I snagged the piece from Dadoy. That same night, I hit the streets. Had no clue how to carry the damn thing. My hands were shaking, it was already loaded. Never shot any kind of gun before. My heart was pounding but I was dead set on taking Jeric down. Dude almost got my mom. No way he's the only tough guy around here.
Dadoy handed me a tiny .22 revolver. Didn't even charge me, just made me promise not to rat him out. "If things get tight, just tell 'Nuno' from Moriones. They'll get it!"
That's how our chat ended. Dadoy was hedging his bets since there was a good chance I'd screw this up.
So there I was, walking and constantly checking my right pocket. Rocking some baggy corduroy shorts and a loose tee. Had a cap on and a bandana over my face, but it was too obvious, so I just slung it over my shoulder. Not really my style, but had to hide the piece. My left pocket held my trusty 5110 phone, a gift from mom for me and Kate to keep in touch. Aling Bea got Kate the same phone before she moved to Nueva Ecija. Even Jessica had one now, thanks to her hustle with some businessman from Recto. They all shared that phone, so I still had a line to Kate, Jessica, and Lorraine, and through Dadoy, to Nikki. Angela would send regards whenever they met at school.
How Jeric got out of jail is beyond me, probably that juvenile justice crap. Maybe his case was minor. Might've even been branded at whichever precinct he was locked up in. But honestly, I didn't care. I just needed to find him.
From Moriones, I walked all the way to Tutuban Mall; only been open to the public for a few years. Had no plans to go in, didn't want to get frisked. Just passed through and headed to Recto Ave. Then, I'd search Abad Santos Avenue. That's where those assholes hang out. If not Jeric, maybe his goons. So, I crept through the dark streets.
"TEET TEET!"
My phone blared. Who the hell was texting me? I stopped to check the message.
//Bro, Jeric's caught, locked up at the detachment on Pampanga Street corner.//
From Dadoy.
//HOW'D YOU KNOW? THANKS, I'M ON IT!//
//Dude got caught at Moriones, you just missed him. My boys texted me, they got him. He was hiding nearby.//
//SWEET, THANKS BRO! THANK YOU!!//