Gangs Aren't My Style (A Black Death Novel)

Chapter 2 - The Beginning of the End

Gangs Aren't My Style

Book I of the Black Death Trilogy

PART ONE: Tears Fall When You See The Truth

Chapter 2 - The Beginning of the End

Outside, a group of men moved silently through the night, their soft footfalls a practiced tactic that had been acquired from years of stealth missions. Their minds were centered on the upcoming raid of a rival gang's hideout, the process of slipping through the streets an unconscious action, only once again serving to prove just how accustomed to such missions these men had grown. This rival gang had been an increasing problem lately and they had just gotten word that they had some kind of information or leverage that they were planning to use against their gang. Their mission was simple; raid the warehouse and recover the leaked information before it came out or was used against them.

This was how Black Death operated; they didn't need to wait for someone to strike, as soon as they got word of a problem they would eliminate it before it had the chance to kindle and take off. Known as the most-feared gang in the country, Black Death and its members could not afford to take chances. Even one wrong footstep or miscalculation on their part could give one of the gang's numerous enemies or competitors a foot in the door to hold it open, so to speak. If not handled quickly, such occurrences could lead to their downfall and the men operating within the gang took too much pride in their standing to allow their gang to be destroyed or corrupted. Without the gang's power to back them up, they would still blend in with the nobody's on the streets, lacking influence and power, or living in homes ranging from abusive to foster care facilities. Black Death might be selective in who it took in, but it was an escape for the citizens of the United States. The loyalty between the gang members of Black Death was unwavering and indescribable and, having three main bases strategically placed along both the west and east coast as well as in the middle of the country with small offices and operations scattered between, the large-scale gang was able to reach communities all across America without divulging its specific whereabouts.

At the head of the procession, a tall man of twenty-one years stopped, pressing his back against the cold, brick wall characterizing the walls of the alleyway. He peeked around the corner carefully, lifting his hand to motion his men forward as the shadowed street ahead was void of occupants and street lamps. Although he was dressed in black with a leather jacket hanging open so that the slight gleam of a gun barrel could be seen in the sliver of moonlight characterizing the sky that night and he was obviously the leader of the mission, the man's surfer looks gave him an air of innocence. His blonde hair was slightly longer at the top, rising into a small crest that was marred only by the finger tracks running through the thick locks to create a disheveled appearance. This feature, paired with his bright blue eyes, allowed for him to blend into a crowd when dressed casually and often caused people to relax and open up around him.

As the third in command of Black Death, he had proved himself to be not only a valuable spy and camelion during missions but also a fierce fighter. Having earned his rank by leading the raid against the Silent Assassins, Black Death's strongest rival, and bringing the mighty gang to its knees until it crumbled under the weight. Wearing a dog tag inscribed "Conqueror of the Silent Assassins" around his neck, the man was fabled to be the gang's very own Daniel. Derived from the popular bible story of Daniel in the lion's den, the nickname was established after he took over the infiltration of the rival gang base when communication with those in command had been lost, saving the men from chaos and confusion. He had been sent in as a common-class member with the rest but, in the face of the enemy lines surrounding him from all directions, he stood up to the challenge and gave the men lifesaving directions that allowed him to emerge unharmed with almost all of the men he considered his brothers alive at his side. Having been given the birth name of Daniil to display his Russian roots and heritage, there is no question as to why the symbolic title was established.