For as long as Adam could remember, his city had been divided between two territories that were run by two factions—the Kings and the Eastside Devils. These two groups were led by two men. Elijah King (or “Eli”), from whom the Kings took their name, led the Kings. Adam’s father led the Devils and went by the name “Snake” on account of his large tattoo—a python that started at his torso and coiled up and around his body and neck, finishing with an open snake mouth on his right cheek, venom dripping from its fangs below a pair of red eyes. The Kings’ territory covered the upper west side of town, where most of the nicer parks and shopping malls were and extended down along the river to the south. The Eastside Devils’ territory lay on the east side of the river, where there was less commercial development and consequently less economic development as well.

The Kings rarely crossed the river into Devil territory. There wasn’t really any need to. They had everything they needed on their side of the river. The Devils, on the other hand, frequently crossed into Kings’ territory to help themselves to some of the affluence of the West side and even the score a little. It was only fair, Adam thought. Why should the Kings get all the nicer cars and shops and restaurants just because they lived across a bridge? So, what if his friends stole a car here and there or robbed a store? It’s not like the people couldn’t afford it. Most of the time it was just blowing off steam, and half the time they got away with it. But, sometimes someone from the east side would get cocky and decide to take out a King or two, just so they knew that what they had wasn’t rightfully theirs and could be taken. When this happened, retribution was swift and accurate.

Adam grew up to hate the Kings, but especially Eli. He knew that his father had grown up on the west side, too, in the same neighborhood as Eli. He had idolized Eli and followed every move Eli made. Eli even began to rely on Snake and include him in all his business dealings. But, when Snake wanted to branch off and start an enterprise of his own so he could build something for himself, Eli cut him off—completely. He made sure the rest of the neighborhood did, too. Snake couldn’t find anyone to rent him a decent room or buy his product, much less work for him. That’s how he wound up on the east side of the river. When Snake moved to the east side, they had just closed the textile mill to make way for the riverfront development on the west side. A lot of people were suddenly out of work and scared. Snake started to apply what he knew, teach it to others, and eventually built up a network that provided some stability to people’s lives in exchange for loyalty. Eventually, he had the whole neighborhood under his influence. Not everyone was a Devil, of course, but everyone knew who was and they all knew better than to cross Snake. Adam had grown up more comfortable than many in his ‘hood, but certainly not as comfortable as some of the Kings. And Snake never got over the loss of what should have been rightfully his if Eli hadn’t felt so threatened by him.

What Adam didn’t know, what his father never told him, was that Snake had not asked Eli if he could start up his own enterprise. What he had done was to convince several other members of Eli’s organization that he knew all the ins and outs of the operation and would give them a bigger share of the profits if they helped him take it over. Eli had taken Snake under his wing, provided for him when he had nothing, given him open access to all his dealings, his home, his wealth. There was nothing that Snake lacked while serving in Eli’s employ. And how did Snake repay him? By betraying him and trying to overthrow him. Needless to say, Snake did not succeed. And that is how he wound up running for his life to the other side of the river with his fellow traitors to set up their current situation.

But, as I say, Adam knew nothing of this. All he knew of Eli was that he had cruelly rejected his father and resigned Adam to this second-class existence. Sometimes Adam would see Eli at the restaurant on the riverfront where he worked. It always made his blood boil as he bussed tables and watched Eli’s family enjoy a luxury meal from the plates he would later have to scrub. What made it even worse was how Eli’s son watched Adam whenever he wasn’t looking. It’s not bad enough that you’re living the life I should have had while I’m slaving away at this crap job, thought Adam, but now you want to watch?! Messiah was older than Adam, so they had never shared classes at school or played sports together. Actually, he couldn’t really be sure that Messiah even knew who he was. Still, Messiah’s life was impossible to escape—the banners in the gym for the records he’d set, the pictures with the trophy in the front hall from when the football team took the state championship (with Messiah front and center in the group pic, beaming from ear to ear as the star quarterback). Sometimes it seemed like Messiah was haunting him—always showing Adam up and making him realize how pathetic his own life was.

By his junior year, Adam had given up on school. He only really went so he could play sports anyway. So, when his English teacher failed him for plagiarizing a research paper and he was academically ineligible for basketball as a result, he decided to quit the charade altogether. He knew he could make way more on the streets than most college kids anyway. He told his dad he was dropping out, but his father wasn’t having it. “What does it matter if I graduate or not?!” Adam yelled. “I’m just going to go to work for you anyway. I don’t need school to be good on the streets!” Snake responded that in order to be successful on the streets, you need the respect of those under you. “What’s that got to do with high school?!” Adam demanded, exasperated.

 “Look, I’m raising you to take my place someday, but people got to know you have what it takes before they’ll follow you. You haven’t been out there in the trenches like them.”

          “I don’t need a diploma for guys to respect me,” Adam protested.

          “Well, I want you to have a diploma,” Snake retorted. “It’s a matter of pride. Besides, you’re not ready yet.”

          Adam was furious. He stormed out of the house, feeling absolutely fed up with his life and seething with anger that his dad didn’t think his own gang would respect him. He pulled his hoodie down low over his face, shoved his earphones in and headed to his friend Roman’s house. Roman’s mom had a car she only ever used to drive to the liquor store and back. The rest of the time, she was laid up on the couch in a drunken stupor. Roman told Adam where he hid an extra set of keys, in case he ever needed to use the car when she was wasted. Adam found the keys, peered through the living room window to make sure Roman’s mom was fast asleep, and drove off.

After weaving across town about a dozen times, Adam’s head finally started to clear. What am I gonna do? I can’t go back to school and wait as my life slips by without even b’ball to distract me! But, how am I going to convince Dad that I’m ready to join him full-time? That I already have what it takes? How am I supposed to earn the respect of all the guys in the trenches if he won’t let me get near the trenches? Adam fingered the gun barrel buried under his hoodie as he pondered these questions. It was true—he hadn’t been involved in any battles or shakedowns yet. His father had shielded him from all of that so far. He clearly intended to initiate him fully into the family business at some point, but he seemed to be waiting for something. For what? Why doesn’t he think I’m ready? Does he think I can’t handle it? How am I supposed to show him I’m ready or earn anyone’s respect if he won’t give me a chance to get my hands dirty?! Adam’s throat growled in disgust as he pulled into a parking lot of the city park.

 It began to dawn on him that he was deep in Kings’ territory when he recognized Messiah shooting hoops on the far side of the park, like he didn’t have a care in the world. Suddenly, Adam had a brilliant idea that would set everything right in his life—it would prove to his father that he was ready, earn the respect of every Devil beyond all doubt, and finally give him relief for all of his frustrations in life. He would kill Eli. No Devil had ever dared to even try. No Devil had ever been able to get close enough anyway.  But Adam wasn’t widely known by the Kings because his gang involvement wasn’t all that visible, so they wouldn’t necessarily see him coming. If he could pull it off, it would unquestionably prove his merit and establish him as the next leader. Plus, it would avenge the wrong done to his father all those years ago and deal a major blow to the Kings organization.

As if fate was smiling upon him, one of the Kings’ cars drove past and pulled up to a house about three blocks up the street. Eli got out with one associate and made his way up to the porch before being admitted to the house. Adam couldn’t believe his luck. Only one associate? Adam took quick stock of the situation. Across from the house was a wooded section of the park which could provide protection both as he scouted out the house and as he made his retreat. On his side of the wooded section was a small, open building that served as a sort of amphitheater for community gatherings. It wasn’t large, but it did provide a wall between the street and the park with some shrubbery on the sides for cover. Then, there was a playground before the last 10-20 feet to his car. If he was able to run behind these various barriers, he had a good shot of making it back to the car without being hit. If he ran fast enough, he may make it before anyone had a chance to make him at all. So, he set out as if taking a leisurely walk down the street.

As he passed the house, Adam nonchalantly looked over his shoulder as if he was checking to see if a car was coming. Through the living room window, he could see Eli sitting with the other man and a woman. Eli started to gaze out the window just as Adam was turning his head to face forward again. When he got to the corner, he made his way into the woods and doubled back to find a vantage point where he could see the house. He waited for quite a while to make sure that no one else was around providing surveillance, but he never saw a soul. He finally decided that there would never be another chance of finding Eli so unprotected. So, he screwed up his courage and took aim between two trees. He took a deep breath; then, as he exhaled, Adam fired a single shot straight through the living room window. After that, everything seemed to happen at once. The woman screamed; Eli clutched his chest; the other man lunged after him; and Adam just stood there, frozen, his ears pounding with the reverberations of the gunfire and the pounding of his adrenaline. Then, he saw the other man’s head peer over the edge of the window with a cell phone up to his ear. It wouldn’t take them long to figure out a car hadn’t driven past and the shooter must be on foot. And then it wouldn’t take long to remember that kid in the hoodie that had walked past a few minutes ago. That broke the spell that had Adam frozen to the ground and he started running like hell for the car.

He could hear calls for someone to dial 911, shouts of orders and slamming car doors from behind him. He realized they must be rushing Eli to the hospital. If the other man was occupied with saving Eli’s life, that might buy Adam a little time before all the other Kings descended on the block. All of this rushed through Adam’s mind as he reached the edge of the woods and made a sprint around the hedges that flanked the amphitheater. It was hard to be certain with his adrenaline pumping so hard, but it felt like he was running at his top speed which meant he should reach the car in under another minute. As soon as he rounded the hedges, however, he went sprawling and landed flat on his stomach on the concrete slab. What in the world?!

Someone was on top of him, pinning him to the ground. “We don’t have much time,” a voice was saying, quietly but very forcefully. “Quickly, take off your shirt and put mine on!”

Adam was frantic. He had to get out of here! What in the world was happening? He twisted his head to see the insane person on top of him and made direct eye contact with Messiah. He blinked. He must have already been shot and was now hallucinating or something. Why would Messiah want to switch clothes with me? Does he know I just shot his father? Is this a trick? “Get off of me!” was all Adam managed to say. “Are you out of your mind?”

“They’re all coming. Even if you make it to your car, you won’t get a mile. They’ll spot that red hoodie in a second. If you’re wearing my clothes instead, it might buy you some time,” Messiah explained. When Adam just stared at him, he added, “Look! Do you want to live or not?!”

“Okay, okay. Just get off of me!” Adam agreed. Immediately, Messiah was off of him and holding out his sweatshirt, hat, and. “Why are you doing this?” Adam asked as he started pulled off his own hoodie and threw it into the bushes.

“There’s no time to explain. Just go!” Messiah replied.

Adam didn’t have to be told twice. As soon as he had the shirt over his head, he started running and put the hat on as he went. He cleared the amphitheater and circled behind the jungle gym. Just as he opened the car door, he heard squealing tires from a block or so away. He jumped onto the car floor, yanking the door behind him.  Then, he heard two gunshots and the car sped off again. That didn’t make any sense. They must have hit their target to speed off like that. But, I’m right here, so what were they shooting at? Adam peered over the edge of the window but couldn’t see any other cars or people. His heart pounding in his chest, he decided to take this chance to get away and pulled himself up into the driver’s seat. As he started to back out of the space, he saw it–a body slumped across the concrete slab of the amphitheater—wearing his hoodie. Oh sh**! Oh sh**! Messiah had just probably saved Adam’s life, and now he was lying there with the bullet meant for Adam. He wanted to get out of there before anyone else showed up, but how could he just leave Messiah lying there to die? After a moment of indecision, Adam pulled back into the space and slumped back down to the floor to dial 911.

It only took a minute and a half for the ambulance to arrive. They must have already been in route in response to the shot fired earlier. As soon as he heard the siren, Adam jumped from the car and ran to Messiah’s side. Messiah was struggling to breathe. “Messiah?! Oh my god! Why in the hell did you put my hoodie on? Why didn’t you just leave it?” Adam asked as he knelt by his side.

“They would have kept circling until they got you,” Messiah groaned, his face pinched in pain. “I had to make them think they had.”

“Why? Why did you do this? Do you even know who I am?” Adam’s voice sounded strange to him, garbled somehow. It was probably because of the liquid that kept running down his nose and falling into his mouth from somewhere. “If you knew what I did…” he stammered.

Messiah grabbed his hand firmly. “Come to the hospital with me,” he said. “Please.”

Adam pulled back and drew in his breath. This was crazy. He had to run and hide. What if Eli was dead? What if Messiah died? What if someone at the hospital recognized him? “I—I don’t know if they’ll let me,” he sputtered.

“Just tell them you’re my brother. Please,” Messiah insisted.

It seemed like a lifetime that Adam had been hiding around the waiting room while Messiah was in surgery. The hospital staff thought he was Messiah’s brother, but he didn’t want to bump into anyone he knew so he kept updating the nurse at the desk as to where to find him—the snack machine, the privacy phone room, the bathroom, etc. Finally, Messiah was out of surgery and awake. The doctor walked Adam back to his room. “I can’t believe he survived being shot in the chest like that,” Adam said.

“He didn’t,” the doctor replied. “He actually died on the table. But, he’s a fighter. He’ll have a bit of a recovery to get through, but he’s out of the woods now.”

Adam cautiously entered Messiah’s room, worried that there might be some Kings there already. But, how would there be? They thought they had shot Adam, not Messiah. They were probably trying to find Messiah right now, wondering why he wasn’t answering his phone. Mercifully, the room was empty except for a nurse. She left after checking a bunch of machines and gauges and writing some things in a chart. “Hi,” Adam said shyly.

“Hi, Adam,” Messiah said a little weakly and smiled. Suddenly, Adam couldn’t look him in the eye. He just stared at the floor at his feet, not knowing what in his life made sense anymore—what he owed this boy, what was coming to him for what he’d done, what he would tell his father. He felt ashamed standing there, in front of the boy who had nearly died to save his life, wearing that boy’s clothes while that boy lay in a hospital bed with tubes coming out of his body in strange places.

“Why’d you do it?” he asked.

“I told you,” Messiah began, “they would have kept looking—”

“No, I mean why did you help me at all? Why did you save me? Don’t you realize that I am the one who—”

“Shot my father?” Messiah finished for him. Adam raised his eyes to see Messiah’s face. “Yes, I do.”

“Then why’d you do it?”

“Because he asked me to,” Messiah replied.

“He? What?! I don’t understand.” Shock overcame shame as Adam tried to make sense of what Messiah had just said.

“Adam, there’s something you need to know. You’re not who you think you are. My father told me about you many years ago. He told me that you would come for him one day, but that you wouldn’t know what you were doing. But he also told me that when that happened, I must try to save you at all costs, even if that meant taking your place.”

Adam shook his head as if trying to shake everything into some sort of semblance of reality. “But, why? Why in the world would anyone do that? Why would he risk his own son’s life to save his killer? It doesn’t make any sense!”

“There’s only one way that it makes sense.” Messiah took a deep breath. “If he’s your father, too.”

“What?! No! That’s impossible. What are you talking about? I’m Snake’s son. I’m from east side. I’ve never even met your father!”

“Well, that much is true,” Messiah admitted, shifting himself in the bed and grimacing slightly. “Your mother was already with Snake when she had you.”

Adam gaped at Messiah incredulously. “What are you saying?”

“Your mother was in love with my father, and they were very happy together. But then Snake tried to overthrow my father and was cut off. It was very hard on everyone as he had been such a close part of the family. Your mother always hoped that Snake had not really changed deep down. I think she thought maybe she could save him. Eventually, Snake worked on her sympathy to the point where she caught feelings for him and left my father. But not before she was carrying you.”

          Adam was staring at Messiah with a look of horror on his face. This was completely ridiculous. It couldn’t possibly be true. And yet, nothing else but being Eli’s son would explain what Messiah had done for him today. “How do you know any of this is true?” he asked.

          “I know this must sound crazy, but I swear it’s true. I actually remember your mother. Just bits and pieces. I was really little. But I remember her being there. And then, she wasn’t. And dad was really sad. And very worried. Especially after she died giving birth to you.”

          Adam winced. He had always regretted not knowing his mother. And his father never spoke about her much. This was not quite the image of her, or of his family history, that he had imagined. “Did Snake know? That I wasn’t his?” he finally managed.

          “Yes,” Messiah sighed. “I’m sure you will have a million questions which my father can answer better than I can. You need to go and see him.”  

Adam was confused. Did that mean? “You mean, Eli’s alive? I didn’t kill him?”

          “Yes,” smiled Messiah. “The bullet only hit him in the arm.”

          “Oh! That’s…great.” Was it? So, he had failed his mission.

          “He’s here, in the hospital. He wants to see you.” Adam gave Messiah an incredulous look. “He’s been texting me, but I just got his messages because I was in surgery. I told him that we’re both alive and okay. He wanted me to explain to you before everyone else barged in and you ran off. It’s not safe for you to go back home now. You have to go see my dad—um, our dad.”

          “Yeah, sure. His men will kill me before I even get into the room!” Adam exclaimed.

          “No, no, they won’t” Messiah assured him. “They may know who you are, but they will also know that there is no way you could be wearing my clothes without me giving them to you. It’s as good as my going with you. They will let you pass. I promise.”

          “How can I go talk to the man I just tried to kill?!” Adam wondered aloud.

          “You tried to kill the man you thought was your enemy. You’re going to meet the man you now know is your father. Remember, he already knew this would happen, and he sent me to save you from the consequences. That means he’s already forgiven you.”

          “I don’t even know what to think. No matter what happens now, I can never go back to being who I was before, can I?” Adam asked. Messiah held his gaze for a moment and then shook his head sympathetically.

          Adam tried to convince his stomach to stay put as he felt his throat constricting and head spinning in the elevator. It felt as if his entire identity, his universe, all reality as he knew it was about to be obliterated as soon as he walked into the next hospital room. What happens after your whole world explodes? When you’re suddenly not yourself anymore? Adam had no idea, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to find out. Could he ever go home again now? Face his father? That is, if Snake ever was his father? Was everything he knew about himself really a lie? How did he know Messiah wasn’t lying? Of course, he’s not lying, Adam thought. Why on earth would he have taken a bullet for me if he was lying?

          Adam jolted when the elevator bell signaled that he had reached the correct floor. He eyed the emergency stop button for a moment and even started to lift his hand before the doors could open. Then he shook his head and took a big swallow. There was no way around this. He had to know who he really was and he wasn’t sure he would know it was true until he heard it straight from Eli’s lips. The doors slid open, and Adam took a deep breath before stepping off. He saw three men wearing King apparel huddled close near the waiting room and nurse’s station. Internally, his adrenaline started pumping and telling him to find the nearest stairwell, but his feet kept walking forward instead. They were too engrossed in whatever they were discussing to notice him anyway. As he got closer, he caught a few muffled phrases.

          “Is it true what they’re saying? That it was Snake’s kid? What’s his name?”

          “Aaron, I think. Or Alan. Something like that.”

          “I didn’t think he was even initiated yet. And since when does Snake have the balls to authorize an assassination attempt on our own turf?”

          “I don’t think it was authorized. Seems like the kid just went rogue. Thank God he wasn’t a more experienced shot!”

          “Thank God you were! Guess we don’t have to worry about him taking over for Snake anymore. And where in hell is Messiah?! His father was shot two hours ago! And he hasn’t replied once? Something’s wrong. Has anyone spotted him yet?”

          Adam’s blood went cold and his stomach turned to lead when he realized they were talking about him. He tried to turn his head down and to the side, but Messiah’s King jacket didn’t have a hood to hide behind. He had to pass the men in order to get to the hospital rooms. He had just about cleared the nurse’s station when someone shouted at him from behind.

          “Messiah! Where on earth have you been, boy? Thank God you’re alive!” Adam froze as he heard footsteps approaching. “Wait a minute, you’re not Messiah!” the voice said before an arm grabbed him by the elbow and whipped him around. Then it was the speaker’s turn to go white as a sheet. A look of horror came across his face. “Why in the hell are you wearing Messiah’s clothes?!” he demanded as his hands dug into Adam’s shoulders like talons. The other two men were close behind him.

          “He—he gave them to me,” Adam stuttered. “He sent me to see Eli.”

          “When?! When did you see him?”

          Adam’s eyes darted fearfully between the three men, panic rising in his throat. “At the park. He switched with me. He, he saved me.” The man still gripping Adam’s shoulders started to sway slightly. One of the other men caught him as he started to collapse.

          “What? What is it?” the second man asked.

          “It’s him,” the man explained as he steadied himself.  “He’s the assassin. Which means I shot—” he broke off and looked like he was about to vomit.

          The other two men slowly absorbed his meaning and turned horrified, vengeful faces toward Adam. “Is that true? We shot Messiah?!”

          “Yes, but Messiah’s okay!” Adam explained quickly. “He just got out of surgery. I was just with him two minutes ago. He sent me to talk to Eli.” The men stared at him in disbelief, at a loss as to whether or not believe him. “I swear, to you, it’s true. He’s in room 316. Check if you don’t believe me!”

          The men exchanged looks with each other. One of them walked over to the nurse’s station and had a short conversation with the woman behind the desk. He came back and nodded. The man who had shot Messiah inhaled deeply and Adam realized he had been holding his breath. “We have to tell Eli,” he said.

“Okay, follow us,” the second man said. Adam walked down the hall, very uncomfortably escorted on both sides by Kings, with the one who had meant to kill him bringing up the rear.

          As they approached Eli’s recovery room, Adam’s head was spinning. Here was a man who had dominated most of Adam’s existence, permeated all his fears and resentments, and yet—a man whom Adam had never actually met. Adam didn’t know what he expected to see when he entered the room, but it certainly wasn’t a half-dressed man being helped into a sling. Yet, even shirtless and injured, Eli had the posture and presence of a great leader. He met Adam’s gaze as they entered and didn’t break eye contact while the sling was being adjusted over his unbuttoned shirt. Then, he said, “Leave us.” Everyone else shuffled out of the room, but not without staring at Adam’s jacket as they left. When the door had closed behind the last person, Adam suddenly felt exposed and guilty. That’s weird, he thought to himself, two hours ago I was ready to kill this man. But, now that I’m standing here face to face with him, I can’t even look him in the eye. Adam cleared his throat awkwardly. Eli motioned to two chairs in the corner before taking one chair himself. Adam somehow made is way over to the other chair even though he couldn’t feel his body anymore.

          “Hello, Adam,” Eli said, staring at him intently. “I’ve waited a very long time to meet you. I’m sure you have many questions for me.”

          Adam stared at the floor and heard himself saying, “Is it true, what Messiah told me?”

          Eli nodded. “Yes.”

          “Are you really my father?”

          “I understand this must be quite a shock for you,” Eli began but Adam couldn’t stop the questions from pouring out of his mouth now.

          “If you’re really my father, then why did you let Snake have me? Why haven’t you come for me all these years? How could you just watch me grow up in a lie and not do anything about it?”

          “Your mother concealed your true identity from me at first. I believe she hoped that your true identity and Snake’s attachment to you would eventually force a reconciliation between us. She always believed there was something redeemable in everyone—some good that could be nurtured back to life. It was one of the things I loved about her, but also what led her to betray me. Snake has sought nothing else than to destroy me for the past 18 years. It has been his singular focus, his obsession. At first, he attempted to break me by stealing my wife—thus breaking my heart. Then, he discovered she was pregnant—with my child. And he thought, what could be a sweeter revenge than keeping my own son from me, raising him to be my enemy?

“As your mother went into labor, Snake’s greed and thirst for revenge became obvious, and your mother repented of her deception. She called me from the delivery room to tell me that I was your father. Unfortunately, she died shortly after. Since Snake was the father on record, you were released to him to take home. Of course, I wanted to go and claim you immediately. But I feared for your safety and did not want to tempt Snake to seek immediate revenge by killing you.”

Adam shook his head. “I still don’t understand. Snake is your archenemy. How in the world could you think I was safe with him?”

“Snake’s sole desire is to steal everything that is dear to me. It’s true. However, in your case, that was my insurance policy. He certainly could have killed you (as I feared he might if I had tried to take you by force), and that revenge would have been devastating, to be sure. But I know how Snake thinks. How much sweeter would his revenge be if I had to watch our child being raised by my enemy, taught to hate me, perhaps even to kill me? I was sure he could not resist the temptation to see me destroyed by my own flesh and blood. Do you see?

“Besides, if I had moved to take you by force, other lives would have been lost in the process—both Kings and Devils. I knew if I was patient until you were older and more independent, the time would come.”

“And Messiah has known about me all this time?”

“Yes. There was no way for me to rescue you without his help.”

“He said you told him that I would come for you one day, and that he would have to take my place. How did you know that? I didn’t even know myself until a few hours ago.”

“It was the only logical outcome of the hate you inherited, and it has always been Snake’s driving obsession since he failed to kill me the first time. I knew he would put you up to it one day, probably as a means of initiation.”

“But he didn’t put me up to it!” Adam protested. “He doesn’t even know I’m here! In fact, he told me this morning that I wasn’t ready to join the gang and that he wanted me to finish high school. Why would he do any of that if what you say is true?”

“Adam, I realize that East Side can be a dangerous place to live. And, certainly, the types of business Snake has taken on since leaving the Kings are very dangerous. Snake is certainly not blind to this. Why would he risk losing his best weapon against me, before you could have the opportunity to strike? Of course, he has kept you out of the streets. Although, it seems he may have underestimated your willpower.”

Adam was silent while he thought this through. It did add up, what Eli was saying. All the same, it’s not easy to accept in one hour that everything one knows about his life is actually a lie. As the two versions of his life story played over and over in his mind’s eye, his thoughts focused on the one point he was absolutely sure about. “I shot you. I shot to kill,” he said aloud. He wasn’t sure what to say next, but he knew this fact was irreversible and represented some sort of point of no return.

“That is true,” Eli said. “But you are still my son. Nothing you have done can change that. I forgive you.”

Adam met Eli’s eyes for the first time since sitting down and could see the passion in his eyes. He meant it. “So, what happens now?” Adam asked.

“Well, you have a choice to make,” Eli said as he straightened himself in his chair. “You are my son, and as such, entitled to my household and all the privileges associated with that. I would like you to finally come home. So would Messiah. However, that will mean accepting your new identity and being seen as a traitor by the Devils, especially Snake. You need to realize that.

“Or, you can choose to continue to be my enemy despite what you now know and return to your life with Snake. I’m afraid there is no middle ground. You cannot come home with me and still be loyal to my enemy. Neither can you return to Snake and avoid becoming part of his revenge campaign against me. You are no longer an ignorant bystander, either way. You must choose today whom you will trust, whom you will follow.”

Adam felt a lump sticking in his throat and attempted to swallow it. He hadn’t even said goodbye to Snake. He had just taken off in an outburst of anger. There had never been a great affection between them, but, still, he was the only family Adam had ever known. And what of the rest of his life? What if none of his friends would even talk to him anymore? What if they thought he was cocky and superior now?

On the other hand, Eli and Messiah had put their own lives on the line to protect him from the consequences of his actions against them. To forgive someone for trying to kill you and then invite them into your home? To take a bullet for someone who had just shot your own father? He couldn’t imagine anyone doing that from the East Side. In fact, he couldn’t be sure that Snake wouldn’t put a hit on his own “son” if Adam went home with Eli now. Loyalty was all that mattered to Snake. Loyalty and power. Adam had always assumed the Kings worked the same way, but clearly there was another bond at work that he had never experienced before.

Sacrificing for a brother who would do the same for you was one thing. He saw that kind of loyalty on the streets all the time. But, sacrificing for a brother who was your enemy? Forgiving someone for shooting you? This kind of code was so bizarre it was almost scary. Adam couldn’t predict where it would lead or how it would end. One thing he did know—how life on the streets ended, and the obligations you had to keep for that kind of loyalty. He wasn’t sure where this alternate reality of Eli’s would lead, but it couldn’t be worse than the ride or die life he was headed for otherwise.

Adam looked at Eli a little nervously. “I can’t imagine anyone showing more loyalty and love than you have for me today. It trumps any loyalty I had at home. But, I’m not sure I understand it. I mean, I’m not sure I fit in your world.”

A smile slowly spread across Eli’s face. “You’re right, it will be weird at first. It is going to take quite some time for you to comprehend your new identity, to trust it, to act on it. You will make lots of choices out of habit that are not compatible with your new identity. Your instincts will still be based on self-protection and mistrust for some time. But, don’t worry. Messiah and I will be with you every step of the way. And no one can take you away from us again.”