Another round of gunshots sounded off with the reporter looking dazed and confused.
“Bro, that’s crazy,” Santiago said. “I’m not trying to go out like that.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t want to die.”
“I’m going to do everything in my power to prevent that.”
Still glued to the screen, Jamal said he appreciated Santiago saying that.
Santiago reached for the remote and turned the TV off. “This would be a good time to head to the precinct while most of their resources are busy with the standoff.”
“You’re probably right.”
Jamal untied his wrist with his free hand as Santiago had suspected he’d done in his absence, and climbed out of the bed, unsteadily.
“Want me to walk ahead?”
“Yes.”
Santiago escorted Jamal to the garage without incident.
“I’m going to tie you up again.”
Before Santiago could explain his reasoning, Jamal held up both wrists. Each eyed the gun on the hood of the truck that Santiago had retrieved prior to leaving the bedroom. Jamal never made a move for it as Santiago bound his hands together.
Hopping into the passenger side, Jamal sat back as Santiago buckled him in and made his way around to his side. He drove the truck out the garage and down the long driveway onto the highway.
As they cruised down the road, Santiago said, “Can you try to better yourself while you’re inside, if not for yourself, for mini-Jamal or Jasmine?”
“How?”
Santiago asked Jamal if he had graduated high school.
“Barely.”
Santiago suggested he join a vocational program to gain a skill for his life after prison.
“I will look into it.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
Santiago continued driving down the empty highway while Jamal stared out the window.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“You just did.”
“Ha ha. Serious, though.”
Santiago momentarily shifted his gaze to Jamal. “What’s your question?”
“It’s two, now.”
