Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 25) - Christmas in LA: A Tale of Two Hearts

It's Christmas Eve in LA, and the excitement is palpable. But I'm not joining the festivities just yet. Detective Tracy has summoned me to meet him at Pendleton Beach, and I sense something important is brewing. As I arrive, I'm surprised to see Mr. Marcus, my instructor, standing alongside the detective.

"Instructor?" I ask, taken aback.

Mr. Marcus smiles warmly. "How is it, kid? LA's my hometown, you know." But his expression turns serious, and he gets straight to the point. "Faruq's been worried sick about the news on CNN. But he's relieved everyone's safe... until he saw that mysterious lady.”

My curiosity piques. "What happened?”

Mr. Marcus's expression turns grave. "Faruq said to tell you, 'This is another case, Alex. One you need to know about.'" I feel a shiver run down my spine.

I press for more information. "Okay, but why is Faruq suddenly interested in this?"

Mr. Marcus's eyes lock onto mine. "It seems the incident happened close to home. Luckily, Sylvia and Priscilla were around to take down the clone. But here's the thing, Alex - the clone was targeting what you fear most.”

My heart skips a beat as I process the news. "Ya Allah..." I sit down on the ground, trying to wrap my head around this revelation. It seems the danger is closer than I thought, and it's not just limited to LA.

As Mr. Marcus continues to explain the situation in KK, I find myself transported to a different scene - one of warmth and chaos.

It's the day Alex and the gang launched their daring attack on the Mayor's office and Boulder's. Meanwhile, Sylvia and Priscilla are hard at work in Meow's cafe, keeping up with the demanding pace.

"Hey Sil! Order up for table 6!" Priscilla shouts, expertly juggling multiple orders as she navigates the frenetic kitchen. Grand Uncle's legendary char kuey teow has drawn in a crowd, and we're running overtime to keep up with the demand.

As the lunch rush subsides, Mr. Marcus appears at our doorstep, a curious glint in his eye. "What's all the commotion about?" he asks, surveying the bustling cafe with a warm smile.

I take a moment to catch my breath, wiping the sweat from my forehead as I explain the chaos. "Just another day at Meow's, Uncle Marcus. Grand Uncle's cooking has brought in a crowd!”

Priscilla chimes in, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen. "We're just trying to keep up! But it's worth it to see all these smiling faces.”

Mr. Marcus nods, his expression softening. "I'm glad to see you both thriving. You've got a good thing going here."

"Yeah, I'm good, sir. What can I get for you?" I ask, poised to take his order.

Mr. Marcus scans the menu before responding, "I'll have the char kuey teow, please. But could you hold the chili? I'm not too fond of spicy food.”

I nod, jotting down his order. "Coming right up, sir.”

As I wait for his order to be prepared, Mr. Marcus strikes up a conversation. "So, this is the girl Alex talks about," he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I feel a flutter in my chest, wondering what Alex might have shared about me. "Uh, sir... is everything okay with Alex?" I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.

Mr. Marcus's grin widens. "Alex is lucky to have someone like you, Sylvia. You've got a good heart, and you're talented to boot.”

I blush, feeling a warmth spread through my cheeks. "Thank you, sir. That means a lot coming from you.”

Mr. Marcus leans in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I've known Alex for a while now, and I've seen him go through a lot. But the way he talks about you... it's different. He's got a spark in his eye when he mentions your name.”

My heart skips a beat at this revelation. What does it mean? And what has Alex told Mr. Marcus about me?

Mr. Marcus settles into his seat, his expression serious. "Sylvia, I need to tell you something. Alex went to LA to protect something... or someone. But I think he's in over his head.”

I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of his words. "I know he went to LA to settle something, but I don't know what. And to be honest, I'm torn. Part of me wants him to settle it, but another part is scared of what might happen if he does.”

Mr. Marcus nods thoughtfully. "Alex needs to settle this on his own, Sylvia. But be careful... there are those who might try to influence him.”

Just then, a familiar-looking girl walks in, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone. She spots us and makes her way over, her gaze lingering on me.

"Hi, welcome to Meow's! What can I get for you?" I ask, trying to place her.

"Um, just Chinese tea and chicken rice, please," she replies, her eyes locked onto mine as if trying to convey a message.

I take her order, feeling a shiver run down my spine. There's something about her that seems... off.

As I return to Mr. Marcus's table, he leans in, his voice low. "Just be careful around that girl, Sylvia. She's got a weird sense about her... like she's hiding something.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Mr. Marcus hesitates, as if unsure how much to reveal. "Never mind. Just trust me on this one."

As the restaurant shift ends, the mysterious girl approaches me once more. "Do you know a place where I could stay?" she asks, her eyes scanning the surrounding area with an air of urgency.

I provide her with directions to the nearest hotel, and she nods before leaving with a long, suspicious-looking bag that seems to be concealing something.

Mr. Marcus quickly follows her, his expression serious and concerned. I'm left wondering what's really going on.

After finishing our work, Hana and I head back to Alex's house with Mr. Marcus. Alex's mom is already there, but her face turns pale as soon as she sees us, as if she's seen a ghost.

"Mother... all good..." I try to reassure her, but she looks horrified, her hand covering her mouth.

Her eyes are fixed on the TV, where a breaking news report on CNN shows Alex and someone who looks like Damien fighting on top of a building. And there, in the midst of the chaos, is the girl from the restaurant.

My bad feeling intensifies. Is she following us? What's happening?

I look outside from the window, and my heart skips a beat. There she is, standing across the street, her eyes fixed on our house. Oh god, what does she want?

Priscilla notices my distress and asks, "Hey, what's wrong?”

I quickly fill her in, trying to keep my voice down. "Don't tell mom, got it? I'm going down there right now. Please look after her... got it?”

Priscilla's eyes widen with concern. "Hey, be careful! She looks dangerous!”

I nod, my heart racing with anticipation. What will I find outside?

I slowly open the entrance, and my eyes widen as I see her trying to scale the wall of the gate. I instantly shout at her, "Hey, what are you doing?" But she doesn't flinch, her fingers digging into the concrete as she continues to climb.

I charge towards her, my heart racing with adrenaline. I try to kick her, but she's too quick. She leaps off the wall, her legs coiling around mine, taking me down to the ground. I try to wriggle free, but she's got me in a tight grip.

I kick her, but she absorbs the blow, her eyes flashing with an unnatural strength. She retaliates with a series of swift jabs, each one landing with precision and force. I try to block her, but she's too fast, too powerful.

I'm desperate to break free, but she's got me pinned down. I try to use my legs to push her off, but she's too heavy, too strong. Just when I think I'm going to pass out, I hear Hana and Priscilla shouting behind me.

“Big Sis Sylvia, we're here!" Hana yells, as they both charge towards us.

Priscilla tackles the clone from behind, trying to bring her down. But she's too strong, and she throws Priscilla across the entrance hall. Hana joins the fight, her kicks flying as she tries to take down the clone.

I take advantage of the distraction to land a few good kicks, but the clone is still too powerful. She throws me against the wall, and I feel a surge of pain as my head hits the concrete.

But I refuse to give up. I launch myself at her, determined to stop her no matter what. Hana and Priscilla join me, and together we manage to overpower her, pinning her to the ground.

As we catch our breath, I realize that this clone is not just any ordinary clone. She's stronger, faster, and more deadly than any clone I've ever seen. And I wonder, what else is she capable of?

The clone takes us down with ease, all three of us crashing to the ground. But I refuse to give up. As she turns her attention to the entrance, I grab her leg and launch myself at her, unleashing a flurry of kick combos that send her flying backward.

I quickly regain my footing and charge at her, our bodies colliding in mid-air as we exchange kick combos. It's like we're flying, our movements lightning-fast and deadly. But she's relentless, her grip on my shirt tightening as she tries to take me down.

I counter her move, using her momentum against her. I kick her in the gut, the force of the blow sending her crashing to the ground. She grunts in pain, her eyes flashing with anger.

I stand over her, my chest heaving with exertion. I know I've got to end this fight quickly, before she recovers. But as I look into her eyes, I see something that makes my blood run cold. A glimmer of recognition, a spark of humanity. And I wonder, is she more than just a clone?

"Gissa break, mate! This is gettin' nowhere fast!" Priscilla exclaims, her British accent mixed with Aussie slang.

I nod in agreement. "This is getting serious, and if we fall here, god knows what will happen. We can't let her win.”

I glance at the clone, realizing she hasn't used her guns yet. But before I can react, she pulls out a pistol.

In a split second, I kick her arm, and the gun flies over the gate. I hear the neighbors shouting, and Mr. Habeeb appears at the gate, yelling, "Police! Hands up!”

But the clone doesn't respond. I shout a warning to Mr. Habeeb, "She's not a normal human being!"

Just as the clone lunges at him, Mr. Marcus appears out of nowhere, countering her attack.

Priscilla's eyes widen in shock. "Fair dinkum, what's goin' on here?”

I shake my head, focused on the fight. "No time to explain, Priscilla. Let's take her down!"

We join forces with Mr. Marcus, who explains that he was beaten down by the clone and woke up in a side alley. As we prepare for another attack, Mr. Marcus warns the clone, "Don't do this!”

But she responds in Latin, "Numquam scivi quod auctoritas eius huc perveniret. Hoc non est quod me certiorem fecerunt." ("I never knew his authority would reach here. This is not what I was told.”)

I understand her words, thanks to my theology studies, and respond in Latin, "Est aliquis, qui scis quod hic vixerit? An est aliquid aliud. Fraternitas fortasse?" ("Is there someone who knows what's going on here? Or is there something else. Perhaps the Brotherhood?")

Her raised eyebrow confirms my suspicion. Enraged, she unleashes a ferocious attack, taking us down one by one. Even Mr. Marcus struggles to keep up.

But I refuse to give up. I rally my friends, and together we launch a counterattack. Priscilla takes down the clone with a perfectly aimed kick, while Hana disarms her with a swift move. I deliver a series of rapid punches, weakening her further.

As the clone stumbles back, Mr. Faruq and Mr. Habeeb arrive, handcuffs at the ready. They restrain the clone, ending the fight.

Panting, I explain, "This clone…. she is connected to the incident in Kudat, the last time we meet remember Priscilla?” Priscilla nodded at us and I contined again. “She's not just a mindless fighter - she's got a purpose.”

Mr. Faruq's eyes narrow. "We'll interrogate her, find out what she knows.”

My dad approaches me, relief etched on his face. "Sylvia, are you okay?”

I nod, still catching my breath. "I'm fine, Dad. We did it.”

Mr. Marcus nods in approval, his eyes wide with amazement. "Well done, team. You've saved us all. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how you guys handled this like pros. You've clearly dealt with situations like this before.”

I glance at Priscilla, who nods subtly, encouraging me to share our story. I take a deep breath and begin to explain. "We've encountered clones before, Mr. Marcus. In a strange facility, we stumbled upon a lab creating these... things. Alex was with us then, and we all decided to burn the place to the ground, but not before we realized that there were more of them out there.”

Mr. Marcus's expression turns from curiosity to shock. "A facility, you say? Creating clones? This is beyond my understanding. I think it's best we keep this information between us. We don't know who else might be involved or what their intentions are."

Priscilla chimes in, her voice firm. "We can't trust anyone, Mr. Marcus. Not until we know what's going on.”

I nod in agreement. "We'll keep it secret for now. But we need to find out more about these clones and who's behind them.”

Mr. Marcus nods gravely. "I'll see what I can dig up. But for now, let's keep this under wraps. We don't want to risk anyone else getting hurt."

Just as we thought we'd kept the incident under wraps, Alex's mom calls us, oblivious to what's just transpired. We continue watching the news, and my eyes widen in disbelief as I see the clone and Alex engaged in an intense battle.

But something about Alex's fighting style catches my attention. He's different, more fluid and calculated in his movements. Mr. Marcus notices my gaze and mutters to himself, "So... he's changing his fighting style again, and this time it's like Soro…"

Alex's mom is equally perplexed, her voice barely above a whisper, "Is this the evolution of change from him?”

I feel a surge of frustration and concern. What's going on? Why is Alex's fighting style changing? And what does it have to do with Soro? But who is Soro? Another person... maybe I could ask Mariam about this. I make a mental note to talk to her later.

Mr. Marcus breaks the silence, his expression calm. "I'm heading to LA for a family visit. I'll be meeting with Detective Tracy while I'm there.”

Alex's mom nods, her eyes fixed on Mr. Marcus. "Please, do check in on Alex. See how he's doing.”

I add, "And tell him everything is okay here. We've got things under control.”

Mr. Marcus nods, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Will do. I'll make sure to pass on the message.”

As Mr. Marcus heads out, I'm left with more questions than answers. Who is Soro? What's happening to Alex? And what does Mr. Marcus know that I don't? I'm determined to get to the bottom of this, starting with a conversation with Mariam.

As we gather around the TV, the news anchor's voice fills the room. "Breaking news: another intense battle has been spotted in the city, with Alex at the center of it all." The footage shows Alex fighting alongside Mariam, Amin, and a mysterious girl. Natalie is also seen in the background, but I'm more concerned about Alex's involvement.

Alex's mom turns to us with a knowing glint in her eye. "Well, girls, looks like he has a lot to explain to us.”

Me, Priscilla, and Hana exchange eager glances, our arms crossed in anticipation of confronting Alex. But beneath my tough exterior, I'm worried. What's really going on with Alex? Is he changing, or is something dark taking hold of his heart? The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

As the news continues, I can't shake off the feeling that something is off. Alex's actions are becoming increasingly erratic, and I fear for his safety - and ours. I make a mental note to keep a close eye on him, to ensure he doesn't get in over his head.

Present time, LA, USA -

I listen as Mr. Marcus explains the situation, but my mind is still reeling from everything that's happened. I'm impressed by how Sylvia and Priscilla handled themselves against the clone - they're stronger than I gave them credit for.

"Looks like you have a lot on your plate, but at least you managed to handle it well," Mr. Marcus says, nodding in approval.

But I know the truth. I know that there's more to this story than what's on the surface. The clone, the strange occurrences, it's all connected to the incident. And I'm right in the middle of it.

I try to shake off the feeling of unease, but it's hard to ignore. Something's off, and I know I need to get to the bottom of it. I glance over at Sylvia and Priscilla, wondering how much they know. And then there's Mr. Marcus - what's he hiding?

I take a deep breath, trying to process it all. But the more I think about it, the more questions I have. What's really going on? And how can I stop it before it's too late?

"Anyway, this is Christmas, and I wanted to celebrate with one of my friends here... we'll meet again in school, got it?" Mr. Marcus says, preparing to leave.

Detective Tracy smiles at me warmly. "Stay out of trouble, kid. Enjoy Christmas.”

We shake hands, and he adds, "Thanks for saving LA.”

I feel a twinge of humility, knowing I didn't act alone. "At least I managed to settle it... now my heart is at ease knowing Darrel is at peace in the afterlife.”

Detective Tracy and Mr. Marcus exchange a knowing smile before parting ways.

I return to Compton, where the Christmas celebration is already in full swing. Damien is there, but Natalie is noticeably absent - I wonder why.

Mariam is dancing with abandon, while Amin spins tracks as the DJ. Mika is lost in the music, surrounded by the others. I sit on the sidelines, not my usual scene, with Naomi beside me.

"Thanks... never knew things could end up like this," Naomi says, watching Mika with a smile. "Especially with Mika enjoying her new life.”

I nod in agreement, feeling grateful. "Thanks, Naomi... if it wasn't for you guiding me, I'd be a lost child or who knows what. Maybe even dead.”

Naomi's expression turns serious, but she says nothing, letting the music fill the space between us.

Just then, Xavier suddenly sits down beside me and Naomi, his eyes fixed on Mika as she dances with carefree abandon.

"Thanks, kid," he says, his voice low and sincere. "Mika's brighter than before. She's finally found her spark.”

I nod, unable to say more, my mind racing with thoughts of Mika's newfound fame. I worry about the pressures that come with it, the constant scrutiny, and the loss of privacy.

But Xavier's words are laced with a warmth and sincerity that puts me at ease.

Naomi smiles, her eyes shining with happiness. "She deserves it," she says. "Mika's always had a light within her. Now it's shining brighter than ever.”

Xavier nods in agreement, his gaze still fixed on Mika. "She's going to do great things. And we'll be here to support her every step of the way.”

I nod, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Xavier and Naomi. They've been like mentors to me, guiding me through the ups and downs of life. And now, they're doing the same for Mika.

Christmas is in full swing, LA-style, but I'm feeling out of place. Mika's dressed as a sexy Santa, while Mariam's going all out in a revealing dress, leaving Amin drooling like crazy. As Muslims, I hope this is the last time I'll let this couple get carried away!

I turn to Naomi and whisper, "I need to get out of here. I'm heading to the musollah, Hardware's relative's place. It's close by.”

I arrive at the musollah, seeking solace in its peaceful atmosphere. I begin my prayers, thanking Allah for guiding me through recent events.

An imam, Hardware's relative, approaches me and starts a conversation. I open up about my struggles, and he calmly explains, "This is all Allah's work. Allah is all-knowing.”

His words resonate deeply, and I start to calm down in this serene space. I realize it's been a while since I last sat here – the last time was with Nat. My love for her remains strong, and I'm reminded why she's the one. Amidst all the girls I've met, Nat stands out as the only person who truly understands me, never pulling me away or judging me. She protected me for my own safety, and that love remains unwavering.

As I step out of the musollah, I gaze up at the sky, lost in thought. I reflect on the journey that has brought me to this moment, and a gentle smile spreads across my face.

With a cigarette in hand, I take a slow drag, letting the smoke carry my thoughts away. I envision Nat and Sylvia, the two people who have captivated my heart. I realize that I'm deeply invested in both of them, but in different ways. Nat represents a love that's pure and true, a connection that I long to protect and cherish. Sylvia, on the other hand, embodies a passion that's fierce and all-consuming, a flame that I'm drawn to despite the risks.

As I stand there, the smoke swirling around me, I know that I'll do whatever it takes to safeguard the people I care about. The question is, which path will I choose, and who will I ultimately protect?

I roll back into Compton, where the wild party's still turnt up. Mika's still gettin' lit, while Naomi approaches me, lookin' concerned.

"You good, fam?" Naomi asks.

"Yeah, I'm straight," I reply. "Tonight's our last night here, and I'm hopin' everything's squared away. I got a feelin' I don't need to be here no more, and I gotta make sure Mariam and Amin are comin' with me. I'm worried they might not wanna leave.”

Just then, Damien slides up to me, grinnin' like a kid.

"What's good, homie?" We shake hands, and he hands me a first-class ticket back to Malaysia with Mariam and Amin.

"Yo, you're livin' large now!" I say, impressed. Damien's always had that dough, but now he's actin' like a straight-up baller.

"Nah, for real, thanks, man," I say, meanin' it. "This is a full-circle moment, closure for Darrel and all that. Now I can focus on myself, and Kaia's got a plan to get me set up in Virginia, near Langley. She's lookin' out for me, just like she promised my parents.”

Damien's actin' like a little bro now, all hyped and excited. He's a far cry from the dude I remembered.

I'm chillin' on the bench, enjoying the vibe, when Mika launches into another high-energy performance. But my Vibe is disrupted by a bad feeling creepin' over me. Naomi and Xavier are grinnin' at me like they're sharin' a secret.

"Honey, what do you think of Alex?" Naomi asks Xavier, who's nodding in agreement.

"Like I said before, those boys around here ain't worth it," Xavier says, "but when it comes to Alex... he's a different case altogether.”

I'm thinkin', "What the hell am I to them?" A sense of unease settles in, like they're plottin' somethin'. Before I can process it, Mariam yanks me off the bench, her eyes sparkin' with mischief.

“you ain’t getting nowhere, come on!! ” she says, draggin' me into the crowd.

I'm left wonderin' what just went down. What's goin' on with Naomi and Xavier? And why's Mariam actin' so strange?

Mika launches into a sultry song, and the girls around her join in, dancing and singin' along. Mariam jumps into the mix, and I'm suddenly stuck in the middle of this chaotic scene.

Dammit, my life was boring just fine, but now I'm neck-deep in this wild party. Son of a...!

The music's pumpin', and the energy's electric. I'm surrounded by them, all lettin' loose and havin' the time of their lives. I'm just tryin' to survive this crazy night without losin' my mind.

Mika's performance is hypnotic, and the crowd's eatin' it up. I'm trapped in this whirlwind of music, dance, and laughter. How did my life go from zero to a hundred like this?