Chapter 19 Run Jace Run

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[East LA, 21:45]

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{(ding) Queen Yara: Bro where are you? I'm getting kinda worried you didn't stay too long at the link-up event, did you?}

{J.Lyon: Calm down sis I just landed off the bus, just a couple blocks away from home.}

{(ding) Queen Yara: Fine, hurry up you know how I feel about you being out this late.}

{J.Lyon: You worry too much, I'll be ok stay safe.}

{(ding) Queen Yara: And you don't worry enough. Safe}

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Putting away his phone into the zip pocket of his tracksuit Jace continued his walk down the street. Despite it being almost 10 pm the streets were still bustling with people trying to stretch the day as long as possible. Roadside food vendors and food trucks were flooded with customers who exited a club or just finished off an event.

LA was the most vibrant city in the world for a reason as this was one of the only cities where different ethnicities were forced to blend together. Most made the best out of it through street art, music, and sharing their own culinary talent. It was the only city where you could find a Mexican marching band next to a black jazz band playing music to random people getting their boogie on.

Where there is a good side there must also be a bad side and that was what gave the city such a bad reputation. Ignoring the hustle and bustle of a nearby dance-off at the skate park especially since he spotted quite a few gang members lurking in the corners. Like the leaches they were they blended into the crowd waiting for their moment to pop out and ruin someone's day.

Jace didn't have anything against gang members as a matter of fact he held quite respected the OGs in his old neighbourhood. Despite being bloods they didn't try to force the street life on anyone and simply went about their business. Some of them were even cleaning up the community parks for the kids and supported local sports events.

He had dated a girl whose dad was an OG of the local blood cell and gotten to know the man outside his gang persona. Underneath it all he was just a man who loved his daughter and would do anything to protect his family. Once they had made sure they reached an understanding they had become good friends, talking football, music and discussing the culture.

So Jace couldn't confidently say he hated all gangsters but what he could confidently say is that he hated these YG's. These dregs to society dropped out from school only to realise how hard the world truly is and wanted everyone else to suffer with them. They tried to solve everything with violence no matter how petty or little the offence and worse, yet they didn't stand for anything. As long as they could make money, they could sell a diabetic sugar and step over their own mother to get a bag.

Ignoring his thoughts Jace flicked on his hoodie as he quickened his steps wanting to get home as fast as possible. Turning two corners, the bustling streets disappeared replaced by quiet and almost dissolute scenery. It was hard to believe that those two streets were part of the same city but that was America for you, half the city lived in the light while the other survived in the gutters.

~~~

[5 minutes later]

Jace was less than 10 minutes away from his home when he suddenly felt something was off. He couldn't tell what it was but the same danger sense he got whenever someone was trying to run through him on the pitch. Trusting his instincts he didn't look around and simply took off his headphones as he continued walking as if nothing was wrong.

Wildly looking around when you feel danger is the worst decision you could make as it would not only spook those who want to harm you, but your panic could make you miss the danger entirely. Ignoring the voice of J. Cole talking about peace and stopping the war on the streets he heightened his hearing. He could hear over a crowd of thousands screaming at the top of their lungs on match days. Compared to that the little noise from his headphones was barely a whisper.

At first, everything seemed normal but upon concentrating he heard several footsteps at least three sets. From their movement, he could tell they were following him especially since they didn't talk and kept a distance of at least 20 meters. In any sense of the way they would seem like just a group of friends on their way to a motive, but the lack of chatter set off alarm bells in Jace.

He wasn't the type to dodge a fistfight, but he couldn't afford the risk just as he managed to get his foot in the door to a better life for his family. So, his first instinct was to look for a way out but with how empty the street was, escape seemed nearly impossible unless he could pull a Houdini. His brain worked in overdrive and in a matter of moments he reached a decision for his next moves as he turned a corner.

Pulling the straps of his bag pack tight he threw his headphones away and immediately accelerated into a full spin. Not bothering to look back he pumped his arms as fast as possible hurling over a car as he crossed over to the other side of the street. "Yo gang he's running," He heard someone shout followed by the sound of their heavy steps hitting pavement resounded as they gave chase.

Jace's heart pounded as he tore down the sidewalk, his sneakers skidding slightly against the cracked pavement. He didn't need to look back to know they were closing in—he could hear the aggressive rhythm of their footfalls, the scuff of rubber against concrete, the panting breaths growing louder. His body moved on instinct, fuelled by adrenaline and the muscle memory honed from years of running in these streets.

Weaving between parked cars, he cut through an alley, barely clearing a toppled trash bin as he hurdled over it. The stench of rotting food and piss made his stomach churn, but he pushed forward. The alley was too tight, too many obstacles, slowing him down just enough to make him anxious.

However, it reminded him of when he had to scramble past a defence that managed to collapse his offensive line. He heard one of them stumble behind him, cursing loudly. That was good. That meant at least one of them was momentarily out of the chase. Cutting left as a bend approached, he jumped off the wall to round the corner, retaining his speed.

Just as he turned the corner, he abruptly shifted to the right, just in time to dodge a metal staircase hanging from the upper floor of an apartment building. Stumbling slightly, he dug deep, pivoting to his left foot as he manoeuvred past another set of bins. Dunking low as he moved through a fallen-over lamppost, he moved to the exit of the alleyway with more desperation.

He didn't breathe a sigh of relief though as he burst onto another street, On the left, a liquor store with flickering neon lights; on the right, a row of houses, porches dimly lit, curtains drawn. He cut right hopping the low fence as he sprinted into someone's yard just as the two figures who were chasing him exited the alley.

The chase was on as the two also hopped the fence continuing the chase just as Jace turned the corner of the house. (Woof) A bulldog appeared in front of him growling but he did not stop charging at it. Seeing this as a provocation it also charged his way but Jace feinted left before accelerating to the right dodging its open maw.

Not looking back he put his long legs to use accelerating towards the back fence ready to hop it. The bewildered dog was just about to turn and give chase after missing its mark only to come to a sudden stop as two other sets of footsteps appeared in front of it. Not caring about Jace any longer It pounced on the nearest assailant who was wearing a black balaclava biting his thigh.

"Arghhhh," The assailant exclaimed but his partner did not care as he gave chase to Jace who had already climbed to the top of the 2-meter fence. Pushing off the ground he lunged up managing to grip Jace's leg that he was just about to swing over to the other side.

Using his body as leverage he started to pull at him causing the wired fence to visibly bend. Jace whose leg was caught looked back making eye contact with his pursuers for the first time. The guy was white, and his blue eyes shone through the mask holes with glee as he continued to pull at his leg.

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To Be Continued...