SIN AND DEATH IN SAINT'S CITY

s I focused on my sore knuckles, the painf

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, accompanied by the piercing blue beam emanating from a police car. Despite the imminent hal

ntained my stride, indifferent to their proximity

ong hand pressed against my neck, causing my head to hit the unyielding surface. The taste of salt and the metallic tang of coins flooded my mo

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myself pinned against the wall, the lone figure

rehensible, annoyance-laden words. Amidst the haze from his slaps, the words ‘nigga’

low me to expl—” but my words were cut short as he turned

led. “I suspected something was off when I saw your b

ince when did wearing rip

s is a hu

an spot motherfuckers like you from miles away. You meander lonely all

s my regular route home from town, so how c

embroidered on hi

ntion, as I never thought I’d find myself in this kind of predicament. The guidance was clear: stay calm, avoid aggression, an

s, this is all

I’m gonna get right

about the unjust assault. My wish seemed to be granted as a few attempted to enga

rained on my face as he spoke, prompting me to shift my gaze to the stripes on my Nike boots. “I as

ty to flip him around and trapping his neck with my handcuffed

ti

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rough. “Initially, black people were excluded, but now,

ng my throat, my expression turned as stern as an angry haw

tic life have to do

w asserted. “Answ

ques

e gaze on his furrowed face. “Why did you

cended upo

the realm of self-righteous individuals still existing in the modern worl

ng him down fro

wanted him to realize it—truly know it

from experience, I wanted to strip away any delusions he harbored about it being a Disney utopia. It

e we go

ike her,” he retor

ed. “Yeah,

ked. “It’s not my fault

hile the other half sneered. One undeniable fact remained: everyone’

ecord of t

. What do you mean when you claim she’s not your type?” I as

ue,” Kelly res

ded it to him. He gasped, accidentally dropping the phone upon see

you truly mean every damn

nswer. Instead, he blushed furiou

“I’m certain you rejected her proposal because

s not

e just like your ancestors

what

nally blind to your true nat