WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE, AND OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE. READER DISCRETION ADVISED.

"I don't want to go dad! Please let me stay," David's lower lip quivered while he carried a backpack with his most precious possessions, his face drenched in tears. His dad loading two more suitcases into the car, while Grams looked on from the doorway, Liz clasped to her leg. This is what David relived every time he walked out that old wooden door.

The cracked streets where bright on this cloudy day in October. Trash, and dirt abundant throughout the block, the sky cluttered with degrading light post and power lines. The few trees and patches of green a triumph of nature for life where there should be none. Gram's preened lawn standing out as an emerald oasis in an asphalt desert.

The smell of urine, and beer hit David in waves walking down the street as cigarette buds sowed the lawns of many homes and a discarded tire rounded the corner. It was early afternoon with most of the young people still in school that is most. In a house covered by a big metal fence, which happened to be open sat some of the young "men" of the neighborhood. Guys notorious for trouble and violence throughout the hood.

David sensed their toxic eyes much like during his patrols in the Middle East. He didn't know if it was just paranoia, but he didn't care. This whole situation and everyone by extension disgusted him and his expression said as much. When one of the guys caught David glaring at them the response was swift.

"What are you looking at homs?" shouted one of the guys as he stood up gesturing towards David.

"Better get your face somewhere else before you get yo ass thrown to the ground nigga," said another.

David scoffed in confusion at their attempts of intimidation and carried on getting more curious and menacing looks from other locals. Either because he was a new face, or because people were hiding some form of mischief he figured. He was beginning to get annoyed and uncomfortable with the whole community when someone called out "Hey mo-fo!"

"You're just going to screw up your day asshole," said David softly through growling teeth, but paused in confusion when he turned and had to look down to meet the person.

"Chales todavia tienes cara de pendejo. Haha!" The clumsy, overly-animated gestures of the guy gave David no concern of a threat, but still caution, dude just didn't look right.

"What, you don't remember me, donkey face?" the erratic guy pressed on.

"That's the second time in, uhm a minute that you call me that. Better tell me who you are before you attempt a third," said David.

"Shit, I guess you leave the hood and even the cacaroaches look different," said the guy.

"I guess I'll have too since your brains are too fried to remember hommies. It's Cheeto, pendejo."

Cheeto was about 3 year younger than David and were once best friends, with David constantly defending him from others. They were the brother neither had, and Cheeto looked to David as the only true friend he'd ever had. At least that's how it was until David left.

"Ohh my god it is you! Man you look... nothing like the little kid I used to know."

David was shocked, nothing of the innocent boy he remembered remained, instead stood this wired, slightly psychotic guy. Cheeto was still small, five-three with boots on, but he had balloon up in weight. He was a very muscular, extremely so. In fact, it was obvious he did a serious regiment of weights, and maybe even dabbled in some performance enhancers.

"So what are you doing here we all thought you were dead? Aren't you supposed to be out fighting terrorism and what not over there in the desert and shit?" asked Cheeto.

"I had to come back for some...things, but I hope to be leaving soon."

"Ohh snap that's right. Your pop's, yeah dude I'm sorry to hear that. Your man was a good guy around here, people liked him. Nobody saw that shit coming," Cheeto looked down, taking a step back while awkwardly swinging his arms.

"Yeah nobody sees these things coming," David cleared his throat looking away as well. A brief silence followed as the two struggled to reestablish eye contact.

Cheeto rubbed his head and broke the silence. "So what you doing now? You gonna stay or what?"

"No, I'm leaving as soon as I can get a new assignment."

"Shit I wouldn't stay here if I had a choice either. This place is pretty bad so I don't blame you at all!" Cheeto's demeanor relaxed chuckling and a sly smile returned to his face.

"Maybe if you're a loser like your lame ass is then yeah this place will fuck you right up." The group of guys from the gated house assembled to meet David and Cheeto.

"Oh shit here comes Alex and his boys," said Cheeto fading behind David.

Alex was around the same age as David. His 6-foot 4-inch, solid muscle frame was more imposing with his crew of guys backing him up. David stood alert as some of the guys tried to circle behind him.

"You want to stay in front of me? You don't need to be behind me," David ordered the men making sure they understood this was not a request.

"What you say? Wanna do something?" replied one of the guys advancing towards David.

"Woah, woah. There's no need for that. Give my boy some space. That's no how we greet people," Alex's booming voice pulling his guys back before anything could start. His cool demeanor a stark contrast to the ignitable state of his guys.

"I'm not your boy," said David.

"Hmm. David Zamora, sorry to hear your dad passed. He was a part of our hood and we didn't have many problems with him. I'm sure you'll need your time to mourn his unfortunate passing, but don't listen to this loser. This place can be very good to you if you know how to get along with people.."

"The right people," Interrupted David.

"Yes, you got it," Alex's head tilted back, eyes looking down at David, a proud, faint smirk on his face.

David's pulse rose slightly which he did not want to acknowledge. This Alex was not like any of the other single-minded goons who were easy to read. Insecure, and angry at life. Alex's relaxed, cool face faded at the deep darkness in his eyes. Like the calm ocean water disappears in the dark deep sea.

"And that's you, right?" David said looking directly at Alex.

"Aint nobody else worth talking too!" said someone from the entourage.

"You guys must be real badasses, just real tough guys, real gansta n' shit," David said.

"You got that right mother fucker!" The group gnarled, excited bordering on frenzy.

"Hommie watching your back, always by your side, ready to give you a handy," David dimed his eyelids, and pressed his lower lip slightly while he rhythmically bobbed his head and slouched his stance.

This sent the group over the edge who advance menacingly on David.

"Enough! Chill," again Alex's orders were reluctantly followed but immediately done.

"Didn't expect you to join us, wasn't looking for it really," Alex continued.

"Was expecting you to take a swing at me as you came in from behind," David ignored the group and focused on Alex.

"They did, that is they would have. But don't think that just because I approached you it means anything other than a courtesy. You may or may not stay but whatever you do, just know that we are here. We don't come to your grandma's home and get in her way, expect the same in return."

"I sure hope you're just asking me stay out of your yard and that you didn't just threaten me," replied David firmly to Alex.

"No threat army man," said Alex leaving with his still ravenous pack.

"You seem to know so much about me and I don't know anything about you," said David.

"Mind your own, and you won't have to," with that Alex left.