X emerged from the tavern and immediately caught sight of the problem. A bunch of drug-heads were harassing a young woman.

“Over!” One junkie shouted, grabbing her arm. “What do you mean the interview is over? You stopped me as I was going in there to buy a drink. Now that you got what you wanted, you don’t want to pay for my information. Don’t be rude. At least give me five hundred for five minutes of my time. You people are rich.”

“No, just let me go!” The woman screamed again, trying her best to break free. The broad-shouldered moron behind her laughed as she desperately struggled for freedom.

“Hey you!” X hollered, holding the gun in position for action. “Leave that lady alo…”

Not even letting him finish, the other crack-head spun around and took a shot at X. The amateur missed. As expected for a smalltime shooter that probably started practicing with tin cans a few days ago. K-5 swore as he took cover behind an empty barrel. He responded with a double trigger that discharged two slugs. The first one found a home in the guy’s shoulder. The second bullet burned the other thug’s chest, throwing both hands in the air as he fell backwards, dropping his gun.

This gave the woman some courageous zeal to punch the remaining goon in the face for him to let her go. She then launched herself full out after the pistol on the ground and rolled to the side. The junkie knew what time it was and chased the winds blowing toward his three o’clock. She let out a sigh of relief, thankful that she didn’t have to kill anyone. X went over to assess damage.

As far as he could tell, apart from a bruised cheek, nothing seemed broken. He offered her a hand up. She took it. The nametag hanging on her neck spoke to X before she did. Lelo Malindi. M1 news. A journalist with nice and soft wooly hair.

“Thank you,” she said. “My name is Lelo.”

Instead of being sympathetic, X came across as unnerved. “Let me guess. Another thrill-seeking journalist putting her life on the line for the next major exposé that will bring you one step closer to having your own real news TV show some day. Well it makes me sick to see how you guys love to gamble with life like you have a guardian angel. You’re messing with the wrong people. They are sluggish and unconcerned fiends who can kill you for a lollipop in order to make some cents. Thank your ancestors we happened to be in the neighborhood. But you should switch your lane, Louis. Superman won’t always be around to save you.”

“It’s Lelo,” She corrected him. “My name is Lelo. Not Louis.”

The dumbfounded look on X didn’t last long. She clearly didn’t get that Superman reference. He said nothing more and just listened to her explain.

“It may be true that I am out here risking my neck for the job, but I’m after an important story that needs our country’s attention. Gang rivalry and random acts of violence are a serious problem affecting poverty stricken communities. And just like you, I’m doing what I can to help. Judging by your uniform, you must be a member of the infamous K5, aren’t you? Graduates of the Black Beret program following deviant law which justifies illegal activities carried out in honor of the Constitution and the greater good.”

X tried not to look impressed by this knowledgeable woman. Almost too smart for her own good. The Order of the Black Beret was no dinner table topic. The last thing this new law enforcement program needed was too much attention from the media. He changed the subject.

“It is not safe here. You can come with us if you want to live. We can get you out. But I’m going to need your full cooperation. Do everything I tell you to. Is that clear?”

“No problem,” She agreed. “But can I at least drive my own car?”

“All four of us are riding in your car.” He told her.

“All four? Who else is here?”

She got her answer when Skelem came out of the tavern with Deiza. Hands tightly roped behind his back. He even put the boy in the trunk along with a black duffle bag full of cash. K-3 sat in the back. Having dressed his wounded arm with a damp dishrag he got from the barman. K-5 rode upfront. Lelo took the wheel.

She gunned the engine of her yellow sedan and drove off.

***

Tell us what you think: How do you think the other team is doing? Are they still alive?