Me and JJ let off three shots each

Both of our targets hit the ground as we ran back to the car

I ain't look back but when people started screaming that's when I knew the party was over

We hopped back in the car and took off

Lil T asked, "Y'all get it done?"

"Hell yea" JJ said

Lil T smiled and said, "Good shit lil homie."

We drove listening to music and as I looked out the window I started to realize I didn't have a single issue with killing those two

In the moment I brushed it off as adrenaline and anger for them killing my friend

We got back to the trap after a couple more minutes

Lil T parked and said, "Don't say anything about tonight, no post no nothing. This is between you guys and you guys alone understand?"

We all agreed. We hopped out the car and started walking down the street as a group

Not a word was said for a while until JJ said, "Let's go visit Trent."

"You're right we should." Tre said

I nodded in agreement. He didn't get a proper funeral so none of us got to say goodbye to him yet but I also thought that saying goodbye would help eliminate that emptiness I was feeling

After a while we made it to Trent's grave and stood in silence

Markius started wiping his eyes

JJ said, "Can't believe he's really gone."

"I know." I said "Still doesn't feel real."

Markius said, "Just something kids like us gotta deal with."

A bit more silence passed by before JJ said, "Imma be a rapper."

Tre and Markius chuckled

I asked, "Why?"

"Well I have the protection, the experience of a hood nigga, and the skills of a great rapper." He said

Tre replied, "Really? Spit something right now."

JJ took a rap stance "Lyrical spiritual miracle being."

We all laughed for second. We started cracking jokes and messing around like we always do.

At the time that feeling started to slowly fade away

I really looked around and thought to myself, *It's gonna be okay.*

Hours later we all went our separate ways

I took a long walk home while contemplating my feelings

I still didn't feel much but laughing with my friends helped suppress it for a while

But

When I got home my Aunt was still awake crying at the table

I thought it was rent related until she sat me down

"John I need you to listen carefully okay?" She said through her tears

I asked, "What is it

"I just got back to back phone calls and your parents are dead. Your Father was stabbed by a crazy man and your mom was laced with a new drug. She found underneath a bridge already dead."

And that's where it started

Like a switch in my head just completely shutoff

I wanted to process this and feel sad because I knew I did but I couldn't

I just hugged my Aunt as she continued to cry

As for me though

Nothing

Just a mind that was

Empty