Page 126 of The Mob: Shio Cuppacio

“On foe ’nem, Twin.”

The pathway was slippery and wet, and the fucking sandals on my feet didn’t have a good grip, so I had to be extra careful.

“Why the fuck we got these big-ass Jesus sandals on?” Nel asked what I’d been thinking.

“Shit, ask ya Don.”

“Aite. Stop! Use dat walkin’ stick and stretch it out in front of you.”

I did as my brother instructed, and I felt the rope hit the stick.

“Pull the rope toward you, and den tug on it to see how secure it is. It looks like it runs to the top of the pyramid, but it’s too dark for me to see up dur.”

Jerking the rope, it felt sturdy enough. Pulling it toward me, I swung and nearly let go.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

Everyone screamed out, loud as hell, except for Matteo and me. Since they were on a loudspeaker, and my senses were heightened, my ears rang from the vibration and echo of their combined pitches. I hadn’t fallen and was holding on, but them niggas must’ve thought I did die based on what they saw on that screen. I wasn’t dying in any of these useless-ass trainings. If anyone knew what the fuck to do in these missions, it was me. Tunan was also proving to have some common fucking sense.

I waited until the rope steadied since I was still swinging in the air. I had the stick tucked under my arm tightly as my heart thumped from adrenaline.

“Okay, climb down slowly, nigga. Got us out here thinkin’ you done died.”

“Right, Tune. Nigga tryna be fuckin’ Laura Croft.”

“Who?” Tunan asked Nel.

“Tomb Raider, nigga. Fuck did you do during your childhood? Ours was shitty, but we know shit.”

Tuning them out, I pulled the mask from my head and wrapped it around the rope. Tightening my legs, I then loosened them and let my body descend.

“This nigga here… shoulda went to the fucking Navy.”

I could feel my clothes flipping and flapping around me as I zipped down the rope. I had climbed up and refused to climb down if there was an easier way. I needed to save my strength because I didn’t know what was left for me to face ahead.

“Brace yaself... the rope doesn’t”

Fighting the air, I ran out of rope and felt myself falling.

Seconds later, my back smacked the concrete with a thud. I instinctively rolled over, palming the floor and trying not to focus on my back that was on fire.

“Nigga, we tried to tell you the rope didn’t reach the end. You’re the one thinkin’ you got wings and shit.”

Taking a deep breath, I stood, putting my weight on the walking stick.

“You good, bro?”

“Yeah, Tune. What’s next?”

My fucking head and back were pounding, but I had to push through this shit. I wasn’t even the type of nigga that took baths, but I was going to need one after this shit.

“It’s a boat, ’bout ten steps left. It’s already halfway in the water, so all you gotta do is get in it and paddle.”

“Yeah, and it’s a door across the water, looks like…” Nel added to what Tunan described.

“Aite.”

“Crazy how fuckin’ big that damn pyramid is on the inside,” Metavello prattled, and the guys muttered responses while I focused on getting the boat.