Smith Mbyson became the leader of “the occurrence”, the gang controlling Old Orleans street activities at a very young age after he lost his godfather, to a thug war waged years ago which took many lives and ended all the gangs in Old Orleans with a new revolution of young leaders.
Smith, at twenty-three years, became the youngest leader of “the occurrence” due to the law of the gang. The second in command, called “the Kin,” takes the leadership post automatically.
The first meeting Smith called with other gangs to find a way forward was the first mistake he made.
“Gangs don't align, they dominate”.
The meeting went sour when none of them were willing to cooperate with each other as usual, and a hullabaloo sprouted, which ended up in gunshots. “Too cool,” Smith, next in command, pulled the trigger first, and it aimed at “the quarters” leader, Simpson, and he went down.
After matters became a public nuisance and the police interfered, all the gangs escaped. Still, Smith Mbyson was a character the federal agent has been on for years now, being the brain behind his godfather's rule and maneuver with street game influencer and adviser to the chief of the occurrence gang at that age was what pulled him out.
He was the main target because they didn't want him to be a waste of potential and aimed him in a direction for a specific purpose only. Smith Mbyson was tracked and picked a day after the clash, court trial, and was given fifteen years imprisonment.
At the correctional center, a counselor was attracted to his case and decided to make him the best version of himself in a positive light.
At first, Smith never talked to the counselor for a whole week of visitation. Looking at the counselor is too young for his liking. He will just sit, listening and give no reply.
After the second week, How old are you was what came out of Smith’s mouth, and it gave the counselor an opportunity for a proper introduction.
“My name is Elia Mira”, she said, and I am five years younger than you are, if that piques your curiosity.
This answer triggers Smith, looking at her age of becoming, and compares it with his partaking in all illicit involvement.
“Why did you decide to waste your time on my case?” Smith inquired.
You have an outstanding record, just like me, but on a different scale, and not that I don't see other people, so don't let that get to your head. She answered bluntly.
“What did you want from me?” Smith said, confused.
My purpose, she replied, telling him that it looked late to restart, but no time is late in the evolving game of life.
If you are ready to turn a new lead, she can plead for a review of his sentence, and it can be reduced, she proposed.
“Let me think about it,” Smith said, and this made Mira outburst in anger, “You had better think about what remains after fifteen years' sentence, maybe you go back to the gang and die like your godfather, she spat, noticing that Smith is thinking too highly of himself, and she left.
This statement touched Smith to the bone, knowing that it was luck he had living in the present time.
He remembered the last time he took two bullets for his godfather. “What if he died, won't life continue?” he reckoned and decided to change for the better, whereas he still has years ahead of him. He concluded.
After six months, “Too cool” has already taken over the gang, and “the occurrence’ is on top of their game, and Smith was left behind as he had already decided and took no visit from them, answered their calls, or replied to their messages in any way.
Meanwhile, he kept to his counselling class and read a lot of books, developed his lost hobbies, and changed his mentality of war and rage to purpose and peace.
After five years, Smith had changed in totality, and he could not forget his only friend and counselor, Mira, who stood with him and made sure the change Smith sought and what she saw as her purpose was being brought to fruition.
Smith was released in due time and he started to live respectably for himself, his forthcoming generation, and enjoyed living life without fear of dying in a thug war.
One day, he was having a picnic with a group of friends with Mira inclusively in a refreshment garden, and then, five vehicles came there and troops moved out with guns. Everyone was scared to the teeth, but noticed that it was Smith's table they headed for. Everyone sitting around the table hid underneath it, apart from Smith, who waits and sits silently without fidgeting.
After he was circled, a familiar voice came from the extreme ends and it was “Too Cool’s”.
“Smith Mbyson, I confirmed you are out of jail and wondered why you kept low-key, are you trying to strip the power of me” he stated loudly and then continued, “ you know you are late to the game and I don't totally trust you and that is why I have to pay you this impromptu visit” he concluded.
Smith knew that if he tried to deny anything at that present time, it would be a great problem, so he played along with the rules of the gang.
“I know I am late to the game, so I step out of the game as I am not willing to game again” he replied.
Too Cool laughed, knowing the first rule of “the occurrence,” which states,” you either step up to the game or step out of it,” so he knew where Smith was heading.
"Are you forfeiting the game?" Too Cool asked optimistically.
“The game has continued and will continue with me or without me, as it has been in continuation,” Smith answered in twisted language style used by the gang as context.
Too Cool smiled.....
“Happy new life, and I wish you all the best of luck, brother”, Too Cool said as he had been assured that Smith is not a threat to him.
While leaving, he stated, “ Smith, let the do and don't of the gang die with you, or if you spill the beans, I will come for you”.
“I knew the rules and regulations,” Smith reminded Too Cool, who looked back, smirked, and entered the car, which drove off after others.
Everyone came out of their hiding and they were just looking at Smith, who was indifferent.
“What about the game” Mira asked him.
For once a soldier is always a soldier, she concluded.
“I am late to the game,” he replied, laughing it off, and they continued with their picnic.