Commit To Violence

"We’ll meet you there when we’re done. We got some things that we need to let you know about."

"Am I gonna be happy about it?"

Nick looked at Bobby. "He wants to know if he’s gonna be happy about what we did," he said and handed Bobby the phone.

"What’s up, Mike? No, you’re not gonna be happy about it, but trust me, what me and Nick are doin’ tonight has to be done. Where you at?"

"Me and Victor are about to take care of something, so I’ll see you two later at Cynt’s," Black said and ended the call.

Black and Victor headed back to the Bronx and checked out the spots where they thought they might find Cruz until they got word that he was at his apartment.

When Black and Victor arrived at Cruz’s they got out and headed for the building. As soon as they got close to it, somebody began shooting at them. Both Black and Victor took out their guns and ran toward the building, firing shots as they ran until they made it to the building.

"Think that was meant for us?" Victor asked while he reloaded his weapon.

"Let’s go find out," Black said and went inside.

They got on the elevator and Black pressed the button for the fourth floor. "But Cruz is on six."

"Stick with me, kid, and learn something," Black said as the door closed. "Right now there’s at least two, maybe three mutha fuckas standing in front of the door. When the door opens on six they’re gonna start shooting. Do you really wanna be in here when that happens?"

"Not really," Victor replied and felt a little stupid.

The elevator stopped on the fourth floor and they stepped to either side as the door opened. Black stuck his head out of the elevator and looked in both directions. The hallway was clear. Black pressed the button for the sixth floor. "Come on."

They ran to the stairwell and made their way up the steps. When they got to the fifth floor they heard gunfire. "You were right," Victor said and continued up the steps behind Black.

"Stick with me, kid, and you just might learn a few things and live long enough to use them," Black said as he got to the door. "You ready?"

"Let’s do it."

Black opened the door, stuck his gun out and fired blindly down the hall before he stepped out. There were two men with their backs to the wall. They opened fire and started backing their way down the hall toward Cruz’s apartment. Victor began firing shots from the doorway. Black hit the floor and fired at the men. He shot one in the back as he turned to run. Victor hit the other with two shots to the chest to clear the hallway.

Black got up and started walking down the hall. Just then, Jorge stuck his head out of the apartment and began firing. Black rammed his shoulder into the door of another apartment and took cover inside. Both Black and Victor began firing at Jorge from their positions. While Jorge covered for him, Cruz came running out of the apartment and down the hall.

"There he goes," Black shouted and went after Cruz. Jorge ducked back in the apartment. Victor reloaded his weapon then came out of the stairwell and started down the hall.

As Black passed by the apartment Jorge came out the door and prepared to fire. "Behind you, Black," Victor yelled and took aim.

Black turned in time to see Victor drop Jorge with a shot to the head. He nodded his appreciation at Victor and went after Cruz.

When Black got to the stairwell, he could see Cruz running down the steps two floors below. He fired a couple of shots and went after him. On the way down the steps, Black changed the clips in his guns.

r />

When Cruz got to the first floor he stopped and fired a shot at Black. He fired back and hit Cruz in the leg. Cruz took a couple more shots and continued down the steps into the basement.

Black followed him in.

When he entered the basement was dark. There were only two lights in the distance. It was obvious from the cobwebs that very few people went down there. As he searched the basement for Cruz, Black could hear what sounded like rats moving across the floor.

Black moved slowly toward the light with both guns drawn until his foot hit a beer can. Cruz heard the sound and fired in that direction, but it wasn’t close. Black picked up the can and threw it. When the can hit the floor Cruz fired again. Black saw where the shot came from and moved carefully toward it.

As Black came to a clearing he found Cruz sitting on the floor in a corner. Cruz raised his weapon and pulled the trigger, but he was out of bullets.

"Hello, Cruz."

Cruz threw the gun at Black, but he stepped out of the way. He picked up the empty gun and hit Cruz in the face with it. Black could see the blood pooling around his leg. He stepped on the wound and put his weight on it.