Chapter 7

"Today, you start fresh. Today, you are no longer who you used to be. Today, you get your first assignment. Today, you work for me." It felt like I was back at boot camp, but instead of other trainees trying to become cops, I was the only one to stand in front of El Curso. A few days had already passed and today, he contacted me to start my first mission to prove my allegiance. He stopped in front of me and handed me an address. "You will go here and meet a customer. Get the money, provide what he wants, and get back here immediately. You think you can handle that?"

"What if he doesn't give me the money?" I asked, looking back up at him. He pointed at me.

"Use that gun of yours if he reacts aggressively." I widened my eyes, making him chuckle. "You didn't think I didn't notice it when you first walked in here? I'm a pro at this, mijo, I know when I can spot a weapon."

I nodded slightly.

"Call me if there's trouble, you know my number." I nodded once more before leaving his office. I walked down the hallway and into the main area where the drugs were being brought and packaged properly. Surprisingly, El Curso's entire drug trade runs underground and his base is within the sewers. No wonder the police couldn't find his operation because everything was hidden right beneath their noses- literally!

"Hey," a familiar voice greeted me. I turned and smiled at Maria approaching me. She noticed my attire, which was having a bulletproof vest under my sweater. "Boss giving you a spot?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty nervous," I chuckled. We walked over to one of the long tables. I observed the bags of drugs, carefully trying to find out which was the right one. "I never did this before. I have to say, it's a little exciting too."

"Well don't get caught up in the moment, this is a tough business. If you want to stay in it, you have to put your head in the game. That means no goofing off and always watch your back," she advised.

"Right." I sighed in frustration when I couldn't tell which one I needed. They all looked the same. Then a small bag slid over to me. I looked up and smiled softly, placing my hand over Maria's.

"Please don't get yourself shot," she joked quietly, but I could tell she was honest. I placed a small peck on her lips to reassure her.

"I wouldn't count on it," I winked before leaving her, off to make my first drug deal. As I left for my destination, I dialed the police, specifically Chief Castline. After a few rings, the line picked up. "This Officer Garcia, I have a 966 in progress; at the Bingo parking lot on Sinton Avenue. About to make a deal with a suspect, working with El Curso but not present."

"10-4. We're sending back up. And Garcia?"

"Hm?"

"Remind me to get you a radio. You don't have to report to me like that," Castline chuckled. I blushed lightly before hanging up. Soon enough, I made it to the designated place. It was at a parking lot and, since it was getting late, it didn't seem conspicuous. The parking lot was empty except for a lone car parked at the very corner. I slowly drove up and parked a few spaces from them. I got off and grabbed the bag of cocaine before walking toward the car. A person got out, he was around middle-aged and came walking over.

"Who are you? You're not my regular," the man noted with a strong hint of suspicion in his voice.

"Your regular dealer won't be giving you anything anymore. I took their position," I answered, holding my hands up to show my honesty. I grabbed the small bag out of my pocket. "You have the cash?"

"Right here," he nodded by showing me the wad of money. We swapped the items. I counted the money - there were around a thousand dollars in my hand. I blew out a sigh of relief, knowing nothing went wrong. This was a successful mission.

But then I heard a gun cocking. Frick.

"Woah, what are you doing? I thought we were good!" I exclaimed as I held up my hands slightly. I slowly adjusted my pants and I internally cursed when I remembered I left my gun in the car. Why am I so stupid?!

"Sucks that we have to do this but I guess it doesn't matter," the customer shrugged innocently. He gestured his gun to my car. "Do you have any more?"

I sighed heavily but I nodded. I led him to my car and opened the door before stepping aside. He gave me the side-eye before sticking his head inside, his gun still fixed on me. But I used this distraction to grab hold of the gun and push him into the door. The customer retaliated by swirling around and punching me in the stomach. I doubled over but I held onto the gun. We tried to rip the gun out of each other's hands but it was proving useless.

However, he kicked me in the ribs this time and it hurt a lot. I don't know if I'm right but I swear that this guy has steel-toe boots. My arms gave out so now the gun was waving around the air. I widened my eyes when the man gave a vicious look. He used all his strength to jaggedly point the gun at my head. His finger slowly pressed the trigger…

And two shots rang out. I felt pain explode at the side of my head as I fell back to the ground. I groaned loudly as loud ringing overwhelmed my ears. I cracked open my eyes and I saw blurry figures in the distance, along with the flashing blue and red colors.

The police were here, I realized as I tried to sit up. I failed as the pain on my head hurt ten times worse.

"...los… in there," a faint voice spoke to me. I reopened my eyes and looked at the blob hovering over me. I focused my eyes and I gasped a bit when I felt a hand being placed on my chest. That guy really kicked me hard.

"Hurts," I whimpered. I brought a hand slowly to my pounding head, but I pulled away when I felt something wet and warm touching it. I moved my hand to be directly in front of my face. My eyes finally focused to reveal blood covering the majority of my hand.

"Carlos…?" The ringing died down as I looked at who was talking to me. Maria stood over me with worried eyes, her brown hair falling past her head and her hand lightly cupping my cheek.

"... Maria?" I furrowed my eyebrows. I slowly blinked to reassure myself of her presence. But then she disappeared. I picked up my head slightly, grimacing when a wave of nausea washed over me. But I pushed away the feeling to properly sit up. Despite the pain, I managed to do so.

I observed my surroundings and I was shocked to not even see the police there. What about the blue and red lights? The second gunshot? Did I… imagine the whole thing? I groaned louder when the head wound stung when the wind blew on it.

"Where…?" I looked around but I noticed my car was gone, along with my customer/ assassin. He stole my car and left me to die. My gun and phone are gone too. I grunted, punching the concrete with my fist. "Dang it!"

I sighed tiredly before I struggled to stand. After a few attempts, I staggered up and began walking… somewhere. My vision kept fading in and out, I had no idea what direction I was heading in. But I assumed that it was somewhere I knew.

I wandered, shifting side to side as I made my way down the empty street. It was pretty quiet, which made the ringing come back to my ears. I closed my eyes and reopened them.

I was suddenly standing in the middle of a somewhat busy sidewalk. Everyone walked past me, giving me weird looks. They saw me bleeding to death but they didn't care. (Why would they?) Oh gosh, you're back? Can't you just leave me alone?!

I continued to walk, my breathing became labored only slightly. I tried to keep myself together but finally, I made it to a familiar street.

Too familiar. (Now look at where you lead yourself. Stupid.) Quiet you! I groaned quietly, but I knew I needed help. So I walked through the front doors and made my way down the lobby, thankful that no one was around. Soon, I found the elevator. Once I stepped inside and pressed the 2nd-floor button, I leaned against the wall. I saw my reflection and grimaced.

Blood covered half of my dirty face, leaking from an obvious linear wound that shaved off my hair. That'll leave a scar for sure. The first day on the job and I've already been in a near-death experience. If this is going to be for the rest of my life then that's going to be bad. At least this will last until I get rid of the Garcia family.

The elevator dinged, snapping me out of my trance. I slowly moved down the corridor, smelling and looking at the all-too-familiar things, until I reached the apartment I refused to go into ever since I quit.

Apartment 2J.

I squeezed my eyes shut as another wave of pain hit me, but I held my ground and grabbed the doorknob. As expected, the knob turned easily. They never locked their doors.

I silently walked inside, the light from the hallway seeping into the dark apartment. Memories flooded my mind in an instant, seeing the iconic crib in its glory. I smiled a bit.

But then another rush of pain reminded me why I was there. I'll just slip in the bathroom, fix myself up, and leave before anyone wakes up. Perfect plan. Absolutely nothing could go wrong.

My mind was right – I was stupid. Literally not two steps toward the bathroom, I knocked into the counter. I stumbled back in surprise and crashed into the refrigerator, which banged loudly. I staggered up to a stand but dizziness clouded my senses. I tried to reach something sturdy, but I grabbed and knocked over a few plates, which clattered all across the floor. All this noise made my head throb and I'm sure that I woke everyone up.

Sure enough, not a moment later, the light turned on. I squinted by the sudden brightness and turned toward the two people who awoke, that being none other than Mrs. Knight and Katie, who was holding a hockey stick.

"Carlos!" They both gasped at the sight of me. They rushed over just as I was about to collapse out of pure exhaustion. Mrs. Knight hauled me up and to the bathroom, stationing me on the toilet seat.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?" Mama Knight exclaimed as she examined my bullet graze. I winced at her feathery touch.

"Nothing happened," I mumbled as I tried to stay awake. This was getting hard. "I'm sorry for waking you up."

"Carlos, you shouldn't be sorry. You could have woken us up to help you," Katie scolded lightly, but her worried eyes still stayed in place. I didn't like that look. Katie wasn't the type of girl to worry about. So I shook my head slightly and sighed. I flinched violently when Mrs. Knight cleaned my wound.

"Sorry," she winced.

"It's fine," I mumbled. I looked at them through my tired eyes, instantly making eye contact. "Please don't tell the guys. I don't want them to know I'm here."

Mrs. Knight and Katie shared a glance. I straightened up immediately, knowing the look anywhere.

"What are you hiding?" Their gazes snapped toward me. Katie frowned and looked away while Mama Knight sighed.

"The boys… they're not here," she whispered. She finished wrapping the wound, but I ignored the pain that resigned from it.

"What do you mean they're not here?" I furrowed my eyebrows. I stood up, wobbling slightly, and towered over them. "Where are they?"

Mrs. Knight sighed once more, guiding me out of the bathroom and to the couch to sit. I waited there until she returned. She handed me a note and I read it.

'Mom,

Logan, James, and I are going to find a way to help Carlos. Don't worry, we'll be back in three weeks. Don't try to stop us, you know it's for the best. Like him, we're quitting Big Time Rush until further notice. Love you and Katie, please stay safe.

Kendall K.'

I stared at the note for a long moment. Help me? Why would they quit the band to help me? Where were they going? Somehow, my mind went over what places had a three-week requirement and instantly made the connection.

They went to the training academy.

"Those idiots," I whispered as I felt anger bubbling up inside me. I snapped my head toward the girls. "Why would you let them leave? Do you have any idea how dangerous my mission is?!"

They frowned at my shouting. But why would I care about that? Not only do I have to protect Maria, now my friends too? I can't work like that, it's too much.

"Carlos, sweetie, calm down," Mrs. Knight tried soothingly, placing her hands on my arms to force me to sit back down. This only agitated me more, and the pain from my head and ribs didn't help at all.

"Why would I be calm when I have to now protect my best friends from one of the most dangerous groups in town?!" I yelled. My vision started getting spotty. I blinked rapidly but it only made it worse. I began getting lightheaded. But I focused on my statement. "Why didn't you… bring them… back?"

"Carlos… sit down?" Now Katie's voice sounded like it came from a tunnel. The black dots grew until I saw only freckles of what was really happening. My knees gave out, but I landed on the orange couch.

"They… cant…"I never could have finished my sentence as my brain finally succumbed to darkness.

TBC...