Chapter 1: One Bullet

Jerry Hall, was sweeping up late one night at his restaurant, The Angry Crab. He was a tall man with slender arms, his hair was curly with a touch of gray showing his age, and he had the biggest smile on his face from ear to ear. Jerry emptied out the dustpan in the trash can before putting it and the broom in the supply closet. Before leaving he made sure he locked up everything nice and tight. He looked at his restaurant through the window just to make sure it was spotless. Once satisfied he got his car, put on some soft jazz and drove off. Many of the buildings he passed were once filled with businesses and families, now they were rat infested reminders of what this city use to be. When Jerry reached his apartment building he noticed his lights were on and sighed. He knew who it was and he was not happy.

After Jerry Parked he went straight to his apartment. He didn't bother getting out his key as he knew it would already be unlocked. He entered his home and headed straight for the kitchen where his son Ryan was drinking a glass of milk. Jerry walked up behind his son and put his hand on his shoulder, "It's nice for you to drop in and see your old man for once." He said with a fake smile. Ryan looked much like his father but was more physically in shape, and of course less gray hair. When Ryan finally broke the hug they both took a seat at the table, "We gotta talk pops." Ryan said but Jerry raised his hand to stop him, "If your gonna ask for money then your out of luck."

"No pops, I'm not here for that." Jerry raised an eyebrow at his son, "If not money then why are you here? The last time you talked to me, you said you never wanted to see me again." Ryan rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He licked his lips, he tried to put the words together but nothing was coming out of his mouth. Jerry got annoyed waiting for his son, "Look it's late, just come back tomorrow when you've had a good night's rest and your thoughts are clear." Jerry was about to get up when his son blurted out, "I work for Marcus Monroe." Jeff leaned back in his seat and shook his head in disappointment. Ryan finished his milk before continuing, "Monroe is looking for a new way to distribute his product and hes wants to move through your restaurant. He's coming in tomorrow to discuss business. I know you dad. I know your going to say no but listen. We both know, Monroe will not take no for an answer and I'm begging you, just say yes."

"Get the fuck out of my apartment." Jerry said to his son. Ryan got up and kindly put his glass in the sink before leaving. Jerry gets up and walks over to the sink, grabbing his sons cup and cleaning it out.

(The Next Day)

Jerry was in his office at his restaurant. It was small room just big enough from him, his desk, and a computer. He had just finished filling out the employee schedule for the next week when the door to his office opened. Ryan stood there holding the door for Marcus Monroe, head of the Monroe family. He wore a beautiful black and red suit that put Jerry's work dress shirt and khakis to shame. Ryan closed the door behind the mob boss leaving his father alone with him, "Mr. Hall, I have a proposal for you." Marcus reaches into his suit and pulls out a envelope. He holds it out to Jerry, "I have some items that I need to move, quietly of course. I believe your resturant, this Angry Crab you call it, i want to use it." Jerry took the envelope and without opening it, ripped it into little pieces right infront of the head of the Monroe family.

"That was a check was for $30,000." The Mob boss said as his face started to turn red with anger. Jerry laughed, "Do I look like I care?" Jerry got up from his chair and got right in mob boss's face, "Now I believe it's time for you to leave Mr. Monroe." Jerry and Monroe had a brief stare down. What was only a few seconds felt like hours to Jerry as he and the boss looked each other. Marcus was the first to speak up, "You black bitch. You have no idea what you just did." Marcus knocked on the door signaling Ryan to hold it open again. The mob boss turn and walked out that door. Ryan gave one look at his father before before closing the door. Jerry took a deep breath and sat back down. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a family photo of him, his wife and son at the beach.

Tears poured as memories of past years filled his head. He layed his head down on the desk thinking about the everything he sacrificed to have his dream. He cried into his desk until he fell asleep.

(A Few Hours Later)

Jerry awoke with the smell of burning gas filling his lungs. He coughed uncontrollably as he fell out of his chair trying to reach the door. With all his strength he reached the doorknob and opened it. He couldnt believe his eyes, his dream burning up all around him like it was burning man. His vision became blurry as the lack of oxygen started affecting him. He couldn't make it out but someone was heading towards him right as he blacked out.

(A Few More Hours Later)

Jerry opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was a white sealing. He was in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask attached to his face. He looked around and the room was filled with 6 guards in suits, and in between them was Marcus Monroe, "Good to see your awake." Jerry was to weak to say anything. He reached for the button to call a nurse but it was gone, "Don't worry about that, We'll put it back once we're done talking." Marcus walked up right beside Jerry and pulled out his phone, "I want you to look at this and don't look away or else I'll have my men hold your eyes open for you." He showed Jerry a picture of Ryan giving a man a bag of white powder. He swiped right, the new picture was the man pulling out a gun. He swiped right again, this time the picture showed Ryan getting shot in the chest.

Jerry cried and tried to lean up in his chair but Marcus pushed him back down and slapped him. Two of the guards grabbed Jerry and held him down, "YOU WILL GET UP WHEN I SAY YOU CAN." Monroe yelled. He adjusted his tie before resuming the pictures. The last ones were of his son gasping for air as he slowly stopped breathing. Jerry put away his phone, "Did you like the slideshow? I was gonna do a video but photography is hobby I've always wanted to get into but never got the chance." Marcus put away his phone and pulled out another envelope like he did before. He put it on Jerry's chest and the guards let him free. He looked at the envelope then back at the mob boss, "$40,000. Take the money and get out of Baltimore. I never want to see your face in this city no, in this state again. If me or my men catch you, your dead."

Jerry watched as Marcus and his men left the room, leaving him alone to cry. He grasps the envelope tightly as he screams in anger. A nurse and a doctor come rushing in trying to calm him down.