“Yo’ mental on lock too or something? What the fuck makes you think I’m ’bout to let you do shit other than sit yo’ ass right there and watch these next few days pass you by? I trashed yo’ shit for a reason, Brat. If I didn’t mind you using devices ‘round this muthafucka, I wouldn’t have took them to begin with.”
“It’s either let me use the phone or expect a visitor. It’s your choice,” I said lifting my legs onto the bed one by one.
“The fuck that’s supposed to mean?” he questioned pulling his gun from his waist. Again, I was a target of his.
“I was with my best friend yesterday when the chaos started in the mall. You were the one that created it, right?” I asked. He ignored my question and just stood there. I rolled my eyes and continued with my rant. “She knows all about my condition, and I’m sure she’s been blowing my phone up since we parted ways. If you don’t want her showing up here to make sure I’m good, you’d get off your high horse and let me stop her. She has all codes to get in. She’d run into you before you even notice her,” I explained.
We exchanged glares with mine being soft and his not so much. I was ultimately saving him from being ratted out. Toneshia stayed strapped as well so if she saw his gun, there would definitely be a shootout in here. In her mind, it would’ve been he was here to kill me, and she wasn’t going to let that happen.
“Don’t try no shit, Brat. I will put yo’ pretty ass down in here,” he threatened.
“Whatever, just give me the phone so I can get this over with.” I extended my hand in his direction, and he chuckled at my gesture.
“I got to be looked at as a stupid muthafucka ‘cause ain’t no way you think I’m ‘bout to hand this muthafucka over freely. Call out her number.”
“I don’t know it,” I lied.
“Cool. I’ll just have to lay shawty low when she come then. Don’t make me no never mind,” he voiced cocking his pistol.
I loved my best friend like family. I wouldn’t allow her to get hurt because of my stubbornness. That would be something I couldn’t let sit on my conscience.
“Fine. It’s 962-841-3570. She might have her phone on do not disturb, so you’ll have to call twice,” I advised.
The numbers were dialed and put on speaker. Surprisingly, Toneshia’s phone rang straight through. She must’ve been expecting someone’s call. She answered after a few rings with concern lacing her words. I was almost certain she was waiting for me.
“Hello.”
“Hey bestie.”
“Dammit Che-Che. Why the fuck are you just now calling me? I told Derrek I had one more time to call and you not answer. I was coming over there. Are you okay? Did something happen?” She was firing off her list of twenty-one questions. It never failed. This time just held more worry than others.
I looked up at Black and he was mugging the hell out of me. There was a thought to test the waters so bad but the glare he gave me, let me know to get that shit out of my head and fast. With his arms crossed in front of him, he gripped his Glock causing me to swallow the excess saliva that built up.
“I’m good girl. That bullshit at the mall caused me to have a damn episode so I was down yesterday. I feel better today. I’m about to pop these meds and eat something afterward. I left my phone in the car by mistake, so I had to use one of the backups.Stop worrying, Nesh.” I did my best to sound as normal as possible even though my nerves were bouncing off the wall.
“I’m coming over there. I bet you ain’t even had a shower or anything yet, have you?”
“I literally just got out and back in bed. I’m good bestie, for real. Please call my parents and tell them as well. I can’t remember their number for shit.”
“Okay, I will. Oh, have you seen the news yet? Bitch, please tell me you near your remote or something. You need to turn that shit on ASAP!” she shouted.
“Hold on. Give me a minute.” I pointed to the remote on the bed.
Black reached over, grabbed it from the center of the bed, and turned on the television for me. He seemed interested in it as well. I wanted to take my chances and add 9-1-1 to the call but I knew the second I went to do it, all eyes would be back on me. Shaking the thought, I tuned into the news that seemed to be circulating with yesterday’s events.
The reporter gave updated information and we both tuned in. They were standing in the mall parking lot in front of the entrance where me and Toneshia parked. “The shooting from Kinfolk Galleria has put SPD on high alert. They are visiting every witness that was injured and interviewing the many that comes forth with new information. CEO Royce Atkins has closed the mall until further notice giving all staff paid time off. Donald Higgins is still in the intensive care unit at Spring Memorial with officers rotating shifts throughout the day. Apparently, Donald Higgins was trying to prevent a broad daylight robbery happening at XXIV Carats jewelry store. This jewelry store is new to this location and hadn’t been a part of the mall not even a month. Donald Higgins is suffering from two shots to his chest.” That was all the reporter could get out before Black turned it off.
“Bitch, if he doesn’t make it off that hospital bed, then it’s no longer an armed robbery. Whoever shot him will be wearing armed robbery and murder. I am so glad we made it out alive,” Toneshia said with relief.
I was glad to see her relieved, but I wasn’t out of harm’s way. To be honest, my level of fear had upgraded to being full blown terrified. Black gave off this rude ass nigga vibe with a hint of sweetness. However, that wasn’t the case at all. He tried to kill that security guard putting two holes in chest without hesitation. My view on this man took a one-eighty and locked itself there. If I didn’t figure out a way to get the fuck away from here, there was a great possibility I would die here.
He motioned for me to wrap up the call and that was the last thing I wanted to do. Learning that he had a temper only made me more cautious of him. I needed Nesh to stay on the phone for comfort.
“Yeah, so am I.” He snatched the phone from me and went to hang it up when I snatched it right the fuck back. This was my only chance and if he did me in, so be it! “Call the pol?—”
“What? I ain’t hear you Che, the phone cut out. Say that again,” Nesh said.
Black’s hand was over my mouth with the barrel of his gun back at my temple. He spoke with a whisper into my ear. “I’ll rockabye you in this muthafucka so goddamn fast, you’ll be greeting Peter at the pearly gates. I like you, Brat, I really fuckin’ do, but don’t give me a fuckin’ reason. You got that?” The only thing I could do was let the tears stream. “Answer me, Brat.” I nodded slowly, and he shoved his gun into my head. “Answer her.”
