Hey! I decided to spoil you guys with another update. Usually, for TLOU my chapters are a limited of 5000 to 7000 words, but this is a short chapter. Though its brief, I still hope you enjoy and I promise next chapter will be longer.
"Time for bed!" Cairo said, ready to take Tia's life away. Tia shut her eyes preparing for death, but suddenly, she heard a familiar voice say in a venomous tone.
"Leave. Her.. Alone," She opened her eyes to see Huey Freeman, holding a gun to Cairo's head, but the moment the gun touched Cairo's skin, his crew pointed their guns at Huey. Then Riley, Hiro, and Jose pointed their guns back at Cairo'screw. Cairo looked at his crew to Huey's and at his own and laughed bitterly. Huey kept his gun on him, glowering at him with a grave expression.
"At last, we meet again, Huey Freeman" he stated.
"Cairo Jackson,"Huey said in a deadly voice.
Cairo smiled widely. "I'm so glad you came to join us, but unfortunately, you came outnumbered,"Cairo said, referring to Huey's crew of three against his crew of five.
"Not so fast pussy!" Cindy yelled, running beside Riley with her gun in her hand. "Yeah, we don't think so! "Ming said, coming along with Penelope and Veronica, who was limping as she walked, but still she held her gun. Huey sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. He wanted the girls to hide, it was too dangerous.
"What the fuck is yall doing. We told y'all asses to stay put"Jose shouted.
"You think for once we're going let y'all do this alone?"Veronica said.
"But your leg!"Jose exclaimed.
"Fuck it!"Veronica said. "Family and Friends come first(La Familia y Los amigos son lo primero)!"she shouted.
"Aww, how nice. You called Charlie's angels to the rescue," Cairo said, looking dead Huey's eyes. "But luckily for you, I didn't come for your blood, "he enunciated with a grin.
Huey was breathing hard and his eyes were flaming red. He was infuriated from the moment he believed he found Jazmine, then realizing his best friend's girlfriend with blood on her neck and discovering his former best friend and rival was behind this the whole time.
And where was Ceaser? Was he dead?
Huey clenched the gun tighter he was moments away from pulling the trigger. "I said, Let her go!' He hollered.
"Give me what I want first and she's all yours," Cairo negotiated. He really didn't have time for this and he didn't appreciate having a gun to his head either.
Huey looked at Tia who was shaking in fright. "What do you want!" Huey hissed.
"I rather not discuss this when a bullet can pass through my head any minute, Cairo stated.
"Tell them to put their firearms down on the ground and I'll think about it,"Huey said. Cairo laughed "Man, I nearly forgot how stubborn, you can be" he alleged.
"I'll tell them to if you tell yours too?"Cairo said.
"You first!"Huey demanded.
"Ahahahaha! You think I'm stupid"Cairo said, arching his eyebrow. " How about we do this at the same time"
"Fuck no!"Riley yelled. "Tell those niggas to drop their weapons or I'm shooting!"He demanded.
"What he said,"Huey said with a smirk on his face.
Cairo thought about it for a second. If his crew were to fire their guns it will only result in his own demise. He wasn't ready to die just yet, No way in hell. Cairo sighs and turned his head sideways so that he was facing at his crew. "Lay your weapons down, " he postulated.
"Boss, Are you fucking high?" Jeff shouted.
"I said put them down, Now!"He yelled.
They were wavering at first, then they point their weapons on the ground. Huey nodded his head and Though Riley refused, he and the rest put down their weapons as easily. What Cairo didn't know was that Huey had given his boys an extra gun, which they had shrouded in their back pockets. Hence, if anything goes down, they were prepared. Cairo smiled in satisfaction of how easily it took them to surrender. Huey can hear Tia's soft whimpers and it hurled him off. "Tell me what you want!"he said roughly.
"Well, It's simple, I want you to join me. Join us, The Purge" He stated.
"No Huey, please, don't do it," Tia pleaded, but Huey refused to let any more of his friends down.
"Deal," Huey said without hesitation.
" What!" Huey's crew exclaimed. Cairo grinned widely. "Only one circumstance, you leave her and the rest of my friends alone," Huey requested.
"I can arrange that," Cairo said before kneeling down to remove the cuffs from her hands. He looked deeply into her eyes with his haunting eyes. "You're free to go, but remember, you're forever one of us, " he so only she could hear.
"Tia it's alright you're free now,"Huey said, but Tia didn't move. Cairo's words were etched in her brain. "Tia go!"he yelled and Tia stood and ran towards Cindy who hugged her tightly as she sobbed.
"Now can you take your gun out my pretty face,"Cairo said with an amused expression on his face. Huey lowered his gun and backed away.
Cairo laughed and turned to his allies. "That was more leisurely than I expected, " he said, earning a laugh. He turned his attention back to Huey.
"Now that we have settled matters. It's time for us to depart, so say your goodbyes, Freeman, because, after today, there's no turning back,"Cairo said.
Huey nods his head in understanding and turns to his friends. Cindy was the first to embrace him and when she did, she whispered: "Bring Jazmine home" then it was Veronica and then Ming.
"Take it, easy man,"Hiro said sadly, passing him a fist bump.
"Keep your head up Hue,"Jose said, saluting him.
Tia ran up to him "Ceaser's somewhere out there. You have to find him,"She pleaded. Huey nodded his head, "You have my word, " he promised. Tia cried as she embraced him tightly. "Thank you for everything, " She sobbed before letting him turned to Riley, who was trying his hardest to hold back his tears. "You really gonna leave me? Man, you all I got," He said, looking at him angrily. Huey felt his eyes water, he didn't want to leave, but he had to sacrifice himself and find Jazmine.
He conveyed a deep breath, " I want you to promise me that you're going to be strong and look after everyone,"Huey said. Riley blew his breath in anger. "Fuck you nigga!" he hissed. "Go ahead, leave, I ain't gonna miss ya gay ass anyway," he didn't respond, he walked up to him and hugged him tightly and said, "I love you. I'm going to miss you too," a tear dropped from Riley's eyes, but he wiped it, before pulling away.
"Ew. nigga don't hug me in shit, that's gay," he said, pretending to be grossed out. Huey chuckled softly and brought up his fist. "Be safe Bro" he stated. Riley fist dabbed him and said, "Same to you. I'm serious you better come back or Imma find you myself and fuck you up!"Riley yelled but then he half grinned. Huey grabbed the back of his neck and drew him in for a hug. This time, Riley didn't move away, they shared a brotherly moment until Huey felt someone behind him. He pulled away and turned to see Penelope with tears streaming down her face.
Huey's face softened and he pulled her in for a hug. She hugged him tightly and sobbed as she laid her head on his shoulder. "You better come back for me,"she growled under her breath. He planted a peck on her head and pulled away.
"Take care, Penny," Huey said.
Penny, Riley said we have to leave"Ming shouted. "Don't die Huey!"she said as Ming pulled her arm to leave. Huey watched them walk away, and so he turned and walked towards Cairo and the gang.
"Are you ready Freeman" he demanded.
"Yeah, I'm ready, " He stated, looking back at his friends who had disappeared from his sight. He let out a sigh and followed the gang to the van.
"What's next?"Huey asked.
"We pur-" Cairo was cut off by a female yelling. "Huey!
They stopped to see Penelope is running towards them. Huey eyes widened. "Penny did something happen?"he demanded urgently.
Penelope, who was out of breath shook her head. "No, they left, "she said, taking in her breath. "I told them to go because I wasn't leaving you, I couldn't"She explained.
"What! Are you insane?"Huey exclaimed. " Go back now!"he demanded.
" No Huey! I thought I told you I wasn't leaving your side!"Penelope shouted.
" And I thought I told you it was too dangerous!"Huey shouted.
"You said I can help you find Jaz-"
"No! You can't go damn it!"Huey said, cutting her off." Disregard what I said because that's not important. I'm with them now,"He lied.
"But you said-"
"Well, well, well," Cairo said, walking closer to them. "What do we have here? " He stated, checking Penelope out with his eyes.
"She was leaving," Huey said, glaring at Penelope, who shared the same glance. "Go now," he mumbled through gritted teeth.
" Never,"She mumbled back then she looked at Cairo who had an amusing expression on his face. "I want to join The Purge with my boyfriend, " she stated.
"The hell you are!"Huey shouted, seizing her arm.
"What the fuck are you doing? "Huey said, shaking her shoulders.
"I'm protecting you!"Penelope exclaimed.
"I don't need your protection, I need you to be safe along with the others. "Huey said.
"I want don't want to be safe if I can't be with you!"she shouted. Huey shut his eyes and grumbled in frustration."You can be killed, " he stated.
"I don't care"
"You will have to take innocent lives,"Huey said, attempting to convince her.
"I still don't care, "she said obstinately.
" I said you can't go!"Huey demanded.
"You don't get to tell me what to do!" She stated, shoving him roughly. And so she walked back over to Cairo. "I want to join The Purge,"
Cairo and his crew laughed. "What makes you believe you are qualified to be on our team?"he asked, crossing his arms as he smirked at her.
"I'm smart, swift, strong, and I am a fast learner" she put forward. "Most of all I'm not afraid, " she stated. Cairo looked back at his crew." So the girl wants to be a part of us...interesting,"he said then he turned to Penelope.
"Alright, I'll allow you to join, but you will have to demonstrate your worth," he explained.
"I can do that,"She said confidently.
"Good. Welcome to The Purge!"Cairo exclaimed. "Now let's Go!"he said, getting in the van.
Huey walked over to Penelope, who blew her breath in relief. "You have no idea the danger you just subscribe yourself for," he said, shaking his head in disappointment.
"I'm cognizant of that, but I don't care because I meant it when I said, I would never leave your side,"She said. "Well get ready...because things are going to become a lot worse and I won't always be there to protect you,"He said. "I'll protect myself, "she stated, brushing her shoulder against his as she passed him. She went into the back of the van with the cursed under his breath as he followed behind. How could she put herself at risk like this, now he's going to have to keep her safe? He stared at her and she turned away. He sighs as he runs his hands through his Afro, he had a notion. A bad feeling had sunk in. His ears were ringing.
He felt it, something terrible was going to befall.
.
.
.
.
"Boss, you let her join us that easy?" Jeff whispered from the passenger seat.
Cairo grinned " Of course, not my friend. She will be put to the test as everyone else" Cairo said, turning on the engine.
"So you believe her when she said she isn't afraid?" He investigated.
Oh.. When were done with her, she will be and there won't be anything Freeman can do about it," Cairo said in a deadly tone.
"I can't believe you let Penny leave like that!"Ming yelled.
"What the fuck was I supposed to do, drag her ass!"Riley shouted. "She acts like she didn't know what NO meant, so that's ain't my problem!"he snapped.
"But you didn't even attempt to stop her!"Ming shouted.
"Because frankly, I don't give a shit. If she dies, that on her,"Riley said carelessly.
Ming shook her head in disgust "How could you be so heartless?"
Riley stopped in his tracks."Heartless? BITCH, I just lost my brother, the only family I got left and you want to talk about heartless? You know how much that shit hurts to actually believe that your own brother wasn't going to survive?"Riley shouted.
Ming jaw dropped "How dare you call me a bitch!"
"Of course, that's the only thing you heard because ya ass heartless yo damn self!"Riley shouted.
"Yo Reez, chill the fuck out, "Jose said seriously.
"No handle yo bitch!"he hollered. Ming gasped. "You're going to let him speak to me like that?" She said to Hiro, who in response, got in Riley's face.
"Listen, man, I understand you're upset about Huey we all are, but I won't allow you disrespect my girl like that,"Hiro said, attempting to make his voice sound hard.
Riley scoffed "Your girl? That bitch was, " he said, but he didn't get to complete his sentence because he was shoved to the ground.
"I said don't talk to my girl like that!" Hiro yelled.
"Hiro, what the fuck!"Cindy yelled, helping Riley up, but Riley yanked her off him and stood up, clenching his fist.
"Riley don't!"Cindy warned.
"No, fuck that!"Riley yelled, punching Hiro in his face, knocking him to the ground. Ming screamed, but Hiro got back up and slammed Riley on the ground.
The two began to brawl. Cindy and Jose try to break them apart as Ming stood in screamed. Veronica stood in shock along with Tia.
"You gonna fight me for a Thot hoe?"Riley said, spitting the blood from his lip as they forced him away.
Hiro stood up and breathe heavily."I warned you, but you wouldn't listen!"he exclaimed.
"Nigga, fuck you. You's a dickhead, you defending some bitch that done let another nigga smash less than three hours ago," Riley blurted out.
"What?"Hiro said.
"Nigga shut the fuck up"Jose mumbled.
"Naw fuck that Zay!"Riley shouted, getting up."I'm tired of this bitch acting like she perfect in shit" he yelled.
"Don't listen to him Hiro whatever he say is a lie!"Ming shouted grabbing Hiro's arm, but he jerked it away.
"What did you do!" He screamed at her.
"I didn't do a goddamn thing, he's lying" Ming shouted.
"Oh, so you mean to tell me, you didn't let Zay eat the box and hit?"Riley challenged. Everyone gasped except Hiro, who face turned red as if he was angry.
"Shit" Jose closed his eyes.
"You slept with Jose?"Hiro asked Ming tempestuously.
"No, he's lying, he's lying" Ming sobbed. " He means nothing to me!"She said.
"Oh forreal?"Jose said, offended by her words." You didn't say shit when I had my dick in you!"Jose shouted. It didn't mean for it to come out like that, but She wasn't going play him like that, hell no.
"It was a stupid mistake!"Ming shouted.
"A mistake you made for six months?"Jose shouted.
"Six months...well damn,"Cindy said in shock.
Hiro bit the inner of his gum "So you've been fucking him for six months?"he asked Ming.
"No, we only had sex once. We had oral sex for six months,"She explained. "I'm, I'm, so sorry," Ming said as she sank to the ground crying. Hiro breathed in roughly before pulling out his gun and aiming at Jose.
Every once gasped Veronica screamed "Please don't"Cindy stood frozen along with Tia.
"Come on man, it's not even worth it, " Riley stated, trying to talk him out of it, but Hiro kept his gun on Jose as tears welled in his eyes.
"Six fucking months!" He gritted his teeth. Jose stood showing no fear, though, on the inside, he was scared out his head. The way Hiro's eyes looked maliciously at his with hot tears running down his face, his hands were shaking as he contained the gun.
"Look,"Jose said, gulping deeply. "I fucked up and fucked Ya girl. I get it. If I was you I would be pissed too because I know you love her"Jose said.
"Fuck you!" Hiro shouted.
" I'm sorry, but I love her too, Jose admitted.
" You don't want to do this," Riley said calmly. "You're better than this!"
"Shut the fuck up!"Hiro shouted. Riley cursed and tore out his gun "Put the gun down Hiro" he demanded.
Hiro laughed "Go ahead and shoot me then!"he yelled.
"I'm warning you, "Riley stated, but he was hesitant, he wasn't going to shoot Hiro he just wanted to scare him. Hiro Ignored him and licked his lips as he cocked the hammer of the gun.
"Hiro please don't, I don't love him like I love you," Ming pleaded.
She loves him.
"It's true she loves you more, she doesn't want me," Jose said truthfully.
"Please don't shoot my cousin, he's all I have"pleaded Veronica Who was limping towards him.
Six months.
"Veronica stay back!" Jose shouted.
"Don't make me do this, "Riley said in a trembling voice, still aiming the gun at him.
Six fucking months!
"Please Hiro(HIRO kudasai)"Ming pleaded in japanese. "I love you, only you(Watashi wa, anata dake anata o aishiteimasu)" She sobbed.
She lied to me, she lying now.
He moved the gun from Jose and positioned it to his own head. He heard voices of his friends pleaded him to put down the gun, but he blocked up their voices and looked at Ming.
"Please Hiro, don't do this(Hiro wa, watashi ni kore o shinaide kudasai)" she begged her knees. "I love you, I need you(Watashiniha, anata ga hitsuyōdesu. Watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu)"She expressed.
She never loved me, but..
A tear made its path down his cheeks as he said "I always loved you(Watashi wa itsumo anata o aishi)" he said, pulling the trigger.
"Hiro No!"
.
.
.
BANG!
Charlie watched her love drifted off into a deep sleep. It was for his own good she kept telling herself. She knew she betrayed him, but she couldn't live with herself if she allowed him to do something so cruel. She sighs as she peeked back at him. "he will get over it" she hoped. She grabbed a bag and took everything she needed such as water bottles, protein snacks, bandages, alcohol packs, inhalers, and anything she believed they needed for safety. Once She was finished, she went downstairs to find Jazmine sleeping on the sofa cuddled up on Damien, who was holding her.
"Jazmine! Damien!"
She shouted shaking them. Damien was the first one to wake up. "Charlie what's going on?" He asked sitting up but he made sure not to make Jazmine fall.
"Wake Jazmine up now!"Charlie said as she went to get a few guns.
"What?" Damien said in confusion. He shook Jazmine's shoulder lightly.
"Jazmine, Jazmine, wake up," he said softly.
"Hmm?"Jazmine groaned as she rubbed her sleeping eyes.
"We have to get up, something's wrong with Charlie" he enunciated. She nodded her head then laid back down on his chest.
"Jazmine!"he said, rocking her. Jazmine opened her eyes and sat up. Before she could speak Charlie returned with two guns in her hands. Jazmine screamed, falling off the sofa.
"What the hell are you doing!"Damien yelled.
"Here, take this for protection, " she said, dropping the guns along the sofa. "There's more inside the bag, " she put forward.
"What? Why are you-"
" Take the guns and leave!"Charlie demanded
"What is going on…why are you telling us to leave? "Jazmine asked in a wobbly voice.
"I can't tell you, but it's not safe here. You have to leave. Or both of you will die, now go!' She said.
"Charlie, calm down. Tell us what's going on?" Damien said grabbing her by her shoulders.
"They're coming after Adam,"Charlie said.
"Who? Who's coming?" Damien asked.
"The Purge" she revealed." You have to go now before it's too late" she stated. "Everything you need is in this bag. It should last for a few months," she explained.
"Charlie,"
"Go!" She shouted.
Damien shrugged the backpack on his back. "Use this if necessary, " she stated, handing him one of the guns. She attempted to give Jazmine a gun, but she shook her head.
"No, no, I, I, c-c-can't" she stammered.
"You have to protect yourself, " Charlie stated. "Please!"
Jazmine trembled as she took custody of the gun. "Here, let me aid you," Charlie said, stuffing the gun in Jazmine's jeans. "Where do we go?"Jazmine asked.
"You will run until you find a safe spot to shelter,"She explained. "Don't worry Damien knows where the secret hideout is located," she put forward.
She said looking at Damien. "Lead her to the old house" then she turned to Jazmine and hugged her. "It was nice meeting you Jazmine, I hope you find your friends" she enunciated.
She let go of Jazmine then walked to Damien and gave him a hug. "I'll miss you, please be safe, " she stated, pulling away.
"Wait you're not coming with us?"Damien asked.
Charlie shook her head and smiled sadly. "No, I have to stay with Adam. I won't leave him,"she said.
"But you can die!"Damien exclaimed. "You and Adam should come with us, " he alleged.
"No Adam does not want to run anymore and I won't run either, so please hurry and leave before it's too late," she said, pushing them towards the door. She unlocked the security system to unseal the locks along the door.
"Go, Survive and don't look back!" She told them. Damien hugged her one final time, then he grabbed Jazmine's arm as he went out the door. It was pouring cold rain outside and it was windy and dark. The neighborhood was quiet the only sounds were the crickets and rain. There wasn't anyone else in sight. Only water mixed with blood on the streets. Jazmine stopped to look back at Charlie, she could see her smiling with tears in her eyes. She waved at Jazmine then closed the door shut.
"Jazmine come on!" Damien said, pulling her arm once more. Jazmine felt a thrill of anxiety and breathed in her inhaler as they traveled into the woods. Her wet hair kept slapping against her arm and her lips chattered. Her skin was crawling from the wet mud splashing on her legs and she heard crickets and owls. Damien ran through the woods, guiding Jazmine along with him. His heart was rushing and his mind was full of thoughts. He knew precisely where he wanted to go, but there was one thought left that stood out in his mind.
Will they both make it out alive?
To be continued...