Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 15) - finding the missing puzzle including the missing emotions.

As I lay on my sofa, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't believe it had already been three weeks since we arrived in LA. My mind was preoccupied with the next phase of my plan.

Last night's events were still fresh in my mind. Nat's tight hug had revealed a shocking truth - if I hadn't stopped the clone when I did, she would have taken out everyone in the place.

The thought sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't bear the idea of anything happening to Nat, or any of my friends for that matter.

But instead of anger or aggression, my friends had shown me unexpected kindness. They hugged me, except for Mika, who seemed distant, like she no longer belonged with us.

Nat had revealed that her dad had found a lead on Damien's whereabouts, and I knew this was the break we needed to move forward.

When Nat and Mr. Hawk left, I realized Nat was struggling to hold back her emotions, trying to be strong. That night, Mariam gave me a roundhouse kick, calling me a "dumbass." I deserved it, but it wasn't just the commotion that bothered me - it was how I responded to Nat's emotions.

Amin, the voice of reason, asked, "Bro, you okay?" I just nodded, while Mika remained silent. It felt like déjà vu, like Priscilla all over again.

Back home, Mariam and Amin told me that Luis had explained the plan, and the Latino community would support us. But they sensed something was off.

"Bro, what happened when you disappeared?" Mariam asked, her usual joking tone gone.

Amin added, "Is there something you want to share with us?”

I took a deep breath and revealed, "It's about Darrel... he's like two sides of a coin. One side I know, the other side is like a different world.”

Mariam and Amin surprisingly understood, and Mariam asked, "So, the other side is like what? James Bond or something?”

I nodded, and they looked at me, dumbfounded. Amin teased, "Just because we call you James Bond doesn't mean you're actually him, bro.”

Mariam chuckled, "Looks like that knock on the head is getting to your bad side, eh?"

"I'm serious, guys. My last memories of Darrel are him instructing me and Damien to retrieve an old cassette from a pawn shop and destroy it. But when I went back to the pawn shop, everything clicked into place, including the missing pieces of the puzzle and the source of Damien's vendetta.”

Mariam looked at me intently. "Well, then? What does it all mean?”

"The Mayor is the key to the final phase. We meet with him, and we can take down Damien and end this chaos." Amin interrupted, curious about the latest development.

"Hey, bro, didn't the detective mention another clone? What's going on?" I filled them in on the clone's intentions, targeting me and Detective Tracy due to the evidence I'd uncovered.

Mariam's expression turned concerned.

"Looks like we're almost done, but my project is still on hold. You gotta help me, Alex!" I sensed something was off.

"What's wrong, Mar? What's going on with Mika?" Naomi entered the room, joining the conversation.

"This is the first time I've seen Mika holed up in her room like this," Naomi said, worry etched on her face. I felt a sense of déjà vu, hoping it wasn't another Priscilla situation.

"I have no idea what's going on. Can someone fill me in?" They briefed me on Mika's strange behavior, how she'd entered her room with a haunted expression, as if she'd seen a ghost.

"I said to Naomi, "At least Mika's not doing something reckless, right?" But Naomi dropped a bombshell: "I need you to cheer her up.”

I raised an eyebrow, sarcastically responding, "Do I look like her therapist or guidance counselor?”

Mariam's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Kukuku...this is going to be interesting…"

Amin chimed in, "Bro, the playboy is in action!" I shot him a frustrated glance. Did they think I was their entertainment amidst all the chaos?

I reluctantly agreed, "FINE! I'll do it!" Naomi's face lit up, while Mariam and Amin burst out laughing.

Mariam teased, "Good luck, Mr. Lady-Killer! We need her!" I thought, "Thanks for the support, Mariam..." But I bit my tongue, too exhausted to argue.

Amin said, "See you in the studio, bro!" I fantasized about suplexing him but didn't have the energy to bother.

I let out a deep sigh, resigned to my fate. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a wild ride.

I changed my clothes and headed to Naomi's place, where Mika had locked herself in her room. Xavier said to me, "Homie...I tried to talk to her, but she's not responding..." Aren't you supposed to help at least?

Xavier just winked at me and kissed Naomi, like it was all settled. Naomi smiled at me, trying to cheer me on with a smile, "Go, Alex, go! Take her down...I mean, talk to her!" Huh? Take her down? Aren't I supposed to talk to her, not tackle her?

I stood outside Mika's room and called out, "Hey Mika!! Wake up!!" She responded with a groggy voice, "Shut up asshole!! I need my beauty sleep, besides you don't need me here!!" This bitch is getting on my nerves! I took out my lock pick and opened the room, but instantly regretted my decision. Mika was half-naked, wearing only her sexiest panties, and her perky tits were staring me right in the face! What the hell am I thinking!?

"PERVERT!!!! ASSHOLE!!!!!" she yelled, delivering a roundhouse kick that sent me to dreamland.

When I woke up, Naomi was there, Kyo was slapping my face with his chubby little baby hands, and Mika was looking scarier than usual. "Sis, I'm not going to marry anyone except this guy here!!" She pointed at me like I was a prized animal.

Naomi cheered, "Yeah!! Go Mika!! I'll root for you, Alex is perfect for you!!" I was like, "Another girl problem!? What the hell is going on?!! Is this a cheer-up plan or a trap?!" And why is Kyo slapping me?! Did he learn that from Mika?!”

I turned to Naomi, "Hey Naomi!! What the hell was that for!? Instead of cheering her up, I got a roundhouse to my face!! Where is the justice in this!!" Kyo just giggled and slapped me again.

" Yeah, slap him, Kyo!" Mika cheered, and the baby giggled and slapped me again. I looked at Mika, exasperated, "Are we going to the studio or not?" But instead of a serious answer, she stuck out her tongue and made a childish face.

"Shut up, jackass! I don't need to go with you!" I was taken aback by her sass. "Hey, Mariam asked me about this!" I tried to reason with her, but she just glared at me.

"Shut up!" she snapped, crossing her arms like a petulant child. Naomi was enjoying the drama, but I was at my wit's end.

Finally, I lost my patience and scooped her up like a toddler, "Hey, asshole, what the hell are you carrying me like this!" Mika struggled and kicked her legs, but I just held her tight.

Naomi laughed and cheered, "Go get her, tiger!" but I shot her a look, "Naomi, you're not helping!”

Mika continued to squirm and protest, but I just carried her along, feeling like a frustrated parent with a tantrum-throwing child towards her room.

I imagined Nat and Sil standing next to me, giving me the death stare. "This is like that time I forced Tama to change her clothes," I thought, chuckling to myself. I treated Mika like a little sister, but she wasn't having it.

After dressing her, I carried the spoiled girl while Naomi smiled at me. "That's our Alex," she said sarcastically. I wanted to give her the middle finger, but Kyo was there, so I refrained.

"Hey asshole! I can walk, you know!" Mika protested. Yeah, right, with all that commotion, I'd rather carry her to the bike. The neighbors were staring, thinking something exciting was happening.

"Hey homie! Carrying Mika like that, bro?" Jamal teased.

Mika pulled out her gun and started aiming at them, causing the boys to scramble for cover. "Shut up, Jamal!”

"Fuck! That bitch is shooting at us!" Jamal mocked her again.

"Chill, girl! We're just playing around!" The boys seemed scared of her, but Mika was unfazed.

"Damn, she's feisty!" I thought, as Mika refused to ride the bike, throwing a tantrum like a child. The boys watching from a distance were laughing at me.

"Hey homie, that's a big baby!" one of them teased.

A lady tried to intervene, "Hey Mika, stop acting like a baby and behave!”

Mika shot back, "Shut up! You don't know this asshole treated me like a baby, changing my clothes!" Oh great, another misunderstanding. Now I'm the bad guy.

Booze approached me, seeming to understand the situation. "Hey homie, she's the big baby in this neighborhood, just go with the flow, will ya?”

Not helpful, Booze. Mika suddenly aimed her gun at him, and he took cover behind my back. "Hey Asshole! You want another one?”

"Mika, chill out, will ya? Geez, girl, did you have a girls' week or something..." Booze trailed off, realizing he was fueling the fire. Mika's face turned beet red, and she shot her gun into the air.

"BOOZE! SHUT UP!" In the next second, a pot came flying and knocked Mika out cold. Naomi was the culprit, and I, Booze, and the boys exchanged a look - don't mess with Naomi.

"There, all good..." Naomi said, dusting off her arms. The ladies nearby applauded, and one of them called out to me, "Hey Alex, make sure that gal doesn't do anything stupid!"

Yeah, no pressure.

"Plan to see ya," I said, tying Mika up with a rope to prevent her from falling. But our little procession didn't go unnoticed - we made multiple stops at police checkpoints, with officers raising an eyebrow at our peculiar situation.

Detective Tracy vouched for us, but one officer chimed in, "Son, people are gonna think you're kidnapping her." Yeah, this didn't look great.

Desperate for solutions, I asked, "Any ideas, guys? I need her to stay unconscious until we reach MTV studios.”

The officer hesitated before suggesting, "How about carrying her to that car over there?" I grinned, imagining Mika's face if she woke up to find herself in a police car. This was gonna be good.

As we rode towards the studios, Mariam threw a tantrum like a baby, with Amin trying to calm her down. She suddenly shouted at me, "Where the hell is MIKA!!!!? Eh?"

Amin looked at me curiously, "Bro, what's with the police car?”

I hesitated, "Uh...at least Mika's here?" I pointed to the police car, trying to downplay the situation.

Mariam's eyes narrowed, "Kukuku...what did you do, eh?" I shrugged, not wanting to reveal the details of how I dragged Mika out of her bedroom.

Mariam snapped a photo of Mika in the police car, her camera clicking away. I carried the still-unconscious Mika, while the policemen asked for autographs and took pictures with Mariam and Lil Lim. The policemen's eyes sparkled like crazy, clearly fans of the famous Mariam.

Lil Lim approached us, looking confused, "What's going on here?”

The policemen gushed about being fans, and Lil Lim took a photo and autograph with them. They left, patrolling the area, and we waved goodbye.

As I carried Mika, I explained to Mariam and Lil Lim how Mika was being gloomy and I had to force her out of her room. Mariam's look implied she was imagining all sorts of scenarios, but I just shrugged it off.

"Kukuku, whatever. At least I have Mika now. What's your plan?" Mariam asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I have a lot on my plate right now..." I started, but Mariam cut me off.

"You better help me then! Come on, I need to make my music video, and the deadline is this week!" She was desperate, and I agreed to help.

The situation was that Mariam was struggling to find inspiration for her music video, which aimed to combine communities from around LA. We entered the studio, with Mika still unconscious from Naomi's earlier knock-out.

Hardware arrived, took one look at Mika, and asked, "What happened to her?”

I explained the tantrum and Naomi's decisive hit. Hardware's eyes widened, "Whoa, that's not an ordinary KO! What's going on?”

I filled him in on Mariam's struggles with finding inspiration, and Hardware nodded knowingly. "That's because she's trying to force it. She wants to add something that just isn't meant to be.”

Lil Lim chimed in, "She's being too perfect, worse than the director themselves..."

I nodded, understanding the dynamics at play. Mariam's perfectionism was both her strength and weakness. Yeah, just peachy.

I listened to Amin's beat, but it was a bit too mellow for my taste. I asked Mariam what she was looking for, and she said, 'Something that represents LA!' Ah, the city of dreams!

I muttered to myself, 'Vibrant, yeah...got it!' And then, I took the synthesizer and let the funk flow! I started dancing, clapping my hands, and moving to the rhythm. I even busted out some Michael Jackson-inspired moves!

Mariam couldn't resist joining in, and soon, the whole crew was dancing together! I pulled Mika up, and she woke with a start, her tantrum forgotten like a switch had been flipped. 'Hey, what's all the fun about?' she asked, her face lighting up with a bright smile. She joined in, dancing and singing like nothing had ever happened!

Lil Lim called over Luis and Isabella, and they eagerly joined the party. 'Sounds fun! Let me join!' they chimed in unison. Everyone danced their hearts out, and Mika started singing along! It was like the whole room was electric!

Mariam shouted, "How did you do this?!”

Lil Lim nodded, "This is different, but it could work.”

A producer spoke up, "This could be great for a promotional video for Los Angeles. It shows the city's energy and culture.”

The marketing team got excited, "Imagine a music video that goes viral and brings more tourists to LA!”

The room was buzzing with ideas and energy. We knew we had something special.

This was it – the moment Mariam had been searching for. The music was alive, and we were all grooving together, creating something truly special. The spirit of LA was in the house, and we were making magic happen!”

Mariam's eyes lit up, "We need to capture the vibrance of LA - its cultures, foods, music, and art. We want to showcase the beauty of this city!”

Luis nodded, "I've met with community leaders and they're on board for change. De Santo's lost its grip, and the cartel's supporters are losing control and the police are closing in on the remaining members.”

Meanwhile, Mariam and our team scoured LA for the perfect shots - vibrant street art, delicious food from around the world, and the rhythms of different cultures. We aimed to capture the essence of this city.

Over the next two days, we fine-tuned the video, and Mariam's face lit up with delight as she watched the final cut. While Lil Lim and the director had some initial reservations, they were won over by the video's fresh perspective on LA.

"Let's try something new," the director said with a persuasive smile. "This video showcases a side of LA that's never been seen before.”

Lil Lim nodded in agreement. "Job well done, Mariam. This is a game-changer.”

Mariam beamed with pride, and we all shared a moment of triumph, knowing we had created something special.

With the project wrapped up, Mika approached me with a serious expression. "Hey, babe, can we talk?”

I sensed a shift in her tone and wondered what was on her mind. "Yeah, what's up?"

She hesitated, then asked, "Can you take me somewhere?”

I nodded, and we drove to Oceanside, near the Pendleton army base. We headed towards the hills, and Mika gazed out at the open sea. The serene landscape was breathtaking.

Mika turned to me, her smile genuine. "You know, I never thought I'd connect with this city, but you've shown me its beauty.”

I smiled back, feeling a sense of bond growing between us. "I know what you mean. I used to see LA as just a busy city, but now...I see its vibrancy, thanks to you.”

Mika's eyes sparkled, and she squeezed my hand. "I'm glad we found each other in this crazy city. You get me, and I get you.”

As the sun dipped into the ocean, we shared a moment of mutual understanding, our bond growing stronger. It was a connection built on shared experiences and genuine trust.

"I'm glad too," I said, smiling. And with that, we sat in comfortable silence, watching the sunset over the ocean, I could feel that our bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

Mika suddenly planted a kiss on my cheek, leaving me stunned. "What the…?!"

She smiled mischievously. "Since Nat's not taking things seriously, I thought I'd take matters into my own hands.”

I raised an eyebrow, trying to process what was happening. "You're kidding me, right? Another girl problem I don't need!”

Mika chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, don't look so serious! I just wanted to show my appreciation for the amazing guy you are.”

I shook my head, laughing half heartedly . "Appreciation? You're going to give me a heart attack!”

Mika's grin grew wider. "Oh, don't worry. I promise I won't break your heart...unless you ask me to, that is.”

I rolled my eyes, playfully. "You're something else, Mika.”

As we bantered back and forth, I couldn't help but notice the flutter in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to feel something more for this quirky, charming girl.

"Okay, okay," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. "You've made your point. But next time, just stick to a simple 'thank you', deal?”

Mika giggled, her eyes shining with mirth. "Deal, babe. But don't think you're off the hook that easily!"

As I gazed into Mika's eyes, I felt drawn to her unique personality. "Hey Mika..." I asked, my voice low and curious.

"Yeah, babe?" she replied, her face inches from mine.

I swallowed hard, trying to focus. "What's your plan after all this? Are you going back to school or…?"

Mika's expression turned contemplative, her eyes searching for answers. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I hate school because it doesn't teach me what I want to know. And cooking isn't my passion, especially since I'm a vegetarian.”

She paused, her gaze drifting upward. "I thought attending that idea meeting with Gale was a good idea, but now I realize I just wanted to…exist."

Her words struck a chord, revealing a deeper side of Mika. "That's profound," I said, my voice softening. "What do you love to do, then?”

Mika's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm not sure. I'm not a fan of the jungle or creepy crawlies. I prefer simple food, but...I love this city. Its energy, its vibrancy...it feels like home.”

I nodded, sensing a kindred spirit. "I understand. Sometimes it takes time to figure out what we truly want. But it sounds like you're searching for something more meaningful.”

Mika's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze intense. "Yeah...maybe I am.”

"Why the hell am I wanted to share what I have in me then?" I thought to myself, but somehow the words spilled out of my mouth like a dam breaking. "I've been through some tough stuff too, Mika. Stuff that made me question everything.”

As I opened up to Mika about my past, I saw understanding in her eyes. We'd never had a conversation like this before, and it felt like a weight was lifting off my shoulders.

Mika's grip on my arm tightened as she shared her own story. "I hate my dad," she said, her voice laced with pain. "He's responsible for my mom's deteriorating health, and he sold me off to a loan shark. If it weren't for Naomi and Xavier, I wouldn't have escaped. Ever since then, I've had trust issues with adults."

I listened intently, feeling a connection to her struggles. Why was I always drawn to girls with similar issues? Mr. Hawk's words echoed in my mind: "You see the world through different eyes, boy.”

Mika suddenly hummed a tune, and I asked her about it. "It's my favorite song," she said, "Underneath the Stars by Mariah Carey." She began singing, her voice soaring like Sylvia's. I listened, mesmerized, until she finished.

I applauded, and asked, "So, does singing make you feel better?" Mika smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah, it's my escape."

"Escape?" I wondered, connecting the word to Darrel's message. Mika's gaze remained on the stunning view, but I sensed a shift in her demeanor.

"Hey Alex," she said, her voice soft and curious.

"Yeah?" I replied, meeting her gaze.

"Sorry about being an ass," she said, her expression serious.

I raised an eyebrow. "Did you do something wrong? I don't think you have.”

Mika's eyes locked onto mine. "Mariam told me about your past, about how you've helped so many people. I wonder how many lives you've touched.”

I sensed a deepening connection, a sense of understanding. "Then when you were wounded by that strange girl, you had a scary look in your eyes." She was referring to the incident before this.

"I wish I was there with you," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "I wish I was the first one you met.”

I knew where this was leading, and I had to set things straight. "You wouldn't have been interested in me when we first met," I said, trying to reason with her.

But Mika's response was fierce. "I really do! I want to be there for you, to help you through your struggles."

I thought about the girls who had impacted my life. Nat is the one I love, my light. We started with conflict, but ended with understanding. She's the connection between us all.

Then I met Sylvia who has the same vibe as me, always understanding my situation. She's charming, caring, and I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts with her. But I don't want her to choose me over her future; I want her to achieve her dreams.

Another girl is Priscilla that started with a problem I created, but she doesn't like seeing me weak. She connects with me in her own tomboyish way, and I can confidently face challenges with her.

And this girl Mika. A lost soul, just like me. She does not interested in anything, don't care about anyone's opinion, and always express herself honestly. But when I see her soft side, I know she want to experience the world like me. That's why I feel that she have so much potential, and I don't want to hold her back.

I looked at Mika, my eyes filled with emotion. "Damn, why do all the girls I meet after Nat have this vibe?”

I give her a polite answer, trying to sound sincere. "You know, Mika...there's more to you than you think you are." I recall the last time I saw her at the strip club, dancing confidently and carefree. That's where she's happiest, I think to myself.

I take her hand, trying to sound encouraging. "Maybe you need to see the world and figure out who you are." Mika's face flushes, and she looks at me with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"That's some smooth talk you've got here," she says, her voice laced with sarcasm. I cringe inwardly, hating the fact that I come across as a charming playboy, even when I'm trying to be genuine. Lady-killer in action, indeed

Mika stretches her body, her curves on full display. I feel my heart race and my mind goes blank.

Mika's smile turns sly. "Are you captivated by me, Babe?" she asks, her voice husky and playful.

My face flushes, and I try to composed myself. "Shut up, Mika! You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I stammer, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

Mika chuckles, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Babe. You're so adorable when you're flustered. Like a little puppy who's seen a treat!” Fuck you she deliberate taking this advantage.

"Now I'm finally hyped!" Mika exclaims, her energy infectious, but I'm annoyed, my face scrunched up in frustration.

"I'm not going down!" she continues, her voice filled with determination. "Not after Mariam spilled the tea about your love interest!”

Mariam!!! What the hell did you tell her?! I'm gonna lose it when I see her!

"Uh, back off, Mika..." I warn her, my hands up in defense. Please Allah, I've had enough girl drama for a lifetime, just let me be at peace…

But Mika's not having it. "I won't be the third wheel!" she declares, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. Her curves press against me, and I feel my resolve weakening. Don't get aroused, Alex! Don't do it!

I can feel Nat and Sylvia's judgmental gazes piercing my back, ready to strike me down for even thinking about it.

"Hey Mika, I think we're all on the same page now. What's your take?”

Mika thought for a moment, looking adorable. "There's something missing...like...wait a minute…"

She made a phone call, putting it on speaker. "Hey, sis...remember Gale? And his connection to Boulder?”

Naomi's voice came through the line. "Yeah, I remember. You told me about his involvement with Boulder…"

Mika's eyes locked onto mine. "I think I found what we're looking for…"

Naomi suddenly changed the subject. "So Mika, did you do it?”

Mika smiled devilishly at me. "You said it yourself, Alex...I'm not going to lose!”

Naomi teased, "Go get her, Mika! If you want Alex, go get him!”

I shot her a warning look. "Hey, Naomi, no fueling the fire, okay?”

Mika laughed, enjoying the drama. "Hey, let's make the ceremony in Oceanside!”

I gave her a look. "Focus, Mika. We need a plan.”

But then Naomi dropped a bombshell. "Anyway, Mika...Gale is dead.”

Mika's grin faltered. "What happened?”

Naomi filled us in. "After the bar incident, Gale confessed and was killed in cold blood in an LAPD cell. Detective Tracy is stumped, and he warned me not to trust anyone right now."

Mika's face set in determination. "Let's pay Gale a visit, then.”

Naomi warned us, her voice serious. "You guys be careful...Gale's death is connected to something bigger.”

Mika and I exchanged a curious glance. "Who killed Gale?" we asked in unison.

Naomi's response sent a chill down my spine. "One word…spectre."

I knew what she meant, and I warned Mika. "Naomi, call Detective Tracy. You're all in danger right now.”

Mika was confused, but she trusted me. "Got it.”

As we rode our bikes, I filled Mika in on the details. “Spectre… Mika. We need to be careful.”

Her eyes narrowed, her jaw set in determination. "Don't hide things from me, Alex. I'm in this with you now.”

"I started explaining to Mika about Spectre, reminding her of the incident with Luis. 'Remember that crazy terminator-looking girl?’

Mika's eyes narrowed. 'Yeah, I remember. She hurt babe, and I'd love to give her a taste of her own medicine!’

I nodded. 'We need to speed up and get Hardware to look after Mariam and Amin while we head to Compton!’

Mika made the call while I focused on driving. But suddenly, my head started ringing again, and Frederica's voice echoed in my mind. 'She's here!’

I glanced at the side mirror and spotted a black YZF-R1 behind us, the rider wearing a helmet. My instincts screamed that it was the clone. How did she find us? I didn't have time to wonder if Mika's phone was bugged.

Mika reported, 'Hardware said something strange is going on at the studio, and they're taking precautions.’

I cursed, realizing they'd already started their move. But where was Damien in all this?

I grabbed Mika's phone and tossed it away, earning a furious glance. 'What the hell, Babe?’

'Your phone is bugged, Mika! We need to get to Compton now!’

Mika held tight as I accelerated the Ducati, expertly navigating through LA's congested streets. The bike behind us kept pace, and a black Range Rover joined the pursuit. Mika pulled out her gun, and I instructed her to aim for the tires. She proved to be a skilled marksman, taking out the Range Rover's tires with a precise shot. The vehicle swerved off the highway, and the black bike narrowly avoided collision.

I pushed the Ducati to its limits, feeling its powerful engine surge as we sped away. Mika exclaimed, "It's the cops!" - a development that might just work in our favor.

I opened the throttle fully, drawing the police's attention. They gave chase, sirens blaring, as the black bike continued to tail us. I told Mika to hold fire and hold on tight, hoping we wouldn't make the evening news.

Just as the police car was closing in, a Ford Bronco appeared out of nowhere, ramming into the police car and sending it crashing into the wall. Mika's eyes widened in shock. "My god, that's crazy!”

She took aim at the Bronco's tires, firing until they blew out. The vehicle careened out of control, but kept moving. Our pursuers were relentless.

I had a bad feeling, like something was off, and I knew we had to reach Compton ASAP.

The black bike pulled up beside us, and we drew our guns. Mika took a shot at the driver, but she dodged it. It was the clone! I kicked her bike, sending it stumbling away, and took out her engine with a well-placed shot.

But now the Ford Bronco was closing in. "We need to reach Compton! We'll have backup there!" Mika said confidently, but my bad feeling only intensified.

When we arrived, my premonition came true. The De Santo Gang was attacking the neighborhood, and Damien was with them. What was going on?

Chaos erupted around us. I prayed Hardware was keeping Mariam and Amin safe.

It was like a war zone. My blood boiled, and I shot down one of the gang members' legs. Mika aimed at their heads, but I held her arm back. "Not worth it!" I didn't want her to have blood on her hands.

I jumped into the fray, taking down gang members with my gun and kicks. I felt a sense of protection, not anger, as I pulled the trigger. I shouted at Mika, "Go! Find Naomi!”

Mika raced towards Naomi's place while I took down the remaining gang members, about 20 of them. I felt light, my eyes locked onto my targets.

My gun-fu instincts took over, and I unleashed a flurry of close quarters combat moves, disarming and taking down the gang members without killing them. As I approached Damien, he remained silent, his eyes fixed on me with a fierce intensity.

"I thought you hated them, homie!" I exclaimed, but he didn't respond, instead aiming his gun at my head.

We clashed in a fierce battle, exchanging blows and kicks. I managed to land a few good hits, but Damien was a formidable opponent. He suddenly complimented me, "Funny, homie, I never thought I'd see you like this…good."

My anger boiled over, and I unleashed a combination of three punches and a kick, followed by a tornado jump takedown. Damien dodged the combo, but I quickly adapted and slammed him to the ground with a neck-tightening takedown.

Damien was impressed, "Damn, you're good! Now it's my turn." He countered with his own CQC moves, and we found ourselves in a intense hand-to-hand combat sequence. I managed to gain the upper hand, taking him down with a leg shot and a front kick.

As we paused, locked in a tense arm-to-arm stalemate, I demanded, "Why the hell are you siding with them, Damien?”

He simply smiled, "You'll soon find out, homie." And with a swift front kick, he sent me crashing to the ground.

I jumped up, fueled by anger, and delivered a clothesline and a knee to the gut. Damien grunted in pain, but refused to back down.

I prayed to Allah, hoping the others were safe amidst the chaos. Miraculously, no one had died yet. I hoped Mika had managed to protect Naomi. As I tried to subdue Damien, he suddenly pulled away, and I demanded, "Who is it this time?!”

Damien's smile and his next words enraged me. "Who else, homie? Now you have a choice: Naomi or Nat.”

My fear turned to rage. "Fuck you!" I punched him hard, but he held my arm. I kicked his gut, and he flew off, landing on the ground. I saw Mika, and my instincts screamed that she was in danger. I saw the clone, and my killer instincts took over. I took aim and fired at her neck, but she didn't go down. I shot her legs and arms, and Mika disabled her.

As the police arrived, I jumped off my bike, but Mika followed me. Naomi encouraged me, "Go! Save your girl! Don't worry about us!" The boys were protecting the neighborhood, and one of them shouted, "Hey, Homie! We've got this! You do what you have to do!"

Detective Tracy's voice came over the radio, "Kid, I'm at UCLA. This looks like a coordinated attack across LA. Be careful!”

Mika held my back as we sped through the streets on the Ducati, performing a wheelie. I prayed to Allah, "Please let me reach her in time."