Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives)

by Hansen, Marita A.

  Nike’s hand shook as he tried to sidestep Ash. “Where’s Tama?” he yelled at Sledge.

  “I don’t know!” Sledge shouted back.

  “Liar!”

  Ash inched closer. “Put it down, Nike.”

  “Tama raped Jess!”

  Ash’s face went slack for a moment. “Is she okay?”

  “Course she’s not fuckin’ okay, I had to take her to the fuckin’ hospital.”

  Ash held out a hand. “Gimme the gun, Nike. I’ll take care of it.”

  “No! Please … just make Sledge tell me.”

  “Jess needs you out of jail.” Ash moved forward, placing the barrel to his chest. “I know you’re hurtin’, but this isn’t the way to go about it. Just gimme the gun ... or shoot me, cos I’m not letting you leave with it.”

  Nike screwed up his face. “I need it.”

  “No, you don’t.” Ash curled his fingers around the barrel.

  Nike let go, feeling utterly defeated.

  Ash tucked the gun into his leather pants. “I’ll deal with Tama.”

  “No!” Sledge yelled.

  Ash spun around. “Stay the fuck out of this.”

  “Where is he?” Nike said.

  Sledge’s face had “fuck you” written deep into his sneer. “I wouldn’t tell ya if I knew.”

  Ash moved towards Sledge. “Where. Is. He?”

  Sledge stepped back. “I don’t know.”

  “Tell Nike what ya know then.”

  Sledge shook his head.

  “Tell him!”

  “No! You’re gonna bash me anyway. And there’s no way I’m gettin’ Tama killed. He’s got enough grief with his mother dying.”

  “When’s the funeral?” Nike asked.

  Sledge looked at him. “Eh? You didn’t know her. Why the fuck would ja...” A dawning realisation spread across his face. “Don’t cha dare go there!”

  Ash shoved Sledge away as he went for Nike.

  Sledge pushed back, trying to get past him. “He’s lying!”

  “Bullshit!” Nike yelled. “And I don’t need anyone’s help.” He headed for the other gate. Fuck having a gun. Tama didn’t deserve a bullet anyway. That would be too merciful for a rapist. He wanted to make Tama suffer, to bash in his balls and beat him to a bloody pulp. The memory of the first time he’d gone after Tama flashed across his mind ... and what he’d used.

  57

  Tama

  Tama stared at the framed picture on Naf’s cabinet. The gang looked happy, and very drunk. Mikey included. His cousin’s words rung in his head. He couldn’t leave Auckland now, knowing that Mikey might try to top himself. He had to stay, to make sure his cuz didn’t do anything stupid. Yeah, he couldn’t hole up in one place for long, but he still had plenty of mates that were willing to help out.

  His phone ran in his pocket. He pulled it out, and smiled at Sledge’s number. Yeah, he had heaps of good mates.

  He leaned back against Naf’s headboard and clicked the phone on. “W’sup, bro?”

  “Nike’s after you,” Sledge answered.

  “I already know that.”

  “No, he had a gun. Said you raped Jess.”

  Tama sat up straight. “What?”

  “Ash took it off him, but offered to top you.”

  “Shit!”

  “Don’t worry, bro, he won’t. Nike wants to do it himself.”

  “Good, cos I don’t want your bro anywhere near me. But Nike ... fuck him, bring it on.

  “He knows about your mother’s funeral. I bet my balls he’ll turn up there tomorrow.”

  Tama’s face burned with rage. “The mofuckin’ arsehole! Does the bastard have no respect for the dead?”

  “You should stay away,” Sledge said. “You’ll have both the pigs and Nike there. You can’t avoid them both.”

  “There’s no way I’m missin’ my mother’s funeral. I’m the one who caused her to slit her wrists. It’s my fuckin’ fault.”

  “But the pigs’ll drag you away. You won’t see nuthin’.”

  “I don’t plan on being out in the open, you retard. I’ve already sized up the cemetery. It’s got good coverage with loads of trees and bushes.”

  “Cool ... me and the gang will also look out for ya. Just make sure you have your phone.”

  “Sure, thanks, bro.”

  Tama frowned as Ash’s muffled voice came through the mobile. “Sledge! Where are ya?”

  “Don’t hang up,” Sledge whispered.

  Tama gripped the phone tighter.

  A door banged on the other side of the line and Ash’s voice became clearer. “What the hell are ya doin’ in the wardrobe?”

  Sledge coughed and laughed nervously. “I thought you were gonna bash me after what happened with Nike.”

  “Why would I do that for?”

  “Um ... I don’t know.”

  “Well, get the fuck outta there. I need ja to drop off some letters at the post office.”

  “No probs. I’ve just gotta take a shit first.” Tama heard the relief in Sledge’s voice, followed by a scuffling sound.

  “The letters are on the dining table,” Ash said.

  “Okay.” A door closed, followed by Sledge’s voice. “Fuck, I thought he wuz gonna bash me again. He looked fuckin’ agro.”

  “Your bro is one scary bastard.”

  “Yeah...” Sledge paused for a moment. “Is it true what you did to Jess?”

  Tama sniffed. “Jess is mine. Nike will just hafta deal with it.”

  “He said he took her to the hospital.”

  “Eh? Why the hell would he do that for? I never hurt her.”

  “I knew it. I tried to tell Ash, but the bastard wouldn’t believe me. It’s exactly like that shit that went down with Leila all over again. The arsehole’s just pissed that his woman wanted you.”

  Tama thumped the bed, the memory of getting bashed now at the forefront of his mind ... but this time Nike was after a gun. He needed to take the prick out before the funeral so he only had to worry about the pigs.

  “I’m goin’ out lookin’ for him now,” Tama said. “You wanna come? I’ll let ya take a piece outta him if ya want.”

  “Most definitely, but whose car we gonna use.

  “Corey’s home. I’ll borrow his.”

  “You wanna see if he wants to come?”

  “Nah, he’s as NAF as Naf when it comes to fighting. He’d probably help Nike without knowin’ it by trippin’ us up.”

  Sledge laughed. “Trey?”

  “Nope, we’re the only two who have a beef with him. Anyway, two’s plenty.”

  “What about Jayden? He’s got a huge beef with Nike.”

  “I don’t wanna see him. I took a piece outta him for bashing Leila. I had to take her to the hospital it wuz that bad.”

  “Shit, I didn’t know. I never liked her after what she did, but I’m still sorry she’s hurt.”

  “She called me to say she’s comin’ to the funeral.”

  “Good. I’ll just go grab the shit that Ash wants me to post then I’ll come straight over.”

  “Ta, bro.” Tama hung up and stuffed the phone into his pocket. He pulled out his switchblade, and flicked it open. Unlike what he had done to Jayden, he was gonna butcher Nike.

  ***

  Darkness enveloped the harbour, the moon casting a shimmer across the water. Tama took a drag on his blunt and blew the smoke into the cold air. Like all the shit he knew was coming, he wished winter would fuck off too. Although he didn’t mind Auckland most of the year, he hated the colder months. He’d really wanted to go to Kaitaia, but had come to the realisation that it wasn’t going to happen now. Anyway, if he was being honest with himself he would never have left his mates willingly. They weren’t just friends, they were family.

  He wondered how Jayden was doing. He didn’t blame the guy for leaving without saying goodbye, but even after what had gone down between them he still loved the cunt and hoped he was happy with Annie and Lil Jay.


  “This might be my last night of freedom,” he said, pulling his hood over his head.

  Sledge took the blunt out of his mouth. “Don’t talk like that, bro. You’re bringing me down.”

  “Just stating a fact. Since we can’t find Nike, I’ll have both the pigs and him showin’ up at the funeral tomorrow.”

  “You sure you wanna go?”

  “Yup ... my mother has only one funeral, and I’m willin’ to go to anal central to be there.”

  “Stop fuckin’ talkin’ like that. I don’t want cha locked away. What will the gang do? You’re what keeps us tight.”

  Tama grinned. “And in the shit.”

  Sledge laughed. “Yeah, you certainly do that.”

  Tama flicked the stub of his blunt at the trash can. “I wish I knew where Jess went. I could so do with one more fuck before tomorrow.”

  “We could try her house again or her in-laws’.”

  “Nah, it’s almost eleven. They must be stayin’ somewhere else. I bet Nike did it so I couldn’t get to her again. Prick.”

  “You wanna find another bird to do?”

  “I wouldn’t mind doin’ that bitch that dissed me at the party now that Zane’s in the slammer. She deserves a good balling. The other chick I did is tight, you can do her. I popped her cherry.”

  “You did a virgin?”

  Amused by Sledge’s awed expression, Tama smiled. “Yeah.”

  Sledge grimaced. “I bet she won’t wanna do me. Chicks don’t like me like you and Trey. Why couldn’t I look like my brothers?”

  “Don’t complain. Your sister got the worst of it. She’s even fuglier than you.”

  Sledge punched Tama. “Cunt.”

  Tama laughed as he rubbed his arm, then stopped abruptly at the thought of his mother. Why the hell was he laughing? He grabbed his bag. “Let’s head out then.”

  “Only if you reckon she’ll do me.”

  “Yeah, I’ll make her.” What was he there for anyway if he couldn’t get his mate laid? Plus, Sledge wasn’t a lost cause like Naf and Corey. At least the guy was well-built.

  Sledge screwed up his face. “You ain’t gonna cause shit again, like with Maia.”

  Tama rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’ll give the bitch a pass. But Kelly likes me. We can both do her.”

  Sledge looked surprised. “You wanna do a threesome?”

  “Hell, no! That’s bordering on fag territory. And, there’s no way I wanna see your hairy arse. We’ll take turns. Anyway, Zane’s slag might want in on the action. That slut won’t turn down cock. I don’t want her, but you might.”

  “Yeah, she’s pretty. I’d definitely do her. And threesomes ain’t gay. Me and Corey did Kendra from Wera High.”

  Tama turned his head so that Sledge couldn’t see his sneer. Damn, he’d always had a bad feeling about Corey, just kind of hoped he was wrong. Well, there was no use telling Sledge, because it would just end in a fight.

  Blanking his expression, he looked back at Sledge. “You must be blind if you think that bony bitch is pretty. And I don’t care what you think; threesomes are for fags pretending to be interested in the chick—”

  Sledge lifted a fist. “Me and Corey ain’t fags. So, fuckin’ take it back.”

  “Of course you ain’t, so chill. I’m just letting ya know so you don’t do it again.”

  Sledge lowered his fist. “We roasted her good.”

  “I’m sure you did,” Tama said, thinking he wouldn’t mind giving Corey a smack across the head. “But it’d be different if it wuz two chicks on me. I’d definitely be up with that.”

  “That means they’d be lesboes with your way of thinking.”

  “Nah, only ugly chicks are lesboes.”

  Sledge laughed. “And you think I’m clueless. Fuck, you’re a dumbarse.”

  Tama punched Sledge. “Cunt.”

  Sledge grinned as he rubbed his shoulder. “Anyway, why the hell didja do Zane’s chick if ya didn’t like her?”

  “I wuz Tui-ed outta my brain.”

  “Well, I don’t think she’d welcome ya back.”

  Tama sniffed. “She can fuckin’ do as she’s told after what happened. That bitch owes me big time.”

  “I don’t need charity. And I’ve changed my mind. I don’t wanna go anywhere near that bitch after what happened to Mikey.”

  Tama thumped the ground with a heel. “Yeah, I see ya point.”

  Sledge jumped up and dusted off his jeans. “And by the way, how the fuck would you know what my arse looks like?” He laughed. “Unless you’ve been sneaking peaks, homo.”

  Smiling inwardly, Tama stood up. “Corey told me.”

  Sledge’s face went slack. “He didn’t. Did he?”

  “Do ya have a hairy arse?”

  “No.”

  “Then why didja believe me, dickwad?”

  “Shithead.” Sledge stomped off.

  “Nope, but Corey is,” Tama mumbled under his breath as he followed Sledge to the car.

  58

  Leila

  Leila tugged at the black veil, hoping no one could see her beat-up face. She looked out at the mourners surrounding Janice’s grave from the wheelchair the hospital had provided. A reasonable amount of people had shown; mostly Tama’s mates, Mrs. Connor, and a really fat dude with a pint-sized lady. And yeah, their six brats that were running around the cemetery chasing each other, oblivious to the dark stares the priest was giving them.

  Tama’s stepdad had also come flanked by two blue-clothed policemen. Seth had his head bowed, looking down at Caitlin. His daughter had her arms wrapped around one of his legs and was glaring up at the coppers with a pout. Seth was dressed in a dark suit and was even more stacked than the Ratas. Leila figured he must have all the time in the world to pump iron in prison, because he’d been slim when he’d gone in.

  He looked across at her, his pale-blue eyes sad. Leila was glad she was hidden behind her veil, because whenever he saw her his expression always made her want to wet her pants. But that was her fault for crying rape all those years ago, because he’d been nice right up until Tama had gotten bashed by Nike.

  Next to her, Naf, Corey, Sledge, and Trey stood dressed in dark suits and ties, their hair slicked back with gel. She couldn’t remember them ever getting dressed up. It was nice seeing them wearing something other than hoodies and ripped jeans, she just wished it didn’t have to be for such a sad occasion.

  Corey was leaning against Sledge with an arm around his stomach. He bent over, like he was going to throw up. Sledge ran a hand up and down his back, his expression worried. Mrs. Connor walked over and started talking to her son. Corey waved her away and stood up, allowing Sledge to prop him up again.

  It reminded Leila of how Tama always looked out for Mikey. She had popped into visit Mikey before Naf took her to the funeral. Like normal he didn’t say much, and did his best to ignore both her and Naf. It made her sick that such a nice kid had to go through that kind of hell. And it showed on his face. After being in there for a minute all she’d wanted to do was leave.

  Trey coughed and looked over at her. He smiled sadly then looked back down at the grave, his stern expression returning. She always liked looking at Trey. He was so pretty and a right sweet talker. If he wasn’t so young she would have gone for him instead of Jayden. Fuck ... that made her think about Jayden. She hadn’t wanted to hurt him, but after what he’d done, and learning that he’d taken off with Annie, she wished she’d fought back and crushed his tiny fucking balls. He was such a hypocritical bastard! She was a reject for even thinking it was all her fault. Shit, if he’d gone with Annie so damn quick he must have wanted Annie just as much as she wanted Nike. Leila sighed. What was it about the Daniels that made everyone moon over them?

  She was still smarting over Nike not visiting her when he’d said he would. He wasn’t the type that said shit and didn’t do it. So what had happened to him? She’d rung his house, but no one had answered, and she no longer had his mobile number. Yeah, that was
her fault. He’d changed it ages ago after he got annoyed with her continually sending sex-messages. And that wasn’t the half of it. She smiled, remembering the image she’d sent of her naked on the bed. Her smile faded, sad that he never took her up on the offer.

  Man, she hoped Tama didn’t hurt him. She loved Tama, but if he touched one hair on Nike’s head... Lord knows what she’d do. Leila looked past the two plain-clothed cops and over at the thick row of trees, wondering whether Tama was hiding there. Sledge had said Tama was coming, but she’d seen nothing that suggested he was here.

  One of the cops looked at her. He was a tall honey, with blond hair and decked out in a suit. Leila knew they were cops just by the way they were standing, observing everything in a completely professional manner, no grief visible. If anything, they weren’t paying much attention to the funeral, their eyes constantly shifting to the surroundings as though they expected Tama to waltz up and hold his hands out to be cuffed.

  The cop’s gaze stayed on her for a second then he turned his head, his attention moving to the row of trees twenty or so metres back. The pretty female cop, with a man’s haircut, followed his lead.

  Leila had known the police would be here, but was still annoyed they were stopping Tama from seeing off his mother properly. But then again, he couldn’t have come anyway, due to his stepdad’s entourage of coppers.

  “What the fuck is he doin’ here?” Naf growled.

  Leila swore under her breath as she spotted Nike. Nike kept on walking, his head turning every so often as though he was searching for something ... or someone. Leila’s gaze dropped down, horrified by what he was holding. She could just see the head of something poking out from the other side of his body. If she hadn’t known what he was like she wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but she knew without a doubt he was holding a baseball bat. It was like a fucking replay of what had happened four years ago. Nike was out for Tama’s blood again.

  “Is Tama here?” she whispered to Naf.

  “Sledge said he wuz comin’, but I haven’t seen him.”

  “I hope he doesn’t come. Nike will send him to the hospital for what he did to Maia.”