The Poe Consequence

by Keith Steinbaum

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  Face sat in a chair looking for something to watch on TV. He had stuffed himself on turkey, tamales and beer, and his eyes felt heavy. The night had been a welcome escape from the pressure building up inside of him. He had decided the time was right to drop the flag, to quit the Diablos, but the news wouldn’t go down too good with the homeboys. He wasn’t expecting threats, although that possibility always remained.

  He didn’t like the idea of leaving unfinished business behind. He had wanted definite answers about the heart attacks to be able to turn the page on who or what caused so many of his brothers to die. Now for the first time in months, going back to the time they gunned down Seth’s old man, no one was dying. Their truce with the Lobos meant something to somebody, and that somebody wasn’t killing no more.

  Was he supposed to wait around for the war to continue and then maybe the heart attacks, too? He wasn’t no young cholo no more, not like the old days, with plenty of time to figure things out. He’d also stop thinking about payback for now against that motherfucker, King. The word had spread about that ugly asshole. If and when the killings start, he’ll be numero uno on the Lobo most wanted list. Face had survived the attempt on his life and set his sights to move on as a mechanic, not a Diablo. He wanted to find a steady job, settle outta the ‘hood, and maybe get his own shop one day.

  The one thing that would keep him connected to homeboys like Hawk or Bleeder was his desire, his need, to find that other piece-of-shit culero who raped Veronica. If he hadn’t died already and the chance ever came, he’d be all over him like buzzards on a corpse. The thought of some Lobo having his way with his sister, and getting away with it, tortured him every day and cut him up inside like jagged glass.

  “Alex? Alex?”

  He shook his head, trying to wake himself up. “Qué pasa?” he asked, rubbing his palms against his eyes.

  “I could use a walk before I leave,” Veronica told him. “Would you come with me?”

  “Yeah, sure,” he said, pushing himself up from the chair.

  Face grabbed his sweatshirt off the corner of the couch, checked for his phone and keys, and waited for Veronica to put her jacket on.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come, Mama?” she asked.

  “No, baby, that’s all right. You and Alex don’t get a chance to be together much. I’ll take care of the dishes.”

  “Make sure you lock the door, Ma,” Face said. “I got my key.” He looked at Veronica. “How far you wanna go?”

  “To the park.”

  His mother closed the door behind them as they turned away. The chilly night air helped clear his head and he regained his energy by the time they rounded the corner. “How’s Seth doin’?” he asked.

  “Great,” she said. “And by the way, he loves his new watch. Kevin told me he even wears it to bed.”

  Face smiled. “That’s cool. I like hearin’ that.”

  “You scored a lot of points with him that day at school,” Veronica said. “Whenever he brings your name up, it’s like he’s talking about a big brother.”

  “Seth’s my man,” Face exclaimed. “I care about that little huero.”

  “Enough to quit the gang?”

  Face didn’t respond, walking with his head down in a silent conflict between telling Veronica now or later.

  “After all that’s happened, Kevin wants to give you another chance to become part of us again,” she said, matching him stride for stride. “He knows how much I care about you. Seth, too. But nothing’s going to happen as long as you’re still bangin’.”

  Face stopped when Veronica placed her hand on his shoulder. “Kevin knows it wasn’t you who murdered his brother. He’ll never excuse what you were doing that night, but he believes your story and how bad you feel about what happened. He just needs to know Seth won’t be hanging out with a gang member.”

  Face looked at Veronica and smiled. “Let’s finish walkin’ to the park,” he said. “On the way back I’ll tell ya what I been thinkin.’”

  They maintained a brisk pace, talking about their mother and Face’s thawing attitude toward her. “Yeah, I don’t hate her so much no more,” he told her. “But she didn’t protect me from the old man when I was a kid. I can’t forget that.”

  Nearing the entrance to the park, Face lit a cigarette while Veronica waited in silence. She stood close enough to a street lamp where he could observe her expression, and he couldn’t help but notice the strange look on her face. She stared hard at something, and seemed troubled by what she saw.

  “Qué pasa?” he asked, turning to look. Face saw four cars at the front of the park. A cargo van, one often used for fuckin,’ and partyin,’ caught his attention because the back of it had a white magnetic sheet that didn’t say anything. That seemed strange. Face looked back at Veronica, walking away without him. Something was wrong.

  “Veronica, stop!”

  “Let’s get out of here,” she said, sounding afraid.

  “Tell me what you’re lookin’ at!” he commanded. “One of those cars? The van?”

  She stood there stone silent, nodding her head.

  “So what’s the fuckin’ problem?” he asked, angry with himself for leaving his gun at home. “You seen someone over there just now?”

  “Maybe it’s nothing,” she answered, her voice a loud whisper. “Please, Alex, let’s go.”

  “Not until I know what the fuck is scarin’ you,” he snapped, stalking toward the van.

  “Alex, no!”

  Veronica ran to grab his arm, but Face pulled away from her grasp. Placing his ear against the back of the door, he heard no one inside and stepped back, ripping off the magnetic strip. Veronica uttered a muffled cry as the open-mouthed face of a painted wolf’s head stared back at them. Face wheeled around to confront her.

  “You seen this pinchi lobo before? Tell me! Tell me, God damn it!”

  “Pleeease, Alex,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I’m scared. Let’s go home.”

  Face approached Veronica and placed his hands on her shoulders. He had a sickening suspicion about her fear, and he felt determined to see if he was right. “Don’t make me ask you again,” he told her, his voice calm, “Have you seen this van before?”

  “Yes,” she answered, turning her gaze away.

  He tried to ignore the icy blade sliding down his stomach, needing to stay focused on his sister.

  “Veronica,” he said, his tone still measured, “I know about the rape. Did this van have somethin’ to do with it?”

  Veronica shut her eyes tight. Leaning against his chest, he felt her muscles go loose. He had to support her to keep from falling. He heard her swallow hard before she spoke. “I was raped in that van, Alex. By two Lobos.”

  Face’s eyes burned as he glanced back at the van. “I know one of them was named, Viper,” he said. “He’s dead now, been takin’ care of. But I never found out who the other one was.” He gently pushed her back enough to look into her eyes. “Do you remember the other one’s name?”

  “The other one?” she spat, her tone as ugly and bitter as he’d ever remembered. “How could I ever forget?” Veronica closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head. “The boy who used to live next door to us? The one you saved from that car? He was the other one, Alex. Miguel Ruiz! The Lobo who now calls himself, King!”

  “WHAT?” Face roared, pulling away from her. He clenched his fists in a rage that needed immediate release but had none to offer. Adrenaline surged through him like a wild river threatening to carry him away into an uncontrollable fury. ‘KING?” I’ll kill him!”

  “It’s over, Alex!” she yelled. “I never wanted you to find out because I knew that’s what you’d do!”

  Face stormed back to the van with his eyes on the ground, intending to find a rock big enough to smash every window, but a staggering combination of light and heat came from out of nowhere and forced him to a knee. A swirling wooziness dominated the moment like a str
ange drug, creating images of blurred shadows and garbled voices. The out-of-focus camera that acted as his vision arrived at an eventual clarity, presenting him with the unmistakable image of King grabbing his mother and hitting her across the face with a gun. They were in his bedroom. The sound of King’s voice came next. “Where the fuck are they! I’ll kill you if you don’t tell me, you fucking bitch! Tell me!”

  “Alex! What’s wrong? Are you all right? Alex!”

  He was clear-headed again, and as his surroundings came back into view, he saw Veronica kneeling next to him. “What happened?” she asked. “Are you all right?”

  Face sprung to his feet. “Ma’s in danger!” he shouted. Reaching down, Face grabbed Veronica by the arm and pulled her up. “Let’s go! He’s in the house!”

  “How do you…” Veronica stopped in mid-sentence. In the brief moment before they started running, Face saw the look of recognition, and belief, in his sister’s eyes. She had just witnessed the secret he always kept from her.

  * * *

  They stood gathering their breath in the darkness, staring at the quiet house.

  “We need to call the police,” Veronica whispered.

  “No fuckin’ way,” he answered. “Miguel…King, he might kill Ma if there’s no way out.”

  “Right now it’s just a break-in,” she said. “Do you think he’d go that far?”

  “He wants me,” Face explained. “And if he doesn’t get what he came for, he’ll take it out on her.”

  “You’re right,” she said. “He’s capable of anything.”

  “Got your car keys?” he asked.

  “They’re in my purse near the door.” A soft sob escaped from her mouth. “My I.D. is in there, Alex. He’s going to find out where I live.”

  Face reached into his pocket. “Here,” he said handing her his own car keys. “Get in my car and lock it. Maybe there’s another Lobo around here. If you think you’re in trouble, don’t fuckin’ wait around. Leave.” He handed her his phone. “Now listen,” he told her. “When I go inside, gimme five minutes. Then call the goddamn police.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “Not until I see you and Mama walk out that door.”

  Face saw the steely determination in her eyes. “All right,” he said, “then you’re gonna help me. You know the fuse box on the side of the house?”

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “If King don’t come up on me right away, if he stays hidin’ or somethin,’ I’ll leave the door open halfway. First thing I’ll do is throw your purse out to you if it’s still there. Then I’ll get my gun. I want him thinkin’ you left, so I’ll yell, ‘goodbye’ or somethin’. When the door closes, that’s the sign. Gimme me one more minute then run over and pull the main switch. I want it dark in there. I know the house and he don’t.”

  “Where’s your gun?” she asked.

  “In my room.”

  “Do you think you can get it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I can’t believe he’s back again” she said, her voice breaking.

  Face reached out and stroked Veronica’s cheek. “I got to thinkin’ I might never find out who the other one was that night,” he said, offering her a slight smile. “I been waitin’ for this.”

  He hurried to the door. The image of King attacking his mother was something he sensed had already happened. He could be anywhere in the house now, so Face tried to think of the logical places he’d hide. There were closets in all three bedrooms, a bathroom in his mother’s room and a bathroom that he and Veronica used to share between their two rooms. There were some corners to hide behind, too. The house was small, so that was about it. He didn’t think they’d be in the backyard ‘cause that would make it harder for King to sneak up on him. He told Veronica to give him five minutes, but two or three would probably determine if he would kill or be killed. One other thought troubled him, but he couldn’t worry about it now.

  Face took a deep breath and braced himself for what might be the final minute of his life. He put the key in the lock, opened the door, and readied himself for an immediate attack. Nothing happened. He spotted Veronica’s purse on the table by the door, and within seconds heaved it outside.

  “Adios, Veronica!” he hollered. Turning the knob all the way to prevent the door from closing, Face slammed the door shut, then silently pulled it open halfway. He wheeled around again. The house remained quiet. “Hey, Ma!” he yelled, “Veronica had to go! She says she’ll call you tomorrow!” No movement. No noise. Waiting another few seconds, Face sped toward his room and opened the drawer. At the moment he discovered the gun missing, he heard the door open from the bathroom next to his room. He had no choice but to rush at King full force, but stopped in his tracks by what he saw.

  “I’ll kill her, motherfucker!”

  Face stared in angry frustration at the sight of King with his hand squeezed over his mother’s mouth and his stolen gun to her head. Her nose and forehead bled and fear colored her eyes.

  “Don’t fuckin’ move!” he ordered. Face stared at King, a wild hatred battering his gut. “Got a fine nine-millimeter here, Alejandro,” he said, rubbing the barrel along the side of his mother’s face. “The old bitch led me to it, thinkin’ she could be some kinda fuckin’ hero.” He shook his head back and forth. “Stupid, stupid bitch. Now look what you gone and did.” King turned his head toward the front door and dragged Face’s mother in that direction. Face made a move to grab the gun, but King yanked her back with a violent motion, causing her to cry out in pain. “You want her dead, asshole?” he shouted, tilting the gun toward his mother’s eye. “I’ll blow her goddamn head off! Sit on the floor and don’t move!”

  Face held still but his thoughts raced. He kept his eyes on King, following his orders and watching his mother pulled like a rag doll toward the front door. “Payback!” King snarled, glaring at Face with a crazed fury as he closed the door. “You took Viper from me, man. Some culero shoutin’ your fuckin’ name shanked him in his neck! Motherfucker!”

  King smiled a killer’s smile, one that indicated intimidation and intent. “Remember me, Alejandro? Runnin’ after that soccer ball when we was neighbors?” King rubbed several fingers over his scar. “Shoulda been you leavin’ his skin on the sidewalk, you fuckin’ asshole.” A wild-eyed look appeared on his face. “I told you I’d get you back for that shit. But you know what, cabrón? You ain’t the Torres I went after first.”

  King licked his lips in a slow, circular motion that made Face’s skin crawl. “Veronica,” he said in a breathy voice. “The best fuckin’ pussy I ever had.” He pushed himself up against Face’s mother, humping her from behind. “You know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout, right, bitch?” he asked, placing his lips against her ear. “Right?” King started grinding his crotch faster and harder. “All that hot…Veronica…Torres…pussy! Bitch couldn’t get enough!” King started moaning in a high-pitched voice. “Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh, yeah, yeah, more, more, more, don’t stop!”

  Face wanted to rip King apart piece by piece, to punish him, to make him suffer worse than anybody had ever suffered before, but with the gun pointed at his mother’s head, what could he do? To his surprise, the answer came from an unexpected source. With a strength, and courage, he never thought she possessed, his mother screamed with a sudden rage while somehow twisting around to grab the gun and push his hand away, causing a bullet to fire. That spark was the last sign of light in the house. Veronica cut the power.

  Face bolted up and leaped toward King, knowing he remained in the approximate area. Following the sound of his movement, he seized his shoulders and jumped on his back. Another shot fired. Face wrapped his arm around King’s neck with every intention of squeezing the last breath out of him, trying at the same time to wrench his fingers away from the gun, but King’s strength made Face hold on like a cowboy on a bull. He rammed against the wall several times while struggling to fend off King’s attempts to claw his face.

  With his feet
Face pushed himself from the wall, forcing King to stumble back. As his arm remained looped around King’s neck, Face grabbed hold of the gun hand and drove him forward until he smashed against the door, forcing another bullet to fire before dropping the weapon. With both hands now free, King’s ferocity increased. He took hold of Face’s arm and rolled his shoulder into him, causing Face to lose his balance and be driven back against the TV, knocking it off the stand. Face fell backwards to the sound of breaking glass, stunned for a moment when his head smacked against the wall. King draped his hands around Face’s neck, his coiled grip tightening behind the added pressure of his body weight. Face struggled for air as he tried to force his arms upward between King’s and pry them apart, ultimately succeeding and causing him to fall forward.

  Face grabbed the side of King’s head and used it as leverage to turn him around and force his way on top again, but the strain of catching his breath allowed King to take advantage of Face’s temporary weakness, tossing him off like a wrestler unable to pin his opponent. King grabbed the side of Face’s head, connecting with a hard blow to his cheek before clamping a hand down on his neck again. Face shut his eyes tight as King’s hand crawled over his mouth and nose, a hot, clammy five-fingered spider attempting to pluck his eyes out if he didn’t do something in the next few seconds.

  Sliding his hands down King’s arms, Face locked on to his wrist and bent it until King cried out, forcing him to pull away and tumble back into the darkness. Face leaped up in an attack position but the sudden opening of the front door startled him. In those few moments of dull, street lamp visibility, he caught sight of his mother rushing outside. A few seconds later the door slammed shut, but not before he spotted the gun in King’s outstretched hand. Face’s reaction was immediate as he hurtled through the darkness. As he heard the bullet whiz past him, Face collided with the edge of the couch and kept still, managing to keep his breathing quiet.

  “You’re mine, motherfucker!” King screamed.

  Face heard the heavy footsteps moving toward the door. He knew King needed the streetlight in order to find him, so he slid behind the couch to avoid being seen. As the door opened, King’s sudden yelling surprised him. Face looked up and saw him grab Veronica and hurl her to the ground before rubbing his eyes and waving an unsteady gun in her direction. Face realized Veronica had used her pepper spray on him, but if he didn’t get to King in time, she’d be killed.