"All the World's a Stage," Part IV: "Every Story has a Villain"

The day before Jaredicus and Johnny’s conversation saw Aaron fear for his life. It had been about an hour or so since Aaron had forced his way into Beatrice’s home, and she sat obediently on a chair quite silently this entire time while Aaron routinely switched between watching her and peaking through the window. During one of his peaks, he spots two familiar looking police officers investigating the car that he had stolen. He thinks to himself, shit here we go, and prepares his mind for the worst of scenarios. He takes a break from staring through the window and takes a deep breath. When he peaks through the window again a few moments later, he sees in horror that those officers are coming up to the front door.

Outside the house, the two officers are walking up to the front door and talking to each other about various ambiguous topics.

The first cop, a tall and presumably middle aged African-American man speaks, “You heard about what happened to Fernandez right?” He says.

The second cop, a shorter and more Mexican looking man with deep dark black hair and a bold mustache, has clear wrinkles over his face, and a scar that runs down his left cheek. He responds, “Yeah, I heard he took a molotov to the face.” He says lightly, “Turned him into bacon.” The two cops laugh as the first knocks on the door.

As they wait for a response, the first cop states sarcastically, “Oh how sad, another officer lost in the line of duty I suppose.”

There is a brief pause before Beatrice cracks open the door, “How may I help you?” Beatrice asks in a reserved tone.

The second cop initiates, “Mind telling us about the stolen car parked in front of your house here ma’am?” He questions sternly.

“Oh Marcus it’s no use,” The first cop says revealing the name of the second cop. The first cop then forces the door open, pushing Beatrice to the ground and catches a scared Aaron just beyond the front hallway, “I could smell your ass from a mile away Aaron, I’m sure you forgot to mention to this poor damsel that you kept hostage that you had a stolen car parked in front of her house!” The first cop yells to Aaron flashing his pistol. Marcus soon follows inside, he shuts the door behind them and grabs Beatrice by the upper arms, locking her in place.

“Nero!” Aaron shouts in disbelief revealing the name of the first cop.

“That’s right.” Nero confirms Aaron’s disbelief in a sickly voice.

“We finally found the man of the hour!” Marcus says sarcastically in reference to the search they’ve been conducting for Aaron, “It seems we also found this beautiful mistress that he’s been holding captive.” Marcus plunges his face uncomfortably close to Beatrice’s.

“Shut up Marcus.” Nero sternly shuts Marcus’ playfulness down, “Now…, Aaron,” Nero looks at Aaron with a violent grin, “did you honestly think that killing Lavernius was the right idea?” Nero questions Marcus who is standing nervously and speechlessly, “Did you honestly think that we wouldn’t find you.” Nero extends his arm and brings his gun to his chest. Nero takes a look at his gun then points it at Aaron, “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Nero yells at Aaron with great drama.

Aaron stutters with his words, “I was helping Epoetah-”

Marcus then interrupts, “Do you think Epoetah would ever help you?!”

“Calm down Marcus I got this, just take care of the girl.” Nero instructs Marcus with some annoyance.

“With pleasure.” Marcus says menacingly toward Beatrice. Marcus then grabs the handcuffs from his belt, he rough-handles Beatrice to the floor and cuffs her hands behind her back.

Aaron then shouts in horror, “Stop it! The fuck did she do?! The fuck is-”

Nero interrupts him, standing with great dominance of the situation, “You better sit the fuck down!” He violently demands. Beatrice is gagged with some nearby cloth and duct tape, Aaron then takes a seat where Beatrice was before. Nero slowly marches toward Aaron bringing his gun closer. He gets into Aaron’s face, “Now...I know that you know-” He pauses, “who we know- and I always know that you know the consequences of killing poor Lavernius without telling anybody.” He points the gun directly under Aaron’s chin. Aaron sweats profusely and closes his eyes, Now I’m going to ask again.” Nero states calmly before erupting into a shout, “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Nero then slaps Aaron with his pistol. The cold metal breaks the skin on Aaron’s face and creates a major gash.

Aaron spits out a little bit of blood, “I was only doing the family a favor!” Aaron shouts in retaliation.

“I can’t save you forever Aaron!” Nero screams toward Aaron towering in front of him, “I should be responding to a call about shots fired at an officer in Alameda, but instead I spent the past hour looking for you!” Nero tones his voice down, “I had to create a diversion. So, as a reward and payment for the warning that I just generously bestowed upon you.” Nero clears his throat and points his gun toward Beatrice who Marcus is holding firmly, “I will now take this bitch off your hands and keep her for myself.”

“You heard that right.” Marcus adds in, “You slimey son of a bitch.”

Nero turns to Marcus, “Shut up Marcus.” Nero then looks at Aaron again, “In the meantime, you better keep your ass clean. You better be a good boy Aaron, or the next time you see me, I will already have your funeral pre-paid and your services rehearsed.” Nero turns from Aaron.

Aaron then stands up from the chair, “She did nothing to you guys man!” Aaron screams toward them, “Don’t do anything to her!” Aaron commands.

Nero swiftly turns around and aims his gun at Aaron, “You know goddamn well that this is your fault!” Aaron sits down in defeat, “Now that you fucked up, she’s going to become my little ‘plaything.’ I already know who she is, nobody will miss her. I know everybody in this goddamn city, I own this city!” Nero lectures as Aaron sits with building rage, “You knew the fucking rules Aaron! Lavernius was only a financial rival to Epoetah which means his death is unjustified! You’re a lucky piece of shit that I will hand over a big sum of cash to keep the entire department from hunting you down!” Nero takes a sharp emotional turn and grins at Aaron’s anger, “Hell, thanks to you, Marcus and I have one less rival and one more whore to play with.” Nero says with malice and begins to laugh aggressively. Marcus joins the laugh and the two of them leave Aaron alone in that house. Aaron sits for a moment in guilt and sighs with great disturbance.