t allow her to do something that she considered betrayal. It put her in a bad position since her and Tamia had been joined at the hip. They’re both stubborn so that’s why they haven’t been talking. Shit Armani’s triflin ass had even brought them together but after they left, it went right back to them not talking. Tamia needs a real friend in her life though and right now, I need my squad to link up. Anytime I had ever called them in the past, they came through with no questions asked. This would be different because I’m asking them to cross state lines. As much as I wanted to keep this attitude, I knew I needed to put my pride to the side.
“Shutup nigga. Aye what you got going?” I asked as I looked around the room. All eyes were on me and I knew these niggas had a lot to learn.
“Not shit man Candy left me.” He said and he really didn’t sound like himself at all when he said that.
“Why?” I asked because I know Candy loves that nigga. “You told her?” I asked when he didn’t respond.
“Yea man.” He answered somberly.
“Damn.” I said as I shook my head. I needed to call and check on
her because I don’t want her around this bitch hurting.
“I was gone leave my wife man but it wasn’t that simple.” Deuce tried to explain. I hope he ain’t hit Candy with that bullshit ass line.
“Why it ain’t?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen. Shit was getting deep and it ain’t have shit to do with these niggas that were all in my face.
“She pregnant man.” Deuce answered and my jaw hit the floor.
“Your wife or Candy?” I asked once I realized I didn’t know who the hell was pregnant.
“My wife man!” Deuce said with a little too much bass in his voice for my liking.
“Man how fast can you get to Atlanta?” I asked to change the subject before I snapped out.
“I’m on my way to the airport now. Candy’s ass should be landing in a minute. I’m not fina lose her behind a baby that ain’t mine!” Deuce said.
I had to pull the phone away from my ear. I was shocked beyond measurement to hear Deuce talk like that. I chuckled lightly as I thought about Candy’s face whenever Deuce pops on her ass.
“Aye man hit my line when you land. I need you.” I said to him as I waited for his response.
“Need me to round em up?” Deuce asked.
I smiled because my niggas always be right on time. My whole crew trained to go.
“Mos def!” I answered hyped up. “I’m fina send you the address. We need a lot of toys. These niggas ain’t got none!” I said with a slight frown on my face. I really couldn’t believe these mufuckers been making it as long as they have.
“Word? Damn.” Deuce said. “But look, I’m parking at the airport. Let me hit everybody up and I’ll hit you back.” Deuce said to me.
“Iight bet.” I said then ended the call.
When I walked back into the living room, everybody was sitting down waiting on me to tell them what to do next. I shook my head as I stood in the middle of the living room.
“So y’all check this out. I got a few of my rounds flying out here to help eliminate the threat. Meanwhile, y’all niggas gotta get ready for war.” I said as I looked them all in their eyes.
Candy
My mind has been a complete mess. My life has been a complete mess. How could the man that I’ve loved all of these years, do me so bad? I inserted my headphones so Aaliyah could say the words that I wanted to say. I closed my eyes and hummed the lyrics along with her.
“How could the one I gave my heart to, break my heart so bad?
How could the one who made me happy, make me feel so sad?
Want somebody tell me? So I can understand
If you love me, how could you hurt me like that?
How could the one I gave my world to, throw my world away?
How could the one who said, “I love you” say the things you say?
How could the one I was so true to, just tell me lies?
How could the one I gave my heart to, break this heart of mine? Tell me
How could you be so cold to me, when I gave you everything?
All my love, all I had inside
How could you just walk out the door?
How could you not love me anymore?
I thought we had forever, I can’t understand
How could the one I shared my dreams with, take my dreams from me?
How could the love that brought such pleasure, bring such misery?
Want somebody tell me?
Somebody tell me please!
If you love me, how could you do that to me? Tell me.”
When I opened my eyes, they were filled with tears. Being hurt was beyond an understatement. Deuce and I had been together for years. I thought we would be together forever. He promised me forever, but he already had that with someone else. I found out Deuce was married, and not only is he married, but she’s pregnant! I’m so glad I never took myself off birth control when he asked. I shook my head at the thought of us both possibly being pregnant at the same time! That’s some Peter Gunz type shit that I want no part of. That’s why as soon as he decided to be honest with me, I didn’t respond. Hell, I didn’t even pack a bag. I nodded my head and walked out of the door.
He followed me out the door screaming my name but nothing he could have ever done would have made me stay. See, I know my worth and I won’t settle for shit. Naw, I’ll leave the settling for the females that haven’t established what they deserve. See I know I deserve to be happy so happy I will be. I promise after tonight, there will be no more tears shedding for that man or any man for that matter. I don’t mind heart break, this ain’t the first time and I’m almost certain it won’t be the last time.
Maybe this was exactly what I needed. I hadn’t talked to Tamia much since we moved to two different states, but I knew that she would answer. It’s just the kind of friends we are. We don’t have to talk every day. We are both aware that we have lives of our own. Just know that this link up is about to be real!
The cab that I was riding in pulled up to the address that Tamia told me we would be staying at. I called her phone but she didn’t answer. “I guess my pity party is over.” I said to myself as I pulled my headphones out of my ears. I stuck my phone down in my pocket, paid the cabbie and walked inside of the building. I had to go up to the third level to get to the condo rise that I was looking for. These things really aren’t even made like actual condos so I think that’s just the name of them.
Right when I was about to knock on the door, the finest specimen of a man I’d seen in a long time stepped out of another condo. He was tall as fuck and about as chocolate as he was tall. He had a fresh fade with waves so deep I wanted to get naked and take a swim. My eyes roamed down to his chest and arms. “Oh gosh those muscles.” I thought to myself as my mouth watered. I couldn’t believe my body responded to this man the way it was but I like it!
“How are you?” He asked me.
I stared at him with probably the dumbest look on my face he had ever seen. I can only imagine how I looked with my mouth open. He took a step closer and his cologne engulfed my nostrils. I closed my eyes as I inhaled deeply. When I opened my eyes back, he was smiling. He had perfect teeth! I’ve always been a sucker for teeth!
“What’s your name?” I asked him.
“James. James Steele.” He answered as he extended his hand in my direction.
I placed my small hand in the palm of his large hand. I watched slowly as he brought my hand up to his lips. I had to look down to make sure there wasn’t a puddle on the floor between my legs because his soft kiss did something to me.
“Do I have to ask your name Miss Lady?” He asked with that beautiful smile again.
“I’m sorry. Um, my name is Candy.” I said to him. I noticed we were still holding hands but I didn’t mind at all. I could definitely get busy with that fine specimen of a man.
“Well I have to get going. Maybe I’ll catch you later.” He said then kissed my hand again before he let it go.
I watched that man walk down the hall. Hell I watched him until he got on the elevator. Shit I was still looking after the elevator doors closed! “Damn.” I whispered under my breath. I turned around and knocked on the door. It took a minute but Tamia swung the door open.
“Damn bitch what happened to you?” I asked referring to the knot on her head that had a damn Band-Aid on it.
They should have gotten Doc’s ass to move up here with them. Tamia didn’t respond, she snatched me in the apartment.
“What the fuck?” I asked with my face frowned up. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster the way mufuckers was causing my moods to hop around.
“Bitch listen.” Tamia said but the way Armani was pacing back and forth had my attention on lock. “Candy!” Tamia said as I continued to look at Armani. I didn’t know what the fuck they had going on. Shit if Tamia wasn’t in here, I’d walk right back out the door and I haven’t even found out what happened yet. Tamia grabbed my face to make me look at her. I frowned and shoved her back softly. Just enough to let her know not
to grab my damn face.
“Armani’s dude-”
“He’s not my fucking dude!” Armani yelled cutting Tamia off. Tamia rolled her eyes and continued.
“His wife came in here and attacked Armani.” Tamia said then closed her eyes.
“Ok and? What y’all do, kill the bitch?” I asked with a laugh. I didn’t stop laughing until I noticed neither of them joined in on the laughter. “Tamia!” I said as I looked at her with a shocked expression on my face. “You killed her?” I asked and she didn’t respond.
I knew by her not responding that it wasn’t her. I was not about to let her go down for some shit she ain’t have shit to do with. Armani’s hoe ass should leave people men alone and maybe their wives won’t show up. But then again, who am I to talk? I’d been with a nigga for years that turned out to be someone else’s husband.
I walked further into the house and saw the bitch sprawled out on the living room floor. I could see clearly that she hit her head on something and bled out. I grabbed my phone and called the only person that I knew would come through.
“I’m a little busy right now.” He said as he answered the phone. If he was that damn busy he wouldn’t have answered.
“I need you boss.” I said with panic in voice.
“What’s wrong?” He asked. I could tell he was worried.
“Can’t say. Come to Armani’s house right now.” I said then hung the phone up.
I had no idea what to do but I knew he would. Plus, Tamia is here and if that nigga will do anything for anybody, it’s her.