“Alejandro.”

“…”

“Alejandro!”

“Si Jefe? Lo siento, nomas (I’m sorry, I was)…”

“What are you thinking of, Alejandro.”

“Nothing, jefe; I’m sorry.”

“No, no, no, it’s okay. Everything is perfectly fine, right?”

“Of course it is jefe… I mean, we fucked those guys up north. That’s what I was worried about.”

Vicente stood up from a luxurious desk. His well-groomed hair and clean-shaven face made it look like he was a high-tier businessman.

Up close, he was intimidating. Muscles bulged through the black and white suit he was wearing as his fierce black eyes analyzed his enemies. He slowly stepped towards Alejandro, towering over him.

“You’re right, we completely fucked them up, didn’t we.”

“Yeah… So, there really isn’t anything to worry about.”

“No. That’s where you’re wrong, Alejandro, you see…”

Vicente walked around Alejandro while speaking, all before standing right in front of him. Then, leaning on the front of his desk, he stared into Alejandro’s eyes.

“There’s always something to worry about.”

He smiled at Alejandro, crossing his arms and motioning for Alejandro to stare out a large window towards the end of the office.

They both walked towards it and looked out. There, children could be seen playing as faint trails of smoke came out of every adult.

“Take my territory, for example. I’m always anxious, worried that something or someone could take it all from the very palm of my hand.”

“I don’t know what you are trying to say.”

“You could say that’s a flaw of mine, many of my foes would say that… However!”

The two stared at his palm as he closed it and fisted it up, causing visible veins to pop out of his arms and hands.

“I would say that gives me the edge. An unnatural suspicion of everything. Even you.”

“What!? Jefe, I would never.”

“Alejandro. I will be frank with you. Did you have anything to do with Francisco’s escape?”

“H-His escape? I thought he was killed?”

“It’s alright, you don’t have to act stupid in front of me. He’s alive. I’ve always known that son of a bitch to be tenacious.”

“…”

“That’s why I am asking this. Because even this has me stumped… Just how could he escape so seamlessly.”

“Well, jefe, how would I know.”

“Ha. Don’t you see it? It was obvious one of my own men helped him escape.”

“Then, are you saying I did it?”

“No… In all honesty, I have no clue who did it.”

“Then why am I here, jefe.”

“Let’s just say… It’s a sixth sense. That is why, Alejandro, I will ask you again. Did, you, have anything. Anything… to do with his escape.”

“No! Absolutely not, jefe. Why would I be such a dumb ass to help him.”

Vicente did not say anything for minutes as the two sat in silence. The evening sun shone down on the two of them through the window as they both stared at the surrounding buildings and apartments. Then, Vicente patted Alejandro on the back before saying.

“Maybe you’re right. Alright, you’re free to leave Alejandro.”

“Yes, of course, jefe. I know you have suspicions, but I certainly would have never done such a thing.”

Vicente looked at Alejandro deeply before stating.

“I certainly hope so, Alejandro. You know the saying… An eye for an eye. Don’t you agree with that?. When someone does something, they should expect an equal and opposite return.”

“Of course, jefe. If I ever decided to betray you, which I would never do, any punishment would be fine. Haha, I just hope you don’t go after my family.”

“Don’t worry. I would never stoop so low.”

“Haha, that’s good to hear. I’m gonna head out now, jefe.”

“All right, make sure to keep good guard over your portion.”

“Of course, jefe.”

Vicente then motioned for Alejandro to leave before continuing to stare out the window.

A moment later, a light knock could be heard at a door on the other side of the office before it opened.

A man walked in and stood behind Vicente as he continued to stare out the window. Seconds later, he turned around and faced the man who walked in.

“How did it go?”

“Everything’s unstable right now. A fucking fight nearly broke out because of it all.”

“Didn’t I tell you to handle it?”

“It isn’t that easy. They’re calling bullshit on our excuses. They’re finding out it’s all a sham.

“…”

“Their loyalty to him falls deep; it’s something that will take time.”

“Do you think we have that?”

Vicente walked past him and sat down at his desk before motioning for the man to do the same.

“We’re having fights break out north, it’s only a matter of time before Emilio goes all in.”

“Vicente. We can’t have it all break down now.”

“I know… Hell, I’m the one who knows that the most.”

“What you need to do now is gain loyalty.”

“You already know there’s no more time. We’ll have to go in like this.”

“Fuck. I wouldn’t have done this if I knew.”

Vicente looked at the man in front of him, gazing deeply into his eyes.

“Javier. Remember this: without me, this entire family falls apart. Right now, I am the only one that can still keep this together.”

“…”

“Javier, go get ready. We’ll kill them before they can kill us.”

“!!”

“Get everybody ready; although I don’t want anyone to die, this has to be done. For this family. Now go”

“…Alright.”

Javier stood up and walked out, leaving Vicente alone to grasp the meaning of this war.

Not only have they changed heads, but they are the most disorganized they can be. Rumors being mixed in by all sides are not making things easier.

Being this unorganized, abandoning territory, or coming to an agreement may have been wiser. But for Vicente, he has to prove that he has what it takes to be headstrong. And that means fighting and winning this territorial dispute. Every single one of his members is watching, waiting for a single moment of weakness. His men do not want someone who cowers in the face of the strong. They want someone who acts. Someone who will win and make them prosperous. Here, there is no room to talk anymore; now, there is only time for action.

————————————————————————————————-

Steam flooded the bathroom, fogging the mirror every couple of seconds. Francisco was in it topless, looking at his now pathetic physique. Before, he had well-formed muscles that solidified his muscles and state of mind. Now, most of his muscles had deteriorated, and his stomach had grown. Coupled with the deep purple bruise on the lower side of his stomach caused him to look weak and pathetic. Touching the bruise, an excruciating pain surged throughout his body that he could hardly handle. It would take weeks for this bruise to properly heal, maybe longer if he had fractured or broken any bones in the area of the hit. But right now, he could do nothing except wait for it to heal naturally.

Francisco then took the rest of his dirty clothes off and entered the shower.

15 minutes later, the hot water stopped running as Francisco stepped out of the shower. He reached into the middle of the bathroom to grab a soft white towel. After drying his body, he stepped out and opened the bathroom door with the towel covering his privates.

Outside on the hallway floor, a pair of clothes sat neatly folded in a stack. He grabbed them and entered the bathroom once again to change.

Minutes later, he exited and walked toward the living room, where he assumed they would be. But seeing no one there, he looked towards the kitchen to see Marcia diligently cooking while Elena sat on a dining room chair, drawing something. Elena was the first person to notice him standing in the living room silently. She analyzed him up and down before critiquing him.

“Ehhhh, you look a little better now.”

Marcia turned around to see him as well before chipping in with her own critique.

“It’s the beard and hair, Elena. He looks like a homeless man with it like that.”

“Hmmmmmm, maybe.”

Marcia then pulled out multiple plates and portioned food onto each of them; before bringing them to the dining room table and placing them down.

“Francisco, come sit and eat.”

Hearing her words, Francisco walked into the dining room and sat down at one of the three chairs the table had.

“Won’t I be taking Matthew’s chair?”

“He already went to work; you’re fine.”

“All right.”

Marcia then sat in the last available chair and put her hands together to thank God for the food. Shocked, Francisco did not know what to do as he sat there awkwardly, waiting for the two to finish.

“Alright, let’s eat!”

The three then ate as the mother and daughter chatted between themselves while Francisco ate.

It was a nostalgic meal. Scrambled eggs with sausage took one side of the plate, while the other took a Mexican dish called chilaquiles. Back then, years ago, she used to make this meal for the two of them before they went to school.

Francisco reminisced on his memories as he bit the food she had prepared. Although it could not be considered high-class food, it was absolutely delicious in Francisco’s eyes.

“Francisco. So, do you want to?”

“! What?”

Mesmerized and zoned out by the food, Francisco did not hear their question.

“I said, Do you want to come with us to get school supplies for Elena.”

“She’s beginning school?”

Before Marcia could respond, Elena bragged in a smug tone.

“Yup!! I’m about to start kindergarten on Wednesday!”

“I might cry; my little girl is growing up right before my eyes!”

“Don’t worry, mama, I’ll still love you the same!”

The, the two hugged each other as Marcia held back tears. Feeling like a third wheel, Francisco watched the two have their moment in silence.

“Anyway, do you want to come?”

“I don’t really.”

“Alright, you’re coming.”

“…”

An hour later, they pulled out of the driveway and hit the road. Along the way, the two talked while Francisco stared out the window. It was a sunny day, and many walked out along the city sidewalks, entering various shops and restaurants. Beautiful would be a great word to describe it; it was a huge change of pace compared to Los Angeles. However, before he could admire and embrace this change of pace, Francisco had to confess something to Marcia. She needed to know why he was here. Although she had not asked yet, she was most definitely curious as to why Francisco decided to come to her. And even if she was not, Francisco at least owed an explanation to her.

“Francisco, we’re here.”

Francisco looked up to see an arts-and-crafts store. It was not a main chain, so it was likely a local business. It was towards the outskirts of the city, so it more than likely did not get much foot traffic. But it was a nicely decorated building that showed personality.

Upon entering, the smell of asphalt and paint immediately flooded the senses. Being small, it was unexpected that there would be so many products sitting on the shelves.

From the front of the store, an old lady in her 50s approached the three. From behind, Elena ran past Francisco and Marcia to go and hug the old lady in pure excitement.

“Mrs. Williams!!!”

“Ohhh, well, hello there, baby.”

“Look look! It’s a drawing I made.”

“Awww, it looks absolutely incredible. Should I put this on the wall?”

“Yes!!”

“Hahaha, alright, alright.”

She then turned and walked to her front desk with all three of them following. After pinning it to a wall with multiple drawings, she turned and spoke with Marcia.

“So what brings you lovely folks here today.”

“Elena needs some school supplies. She’s starting school in two days.”

“Ah, alright. Elena, baby, there are some beautiful notebooks over here.”

Elena’s eyes brightened as she followed Mrs. Williams to a corner of the shop. Now alone, Marcia motioned for Francisco to follow her outside with a tense face.

Francisco followed as they both exited the small store to see the sun at the highest it could be. A hot late summer wind blew and fluttered Marcia’s shoulder-length straight black hair. All before she asked Francisco a question that had been on her mind since the morning.

“Francisco, why do you have cocaine.”