Loyalty

Chapter 1

For as long as I can remember me and Catori have been best friends since forever. Growing up, I didn't have family.  I didn't have money, happiness. I was just a kid. A 15 year old boy living in a dangerous city, with a mother who struggled to provide for us both. I never knew my dad. He left before I was born. I think its safe to say, where ever he is, he's dead to me. Catori, on the other hand, was the girl who lived right down the street. She was the light at the end of a dark tunnel. Two years ago, my mom passed. Cancer. It was like the floor was ripped from underneath me. Social workers tried to help. My stubborn self likes to get things done alone. Home after home, it didn't feel right. Catori's mother agreed to take me in. Of course, Catori didn't have a problem because she felt the pain. Tori lost her brother about the same time I lost my mom. June, short for Junior. From what I know, a sugar deal went sour. June protected Tori and his mother like his own. Now, I want to do the same.

(Music playing) 

"Tori, we have to get out of here. NOW." - Malik

 "What? No, we're just about-."

(Gunshots, Glass breaking.)

"TORI! No, no stay with me. Come on, I'ma get you outta here."

"Mal..It hurts."

I rushed Catori to the hospital, did everything I could do to keep her alive. I couldn't lose her too. Hour by hour, I laid next to her, hoping everything was going to be okay. Within weeks of being in the hospital, she seemed fine. It wasn't just a gunshot, well to me. I knew what was the background story. I knew why those guys busted in the house that night. It was my fault.

"Hey, you okay?" - Tori

"Are you? Considering you legit took a bullet for me." - Malik

 "I'm fine Mal. Don't do anything stupid."

Little did she know, after June died, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I found out the guy who shot and killed June. I wanted to do the right thing. The word got out, spread like wild fire throughout Philly. But that didn't matter to me, all that mattered was peace for June. 

(Malik's phone rings) 

"Malik, you will do as I say and say nothing. Meet me under the bridge at 10 tonight. Come alone." - Unknown

The phone hangs up and thoughts are flying everywhere. Who was that? What does he want? Why threaten me? Does this have to do with the shooting at the party? Does it involve Catori? I watched Tori fall peacefully asleep. I looked at my phone. '9:52'. I opened the car door, and sat while I confirmed what I was about to get myself into.  

"You're late." - A man's voice said. 

"I don't remember you being my boss. What do you want?" - Mal

"I'm Marcell. I get what I want and I don't like being rushed. Now that we having a understanding, I want to make a deal with you."

"And if I don't want a deal?"

"Simple. You die right here, on the spot." 

(Marcell pulls out a gun, cocks it and points it to Malik's head.)