Chapter Twenty-Five
In Art class, Demetrius couldn't believe the names he got paired up with: Grant and Briana. The two looked at each other and then to Demetrius, while the teacher was busy pairing the other kids.
Grant: Oh...uh...
Briana: These two?!?
Demetrius just looked between them both, then slightly looked at the door.
Demetrius: Hi...?
Briana: Miss, I don't even know them!
Ms. Robert: Ms. O'Conner, this is a good chance for you to meet new friends!
Briana: Miss!
Grant awkwardly sat next to the two, connecting his desk with Demetrius's.
Grant: Well, hi.
Demetrius: (To himself) First Diamond, now this?
Grant: Huh?
Demetrius: Oh, nothing...nothing.
Briana reluctantly connected her desk to theirs.
Briana: Do either of you know how to do art?
Grant: Yeah!
Demetrius: Nope.
Briana: Ugh.
Grant: Well, you're welcome to start us off, once we know what it is we're doing.
Briana: Miss, what are we doing?
Ms Roberts was done pairing kids.
Ms. Roberts: Glad you asked! We will be making model cities out of clay!
And she expected this to be done in two days.
Briana: A whole city?
Ms. Roberts: Correct! They will be displayed in the museum, and the best city wins a prize!
Other kids looked interested in this.
Kid #1: A prize? What is it?
Kid #2: Is it money?
Ms. Roberts: You'll have to wait and see! Now I'll provide you guys your materials, and you can begin!
Demetrius's group all looked like they could kill each other. Ms. Roberts handed them their materials first: sculpting tools, brushes, knives, paints, and of course, a whole bunch of clay. It was so much all three desks were covered with it.
Grant: Oh...this is enough clay for a whole nation!
He smirked at the other two, but they didn't laugh.
Briana: Why me?
Demetrius's phone buzzed.
Andy: (Text) Yo, you almost out of school???
Demetrius: (Text) More or less, why?
Andy: (Text) I think I've found a job for your other self.
Demetrius: (Text) Oh...great...
Briana: Hey! Why are you texting? We need to get to work!
Demetrius: Oh. My bad.
Briana: Look, since I'm clearly the best one in this group, I'll handle most of the buildings. You guys just do streets and the corners, and painting I guess.
Grant: Great!
Demetrius: Oh, sure.
They got to work, and after some reasonable progress, the bell rang. Demetrius eyed Briana a little suspiciously, but he walked out of the school nonetheless. Bryant bumped into him after.
Bryant: So uh, we never really got to work on Calc' yet, is it cool if I drop by your house later to do that?
Demetrius: Uh...I'll let you know.
Bryant: Alright, cool. You're not still in trouble from that party are you?
Demetrius: Oh, I am, but my mom will get over it.
Bryant: Oh...okay...
Demetrius got on his bus and left.
Meanwhile, at Diamond's house:
Diamond was busy pecking on her phone, looking at pictures of Bryant.
Diamond: (To herself) Meh, I guess he isn't too bad, but that Demetrius kid does have some swag to him.
Jayla: Girl, you in here talking to yourself again?
Diamond nearly fell out of her bed.
Diamond: What?! No!
Jayla: You over here fussing at boys? I thought you didn't mess with either of them?
Diamond: Look, it's complicated, okay?
Jayla: Mhm, I bet it is.
Diamond: How was school, though?
Jayla: It was fine. Bryant asked about you, though.
Diamond: Of course he did. Ugh, this is too much right now.
Jayla: Look, why don't you just ditch both?
Diamond: Jayla!
Jayla: Or how about you pick one, and I pick the other?
Diamond: Girl, you are not helping at all.
Diamond's father walked into the room.
Michael: Everything alright, girls?
Diamond: Oh, yeah, it's all fine dad.
Jayla: Yep, we're just discussing boys, Mr. Richards.
Michael: Well, I shouldn't expect anything less from teenage girls. Just let me know if y'all need anything.
Diamond: Okay, will do!
Micheal closed the door, going back into the living room. He sat down, with his wife walking over to him.
Lakisha: Everything alright, babe?
Michael: Yeah, I've only been gone from home a few weeks, but it felt like years. Been so busy lately.
Lakisha: Yeah well, home has felt emptier without you. How's your job going?
Michael: Good, actually. I've made more sales.
Lakisha: That's great!
Michael: Yeah, I met Blake again. Had to bail him out of jail.
Lakisha: Oh? What was he in for now?
Michael: Don't know, he's just been——
Michael turned on the tv, and the news popped up with the headline:
"Gang Member Murdered, Found Stuffed In Trash Can Near Home."
Michael: No—-
Lakisha: What—-
Meanwhile, at the OCME:
Thomas: Another one! This is the second one this month!
The body of Blake Richmond was being brought in for examination. The coroner that did the examination on Henry, Dr. Ava Rivera, took a look at the body.
Dr. Ava: Yep, same type of wound as Mr. Brown. The bullet entered the head, causing instant death. Close range, from the looks of it.
Thomas: So, same guy?
Dr. Ava: It could be, either the same shooter or a shooter with a style similar to that of the first. Looks like he's been dead for about a day.
Thomas: So he was killed not long after the raid?
Dr. Ava: Appears that way.
James walked in.
James: This isn't a coincidence. Someone is either having these guys killed, or killing them themselves.
Thomas: Right, seems to me they are being killed for failure. Henry got me a bit suspicious, but Blake all but confirms it. This must be a strict gang.
James: Yeah, if it is, it must have a ringleader, and we'd best catch him. Weapons deals, cop assaults, and murdering of members? We need serious backup.
Thomas: Don't worry, we got it.
Meanwhile, outside of Demetrius's apartment:
Andy: There you are!
The runt was standing there with a hood and ski mask, and he had black shades, with black gloves, and basically, he had on all black.
Demetrius: What on earth....
Andy pulled him into the alley behind the condo.
Andy: I made a do-it-yourself vigilante costume! You mess with it?
Demetrius: Why....
Andy: Now, I just need your help learning how to fight!
Demetrius: Why would you wear that in public?
Andy: Hey, not like they'll know it's me. Anyway, look at this.
Cringe costumes aside, Andy pulled out his phone and showed Demetrius a news feed.
Demetrius: Wait, I got that guy too...
Andy: Yep, he's been bonded out, and then he was caught doing another crime. He ran away, but seems someone else got him.
Demetrius: No...no...something isn't right. This same situation happened with Henry...
Andy: Oh, the mugger dude, right?
Demetrius: Yeah, I...
Diamond: Hey guys!
They both jumped back.
Diamond: Wait, who's that?
Demetrius: Oh...this...? Yeah, this is my bodyguard. Wait, why even are you here?
Diamond: Listen, I've been thinking....
Demetrius: Oh, boy.
He looked at Andy, who tried his best not to laugh, or make a sound for that matter.
Diamond: We should hang out and what not!
Demetrius: Uh....
Diamond: Yeah, you know, you seem chill, so....
Demetrius: Right...
Diamond: But the bodyguard, ehhh....
Andy took off his ski and glasses.
Andy: Look, it's just me.
Diamond: Oh, you're that kid I gave a ride!
Andy: Yeah....
Diamond: He's your bodyguard?
Demetrius: Listen, don't question it.
Diamond: Well, I guess he can come too.
Demetrius: Come where?
All of a sudden, a man walked up.
Michael: Hey boys, we are going out for dinner!
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dinner. With a random man and the prime suspect.
Demetrius: Wait, dinner? Wait, who are you?
Michael: I'm Diamond's father, Michael. Michael Richards, but you can call me Mike. And you two are?
Demetrius: I'm Demetrius, Demetrius Anderson.
He reluctantly shook the man's hand.
Andy: Andy, Andy Stevenson!
He gave Michael a bit more of a powerful handshake.
Michael: So, Demetrius, my daughter has been thinking of you a lot.
Demetrius: What?
Diamond: Dad!
Andy: That's funny, because my man Demetrius here has also been thinking of your daughter a lot too! Like, all the time.
Diamond: Oh...!
Demetrius: Andy!
Andy: So, dinner you say?
Michael: Yeah. Me and my wife were thinking of having a family dinner, and my daughter was, you know, interested in having you for company. Well, Demetrius, but hey Andy, you can come too.
Demetrius: Oh, why thank you...Diamond.
Diamond: Oh, don't mention it. It was either you or Bryant, but Bryant seems a little too desperate for me.
Demetrius: Right...
Andy: Well, do we go right now?
Michael: Of course!
And with that, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up with a woman inside who could only be Diamond's mother.
Michael: Get on in, kids!
Michael got in the passenger seat, and Andy took the right side, leaving Diamond to get in the middle and Demetrius to take the left side.
Demetrius: (Thinking) Bad idea. Very bad idea, yet again.
Those vigilante skills would come in handy if this went left.
Lakisha: Hi! Nice to meet you two! My name is Lakisha, I'm Diamond's mother.
Andy: Hey, I'm Andy!
Lakisha: Aww, look at you! Like a little nerd!
Andy: Wait, what...
Demetrius: Well, I'm Demetrius.
Lakisha: Aww, you're the one my daughter was swooning over!
Demetrius: Oh...my....
Diamond: Mother, I. Wasn't. Swooning. It was either him or that football captain. Ugh, that simp has gotten old.
Lakisha: Yeah, sure honey.
Andy: So, where are we going?
Michael: A place Diamond loves to go!
Demetrius: Yay....
Andy: Sounds fun to me!
They pulled up to a shop called Kochi.
Demetrius: (To himself) I don't even eat this food....
Michael and Lakisha both got out the car, and Andy did as well.
Diamond: Well...seems we should...you know...go....
Demetrius: Yeah...
After they got out, when Diamond and her parents walked inside, Demetrius pulled Andy aside.
Demetrius: You seem way too comfortable with this idea, Andy.
Andy: Oh, it's fine! You got your guns right?
Demetrius: Uh, no?
Andy sighed.
Andy: Oh, well, what's the worst they could do?
Demetrius: Kill us both. This girl could be an assassin.
Andy: Well, they can't kill us while we are eating so, let's eat! Then after you can figure out how to handle this.
Andy walked inside, and Demetrius slowly walked in behind him.
Waitress: Oh, you're with that family over there right?
Andy: Yes.
Michael was waving them over from a table.
Andy: (Whispering) But yeah, you gotta admit, she is a little cute.
Demetrius: (Whispering) Uh...
Andy: (Whispering) Yep, even vigilantes need girlfriends.
Demetrius: (Whispering) ...Sigh. Wait, how were we able to get into this place early? No one else is here...
Andy: (Whispering) They are rich.
They took their seats. Demetrius sat in the middle next to Diamond, and Andy sat on the outside.
Michael: So Demetrius, tell us about yourself.
Demetrius: Oh, me? I'm 18, I like...hooping...and horror movies are cool, and what not.
Michael: Oh, a baller?
Demetrius: Yep.
Michael: Cool! I used to hoop too, back in my young days. Dunking on all the folks. Swish!
Diamond sunk back into her seat, face falling.
Diamond: Dad...!
Michael: And you, Andy, what about you?
Andy: Oh, me? You know, I like science, inventing, watching TV, the occasional great outdoors, lad—-
He stopped that sentence, face suddenly serious.
Andy: And I like cars too. Cars are amazing. Oh, and I'm 15.
Michael: You got a lot of interests, kid!
Andy: Yep!
Lakisha: You boys seem pretty alright, maybe enough to be hanging around my daughter.
Andy: Oh, thank you!
The other two teens next to him looked like they were about to faint.
Lakisha: And you two seem like you would make a good couple!
Diamond: Mother!
Demetrius: ....
Waitress: So what can I get you guys?
Diamond: Thank you.
Demetrius: Oh, me...yeah...please give me...
He looked at the menu.
Demetrius: This soup.
Waitress: Okay, and you?
Diamond: I would like this.
She pointed to some pork.
Andy: Oh, that looks good! I want that too!
Waitress: Okay, got it! What about you two?
They both ordered duck.
Waitress: Okay, can I get you guys some drinks?
They ordered their drinks, the teens ordering tea and the adults ordering wine.
Waitress: Okay! Let me take your menus please.
She took them and left. Demetrius and Andy shared a quick look that no one else seemed to notice.
Demetrius: (Whispering) I need to get out of here. My mom will destroy me once she finds out I'm not home.
Andy: (Whispering) Wait, she doesn't know your home?
Demetrius: (Whispering) I don't think so, or—-
He picked up his phone to check it. He had 22 missed calls, 30 text messages, and a very angry mother.
Demetrius: Or maybe not.
Michael: Whatchu kids talking about?
Demetrius: How my mom——
Andy: He was just telling me how much he loves Diamond and you guys taking us to dinner!
Lakisha: Aww, that's so sweet!
Demetrius put his head on the table and Diamond buried her face into her shirt.
Andy: So we doing this again tomorrow or?
After a while, the food came, and the family ate. Andy talked with the parents while Demetrius and Diamond awkwardly shared glances at each other.
Eventually, night came, and so did the time for them to leave.
Michael: Welp, time we drop you kids back off!
Andy: Yeah, seems that way.
They all went back to the car, getting in and driving back to Demetrius's apartment. When they arrived, Demetrius and Andy got out and said their goodbyes.
Andy: Well, thanks you guys!
Demetrius: Yeah...thanks.
Michael: No problem, you guys take it easy!
Lakisha: Hope we see you again soon!
Diamond nervously waved from her backseat, and the car drove off.
Andy: Yeah, I think she's really into you.
Demetrius: I'm dead.
Andy: I mean it wasn't a joke, I was being serious—-
Demetrius: Look.
His mother was in the apartment lobby, waiting for her son. His dad was nervously shuffling behind her.
Tiara: Yep, come here, young man.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Demetrius had no choice but to walk behind his parents.
Demetrius: Alright, I guess I'll see you later Andy.
Andy: Okay, peace dude.
As Andy headed off to head to his home, the three went up to their condo, walking past confused residents and Mr. Derrick.
Mr. Derrick: Hey you—-
Tiara: Not now, Derrick!
They walked up to the elevator and went to their door. Tiara hastily unlocked it.
Tiara: You get in that room. Right. Now. Me and your Dad have to discuss something. We will upgrade your punishment later.
Darius: Sorry, son.
Demetrius went into his room.
Tiara: You think he's been getting involved in, activities?
Darius: Look, our son would never—-
Tiara: I don't want to believe it either! But you know these streets are dangerous! Hell, you sure your partner isn't one?
Darius: Hey now, Brent is a good man.
Tiara: Mhm. Let's go talk about this in the room. Demetrius doesn't need to hear all of this right now, I already don't know what's going on with him of late.
She looked back.
Tiara: Demetrius! Don't you leave that room until I come back!
Demetrius: Yes, mother.
He got a ping on his phone.
Andy: (Text) So, is it like bad?
Demetrius: (Text) I don't know.
Andy: (Text) So, you never told me how you snuck out the last time to fight those gang members.
Demetrius: (Text) Like I said, I have my ways. Unfortunately, today I wasn't able to use them.
Something outside his condo caught his eye.
Demetrius: (Text) Wait, I'll talk to you in a sec.
Hooded men were busy exchanging drugs with mafia members on the bridge near Demetrius's house. They had them in boxes that were slightly open so the contents could be seen.
Man #1: Here, take these. This that good stuff right here..
Mafia #1: Look, where's the rest of the damn package?
Man #2: Calm your ass down, we getting it!
While his parents were still arguing, Demetrius grabbed his suit out of the closet, and put it in his backpack.
Demetrius: Sorry, Mom....
He snuck over to the door, and gently opened it, then slightly pushed it closed. He walked over to the elevator and took it down to the first floor.
Mr. Derrick: Demetrius, I thought you were in trouble?
Demetrius: Oh, I am, just going to pick up some groceries for my mother. As a punishment....
Mr. Derrick: Oh, should I call and ask her to just have them delivered—-
Demetrius: No, no! She's mad at my dad right now.
Mr. Derrick: Ah, typical couple arguments. Well, hurry on up. Don't want to be out in these streets too late with an angry mom.
Demetrius: Yep.
Mr. Joe gave him a pat on the back as he left. Demetrius walked into the back alley and changed into his suit, leaving the bag behind. When he was done, Riot walked up the stairs to the bridge and confronted the men on there. The mafia members had already left.
Riot: Drug dealing tonight. Wow.
Man #1: Aye, what the hell?
Man #2: It's that bastard they've been talking about!
Riot: They?
Man #2: Shoot em, the hell!
Man 1#: Don't rush me!
Riot took out one gun and threw a flash-bang. The men stumbled and Riot knocked one in the face with a gun and hit the other with a right hook, sending them both to the floor. Then he got shot in the leg.
Riot: Ow! What—-
A heavy boot kicked him back, making Riot drop his gun.
???: So.
A gun was aimed at his head, but Riot managed to knock it out of the man's hand.
Riot managed to stand, the Kevlar in his gear taking most the damage. When he looked, he saw a man with gear similar to his, but...more vicious.
Riot: You...who...
The man wasted no time aiming a right hook for Riot's head, which Riot barely managed to block. The man then back-kicked Riot, sending him flying yet again. Riot got up and aimed some strikes at the man's head, but the man blocked them with precision and ease. He then took Riot's arm and flipped him over. Riot went for his gun and fired at the man's knee, but the man shrugged it off and didn't even flinch, kicking the gun out of Riot's hands and sending it falling into the street.
Riot backed away, tired and slightly hurt.
"Boss": Vigilante...hah.
He broke out into some dark and disturbing laughter. Riot tried grabbing his second gun, but the man took it and slammed it into Riot's mask, before emptying it and tossing it as well. Riot fell back but jumped up and yet again engaged the man in a fistfight, but the man used a combination of various martial arts to parry, redirect, and strike at Riot. This guy was good.
Andy: What the hell?
Andy came up in his makeshift vigilante suit, armed with a baseball bat.
Andy: Who are you?
"Boss": Another one?
Riot: What are you doing here? Go!
Instead, Andy swung his bat at the man's head, but the man simply ducked and took the bat from Andy, using the butt of it to hit Andy in the chest and knock him to the floor. Riot tried to disarm the man, but all he did was jump back and effortlessly strike Riot with the baseball bat three times to knock him down as well.
Andy: Who is this—-
The man picked Andy up.
"Boss": No skill at all.
The man tossed Andy to the side.
"Boss": And you.
Riot slowly stood up. The man studied him with a careful look.
"Boss": You're nothing. A pretender, in a mask!
The man grabbed Riot and threw him over the bridge. Riot landed on a car below, breaking his fall. He tried to get up, but he passed out from his injuries and rolled off the car.
"Boss": Next time you want to mess with my plans...
He rose to his full height.
NIGHTMARE: NIGHTMARE will come for you.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN.