Page 4 of The Prodigy

3

Jakari

Ithappenedsofast.

I was almost at my car when he called my name. My street name, not my government. I had heat on me, so I pulled it out as I turned, keeping it at my side just in case I was being paranoid. Just in case maybe he was an old friend from high school or something.

Wishful thinking.

As soon as our eyes met, he raised his big ass arm. I was faster, letting off a round before he could even aim.

He really could have shot me in the back of the head and been on his merry way. The fact that he wanted to face me let me know he was a real nigga. You almost had to respect it.

Almost.

I knew he was dead before he hit the ground. I’d seen it before, how the light goes out in a person’s eyes. It’s a powerful feeling. I can’t say I enjoy it, but tonight, I was fucking relieved. It was either him or me, and it damn sure wasn’t gonna be me.

I was taking a step toward him when I heard a crash behind me. I whirled around and came face-to-face with the bartender. Her eyes were wide, her hands were plastered over her mouth, and she was shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

She sawme.

That shit shook me so hard, I forgot what I was supposed to be doing. I took a step toward her, letting my arm and my glock drop to my side. She backed up, still shaking her head.

She was scared.

Understandable, but I needed her to calm her ass down. The last thing I wanted was for her to scream and attract attention.

“Aye, come here,” I said, still walking, but slower this time. “Let me talk to—”

“You just shot him!” she yelled. “Oh my God! Is he dead?”

“Shhh. Just listen for a sec—”

“No, don’t. I…oh my God!”

Before I could speak again, I heard sirens.

Fuck!

There was really only one thing left to do. I ran at her, and as long as I live, I’ll never forget the fear in her eyes when I did. She thought I was gonna hurt her.

I wasn’t—at least, not yet.

Instead, I grabbed her hand and yanked her towards me.

“Your phone…” she said softly.

“What?”

She pointed.

It was on the ground at her feet, screen shattered, but all in one piece. I grabbed it and pulled her to my car. There was no time to think. It was like I was on autopilot as I opened the passenger door and pushed her into the seat. I ran around the front of my car and jumped in, cranking it up and peeling off before either of us could get our seatbelts on.

I sped away from the traffic, searching my brain for the location I’d just decided to go to. I hadn’t been there in years.

“Where are the Heights?” I demanded.

Bartender—what the fuck was her name?—sat there, silent and frozen.

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