Section 18. 7:40 pm.
6 Phanda Ave.
Adriana strolled down the street to her apartment. The streetlights shined across the town, and the sidewalks were crowded with people. She scrolled on her phone when suddenly, a sleek black SUV parked beside her. Then a man ahead stopped; he turned around and walked straight at her. The car doors opened behind her. Instinctively, she tried to change her path, but he followed her. Quickly, she spun around… only to find Max and two of his goons behind her. Her heart skipped a beat. "Adri!… how long's it been? Two years… three?" he greeted. She remained silent. Instead, she spat on his amber Claudio blazer. One of his men slapped her across the face—she fell on the pavement. The guard aimed his gun at her. "You little bitch, think you can j—" BANG!…
The guard crumpled to the floor; his head slammed against the pavement. Screams erupted as people scattered, some vaulted over fences. "Fucking peasants. Think they can run the show. Sorry about that… I didn't come here to hurt you." Max wiped his gun. "Well… tell that to your guard." she said. "I don't think he can hear us." Max muttered. "Why'd you come here, huh?" She asked, rising on her feet. "Glad you asked. Shit's about to blow, and Stephen… he's caught in the crossfire—whether he likes it or not… the past is creeping back to us, and you're no different." he informed. "And what does this have to do with me?" she asked. "I'm telling you this because… we go way back, plus the High Council hasn't forgotten us. Just the other day, my team caught a glimpse of Lesley in CBD. You know why I'm here, Adri. There's no escaping it… Stephen and I should've done it a long time ago—but I fell short, and he chickened out because of you; you were there too. You know what has to be done." he replied. She was quiet. "Ok, look, Crystal Avenue. Bereshit Road… that's where you'll find him." he said. Two of his men dragged the corpse and tossed it into the trunk with brutal efficiency. "It was nice catching up with you, Adriana." Max said. "Likewise." She spat on the pavement. Max got in his SUV, and theydisappeared into the night. Adriana stood under the streetlight—unsure of her next move.
153. PINE STREET. 8:00 pm.
Jack's Liquor.
Antonio lounged on the upper deck of Jack's Liquor. He sank into a velvet couch as he swirled his glass of champagne. Red LED's bled along the walls. Then Amanda appeared at the top of the stairs with a steaming bowl of curry. "Toni, Tikka chicken curry— just the way you like it." She nudged the bowl at him. Antonio shifted upright and took the bowl. "Thanks, Amanda." he said. Amanda perched opposite him. "So, what's up? You're not your usual self… could be worse than last week, even." Antonio swallowed a mouthful. "Yeah… it's bad." he muttered. "So… what is it this time?" she asked. "It's Max. He's closing in… I don't think I can stay here much longer." he gulped.Shock widened her eyes. "You're leaving? And what about the girl?" Amanda asked.He scraped the last bit of the curry, and he left the bowl on the floor. "Kathy? I've got no choice—and so does she. She comes with me." he replied.Amandalit a cigarette. "And if she doesn't?" she asked. "As I said… she doesn't have a choice either. If she stays… Steph will find out. And when he does—"
"He'll divorce her." they said. "So… where to?" she asked. "He thinks I'll go north… I won't." he downed his champagne.
"Oh? Where to, then?" she asked. "South border, one a.m." he said quietly. "Max ain't stupid, and he probably has a similar plan—to intercept us tonight. By the time they decide to come looking… we'll have already slipped under their noses." She passed the cigarette. "It might work." she said. "Might?" he repeated. "I don't know— but I don't think Max is stupid." she stated. "He's not. So we play it smart… and end it in checkmate." Antonio's stopwatch alarmed. He rose to his feet. "God, sometimes I wish I hadn't taken that offer." he uttered. "What offer?" she asked. "Oh? Nevermind just—talking to myself." he replied. "That shit can drive a person mentally insane, you know?" Amanda stated, "Seems so, but there's no turning back." he murmured as he marched to the exit. But she stopped in front of him. "Hey… I love you, Toni. You know that." she confessed. "I love you too." he said. Antonio went downstairs, all the way out into the shadowed streets.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 10:07 pm.
Katherine lay awake beside Stephen. Her gaze was glued on the dresser mirror, his arms circled her waist as he held her close. Slowly, she slipped free from his arms. Careful and quiet. She rose from the bed and rushed into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face repeatedly. Katherine stared at herself in the mirror—her eyes heavy with worry and her skin pale as snow. A single tear traced its way down. "Oh God… what am I doing?" she whispered. Urgently, she rushed back into the room, opened the cupboard and quietly dragged out a large bag. She stuffed her kids' clothes, then hers. She left it by the bedroom door. Meanwhile Stephen moved in his sleep; Katherine froze. His eyes fluttered open, and he yawned as he rubbed his eyes. "Kathy… what's wrong?" he asked. "I… uh… I was struggling to sleep." she struggled to say, her fingers curled along her side. "Okay… just don't think too much, trust me, I know." he already shut his eyes. Relief left her lungs in a quiet breath. Then Katherine climbed back into the bed; she let sleep claim her while the decision waited in the dark.