Page 40

“You gotta live with that shit though,” Noble continued, jabbing the knife further into his body with his words. “But you can make this shit right.”

Luco stood up straight. His shoulders were back, chin up, ready to accept the challenge of avenging his brother’s death.

“Put those niggas down but don’t be sloppy. Plan something intricate. Hit that nigga where it hurt. Make him feel you. You hear me?”

Luco’s voice had vanished the moment Noble placed Dough’s death in his hands.

“You hear me?”

Reluctantly, Luco nodded.

“Now go put your brother to rest. I’ll holla at you later.”

Luco exited the office, trying to grasp the bit of energy he had left to plan Dough’s funeral because after that was done, he was coming for The Crown Family, especially Lo.

Nighttime had fallen amongst the horizons.

Everything about Lo was on edge. His heart hadn’t stopped hammering since he left Bria at the market.

Knowing what was to come prompted his throat to ache, as if the bucket of tears he had collected over the years were finally ready to be spilled.

Glancing down at his hands, he noticed the blanket of sweat covering his palms. His mind had been beating him up for most of the day, telling him how stupid he would be to reveal the most damaged parts of himself.

That the broken part of him shouldn’t have been introduced to no one, not even Bria.

Despite that, Lo had to do this. It had been eating him up for over twenty years and the only person he trusted with his story was Bria.

The knock at the door heightened his heart rate.

Lo got up and walked to the door. Opening it, he noticed Bria on the other side.

Her hair was wet, clad in one of his hoodies with biker shorts and fluffy slippers.

“How you gon’ have an attitude with me, then wear my shit?”

Bria bypassed him, greeting Lo with her fresh scent. She turned to face him.

“Okay, why am I here?”

He nodded toward the table before closing the door.

She sat down with the heels of her feet propped on the edge of the chair.

Lo was across from her, attempting to stick to the script he had conjured inside his mind.

This would be his most vulnerable moment with Bria, and he hoped she didn’t let him down.

She had the master key to his soul and heart now.

“What is it, Lo?” she asked, picking up on the confliction in his eyes.

Her voice was void of the attitude she’d possessed for most of the day. This time, she had concern for him.

“It’s a lot.” He sighed, tugging with second thoughts.

“Like what? You can tell me.”

Bria didn’t know what she was getting ready to hear. This part of his existence was gruesome. It was filled with sorrow that had changed the trajectory in his life. Still, Lo had to do this, especially with Bria. She deserved to have knowledge of him that people weren’t aware of.

“Bria… what I’m getting ready to tell you gotta stay between us. I’m trusting you with this, and I’m asking that you don’t let me down.” He peered at her. “Don't tell my business.”

She nodded. “I promise I won’t.”

Lo expelled a heavy breath and prepared his mouth to release words he never thought he would speak.

“Kylo! I’m so glad you stopped by. Come on in.”

Carefully, Lo stepped inside the room that was bigger than the dorm he stayed in. There was a full-sized bed, computer desk, TV, and a dresser. It smelled like spearmint and mothballs as he looked around at the posters on the walls.

“What do you think of Bill Nye the science guy?” Liam asked with a smug smirk on his lips.

Shrugging, Lo replied, “I don't think nothing of him.”

“Oh, come on,” Liam joked. “I think he’s brilliant. He’s the reason why I’m so interested in science. I hear you're a brilliant person yourself.”

“That’s what people say,” Lo stated.

“Let’s sit over here by the desk. I’ve got some models to show you of my robot.”

Liam pulled up a wooden chair and Lo took a seat. He then sat in his chair and turned on the computer.

“I’ve been building these since I was sixteen. I have about five of them right now.”

With his elbows resting on his knees, Lo took a look at the screen. The robots were cool, but his was better.

“You see how I connected the adapter to that battery.” Liam pointed at the screen. “It’s really cool how I did it.”

Lo eyed him. “How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-three.”

To Lo, that sounded old in his thirteen-year-old mind.

“I’m an engineer major at the local university. I come here in the summers to teach children about science. I actually picked you to come, Kylo. I seen your grades and the recommendation from your teacher. You have a very nice resume.” Liam grinned.

None of his compliments impressed Lo. He was way too ornery to receive the nice things Liam said about him. All Lo wanted was to go home and eat food that had just a bit of seasoning.

Liam planted his hand on Lo’s shoulder. “I think you're going to be an amazing asset here. What do you think?”

Lo shrugged his hand off him and sat back in his seat. “To be honest, it’s boring here. We ain't did nothing fun since I got here.”

Liam nodded, giving him a flat smile. “I understand. The first week is very drab. You know we have to do all the introductions, talk about the rules and mission statement. I get it. But we can have fun here.”

“What you mean?”

“Me and you. Nobody would have to know how much fun we have. What is it that you like to do?”

“You got a Dreamcast?” Lo asked eagerly.

“A Dreamcast?” Liam waved his hand. “I have something better than that. I have a PlayStation 2.”

Lo’s eyes glowed within an instant. Liam got up and went inside his closet. He pulled out the game system and hooked it up to his TV. For the first time since he’d been there, Lo was happy. Even if it was for an hour, he was glad he could escape the boring reality and dive into a game.

“Alright, Kylo, I have all kinds of games you can play. What would you like to start with?”

“You got 2K?”

“Of course, I do.” He grabbed the case and took the disc out. He then inserted it inside the game console.

“How about a one-on-one game?”

Lo nodded, almost bouncing in his seat. “I’m ‘bout to bust yo’ ass.” Quickly, he covered his mouth, forgetting that he wasn’t playing against Devyn or Meco.

“It’s okay, Kylo. I give you permission to curse. Just don't do it in front of the other kids or instructors.”

“For real? I can curse while we play?”

“Yeah,” he said so casually. “I used to be a kid once upon a time. It’s okay if you do it between us.”

“A’ight.”

Lo and Liam played so many games that night that he didn’t realize it was closed to midnight when they were finished. Liam was really cool. Although he was corny, Lo didn’t mind hanging out with him.

“Man, Kylo, you really are good at this. I think I only won one game.” Liam shook his head.

Lo chuckled. “You weak as shit, Liam. Step yo’ game up.”

“I guess I should.” Liam stared at Lo for a moment. “Hey, how about we do something that I like.”

“Like what?”

“Stand up, and I’ll show you.”

Lo rose from the seat. Liam stood in front of him, placing his hands on his shoulders.

“So, this is a game called touch. Are you ready?”

Lo frowned. “Touch? I ain't never heard of this game.”

“It’s a special game. Not everyone can play. Are you ready?”

Lo was skeptical but decided to go with the flow. “A’ight.”

Liam removed his hands from Lo’s shoulders and took a step back. He then grabbed Lo’s hand and swiped it against his private area.

“Aye, what you doing!” Lo jumped back, eyes bulging at what just happened. “Nigga, I ain't gay.”

Liam held his hands out. “It’s okay, Kylo. Relax. My touches will feel nice. See.”

He reached over and touched Lo’s groin, prompting him to jump back and fall into the TV. The loud crashing of the shelf echoed throughout the room as Lo scrambled backwards.

“Kylo, you're way too tensed. Didn’t I just allow you to play my game console? I even let you curse. I thought we were forming a bond.”

Suddenly, Liam mirrored the monsters that used to be in Lo’s closet when he was three years old.

The kind that Dax had to fight off just for him to get some sleep.

In all of his years, Lo never thought he would be faced with this.

A predator. One that had tricked him into thinking he was a nice guy that he could trust.

“Listen, this can stay between us. We don't have to tell anyone what we do, okay?”

Lo lifted his foot and kicked Liam in the leg.

“Owww,” Liam groaned, clutching his knee while Lo jumped to his feet and headed toward the door. Halfway there, he felt the collar of his shirt being pulled. It temporarily cut into his neck as his body flew backwards. Liam pulled him as Lo kicked.

“Help!” he yelled, feeling terror so horrifying that his bladder threatened to spill at any moment.

“You better shut up, you little shit.” Liam covered his mouth with his hand as he pulled at Lo’s shorts, attempting to pull them down.

His muffled screams were only heard by these two. Lo couldn’t signal the others that he was in danger. He couldn’t alert other kids that he was on the verge of being violated. Lo had to find a way to escape this torment.

“Now let me get what I want since I gave you what you wanted. Deal?” Liam smiled sinisterly.

He went in for a kiss, but Lo turned his head, making his dirty lips fall on his cheek.

Lo tried with all his might to fight but Liam’s strength overpowered his.

Reaching for his face, Lo scratched his eyes, causing him to yell out in agony.

His pants were on his narrowed hips with his boxers not too far behind.

Lo couldn’t allow him to pull his pants down.

If he did, he knew he would never be able to fight him off.

“You son of a bitch!” Liam yelled, still holding his eyes. Lo took his chance—his only chance—and punched him in the face. He then kneed him in the groin.

“Oowwww!”