Night Walker

Sorry for the long update, but here it is. It might be a bit short, but i hope you all like it. Thanks for sticking with me. This chapter is still in Zane's point of view. KK, enjoy. ^.^

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ZANE


As long as could remember I had always been the shadow. The copy, not as good as the original, just the pathetic figure that forever pales in comparison. Len, was the leader, he came up with everything. But we were young so it didn’t bother me that much. Yeah, I did feel a bit jealous but Len was my best friend. He believed in me. He chose me over everyone else. Those were the good days, not this shit now.
The shit began when we joined T-Shawn’s gang. We stopped being friends; well I can’t say that, we were still best friends. The change was that we were in a group that demanded we prove ourselves as individuals not pairs. Best friends became rivals, competitors in a grand contest. The problem was that I was still the shadow.
T-Shawn had always liked Len better that me. All that praise because he killed the bastard that fucked up T’s bro. Fucked up! I kicked ass in battle too. But no I didn’t take down the top dog like Len did; always a day late and fucking dollar short. However, I didn’t hate Len. No I even praised him for a job well done.

“Len, you’re lucky S.O.B. Let me barrow so of your luck sometime” I teased him.
“Yeah sure Zane. I rather not do that again. But…our reputations are going to improve, man”
“…Yeah…well yours… will,” I whispered
“What Zane?”
“Well…”
“Great job Len! You’re da shit!” They took him away…to worship him.
“Forget it…” I answered to no one. Always second best…always forgotten.

But I didn’t hate him…


Len rep did improve, he proved himself. He led some gang attacks and came out victorious in the end. Me always supporting him every step of the way, never the best… but second best. My guys always supported Len’s guys not ever reversed.

“Hey Zane give me backup. I take front of the wear-house so stay here”
“I can take the lead”
“Yeah but your aim is off. Its best for me to go in first and then you come in”
“But I can…”
“Just listen to me”
“But”
“Zane, man, just go with it, man,” Tito snapped.
“Fine”

He did go in first. He never signaled for me to enter. He and his group took care of everything…without me…again.
But I didn’t hate him…

Then came the faithful night where T-Shawn was shot. Len and I were on the scene before anyone. Len held T in his arms in the pouring rain. I was on the other side of T trying to stop the bleeding. He never looked at me.

“Len…Zane…I won’t…make it…” he gasped.
“Don’t talk like that!” shouted Len. “Zane stop the blood!”
“I’m fucking trying! It won’t stop! Hang on T” I cried.
Sirens were coming closer.
“Shit” I cursed.

“Len…I…I…want you…to take…my…place” T choked out with blood spilling from his mouth.
Time stood still.
“Please…lead…Len…”
“But”
“Please…we…both know I…”
Len nodded in agreement. T still never looked at me.
“Good…”

Still I didn’t hate him…I disliked him…

Len took over the gang, he named us the Black Vipers and we all became great. We ruled the streets of Philly like an empire. Only two other gangs could rival the power the vipers had; The Bolts with yellow as their color and The Bloods with naturally red as their color. They ruled the streets for years before us, but in a few short years Len, evened the field. By that time a shit load of envy had made a home in my heart. However, like a good friend I kept my feelings in check. I was proud to be by Len’s side even if I wasn’t a part of his glory.
However, the human heart can only take so much pressure. Us humans are weak creatures. We harbor destructive tendencies, we do cruel things to each other without remorse, we enjoy seeing people suffer and fail, and of course, we kill each other for trivial reasons. Truly we are disgustingly weak and sadistic creatures. I am no different. Jealously drove me to weak human tendencies.

I remember what set me off…

Things couldn’t have been better for us. We top dogs of Philly. Len was king and I, the loyal subject of praise.
We were sitting in his apartment drinking and having a good time. It was a rear thing at the time since we were both so busy. For us to be together and actually act like friends was a special occasion.
“I hate to bring up work, but there is something I need to talk about,” said Len all of a sudden.
“What, man?”
“Well…” he took a serious and woeful tone, which surprised me. “…It’s just if we weren’t at T-Shawn’s side that night, we wouldn’t have found out who would take his place…”
“So what?” I asked, confused to what direction the conversation was heading.
“Well if no one knew T’s wishes than I big fight would have happened, and most likely the gang would be destroyed…right”
“Okay…”
“Well…lately I’ve been thinking. What…if I were killed and no one was there to fulfill my wishes…”
“Yo don’t think shit like that. Nothing is going to happen to you…”
“But I am saying what is something did…maybe not murder…but illness or worse prison. I don’t want no fighting within the gang. You understand?”
“Yeah…I guess…” I wasn’t comfortable with the conversation. Len dying wasn’t something I wanted to think about. Did he have to bring up something like this on our chill day?

“So…to prevent such a pain in the ass. I want to name a second in command. You know to take my place if something happens” he said unsurely.
“Great, that sounds fine. No need for the ‘heavy shit’ tone, man” I replied thing no longer on the subject. If something happened to Len then I’ll lead the gang. No problem. He didn’t have to sound so hesitant. I was ready to resume our “chill day” when he spoke again.
He face was lowered so his long bangs hid his eyes, almost ashamed of what he was about to say.

“Don’t you want to know whom I decided on naming?” he asked in a low tone.

That took me be surprise. Why would he ask such a thing? It wasn’t like we didn’t know who would be named. It was kind of funny. I let a smirk spread across my face.
“Okay…who is it? God maybe…or better yet, Satan” I joked playfully.
“Actually I was thinking…Tito would be a good…” he answered quietly.
My joking stopped dead. What the fucking hell?
“What?” was the only thing I could say. I really wanted to laugh off the suggestion, but the serious tone of Len’s voice made me worry.

“Please, Zane before you blow up…”
“What the hell! You’re joking, right?” I asked hopefully.
“No I’m not joking”
“The fuck! I’m your friggen best friend! How…how could you…aren’t I your…friend…”
“Of course you are!” he said quickly “It’s just…well….”
“What? What the fucking problem!” I shouted at him.
“Its just Tito… is better at leading than…you” He finally said. Still refusing to make eye contact with me.
I couldn’t believe it. How…how could he? How could he betray me like this? And to have the nerve to say that Tito was better than me. Rub salt in the wound or more like a shot in the heart. Damn him!
I couldn’t say anymore about the subject. I gathered my coat and left the apartment with Len, shouting at me to come back, I never did. I never had so much hate and rage inside of me till that day.

…Now I hated him…


That night was the worst night ever. I couldn’t sleep or sit still for more then ten minutes. “I could he?” that’s all I thought about. All the times I had been there for him, every fucking time I stepped to side for him, and this…this is what I get. I couldn’t stand it! The dam that held back my bitterness and hate finally broke that night. No longer could I stand living in the shadows. My thoughts from then treaded on dangerous ground.
Len would announce the second in command in another week. Most thought it would be me, but they would be in for a surprise in a week. Len kept trying to talk to me, but I avoided him. After three days he stopped trying to talk and ignored me, which succeeded in pissing me off even more. I hated him, I really hated him, and I knew he was ranking on me behind my back. Well, before the week was up was long enough for me to reach my boiling point. I regret what I did that night and wish I could take it back, but the world doesn’t work that way. Humans have to live with their mistakes.
Friday night I called up Len on my cell. I asked him to meet at an old warehouse to talk things over, he agreed. However, it wasn’t my intention to talk, no; I had something fouler in mind.
Len showed up, unarmed and unsuspecting. I made sure it was dark in the warehouse, so I could easily melt into the shadows. Len, called out for me, but I remained silent. As he walked aimlessly in the darkness saying he was sorry and still calling out for me, I snuck up behind him with a string of wire held tightly in my snaking hands.
It doesn’t take a genius to understand what happened next. I coiled the wire around his little neck and strangled him till he fell limp against me. Ha, there I did it! I was free from him, like a puppet that finally had its strings cut. I was so happy, yet, I don’t remember ever feeling more disgusted with myself. I had killed my best friend since childhood, and for what, power. This is what makes us humans horrible, how we carelessly throw away life for petty reasons. Despite that, the deed was done and nothing could change that.
I could have dumped Len’s body anywhere, a gutter, the river, anywhere, but I decided to stuff him in a cooler. I figured no one would find him and I guess he’s be preserved or something; kind of like one of those statues of famous people. I mean I did hate Len for what he did to me, but he was a great man as far as street credit goes.
It was easy enough to convince everyone that Len was kidnapped by some other gang a killed. And of course, being his best friend since the beginning no one would dare say I wasn’t named leader by him. That is how I became leader of the Black Vipers. Also as some consideration for Len, I name Tito my second in command. Yet…strangely enough my revenge was not as sweet as I pictured it, in fact it is bitter and rotten. I guess having remorse for my sins remind me that I am still human and not a monster.
I picked myself up form the couch and walked into my bedroom for some sleep. Maybe in sweet dreams of milk and honey, I can escape my dirty and decayed self. Hell I might go pay Veronica a visit later.


Zane may never know that with his strong, bear hands, he was not the one that ended Len’s life. Zane successfully made Len fall unconscious with the lack of oxygen, but what really killed the leader of the mighty Black Vipers was the cold. Yes, Len had woken up in a coffin that was a large meat cooler. There in the still emptiness of the abandoned chop house, no one heard the bangs or screams of the man trapped inside his prison of ice. Slowly but surly, the cold crawled over Len, stilling his movement, then his screams, and finally his heart. And that is how Len Venile died; leading to his soul leaving his perfectly preserved body.
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Hope you like it. Poor Zane, he's not really that bad, but its anyones call. Tell me how you like it. Thanks.