Another day for me, this was the routine of every day. I barely slept at all, it's 1 am but that doesn't matter, I can't sleep now. I have to go to work, I went to brush my teeth, I have to keep this smile healthy for the señoritas, I did my hair.... A shower? Nah, I don't feel like it, nothing a lot of deodorant and a lot of cologne can't fix, I mean, two days ago at night I took one, that should count as a day ago, I don't smell bad either... shit I'm over thinking again. Well now I'm going to dress up, I put on a grey sweatpants, a white t-shirt, different accessories, you know, bracelets, some chains on my neck and a bandana for my hair, now the jacket and I was ready. 

''- Fuck, I forgot breakfast. Never mind, I'll buy something on the way.''

I went to the entrance of my door and grabbed my bag to go out, as soon as I grabbed the bag I realized I forgot something else, I went to the room and took my gun.... My profession forces me to have one, now yes, I put it inside my pants, putting my t-shirt over it, I was ready. I opened the door and went out, locking it, I remained leaning on my door, as always in my surroundings nothing changed, the same garbage as every day, crack users sleeping on the sidewalks, the strong smell of marijuana, the store about 20 meters away had been robbed, I would lie if I said I didn't know who it was, that's why I'm lying. My peace was then interrupted by an old man who stood in front of me.

''-Are you lost, old man?'' I said, why did he stay in front of me? I don't have money for him.

"-I don't know... What about you? Are you lost?''? He answered me, there was something weird about him, I could feel it.

''-Agh... I don't know if you're drunk, but if you're asking for money get the fuck out, ain't got nothing for you, be quick before 'em bullets start running out.''' I'm not disrespectful, I'm honest and straightforward.

''-Don't worry little one, if you do it right it will soon be over.'' I was talking about a totally different thing, I didn't understand anything.

Then I heard a honk, it was my guy A.D. Of course his name ain't A.D. but around here we don't use names like that unless you play with the blues. I turned to see the old man again, he wasn't there, was he scared or something? Never mind, I got better things to do.

''-Hey, hey, wassup bro what you be doing on the sidewalk? Come on dawg get up.'' Said A.D, of course ''bro'' that's what he called me now, he doesn't say the same when I'm in trouble. I jumped up, hehe I'm somewhat acrobatic and reminding the people around me from time to time didn't hurt.

''-Did you hear that? Jerry got shot, I'm told he won't be able to walk again.'' Jerry was a boy from my hood, his real name is not Jerry, but we called him that because it reminded us of how Jerry the mouse ran, you know, from Tom and Jerry.

''-Looks like we won't be able to call him Jerry anymore.... Ha ha!'' A.D answered me, it wasn't that funny to tell you the truth, it's hard to see someone you knew for so long end up like that, but everyone has to take care of themselves.

Well, now the goal this morning was to sell the merchandise that had come to me to a specific seller, I don't normally sell drugs, but these days I've been doing badly. Then something interrupted my thoughts, I think it was exactly at 1:30 in the morning, half an hour after waking up, I saw the old man again in a corner.

''-Have you ever seen that old man before?'' I asked A.D.

''-Nahhh... He reminds me of Alice's father though, let's pay her a visit later, she's got a sister.'' Said A.D looking in the rear-view mirror.

''-Shut yo bitch ass mouth, I just want to finish this and go home, I haven't slept.''

Finally we arrived... A nightclub? I looked at A.D. confused, I didn't know about this, I thought it was going to be in a residence.

''-Relax, the money guy has a vip table, just watch your steps.''

I knew almost nothing about the deal, only that I had the contact to receive the merchandise and that A.D. had someone who was going to buy this one hundred percent, so we took the risk and before anyone else tried to sell, we showed up. Quick and easy money, no risk at all? I think. Anyway we walked in, ignored the plethora of lights, drugs, drinks and women, maybe later, when we finished the deal. We sat at the VIP table, that man looked familiar, where had I met him before? Don't dream faces, I think I should know who he is.

''-Okay, let's start negotiations.'' That's what I said.

After a long conversation, finally at 2:10 in the morning we reached an agreement, a large amount of money for a drug that wasn't worth that much, you could say we were committing a scam, but the buyer didn't seem to mind. I took out of my bag several packages and showed them to him, he checked everything and we followed him, using the back door we went outside, an alley, then I saw something I was not supposed to see.

''-Well, I think you know how deep this thing goes... if I get caught by your tongue, you will go down with me. It's not a threat, it's a warning.'' Said the salesman.

''-Wouldn't it have been easier not to show us this?'' I replied. A.D. didn't seem upset, he had a serious but calm look on his face, for some reason he stayed quiet.

''-I know you, you are the guy who escaped from those murder accusations, you are smart enough to figure it out eventually, I don't know how you escaped from those accusations but I don't want to find out, don't worry, no police will check this van, I have my contacts.'' He answered me that way, did he think I spoke out of turn?

There were several cars surrounding that van, but what was inside were... several kids, they were all drugged, they were going to be sold in some country, I didn't study about it because the idea of child abduction disgusts me, but... Because I feel guilty? Anyway we put the stuff in the van, locked up and I pretended I didn't care. We went back inside the club, the night was young I guessed. I hang out, I don't even know what time it is anymore, I've had too much to drink, I'm drunk, I've split up with A.D and that crazy fucker. Then again, that old man was next to me, sitting right next to me.

''-What kind of harassment is this?''' I said confrontingly, I wasn't too drunk not to admit it.

''-I know you haven't done the right thing in your life, I know about your sins.'' This old man was talking to me as if he knew everything about me.

''-... Leave me alone.'' I've had enough, he's right, I was fed up with this life, with having to do wrong, I went from wanting to be a cop to being a murderer, I'm 25 years old and I've already been in prison more than 3 times.... Sooner or later I will have a bad end.

''-I give you the chance to change everything, you choose.'' I get up, leave on the table some keys... of the same brand as the van... It couldn't be, but there was only one way to find out.

But what was I supposed to do, take the keys and take the kids to where? It wasn't my problem or my fault. I had nothing to do with it, besides I could end up dead no matter if the key was that or not. No way.

Well, now I was back in that alley, I hid behind a dumpster, it looked like there was someone watching all the vehicles, A.D. skipped a lot of details, it looked like they were giving merchandise to the mafia, but it was just one. What is life without risk? I simply took my 9mm. aimed at the guard and fired three shots, I am not a saint, I kill to survive, but this is the first time I do it to save others, I ran to the van before anyone curious looked out. The key worked, I opened the door quickly and started, I ran into several obstacles but I kept going, for the first time I was going to the police station wanting to.

I heard gunshots behind me, one of my mirrors had a hole in it now, I could hear skidding. This was a race for who would make it first and I couldn't lose, it was an incredible chase, thank God none of the shots hit me, I braked aggressively when I reached the police station, the roar made many policemen get out, I came out with my hands up. I had made it, but suddenly I heard gunshot sounds, I could not feel my chest, I lost my balance, then that pain began to burn me, I turned with my last strength, it was A.D. who had managed to reach me, funny. The one who called me my brother had left me in this state, then in the distance I saw that old man, it was as if I could read his lips. My vision was blurry but I read. "You made it. Shit old man, I've lost my life to people I don't know... but I think for the first time I don't regret using my gun in a long time. It felt like a flicker, now I was seeing too bright a light.