Ch.1 Nourishment at the Phoenix Fist
The night was cool, and calm. The pale moonlight reflected off of glass, and bounced off cars or buildings which cast ghostly shadows up and down the dimly lit street. My shoes beneath me gently scraped and flopped on the pavement as I walked rhythmically. One hand tucked into the pocket of my hoody, and the other swinging with me at each step. I drowned out all other sounds besides the few cars that passed me on the street. I kept aware of my surroundings. It was late, but still people were out sitting on their porches laughing, drinking, and keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood.
I had been outside for hours, yet I still felt energized and full of aspiration. With my free hand I reached into my pants pocket, and thumbed the earnings I had made throughout the day. Even though I couldn’t see the money in the dark, I knew exactly how much was in my pocket as I caressed the crisp bills and grinned. Then I stopped walking for a moment, to move my hand from the money to my waist, when I touched the steel of my .22. My grin slowly disappeared, but no sooner I let my hand hang free and continued on my way.
As much as the money made me feel good, and the gun made me feel secure, it didn’t fulfill my needs. Food and drink, my nourishment, had to come first. My lips were parched, and my stomach growled. I hadn’t eaten all day. There just wasn’t enough time with all of the business that came through, but my gut let me knew it wasn’t happy about it. It was too late to cook a decent meal, and all of the good restaurants were closed or too far to make it to on foot. So which left me the Phoenix Fist. It was usually the choice of the night when my day’s business ran a little late, which didn’t bother me much because the owner knew me by name, and kept pretty good ties with the rest of the neighborhood. No one ever really messed with Phoenix either, probably because he made the best Philly Cheese steaks on this this side of town, or maybe because he kept that .45 by his grill station and let everyone know about it.
Two blocks away from the Phoenix Fist, I decided to cut through the alley to save time. The alley was empty besides a few knocked over trash cans, littered trash, and cars parked behind garages. Half way down the second alley way, I noticed a black Lincoln in the middle of the alley way in park. I could hear music coming from within the car, and wasn’t sure how the occupants inside would react to my presence. I didn’t want to pull my gun out, not now, they might mistake me for a jack boy.
But what if they try to jack me? I thought to myself.
I ain’t gonna let it happen. I decided to walk towards the car, and past it. If I heard the door creak, or a click I would be ready. Coolly with the hand in my hoody pocket, I reached down and pulled back the hammer of my .22. Ready for anything.
As I approached the car, the music from within came to a halt. I kept facing forward, as I reached the back bumper of the car- making sure to stay in view for the driver in his mirror. I was now at the back window. Damn, they were tinted. No way I was going to be able to see inside, especially not in the dark. Friend or foe in the car, I’d find out soon. I was now at the driver’s window. I glanced out of the corner out of my eye as I kept walking forward expecting at anytime for the door to fly open, and someone to jump out. I kept walking, listening, holding my breathe, incase they did it quietly. I had to be ten feet ahead of them now, whoever it was. No one jumped out.
I made my way to the alley way entrance, and as I turned to my right to head down to the corner where the Phoenix Fist was, I could hear the music from inside the Lincoln blaring up once again. I looked back, and felt whoever inside look back at me.
I wanted to say something, but as long as they didn’t mess with me I could care less what they were doing. I walked to the corner of the Phoenix Fist and opened the heavy door with a strong pull.
It was dim inside the small quaint little place. The few people inside looked up from their red booths only for a moment then back to what they were previously doing. The place smelt of food- fried food mostly, but it was still pleasing as my stomach growled again. The counter by the register was empty, so I assumed that everyone was in the back by the kitchen, and by everyone I meant Phoenix.
Phoenix didn’t really have too much trust in people, so he preferred to work alone. “
That way I don’t have to worry about assholes stealing s**t under my nose,” he would say. Although during the day he had a couple waitresses working the dining room. He’d never admit that he needed help, but just smiled coolly,”
nothing wrong with eye candy.” I stopped in a couple times during the day, so I knew I couldn’t argue with that. T&A attracted more customer. Exactly what he would want during business hours. He wanted it more calm at night, less business, less trouble-some teens. But then again if you were trouble and Phoenix didn’t like you, he made it clear.
I banged my hand on the counter, “
Can I get some help here?”
“
Shenco, you’re beyond help my friend.” A voice called back to me from the dining room. I turned around to find Phoenix getting up from a booth occupied by a female. Pretty or not- I couldn’t tell with a nice view of the back of her head. Phoenix wore a white fedora to cover his hair, a pair of black oval sunglasses, white khakis, and an unbuttoned crimson long sleeved shirt. “
How you been?” He asked as he friendly slapped my shoulder.
“
I’m good man. Doing what I do. How about you? How is business doing?”
“
It’s doing. Suppose I can’t complain. But what can I get for you?- The usual?” Before I could even answer him he was already headed into the kitchen. I looked around the restaurant for a little bit. There wasn’t too many pictures on the walls, but the ones that were up were of Phoenix himself standing with people. Some were celebrities, and others were no one I recognized- who I assumed were family and friends. I noticed a couple people from the neighborhood, none that I knew by name or anything, but familiar faces I recognized. In the pictures Phoenix looked in his usual stature, too calm and relaxed. I noticed in the pictures with the females he wore a big cheesy grin, which failed to show in any other picture. I chuckled to myself, and found a seat in a booth right across from the woman that Phoenix was conversing with before I came in.
From where I was sitting I caught a good side angle glance at her. The first thing I notice was her skin color, she was light skinned, slightly darker caramel complexion. Her hair ran to about her shoulder blades, dark with a few red light highlights. Her lips pursed as she seductively sipped on the straw from her soda. With one hand holding the straw to her lips, and the other holding her dangling hair to the side, I let my mind wonder. Instantly as if she could read my thoughts she looked at me and battered her eyelashes. If they could have talked I imagine they would have asked, “
How may I help you?”
Before she could look away I instinctively smiled and asked, “
What’s good?” She coolly shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “
The name is Shenco.”
“
I heard Phoenix-” She said before taking another sip of her drink, “
say your name, I mean.”
“
Oh. And you?” “
Me, what?”
“
Your name. Or I could just call you gorgeous.”
She pointed to a tattoo on the side of her neck written in cursive. “
Shizzle.” She smirked. “
But call me what you want, but don’t call me a b***h. You do that, then we got problems.”
“
I’m sure I wouldn’t want that.” I laughed as I relaxed my arm over the side of the booth. We talked for awhile, mostly about the same usual s**t that comes up in every day discussion; family, work etc. I found out that she wasn’t from Prahjects, had no brothers or sisters, worked for a private company, when I asked if she was taken she said-
“
No, but it’s complicated. Why are you asking anyways?” She smiled.
“
Well- “ I started to lean forward across the aisle when Phoenix brushed past with a hot Philly Steak on a plate, and slapped it on the table in front of me.
“
Here you go, Shen.” He sat down the booth with me. Shizzle and I looked at the Philly steak and then at each other, and smiled almost synchronized. Phoenix leaned back against the booth pulled his sunglasses half off his nose to look back and forth at Shizzle and me. After a long moment of silence he laughed and shook his head. “
Trouble- Ya’ll two mixing together is a recipe for trouble.” We all looked at each other and burst into laughter. After the laughter subsided a little, I picked up the warm Philly steak and took a monster size bite. No sooner than I started eating my sandwich, Shizzle got up from the booth and pulled a black duffle bag with a heavy bronze padlock on it from underneath the table.
“
Well, fellas. I gotta be heading out now, after I use the ladies’ room. Nice chatting with you, Shenco. See you around Phoenix.”
I waved and smiled with a mouth full of food, wishing I would have taken a bite later so I could have formally said something. Phoenix said his goodbye as she stood up to hug her. We watched as she disappeared into the bathroom. Phoenix sat down, and before I swallowed my food I asked, “
So what’s the word with her?”
“
What do you mean?” He questioned back. “
Be more specific.”
“
You know what I mean, *****. Is she a flipper?”
He shook his head, “
Not even close. She’s special, that one. Not at all like these hoes around here.”
“
So, she’s taken then?”
“
Is that what she told you?” He responded cocking his fedora to his liking.
“
No, she said it’s complicated."
“
Well then, *****, it is what it is. If she said it, why are you asking me?”
“
Yea, but I don’t know what the ******** that means.”
“
Who does?” He chuckled. “
I’m sure you’ll find out though.” He looked up as she was coming out the bathroom- the duffle bag dangling from her right shoulder.
“
Goodnight you guys.” She waved.
“
Goodnight,” I responded.
“
Take care, hun.” Phoenix called back. The door closed abruptly behind her.
“
You know… I should really walk her to the car.” I said looking at Phoenix who looked as if he didn’t have a business to run, he would do just that.
“
Haha, I’ll have your Philly wrapped up to go in a second.” He said getting up take the plate with him. I followed him to the counter and watched him wrap the steak with rapid success, and throw it in a small paper bag. “
Go easy on her. She’s a good girl.” He handed me the bag and gave me a dap.
“
Later.” I shouted already on my way out. I pushed the heavy door open with ease. I looked both down the street. No sign of Shizzle. Fast as hell. I thought to myself. There were only a few cars on the street in front of the Phoenix Fist, all vacant. “
Huh…” Just as I began to assume she was well on her way home, I heard a noise in the alley, someone shouting. I put the bag holding my sandwich on the side of the alley, and made a mental note to come back and get it later. I withdrew my .22 and pulled the hammer back and put my hand behind me as I walked into the alley. The shouting increased. I made out a male voice and muffled female voice.
“
Where is that mother ********>, Puppet, when you need him!? ” The male voice angrily shouted.
“
He ain’t coming. And I don’t have the key. Now get the hell off of me!” It was Shizzle’s voice. I recognized it. Her captor was dressed in all black. Black trench coat, black shirt, black pants, black sunglasses, a black hat which held his long black hair- the whole works to match the black berretta which he held the nuzzle right under Shizzle’s chin. His other arm was tightly wrapped around her arms and body, pressing hers close to his. The back of his body was pressed against the black Lincoln. The music inside, dead.
“
You better come up with that key, or I’m a blow your ******** brains right through the roof of your skull! ”
My heart was pounding. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I gripped the steel even harder in anticipation.
Keep him busy. He won’t even notice me. I‘ll save you. I thought…I hoped. I slowly advanced as I watched Shizzle squirm and try to kick at the man in all black. I had to move faster other wise I could be too late. I wasn’t more than ten yard away from the struggle, and I moved my hand outward. The lights in the Lincoln turned on and went onto
high beam .I was blinded and couldn’t see Shizzle or the man in black anymore.
“
Puppet! Just in time!” The man bellowed.
I waved my gun in the direction where they voice was, and I had last seen them. “
Shizzle, are you okay?” I called out.
A short pause. “
Not puppet. Who the ******** is this?”
The sound of a firecracker went off, and I felt a sting in my left thigh. I fell to the ground. The sting was hot. Really hot. I felt liquid run down my leg. My eyes teared up as pushed on my wound with my left hand, my right still gripped on the .22 pointing in the direction of the gunshot. “
Who the hell are you? Well, Shizzle, I guess your cavalry has arrived! Hahaha! What the ******** were you planning on doing with a .22?” Shizzle’s captor laughed. I squinted my eyes trying to catch a view at his face. I aimed the gun towards him. I had a shot, but I might have hit Shizzle. I second guessed. “
Don’t even think about it mother ********. I could have killed you already.” Whoever stepped out of the car, made an appearance. He was shadowed away from the light, but I could see the automatic shotgun he carried effortlessly in his hands. He said nothing yet. “
And unless you want this bitches’ brains on your hands, I suggest you drop it right now.” The man in black demanded.
I looked at Shizzle’s shadow through squinted eyes, wishing I could see hers. What she wanted me to do. The pain in my leg was getting worse. I could feel a puddle forming under me, soaking in my jeans. My eyes began to blur. “
Nah… ******** that… ”
The shotgun was pumped, and aimed at my head. The holder stepped forward. His eyes hidden by sunglasses like the man in black. But he wore red, with a red bandana slightly over his spiked hair. He had a tattoo on his face. Of what- I wasn’t sure. “
Quite a mouth he’s got.” He said. “
Funny, since I could blow it right the ******** off your face.” He said it so calm and smooth without nervousness in his voice. I realized these guys would kill me without thinking twice about it. But not Shizzle. She would be safe, they needed something from her, a key, the man in black mentioned.
My eyes were getting blurrier. The gun in my hand was getting heavier. The barrel of a shotgun pointed right at my temple. The car’s beams seemed like a spotlight on me. My staged death… my final act. I thought about just firing away hoping to hit the b*****d. But I really didn’t want to take the risk of killing Shizzle. Nor did I really like the idea of getting my head wiped off my shoulders. I lowered my hand, and let the gun drop gently to the ground.
“
Shen… ” I could hear Shizzle groaning.
“
That’s a good boy,” Shizzle’s assailant spoke as if it were expected of me. “
Now say goodnight sweetheart.” He chuckled as he kissed Shizzle on the cheek as she tried to pull away. The barrel of the shotgun drew back. I waited for it- to hear the bang. Instead a faint whistle, and
SLAM. The butt of the shotgun hit the side my face with great force. My head jerked to the side. My whole head rattled and I thought for sure my brain was knocked out of my skull.
I didn’t feel my head bounce off the pavement with a violent smack. But I could see the area from my temple to my eyebrow puffed out already, as
blood began to leak down into my eye. I tried to blink it out. I tried to look up through the fuzziness and blood. My attacker picked up my .22, and made his way back to the car. Shizzle was being carried away. I could feel her sympathetically looking at me. I tried to yell, but nothing came out. I was going to die here, bleed to death. Right in the alley of the Phoenix Fist. I could hear my heart beat intensified, as the side of my face and leg pulsated with pain. Bloodtrickled into my mouth, and served as a wet pillow for my head.
Tires squealed. I couldn’t tell if they were close or near. Everything seemed surreal. The sounds of firecrackers again. Shizzle let out a scream. The car lights faded away. Shizzle and the men…everything went blurry and faded into nothing…
