I gave them some time to hammer out what it was they wanted to do, but I left them with the knowledge that one way or another, we were gonna do something whether they were too afraid or not. In the end Thomas, who it turns out was the uncle of the fifteen year old who was gunned down while playing a friendly game of basketball, was the one to take the lead and ask for our help.
“I can’t speak for everyone else but I live here too and it was my family that was hit the hardest. We can’t afford to let this shit go on any longer. Do whatever it is that you need to Mr. Blade, my family and I appreciate it.” His words shamed some of the others it seemed because soon more people were approaching us and offering their hands in thanks. Then they offered us coffee and cake and I felt like I’d fallen down the rabbit hole.