Chapter Nineteen
On Monday morning, Demetrius geared up to go to school. Still being grounded, he had no choice but to have a normal day. If he wasn't home by 3:30 p.m., it would be his head. He went to school and had to deal with the same classes.
While in his Art class, the teacher, Ms. Roberts, gave a very important announcement.
Ms. Roberts: Now, class, I have something exciting to tell you all! We are going to be going on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Friday!
Lots of students got excited and cheered. Demetrius didn't really care one way or the other. Art was just...art to him. A student in the class sitting next to him, Briana, spoke up.
Briana: Is it a free trip?
Ms. Roberts: Of course it is! It's to show you all the different types of art!
Briana: Okay, good, because I am broke.
Demetrius looked at her like he was just noticing her for the first time. She was black, she was of average build, and she was wearing pants. She looked nice, with her Afro, nice school outfit and those hazel eyes, but could she really...?
Demetrius: No way...
He shook those thoughts out of his mind. He had a prime target. Briana went back to her artwork. She was learning to draw things in more detail. She accidentally dropped her pencil, and it rolled next to Demetrius's feet.
Briana: Oh, sorry...could you pick that up for me?
He did and quickly looked back to what he was doing. It confused her a little, but she shrugged it off.
Briana: Thank you.
The class ended, and Demetrius had to do all he could not to try and add her to the suspect list. School was over, and now he needed Andy to do his part of the job, so he shot Andy a text.
Demetrius: (Text) Are you ready?
Andy: (Text) Yeah, I'm taking an Uber near your school right now.
Demetrius didn't have the time to wait for him because his mother would be expecting him home. As Demetrius took the bus home, Andy got to the school, wearing a hoodie and a backpack, and thankfully for him, Diamond was talking to her friend Jayla.
Andy: (Text) I see her.
Andy took a picture of her face.
Andy: (Text) That is her, right? I'm not trying to stalk the wrong girl...
Demetrius: (Text) Yeah, yeah, that's her.
Andy: (Text) Ok. I mean, she is pretty cute, not gonna lie, you sure you aren't doing this for, like...other reasons?
Demetrius: (Text) Nope. Crazy assassin girl is the only reason.
Andy: (Text) Okay....lol.
Demetrius: (Text): What's she wearing?
Andy: (Text) Like, some very nice clothes, like designer clothes.
Demetrius: Listen, is she wearing pants or not?
Andy: (Text) Yeah...she and her friend are...why?
Demetrius: (Text) Might be trying to hide something. Okay, keep going.
Andy stood across from the school. Diamond and Jayla were still talking and giggling. Eventually, they stopped talking, and Diamond started walking down the street, with Jayla following her.
Andy: (Text) She isn't taking a bus. Does she and her friend walk home?
Demetrius: (Text) I don't know. That's what you're there for.
Andy: (Text) I'm not gonna be able to catch a car if she has one...
Demetrius: (Text) If she gets in a car, just track the general direction she's going. I can try and do the rest.
Andy: (Text) Aren't you grounded?
Demetrius: (Text) Look, I have my ways.
Andy left it at that, and he pulled down his hoodie and followed the girls. They walked down a whole street, and sure enough, they got in Diamond's car.
Andy: (Text) Yep...they got in a car.
Demetrius: (Text) Give me a sec. I'll try something.
Andy: (Text) I got this.
Demetrius: (Text) Wait, what?
Andy walked over to the car. The girls were in it, laughing and talking. Andy knocked on the window, surprising both. Diamond rolled down her window.
Andy: Hey.
Diamond: Can...I help you?
Andy: Yes, actually. I could use a ride home.
Diamond: Do you not take the bus?
Andy: I mean, I could, but I missed it. Plus, I saw two beautiful ladies over here and thought maybe they could let me ride with them.
While technically he wasn't wrong, that last sentence very much pained him to say. It took all he could to crack a smile.
Jayla: Um...
Diamond: Well...
They both were wary of letting a stranger get in their car, but this boy looked pretty harmless to them.
Diamond: How far do you live from here?
Andy: Like, 20 minutes.
Diamond: Fine, I guess, but leave your bag in the front.
Andy: Uh, why?
Diamond: So we can make sure you don't shoot us! Duh.
Andy gave his bag to Jayla. He got in the backseat, ready to begin his plan. The girls took off.
Andy: So, do you girls stay around here?
Jayla: Well, duh.
Well, this one had an attitude. Andy didn't like it. If the assassin had to be one of them, he hoped it would be her.
Diamond: So, where exactly should I drop you off?
Andy: On West 47th.
Diamond: Alright...
As they drove to the address Andy gave them, Andy pulled back out his phone.
Andy: (Text) I'm in her car.
Demetrius: (Text) You what?
Andy: (Text) Yep. Don't really know what to do now.
Demetrius: (Text) Sigh. Just get out of the damn girl's car.
Andy: (Text) I am, I am.
When they were turning on his street, Andy decided to take a big risk.
Andy: You know, my friend has a huge crush on you.
Jayla: What? Me?
Andy: No. Her.
Diamond: Wha—?
Andy: Yeah. He's been feeling you bad.
Diamond stopped the car. She was very confused.
Diamond: Who?
Andy: Well, his name is Demetrius Anderson.
Diamond: What?!?
Andy: Yep. He's been dying to talk to you.
Diamond was completely taken aback. Even Jayla was. Andy prepared to get out of the car.
Andy: Welp, thanks for the ride; it's best I go and get home—
Diamond: No, no, no! How do you know all this? Are you for real?
Andy: Well, he told me. Now bye!
Andy grabbed his bag from Jayla and left the car, his plan complete. Diamond didn't know what to say.
Diamond: I...that kid....was he lying?
Jayla: Should we, like, confront Demetrius about it?
Diamond: I...don't know!
Andy walked to Demetrius's apartment complex, the first step of his plan complete.
END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN.
Chapter Twenty
Going up to Demetrius's house, Andy knocked on his door once again, only to be met with the voice of his mother.
Tiara: Who is it?
Andy: Oh, it's Andy! Demetrius's...uh...you know...
Tiara: Are you here for more lessons with him?
Andy: Yep. Big art project that's due this week.
Tiara: Okay, like I said before: two hours.
Andy felt this woman would be a constant pain in the ass. He wondered why Demetrius wouldn't just tell her who he was. Either way, he walked into the house and knocked on Demetrius's door.
Demetrius: Yes?
Andy: Can I come in?
After about a minute, the door was unlocked, and Andy stepped inside. Demetrius was busy with homework, but he seemed a bit mad at Andy.
Demetrius: Why did you get in the assassin girl's car?
Andy: Well, it wasn't confirmed she was, but I managed to somehow get her attention.
Demetrius: How, exactly?
Andy: Well, you're definitely not going to like it.
Demetrius: And what do you mean by that?
Andy: I mean, you're not going to like it. It was a bit drastic and improvised, but it should help with your investigation.
Demetrius: So...?
Andy: I told her you had a crush on her.
Demetrius looked like he was about to faint.
Demetrius: You told her what?
Andy: Yeah, well...can't say if she believed it or not, but she seemed just as surprised as you.
Demetrius: You told her what, now?
Andy shrugged.
Andy: Well, you did let her party in your house, so...it shouldn't be too unbelievable for her.
Demetrius: I did that to investigate her! I knew she was weird from the start!
Andy: A whole party for one girl? C'mon, any normal person would assume you did it because you liked her.
Demetrius: Just kill me now.
Andy: Anyways, so that's that. Guess tomorrow you can get close enough to her to see if you find anything new.
Demetrius: I...I can't with you, kid.
Andy: Well, it couldn't hurt so...
THE NEXT DAY
Arriving to school, Demetrius felt a bit awkward, because he never knew this would happen. The rich girl he thought was a killer assassin now thought he liked her. It was going to be a long day. And sadly, he ran into her at breakfast. If he made it out of this alive, it would be Andy's ass.
Diamond: So...hi...
She seemed to feel the same way about this.
Demetrius: What's...up?
Diamond: So...is it true?
Demetrius: Is what true?
Diamond: You know what! What I heard...
Demetrius: Heard from?
Diamond breathed a sigh of annoyance. Demetrius was clearly trying to dodge her question. As he walked to the lunch line, she followed him.
Diamond: Hey...I wasn't done!
Demetrius: I was.
Diamond: Hey, you're the one that likes me, am I right?
Demetrius didn't know what to do. On one hand, he could dodge this entire thing by rejecting all of this, but on the other hand, he could very well get close enough to investigate her for assassin possibilities...plus, she was wearing pants again today.
Demetrius: Uh, yeah. Yeah...you don't...look bad...
The strength it took him to say those words was greater than the strength he had to be a vigilante.
Diamond: Thank...you...but I barely know you....
Demetrius: Same here...
He walked and grabbed his breakfast off the line and then went to go sit down, with Diamond yet again following.
Diamond: So...
Demetrius: Yeah...?
She took a reluctant seat next to him, real starting to look him over.
Diamond: I'm free later. Could we maybe talk about this more?
Demetrius: Sure...
She gave a nervous smile and left. Demetrius couldn't tell if she was putting on a front, or just awkward in relationships.
He went through his next classes with relative ease. Meanwhile, Diamond was trying her best to avoid Bryant with the new drama going on with her and Demetrius. For Demetrius, in P.E., Aurora had really started to become part of the "Dominic" gang. She just had made a shot.
Aurora: (Laughing) Okay, I pick Dominic, duh.
Dominic: Of course she does. Let's do this.
As they began a game, Demetrius eyed the girl. It was clear there was something more to her than meets the eye, but he already had to prioritize Diamond; Aurora would be far too difficult to dig any deeper.
The next class, art, went by smoothly. Briana was doing her usual art activities, and Demetrius kept an eye on her just in case. She was also wearing pants again, so he couldn't check for any swollen knee.
School eventually ended, and it was time to meet up with Diamond, but he didn't have very long, as his mother would be expecting him home soon. Diamond was waiting for him by the buses.
Demetrius: Oh...you're here.
Diamond: Yeah, well, of course. I need to see what the business is.
Demetrius: I thought you were with Bryant or something, not gonna lie.
Diamond: Uh...no? Who told you that?
Demetrius: Well, anyway, I need to—
Diamond: So, how old are you?
Here came these damn questions. Yep, he'd have to deal with Andy in due time.
Demetrius: 18.
Diamond: Oh, well, you got two years on me...
Demetrius: Well, isn't that cute?
Diamond: Is that sass?
Demetrius: Maybe. Here, uh, just give me your number, and I'll...like text you when I get home...or something.
Diamond: Give you my number?
Demetrius: Well, didn't you give it to Bryant?
Diamond: How do you—-?
It pained him to say this also, but:
Demetrius: ...Friends...
Diamond: Oh...
That wasn't the actual reason, but she didn't need to know all that.
Diamond: Fine, here.
She showed him her phone number, and he put in it his phone.
Demetrius: Yep, talk to ya.
Diamond: Okay.
As he got on the bus, Diamond went out to her car, completely unsure of what to do. Jayla was by it, waiting for her.
Jayla: So, how did things go?
Diamond: Well, he...is definitely a character, alright.
Jayla gave a little nervous laugh.
Jayla: Did anything...happen?
Diamond: Well, I gave him my number and stuff, but that's about it.
Jayla: So, are you gonna date him?
Diamond: Jayla!
Jayla: What? I'm just asking.
Diamond sighed and got in the car. Jayla did as well.
Meanwhile...
Blake was in his house, enjoying his freedom. He was on his couch watching a movie when he received a text from someone.
???: (Text) The shipment is ready. Go get it.
Immediately, he knew who it was.
Blake: (Text) Yes, boss.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY.
Chapter Twenty-One
Blake had got his orders. He was to go get the shipment from the meet-up location. It should have been easy.
He waited until night, then he called up a friend, Jordan. They both masked up and went to Harlem, an area they used to do their more secure deals. On the way there, Jordan had something to ask Blake.
Jordan: So, is it true a vigilante took you down?
Blake: You know too?
Jordan: Word gets around quick. Plus, some girl started a blog on him. Pretty funny if you ask me.
Blake: It wasn't funny when he shot my ass in the leg!
Jordan: Please. He's probably just some cop who wants attention or something. Not like he's really some "gritty hero" or whatever they call those dudes in the movies and TV shows. Either way, not like it matters.
Blake: Whatever.
Jordan: So, how'd you get out of jail?
Blake: An old friend helped me out. I owe him one.
Jordan: Wish my friends were like that. If I got caught, they'd ditch me and pretend they didn't know I'd exist.
Blake: You should cut them off.
Jordan stopped by an alleyway in the Upper East Side.
Jordan: Gotta pick up one more.
Blake: Who?
Jordan motioned for someone to come to the car. When Blake looked over, he saw one of their members, Serene.
Blake: Oh, her.
Jordan: Damn right.
She got in the backseat, immediately putting her feet up in-between the center of the car to Blake's disgust.
Serene: Well, if it isn't Jordan. And Blake, too. Surprised you got out of jail.
Blake: Yeah, whatever.
As Jordan took off, Serene pulled out her phone.
Serene: You know that vigilante you claimed stopped you? I didn't know he killed people.
Blake: Wait, what?
Serene showed him a picture of the body of a gang member in an alleyway. The same one Riot shot to protect Andy.
Blake: Is that...?
Serene: Xavier? Yeah, it is.
Jordan: Xavier's dead?
Serene: Yeah.
Jordan: Damn it, how do you know it wasn't a cop?
Serene: Even though cops are assholes, I doubt they would just leave a body there. Someone could randomly stumble upon it. Likely wasn't a cop.
Jordan: True. They have to maintain their little image. That they are "protectors of the peace."
Blake: Yeah, they try too hard if you ask me.
They were almost at their destination.
Serene: You boys sure we good? No cops, no vigilante?
Jordan: Cops have been in a frenzy ever since our attack on them at that store. And as for the vigilante, no one has seen him for days.
Blake: Is there any chance cops captured him during the Target shootout you guys did?
Jordan: Dunno. It'd be best for us; they need someone to blame. Hell after what he did to Xavier, I'm down to handle him myself.
Serene yawned and stretched.
Serene: Yeah, hope they find him first. Or her. It could be a girl, you know. But I don't mind beating on either gender for Xavier's sake.
Both men sighed. They reached their destination, an abandoned warehouse. They got out of the car and prepared to take the goods.
Jordan: Who's driving the van?
Blake: I can do—-
Serene: I got it.
Blake: Ugh, you gotta ruin everything?
Serene: Hell, yes.
Mafia members were waiting for them. One of them, Serpent, walked up to the car as the three got out.
Serpent: Hello, I assume you're with our buyer?
Serene: Yeah, more or less. You guys got what we need?
Serpent walked them over to a black van. He opened the back, and there were many crates piled up. Serene opened a crate, and she took out an assault rifle.
Serene: Mmm...I like this.
She turned it around in her hands. Then she looked back at her colleagues.
Serene: Think there's enough for everyone?
Jordan: Gotta be! Look at all the guns in just one crate! Boss definitely went overboard with this one. I like it.
Serpent: The van is yours.
Serene: Preciate' the guns, pal.
As Serpent walked back into the warehouse, cops who were hiding came out of the shadows and aimed guns at all the members present. Captain Thomas Fitzroy himself led them.
Thomas: EVERYONE! HANDS UP, RIGHT NOW!
Serpent immediately turned on Serene and the others.
Serpent: What is this? You set us up!
Serene: The hell you talking about? We didn't do—-
Thomas: I said, hands up!
Officer Maria was next to him, looking determined.
Maria: You heard him, assholes! Put your hands up!
Mafia members and the others tried to run. Cops advanced on them, running them down.
Blake: Not again! Not again!
Jordan: GO!
They tried to get back in the car, but a cop managed to tackle Jordan to the ground.
Cop: Don't move, or I'll tase you!
Serene and Blake went in opposite directions, as mafia members and Serpent were caught and arrested. Blake managed to sprint into an alleyway while the cops were trying to round up everyone, but Serene wasn't so lucky. A cop got her on the ground and cuffed her too.
Serene: Get off me!
Cop: Stop moving! Where's your partner?
Serene: Screw you! Go find him yourself!
Blake ran through many alleys until he was far away from the scene. Almost everyone there had been arrested, and the weapons were taken into police custody. The mission was an utter failure.
After jumping through more and more alleys, with cops unable to track him down yet, he quickly called another friend in the area to come pick him up. The friend, Francisco, was there in 3 minutes.
Francisco: What the hell happened, man?
Blake: Drive! Cops are around the area! They got all the others, and they stopped the deal!
Francisco: The weapons? You mean to tell me we didn't get them?
Blake: No, they must have been waiting!
As Francisco drove off, Blake was trembling.
Blake: Jordan, and Serene, cops got their hands on them.
Francisco: Damn it, Boss, he's not gonna be happy.
Blake: No, he won't...maybe if we don't tell him...
Francisco: It won't matter...he'll find out anyway. He always does...
Blake: Yeah...you're right. Maybe...I should skip town...
Francisco: I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Blake: What choice do I have, man?
The rest of the car ride was silent. Francisco dropped Blake back off at his house. Blake collapsed onto his couch the first second he could.
Blake: (To himself) What do I do? What do I do?
"I thought I was clear."
Blake immediately jumped out of his couch, heart pounding.
Blake: Boss! Wait, I didn't—-
"You've let the cops stop you and, in turn, my weapon shipment as well. You've gotten two valuable members captured."
Blake: Boss! Please!
Blake's door was kicked open, and standing there, was a man. The gear he was wearing resembled Riot's, but the mask resembled a skull, he had an assault rifle on his back, and he had a skull on his chest as well. His gear seemed scarier that the vigilante's...
"Boss": Now, you pay the price.
When Blake tried to stand and run, the man shot him in the back of the head with no hesitation.
"Boss": I'll handle things myself.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.