Chapter 13: 12

'Now or never' - SF9

Unedited

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Rain fell unrelentingly on Zayn as he weaved his way through the pedestrians dispersed on the pavement. Rafael had informed him about the change of location - apparently someone had ratted them out so in a hurry they legged it to one of the most obvious places for illicit activities - an abandoned warehouse. It was located in Hayes, in the midst of the industrial area.

This time he wasn't going for fun, but to end things. To cut off any ties he had. He felt unsure now - it would seem highly suspicious to suddenly leave after someone tipping them off. But he'd already set off when he'd received the text telling him about the change of location.

And he was also dressed in the part. He was in black trackies, trainers, cap, gloves and a fleece muffler to try and hide his face without being too obvious. He wore a navy hoody so Rafe could recognise him amongst everyone. He had his vape in possession too - he was going to dispose of it. Returning it for money could mean someone could ship it to the police anonymously.

And lastly, an eleven inch shank. He must've been high when he got this from one of the guys - what the fuck would he do with it? He wasn't a roadman wondering around shanking anyone they deemed their opps. He felt wary of even holding it - if he was caught on the way, he could kiss his freedom goodbye. A minor in possession of vape, drugs in his system, suspicious contacts on his phone and lastly his weapon - he hated even thinking about the outcome.

Stop it. We are going to make things right. We had to start somewhere. Stop thinking of all the worst possibilities, he reassured himself.

He turned into a side street and ran down as fast as he could - he had checked the weather beforehand but London weather is so bipolar - it had been rather sunny before this. The side street lead to a T junction and he turned left before heading into an alleyway for a shortcut, at last leading him a row of dusty warehouses. One of them had a maroon bandana wrapped around the handle on the door, so he immediately knew which one they'd chosen to shack in.

This time when he knocked, he didn't use the code. The first hint to let them know that he wasn't a part of them anymore. The door didn't open immediately. A moment later Rafe opened the door, all geared up. He didn't question Zayn, just held the door more open for him.

"I suppose I should've seen this coming. With you bringing the chic and all. You're pulling out," commenter Rafael after staring at Zayn for a beat.

Zayn just nodded, waiting for Rafe to lead the way. Rafael took the hint and motioned Zayn to walk alongside him.

"Some are not going to make it easy for you. They don't trust you and want to compete with you. While some think we're better off without an incompetent teenager, in their words. But you chose a shitty timing - they gon think you were the rat. But I suppose thas rather stupid - why'd you come back, you could get caught if you were the mole?" Rafe sent him a sideways look after the last sentence.

"Rafael, it wasn't me -"

"Sé que no fuiste tú - I did not accuse you. But you anticipated it, didn't you?" Rafe interrupted. (I know it wasn't you).

"Since I beat Jaxon, yes. His little kuttis can't stand their boss, whom they had so much faith in, to have lost so easily to someone almost half his age. Pathetic." (Bitches)

"I know. Patético. I shouldn't have let them coños in. God it pisses me off -" he broke off swearing rapidly under his breath in Spanish. (Pathetic), (Pussies).

The corridor they were walking through ended; the warehouse only had one large room in the middle, with a second floor surrounding it on the edges. Only the main men were here, the rest usually only came when there was something going on. There were about 10 - 15 of them, gathered on the right on the same sofas from the station. Zayn didn't even know how'd they got them there.

"Zayn, my man! What you saying, cuz? We don't have much going on right now. It's more of a chill day so if you wanna let loose I'll hand you this card so you can head to the lounge-"

Zayn butted in, not in the mood for any bullshit,

"Actually that's not what I came for. I came to give this back -" he took out the shank and placed it on the table between them, " - because I didn't need it, and nor will I in the future."

He took a step back, folding his hands behind his back.

"I'm done with everything. You won't see me again."

He finished with. He awaited a response, surveying each of their expressions.

A man with bleached dreadlocks nodded slowly, raising his eyebrows. The ginger fellow next to him just shrugged and went back to eating. The two brunettes at the back just spared him a glance before resuming their quiet discussion. A chap with a long beard and combed mohawk just rolled his eyes before devouring his beer. These were all the positive reactions. The rest looked at each other, suspicious and vexed.

"Right after you ratted us out, eh?" Spat a blond at the front, presumably the leader.

"Listen blad, if I ratted you out, then maybe I'd have run away from you, not come to you. I only found out through Rafe while I was on my way here, and I don't keep contact with anyone else so how would've I known?" Zayn reasoned neutrally.

"Xander, let him go. What the fuck can a minor do?"

spoke a tattooed fella next to the blond.

"Fine. Don't show your face again. Don't pretend you know us. And you, Rafael, you can piss off too. We no longer need your back. We've got the Sye-" Xander was stopped from finishing his sentence by the Mohawk guy throwing his empty beer can at him. Xander opened his mouth to reprimand him but Mohawk shot him a look, silencing him.

Zayn turned to Rafael to see him looking at the rest with a bored expression.

"Don't try tell me to piss off, cobarde. You know very well I was leaving. You think I'd be stupid enough to stay after you got exposed?" Rafe laughed. (Wuss).

And with that Rafe yanked Zayn by the arm and pulled him out, the other men cursing at their backs.

They ran out, just in time actually, for they heard the approaching police sirens once they were a safe distance away. They ran for a good while, before hopping on a few buses to Wembley.

Zayn sensed Rafael had something to say but was prevented incase anyone overheard them in the crowded bus, so he didn't get off at his own stop. They got off the 18 bus and walked down the high road, turning on a side street to head into King Edwards Park. Once a good distance inside, Rafael broke the silence.

"Zayn. Do not be fooled, sí? There's a new power in town - heck, I don't even think it's just the Northwest but all of London. I've heard gossip. This person has even set their sights on Central - like what is he gonna find other than those posh gits? Man's mint tho, he got the North, Northwest, Northeast, East, West, South, Southwest and recently the Southeast covered so quick -"

"Southeast?! That's infested with turfs, how'd he not get shanked or su'in?" interjected Zayn, surprised.

"Man idk, this new perra knows what they're doing. I've heard they are only just holding the position and letting everyone do as they please. They need something from someone, which they're probably gonna get soon, and they gotta wait a couple years, then reveal themselves. They've got help from the Italian immigrants that frequented the Polski Market - I told you I thought I saw them somewhere. They're actually from the Italian Mafia - whos leader owes something to this person so he's helping them out."

"I see what you're saying, but whas it got to do with me? I left -"

"And you think that'd go unnoticed by him, tonto. Jaxon's also on your shit. I'm saying that it's not too safe for you. Lie low. Especially your chica. She was recognised when she came. As the girl who escaped from the burdel. She was wanted specially, not for Jaxon, but for this person. As of right now, they're attention is elsewhere but keep your ears open. They can return any time. And they know everyone, the irrelevant and the previous ones. Which is why I'm legging it back to México for now." (Fool), (girl), (brothel).

This all came as a surprise for him.

"Really?! I swear you threw a fit when your parents moved back and you stayed."

"We've had our differences. My not so safe profession. And my conversion to Islam. They unfortunately thought the two were related - i had started this shit a while ago but I don't have any qualifications, which I need to get, but I needed money. So here I am. I found a job for the three months I'm going back, then imma return and find a better place. Prolly in the student accommodation. And in September start an apprenticeship. I found one which gives good qualifications, but it wasn't free but I can afford it now. I was never one for the uni lark. I want a skill I can acquire and do business with it, verás?" explained. Rafael. (You see?)

Zayn was a little stunned. Rafael who was usually so cold and bitter was sharing all this with him. He had come a far way though; Zayn had gathered that much tho. He'd never heard his story but Rafe's eyes often narrated the story. He was more transparent than he thought. Zayn remembered when Rafael overdosed, he'd cried out for his mom, his dad, and some other names. Zayn was no expert in Spanish but he understood that he was calling his family, to save him. After Rafael almost caught an STD/STI through sharing needles with other users when he was on heroine, he'd suddenly ditched it for coke and ecstasy, alternating between the two depending on his mood. He overdoes shortly, but made swift recovery and went and reverted to Islam. It had surprised Zayn a lot; he was raised agnostic and always scoffed when religion was mentioned. If Zayn hadn't so much shit in his life, he'd put more effort into his friendship with Rafael. He had a good heart.

"Yeah, I'll keep in it mind. Hope you come back tho," Zayn responded.

Rafael surprisingly offered Zayn a small smile. They did the half hug - half handshake thing guys do and set off their own seperate, both lost in their thoughts.

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That evening he sat in the living room with his father and Zeyd, his twenty one year old brother.

"Zayn, beta, you are going to have to come with me this time. Tomorrow morning we leave, we'll be back by Thursday evening," announced his father.

Zayn was about to open his mouth to complain, but he remembered that he could take a break and talk to Syra seriously on Friday. He didn't mind going on this business trip with his father. Zeyd misunderstood his thinking for refusal.

"I would go but Hoor and Noor are a handful now. Yamna can't handle them now that she's expecting again. Morning sickness,"

"Mubarak ho, beta. Allah asani peda karai, ameen,"

(Congratulations, son. May God give ease, amen)

Zayn also congratulated Zeyd. He was right - the twins were a handful, always getting into trouble. Despite his differences with some of his older siblings, Zayn loved all his nephew and nieces a lot, very much playing the role of a doting uncle. He didn't have any conflict with Zeyd, he tended to mind his own business which Zayn had no problem with but that's what lead them to having no relationship. They only spoke the formalities when Zeyd came over; but recently Zeyd had been talking a lot more to all of his family members. Putting in an effort. And Zayn had no objection to that. Even if it was definitely his sister-in-law's idea.

Their father got a call, excusing himself out of the room. Zeyd turned to Zayn and asked,

"Zayn; I've been meaning to ask you this in person. Why did you run out the house after the guests left on Friday? I waited for you but you took too long; I had to leave."

Zayn wasn't sure what to reply. As he begun to reply, Zeyd added,

"You seem to have something going on with their daughter. Sara, was it?"

"Well, I don't exactly know. We just were paired for an event. I don't know what she thinks of me exactly - maybe I'm just imagining it. But yeah, I do lo - like her. A lot. There's alota shit going on but imma do it after I come back with dad. On Friday."

Zeyd didn't respond, just looked at his younger brother with a masked expression.

On Friday. He'd do it for sure.

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Thankfully when I wrote this chapter it came easily. Bruh idk shall I write Rafael's book? Or not? Lol idk.

2260 words.