For a second it was quiet, everything as still as calmed waters. Fear gripped the air like a snake constricting its prey.

The cash register beeped and clanged open as the pimple-faced teenage girl trembled and backed away, terrified of the masked man pointing the gun at her chest.

“Get your ass back over her and empty the cash register!” Yelled the masked man. He was fidgety and kept looking back at the three customers in line.

There were five people in the 7-Eleven. The cashier, the robber, a man and a woman, and a tall striking black man wearing a black trench coat. He didn’t seem to be bothered by the situation as he sauntered up to the counter.

After sitting a bottled water and some aspirin on the counter he reached in his jacket for his wallet.

“I’d like a pack of Kools, too, young lady. And-“

“What the fuck are you reaching for?” Roared the robber. “”Don’t move, man. I have a gun.”

The striking man was tall, dark and handsome with an athletic building and a strong jawline. He looked over to the robber and smiled, his perfect teeth were as white as new toilet.

“I see your gun, my man.” He said, his voice soothing and commanding. “I just want to get me smokes and leave.”

“Like Hell you do! Get your ass over there before I buss a cap in it.”

The striking man slowly removed his Dark Boys. His eyes were as black as the night. His expression grew intense as the robber grew more anxious.

“I’m not playing with you!” Yelled the robber.

“Neither am I.” Said the man. “And I don’t do well with threats and being told what to do by white men.”

Before the robber could respond, a strong hand clenched his throat and another one crushed his hand, causing the gun to clang to the floor. The other two customers frantically ran out of the store, knocking over chips and peanuts. The cashier didn’t know what to do. She began to ease off.

“It’s okay, baby girl.” Said the striking man, smiling. “How about those smokes, what say you?”

The robber tried in a futile attempt to break free of this stranger’s clutches before passing out. His limp body hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.

The striking man regained his composure, slipped his sunglasses back on, paid for his items and headed for the door.

“Wait!!!” Called out the cashier, still shaken up. “Are you going to leave him here? What do I do?”

The striking man didn’t look back, but stopped long enough to light up his Kool.

“Johnny Law is near.” He said before disappearing into the night.

That was Malichi’s first night in The City Beautiful. And it was the night that changed everything!