Tales of the Hood Read Online Free

at every chance we got. It was those times that we had nothing to worry about. Where we could walk around and look at anyone without fear of getting beaten up; poked up; slapped up. It’s like the boys of my generation fed off the humiliation of others. I should know because I was the same, but there came a time when I saw what it was doing to my mum and I had to change. As I grew up I saw how the area we live in evolved from something safe to a danger zone. There was always tension and drama of some kind, that’s what gave the area its unwanted character.
    The hours flew by. We were stoned and the vibe was elevating. “You sure you want to go after what the dumb chick done to you?” I asked, sitting in deep thought.
    â€œI know she’s dumb but I felt like I clicked with her and you know that doesn’t happen to me, Jayden. I want to see what she’s saying. There’s no chance of us ever dealing again because I’m not a mug. It’s just a passing through thing,” he replied, with no hesitation. I believed him. He would be a big fool to go back to her. She had a dark side that I didn’t trust and it wasn’t easy seeing my boy at his worst. We got dressed and had another spliff whilst we waited for our cab to come. It was 12a.m. and there was no way we were rolling up to a party at this time on foot. When the cab arrived we jumped in and told him our destination. It felt like forever as it was like we were moving in slow motion, but when we finally pulled up outside her house it looked dead. There were no cars. We heard no music. There were no people outside. We were starting to wonder if this was a party or a funeral. Walking up, Maurice knocked on the door, still confused as to why the place was literally deserted.
    â€œWho is it?” a weak voice responded.
    â€œMaurice and Jayden here for the party,” I said clearly. When Holly opened the door the house was pitch black. There were no figures in the darkness or nothing.
    â€œHolly what is all this? Is there even anyone here? And why is it dark? This isn’t a party,” Maurice said, seemingly baffled. As she turned to walk away, ignoring our efforts to find out what was going on, that’s when it happened. The door slammed, Maurice and I were lying on the floor, stiff, with everything fading to black.

Chapter Three
    Tied up and gagged, I woke up on the floor with my head spinning out of control. I tried to remember what happened but it was so gruelling. I saw Holly shuffling about and talking on the phone. I tried to shout but all that was heard was the muffled sound of rolled up socks in my mouth. She turned around and walked over to me.
    â€œShut up you prick!” she said insolently. She took the gag out my mouth and, surprisingly, left it like that. “If you want to say something say it properly,” she said calmly.
    â€œIf there weren’t a gag in my mouth don’t you think I would have done so?” I replied, livid at the thought of being in this scenario. “What’s going on? You set me and Maurice up, you bitch.” It was impossible for even me to interpret the outrage seeping from myself at that moment in time.
    â€œDon’t talk like that or I’ll have to shut you up again,” she replied coldly. She didn’t care about what she was doing at all. My lip was split open and it was stinging like hell. She laughed and walked away.
    I tried to get up but the gash on my head made any sort of getaway impossible. I had been pummelled and couldn’t recall any of it. I shouted Maurice’s name. I couldn’t see him in the dimly lit room with my blurred vision. I tried to cast my mind away and focus. That’s when I saw three boys drag him from another room and throw him on the floor in front of me. The relief that came over me was immeasurable. For a brief moment it crossed my mind that he might be dead. I didn’t know what Holly was capable