Array Ashley - Tale of the Murda Mamas

“Did you get in touch with Mecca?” Carter asked as he flipped down his phone and grabbed a phone book.

“I can’t reach him. I’ve been trying to call him all morning, but he’s not answering the phone,” Zyir said as he stood up and began to pace the floor. He picked up the phone and tried to reach Mecca once again, but he just got the voicemail like before. “Damn! We are just going to have to go without him,” Zyir said as he pulled his gun out, ready to kill whatever and whoever to get Breeze back.

Carter ran his finger down the phonebook’s page, searching for a home health aide. He didn’t want to leave Miamor there alone without help. He wanted her to see a friendly face if she awoke from her coma, rather than one of his goons that he had guarding her room.

He glanced over at Zyir, who was pacing the floor, looking nervous and anxious. Carter stopped what he was doing and walked over to him. He put his hand on Zyir’s shoulder and stopped him in his tracks. “You got to calm down. I want you to relax and take a step back. We don’t know what we are about to walk into when we get to Haiti, so we have to be ready for whatever. But we will most definitely be at a disadvantage if you’re all riled up. Fall back, fam,” Carter said as he watched Zyir letting his emotions get the best of him. “You really cared for her, huh?” Carter asked as he looked at Zyir and saw the flame in his eyes.

“Yeah, we were getting close, ya know. This shit ain’t for her, man. I’m ready to go get her,” Zyir said seriously, looking his mentor in the eyes.

Before Carter could respond, the door opened and in came Mecca.

“Yo, Mecca! We got her. We know where she’s at,” Carter said.

Mecca smiled as his trigger finger began to itch. He would deal with Miamor when he got back. Now it was time for him to get his sister back. “Let’s go get my baby sister,” he said in a low raspy tone as he pulled out his gun and cocked it back. He felt his heart flutter at the sound of Carter’s words. She was the only remaining full-blooded sibling he had left, and he was determined to bring her back home where she belonged.

Carter, Zyir, and Mecca rode in the aircraft that flew 1,500 feet above land, all of them wearing headphones to drown out the overwhelming loud noise of the helicopter’s propeller. Carter had rented a private helicopter to make this trip to Haiti in the hope of finding Breeze. Everyone remained silent as they watched the pilot maneuver the aircraft over the ocean. The light blue water beneath seemed so beautiful, but none of them had beautiful thoughts on their minds; only murderous ones.

The helicopter finally cleared the water, and the beautiful island of Haiti was now visible. The tall exotic trees and dirt trails took up most of the land, and the pilot spotted a safe landing spot in the middle of the town of Saint-Marcs, a city in the middle of the island. It was also the same place that Breeze was treated. With their connections, they found the exact location where the call was from.

They all were anxious as the helicopter swayed back and forth as it prepared to land. As the helicopter hovered over the open field, the grass blew wildly because of the velocity of the chopper’s propellers.

Carter cocked his gun back, making sure he was locked and loaded. He didn’t know if they were walking into a trap, so he was getting himself prepared for whatever. Zyir and Mecca followed suit and did the same thing. Once the helicopter landed, they all hopped out, and Carter instructed the pilot to wait there for them to return, and left him with a rubberband roll full of money; ten thousand dollars to be exact. Zyir grabbed the duffle bag that was full of extra ammunition and automatic guns, preparing for whatever Ma’tee would have in store for them.

The hot, muggy climate and Haiti’s air felt different from Miami’s air as the sweat began to drip from their brows. They made their way toward the dirt roads that led to the buildings that were just a mile down.

Carter spotted a tall building that resembled a small, rundown hospital, and pointed. “Is that the place right there?” He asked Zyir, and he used his other hand to block the sun from his eyes.

“I think so. The nurse said there is only one doctor’s office in the entire town,” Zyir said as he looked toward the building and pulling out a small piece of paper.

Just as they were making their way to the building, a young boy ran across the road while kicking a soccer ball.

“Ayo, lil’ man!” Carter yelled, trying to get the young boy’s attention.

The boy didn’t seem any older than ten years old. He was very skinny and had nappy, small beads on his head that was his hair. He stopped kicking the ball and looked at Carter. “Me?’ he asked as he looked around and pointed at himself.

“Yeah, you,” Carter said as he unleashed a smile. The boy, without fear, picked up his ball and walked toward them.

“What up, mon?” the boy said in his heavy Haitian accent.

“You want to make some money, baby boy?” Carter asked as he reached into his pocket.

The young boy’s eyes followed Carter’s hands. Carter pulled out a roll of money, and the young boy’s eyes grew as large as golf balls. He had never seen a man carry so much money in his entire life. Wealth was not something common in Haiti, and the boy was astonished. “Wow!” he said as he snatched the money from Carter. “Yeah, mon, I want to make dis money!” His eyes were glued on the big-faced bills that were in his hands.

“Okay, well I need your help,” Carter said as he placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Anyt’ing, mon! Chu’ just name it!” he said energetically.

“I need you to take me to…” Carter started to say just before he looked at Zyir for the name of the hospital.

“Hondas Hospital,” Zyir said, reading the piece of paper that he had pulled from his pocket.

“Hondas is down the road,” he said as he pointed north, in the opposite direction where they thought the hospital was.

“Show us,” Carter said as they followed the boy’s finger.” What’s your name, lil’ man?” Carter asked.

“Ziggy,” he said with his rabbit-like two front teeth.

“Alright, Ziggy. We following you,” Carter said as he urged Mecca and Zyir to follow him.

Mecca frowned up his face and pulled Carter close as he began to whisper. “How we know this lil’ nigga ain’t taking us into a trap?” he asked as he kept his eyes open.

“You don’t trust anybody, do you?” Carter asked smiling. “Let’s just follow him. How else are we going to find our way around?” Carter said, giving Mecca reason to see things his way.

“Alright, Carter. But if this lil’ nigga on any bullshit, I won’t hesitate to blow his shit back,” Mecca said as he patted the gun that was on his waist.

Carter shook his head and continued to follow the young boy up the path. That nigga doesn’t have a conscience, Carter thought. I’m glad he is on my team, rather than against me.

After about fifteen minutes of walking, they reached the small hospital. It was a rundown building that resembled a plantation style house more than an actual hospital.

“Here it goes,” Ziggy said, pointing at the front door.

“Let’s go,” Carter said as he hurried into the building, looking for the nurse that called them. He told Ziggy to wait for them on the outside, and whistle if anybody comes in. He slipped him another hundred dollar bill for good measure.

Ziggy proudly accepted the responsibility as the watchman, and smiled proudly as he stuck out his chest and answered, “Yes sir!”

Carter, Zyir, and Mecca rushed through the hospital, all of them with gun in hand.