[aries reed] The rising of the Darkest Sun

[Atlanta, Georgia]

[4:45am]

Blue lights.

They were everywhere tonight.

Then again, they were becoming more and more of a common occurrence and to be honest, it didn’t faze me much anymore.

For the past week, they’ve been cracking down on a lot of the gang activity that’s been going on in Southwest Atlanta, in hopes to detouring the drug trade and with it majority of the violence and various crimes that came with it. And for the most part, it worked. They would be out here for the next few days and majority of the gangbangers would close up shop or just lay low for a few weeks until all the heat was gone and then the police would leave, as always…

…and once the cat was away the mouse would play.

It was like a circle that never really stopped.

Standing outside of the Victory Lake projects in Atlanta, I slid the black cotton beanie over my head as I couldn’t help myself but watch Atlanta PD’s finest drag out several black men out into the streets in cuffs as they cursed loudly, swearing that they didn’t do anything. Their mothers and or girlfriends would come out behind them in tears swearing that they were good men and had nothing to do with anything. Patrol cars, SUV’s, and SWAT Transport Vans littered the streets as I kept my distance as they sat the suspects on the curb, each man with his hands in cuffs and their hands hung down in either guilt or shame…maybe both.

One of them lifted his head and through the sea of flashlights and flashing blue lights we caught eyes for a moment.

I didn’t know the man, knowing what he was probably mixed up in, I didn’t want to.

But yet, there seemed to be a common thought shared between the two of us.


I turned my head away from his gaze as I placed a pair of silver gummy ear buds into my ears as I selected the shuffle function on the iPod before sliding into the pocket of my hooded jacket as I started to walk from the hectic scene that was only going to get worse as the morning continued to move on.

Soon my walk turned into a jog…

…and soon enough my jog turned into a run.

I wanted to think that I was just taking another run to the gym across town that I’ve taken many times in the past, but this morning seemed different and subconsciously maybe I was finally running away from this God-forsaken town…only to never look back.

[Jackson State Penitentiary]

[Jackson, Georgia]

A Georgian spring was something to see, even in middle Georgia. Granted it wasn't anything like Vermont or New Hampshire, but there was something about Georgia that just oozed relaxation and serenity. The various greens that seemed to be masterfully painted through the Georgia countryside reminded me why I enjoyed being a Georgia boy. But yet my visit through middle Georgia wasn't exactly for vacation as I took the trek down Instate 75 South. This was more business than anything else...

...more like family business.

And I as I looked out of the Jackson State Penitentiary waiting room, seeing my reflection in the double plated glass, all I could do was let out a deep sigh of anticipation and longing. It's been two and a half years since my brother Nicholas was found guilty of a drug possession with intent to distribute from a plea deal that would've given him five to ten years if found guilty, if it has gone to trial. He opted for the plea deal that would sentence him to four years only to serve three, early release if paroled on good behavior. Granted, I didn't go into the details of his case and to be honest, I didn't want too. Darius had always been a hothead and I knew eventually his short fuse would end him up in trouble...but yet, he was getting out and as promised I was going to be the first friendly face he saw when stepping out of the cold prison walls.

I reached up and adjusted the red silk tie that was wrapped in a Windsor knot around my large neck, listening to the large beige door click loudly as the cogs inside started to turn, slowly pulling the large steel door back. I spun around on my heels to face the slowly opening door a smile began to involuntarily form on my lips as I saw him for the first time in over 700 days.

Darius Reed stepped through the door and just like when I saw him in that Atlanta Courtroom when they led him away in handcuffs, he was still all smiles. And even now at the sight of his pseudo-successful little brother, he was still smiling as if he didn't spend three years in his own personal hell.

“Goddamn, little brother, you've gotten big since I went inside.”

I chuckled slightly as I shook my head slowly.

“A lot has changed since you've been inside...but let me be the first to welcome you back to the real world.”

With a large smile, Darius stepped into the waiting room from the other side and embraced me hard in a brotherly hug as he patted me on the back hard. Slowly he pulled back, giving me the once over as he ran his fingers over the collar of my custom tailored suit jacket letting out an impressive whistle.

“Hot damn, son...it seems the UWL is paying you quite well nowadays. Thank God, you got my sense of style.”

With a smirk, I shove his hand away as I shake my head slowly. “Well someone had to pick it up once you decided to go all 'Incredible Hulk' in Atlanta. Besides...it seems that you lost a bit of your style.”

Darius looked down at the current dress of rather baggy white t-shirt and khaki pants and groaned lightly.

“Yeah, don't remind me...listen can we finish this brotherly reunion elsewhere. I spent two and half years of my life in this pisshole and now that I'm out I don't want to spend another second here. Besides, I have to get in touch with my Parole Officer within twenty four hours.” he said with a sigh.

I placed my hand on his broad shoulder and chuckled gently.

“I've already taken care of it.”

With an arched brow, he looked up at me with a questioning smirk on his lips and rightfully so.

“Taken care of what, per say?”

“I've already spoken with your PO once I found out when you were getting out and as your only family, she was actually pretty understanding of what I explained to her and she gave me her word that she would allow you to travel out of state for work.”

“For work? Aries, what in the actual fuck are you talking about? The warehouses back home are closed...it's been closed for years. I had to file bankruptcy, I don't have two pennies to rub together and as a convicted felon, who's going to hire me? You?”

I just nod my head slowly as Darius just laughs to himself for a moment.

“Okay, so I'll bite...where are we going? What are we going to be doing?”

“The exact thing I said I was going to do before I left Atlanta...I was going to make sure that Aries Reed because a household name. I got some friends out West that are going to help me and you out. We are going to keep you quiet and underground...and get you back on your feet.”

“And where are we going to do that?”

“We're not going to back Knoxville, I’m done with that place, we're going to the West Coast...we're going to San Diego and we're leaving tonight.”

Walking past my older brother, I open the double doors of the State Prison waiting room, taking in a deep breath of the sweet Georgia air, which was quite refreshing from the stale yet sterile air of the Prison. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face as I turned to look over my shoulder at Darius.

“You in or what?”