CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE – SHADY MERCHANDISE

One evening, as they pored over Tasha's latest findings at the community center, the sound of screeching tires and shattering glass shattered the calm. Jasmine instinctively ducked as a hail of bullets tore through the windows, sending shards of glass raining down upon them. "Get down!" Gordon bellowed, tackling Jasmine to the floor as chaos erupted around them. Tasha cursed vehemently, her eyes wide with fury. "Those punk-ass Snakes! They're tryna take me out for helpin' y'all!" The gunfire seemed to go on forever, the deafening staccato punctuated by the screams of terrified bystanders. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the roar of engines faded into the distance, and an eerie silence descended upon the center. Slowly, Jasmine lifted her head, her heart pounding in her ears. The once-vibrant space had been reduced to a war zone, with overturned furniture and bullet holes pockmarking the walls. Gordon helped her to her feet, his jaw set in a grim line. "Are you alright?"