Troubling Times (Closed)

America. The worst was over, not just for the fate of the country, the world, but also the economy. It had been a long haul, but emerging from the war that destroyed much of the industrial world the still young country had its chance to become the dominant force. Men streamed back into country from across the seas, back home, to a country that needed their labor. No one struggled to find work, but some had new skills and a desire for quick money and power. In the heart of a city the early 20th century immigrants who came from crime created empires throughout them. They had celebrated the likes of Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, and others, but compared to the made guys, they were nothing. They were the true kings of mayhem, the rulers of cities, and only weeks after stepping off the boats and getting his service papers Jimmy had been initiated.

He was destined to be a member of this life as his father had before him and having grown up on that block. As he grew up in this block of crime he had watched men in fancy suits, get in fancy cars and drive off without any fear in a world where most men waited in bread lines. It was the age of ten when he had decided this was where he wanted to be, his father had just gotten a new car when most couldn't afford bread, and they had driven throughout the city as if they were kings. Granted two years later his father had been killed in that bullet ridden car, but despite the pain and loss there was no changing his mind for when his father died the other family stepped in.

Gino came to the house everyday to look in on him, though later he knew it was to actually see his mother, but nevertheless a kid that young didn't know better. And so, when he had turned seventeen years old Jimmy, at the request of his new family, signed up December 8th. He served proudly, with conviction, and four years later returned to the states. A job was waiting for him, he became a footsoldier in the Gamiano family. Little was changed after those four years. He had a new brother, but besides that everything felt much the same, the block was the same. Money was quick and violence was no problem to him.

Two years later, now twenty-four, Jimmy had quickly become a trusted member of the family. He was smart, clear-headed, but vicious when he needed to be. At 5'10" and a hundred eighty pounds Jimmy wasn't an imposing figure, but to not feel threatened by him was a mistake many had learned. His wavy brown hair, dark eyes, and good looks made him the envy of many women, including girlfriends of the made guys. He was as good with a gun and his fists, but held his tongue unless he needed to speak. A perfect soldier.

That summer night had been odd, as had the entire day. It was incredibly humid and looked as if it was going to rain at anytime. The air smelled funny and even the animals acted strange. This was how Jimmy remembered it later for what happened that night set about events that were at times far beyond his control....

A local bookie had held a share that was to be paid to the family as he had done before and got a beating for it. The man was a fool, and like some archduke, would be the catalyst that would soak the block and city in blood. A terrible, terrible summer.

They had tracked the fool to a card game just a few blocks away from Jimmy's own block. It didn't take long as they busted in and dragged the man out by the collar as the rest of the men were held at gunpoint.

And, so it began.

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Jimmy took off his hat to wipe his forehead with a handkerchief as the other guy held this whimpering fool. He was pleading for his life of course, but it was too late. The men had their orders and nothing could be done for him, if Jimmy didn't do it someone else would. Just as he tucked the fabric away and set his hat upon the dumpster he turned immediately and landed a kick to the abdomen of the bookie. As the man spit up blood a second kick to his back was added to a series of blows that followed. His arm was stomped, as was his chest, and anything else the two could hit. Not before long he was a bloody mess, crying, and truly pathetic. He pleaded again and again but all he got in reply was a further beating until suddenly lightning flashed through the night sky and thunder cracked.

"Well, I certainly don't want to get wet," Jimmy said before he pulled out his revolver and put three shots into the man that hit his chest and the final hit his head, causing it to explode like a watermelon.

It was in the following moment that Jimmy looked up from what he had done to see his ally, his friend, looking in shock towards the end of the alley where a woman sat upon her bicycle.

Over the years, "Norma's Diner" had been the neighborhood 'go to' place to get some breakfast or lunch. The diner had only been in operation for a little over 20 years, but it seemed the place to go when you wanted the best milkshake in the city.

At least, that was the reputation Lloyd Allen had wanted to build. And he did. He had opened Norma's Diner with huge success. Of course, Norma's Diner was named after his wonderful wife, Norma Allen. Her recipe for sweet rolls was unbeatable and people from all around came just to have that with a cup of coffee.

The breakfast rush was always their best time of day.

Although, when Gail was 13, her mother, Norma, had gotten sick. At first, the doctor didn't say it was serious, but it happened so fast. In a matter of months since her first trip to the doctor's, Norma Allen passed. Leaving a husband and two children behind.

Of course, Lloyd did his best to continue raising his two children, his son and daughter. Although, he was extremely protective of his daughter, whom he loved so much. She was beautiful and growing into a younger version of her mother.

Lloyd wanted more for his children than what was offered around here in this city. He instilled that onto his one and only son, who was in danger of becoming a 'criminal' had his father not set him straight. Now, at the age of 24, Danny was a beat cop for the city, often working late, but still helping out at home when he could.

Danny was just as protective of his little sister as any older brother was. He made it known to other boys, who had shown interest in Gail that she was off limits and would have to answer to him if they wanted to date her.

But now, Gail was 18 years old. She just finished school. She was intrigued by the lives around her. Her friends were limited due to the fact that her father was strict.

Which was why she had snuck out tonight.
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The movie had gotten out late. Later than Gail had anticipated.

And with the movie getting out late, it meant she would be getting home late. And if she was caught, her father would have a fit.

Three more blocks to go, she thought. The weather seemed to be omnious tonight, but Gail hadn't really noticed until a clap of thunder jerked her out of her reverie. She had been thinking about the movie she had just watched, Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland. This had been Gail's 2nd time seeing this particular movie this week. The first time had been on the last day of school just three days ago and she had instantly fell in love with the story, and not to mention, Judy Garland's voice.

Only this time, Gail had snuck out past her curfew to go see the movie. She had told her father, Ben, that she had a headache and was heading to bed. Gail had to be careful because, she knew her brother Danny, would be on patrol, and she didn't want him to see her so he could rat her out to their father when he was off duty.

So tonight, she had taken a different route home. It was dark and the wind was picking up. Making her bicycle shift a little, causing her to swerve and so she stopped to regarnish her thoughts. She hadn't realized she had stopped at the entrance of an alley and just then, she heard 3 loud bangs and at the same time, lightning flashed which lit up the alley way and that's when she saw them--one was holding a gun, another man on the ground and perhaps another or two more, she wasn't sure, but all, except for the one that was laying on the ground, were looking at directly at her.

She made direct eye contact with the man holding the gun.

Gail knew him. It was Jimmy. That's all one had to remember. Jimmy.

There were always stories about Jimmy while she grew up. In fact, Jimmy knew her brother Danny, not like they were best friends, but still, in their neighborhood, it seemed like everyone knew everyone else.

She looked at the gun in Jimmy's hand and when she realized she was still staring, she quickly looked away. This was just like when she saw a couple of boys steal something from the drug store, they had cornered her outside and told her that if she ratted them out to the cops or even the store owner, she would get a beating. It was best that she just keep quiet and go about her business.

Would that work tonight? It had to. There was no way they would hurt her.

Right?

Turning her head, Gail hurried and pushed off and started peddling her bike away. No. She wouldn't tell a soul. In fact, she didn't see anything tonight.

All she needed to do right now, was get home, get inside the house and up to her bedroom.

In that moment everything froze. He didn't a feel a thing for the man he had just killed or feel for the action he committed. It simply was something he had done countless times overseas and since he had been back. But, he did feel something in the moment he turned to see her at the end of the alley. Gail? Yes, that was it, Danny's little sister. When he had first arrived home the guys had said something about her, something like 'you should see how hot Danny's sister is', or something like that. Danny had played stick ball with them plenty of times as most of the teenage boys had on the block. Jimmy had remembered his sister watching them, wide-eyed with long dark hair. He had seen her once since then, but they didn't say 'hi', they didn't know each other really at all. However, the guys had certainly been right, the girl was absolutely gorgeous.

And now, she had seen him and the others kill a man. His eyes broke away from the end of the alley as Tom had made a move to go after her. Jimmy held out his arm and grabbed him before he could. They fought for a moment, argued, and though everything he said was right, there was just something off about it. Danny was a cop, as was his uncle, and there was no reason to think she wouldn't say anything to anyone. Tom was much bigger than he was and larger, the ideal man to be a goon, which he was. He had the social skills and mental ability to be nothing but one as well, but he wasn't all bad in Jimmy's mind. Just then the other man appeared from the door and asked what was happening.

Tom filled him in and before he could get a word in the two took off running to their car. Jimmy followed, but as they exited the alley she was gone. Both of them immediately wanted to go after her, but Jimmy reasoned with them, this went above their decision, they had to go higher up and so they drove recklessly to their boss, a made man who served the godfather.

It took minutes, an hour or so really, but Jimmy had done everything to convince them she would say nothing. It was five against one in the end and after a few phone calls the decision had been made. Her and her family had to go. Jimmy was resigned, but he was ordered to go with and would do what he had to, that was what he convinced himself. Only two, that was it. Gail and her father Lloyd. Her mother had passed and her brother was married and lived on his own. Two lives.

All six of them had gotten in two cars and drove to her house on the block. Most of them knew exactly where it was, everyone knew where everyone lived on this stretch of road in the city. As they rolled up the lights went off and they slowed to ensure the cops weren't anywhere to be seen or any witnesses. It was late, stormy, and dark. By now rain had begun to fall and thus no one would be around. As soon as they stopped they all got out of the cars, besides for the boss. "Remember make it look like a robbery, no one lives," so he had told them.

Adrenaline surged through them all as they made their way for the front door, one of them the back. One of the men had a lock pick and with everything seemingly silent in the house he took his time to be quiet and picked it. There was a click, a turn of the knob, and the door opened slowly. The men moved in and Jimmy stayed right behind, as they all headed for the stairs. That was when he saw him rise on the couch, a dark figure, woken from sleep. 'What the...,' was all that he had said before a flash and crack erupted inside the house and outside as a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. Instantly the man's head exploded and splattered against the wall.

"What the fuck Pauley?!" The kid was young and naive, and obviously had an itchy trigger finger and was a lucky shot. The single shot had been muffled by the thunder, but anyone inside the house would be confused as to what had happened downstairs. "I...fuck, I saw someone," Pauley had stammered. No kidding he had, he just saw it first and acted rashly.

"Alright alight, the girl should be upstairs, we'll go for her, Pauley get John and start tossing the place downstairs." The kid barely nodded as their older 'leader' commanded. He was older, they had guessed late thirties or forties, and he was as hard as nails with leather skin from too much son and a history of brutal acts of violence. Jimmy feared him as did most. The man was a complete asshole too and kissed his boss's ass, the guy still in the car who didn't want to get wet. That's why he stayed in the car, Jimmy knew it, it had nothing to do with what they were doing inside.

The three of them moved quickly up the stairs, not fearing that the girl was awake or had been forced awake by the noises downstairs. Jimmy just wondered why her dad had been on the couch. Tom pointed to where Gail's room was, he had been in the house before after all. While they were on their mission Jimmy was beginning to get sick, he held back from the other two, his hand getting real sweaty as he started to limply hold the gun. It was in that moment he realized he couldn't do this, he wasn't going to follow them in that room for he knew they weren't going to simply kill her. He had heard what Tom had said to Alonzo.

Slowly they opened her door as Jimmy leaned against the wall, stood in the darkness in the hallway.