"Hey, man. How's it going?" a humble Vinnie greeted, letting his 23 year old friend into his house.

JD had come over another time to help finalize the plans for the wedding. The guy was still going through mental issues, so Vinnie figured he'd double-down on getting his wedding plans completely in order, even scheduling a reminder that he was going to legally change his name, as for a while, the name "Vincenzo Gill" didn't seem to suit the 32 year old Brazilian war veteran.

"So, we're really already almost done with this, huh?" JD asked.

Vinnie nodded, confirming that their work was finally done. Justin Dark fulfilling his duties as the best man was finally about to be finished, with a few tweaks here and there.

He looked saddened by this.

"Shit, I'm gonna miss having to come here every week." he said, sounding a little bit disappointed.

The Brazilian frowned, sort of having a mutual feeling as him. This has probably been the most time we've spent together since he got out of that group home. We need to hang out more often. Don't want him to think I hate him or anything.

"Hey, man. You've been helpful." Vin stated, reassuring JD that he enjoyed their time together, despite having to cut it shorter than expected.

They then sat down at the table, looking over some papers, all of which were now stacked nice and neat as opposed to the cluttered mess from before. There, Vinnie explained to Justin what the wedding was gonna be like, what they were able to afford, what they had to scrap, how many tuxedos and dresses were being bought, when and where they were having the bachelor party, and even his potential candidates as to who he was considering to be the Groomsmen, which were some fellow friends such as Earl, Biggie, Mr. Goggles, and possibly Scooder, though considering his drinking habits, Vin wasn't too fond of picking him.

"You're really inviting that green freak to be in the wedding?" Justin asked, sounding a bit rude.

The Brazilian glanced at him, knowing who he was referring to.

"Yeah?" he replied. "Is there a problem?"

The 23 year old shook his head. "No, there isn't. Forget it."

Vin rolled his eyes, disgusted by most people's perception of the green-skinned chemist. Some people need to lay off Goggles. Seriously. He ain't such a bad guy.

"And as for the bridesmaids, Kyanna told me she's already got that covered." he stated. "Me and her will make the final decision after she gets home from work tonight. I trust her to choose close friends and family, and not just some random women I don't know."

JD nodded, understanding his friend's reasoning for not wanting strangers to be on the stage, as that would be morally wrong on his part. Man's got his morals pretty high. Shit, they're higher than mine.

As they were finalizing everything, making all the final agreements, a high-pitched voice screamed from the other room.

"VINNIE-VAN!" they screamed, obviously belonging to Momo. This alarmed both of them.

Ugh... he muttered to himself. "Yes, Momo?"

The cat-girl pattered her feet to the door, opening it and leaping into the kitchen, her tail standing up and her eyes widened, looking as if she had been frightened by something.

"Momo, what's wrong?" JD asked, wondering what the problem was.

"Master, someone called asking for money!" she exclaimed in a childlike manner. "I don't has any money right now. I spent it all!"

Justin chuckled, being a little amused by his ex-housemate's over the top reaction to getting a call, from what he thought was, just a simple telemarketer. But Vinnie knew that, in his house hold, this was most likely not the case.

The Brazilian war veteran nervously chuckled with him, trying not to seem phased by what she was referring to. No, no. Gotta keep it down.

"Just ignore them, Momo. I get calls like that all the time. They're just some annoying little shits from overseas. That's all." the 23 year old said, expressing his disgust for scammers from the middle east.

She nodded, rubbing up next to him, acting as if she were a real cat.

"I love you, Master." she exclaimed.

Although she was trying to be sweet to her previous house mate, she could tell something was off about him. He radiated an energy that made her wonder what he was happening back at his house.

I hope he's not trying to hurts himself again... she thought to herself, recalling an incident from the previous year.

JD awkwardly sat there, his cheeks turning extremely red. His hands began to quiver, having an odd reaction to his old friend. Although Momo was still very attached to him, something triggered his mind just seeing her again...

Jeez, you should've been committed to this chick instead of that dumb blonde. She'd make one Hell of a sex slave!

Suddenly, JD began to audibly shout without reason.

"SHUT UP!" he yelled, startling both Vinnie and Momo. It seemed like he was yelling at someone who wasn't there.

Is he schizophrenic or some shit?

Immediately after that, an awkward silence filled the room. JD's random outburst was a rise of concern for how bad his mental state was. Both of them felt uncertain as to why the best man would suddenly shout like that, despite not having a valid reason to.

"What the hell was that about?" Vinnie asked, looking directly at his 23 year old friend with black hair. Looking into his eyes, seeing his blackened pupils, the Brazilian war veteran could definitely tell something was wrong with him more than their last encounter.

"Dude, are you okay?" he asked.

Justin stood there, his hands continued to quiver and his eyes were completely widened. He looked almost on the verge of a panic attack.

"Umm... I uh..." he said, having trouble finding the right words.

The Brazilian placed his palms on his waist, letting out a huge sigh. I'm actually really starting to worry about this kid.

"Listen, Justin. I don't know what your deal is, but I don't think yelling at the voices in your head is exactly helping."

JD hung his head down, covering his eyes and feeling embarrassed. If only he knew...

"I'm sorry, Vin." he said, having a more apologetic tone in his voice "Shit's just been stressful here lately. I haven't exactly been feeling like myself for the last few months."

Vinnie frowned, feeling empathetic towards the 23 year old man with similar mental issues. This kid's a real powerhouse. All the shit he's gone through and now it seems like he's finally being pushed over the edge.

"I know." he replied. "Because I know, for a fact, the guy I've known for the last few years wouldn't be snorting coke."

Justin's jaw dropped, surprised that Vinnie was actually aware of this information.

"W-What the fuck?" he exclaimed. "How did you know that?"

The Brazilian glared, implying that it wasn't that hard for him to figure it out.

"Come on, J. It really wasn't hard to find out." he said. "Did you forget who's living with me?"

He grit his teeth, feeling exposed at this. I should've fucking known Nora snitch on me...

"It's not a big deal, man." he replied, tying to remain under control. "It just helps take the edge off. That's all."

Although he could sort of understand his reasoning, Vinnie still didn't like the idea that JD was doing heavy drugs when he was made responsible for helping set up one of the most important days of his life.

"Still, do you think it's healthy for a younger guy like you to do that shit?"

Justin let out a grunt, beginning to feel very annoyed with the constant interrogating. I'm getting real tired of playing 20 Questions with these people. Hell, I've got a bag at home that I need to finish.

"I've heard it all before, okay?" he replied, sounding like he were wanting to drop the conversation. "My body, my choice. Alright?"

Vin shook his head, having a slight smirk on his face. "That ain't what that saying means, but okay."

He rolled his eyes, suddenly getting up from the table.

"I'm gonna go use your bathroom, okay?" he said.

Vinnie nodded, excusing his friend from the kitchen.

The 23 year old went into the bathroom, seeming like he had to take care of some personal business.

"knock knock knock JD, you good in there?" the voice of a curious Latina tomboy called. She had knocked on the door after hearing some vocals muffling from inside of the bathroom. To her, it sounded like Justin talking to himself.

I really hope he ain't about to drown himself in there... she thought to herself.

After a moment, the voices stopped. The Latina was very suspicious as to what her friend was doing in their family's bathroom.

I ain't got time for this. I gotta pee!

"Yo, JD? If you're dead in there, can I at least take a piss?" she asked, expecting to hear a response.

There was a brief moment of silence. This definitely alarmed the Latina tomboy. But to her relief, she got an audible response.

"W-Wait, what?" he shouted, seeming as if he had just snapped out of a trance. "Oh, y-yeah! I was just combing my hair, that's all."

Yo, what the fuck? That was freaky...

He turned the knob and open the door, stepping out to see Nora standing there. Her facial expression gave off the look of concern.

"Yo, were you talking to yourself in there?" she asked.

He frowned. "No, no. I don't do that."

She rolled her eyes, going in.

After she had came out, she saw JD, who was now sitting down on the couch looking downwards, almost as if he were depressed.

"You good?" she asked, noticing the negative body language coming from him.

He looked up. "Oh, y-yeah. I just..."

Without hesitation, Nora gave him a light hug, trying to comfort the 23 year old during his time of suffering. She knew a little bit about what was going on and knew he needed some sort of comfort during his time of being cyberbullied while still coping with his PTSD.

"Nora," he replied. "You're not usually a hugger..."

"I know." she replied, gently letting go. "I just felt like it, ya know?"

He nodded, not exactly minding it too much. Hey, who needs sex when you can hug, right?

"Well, I'm almost out of stuff again." he said. "So, can I buy some more?"

The Latina rolled her eyes, already suspecting as much. She grabbed a small baggy out, which was considered big for a drug like this.

"More chump change, I see?" he stated.

She glared at him.

"J, this is the biggest bag they sell." she informed.

"Yeah, whatever. Here's your money."

He then handed her a wad of cash, looking satisfied with his recent purchase.

The Latina frowned, knowing that there was something she needed to inform him about. I'm gonna have to tell him sooner or later.

"Uh, JD? I'm not trying to piss you off or anything, but you might wanna think twice before getting all comfortable buying this shit, you know?"

The 23 year old man glanced at her, not exactly sure what she was trying to say.

"Huh?"

The Latina shook her head, knowing it wasn't the right time. "Nothing, nothing. Forget about it."

I don't trust this bitch, Justin.

JD disregarded the voice in the back of his mind, now more worried about how bad their life was while he was dealing with his own set of shit.

"Nora, is there something going on?" Justin asked. "I know you don't like liars cause I don't neither."

She sighed, ready to break the unfortunate news to her buyer, who used to be more of a friend.

"Look, I ain't lying to you, okay? I just..."

"Just what?" he interrupted.

Motherfucker, I wasn't through.

"Let me finish." she replied, sounding a tad annoyed.

JD immediately closed his mouth, letting his Latina friend explain what her reasoning was.

"Look, let me put it like this: My boss is a bully and I don't want him bullying you too, okay?"

So?

"Your boss?" he said. "What does your boss have to do with anything? I want my-!"

As he was speaking, Vinnie had randomly entered the living room, throwing JD's mood off.

"Hey, guys? How's it going?" he asked, unaware of what his best man and his fiancé's older cousin were talking about.

Nora shrugged, definitely wanting to hide that she was breaking the news to JD that he was being taken off Mr. Mendez' list by Vinnie's request.

"Nothing much." she said. "I was just telling JD here about how he should be a mime."

The Brazilian laughed, thinking that was hilarious, yet so random. A Mime? What the fuck?! Ha, that's rich!

"A mime?" he asked, hysterically cackling. "What makes you say that?"

The Latina turned to Justin, eyeing his body.

"I dunno." she said. "He's got that posture."

JD facepalmed, awkwardly trying not to laugh along with this silly zinger. His cheeks turned red in that moment.

"Nora, just cause I died my hair black doesn't mean I'm a mime." he stated. "If anything, I'm a vampire."

"A vampire?" the Latina replied. "Yeah, like I'm gonna believe that."

God damn it, Justin! Are you stupid? WHAT ABOUT MY COKE!

Right before the 23 year old could say anything, the sound of a Hispanic mother busting through the front door, holding the hand of her 4 year old son.

"Woah, the the hell happened to him?" the Brazilian asked.

Looking at little Philly, he noticed that there was mud all over his fragile body. Kyanna eyed Vinnie, giving off a bad impression.

"Me and him were playing inside and uh..."

"BIG MEAN TRUCK!" Phillip yelled.

Considering he was only 4 years old, Phillip couldn't exactly give an explanation as to what exactly happened. However, Vinnie knew something was up just from that vague description.

"What do you mean, BIG MEAN TRUCK?" he asked, wanting to know more.

"Big mean truck spin tires and splashed mud on me!" he exclaimed, waving his hands around.

The Brazilian looked back at Kyanna, wanting to know if she knew who did it.

"Kyanna, do you think Mendez has something to do with this?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No, no. Can't be. I mean, It's just a coincidence, right?"

He nodded his head, hoping that someone spinning mud into their yard was only by mere chance during this time. I don't think the cartel would just put mud into my yard, right? They'd probably rather...

Suddenly, a large sound was heard from outside their home. It was a sound that would often triggered the war veteran's PTSD. It was the sound of a gunshot.

"Agh!" he shrieked, holding his ears.

JD, who was unsure what was exactly happening, took a peek out the window. Looking across the street, he saw a couple of blue SUVs sitting out in an empty lot across from them. Even though he didn't recognize them, Justin had the instinct to get out of there as soon as possible.

"Uh, yeah. I might need to leave now." he said, feeling in danger.

The two cousins nodded, agreeing with him. We'll let him handle his own shit, while we handle ours.

He reached for the front knob, but was immediately stopped by the Latina tomby.

"Yo, JD?" she said. "I suggest you go out the back."

The 23 year old nodded, making his way towards the back door. He crouched, slowly opening it and making a stealthy escape

Good, JD's out. Now, we can see what the fuck is going on...

Vinnie opened the front door, staring off across the street.

The silhouette of men wearing gold sunglasses and pastel-colored suits could be seen in the passenger seats behind the tinted windows of their cartel cruisers. Just from their appearance, the Brazilian knew who they were.

Mendez must be sending his debt collectors after me.

"Get out of here!" he shouted, flailing his arms up. "We don't want you here. Alonzo will get his money. I promise!"

For a moment, they continued to sit there, facing Vinnie's house. What are they waiting for?

They then abruptly left without reason.

What the hell? I thought they wanted to cap me? he thought to himself.

Vinnie ran back inside, locking every single door and window in his house. This is bullshit! I can't fucking live like this in my own house. I think I'm gonna start considering going to that fishdick of a city just to end this once and for all...

That night as Vinnie and Kyanna were getting ready for bed, the Brazilian sat anxiously on his side, rocking back and forth constantly.

Motherfuck, motherfuck, motherfuck! I'm gonna be in the ground or in a body bag if I don't sort this shit out.

The Hispanic woman came out of their bathroom, immediately noticing the body movement of her lover.

"Vin, are you alright?" she asked.

He looked at her, an expression of worry striking his face. She could already tell what this was about, as she felt strongly about the situation too.

"I know, it's pretty scary." she said, crawling in bed and curling up next to him. "But you have us to help you."

He looked at her, frowning. As much as he loved Kyanna Delrio, he knew that this was a personal curse of his. Whenever he would develop strong feelings for someone, something would stand in the way of their partnership, in this case: A homicidal maniac from Palm Ocean City.

"And I don't want to lose you." he said, slowly trying to separate the contact between them. I'm cursed, Kyanna. Every time I think my life is getting good, something fucked up happens and I end up being cut off."

He then got up, heading over to the closet. He then reached behind the shoe rack, holding the item he had purchased from Scooder a couple of weeks before.

"Vin, did you buy another gun?" she asked, seeing the AK-47 in his hands.

He nodded. "Yep. If that scumbag tries to hurt you or Philly, I'm gonna blow his nuts off!"

The Hispanic mother gasped at this threat, completely shocked at the vulgar expression he made.

"Woah, don't you think that's a bit overboard?" she asked.

He glanced at her.

"Overboard?" he asked. "Kyanna, he's a freaking drug lord, selling cocaine to kids and meth to Grandma. That stuff has killed so many people in the last several decades. You think I give a shit if I kill him or not?"

"Still, I don't think killing him is such a good idea." she stated. "I mean, what if he has friends?"

"No, letting him fuck with us isn't such a good idea." he replied, now sounding a bit more passion ate. "And I don't give a shit about his friends. I'm not just gonna sit back and let that Colombian cocksucker fuck with us over some god damn money. Nothing can put a price on family."

The Hispanic smiled, flattered by this. He's got such a big heart. And that's why I love him. I REALLY wish Nora never started dealing drugs over here. I know how relentless some of those criminals can be and she's done this before...

"Well, FAMILY." she said in a teasing manner. "I suggest you put the AK down and come to bed. We can start actually sorting this out tomorrow, now that our wedding is pretty much done being planned."

He nodded, crawling back into bed with his loving fiancé. They went to bed that night, trying very hard to fall asleep. But with everything that had been going on, sleep wasn't as easy to come as it once was. Knowing they possibly had a target on each of their heads was highly concerning.

A part of him hoped that the people across the street were just a couple of teenagers wearing Halloween outfits, since that holiday was approaching them. But since it wasn't for another week or so, he found that to be a bit unlikely. I gotta get everything sorted out before January 21st...