Jake Bryan always held a deep affection for the city. He cherished its architecture, its inhabitants, and the unique ambiance it exuded at night. Jake resided in a one-bedroom apartment on the sixth floor in upper Manhattan. Each day, before commencing his duties with the NYPD, he found joy in gazing out of his window. Jake held a profound admiration for the police force, consistently inspired by the courageous men and women who selflessly risked their lives daily. This very sentiment was the driving force behind his decision to reside in New York City. Jake was, in essence, living his dream life. He called New York home, served as a police officer, and lived just a few blocks away from his brother, David.
David was Jake's closest family member, not just because he was the only friend he had in New York. Throughout their lives, David and Jake's had always been close. Being only a year apart, they faced everything together - from dealing with bullies at school to helping each other with homework and facing teachers who didn't give a damn.
Partially, they hung out so much because they made each other's day brighter. Jacob and David met up every day after they finished work. They would visit their favorite street stands and hang out at their favorite bar, McLaren's. One day after work, Jake called David to meet at the bar.
"Hey, let's meet up at McLaren's."
"Sure, that sounds awesome! I'll meet you there in ten." Jake grabbed his jacket and headed out of the police station to McLaren's. He saw David through the large glass window, sitting at the counter with two beers. Jake walked inside with excitement.
"Hey, thanks for the drink." Jake said as he sat down next to David, taking his jacket off.
"No problem, how was work?"
"Oh, same old same old. Just giving out parking tickets since I'm "the new guy." Jake waved over the bartender. "Hey, can we get something stronger over here, please?" "Sure, thing. The usual?" The bartender asked as he grabbed a bottle of rum from the shelf. David smiled. "You'll get up to the big busts someday. It surprises me how a police officer is still considered "the new guy" after serving the department for 3 years." "Compared to most of the department who have been there for over a decade minimum, I'm still pretty new. But hey, gotta start somewhere." "Here we are." The bartender said as he set two shot glasses of rum on the bar counter. Jake and David both grabbed a glass and took them like water. "That's the good stuff." Jake said as he threw is arm around David and patted his shoulder. "The best, how bout another?" David replied as he flicked his brother's hand off his shoulder. Jake gave David a dirty look. "Coming right u-" The bartender got interrupted. David's phone buzzed.
Notification: Smart Bowl: Empty
"Shit. Cancel that. Max's outta food." David interrupted. "What the hell, I thought you got that fancy dog feeder so we could hang out here more." Jake said, annoyed. "I did... I just forgot to buy another bag to refill it." David replied, embarrassed. "I'm surprised Max is still alive." Jake snarked. "Oh shut up, he'll be fine, I just gotta get to the store."
"How bout I come with you. Can't leave a lady to walk home alone in the dark." Jake joked.
"Shut up."David said, rolling his eyes.
David got up and started walking out when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"No, seriously, I'll walk you home. I've got a bad feeling." Jake concerned. "FINE, as long as you shut up about it." David replied, annoyed.
"Alright, let's get out of here." Jake said as he threw on his jacket.
They tipped the bartender, made their way out, and started walking down the busy sidewalk. David turned towards a dark alleyway. "Where are you going? We don't take alleyways a night, it's suicide." Jake reminded.
"I know, but this one's not that long, and I've taken it before." David said, walking into the darkness.
"HEY, WAIT!" Jake said as he ran into the dark alleyway, struggling to get his phone out of his pocket to use the flashlight.
"David?"
"David?!"
"DAVID!?"
Jake yelled as he finally turned on his flashlight, which revealed David.
"Would you relax? God, if you're gonna be a cop you can't be scared of the d-"
BOOM! A flash of light lit up the alleyway. David fell to the ground. A man with a gun emerged out of nowhere. "GIVE ME ALL OF YOUR MONEY BEFORE I HAVE TO SHOOT YOU TOO!" The gunman said to Jake. Jake didn't hear what the gunman had said because he was too focused on David lying on the ground, gushing with blood. Jake didn't know what to do. He felt tears fill his eyes while putting his hands up. "Just give him your money and leave me and save yourself. I-I d-don't think I'm gonna make it. "David said, choking up on the ground, holding his gunshot wound.
"NOW!" said the gunman.
"No, David, you're gonna be fine. I'm go--"
"Jake, if you want to honor my death, you need to listen to me right now! You need to leave! David strongly told Jake."
"But--"
"NO BUTS! GIVE HIM YOUR MONEY AND GET OUT OF HERE!!!" David yelled.
"Okay, okay." Jake said, crying.
"I'm sorry, Jacob, sometimes we have to do hard things in life for the greater good." David said as he started fading away. "One more thing, take care of Max for me, will ya?"
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP! YOU GIVE ME MY MONEY!"
Jake took all of the bills he had in his wallet and threw them towards the gunman and ran out of the alleyway, crying. Jake wasn't sure what to do now. Whenever he ran into a problem, he always just asked David what to do. But now he realized that he can't do that now and will never be able to again. Jake pulled out his phone and dialed 9-1-1 with his hands shaking.
The cops arrived at the scene, and Jake recognized a few of his co-workers and his boss, but was too distraught to care to socialize with them. The Sheriff asked Jake to explain what had happened, and he did.
"Alright, Jake, that's all the questions I need from you today. Now I need you to get home and get some rest. Ok. Do you need to be escorted home? The Sheriff asked.
"No, I'll be OK I just need to be alone right now." Jake said with a pit in his stomach and anger swelling throughout his entire body.
"Are you sure? I mean it would be no tr--" The Sheriff offered as Jake cut him off.
"I'll be fine, OK! Goodnight. "Jake said as he walked away.
As he walked through the night, he thought to himself angrily. "If only that bastard let me have a gun. None of this would have happened! Ugh, whatever, it's not like that would have done anything. I'm a terrible shot. No matter how hard or how long I trained at the academy, I always missed the damn target. If I just could hit the damn target, then maybe this wouldn't have happened." Jake thought as he walked passed a gun store. Jake looked in the gun store and saw a gun that caught his eye. He walked into the store to get a closer look at the gun. "Man, if I had that gun... and I ever saw that piece of shit again..." Jake thought as he looked at the revolver in the glass casing. "HEY! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M GONNA DO! I'm gonna buy this gun and find that bastard and shoot him right in his bastard face! Doesn't matter how bad a shot you are if you're close enough." He burst into the old shop and waved over the old man, seemingly running the shop. "What ya lookin' for, son?" The old man said, leaning on the glass counter full of knives. "Lemme see that." Jake told the Old Man. The old shopkeeper caught Jake's eye, eyeing the old six-inch Colt Python 357 Magnum revolver behind him on the top shelf.
"Ah, my old revolver. This is a great choice. Used it for years, but it still works brand new. My wrists are too weak to take the kick anymore. It's all yours." The Old Man said as he moved a stool under the shelf and took it down.
"What do I owe ya?" Jake asked.
"Seems like you've had a rough day... I'll make ya a deal. If you continue to bring your business here in the future for more ammo and servicing, I'd be happy to give it to ya free of charge." The Old Man replied. " I should warn ya though... It's got some quirks to it."
"What kinda quirks?" Jake pressed.
"Oh, nothing to worry bout. You'll see. "The old man replied.
"Yeah, whatever, thanks for the free gun, ya old kook. Cya" Jake said as he started to leave with the gun.
"Now wait a minute. Here." The old man said as he threw a box of ammo to Jake.
"Right, thanks." Jake said as he caught the box.
Jake ran home with one thing on his mind. Loading that gun and sending that bullet right into that tweaker's skull. Jake walked into his apartment building and took the elevator to the 5th floor. Jake unlocked his door and opened it to complete darkness. As Jake reached for the light- "Hey, buddy." Said a voice from the darkness. Jake froze in horror. Then muttered under his breath. "Who the hell is in my house?"