THE YELLOW CITY

                               “THE YELLOW CITY”

(STORY HAS LIGHT PROFANITY)

In a small, densely populated region of northern Delaware, there is a unique and quaint little town known as Cowardsville. As the name suggests, to the outside public, Cowardsvillie patrons are rarely known for stepping outside their comfort zone or even taking calculated risks or what have you. This infamous town has a vile and turbulent reputation of being the most crime-riddled city in the entire country. These terror-stricken citizens suffer through the most heinous, horrific, and malicious crimes all year long with little to less help from the local law enforcement agency, the Cowardsville Police Department. It's no big secret that police are afraid themselves and only respond to calls from the upper class and aristocratic areas of the city.

These areas were still heavily bombarded with crime, but picking and choosing the calls, (what they felt was the safest plan) guaranteed they would come home at the end of the day. Aesthetically, it wasn't the liveliest town or even classified as busy by no means. Little did they know that on this faithful winter day, events will take place that will ultimately change their ordinary little town forever.

On February third, 2014, it was a brisk, sunny afternoon about 40 degrees. Jaieesa Franklin stepped out on her porch getting ready to go and get her son and noticed that it was the middle of the day and no one was outside, and not even one car drove by. Very strange indeed. All the houses had alarm systems and burglar bars, which was a blast from the past. All the signs in every yard said the same thing for blocks. “Lonnie Crooks Security”. There was definitely something very strange going on in this town. She saw the mailman approaching trying to retrieve the mail before she left.

Mailman: Afternoon, miss Franklin I gather,

Jaieesa: Yes sir you gathered correctly. Thank you....... Before you go, can I ask you something?

Mailman: Of course, fire away.

Jaieesa: I have noticed that there are some very strange things going on in this town. Everyone's so afraid, why is that?

The mailman looked around and moved in closer.

Mailman: Okay I can't say a lot but I will tell you that every crime in this town is connected and orchestrated by two individuals. That's why people are so afraid to talk. Jesus Christ, I have to go.

The postal carrier suddenly noticed a black Dodge Ram pickup parked on the opposite side of the road. By this time the schools had just let out and parents were scrambling to get their kids home to safety. It wasn't your typical town setting of birds chatting, joggers stopping to check their heart rate, or even old men sitting in the park playing chess, ogling every twenty-year-old woman that walked by thinking (man if I were twenty years younger). Every day was like a scene from the Twilight Zone. But in color. Jaieesa was in the process of picking her ten-year-old son up from school. She and her son DJ had just moved here three weeks prior and weren't really up to speed on how things worked around here. No one ever disclosed the fact that every day was filled with danger and everyone was deathly afraid to socialize.

Jaieese: How was school today?

DJ: Super weird today mom. I don't get these people. Since I got to this school no one has been allowed to go outside, they pull the blinds closed so that we are reading by candlelight what the hell?

Jaiesa: Watch......... your mouth. You better find yourself, quick.

DJ: Sorry............... Can I ask you something?

Jaiesa: Of course, you can ask me anything.

DJ: Are you glad that you left dad?

Jaieesa paused for a moment, eyes focused on the road, biting down on her bottom lip as if her son's question struck a deep nerve.

DJ: Mom, did you hear me?

Jaieesa: Umm, yeah, I heard you. Let's come back to that question later okay sweetie?

DJ: Okay.

She struggled to hide the tears that fell from her face even though her son knew that the damage had been done by the bandage on the left side of her face. On the way home, she decided that she was going to treat him to a pizza buffet with games and all the trimmings. She parked her car and noticed only six cars in the parking lot. They came to the door and it was locked.

Jaieese: Sorry Sweetie, I could have sworn they were open.

Right as they were about to turn around, a waitress came to the door and unlocked it, inviting them in very nervously.

Jaieesa: I thought you were closed.

Waitress: No we're open. It's just that, well, we've been robbed three times this week, but we have to make money.

Jaieesa: Your very brave to come to work, it's admirable. Your folks must be proud of you.

Waitress: I suppose they would be. They were both killed standing in front of an ATM two years ago. Both stabbed with a large knife. The footage from the ATM mysteriously wiped clean. This town............ It will take everything from you. Aren't you afraid?

Jaieesa: No, not at all. I am only afraid if I am completely certain I can do nothing to alter my situation in my favor when that time comes. I'm so sorry for your family.

The waitress looked at Jaieesa with such admiration hoping she will be able to rise to the occasion when it mattered. She sat the two at a booth and they started with a few games before getting full-on pizza. As they looked around the place it was pretty dead, but it was time spent together so they didn't mind a little solitude. They decided that they would buy out the ticket counter when they have completely shut down the Skeet-Ball machine. They laughed and hugged each other so much that the other patrons took notice.

The waitress saw a few more customers at the door so she went to let them in. Jaieesa didn't really think much about it until she heard a ruckus over by the door. Two assailants had muscled their way through the door and brutally pushed the waitress down and proceeded to drag her to the cash register. Jaieesa ushered DJ under the table and called 9-1-1. Jaieesa explained to the police that there was a robbery in progress and that a woman's life is being threatened. She could not believe her ears when she heard the response from the local Sheriff Sonny Crooks. They told her to just give them what they want. It will all probably be over soon.

Sheriff: I'm pretty sure they just want the money and they'll be on their way once they get it. They have been robbed half a dozen times and they never seriously hurt anyone. So don't go doing anything to antagonize them and get yourself cut by those two.

Jaieesa: That is hardly the point. Get your ass down here and put an end to this.

Sheriff: Ma'am. What is your name?

Jaieesa: Jaieesa Franklin, sheriff.

Sheriff: Yeah I know who you are, Miss, Franklin, You moved into that little blue house up on the east end of town. Mm-hmm, see I also know that you have not been here that long to understand how this town operates. We do have more pressing calls than to worry about some damn “pizza joint”. Now I advise you to..............click. (dial tone)

Jaieesa: Useless inbred waste of.............

By this time the assailants have already unloaded the register and loaded up on free food. They made all the customers lay on the floor and went through their pockets. Just then, one of the robbers looked up and saw Jaieesa kneeling down by her son under the table.

Assailant: Get over here, now. Hurry up!

Jaieesa: DJ, mommy is about to do something and I don't want you to watch this okay. I have to help these people right now. Turn around for me and face the wall okay. I love you.

Just then the assailant came toward her waiving a large jagged edge survival knife. At that moment she remembered something the sheriff said on the phone. (So don't go doing anything to antagonize them and get yourself cut by those two.) Thinking to herself, “how did he know this guy had a knife, and how many there are?” She heard a voice behind the counter saying “this waitress looks good man, I wanna see what's under this little tight uniform. The waitress screams and at that very moment, Jaieesa pulls out a black department issue Glock 9mm and fires one into the leg of the guy with the knife. He drops the knife and lets out a blood-curdling scream and crawls to the door. Just then the guy behind the counter pops his head up and tries to make a b-line to the door and took a shot to the right kneecap. The customers got themselves off the floor and stood in awe of what just transpired. The waitress who was almost raped behind the counter picks up a chair and smashes it over her attacker a few times. Jaieesa runs to grab the chair from her and hugs the young lady making sure she was okay. They have been afraid for so long and being inspired by Jaieesa, it was like their Independence day. Just then, The sheriff and two other patrol cars pull up. Turns out he despises being hung up on by women with bad attitudes.

Sheriff: Lady I don't know who the hell you think you are but I am arresting your ass right now. Maybe a few days in my jail will bring you back to reality. I'M SHERIFF SONNY CROOKS AND THIS IS MY TOWN!!!

Jaieesa: Yeah that's funny, but that's gonna be a hard pass for me. As a matter of fact, Its special agent, Jaieesa Franklin and I are launching a full-scale investigation on how you govern this town.

Assailant: Daddy that bitch shot me in the knee!

Sheriff: Shut up boy!

Jaieesa: Oh........daddy is it, wow. Sheriff, you knew the whole time that all the crimes committed in this town were by your son and all his friends. I'm thinking he is way too stupid to hold an actual thought. Who's your real accomplice? Is it Your brother, Ronnie Crooks? You let them terrorize all the people of this town. The Attorney General is gonna want your resignation in by Monday. Have it ready.