Standing by the bridge, Malik gazed across the river as the cool breeze rustled through the trees. It was a tranquil evening, and the setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink.
Beside him stood Kelly they were both staring at the water below them silent, Malik got tired of the silence and decided to break it with a question that had been nagging at him for a while.
"Do you really like him?" Malik asked, his voice tinged with concern, "him" he said was referring to Rashad.
Kelly's eyes were fixed on the rippling water below, and her expression was one of turmoil. She didn't like Rashad, but she couldn't bring herself to express her true feelings. Her silence spoke volumes, as she shook her head slightly.
Malik could see the pain in her eyes, and just as he was about to offer a comforting word, he noticed tears streaming down her face. Without hesitation, he stepped closer and enveloped her in a warm, reassuring hug. He held her tightly, offering solace and support until she felt whole again.
Realizing that they couldn't stay by the bridge much longer, Malik gently led Kelly back to his car, which was parked nearby. They got in, and he started the engine, he drove too fast trying to get her away from the situation that had been plaguing her.
However, their journey was cut short as Harlow and his men cornered Malik and Kelly in a deserted alley. They came for the money that they thought Malik had stolen from them. .
Harlow had been tracking Malik since the day before, so when he saw the car speeding away, he assumed Malik had the products and was attempting to flee town with his money.
Harlow, together with his other boys, set off in pursuit of Malik's car. They caught up to him, surrounding his Peugeot 3003 with their vehicles. Without any word or any warning, they opened fire on Malik's Peugeot 3003, shattering the windows and piercing the metal.
Malik tried to shield Kelly with his body, but he was hit several times in the chest and abdomen. He felt a sharp pain and a warm wetness spreading over his clothes. He looked at Kelly and saw fear and love in her eyes.
"Malik, please don't die," she whispered, holding his hand.
"I love you, Kelly," he said, coughing up blood.
Harlow and his men approached the car cautiously, guns still pointed at them. They searched the car for the money, but found nothing. They cursed and kicked the car in frustration.
"Where is it, you bastard?" Harlow shouted at Malik, who was barely conscious.
"Go to hell," Malik spat weakly.
Harlow was about to shoot him again, when he heard sirens in the distance. The police were coming. He realized they had to leave quickly.
"Let's go, boys. We'll get them again, Hurry boys!!" he exclaimed, running back to his car.
He and his men got in their car and drove off in haste, leaving behind a trail of smoke and dust. They left Kelly crying as she kept talking to bleeding and lifeless Malik who didn't survive the shootout of Harlow's men.
"Malik, wake up. Please wake up," she sobbed, shaking his body.
She felt broken because the man, the only man that showed her true care and love for a very long time since she became Rashad's girlfriend, was just taken away from her. This broke her.
Kelly felt a surge of panic as she looked at her phone. She had no one to call for help. She had just witnessed her boyfriend Malik being shot by a rival gang member on the bridge. She ran to his side and tried to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. He was gone.
She sobbed uncontrollably, holding his lifeless body in her arms. She didn't care about the danger around her. She didn't care about anything anymore. She just wanted Malik back.
She didn't hear the sirens approaching. She didn't see the flashing lights. She didn't notice the police officers getting out of their cars and pointing their guns at her.
"Drop the weapon and put your hands up!" one of them shouted.
Kelly looked up, confused. She didn't have a weapon. She only had Malik.
"Please, he's dead, he's dead," she cried.
"Drop the weapon now!" the officer repeated.
Kelly looked at Malik's hands then she realized the police officer was referring to Malik's gun, which was still in his hand. She tried to pry it out of his grip, but it was too tight and was akretoo late.
"Leave him alone, leave him alone," she begged the officer coming close to check on Malik's dead body .
The officer lost his patience and moved closer to her. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her away from Malik. He threw her to the ground and handcuffed her.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law," he said.
Kelly looked up and saw his face. It was Detective Johnson, the most notorious cop in Louisiana.He was putting on his usual sports trainers and jacket instead of a uniform with a cigarette in his mouth.
He sneered at Kelly and said, "Young woman, what are you doing at the middle of the night with this nigga? I mean, the time is 1am. What are you doing out by this time of the night?."
Kelly felt a surge of anger and fear. She knew he wouldn't treat her fairly. He wouldn't listen to her story.
She spat at him and said, "Fuck you, Johnson. You don't know anything about us. You are no clean cop, you are just like the rest of us on this street ."
Johnson wiped his face and slapped her hard. He said, "Shut up, bitch. You're going to jail for a long time. And don't worry about your boyfriends, this one and missing one referring to Rashad. We'll take good care of them."
He kicked Malik's body and signaled his men to take it away.
Kelly screamed and struggled, but it was useless. She was dragged into a police truck and driven away.
She looked out of the window and saw the bridge fading in the distance.
She whispered, "I love you too, Malik. I'm sorry."