CHAPTER 42: THE LIFE OF RAFIK

"This place is totaled, Rafik must have really messed this guy up, I kind of feel bad for him."

Trey’s voice broke the heavy silence that hung thick in the air, his words barely masking the unease gnawing at his chest.

He stepped cautiously onto the battlefield, his boots crunching over shattered concrete and twisted metal. The ground beneath him was littered with the detritus of destruction—chunks of crumbled buildings lay strewn like discarded toys, shattered glass reflecting the dim light of a fading sun. Every step echoed the magnitude of the fight that had just taken place here.

His eyes scanned the ruins, taking in the skeletal frames of what once were homes and shops, now mere husks ravaged by overwhelming force. A thick haze of dust hung suspended, catching the golden rays in a haunting glow. The scent of scorched wood, burnt rubber, and something coppery—like blood—hung in the air, mixing with the cold bite of the evening breeze. It was as if the earth itself was mourning the violence it had witnessed.

"I wonder where Rafik i—"

Trey’s words faltered abruptly. His breath caught, eyes widening in disbelief as his gaze landed on two forms lying motionless amidst the wreckage. His heart plummeted, and the world seemed to still. There, amidst the rubble, were the lifeless bodies of Rafik and Dawn.

"No, No..Ra-Ra-Rafik!! Hey stop joking around dude, wake up."

Trey’s voice trembled, a desperate plea that shattered the stillness. He hurried forward, dropping to his knees beside Rafik’s prone form. His trembling hands shook as they gripped Rafik’s cold shoulders, shaking him gently at first, then with increasing urgency. "What—What am I gonna tell your family!! What am I gonna tell Erykah, what am I gonna tell Monet, and especially what am I gonna tell Ada, please tell me Rafik, tell me!"

Tears welled up and spilled over, tracing hot paths down his cheeks as raw pain tore through him. "Don’t leave me alone," he murmured, voice cracking, the words barely audible.

———

"They should have been back by now, I’m worried, what if something happened to them what if dove won."

Becky says scared for rafik and Trey.

"I’ve not known rafik for so long, but one thing I do know, is he always pulls through."

Monet says

"Ding Dong."

The sharp ring of the doorbell echoed through the quiet mansion, slicing through the heavy silence that had settled like a shroud. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation and dread.

"It must be big bro and Trey!!" Erykah’s voice burst through the tension, laced with hopeful excitement as she hurried to open the front door.

The door swung open, and the sight that met her eyes froze her in place. Trey stood there, his frame shaking as he cradled Rafik’s lifeless body in his arms. The sight was jarring, a painful contrast to the hopeful expectation moments before.

Every eye in the room was drawn to them. Gasps escaped lips, breaths caught in throats. The room fell into a stunned silence, the weight of the moment pressing down like a suffocating fog.

"Trey, Trey...who are you carrying, where’s Rafik!!"

Rafik’s mother’s voice cracked, heavy with disbelief and mounting panic. She stepped forward, trembling as she reached out to Trey. The anguish in her eyes mirrored Trey’s own torment.

Trey’s tears began to fall freely now, his face buried in the crook of Rafik’s neck. The world around him seemed to blur, the faces of those gathered becoming hazy and indistinct through the fog of his grief.

"Where’s my son Trey, Where’s my son, Where’s my son."

Her voice broke as she placed trembling hands on Trey’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably. The pain was a physical force, hammering through the room.

With a startled shout, Drake rushed to her side, steadying her as she collapsed to the floor. "Hey!!" he urged, voice sharp with concern.

Still cradling Rafik, Trey pressed on through the living room, each step heavy with sorrow.

"How dare you Rafik, how dare you leave your mom, how dare you leave Erykah, how dare you leave Ada, how dare you leave all of us———you said you were gonna come back, you said you were!!"

Monet’s voice rang out, trembling but fierce. The pain in her eyes was raw and real as she collapsed to her knees, sobs wracking her body.

"No, why him God, why him."

Becky’s voice joined the chorus of heartbreak, tears spilling freely as she stared at Rafik’s still form.

"What’s going on big sis, why are they crying, Trey is just carrying Rafik right."

Erykah’s innocent voice quivered, confusion plain on her face as she looked up at Lily.

"It’s all a prank Erykah, it’s all a prank."

Lily’s words were a fragile attempt to hold back her own tears, but her eyes betrayed the truth no one dared to say aloud.

Five days later.

The sky was a muted gray, a soft drizzle falling like tears from the heavens above. The entire city seemed to mourn with them. The solemn procession made its way slowly to the cemetery, the sound of footsteps muffled by the blanket of fallen leaves and wet earth.

"We are gathered here today to mourn the unfortunate death of a son, a brother, a friend, a lover and a hero——who God decided to bring to his kingdom early."

The priest’s voice was steady but filled with sorrow, cutting through the quiet like a gentle lament.

Every person gathered wore black, the universal color of mourning, but each carried their grief in a unique way. Some bowed their heads, others wiped away tears. The wind whispered softly through the trees, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and fresh flowers.

One by one, they approached Rafik’s tombstone, a polished slab of granite etched with his name and dates, a final testament to a life cut short. Hands trembled as flowers were laid down, petals damp and fragrant in the cool air.

"Rest well my love." Ada whispered, voice breaking as she knelt before the stone, her fingers trailing across the inscription with tender reverence.

The burial ended, but the heaviness lingered like a shadow. Monet and Trey stood slightly apart from the others, their shoulders touching in quiet solidarity.

"It still feels like he’s with us."

Monet’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she rested her hand on Trey’s shoulder. The warmth of her touch was a small comfort in the cold aftermath.

"If he was here, he would be cracking jokes, not regarding the mood."

"Especially in a burial."

They shared a faint laugh, fragile but genuine, a small light in the darkness.

"So what are you gonna do now?"

Monet asked, eyes searching Trey’s face.

"I’m gonna travel the world, searching for people like us, people with special powers, people who can rise up when hard times arise."

Trey’s gaze lifted to the sky, determination hardening his features.

"We need a United front, a team to stand up, whenever trouble like this arises again."

His words hung in the air, a promise and a mission born of loss and hope intertwined.

"I’ll follow you!!"

Monet’s voice was firm, filled with unwavering loyalty.

"No——you have to stay here and look after Mrs. Dove and Erykah, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I need someone here to make sure everything is ok."

Her eyes held his, steady and resolute.

"Promise me you can do that."

"I promise."

Monet’s voice was a vow as she extended her fist. Trey met it with his own, their fists bumping in a silent pact, a reminder of Rafik and the life he lived.

The life of Rafik.

~End.

Message from the Author

Alright, so let’s talk about Rafik, Trey, and Monet—the real MVPs of this whole story. These three are tight, and their journey is all about loyalty, pain, and fighting for each other no matter what.

First up, Rafik. Man, Rafik’s the kind of dude who’s been through some serious crap growing up. You can tell he’s from a rough neighborhood just by how he carries himself—tough, always ready to throw down, but also someone who deeply cares about his people. He’s not just a fighter for show; Rafik fights because he loves those around him and wants to keep them safe. The way everyone talks about him? Like he’s the glue holding the whole crew together. When he’s in the middle of a fight, you know he’s giving everything he’s got, but there’s also this side of him that’s soft, especially with his family and close friends. Losing Rafik hits everyone hard because he was more than just a warrior—he was a brother, a friend, a protector.

Then there’s Trey, who’s kind of the quiet backbone of the group. He’s not the loudest or the flashiest, but you can tell he’s steady and loyal to a fault. Trey’s got his own past and struggles, but meeting Rafik changed things for him. They had each other’s backs, no matter what. When Rafik goes down, you really feel Trey’s pain—he’s broken inside but tries to hold it together for everyone else. He’s the kind of guy who steps up when things get ugly, especially for Rafik’s family and friends. Trey remembers everything—how they met, all the rough times, the good times—and that makes his loss even heavier. But even in the middle of all that grief, Trey’s got a spark of hope. He wants to keep fighting, to build something bigger to honor Rafik. That’s the kind of guy he is: loyal, emotional, and ready to take on whatever comes next.

Monet? She’s the firecracker. Loud, passionate, and not afraid to let her feelings show. When Rafik dies, Monet’s pain is raw—she yells, she cries, she lets it all out. But she’s also the one thinking ahead. Monet knows the fight isn’t over. She talks about building a team, bringing people together so no one else has to go through what they’re going through. And underneath all that fire, Monet’s got a huge heart for Rafik’s family, especially Erykah and Mrs. Dove. She’s protective, caring, but also fierce as hell. Her whole vibe is turning heartbreak into strength and making sure Rafik’s legacy lives on through action.

So yeah, these three are the heart of the story. Rafik’s the spark and protector, Trey’s the steady, loyal soul, and Monet’s the passionate fighter who won’t let anything stop her. Together, they show how family isn’t just about blood—it’s about who’s there for you when everything falls apart. And man, their story? Was messy, painful, but also full of hope and love.