Page 113 of Wings of Ebony
A fire engine and three ambulances sit sideways on the street. Men in hefty yellow suits wrap up hoses. Paramedics have IV drips out, bandaging people up, carting people off on gurneys. I think there’s still one police car. But no reporters, no media trucks or cameramen.
My home was terrorized, but that’s not newsworthy, apparently.
Not what the world is trying to see from the people around here.
I run a finger under my sleeve, to the smooth metal seared to my arms. Moms said a second chance ain’t nothing to waste. That people who look like us, who come from where we come from, don’t get second chances. We gotta be twice as good from the start to get half what other people get. People everywhere waiting for us to fail.
This is my second chance, and when I face the General again, it will be his last.
A phone warms my ear, the gentlebrrriinnggvibrating against it.
“Rue?” Julius answers, voice laced with panic. “You aight? I freaked!”
I haven’t seen him since Brian died in my arms. Never said goodbye or told him what’s up. Time wasn’t on my side then, and it’s still not. “Listen, Litto’s people rolled through East Row tonight, looting houses, burning people’s things. They tried to kill me.”
“Shit, Rue! What you need? I can come through.”
“Get a crew together from the block. I have a plan to take Litto down for good. Meet me at Ms. Leola’s. I have one stop to make first, then I’ll be there.”
“Done. And Rue—” The worry is gone. Now it’s all anger. “We’re going to get these fools. Whatever it takes.”
Whatever it takes.
The line goes dead. What if my plan doesn’t work? What if I make a mistake, screw something up? I don’t have time to doubt. Gotta trust my instincts. I ain’t no dummy—far from it. I gotta think quick, but be smart and rely on the things Iknow.
And one thing I learned from growing up ’round here—my misstep with Brian—is always have a crew and roll in deep. So if shit goes left, I got a plan B.
I’ma make a way out of no way, like Moms taught me, but I’ma do it with a team.
I’m back in Ghizon in minutes, on the edge of the sea. The wind whips my clothes and hair every which way. Storm clouds loom far in the distance, but they’re moving fast. What time is it? Where would Jhamal be about now?
I dart across the Ancestors’ burial ground, the pit where Jhamal trained, and hurry up the crooked path, beneath a cluster of black-bark trees. The pathways are empty. Everyone must be in for the night. Clusters of chakusas sit to my right, their grassy walls rustling in the wind.
Someone shouts. Crying.
Is that Bri?
I really don’t have time for this.
But the sentiment of whatusedto be a really close friendship has me nearing the door the sounds are coming from. She’s curled up on her bed, smoothing tears from her cheeks. A twig snaps under my step.Shit!
Bri emerges from the hut, looking both ways. “Who’s there?”
I stick to the shadows.I do not want to do this.I should walk away and deal with this later. I step out from the shade and she starts to rush toward me, but stops herself.
“Rue? You’re back? What happened? A-are you okay?
“No, but I will be. The General’s dawgs ran through East Row looting homes and terrorizing people. He ripped apart my block.”
And killed my mother.
The words are glue on the roof of my mouth. Somehow not saying them out loud makes it easier to function despite the hurt.
“The call from Luke was a hoax. Tasha wasn’t taken at all. It was a way to draw me out. So the General’s men could get me. He wants the cuffs.”
She gasps. “Conniving swera. Rue, I—”
“I’ll deal with Luke later. Time’s short. I came back because I have a plan to take the General down. But I’m here to grab some help.”
