𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃
chapter 39

Tommy stood with the blinders stood around him, waiting patiently for him to explain the so called plan he had for that day. He stared at the crate and carefully opened it up to reveal a collection on weapons. "Right, there are two ways into Artillery Square: One here at the towpath and here, Navigation Street." He pointed to the map in his hand, "Finn take a rifle." He instructed.

Finn reached hesitantly and took the gun.

"You'll be here, Finn, covering the towpath. Most likely they will come down Navigation Street. Johnny and Isaiah will set up here as hawkers selling salted pork. When you get this signal from me, they can open fire." Tommy explained to them. Arthur hummed.
"From you, eh?" Arthur asked. "Yep, i'll be here in the window overlooking." Tommy confirmed.

"You still know what end the bullets come out of, Tom?" Johnny laughed, earning chuckles from the majority  . "He knows" Arthur smiled, patting his brother's shoulder.

"Florence—" Tommy nodded and passed a gun to her. "You can't miss." he whispered. "You know who you need to shoot if needed, don't wait for any signal. If you sense anything is off, don't wait for something to happen." he patted her shoulder.

"I won't miss." she assured him, checking the bullets.

"These men are coming for my brother," Tommy held the cigarette. "We're leaving him to be unarmed and unprotected. So this is my fucking business. Arthur let's go." He explained finally, "Look alive soldier." Arthur said to Finn.

"You're alright." Florence whispered to the younger Shelby.

Arthur was the one to travel the balcony of apartments, unaware of what could happen. He stopped and knocked on the old door, soon being met with the ragged face of a woman, "Mr Shelby..I'm glad you could come."

"Yeah, well, thank you for the invitation."
He cleared his throat.

"I don't allow firearms in the house." She said, her voice hoarse. "It's a good think i'm not carrying a fire arm then ain't it, Mrs Ross." Arthur assured her with a nod and a wonky smile.

"Do you mind if i check?" She asked. With a sigh, he nodded and put his arms out to the side for her to search his jacket. With a final nod, she hummed, "Come in."

Once he was inside, she shakily motioned toward her table, "Take a seat, would you like some tea while we wait, Mr Shelby?"

"What are we waiting for?" Arthur grew suspicious at her strange tone.

"The other guests," she took the white tea pot and began pouring.

-

Tommy watched from above as Johnny and Isiah got into position, standing at the small table with their guns hidden. A car rounded the corner and they clutched their guns, not withdrawing them just in case.

The doors to the cars opened and men appeared, not batting an eye or even looking up. Tommy squinted and raised a hand to stop the two from doing anything.

Florence stood outside the fire exit on one of the higher floors, looking down at the floor with caution.

-

"So where are these other guests?" Arthur grew impatient and played with his hands. "They will be here very soon" She spoke with uncertainty. "But in the meantime there are some things i want to say before they get here."

"By all means" Arthur allowed.

"I've heard stories that you have welcomed Jesus into your life?" She asked. Arthur hesitated slightly, "I have indeed."

"At the beseeching of your wife, who they say is a good woman."

"She is my shining light." Arthur complimented, hands clasped under the table. "Though her mother by all accounts was not. Do you think your repentance will mean you are forgiven of your sins?" Her eyes were dark and full of hate.

"We both know that forgiveness is out of my hands.." Arthur trailed off.

"I mean for murdering my son." She snapped. "That was a sporting accident." Arthur looked away, the memory haunting him.

"Because i have not yet found it in my heart to forgive you. I don't think i ever will—" She began. "Then..why have you invited me here today, hm?" Arthur leaned forward, starting to get the gist of what was happening. A little girl entered, soon leaving. "Why am i here, Mrs Ross?"

Mrs Ross glanced a the door as if waiting for something to happen .

"Why did you invite me here today?" Arthur asked again.

The little girl ran outside, a white cloth in hand and raising it in the air, waving it and staring at the black car. Tommy bit down and stood up straight.

Florence squinted as she watched Johnny Dogs and Isiah look at the girl.

"Now, Johnny fire!" he shouted. Isaiah and Johnny stepped forward, shooting at the car. "It's a fucking decoy, bring the car around now—" Tommy shouted from the window. "Arthur.." Florence whispered, running back through the door and down the stairs.

She burst through one of the rooms, placing a finger on her lips as two kids cowered in the corner. Florence went through the door of the room and ran down the hallway to where Arthur was.

"Arthur!" Finn burst in, "they're not here for you, it must be Micheal." Florence stood at the door, her gun pointed. The woman's eyes widened. "Arthur you need to go."

Arthur cleared the table. "You fucking bitch!" he shouted. The woman gasped. He pulled a gun from his hat. "You set me up, eh?" He pressed his gun to her neck. "Arthur you need to get to the hospital now." Finn said, holding his shoulder.

"Fuck off—"

"If your faith is real. I've got all the kids," she begged. He pushed her face away, smashing a glass. "If you're here in one hour, i swear to god, i will cover you in tar and fucking feathers!" he pointed.

Florence stepped in as the boys left. "He might have god, but i don't. So don't think i won't hesitate to shoot your brains all over that fucking wall." Florence threatened, slamming the door.

-

After being shoved to the floor by a nurse who had taken Michael's gun from his bag, he gripped onto the bed and pulled himself up with a pained groan. The sound of the door locking made him turn his head up and his eyes landed on no other than Luca Changretta.

"Where i'm from, a hat on the bed. Unlucky." Luca tutted. Micheal breathed heavily as Luca inched toward him. "My family say it brings death. Maybe that's what's happens. Last time my men were sent for you, you got lucky." He withdrew a small gun. "Now, your lucks run out." He pressed it to Michael's forehead and heard his panicked breaths.

Luca cocked it, pulling the trigger but nothing happened. Michael braced himself but nothing happened. He was sure he was dead. He had been given a quick and painless death. But no, no that hadn't happened. He opened his eyes and Luca had lowered his gun.

"And tell your mother, we have a deal." he spoke through gritted teeth before disappearing.

Tommy, Florence and Arthur rushed through the halls of the hospital, stopping when they saw a dead body beside the wall. They continued to Michaels room, shooting the lock and walking inside.

"Michael? What happened, eh? What happened?" Tommy rushed. "They heard you, they heard you coming:" Micheal said. "The gun misfired, they ran away."

Florence walked to the other door, cautiously checking to see if anyone was there.

"You came just in time."

"You all right?" Tommy sat. "I'm fine." Michael nodded slowly, feeling uneasy under his sister's curious and untrusting glare.