Saturday arrived lazily, with the strong sun illuminating the tallest buildings in the city. However, on the street where Mateus lived, Diego and Lucas kept banging on the door, impatient.
Mateus appeared wearing a wrinkled t-shirt, his hair still wet from the shower.
"— Damn, you two never get tired?"
"— We've already said it a thousand times," said Diego, smiling as always. "We're going to call Claws to play soccer. It's going to be epic!"
Lucas adjusted his glasses and added,
"Besides, if he doesn't come, the team will be unbalanced. You know he's good."
Mateus sighed, crossing his arms.
"— You don't get it. Claws' neighborhood isn't a Sunday outing. It's not like school, nor like your mall."
"So what?" Diego shot back, excited. "It's just a visit. We call him and we leave."
Mateus stared at them for a few seconds. Lucas looked nervous but determined. Diego, on the other hand, was genuinely excited. Finally, Mateus threw a towel over his shoulder.
"— Fine… But if anything goes wrong, it's your fault."
---
The Taxi Ride
The taxi drove through increasingly different streets. First, modern buildings and clean sidewalks. Then, graffiti-covered walls, tangled power lines, and narrow alleys. Loud music blared from open windows, and motorcycles sped past without helmets.
The driver looked in the rearview mirror, uneasy.
"— Are you sure it's here?"
Mateus replied firmly,
"— Keep going. I know the way."
Diego pressed his face against the glass, curious.
"— Dude… check out these graffiti. Some are cool, others look like threats."
Lucas kept his arms crossed, trying to hide his nervousness.
"— This is starting to not seem like a good idea."
Mateus let out a dry laugh.
"— Relax. You're with me. Claws and I grew up here. But remember: this isn't school, and it's not your rich neighborhood. This is gang territory."
The words made Diego stop smiling for a few seconds. Lucas swallowed hard.
---
Arrival in the Neighborhood
The taxi stopped at a busy corner. A group of boys in black jackets and caps leaned against a wall, smoking and laughing loudly. When they saw the car, they fell silent and started staring.
"— You can stop here," Mateus told the driver, paying quickly.
As they got out, the atmosphere immediately grew tense. Every movement was being watched. Two boys on motorcycles passed slowly, measuring the three of them with their eyes.
Diego tried to joke to lighten the mood.
"— Wow… feels like we're in a movie."
Mateus nudged him on the arm.
"— Keep it down. Here, the wrong joke can be costly."
Lucas adjusted his glasses, but his hand trembled slightly.
"— What if we get into trouble?"
Mateus looked at them both, serious as he rarely was.
"— If you stick close to me, nothing happens. But never forget: you're not in your world. You're in Claws' world."
The trio began walking down the street, passing walls covered in gang symbols and houses with rusty gates. A dog barked, chained up. Funk music echoed from a nearby alley.
Lucas' heart raced at every corner. Diego, despite trying to seem confident, couldn't take his eyes off the people watching them.
Then, turning the next street, Mateus smiled.
"— Here it is. Claws' usual spot."
They hadn't seen their friend yet, but the feeling was clear: they were about to enter a territory that wasn't theirs.