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Snitch.

Chapter Four
     
    First Lady of the Streets
     
    Braylon looked around the grungy motel room and shook his head in disbelief. He only had a small plastic bag to his name which was the only thing he could call his own. Inside the bag were his wallet, toothbrush, and small picture of him and Zoey. He looked down at the bag and took out the picture. Zoey smiled so bright while draped in his arms. It was a picture of them at a park, a picture that Braylon had a stranger take for them. The picture used to bring him joy but now it only seemed to magnify the guilt that weighed heavily on his heart. Braylon felt a tear forming in the corner of his eye and a blink propelled it down his face. He tasted the salty tear as he continued to stare at the picture of his beautiful love. He quickly wiped the tear away and kissed the picture just before propping it up on the dirty alarm clock that sat on the night stand.
    Dame had dropped him off at the motel and told him that to wait there until he received further instructions. He was in a new city, a new environment, and it all seemed like a dream. Just forty eight hours ago, he was mentally preparing himself to serve a life sentence. Braylon looked at the paper with the address on it Braylon laid back in his bed and closed his eyes, preparing for his meeting in the morning.

    Braylon looked at the address on the paper to make sure he was at the right place. He threw the government issued Mercedes Benz in park and stared at what seemed to be an abandoned building. He honestly thought about throwing the car in reverse and heading toward the nearest highway and go on the run.
    “I should leave and take my chances,” Braylon whispered as he shook his head in disbelief. He knew that the car he was driving probably had a tracking device on it somewhere, so the odds were against him if he bailed. “Fuck!” he yelled as he hit the steering wheel with both hands. He then took the keys out of the ignition and headed into the back entrance. The big metal door was unlocked as he pulled it open and it seemed as if it weighed a thousand pounds. When Braylon entered he noticed it was a dimly lit boxing gym. The smell of old leather and moisture filled the air as he slowly walked in, wondering where Dame was. I think this is the place, Braylon thought as he slowly made his way to the middle of the floor. All of a sudden, the lights slowly began to pop on and what once was a faintly lit room became a bright open space.
    “Mr. Kennedy,” a voice came from a distance, making Braylon turned around in a full circle trying to see where it was coming from. Dame came out of the shadows and exposed himself. He was carrying a black duffle bag. He approached Braylon and tossed the duffle bag at his feet. “That’s one hundred thousand dollars in there.” Dame said as he intensely stared at his new informant.
    “What am I supposed to do with this?” Braylon asked as he glanced down at the bag.
    “Pick the bag up and follow me. I’m about to show you.” Dame said as he turned his back and headed to the back office. Braylon took a deep breath and reluctantly pick up the bag, following Dame. When Braylon entered the room, there were about five other people sitting in the office, which was set up like a small classroom. They were all sitting in front of a bulletin board as Dame stood in front of them all. Braylon stopped in his tracks and scanned everyone in there, almost embarrassed to be present in the room.
    “Have a seat,” Dame said as he waved his hand toward the empty chair reserved for him. Braylon slowly took a seat and a young, slim, black guy extended his hand attempting to greet Braylon.
    “Psst,” Braylon sucked his teeth and brushed past the man as he took his seat.
    “Everybody, I want you to meet ...” Dame said as he looked at Braylon.
    “Ball ... y’all can call me Ball.” Braylon said not wanting to put his government out there like that.
    “Meet Ball. He’s the informant