Tattoo
Judge: Has the jury reached a final verdict?
The courtroom grew stale and silent. Eric's friends lowered their heads for one more chance at prayer. This verdict could change the life of young university student Eric Jordan. Before the people in jury could rise , Eric had stood up and interrupted.
Eric: Before you guys try and put niggas in jail, can we please remember girly texted me straight out that she quote "wanted that big chocolate dick"?
Eric's Lawyer: Eric sit down…..
Eric's good friend Ron held in his sneer from Eric's remark. Eric shook his head in unapologetic ignorance. The jury had stopped and looked at each other before the foreman rose to give the verdict.
Foreman: We the jury, find Eric Jordan…innocent.
The relief of Ron caused him to let out a victory howl along with Eric himself.
Eric: Yes!
Eric jumped over his chair to perform a victory dance with Ron. They kicked their feet and jumped up and down with joy.
Ron: Bro you gotta look at her racist ass dad while you hit them folks hahaha
The father of the girl sat behind their lawyer with a clinched fist of rage. He leaned forward to whisper a rude remark in his lawyer's ear.
Eric's lawyer: Eric get back over here, we're not done yet!
Eric: Bro just go wait for me in the car, I'll be out soon.
Eric and Ron exchange their signature coordinated handshake before Eric gestures Ron that he would be out of the courtroom momentarily. Ron exits the building and makes his way to the car before he pulls out a pack of blunts.
Ron to himself: My boy really got out that shit…We gonna have to celebrate
He chuckled to himself as he opened his door and entered his vehicle. About 20 minutes passed before he noticed a vibration in his pocket.
Ron to himself: Oh yea! I should probably post this on Facebook. "They can't hold a real nigga down! #EricAintNoRapist"
Ron laughs softly as he clicks away on his phone. The parking lot soon became desolate as the end of day drew near. The cold air flew through the crack of Ron's window chilling his arms through his hoodie.
Ron to himself: Where is this nigga at? It's getting cold as dick.
Ron peeked his head up as he noticed the girl who accused Eric of rape and her father walking past his car.
Girl's father: Give it to me now !
Girl: Daddy no, just let it go already!
Girl's father: Give me your god damned phone now!
The father rips his daughter's device right from her palms. He then realizes Ron watching him.
Girl's father: Let's go Melena
He pulls on his daughter's coat gesturing her to quickly move as he gives Ron a menacing glare. When they were both out of view, he picked up his phone to call Eric.
Eric: Why are you calling me ?
Eric jumped out in front of the car startling Ron out his wits.
Ron: God dude, quit doing dumb shit like that! Almost caught a jawbreaker.
Eric flicked Ron off as he entered the car.
Ron: Anyways bro, the father seemed pissed.
Eric: I really don't care bro, just take me home so I can sleep all this stress away.
Ron started his engine and pulled off. It was snowing heavily outside. The flakes fell from the sky heavy yet angelic. Eric pulled his phone out to check all his notifications he had missed in the last several hours.
Ron: So what are you tryna do with these ?
Ron grabbed at the pack of blunts he had opened and threw them in Eric's lap.
Eric: Why ask questions you know the answer to? Hand me the cannabis my good man.
Ron waits until he stops at the stop sign to reach under his seat. He pulled a ziplock bag full of marijuana and places it into Eric's hand.
Ron: Take a whiff of that.
Eric slowly unfastens the lock and sticks his nose in the bag. The aroma kicked him the face with vigor. One of Eric's favorite activities is to stimulate his brain by inhaling large doses of THC. He grinned widely at the thought of getting high and ordering a pizza once he returned back home.
Eric: Whewww ! You know just how to cheer me up haha.
Ron: Roll that shit up bro
Eric breaks down the marijuana and begins his process of filling the blunt.
Eric: You got the aux right now ? I'm trying to listen to some King Of Leons…
Ron: King of who nigga ? That's white people shit bro.
Eric: Ron…..?
Ron: What?
Eric: You're white….
The two share a chuckle before Eric passes Ron the blunt. Ron reaches in his pocket for a lighter to ignite the token of friendship. He then fills his lungs with weed before something important crosses his mind.
Ron: So…
Eric: So what?
Ron: How come you never told me what really happened between you and that girl?
Eric: Melena?
Ron starts to cough as he passes the blunt back to Eric.
Ron: Yeah…..did you really do it?
Eric: Are you asking me if I raped that girl?
Ron: I know that you didn't do that, I'm just curious like….what happened?
Eric: Honestly….I never even hit it.
Eric exchanged the blunt back to Ron. The smoke from the blunt started to leave a foggy haze.
Ron: What!? Then what did happen?
Eric: You really wanna know?
Ron: Yes dude, your apartment is five minutes away so hurry up.
Eric started to reminisce the moment he met Melena. It was finals week of the spring semester. The weather was cool and breezy. Eric waited at the bus stop on the corner of the street. He was on his way to the campus library to study for his upcoming exams. He waited for the bus with his headphones in both ears playing hip hop instrumentals and mumbling lyrical chants.
Eric rapping to himself: IF SHE BAD ENOUGH, I AIN'T PULLIN OUT! I GET DONE AND PUT IT ALL IN HER MOUTH !
Eric's mind: Yeah that sounds good, let me put that in my notes and save it for later.
A red sedan pulls up to the bus stop beside Eric. Inside, was a petite brunette with curly hair and brown eyes.
Girl: Heeey!
The girl smiled wide and looked directly at Eric. Eric glanced at the girl momentarily but lowered his head down towards his phone ignoring her.
Girl: What's your name?
Eric looks up at the girl once more and removes his headphones from his ears.
Eric: Are you talking to me?
Girl: Yes haha, what's your name?
Eric: It's Eric, what about you?
Girl: My name's Melena. I just stopped because I thought you were so cute.
The girl's face began to blush as she smiled even more intense. This had not been the first time this has happened to Eric. Women seemed to find him quite attractive.
Eric to himself: So….do she wanna fuck or naw?
Eric starts to smile as he recollected himself.
Eric: You're not too bad yourself.
Melena's face turned completely red.
Melena: Where are you going?
Eric: Right now is finals week so im off to the library to bullshit around
Melena: Oh my god you go to Chicago University!? You must be so smart!
Eric: Nah not really, I'm just the king of bullshit. I know what people like to hear, nothing big.
Melena: Awe! Well take my number, I have to go for now but I want you text me.
Eric gives Melena his phone for her to enter her contact information.
Melena: Okay sexy, better text me.
Melena pulled off down the street and out of view. As Eric told this story to Ron, he forgot something very important.
Eric: Wait Ron!?
The sudden pitch in Eric's tone startled Ron causing him to jump in his seat.
Ron: What , what, what!
Eric:…what….happened…..to the rest of the blunt….
Ron: Wow stop fucking doing that! Almost made crash!
Eric: What happened to the blunt Ron?
Ron: We smoked it all about halfway through your story, now continue.
Eric put his head down in disappointment.
Ron: Are you gonna finish or what?
Eric took a deep breathe and recollected himself.
Eric: So I text the bitch that exact day with all these heart emojis and all dat
Ron: Haha okay sounds good
Eric: Yea and immediately before I could even ask her about her day or where she's from, she's sending videos and pictures of her.
Ron: What type of pictures?
Eric: Bro like…..PICTUREEES
Ron: Oh shit
Eric: She said she wanted my-
Ron interrupted.
Ron: Yea I heard you say it already bro
Eric: oh yea …hehe
Ron: Okay so how did all of this get to court
Eric: Well…. She asked me for a picture of it
Ron: Never send a dick pick to a girl you JUST met. You know that's a rule.
Eric: I knoooow… That's why I got one from google
The two had arrived to their destination. Ron stops the car outside Eric's apartment complex.
Ron: So we googling dicks now?
Eric: You have no idea…I had to probably scroll through a hundred dicks until I found the perfect one.
Ron: I honestly forget how weird you can be….
Eric: Yea so I send her the picture and didn't get a quick reply as usual. Not even 2 hours go by before the cops are knocking on my door.
Ron: THAT'S what happened?
Eric: Yeah bro, probably was her bitch ass dad mad that his daughter like a little chocolate.
They both look at each other and burst into an episode of laughter. Ron's face turned pinkish as his tear ducts grew moist.
Ron: Okay it's official, that was the funniest story ever.
Eric: Yeah it's real funny how I can always tell my kids that their daddy almost went to jail for rape.
Ron: haha! Okay now get the fuck out my car before you make my gut hurt.
Eric smirks at Ron before opening the door and taking a step out.
Eric: Oh wait bro?
Ron: What's up?
Eric reaches in his pocket to return Ron's bag of weed.
Ron: Nah man, that's all you.
Eric's face lit up like a candle.
Eric: My favorite white person, haha.
Eric and Ron give each other their special handshake before Eric makes his way towards his door. As he walked towards his building, his phone vibrated.
Text from Melena: I'm so sorry for everything I put you through. I wanna make it up to you. Where are you right now?
The text was shocking to Eric. He hadn't known to feel thrilled or petrified. He decided to text her back.
Eric's message back to Melena: Don't worry about it, I know it was your ugly ass dad making you say that shit. I live in the Park Buildings next to the abandoned pharmacy on 3rd Street, come through *wink face emoji*
Eric called out to Ron before he drove off.
Eric: Rooooooon !
Ron stopped his car and slided his window down.
Ron: You say something!?
Eric: Guess who just hit my phone?
Ron: What?
Eric: Melenaaa!
The distance and harsh wind made it difficult for Ron to perceive Eric's voice.
Ron: Whoooo?
Eric: That girl Melena! I just told you about her?
Ron, still unable to hear through wind shouted.
Ron: BRO I AM TOO HIGH FOR THIS , JUST TEXT ME.
Eric: Whatever man
The winter chills began to bother Eric thus making him scurry in his apartment rapidly. He entered his room throwing his coat on the mattress.
Eric to himself: Might be that time to order this pizza and watch some anime and until Melena comes over.
Eric quickly analyzed his room checking if it was tidy enough for company. Clothes were scattered across the floor and empty potato chip wrappers filled the garbage can to the brim.
Eric: Eh…..oh well
Eric reluctantly pulls his phone out of his pocket to check for any notifications. He then remembered to text Ron about his situation.
Eric message to Ron: That bitch Melena is coming over, she says she wants to make it up to me lmao *winking face emoji* *laughing face emoji*
Eric to himself: This nigga never text back though
Eric carried on to his various social media accounts checking each for notifications until he received a text message.
Melena message to Eric: Almost there
Eric smiled as he thought of all the sexual pleasures he would soon indulge in.
Eric to himself: She gonna be calling ME daddy today
About a mile north was Ron driving through the bliss of the snow. He noticed the phone in his pocket vibrate but ignores it as usual.
Ron to himself: That's prolly Eric's dumb ass. I can barely drive right now, I'll have to get back to that nigga.
Just as Ron drove down the icy street, he notices a red Sedan fly past him heading the opposite way. The person behind the wheel looked familiar to Ron. His mind under the influence of weed made it more complex for Ron to identify the face.
Ron: I know I seen him somewhere…..
Ron pulled over to the nearest sidewalk to recollect his thoughts. Suddenly it all came pouring back into Ron's mind. He remembered the father of the girl who accused Eric of rape had gave him a cynical look earlier that he could not forget.
Ron to himself: Oh shit I better tell Eric who I just seen.
Ron pulled his phone out and saw Eric's previous message.
Eric's message to Ron: That bitch Melena is coming over, she says she wants to make it up to me lmao *winking face emoji* *laughing face emoji*
Ron's whole demeanor had changed. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped.
Ron: OOOOOOHHHHH SHITTTTTTT! I GOTTA CALL THIS NIGGA NOW!
Ron rushed his fingers to Eric's contact to call his phone. He held the phone to his ear ready to warn Eric of his premonition. The phone rang once but paused for a moment. Ron noticed the silence in his phone.
Ron: Hello…Hello?!
Ron took the phone away from his ear to check if Eric had received the call. He tossed his phone towards the back seat as he realized it had ran out of power.
Ron: FUCK!
Ron turned his key to start the engine of his car. He shifted the gear and made a complete u turn towards Eric's apartment in haste. Eric had been laying down when he had received another text from Melena's phone.
Melena's message to Eric: I'm outside, come to the car.
Eric became curious why she wanted him to come to the car instead of her arriving at the door.
Eric to himself: Bitch it is snowing too hard for this shit.
Eric complained as he laced his sneakers. He grabbed his coat from the bed but decided only a hoodie should suffice for his short expedition into the tundra. Eric walked out of the building looking in all directions for Melena. The snow continued to pour down with intensity. He walked a bit further out until he noticed a red sedan parked by the side walk. He quickly scurried to the drivers side with his hands tucked into his hoodie. He glanced inside the vehicle but the car was desolate. At that moment, Eric felt some sort of object pointed on his back.
Man: Don't you turn around or I'll put a hole in you boy
Fear filled the body of Eric. His heartbeat pounded furiously.
Eric: Just chill the fuck out….who are you?!
Man: I'm Melena's "ugly ass daddy". You aint so funny now , huh boy?
The snow had made the perfect camouflage making it nearly impossible for anyone around to see past the blizzard.
Man: Put your hands behind your back now!
Eric released his hands under his hoodie. The man pulled some kind of thread from his pocket and tied Eric's hands together tightly cutting off any blood circulation.
Eric: owww! Not so tight!
Man: Shut the hell up and get in the car.
The man pushed Eric to the side and opened the backseat. He grabbed Eric by the back of the neck and tossed him inside the vehicle. He then, returned behind the wheel and stepped on the gas making a quick getaway.
Eric to himself: I swear to you God…If you get me out of this, I will never fuck with a white girl again.
Eric sat in the backseat as the crazed man drove through the bitter snow.
Eric to himself: Where is he taking me? I can't feel my hands at all anymore….
The heavy downfall made it impossible for Eric to pinpoint a location. He suddenly remembered his phone in the pocket of his sweatpants. He squirmed and wiggled struggling to get it out of his pants. The sudden moving around provoked the man who had been watching Eric through his mirror.
Man: Quit fucking around back there!
Eric: Just let me go, I don't want your daughter!
Man: You wasn't saying that when you sent her that picture nigger. Now shut the fuck up…we're almost there.
The man drove for another 15 minutes until he stopped and parked in front of an empty bridge with construction tape across the entrance. This bridge had seemed familiar to Eric. He remembered watching the construction workers build the railings for the unfinished bridge as he rode past on the bus. The scene was inconveniently desolated with not even a rodent in sight. The unbearable snow cleared out any factor of a witness to aid the desperate Eric who was riddled with what would become of his existence.
Eric: What are we doing here?
The man got out of his car and went back to grab something out of his truck. It was not clear to Eric what was going on until the man swung open the backseat with a shotgun in his hand. Eric's eyes and mouth opened wide in awe. Eric, flustered with emotion jumped back to the other side of the backseat.
Eric: Woah woah woah!
Man: Get the fuck out the car!
Eric hastily slid across the backseat trying to exit the vehicle as the man full of rage held the shotgun toward his head. The man grabbed one of Eric's arms and threw him out of the car.
Man: Start walking to the bridge nigger.
Eric to himself: What in the blue fuck is about to happen? God please don't be what I think…
Eric looked at the bridge as he trudged forward and foreshadowed his untimely death. He began to sob to himself with his head facing the cold snowy ground. The man stood behind him with the gun on his back following him to the bridge.
Man: Don't cry just yet hehe
The man had a sinister smirk across his face. He went in front of Eric to lift the caution tape over their head. They continued to walk on the bridge until the man came to a hault.
Man: This should be good…
Eric to himself: Look Eric, we can get out of this… just think. Maybe I can just outrun him , he is white , he won't be able to catch up…. But we're on a fucking bridge , where could I really go ?
The man jammed the back of the shotgun into Eric's gut forcing him to his knees.
Eric: Urghhh!
He held his stomach in agony trying to collect his wind back. The man grabbed Eric's face and pointed it towards the edge of the bridge.
Man: You see that right there? You're gonna jump off….
Eric's mouth widened with horror. He was in disbelief of the task he is being forced to do.
Eric: Are you crazy my nigga!? I will die!
Man: Better start praying then boy, now get up!
Eric trembled on his knees shaking from the cold and from the fear that indulged his heart. The man gripped his neck and lifted him to his feet.
Eric: YO ! JUST FUCKING LISTEN TO ME! I NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH YOUR DAUGHTER! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!
The man cocked his gun back and tilted it towards the temple of Eric's head.
Man: I saw the god dammed picture! I saw your little dance this morning! First I lost my wife to a spook and now ya'll want my daughter too ! When is it enough ?
The man's anger intensified as he pushed Eric onto the railing of the bridge.
Eric: Look I'm sorry your wife and daughter like us black men but killing me is not going to do anything. It's not my fault!
The man looks at the gun and then looks at Eric. Momentarily, he feels regret….And then thoughts of his wife having sex with a black man flustered through his mind. He flies into a berserk rage.
Man: You have 3 seconds to jump you fucking coon.
Eric knew at that moment there was nothing he could say to settle peace. The man started to count down.
Man: 3!
The man started to aim at Eric.
Man: 2!
Eric had become hysterical. He turned around and looked at the icey lake below as he had began to jump.
Man: 1!
Right before Eric plunged into the icey abyss, Ron's car pulled up with urgency leaving a skid mark through the snowy streets. Ron jumped out of car and ran towards the two.
Eric: Roooon !
Ron: Stop stop stop!
Ron walked up to the scenario with caution. He revealed both of his hands empty to the man as he tried to signal for him to calm down.
Man: Back the hell up. I don't give a hell who you are, this boy was right about to jump!
The man began to aim his gun toward Ron.
Ron: Woah just calm down...I just came to get my friend. We're going to get in my car, and go home. You do the same and nobody will say a word about today.
Man: You can kiss my ass boy. If you don't up and get outta here real soon , there's gonna be two bodies over this bridge today.
Eric: Bro just go. He's not going to listen us. Don't get yourself killed over me.
Ron: Shutup! Shits not gonna go down like this !
The three men stood in impasse on the bridge as the harsh chill of winter baited the darkness of their souls. Eric never thought a situation like this in his life could ever occur. Eric thought to himself if these cruel past few minutes were his last. At that moment , he accepted his fate.
Eric: Hey…sir?
The man turned his head toward Eric.
Man: Are you talking to me?
Eric: Sir what is your name?
Man: What ?
Eric: I would like to know your name Sir? If you're going to kill me, I at least would like to know the name of the man who took my life.
The man seemed confused.
Man: Boy you don't need to know my name where you're going.
As the man was talking to Eric. Ron began to rush towards him.
Eric: Ron NOOO!
BOOOOOOOM!
The man had pulled the trigger by fear. The bullets from the shotgun left Ron on the snowy ground bleeding out lifeless. A pool of blood began to fill the snow around his body. The man hadn't processed what had just happened and neither did Eric.
Eric: Oh my god no…..RONNNNNNN!
Man: I told the little motherfucker, I told him!
The man began to get hysterical pointing the gun back at Eric.
Eric: You fucking redneck bastard! I will kill you!
As soon Eric took a step in the man's direction, another shot was fired. The impact from the bullets sent Eric's body clear off the railing. Eric still remained conscious as he was falling through the air. It had felt like time moved in slow motion as he reached closer to the lake below. His life had flashed between his eyes in that moment. He remembered his family, his affairs with women, his best friend Ron, and all the mistakes he had made throughout his existence. He glanced one more time at the bridge and peeped the head of the man looking over the railing.
Eric to himself: I guess this is it… I'm sorry everybody.
Eric's body had went right through the ice and submerged into the depths of the lake. His hands were still bonded making his death certain. The water was freezing cold and soon it had filled his lungs. He closed his eyes and waited for the afterlife. And that's when it happened…..Eric was suddenly able to breathe. The chilling sensation of the water vanished. His hands were free as he felt a slimy substance covered them. That's when he opened his eyes.
Eric: Huh ?
Eric lied in a pile of garbage in a place that seemed overwhelmingly unfamiliar. The sun was out and there was no snow in sight. It was actually quite humid. He looked toward his right and saw a colossal sized wall that looked like something he would see in a movie. That's when he noticed a boy with curly brown hair and a silver locket around his neck about his age staring at him awkwardly with a baffled expression on his face.
Eric: Who the fuck are you…?
Fin