Lucid Dreams

by Ladii Nesha

“You are. You’re like an Egyptian god, but you’re so sad. If you were mine, I’d pray over you and deliver you from those demons,” she mumbled. “I’d make you feel safe, and I’d protect you from whatever has you in a chokehold.”

When the twins first started doing odd jobs for him, Rico reaped most of the benefits. He’d throw them a couple hundred dollars and they’d be on their way. The older the twins got, the more they demanded from him, and while Rico knew they deserved it, they were cutting into his pockets. If anything, he felt like the twins should have been satisfied with whatever because he saved them from the harshness of the streets. Rico called himself taking them under his wing, but in reality, he was exploiting their talents. They didn’t know it then, but they soon found out and demanded to be paid for it.

“Move in silence. The fuck you look like telling another man your every move,” Sir preached. “Always let a muthafucka think they have one up on you. In time everything presents itself. A wolf can only wear sheep clothing for so long.”

“I am the fucking victim!” Hunter slapped her chest. “I was the only one going to bed hungry at night. Me! I had to wear boy clothes to school because he didn’t want to shop in the girl's department. I was the one getting teased because I went to school wearing a fucking fade! While y’all were out running the streets, I was home cleaning up after a nigga that didn’t give a fuck if I lived or died. I was born the fucking victim!”

“Save it. You were a shitty person, and I pray the devil throws fireballs at your ass in hell.”