Chapter 3
It was 12 pm, and Elijah was driving a black car with tinted windows through the streets, Kai in the passenger seat. Stopped at a red light, Elijah wondered, "How did they remove the license plate and repaint the car so fast? It only took them three hours. They cleaned the car, created papers proving I own it, and made me a license. Who are these people?"
Kai chuckled, looking out the window. "Just some guys I know," he answered simply.
Elijah glanced at him before driving on. Can I get to know people like that? The kind who can fix any problem in a moment?
[Why not? Just ask Kai to involve you in his deals,] Alter Elijah answered.
Yeah, but what Kai does is dangerous. I could die if I get in too deep, Elijah replied, shaking his head slightly.
[Are you sure about that?] Alter Elijah's voice prompted him to think again.
Hmmm, what do you mean? Elijah questioned, but no reply came.
Soon, they reached their destination: the train station.
"No, it was left, right, left. I remember," Kai insisted.
"No, it's right, left, right," Elijah countered. They were leaning against the car, staring at the station doors and arguing.
"Elijah, I think you're having memory problems. It was my favorite song as a kid, so I remember the words," Kai said, counting the steps back in his head.
"Yes, it was, but you played it every day until it became boring, so I remember it," Elijah retorted.
The two were fighting about a song from their childhood. It had started with them listening to music in the car, which led to talking about a song they hadn't heard in years.
A young girl stepped out of the station with the crowd, but she was more eye-catching than the others because of her beauty. She was 18 years old, lean, with a body to die for—an hourglass figure and a fine ass. She wore a dress that was neither too long nor too short, just right for her chocolate skin, which made her all the more alluring. She had a charm very few could match.
She was the spitting image of her mother, Stella, but as a young woman. Her red eyes and long black hair enhanced her beauty as she walked toward Kai and Elijah, who were still arguing.
"What are you guys fighting about this time?" the young girl asked as she reached them.
They both looked at the stunning girl, and Kai smiled, opening his arms. "My little sis!" He hugged her. "It's been so long, you know."
"Yeah, just a few weeks," Amy answered, hugging him back.
"Even so, I missed you a lot," Kai said.
"Amy," Elijah said. Once the two separated, Elijah hugged her. "How are you, sis?"
"I'm good, bro. Anyway, what were you two arguing about so loudly that everyone was staring?" Amy questioned.
Elijah smiled. "Amy, you remember that famous 'Step by Step' song from when we were kids, called 'Right Left'?"
"Or 'Left Right'," Kai added.
Amy thought for a moment. "Wait, you mean that song Kai played every single day?"
"Yes," they both said in unison.
"What about it?" Amy asked.
"What were the words in the song, and can you show me the dance you remember?" Elijah said.
"Ooh, it was like… right, left, right," Amy said, demonstrating the dance.
Elijah smiled brightly, looking at Kai. "See?"
"It wasn't left, right, left?" Kai asked again.
Amy shook her head with a chuckle.
Elijah added, "I told you, bro."
Kai snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Get in the car, let's go."
"What are you talking about? You came to get me with a car? This doesn't look like Mom's car. Whose is it?" Amy questioned, knowing that neither Kai nor Elijah owned a car.
Kai sighed. "I hate to admit it, but it's Elijah's."
"Seriously? I thought you would be the first to have one," Amy commented.
"Hey!" Elijah snorted. "Get in the car."
Amy chuckled and got into the back seat.
Kai said, "Let's go to Linal Street in the 9th District."
"Hmmm, aren't we going to drop Amy off first?" Elijah questioned as Kai got in on the other side.
"No, it won't be dangerous. We're just meeting someone to finish some things, and then we'll go home," Kai answered.
Elijah nodded and entered the car, driving off.
[Good thing we're going there,] Alter Elijah said.
What's good about going into a gangless area? Elijah questioned.
[You'll see. You're trying to hide from the illusion you've placed on reality. Going there will open your mind to what you're avoiding,] Alter Elijah said.
Just be direct instead of this indirect way of telling me something.
[I am you, so I know what you'll defend against and how. It's pointless for me to be direct, knowing you won't listen. Showing you the cruel and the good is the best way to teach you, as you'll have no argument against what's right in front of you.]
Hmph, okay, say whatever, Elijah said, just as he heard his name being shouted.
"Elijah!!" Amy screamed.
"Hmmm?" Elijah glanced at her and the road at the same time.
"Damn, are you too focused on the road?" Amy said with a confused expression.
"Sorry, I was thinking about something," Elijah said. "What did you want?"
"Can you buy me some food? I'm hungry as hell," Amy answered.
"Kai, are we in a rush, or can we stop for a quick meal?" Elijah asked.
"Yeah, we can stop," Kai said, texting someone on his phone.