Well, that chapter turned out to be quite long.
Anyway, here's the next chapter. I know I haven't posted in a few days, and that's probably the way it's going to be from now on. Instead of pressuring myself into getting a new chapter up every day, I'll probably put a new one up every 3 or 4 days to allow myself more time to write them up.
Oh, and it's occured to me that there's not much left in this story. There's gonna be quite a few more chapters, but I'm starting to outline how this story's gonna end.
Aaaanyway, enough about what's going to happen, time for the aftermath of the big fight. Enjoy. 8)
August 17, 1979
12:56 pm
Something I seemed to have gleamed across in this story is Mouse’s girlfriend. Well, back before the Little Jer incident; back before the meeting; hell, back before I got released from jail, Mouse landed himself a chick. Now, seeing as Mouse was leader when he met her, she was allowed to hang out with the crew often. Even when I came back, I figured there was no harm in her hanging around. However, she wasn’t really into the whole gang lifestyle and wasn’t really at the hangout often. I never really paid much attention to her; I got on with her fine, we just stayed out of each other’s way. Little did I know she was gonna cause the loss of one of my closest friends.
“Hey,” Mouse walked into the hangout the night after the big fight wearing civilian clothes, his vest and his necklace slung over his shoulder.
“Hey man,” I nodded at him. “What’s up?”
“Listen, Edge, I think this is as far as I go with the Saracens. Last night I almost got wasted so many times, and I nearly got busted when the pigs arrived. I just can’t do it man. Sarah’s pregnant.” Sarah was his girlfriend, and he said it with a proud smile; I know he’d make a great father.
“Well, congratulations.” I said slowly, not knowing what else to say.
“Y’see, Sarah hasn’t seen much of NYC, and I haven’t really seen much of it either; at least, I haven’t seen much of it wearing civilian clothes. Me and her are gonna check this city out and then maybe settle down ready for the kid. I’m sorry man, you know I’d love to carry on running with you guys, but I really want this to work.”
“It’s okay Mouse, I understand,” I extended my hand for a shake. “If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, stop by and catch up with us, and good luck with whatever you choose to do.” Mouse waived the handshake and instead locked me in a large embrace.
“Gonna miss you man.” He said in my ear.
“Same man,” I replied. “And I know you’ll make a great father.” We held the embrace for a few moments before letting go. He handed me his vest and necklace, before turning and walking off into the distance. I had given everyone who had been there last night the day off, so we were of limited capacity today. However, a few people had still chosen to come in, and Snakefingers was one of those.
“So does that mean...” He appeared at the side of me, his eyes on Mouse’s white vest.
“Yep, you’re the new Warchief,” I replied with a small smile. “Don’t think this’ll fit you though.”
“My God...” Snake muttered, looking past me and at the door Mouse had just left out of. Stumbling into the hangout was Woody, covered in blood and clutching a blood-stained knife in his right hand. Snake rushed to him and Woody collapsed in his arms. Snake helped him over to a couch as a few other guys ran over to help.
After falling onto the couch, Woody muttered “I got him,” and smiled before his head fell back and he fell into unconsciousness.
“Snake, you’re in charge, get this soldier cleaned up,” I said to my new second-in-command, before heading up the stairs to the roof. I didn’t want to desert Woody, but I had something thinking to do. I sat down and thought about all the soldiers I had lost recently. Jerry had said his goodbyes last night after we arrived back in Bensonhurst, so that meant I had lost the two Jers, Mouse, Chip, and at least 20 more last night. The only problem was that I didn’t know who I had lost last night; for all I knew, Snake and I could’ve been the only people still standing that had been to the meeting.
I hoped that wasn’t the case, but I also hoped that the Turnbulls would be the last thing we had to worry about for a while.