Suddenly, a noise caught his attention, a loud argument between two men near the park entrance.
One of them, tall and thin, was waving his arms and shouting something.
Malik thought the voice sounded vaguely familiar.
Malik tensed, trying to make out the faces of the men arguing.
When the tall man turned toward him, his blood ran cold.
It was Jamal Mad Dog Crooks.
He was older with gray streaks in his hair, but it was definitely him.
Malik instinctively pulled his hood down lower, covering his face.
Shinaya seemed oblivious to the argument, immersed in her book.
Malik prayed that Mad Dog wouldn’t notice him or her.
Fortunately, the argument ended quickly and Jamal walked away, cursing loudly.
This incident disrupted the usual order of things.
Malik could no longer sit quietly in the park, fearing another encounter.
He gathered his things and returned home, wondering what to do next.
