Page 121 of The Mob: Shio Cuppacio
Feeling the pull from my family’s hands, I let them help me rise from the scorching-ass sand. Ezio slapped my chest, and I knew it was him because I could smell his house on him.
“You ready?”
“’Bout as ready as I’m gone be,” I answered, keeping my breathing labored.
“At least the nigga gave us shoes this time. They feel weird, but this hot-ass sand on bare feet would’ve been deadly.”
“On foe ’nem.” Nel backed up his brother.
The music grew louder and was starting to get annoying as fuck. Still, I waited for what was next. Moving my feet because it felt like my weight was sinking into the sand, I felt a thump on my right ankle. Bending down, I ran my hand across a stick, soI picked it up and held it to my side. I didn’t know what the fuck we would be facing when the lights came on, and I wanted to be prepared.
“Cuppacios!” Don’s voice came over the music, making my muscles tense. “Welcome to ancient Egypt!”
“Egypt?” Ezio asked what we were all thinking.
“Yeah, Egypt, nigga. Cuz I know fasho one of you niggas questioning it.”
“Welcome to ancient Egypt, niggas,” Matteo said, reiterating what Don had just said.
“Today’s mission is simple. You’re going to walk your fellow Cuppacio through an obstacle course. If he survives the end, he will find the prize. And if he doesn’t, then, well… you niggas are going to die of thirst.” The music came back on, letting us know Don was finished after giving us those bland-ass instructions.
“Aye, where the fuck my bitch at?” Matteo asked another question that I’d been thinking.
Scarlett had always been the one to give us the directions before and during missions. At the very least, she told us about the climate, animal facts, and other important information we needed to survive, which was more than Don provided. His ass just didn’t give a fuck.
“Hey, guys! Hi, baby! Y’all will do amazing, sweeties! I’m here!” Scarlett’s voice came over the speaker.
“Aye, that belly dancing music is getting on my fucking nerves,” I said out loud. “Shit feel like I’m getting put in a trance.”
“Bro, facts,” Metavello agreed.
“Hop on the camels, cousins. They are already lowered to the ground and will rise up once you get on. They will take you where you need to go. They have been properly hydrated. Remember, camels can reserve water exceptionally well. They can go days without it, if need be, and they don’t tire easily. Aslong as you stay on course, they can get you where you need to go without struggling. They can sustain speeds of up to forty miles an hour too!” Scarlett called out.
I still couldn’t see, but I was storing all the information, just in case we needed it.
“I designed headpieces to shield you from the sun. They are in the front pockets of your pants. Put them on.”
Reaching into the pocket I felt first, I pulled out what felt like a damn oversized cotton ball and tossed it over my head, shifting it until the hole of the nose and mouth was in front.
“Go ahead and get on the camels.”
Listening to the grunts, I used my stick, holding it out in front of me until I hit a solid object. Using my palm, I placed it on what I assumed was the camel and ran my hands along the side. I’d never ridden a damn camel or any other fucking animal outside of a horse before, but it couldn’t be too much different.Feeling for the middle, I put the stick under my armpit again and hoisted myself up. By the time I was on the camel, I felt way too damn high in the air, and the animal was still on the ground. This fucking camel smelled like it hadn’t bathed ever. Still, I swung my leg around and took a seat, keeping my stick in place. Grabbing the reins, the camel lifted, throwing me all the way off, but I tightened my grip, making sure I didn’t fall back into the scorching sand. I clicked my tongue to calm the one-humped animal, as it was beginning to move with the neighboring camels.
“Woaaah, Topsy. Calm yo’ big ass down,” Nel instructed.
Ezio grunted. “I damn near busted my balls tryna get on this muthafucka. Aite, we on them, pretty cousin. Turn the fuckin’ lights on. I’m starting to see dots and shit.”
I heard Matteo utter, but before he could curse Ezio out for calling Scarlett pretty, Don spoke over the speakers. “Remember, it’s ancient Egypt, muthafuckas, Get active.”
“About fucking time!” Metavello yelled as we all heard a clank above us.
“Shit! These camels tall as fuck. Damn! What don’t Preston have?” That was Ezio; I could tell by the way he saiddamn.
Nel cursed under his breath. “Are we in the fucking desert for real, my nigga?”
“What the fuck we got on, Twin?” Vello asked, letting me know the lights had been activated since he could see his brother.
Everyone was shooting off questions while I remained calm and kept my balance. I still had the stick at my side, my institution telling me I’d need it eventually. Alarms were going off in my head, but I continued to balance myself on the mammal. The camel began to move forward faster, and hearing the rest of the men behind me told me they were moving as well. The sun was hot on my skin, damn near burning a nigga, and whatever clothing that had been draped over my body was needed because my skin would’ve probably dried out already without it.
