Lost and Turned Out: The Charge

Prologue

He bobbed his head to the music as he slowly wiped the wax into the custom paint. The Mercedes Benz SL600 was a lovely sight and it caught the attention of ladies and men alike.

He only cared about the ladies, tho.

Freeze was the man. Men wanted to be him and the ladies couldn’t get enough of him.

Who could blame them?

He always had the best of everything. The black Mercedes Benz he drove had nothing on what he planned to buy next. Still everyone was impressed by it.

Just as he leaned forward to wipe the fender he noticed a vehicle from the corner of his eye.

The black Lincoln slowed as it crept through the cul-de-sac. Squinting for a better view, he noticed that the passenger window slowly went down.

Jumping at the sight of the shotgun barrel, he dropped to the ground. He wasn’t fast enough, however. The bullets sprayed his prized SL 600, sending glass and metal everywhere.

He tried to cover himself, but it was pointless. The bullets kept coming. He knew that he wasn’t going to make it out of this.

Shaking his head in disbelief his eyes searched for his bodyguards.

The minute the first bullet pierced his side he thought to himself, never is the outcome more important than the doing.

CHAPTER 1

Money walks… broke niggaz talk! That was Harlem's father’s motto, he lived by that and by that he died.

Freeze constantly uttered phrases but, kill or get killed and never is the outcome more important than the doing, were the last words that he heard his father utter.

Harlem took Freeze’s death extremely hard; words couldn't express how hard he took it. Often, he'd utter; never is the outcome more important than the doing, kill or get killed. Each time his mother heard him say it, she’d say, success is a journey, not a destination

That was how she summed up Freeze’s life.

While, Harlem's father already reached his destination Harlem's journey had yet to begin.

Freeze gave him the maze (game) exclusively. He taught him everything that he knew about the street and Tha Streets, which he assured Harlem were definitely not the same.

At the time of the teaching, Harlem failed to understand all that he stood under but he appreciated it all the same.

Harlem loved his mother to the death of him, just as much as he loved his father. He was torn between the two; if asked to pick one he'd most likely pick his mother. Although he was definitely his father’s son, and it was beginning to show.

Darcel Harlem mirrored his father’s exact image, tall with an athletic build and skin the color of smooth, dark Hershey chocolate. He had dark piercing eyes and a smile that could send a shiver down any women’s spine.

His demeanor was mysterious yet sexy, a vibe that attracted a great deal of attention. He was the complete package and then some.

Harlem could only be described as MILITANT, INTELLIGENT, and MASHED POTATO SMOOTH WITH WOMEN. The full package was completed by a look of pure innocence, something that he used to his advantage often.

Women couldn’t help but be intrigued while men couldn’t hide their envy.

Physically he appeared almost incapable of harming anyone but, he was in fact everything that his father was, COLD-BLOODED, MANIPULATIVE and SEXUALLY OBSESSED.

I guess what they say is so, or is it? Like father, like son.

With his father dead and gone, things for him changed dramatically and although Harlem was not ready for those sudden changes he was somehow prepared, or rather he prepared himself.

For a small amount of time after his father’s death, Harlem searched for direction like all faith filled teenagers.

Full of life, he set his sights on becoming C.B.O of his own record label Sum Like It Hot, but Tha Streets had other plans for him and a record label were not in those plans.

With what was running through Harlem’s veins coupled with being young, black, and only a 9th grade education, there would be no record label for him; not in the late Nineties and definitely not in Baltimore, Maryland, (a.k.a) BODYMORE, MURDALAND.

That was asking a bit too much.

Back then, Baltimore's heart was as cold as steel. It was tough for even the best of them and obvious why it had been dubbed BODYMORE, MURDALAND.

To make matters worse, the city was divided into quite a few other aspects, known as GANGS. It was also the fastest and largest growing home of snitches perhaps in the nation.

Consequently, the only label that Harlem would receive and carry was Ringleader of the DUKELAND & HARLMBOYZ, which was given to him by the Baltimore City Circuit Courts. That label was the spark that ignited the eternally burning flame.

Harlem's father’s quotes became Harlem's quotes and just like his father he uttered them often and he lived by them.

His most said quote became the motto that he would live by MAN'S SOCIAL BEING DETERMINES HIS THINKING, and he was thinking that he needed to be living it up.

If you weren't living, you simply just survived. SURVIVING IS EASY, LIVING IS DIFFICULT, that's what his father always told him and if you took the easy way out, you were weak because nothing ever came easy for black people.

All he wanted to do was live, just like the Jay-Z song said CAN I LIVE? That was Harlem’s favorite song; he adopted that song as the sound track to his young life.

Jay-Z was his favorite rapper aside from Gangis Con. When it came to Jay-Z, CAN I LIVE? was the song he listened to, related to and loved.

When it came to Gangis Con, he listened to, and related to LOST & TURNED OUT!

He loved those songs so much that, CAN I LIVE? became his response and LOST & TURNED OUT! was his reply to just about everyone and everything.

He even uttered those same words to his mother a few times, and each one of those times his mother responded, Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Yeah, his mother always had a phrase to utter and most of them countered Freeze’s phrases.

If memory serves me right, Harlem was out in Miami with Keisha and Ro-Ro, at this salon called SOME LIKE IT HOT, when it all came to him.

Keisha and Ro-Ro were his sisters though none of them were actually related.

They were both beautiful women in their own right. Keisha was brown skinned, only five feet tall and shapely. She had an ass that made any man do a double take. She was his girl since elementary school crazy as hell and a tomboy. Keisha was always down for a good time.

His girl Ro-Ro was thin and tall with skin the color of milk chocolate. Always on top of the latest fashion, Ro-Ro stayed dressed to impress.

Anyway, Some Like It Hot, was home to some of the most beautiful and bootieful women a man could dream of.

Among the visitors were Kelly Rowland, Kelis, Beyonce, etc. There was always a star in the place.

Cookie was the stylist and Elizabeth the colorist extraordinaire. It was at this salon where Harlem heard all that he felt he needed to hear, and in that time spent waiting on his sisters to get their hair done, it was clear that Some really did like it hot.

It wasn't long after that, that Harlem set out to live. His visit to that salon with Keisha and Ro-Ro made him realize that, all he was doing was surviving and that if he didn't start living soon, he wouldn't ever get the chance. First, he had to deal with his mother.

Momma Harlem was the absolute opposite of Freeze. It was quite puzzling that the two ever connected but they did at one point in time. She kept Harlem on a tight leash, ensuring that his, living for Harlem, theme was surely curbed.

That short leash, while it lasted, was the balance that kept Harlem from behind the prison's walls. Despite all of his parent’s early teachings, he was destined to live the very life they cautioned against.

Regardless, Harlem was determined to live the life he chose, but for better or for worse, was the question?

Harlem never really respected the law especially the police because in his opinion, their jobs were to govern the ideas of the outsiders.

They were people who looked into his neighborhood and passed legislation, laws, and judgment on his race, culture, and its realities.

Momma Harlem was the only law he respected and Freeze was the only government that he acknowledged, but with Freeze dead and gone, Momma Harlem had to make the laws and govern them.

Picture a woman trying to teach a boy to be a man on her own. It wasn’t an easy thing to do.

She stayed on top of him as best she could, and constantly preached to him about becoming the SOLUTION and not the PROBLEM he swiftly became. Harlem was as determined to live as she was determined that he was going to be a part of the SOLUTION and not the PROBLEM.

Living, for Harlem meant that he had to get a life. A life that was fearless, a life that would not be burdened by failure and most importantly, a life that knew the value of SILENCE in the face of others’ missteps.

As anyone who has ever achieved the impossible can tell you, to move forward you've got to step out and do or say something that may not make sense to anyone except you.

Mom! I’m moving out, Harlem announced to his mother, expecting the worst but praying for the best.

At seventeen, with only a ninth-grade education, a little black notebook of raps, a few named brand clothes, some sneakers, and a plan, he was taking a risk.

Many would claim that he was taking a leap of faith or that he was just plain crazy and had lost his mind.

Rarely, are you forced to jump without a safety net.

Go right ahead, Mr. Man, she responded. That’s one less mouth to feed, his mother told him. So, you think that you can survive out there huh?" she questioned.

She shook her head in annoyance, taking him and what he said lightly but literally.

Surviving is easy. I’m about to live, he replied with a smirk, on his face.

Harlem was actually shocked that was all she had to say. He expected for her to flip out on him and get religious on him like she had done so many times before. Yet, that was all that she said, go right ahead, be my guest. I just hope that you live longer than your father did, she added sadly.

He didn't reply, Harlem just simply finished his food, got up from the table and made his way to his bedroom.

Momma Harlem didn't really mean what she just told him, but she definitely felt that way and she knew her child. She knew that one way or another, he would find a way to do whatever it was that he was thinking.

She had already tried just about everything and she would still try anything to reach Harlem and redirect his energy.

He reached his room and started dancing, happy that things went the way that they did. The wheels in his head were already turning and he had a definite plan. Hustle, save his money, and start his own record label. He flipped open his phone and called Beans.

Hello! a voice answered.

May I speak to Beans, he asked respectfully.

"Hold on....

BEAAAANNNNNNNNNNSSS The voice yelled out. "Pick up the phone.

Yeah! Who this? Beans came onto the line.

Who this? Nigga please! You ain't got no bitches and I’m both of your two friends, nigga. Who the fuck you think it is? Harlem said jokingly.

Ah! Nigga fuck you, I got bitches, Beans argued.

Whatever…hater!, his friend responded laughing. Slim! Guess what?, Harlem teased.

What?, Beans asked. I am moving outta my mom's house, he said proudly.

Nigga is you stupid or just dumb? Where the fuck is you gonna stay? Plus, I know that she flipped out on you. Does she know? he asked

She knows! And she’s cool with it nigga. DAMN! Can I live Nigga? Talking bout where am I gonna stay? Wherever nigga, you already know LOST & TURNED OUT, he responded.

Yo, you’re really crazy, I was just playing at first... but you are really fucking crazy. Well, I know where I’m bringing all of my bitches, Beans teased.

"The fuck you think my shit is gonna be nigga? Anyway, listen... I know that I said before that I wasn't with that hustling shit and all, but Slim realistically, look around you. Everybody is living except us. Don't you think that something is wrong with that picture, everybody doing them except us? I was with Keisha and Ro-Ro when they were getting their hair done, and shit came to me. Remember I told you about all them Shawty's that had come through? Slim, everybody is getting it out there. ‘SOME LIKE IT HOT was a wakeup call, we gotta get up and get out there and do us like we should have been doing", he said.

Maaannnn Beans said, sounding uncertain.

Slim, rapper's and all, everybody came through that spot, and guess who the bitches was acknowledging? The hustler’s nigga, them dudes is living, Harlem said to Beans picturing them living it up in his head.

Whatever happened to you doing the rap thing and shit?, Beans asked.

Harlem considered the question for a moment, and then answered his friend. That shit ain't got a nigga shit yet, and when I move it definitely ain't gonna pay no fucking bills, he responded.

That’s because you can't rap. Beans laughed, let’s hear you spit something, Beans said in disbelief.

Slim, You ain't said shit, listen; YO' IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS- IT WOULD BE NO THAT/ AND KNOW THAT- I SEE YOU LIKE YOU CAN'T SEE YOU/ MY SHIT SHARP LIKE'A JINSU- SIX HUNDRED SIXTY SIX TIMES EVERY TRILLIONTH OF A SECOND, NIGGA I BEEN KNEW/ (plus) I GAVE WHAT YOU GIVING- YOU JUST LIVING MY LIFE/ I been there, did that, got head, split that/ and you made’er your wife- Real talk, I never change, still pitch like'em pro/ top rank, cut throats & stack stack's like'em broke....", he said feeling every word he spoke.

The bars he spit had Beans nodding his head, feelin it. He cut Harlem off and hyped him. Oh shit Nigga! Yo' I didn't know that you could go like that. That shit was tight, we definitely gotta get on our music grind nigga, Beans said excitedly.

Nah! Fuck that! I am not with writing rap going to war for no crown, trying to get someone to put me on my feet. Fuck that, nigga I am out there, you out here with me or what? Harlem asked Beans.

MMAAANNNNNW! I don't know about that shit. You know I ain't really with that hustling thing. Look at what happened to Freeze, and if it can happen to that nigga, it definitely can happen to us, Beans warned him.

Slim, if you scared just say you scared, nigga, Harlem said angrily.

Nah man I ain't scared... I am just saying... NEVERMIND FUCK IT! I am out there with you, Beans said halfheartedly.

That’s my dude! I knew you was out there with me nigga. Slim, I got a plan but, for now, I gotta get off this phone because minutes ain't even free no more,,he laughed.

Ain't nobody tell you to move outta your mother’s shit, Beans uttered.

Whatever Nigga! Just remember this; Being a man begins with your ability to define the world on your own terms, I am out! The future begins right now! One!, he said.

With that, their call ended.

Chapter 2

Beans really didn't think much of the phone call. Harlem always had a plan to get some money fast but... he did wonder if this time Harlem was serious about any of what he said. He wondered if his friend really meant what he said about moving out and getting out there.

Beans and Harlem were very close and had been ever since Harlem moved in next door to him. They were always together and so tight that, whenever you saw one, you saw the other. A lot of people thought that they were brothers.

They had a few things in common but not as much as you would believe they did. While Harlem had a rugged charm that finessed the ladies, Beans was the lover.

Slim, fair skinned with soft wavy hair Beans didn’t have to put in much work to catch attention. Many said that he favored rapper, Jidenna. Beans milked that comparison for all it was worth.

Beans was a follower that talked the talk. Everything that he knew about the street, and Tha Streets, Harlem taught him.

Although, they were boys, Harlem never taught him all that he knew. That was something his father always warned him to never do.

Never give up all your secrets, stand-alone and know that it will get complicated holding a spot. Everybody is trying to get on top, which is simply a symptom of owning a throne.

Freeze was street and owned Tha Streets. His name was attached to a lot of different business ventures.

Harlem though, was a born leader who had his father’s swagger and his mother’s determination. He was business minded and an undercover conservative Brainiac who often used his strongest weapon for the wrong things.

Beans was impressed with Harlem's rap but not the idea of hustling. He was always down to roll with Harlem but this plan was crazy to him.

Why did Harlem need to hustle, his mother had a great job and his father left him with some legit money that would set him straight?

Yet, if Harlem were serious, Beans would be serious. They never left each other hanging; at least Harlem never left Beans hanging.

Now to call, ah..., he paused allowing his fingers to pick the numbers on the phone. Eanie, meanie, miney, moe, he stated as his finger landed on Hope's name.

Ah! HOPE... that’s what’s up, he said smiling at her contact photo. Hope was one of those females that always seemed to chase the right guys, for all the wrong reasons and sometimes, the wrong guys for all the right reasons. It was a risky pick but Harlem was always up for the challenge.

Nothing comes easy for the black man he uttered. Hope was overly possessive and insecure but more importantly, she had her own place and that was exactly what Harlem needed at the moment; a place to stay.

His plan was to spend a few nights here, a few nights there, each with different females, all the while not getting too comfortable.

His only concern was the emotional part that always came with the women he selected.

Hope was definitely, one of those emotional types but she was also crazy about Harlem. He surmised that for now she would be good enough. He flipped open his phone and dialed.

Hello! Hope answered on the first ring.

Sup! Pookie Bear? Harlem asked.

OH MY GOD! Harlem! What’s up baby daddy, she replied in an extremely excited tone.

Baby Daddy was the name she had given him because she always wanted him to one day be the father of her children. She always expressed to him that she thought he would be a great dad.

How's my Nubian Queen?, he teased.

Oh boy please! I wish I were a Queen, I wouldn't be living like this, she said to him.

I don't care how you claim you're living, you're a Queen to me, my Queen, he assured her.

So does that make you my King, she asked.

Nah! I am definitely no King... but if I was, I'd come over there and crown Your Majesty, just to assure you that what I feel will not ever change no matter who you fuck with. You know, I am not even fucked up with you anymore about that shit with you and Slim. It’s not all your fault, but for the part that you played, you can make it up to me if you want to, he said.

That was really all she needed to hear. The two of them had an undeniable chemistry and she appreciated his approach, it was always unique.

Well, what do you have in mind? How can I make it up to you? And what’s stopping you from coming over here and crowning me, she asked.

Why don't you come over and I'll spend the rest of my life with you, or at least tonight making it up to you. It'll be worth your while, she said as the silence filled the air.

He didn't reply. His plan was in effect. Under his breath, he uttered, I love when a plan comes together!

HARLEM! Hope yelled into the phone. I know you heard me, she snapped at him. Are you coming over or what? I am trying to get crowned, she said faking a tantrum.

I hear you! I was just thinking, he said slowly considering his words. You know, maybe we should take our interactions to another level. What do you think about that; you know maybe move in together and everything, he asked her.

Harlem was milking it for all that it was worth. It really wasn't that hard of a thing to do because even if he had been straight up with her she would have been game, yet he didn’t want to risk anything going wrong.

She lit up like a Christmas tree. OMG! Harlem please don’t play games with me like that, and don’t start something you aren’t gonna finish, she warned playfully.

Now you know that if I start it, it’s definitely gonna get finished. You know, nevermind, he teased.

Noooo! Don't do that to me, she pleaded. WHAT? Say it Harlem pleaseee, she begged.

It ain't nothing to say, I already said it. It’s on you now; only you can create and define our happiness from here. I am on my way over there and we'll talk about it some more then. You want me to bring you anything? You know you can have whatever you like right, he laughed.

No, I am good, just bring you, and that dick if for some reason it’s not attached to you, she joked. You're gonna need it tonight, please believe baby! she cooed.

You promise? He teased.

You'll see when you get here, she said laughing.

Should I bring more than one change of clothes, he asked.

Yeah! If you're gonna be living here, where else are you gonna get dressed? she asked waiting for his response, patiently.

With that, they said their good-byes and ended their conversation. Just like his father told him, SURVIVING was easy and for the most part, done. Now it’s time to LIVE he said packing his things into his gym bag.

His mind was made and in the morning, he would get up, get out and get on his grind but, for now, he was on his way to grind Hope.

Just like that, he finished packing, and went to his sister Deja's room. He gave her a kiss and told her, I am moving out and this is where I am going to be.

He wrote Hope’s number and address down on a notepad and handed it to her. Call me if you need me for anything. Don't give this to anyone and don't be telling people where I’m staying, he told her while pushing her playfully in the head.

WHATEVER! I am telling Mom, she replied.

After they shared a laugh, he looked around one final time and left.

Deja always looked up to Harlem though, she always acted as if she was his mother. When Harlem left, she felt as if he was taking a part of her with him.

That boy don't know what he wants to do with himself, she said under her breath.

As Harlem stood on the corner of Claymont Ave. waiting on a cab or hack, whichever one came first, he second-guessed himself for a minute.

As thoughts raced through his head, a Chevy Tahoe came rolling past him with tinted windows, music pumping and 24 inch rims, snapping him back into his reality.

Finally, a cab stopped, he jumped in and the cab took off headed for Hope’s house, which wasn't that far from his mother’s house.

The cab came to a stop in what seemed like only a few minutes. He paid the cab driver, hopped out, looked up at Hope’s house and took a deep breath, then stepped to the door proudly.

HEEEYYYY! How's my King? Hope asked as she answered, the door.

You ready to do some crowning, she teased moving back to let him inside. That don't look like enough clothes for the rest of our lives, she teased with a smile. But I am glad that you actually brought some stuff with you. You must be for real, huh?

I am as real as they come, Shawty. Don't ever doubt me, he said to her wrapping his arms around her waist.

"YEAH! But you know, I have been asking you to do this forever and you just kept playing cat and mouse games. I was starting to think that we

weren’t after the same thing," she admitted.

That’s because I had to really give it some thought. Living together isn't something you just jump into, but either way don't ever under-estimate the value of our bond, he said as they embraced and shared a passionate kiss.

That slow, sensual kiss was all the confirmation Hope needed. Her doubts were put to rest and she opened her heart to him.

Ummmmmm! I Love you, Baby Daddy! Let’s go upstairs, she said jumping up into his arms.

**********

Chapter 3

Ro-Ro! Bitch guess what? Keisha said.

What up, Slut! Ro-Ro replied in excitement.

I just talked to Toya and she said that she just called Harlem and his Mother told her that Harlem didn’t live there anymore, she said.

You’re lying! OOOO for real! Oh my God! So where is he living at? she asked her friend.

He ain’t say nothing to me. Mommie is probably losing her fucking mind, Ro-Ro said.

BITCH PLEASE! Mommie probably didn't say shit. You know that boy always be finding ways to do him. He never listens to her, she reasoned.

I bet if Freeze was still living that ass would listen, Ro-Ro assured Keisha.

Hell no he wouldn’t! Freeze is the reason he is like he is now. That nigga always let him do whatever he wanted to do. That boy is just spoiled. I wonder where he is staying. He probably staying with that nasty bitch Ginger she sneered.

EEEWWW! she exclaimed. I know he better not be fucking that bitch. You know she strips right? That boy dick is gonna fall off, ewwwwww, Ro-Ro uttered.

That’s your brother, Harlem. The male slut, Keisha laughed.

Ah BITCH! That’s your brother too. Damn, why didn't he tell us that he was moving or where he was moving to? He tell us every damn thing, else. I bet Beans punk ass know what’s up, and he likes you so you gotta work your magic on him so we can find out. You going to school tomorrow? Ro-Ro asked.

Yeah...I’m going, she said halfheartedly. Yo, listen to this text I got from Harlem yesterday. LIFE IS A GAME IN WHICH THE SCORE THAT MATTERS MOST IS NOT DETERMINED BY WHO WINS OR LOSES. The hell that’s supposed to mean? she asked.

That boy always got some shit to say, don't he? Ro-Ro asked smiling to herself.

YUP! And guess what? I be using the same shit's on motherfuckaz, Keisha laughed.

OH! Me too bitch, she said. They both laughed.

Well, I'll see you tomorrow morning, don't forget to holla at Beans she reminded.

I’ma see what I can find out too. A'ight girl I'll talk to you her friend responded.

With that, their called ended but that was just the beginning. Harlem moved out of his mother’s house and didn't tell them anything.

He normally told them just about everything, yet he didn't tell them that he moved out? Still they would find out, they always, found out everything and they always minded each other’s business. THAT’S WHAT FAMILY WAS FOR.

**********

Chapter 4

The rays from the morning sun woke Hope from her slumber. Harlem was still in perhaps the last peaceful sleep he would get, maybe for the rest of his life.

He needed that particular rest because the prior night, he and Hope had really put it down. They got it in over and over again, almost all night as they often did whenever they linked up.

Hope was still wearing the afterglow as she watched him sleep. She was in her zone and wanted what she was feeling to last for the rest of her life.

For the first time since Scoobie, her first love, she felt complete. She rubbed him slowly and his dick seemed to grow harder than the morning hard on that he already had.

She tasted him several times before she climbed atop him and slid his hardness into her wetness. His eye’s opened slowly with a smile of approval.

Good morning, my King! Hope whispered as she began moving herself upward and back down on Harlem's dick.

OH! It’s definitely a good morning now, he replied laying there allowing her to be in control for a little while longer. He smiled to himself, thinking, this is how a King is supposed to be woken up.

They kissed passionately. She squealed with delight as he flipped her onto the bed on her stomach. Positioning himself behind her, he slowly entered her.

She moaned as the weight of his body pressed her firmly into the bed. He entered her in one long passionate stroke and continued that motion several times before he pulled out and left her in a wonder of what she was to expect next from him.

In a push-up he broke contact with her body, just long enough to adjust the angle of his thrust.

She thought that he was preparing to fuck her in the ass. She had never been fucked in her ass before so she didn't complain when she felt his hardness split her again right in that warm wet tight little pussy of hers.

He withdrew and repeated the motion again and again. She was in heaven and he was right there by her side.

It wasn't long before a powerful contraction started to form deep inside her pussy. The contractions caused her pussy muscles to squeeze his dick to the point of explosion.

He always seemed to be so good at delaying his natural reaction. She loved that about him, but it was no delaying any reaction this time, and in a matter of seconds they both reached their climax together.

Sex between the two of them had always been something that they both really enjoyed but this time and the previous night had overwhelmed Hope.

It was in those two moments when commitment grew in her heart for what she swore would be the last and final time.

She wasn't at all happy about it despite the fact that, this was ultimately her goal.

Since Scoobie, she vowed to not ever allow another man to get that close to her. She wanted to be loved but not love anyone because loving someone meant giving that someone almost complete power over you.

Still it was nothing that she could do even if she tried. She already lost control.

You want something to eat? she asked him while they both lay there savoring the memory of what they had just done all night and that morning.

Nah, I’m straight, Harlem said climbing out of bed preparing himself to face the world on his own terms. I'll grab something to eat when I get around the way. I gotta go holla at Beans and shit bout a few things that we trying to get moving, he said.

Then, he got up and went to go shower. Hope went down stairs to fix something to eat. THERE'S A LOGIC IN EVERY JOURNEY, he uttered to himself.

**********

Chapter 5

Fat Slim, Black, and Nice were now no more. Black was now hooked on the same shit that he, Nice, and Fat slim sold together for Freeze.

Fat Slim, was a slave to the bottle and Nice was just really lucky to be alive.

It was hard to believe that things were how they were now. These guys were the best of friends, and rich.

They had everything that all the other guys wanted, and all neighborhood women or at least most of them, wanted to be with or seen with.

Nice tried to keep things together after Freeze got killed. He even hooked up with the same Arabians that Freeze dealt with.

It was through Freeze that he met the Arabians. This was their last hope to control that particular section of West Baltimore