Chapter Seventeen – Greenlights and Ghosts

The sun hit different that morning.

Not warm.

Hot.

Sharp.

Like it knew inspection day wasn't just about health codes and paperwork—it was about everything From the Dirt stood for.

Darius stood in front of the shop, the freshly painted sign above him catching the first real light of the day.

FROM THE DIRTLocally Grown. Locally Owned.

He wore clean jeans, a black crewneck, no hoodie.His hair pulled back. No chains. No smoke.

He looked like a man with something to lose.

🧱 Inside: Final Touches

Maya buzzed around the space, lighting candles, straightening displays, double-checking that the jars of City Soil were locked behind the glass case, even though they couldn't sell any yet.

"You ready?" she asked, clipboard in hand.

"Been ready."

"You sure you ready?" she asked again, stepping in front of him. "Because if we pass this inspection, we're officially open. City-recognized. Registered. Real."

Darius looked her in the eyes.

"I'm tired of bein' real in silence. Let's show 'em loud."

🏢 The Inspection

At 10:13 a.m., the city team arrived—three of them, all in slacks and blazers, with iPads and attitudes.

"Mr. Young?" the lead inspector asked, stepping inside and scanning the space.

"That's me."

"We'll keep it simple," she said. "Zoning, ventilation, compliance, product handling. Then a short walk-through of the grow area. If all looks good, we'll process the final licensing stamp by end of week."

For the next 45 minutes, Darius and Maya walked them through everything.

Air filtration: Check.

Product labeling: Check.

Security system: Cameras installed, wired to a backup battery.

Grow Room: Controlled humidity. Filtered intake. Clean trays. Healthy plants.

The inspector crouched beside one of the City Soil plants and sniffed it.

"Smells strong."

"That's power," Darius said. "Brooklyn power."

She smirked.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

✅ Greenlight

At the end of it, the inspector handed him a thin envelope.

"Official clearance pending, but everything looks solid. You'll have your greenlight by Friday."

Maya let out a slow breath, finally allowing herself to grin.

Darius nodded once.

No celebration yet.

Just focus.

🌑 Later That Night – The Shadow Returns

The shop was closed.The City Soil jars were locked up.Maya had gone home for the night.

And Darius was alone in the back room, rolling a blunt to celebrate in silence.

That's when the power cut out.

Total black.

A moment of silence.

Then the emergency lights kicked in—low and red, casting long shadows.

He stood, alert.

Footsteps.

Not outside.

Inside.

He moved through the shop like a shadow, back against the wall. As he stepped around the corner, he saw it.

Tone.

Standing in front of the display case, staring down at the City Soil jars.

"You know," Tone said, not turning around, "I was gonna burn this whole place down."

"Still might," Darius said, voice low.

Tone turned slowly.

Black hoodie. No weapon. Just presence.

"But then I thought—maybe I don't gotta do all that. Maybe I just remind you who paved the dirt you walkin' on."

Darius stepped forward, just a few feet between them now.

"You came here for respect?"

"I came here to tell you this," Tone said. "You go legal, you make noise. That noise brings heat. And heat brings snakes. If you not strapped, not watched, not smart…"

He looked around.

"You won't last a month."

Darius didn't blink.

"You came to threaten me?"

"Nah. I came to warn you."

Tone took a long breath.

"You made somethin' real. Something the block don't forget. But don't think just 'cause the city let you paint your name on a glass window that you safe. You ain't. You're just visible."

He walked to the door.

"You want peace? Cut me in. 15%."

Darius exhaled slow.

"No."

Tone paused.

"That your final word?"

"Nah," Darius said. "My final word is this: I own this. I built this. And you ain't planting no poison in my soil."

Tone opened the door.

"Then good luck keeping it clean."

Click.

He was gone.

🌃 Aftermath

Maya came back the next morning to find Darius sitting in the front window, watching the block.

"You good?" she asked.

He didn't answer at first.

Then he pointed to the door.

"We get that greenlight Friday, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Then Friday," he said, standing slowly, "we launch City Soil."

"Even with the heat?"

"Especially with the heat."

Outside, the block kept moving.

Cars honking. Sneakers scuffing. Laughter. Arguments. Music.

But inside From the Dirt, something was blooming.

Louder. Bolder.

Unshakable.