Letter 13 - Lisa Armstrong

This is the thirteenth story of the book.

Inspired by the 2003 anime Gungrave

My name is Lisa Armstrong. I am an eighteen-year-old Biracial girl from Buffalo, New York. I grew up there with my Caucasian mother Danielle Armstrong and my older Biracial twin-brother Joshua Armstrong in a white three-bedroom house in Riverside on Vulcan Street. My brother and I never knew our father. The only image of our father we ever saw was a photo of him that stood on our fireplace that we looked at every day. The picture itself was of a lone African American man wearing a dark black suit with a complete bald head. Even without the presence of our father, we only desired peace for our family.
            One day after coming back home from school with Joshua, I smiled believing that we were going to have another peaceful night sitting by the fireplace hearing stories of father. As we enjoyed the night, mom looked outside the window as she saw cars parking by the house. “Mom what’s wrong?” I spoke. “Joshua, take Lisa to the basement now.” Mom said. “Why mom?” Joshua said. “Don't ask questions. Do it now!!” Mom said. “Okay Mom.” Joshua said as he took me down to the basement. “Mom!!” I said as I reached out my hand to my mother while being taken away. Within seconds of successfully hiding in the basement closet, we flinched to the sound of the door being open. We did all we could to remain silent as we heard screaming, kicking, punching, and the firing of bullets. After a half hour of all the ruckus, it finally stopped. We noticed the men have left as we heard the cars being driving away. Joshua whispered to me and said, “Okay. I think they're gone now.” “Okay.” I said as I got back up on my feet and got out of the closet. Believing that we were finally safe, we went back upstairs to the living room. We freaked out as we saw the traces of blood on the floor. “No. This can't be happening.” Joshua said as he got to the living room and noticed that mom was lying on the floor all covered with fatal wounds. “No!! Mom!!!” I said as I raced over to her with Joshua. “Mom. Please speak to us.” Joshua said. Mom spat blood out of her mouth and spoke with the remaining strength in her body, “My...children...I am glad you both are safe.” “Mom, I did what you told me to do.” Joshua said. “Yes...my boy. I am so proud of you for taking care of your sister. You be strong and take care of her.” Mom said. “Mom.” I said as I held on to my mother's hand. “My...girl. Please listen to your brother.” Mom said. “I will Mom. I promise.” I spoke. “I love you.” Mom said as she breathed her last breath and died. Joshua and I looked over our mother's corpse and screamed at the top of her lungs, “MOM!!!!!” The living room in the house began to flood with the overflowing sound of weeping over our mother's death.
           For the next three days, all we could do was mourn over the loss of our loving mother. After the third day, we called the funeral home on Amherst Street to have a burial service at the graveyard nearby for mom. When the service ended everyone left except Joshua and me. For that entire day, we stood facing the large grey headstone of our loving mother. “Mom. I miss you so much.” I said as I shed even more tears over mom’s grave. “Sister.” Joshua said. I sniffled, blew my nose on a handkerchief and said, “Yes big brother.” “There's something I found out that you need to know.” Joshua said. “What is it big brother?” I said as I wiped my face with the sleeve of my dress. “Well, this here will say it better than me.” Joshua said as he handed me a letter written inside a complete white card with our names written on it. I took the letter and said, “What is this?” “This was a note written by mom. She must have written it sometime when we were both little. Please read it out loud.” Joshua said. “Okay big brother.” I spoke. I sniffled again trying to get myself together as I opened mom’s letter. In the letter it said: “Joshua. Lisa. My two loving children. If the two of you ever find this letter and I'm not by your side, then I have died with the effort of protecting you. I am writing this letter to present the truth I have hidden from the both of you. Please forgive me for that. Your father, John Armstrong, was, is and always will be a member of the Mafia in The Bronx, New York. Your father worked for them as a hit man ever since he was eighteen years old. I heard that he was killed for supposedly betraying the mafia and that brought a mountain of grief in my heart. The person who killed him was his best friend, David Stone. I was pregnant with you both when I found all this out. I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. Because I'm his wife and the mother of his children, I knew very well that the mafia would look for me and try to kill me too, so I moved to Buffalo to raise the both of you where they couldn't find me. I'm sure moving here to protect you two was what your dad would've wanted. Joshua, I'm glad I married your father because I wanted you to grow to be brave and strong just like him. Lisa, I wanted you to grow up to be as loving, kind, strong and beautiful just like him. Once again, please forgive me for hiding the truth from you two. Please my children, live your lives to the fullest. Love your mother. Danielle Armstrong.” I closed the letter and said, “So Mom knew everything about our dad and that she was going to be killed?” “Yes, little sister. She did. I found that letter earlier today, so I felt like I had to show it to you too. I'm sorry for how you're feeling right now.” Joshua said. “It's okay big brother.” I spoke. “Okay. So, with our mother gone what are you going to do now?” Joshua said. “I'm going to find our dad. I don't believe he's dead.” I spoke. “Well let me help you in this journey. I promised our mother that I would protect you.” Joshua said. “Yes, thank you, big brother. You're all I have left in the world.” I said as I hugged Joshua tightly.
             Two months have passed since mom’s death. When it reached summer vacation, we decided to use some of the money that mom left us to take a bus to The Webster Projects on Washington Ave in The Bronx. With that, we set out on our journey to find our father. We both felt very shocked at the sight of the city, seeing how dead it looked with so many impoverished people living in abandoned buildings. “I'm guessing the Mafia controls this city huh?” I spoke. “Yeah. I guess so.” Joshua said. We strolled around the slums of the city with the effort of looking for our father. The neighborhood consisted entirely of people of all ages and nationalities committing crimes of theft, drugs, vandalism and public intoxication.  We were so astounded at the sight of chaos that was happening all around us. We showed the picture we found with the letter to all the nice people we came across but to no avail we had no luck finding our dad. Later that day, outside of a tall red brick apartment complex on Washington street, we looked down the sidewalk in front of us and noticed a lone man wearing a dark black mask was standing there, a grey t-shirt covered in a tactical vest and dark black pants. Within an instant, I heard the masked man say, “Go hide.” “Huh? What was that Mr. Masked Man?” I spoke. “I said “go hide”. Now hurry.” the Masked Man said. “Okay.” Joshua said as she took me into the nearby brick building and hid under a window. I did all I could to cover up my ears due to the sound of gunfire and screams from many people.
          After an hour, Joshua noticed that the gunfire had ended due to the silence. “You two can come out now.” the Masked Man said. “Okay.” I said as I helped Joshua to stand up. As we got back up to our feet, I looked out on the porch and saw the same lone man walking past her. I kept my eyes on that man even after he passed by. I tilted my head and saw nearly a dozen corpses of gunmen. I remained staring at the enemies and saw that only one of them was still alive and laying on the ground holding his wound. I silently gasped as I saw the man shoot the last surviving assailant in the head causing him to die instantly. Even though I witnessed a man killing another man, I felt like I knew him. I then saw an elderly Caucasian man dressed like the lone gunman and was holding a container that appeared to be a black carrying case for his gun. “Well done.” the old man said. “Thank you.” the gunman said as he removed his mask and put the gun back into the carrying case. “Yeah. Hey. Who are you?” said the old man as he pointed a gun at me as he saw me. The gunman turned around, looked at me, and quickly said, “No!! Don't Kenneth.” “Why shouldn't I Lazarus? You know as well as I do that children are either killing for the mafia or just money for a fix. What makes you think this girl won't try to kill us?” Kenneth said. “Because if she really wanted to kill us, she could have done it at any given time. I told her to go hide in that apartment complex. She's no threat to us.” Lazarus said. What stood in front of me, was the very same African American man in the picture that I held in my hand. “Please don't hurt me. I won't do anything.” I said as I kept my hands up. “Don't worry. We won't hurt you.” Lazarus said. “Okay.” I said as I put my hands back down. “Who are you, young girl? I know you're not from here. Where did you come from?” Lazarus said. “I came here from Buffalo, New York. I am looking for my dad. My big brother came here with me too.” I said as Joshua stood next to me. “Oh really? Well, I hope you find him.” Lazarus said as he walked away. “Wait!!” I said as I walked closer to Lazarus. “Wait? Why?” Lazarus said as he turned around. “I think you're him. I believe you're my dad.” I spoke. “You think I'm your dad? That's impossible. I don't have any children, and I never will.” I spoke. “Wait a minute. Back then weren't you married to a woman named Danielle?” Kenneth said. “Yes. That's the name of my mother.” I said as I walked closer to Lazarus. “Danielle? Oh...yes. Danielle. That's right. You're my daughter.” Lazarus said as he walked closer to me. “Yes. Dad.” I spoke. “What is your name?” Lazarus spoke. “Lisa. Lisa Armstrong.” I spoke. “Lisa Armstrong.” Lazarus said. “Dad.” I said as I ran to Lazarus to hug him tightly. As I embraced my father as tight as I could, I felt like I regained a piece of myself. Lazarus hugged me back. “Lisa…” Lazarus said “Yes. Oh, but wait, there's someone else you need to meet. Big brother!! Come here please!” I spoke. “Okay.” Joshua said as he approached Lazarus. Lazarus looked at Joshua and said, “Lisa, who is this?” “That's Joshua Armstrong. My big brother.” I spoke. “Really? I have a son too?” Lazarus said. “Yes Dad.” I spoke as I wiped a tear off my face. “Hi pop.” Joshua said. “Joshua.” Lazarus said. Like me, Joshua embraced Lazarus tightly as well. Kenneth smiled as he stood there and watched a family be reunited.
          The reunited Armstrong family embraced for the longest time even after the sun set down and the streetlights came on. We couldn't help but never let go of dad. “Okay my children let me go now.” Lazarus said. “Yeah.” Joshua and I said in unison. “Okay. I am sorry to interrupt this fabulous reunion, but we need to get to the hideout before the Mafia find us here.” Kenneth said. “Yes. Kids. Would you like to come with me?” Lazarus said. “Of course.” Joshua and I spoke. “Okay let's go.” said the joyful Lazarus as he led us to his hideout which was at an abandoned warehouse in the Highbridge section. The room itself was completely furnished along with appliances. “So, this is where you live.” I spoke. “Okay we’re here now. I'm sorry that I couldn't provide a more suitable setting for you kids.” Lazarus said. “It's fine.” Joshua and I spoke. “Now that we're here. Make yourselves at home.” Lazarus said. “Okay Dad.” I said as I smiled while sitting down on a couch. “Pop. Can I ask you one question?”  Joshua said. “Go ahead.” Lazarus spoke. “Your name is John Armstrong but why did that guy call you Lazarus?” Joshua said. “Well, your mother told you in that letter she wrote that my best friend David Stone killed me and thought I was dead right?” Lazarus spoke. “Yes, I remember that.” Joshua said. “I chose that name to represent my rebirth after surviving from almost being killed by David.” Lazarus said. “I see.” Joshua said. I gasped and said, “You survived? How?” “I was wearing the best bulletproof vest I could buy.” Lazarus said. “Oh.” I spoke. Kenneth stepped in the conversation and said, “Sorry to bug into this talk but what your father said is true. He bought that vest from me. I was also the one who told your mother that your father was killed.” “I believe you.” Joshua and I spoke. “I want both of you to remember this one important rule. Don't mention your father's true name especially when we’re out.” Kenneth said. “Okay and I forgot to ask. Who are you anyway?” I spoke. “My name is Kenneth Lewis. I am guiding your father's mission.” Kenneth said. “Dad. What is your mission anyway?” I spoke. “My mission is to kill the mafia's leader David Stone and stop him from destroying this city.” Lazarus said. As I heard what dad said I felt surprised, shocked and concerned about his safety. “How can you accomplish such a thing all alone Dad? Doesn't the mafia have much more firepower and men than you do?” I spoke. “You can say that after what you saw earlier today?” Lazarus said. “Oh, right. If you're going to fight Stone, then please let me help. I want to see him die for killing Mom.” I spoke. “If you want to help me then you're going to need to learn how to shoot a gun.” Lazarus said. “Yes. Thank you, Dad.” I spoke. Through the promise he made to mom, Joshua said, “I want to learn to fight too.” “Of course, I will train the both of you to fight.” Lazarus said.
          Three months have passed ever since we reunited with father. Every day we spent it learning how to shoot guns at targets and every night having a family meal. We didn’t mind that every meal was canned food. We just wanted to be able to have any time we could with our father. I became more skilled with the gun a lot quicker than Joshua did. I couldn't help but be glad that I was able to spend time with dad. Even though I knew I was practicing fighting the mafia and its leader David, I only cared about my family being safe. “Dad, I want every day to be like this.” I spoke. “Of course. I want that too. You and your brother are doing great learning how to use a gun. You both keep it up.” Lazarus. “Thanks Dad.” Joshua and I spoke. While we were having fun eating dinner together, Kenneth came over and said, “Sorry for butting in but I found out from a friend from the mafia that they're planning to do a march throughout every block of the city. My partner believes that David Stone will be riding a limousine.” “Really Kenneth? If he sticks his head out of the roof, then I can shoot him with a rifle.” Lazarus said. “Of course. It would be the perfect opportunity that we've been waiting for. If we take David Stone down, then the mafia will break down into nothing but organized thugs.” Kenneth said. “Dad. If you're going to do this operation can Joshua and I be a part of it?” I spoke. “Sure, you can. I think it's time to put your training to the test.” Lazarus said. “Yes. So, Kenneth when is this march going to happen?” Joshua said. “In two weeks.” Kenneth said. “Awesome.” I spoke.
            So for the next two weeks we prepared for our operation to kill David. Because of the inside knowledge we from the mole, we hid high up on the roof of an apartment complex in Clairmont Village on East One Seventieth Street an hour before the march even began. With a smile on his face, Lazarus gave Joshua a sniper rifle to use to shoot David the moment he came out of his limousine. “Remember Joshua. The moment you see David shoot him. Do not hesitate.” Lazarus said. “Okay but I don't know how David looks like.” Joshua said. “Shoot the one man who stands outside the limo roof. That should be him.” Lazarus said. “Okay Dad.” Joshua said. “You can do it Joshua!!” I said as I stood at the other side of the floor also holding a sniper rifle. One hour later, the march began. The very moment the march started; we had our rifles ready to shoot. After an hour and a half of waiting, the limousines where David sat in passed by. As Lazarus expected, David stood out waving to the crowd of people who threw all kinds of praise toward the man they viewed as their savior. I watched David throw plastic bags filled out to the crowd for people to catch. I desperately waited for Joshua to open fire at David, but it was interrupted by a lone bullet that came out of nowhere and hit him right in the head. When I heard Joshua’s body make a loud thud on the floor, I turned around and screamed bloody murder. I quickly raced right over to Joshua but to no avail the bullets continued to come. Lazarus and I couldn’t do anything but go into hiding and wait till the shooting stopped. When the shooting ended, with no belief that the enemy shooters had left, we walked out of the opposite rooftop access ways to get back on the ground to get to our car to get to safety. When we returned to the hideout, I raced back to sit down on the couch and cry my eyes out over the loss of my older brother and screamed in a high pitch volume, “JOSHUA IS GONE!!!!” Later that very same night, Lazarus returned with Joshua’s corpse. I was so drained from the tragedy; I couldn't even eat or drink for the next three days. I made attempts to resume my daily practice of shooting at beer bottles. Because of my fixation on the loss of Joshua, I couldn't even hit a single bottle. “Joshua. I'm so pathetic. I can't even hit a beer bottle anymore. What am I going do without you or Mom?” I said as I shed tears with the rifle still in my hands. I didn’t know that Lazarus was watching the entire fiasco, so he approached me and said, “Lisa, it's going to be okay.” “Dad!!” I said as I hugged Lazarus tightly. “I need to apologize for getting you and your brother involved in this. I should have never let you go there. I failed you both as a father.” Lazarus said. “Dad don't blame yourself for this. He went because he wanted to help you. He loved you. I know he never had anything against you.” I spoke. “I understand. I think we should pack up and leave. Let's forget about this and just go somewhere safe where the mafia will never find us.” Lazarus said. “I agree Dad. Let's get out of here. Thank you so much for bringing Joshua’s body back here.” I spoke. “Anytime sweetheart. I will bury him.” Lazarus said. “I will help too.” I spoke. And with that, we buried Joshua’s corpse and placed his rifle beside the top of the filled hole. With the feeling of loss of the will to fight, we walked back inside the hideout to pack up their things and leave. But in that instant all hope seemed lost, Kenneth came by and jutted to us. Lazarus stood and watched Kenneth approach him and say, “Look Kenneth, if this is about another operation I have decided to give up.” Kenneth looked right back at Lazarus and said, “If you want to give up then how about I tell you this. David is on the run!” Lazarus and I faced Kenneth and said in unison, “WHAT?” “Yes. It has been confirmed that David was the one who murdered his father, Roland. Every hit man in town is looking for him and his wife. I think this could be our chance to take him out once and for all.” Kenneth said. “Yes. You are right. Lisa. Are you up for one last fight” Lazarus said staring at me in the eye. I thought about everything that happened and I wanted justice for the loss of her mom and Joshua making me say, “Yes Dad. Let's find him and put an end to this.” Lazarus smiled and nodded in agreement. “Ok. Now where are we going to find David in a city of this size.” Kenneth said. “Oh...I know where he's hiding.” Lazarus said. “You know?” I spoke. “Yes. I mean I think I know where he's hiding. It's the only place I believe he has that he can run to. It's the old bar on Wilkinson Avenue. Let's go there now sweetheart.” said Lazarus. “Okay Dad.” I said as prepared myself to go to the place where David was hiding.
         As we got to Wilkinson Avenue, I felt shocked at the sight of the bar which was next to an abandoned apartment complex. The bar was closed out of operation. The inside of the bar was as condemned as the outside. There were pieces of broken glass from mugs and plates scattered all over the floor. All the windows were shattered. There were even needles, rusted metal spoons and empty plastic bags all over the old wooden floor covered with smudge. I never imagined that I would be standing in a place like that. The only thing that remained standing inside the place was the rectangular brass bar in the center of the room. Within an instant, my fear peaked to a climax when I noticed that two people quickly jumped out of hiding behind the bar both wielding handguns. In that brief second, Lazarus and I pointed our guns at our two potential foes. One of them was a middle-aged Caucasian man with a bald head and a scar on his face who wore a wrinkled black sweater along with blue jeans and worn-out sneakers. The other was a Caucasian woman wearing a pink and black shirt along with matching sweatpants and woven slippers. Lazarus quietly panted as he recognized the two individuals. “David...Carla...I knew that you were hiding here.” Lazarus said. “John...you really are alive. The only reason I chose to hide here was because my house was trashed, and the mafia is preventing us from leaving the city. I can’t believe you are still alive.” David said with an angry expression. “I have the finest bullet proof vests to use.” John said. “David. I told you I wasn't lying to you.” Carla said. “Ok...I believe you now. Now John, I suggest you leave here before I try to kill you again. Kenneth, you help me out. Now!!” David said. “David. You have lost.” Kenneth said as he pulled out his handgun from his pocket. “Kenneth!! I should have known you were going to do this to me. I never knew when.” David said as he showed an even more intense expression. My expression began to match David's making me say, “You killed my mother!! You killed my brother!! You tried to destroy the city with your drugs!!” David looked at me and said, “So, you must be John's offspring.” “I am his daughter. My name is Lisa Armstrong. I am here to kill you and put an end to you.” I spoke. Lazarus sighed and said, “David. I am going to have my daughter and Kenneth lower their guns if you and Carla promise to do the same.” “How do I know you won't try to make a sudden move?” David said. “By doing this.” Lazarus said as he lowered his handgun first. And with that, Kenneth and I did the same. Due to what they saw, David and Carla decided to follow. In a matter of seconds, we moved closer to the bar. As our discussion continued, Lazarus heard footsteps and the cocking of guns from outside the window making him say, “Everyone get behind the bar now!!” And with that, we ran behind the brass bar and hid from the mafia as they began to open fire. We were all sitting down next to each other. I kept my face on David the entire time we remained hidden from the safety of the bar. My expression changed to frustration as I listened to David say, “John...I don't understand. I put you and your family through Hell. You should have just let me die.” “I now understand that you don't deserve it. My murdered wife wouldn't want me to do this.” Lazarus said. I turned my face onto Lazarus and said, “But Dad, I thought that you wanted to kill this man more than anything.” Lazarus looked back at me and said, “I want you to understand this too. It won’t bring mom or Joshua back.” “Okay Dad.” I spoke. David punched the floor as hard as he could and said, “All right. That's it!! I have had enough of this running. I had enough of this hiding. I need to give myself up.” Carla held onto his other arm and said, “But honey. Don't do it. You can't leave me.” “I have to do this.” said David. “If you do this then I am coming too.” said Carla. “No. You stay. This is my punishment. John, I am sorry for what I have done to your wife and your son.” said David as he got to his feet and raised his hands. “I will forgive you for them.” Lazarus said. “Farewell John.” David said. “Farewell David.” Lazarus said. The moment David raised his hands, the mafia gun men stopped shooting. “David Stone. Come on out now.” said one of the gun men. “I will come out!!” David said as he kept his arms raised and began to walk out. As David walked out, he made a smile and kept it on his face pulling his wife Carla along. “Goodbye me love.” Carla said as she kissed David before he left the condemned bar. Dad covered his ears and kept his face to the floor as the gunmen opened fire on David. For the next few minutes, I tried all I could to help my father snap out of it by saying, “Dad!! Dad!!” Lazarus snapped and returned to his senses as he said, “Oh Lisa. What happened?” “It's over Dad. He is dead.” I spoke. “David is dead?” Lazarus said. “Yes, he is.” I spoke. “Oh...,” Lazarus said. We heard one of the gunmen say, “Hey you guys can come on out of hiding. We were only looking for David and we got him so come on.” Lazarus looked up and smiled as he recognized that person's voice. “Lisa. Kenneth. Let's go outside.” Lazarus said. “Okay.” I spoke. We walked outside and we noticed that there were dozens of men from diverse nationalities all heavily armed with machine guns. Parked right outside on the curb was a large white armor-plated box truck. I kept my eyes on my father as he approached one of the men. That man was wearing some animal-sweater and sweatpants. He was average sized and had a beard. I watched and listened closely as the two were in quick conversation. My expression changed to one of curiosity as I noticed the two men approaching me. “Dad. Who is this?” I spoke. “Lisa. This is another old friend I haven't seen in a long time. His name is George.” Lazarus said. “It's nice to meet you. My name is George Patterson. Please accept my condolences for what David did to your mother and brother.” George said.  “Thank you. I am sure that both are grateful.” I spoke. “Anytime.” George said. I sighed out of relief, looked at my father and said, “So Dad. What are we going to do now?” “Well Lisa, there is still one more thing we need to do.” Lazarus said. “What's that dad?” I spoke. “We must save this city.” Lazarus said. In that instant, George stepped in and said, “Well John, if you are going to save the city then let me help you in that.” And with that George flexed his fingers leading some of the men to open the back doors of the box truck. We walked over to the truck and looked at what was inside of it and saw that it was loaded with stacks upon stacks of money. “Wow...thank you George. This is exactly what I need.” Lazarus said. “What is it with the money Dad?” I spoke. “This is the tool that I need to bring salvation to the city.” Lazarus said. “Okay then if that is true. Then where do we go from here?” I spoke. “We must go to the police station.” Lazarus said. And with that, we headed to the police station leaving David’s body behind. I flinched and turned around to look at the bar as I heard a lone gunshot coming from the old bar. I smiled knowing that there was a chance for a better life for the community I came up for to attain vengeance and justice.
            Later, that same day we found ourselves standing outside the fiftieth precinct on Laconia Ave. When they got to the front door, Lazarus stood at the doorstep and said, “Okay everyone I like to ask that I go in alone. I feel like it's better off that only one of us faces the consequences of our choices. Does anyone object to this?” We all said, “No. We are here for you and support you.” “Okay.” Lazarus said as he stepped inside of the police station. And with that, I waited outside for my father to come out. To kill time, I found myself in conversation with George. “So, George. How did you meet my father?” I spoke. “I met him through David. I have to say when I first met him, he was very mysterious. I couldn't tell exactly what his drive was when he made the decision to be a part of this gang.” George said. “I see. How was he after he joined?” said Nicola. “Through being trained by David he became the best shooter the mafia has gained.” George said. “Speaking of David why did you try to go hunt for him in the first place?” I spoke. “Because he killed his own father just to gain control of the gang.” George said. “Whoa...I can't believe that he would do that. If you knew of that then why did you and the others take him out at that moment.” I spoke. “Because it took us a long time to find the proof that it was him.” George said. “Oh...I see. The good thing is that he has been stopped.” I spoke. “Yeah, it is. I feel bad that we must clean up the mess he left behind but we we're involved in it so it's up to us to fix it.” George said. “What do you mean by involved?” I spoke. “Oh. I guess your father never told you. We are all involved with the slaughter of criminals in this city, including your father. It was all done to take control of it with the drugs.” George said. The moment I heard what George said, I let my mind and body go into shock, making me turn around when I noticed my father coming outside of the police station. The sight of my father made me race toward him and embrace him as tight as I could. “Lisa sweetheart, what is it?” Lazarus said as he had his arms still down. “Dad, I know everything now. I know why you betrayed David. You did it for me and Joshua. Didn't you?” I spoke. “Yes...I did. I am sorry for not telling you.” Lazarus said as he hugged me back. “It's okay. Just don't do anything reckless like that again.” I said as I let my father go. “Right.” Lazarus said. “Any way. So, what's up?” I spoke. “I will say this to everyone. Okay everyone, listen up!!” Lazarus said. “Boss!!” the mafia said as they all turned their faces toward him. “I just got the approval of the Commissioner that he has agreed to help us in our new mission. I would like to ask every one of you to help me with this. I think it's better for us to save lives instead of taking them.” Lazarus said. The moment Lazarus said those words, the mafia gun men all looked at each other and began to think about their own lives and of their families making them all say, “Yes. We will help.” “Good. Then our mission is to destroy the drugs that David have made. We must move throughout this entire city and take it by force if needed. Now let's take this city back and restore it!!” Lazarus said. “Yeah!!” the mafia said. And with that, we began with our operation and raided every household whether broken or stable. With the assistance of the police, we obtained every single piece of drugs that David had led to produce. I made an expression of excitement as I helped my father raid block to block and house to house like a savior. We took all the drugs we found, took them to the city dump at Bassett Avenue, piled them all up and burned it all to ash. I stood next to my father and held hands with him and watched the fire from a safe distance. “It's finally over. Isn't it?” I spoke. “It may seem that way now, but we need to continue to make sure that every scrap of those drugs is history. We must do this for the future of other children.” said Lazarus. I nodded and said, “Yeah.” From that day on, I lived as a savior with my dad. I was sure that that is what my mom and brother would want for me.