CN Noir FriteWag

[NEWS: Hey all.  Its been a LONG time since I posted, and I know those who followed the story may not even remember what is going on.  Buuuut, I'm starting it back up where it left off.  Feel free to chime in!]

 

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CN Noir

 

There’s something serene about listening to the rain against your car. Its like each little drop is a suicide bomber for some kind of Imperial water collective in the sky, yet they don’t know how their violent deaths just really put me into a state of tranquility. These nights I need that tranquility. Especially now. Especially with Mandy.

     

I can see her from the rain soaked windshield. She’s in Pop’s diner getting something health conscious. I’ve always tried to see her mouth the words ‘thank you’ to Pops or Ed, but it never seems to happen. That’s not how Mandy is. Hell, the whole city knows that.

     

I’m leaning back in our unmarked squad car, listening to recent news from the stream. The typical calls are going out all over Townsville. Typical bull shit. The kind of low-level crime that has steadily increased since Blossom and her sisters retired. I try not to think about it… Hell, I try to think much about anything outside the stream.

     

Mandy is making her way back. I smirk to myself, looking at her attire. Mandy is a dark, joyless woman. Yet, for some fucking reason… She always seems to draw towards the color pink. Her suit is all black, but there’s that undershirt hidden underneath with a bright pink hue that would never match the temperament of my bitter, pissed off, sarcastic bitch of a partner.

     

She opens the door and quickly slides in, giving me a quick glance before staring forward. She then reaches forward and cuts off the stream news, “Turn up the CB. We’re working Garfield.”

     

>A. I turn up the CB for her.

>B. I tell her to turn it up herself. Hell, I may even light up a smoke just to piss the little vegan off.

>C. I don’t need her sass already. I’m going to get some coffee.

     

C

     

I give her a good stare for a moment before I open the door, the sudden rush of rain filling my long green ears. I don’t need her sass this early in our shift. She doesn't even look at me as I start to get out. I sigh as I mutter out, “I’m gonna get some coffee.”

     

The streets are mostly empty. Townsville is usually a bustling city by day, but at night it almost feels like everyone is gone. Its almost as if the city were abandoned when the darkness cascades over the once happy streets. Maybe its because the Powerpuff Girls are gone, but... This city has changed. Each building hosts a series of windows that show nothing but dark, empty rooms, vacant of what I would like to call life and comfort. Are there even any people in there? Being a cop is hard in this town. There are never any witnesses in Townsville. At least after 10 PM…

     

I do a light jog across the street and push open the front door. Pops is sitting behind the counter as he always is, Ed working diligently behind him. I frown when I see Ed. He was always a very submissive person, even though he's now built like an ox. First with Eddy and now with Pops.

     

Pops jerks his head violently towards him as Ed spills mop water from the bucket on the floor. “Ed, you idiot! Mop that up boy and start over! You just made my floors dirty again.”

     

"O-ok Ed- Pops."

     

>D. I should tell Pops to leave him alone.

>E. I should just order my coffee and get out of here.

>F. I should get back to the car. I don’t need coffee that badly.

     

D

     

“Hey Pops, leave the kid alone huh?” I ask a bit gently. I’m not sure if Pops ever thought of me differently as a cop before, but seeing the way he looked at me now, I could tell he was in no mood to respect me or my badge.

     

“Do you employ this idiot Beast Boy?”

     

“No, but you don’t gotta treat your employees like garbage. He works hard man…” Ed lifts his solemn gaze up at me. He gives a pathetic pouty lip, bringing me back to the days when he was in the stream.

     

Pops gave me a snarl. I had heard that Pops was a kind, respectful man from others around town. But ever since he moved to Townsville, the man has shown nothing but harshness. I rub my temples, looking down for a moment to process this sudden headache I have from that name. I lift my eyes to him with my own snarl, bringing out a bit of the beast I promised to keep to myself, “Don’t fucking call me that Pops.” I answer back with my own snarl.

     

Pops takes a step back, his hand reaching underneath the counter. Ed is looking on, bewildered as he always seems to be.

     

I suddenly hear the screech of tires. Mandy has floored the car from out of the alley, pulling it up alongside the curb. I turn away from Pops for a moment, parting the door to see what has gotten her excited.

     

She rolls down the window giving a loud yell, “Let's go Garfield! We got a call. Its a bad one.”

     

>G. I should leave now. My work takes precedence.

>H. Fuck that, I’m gonna tell Pops what’s what.

     

H

     

I give Mandy a grimace as she sits waiting for me. If she needed me that bad, maybe she shouldn’t have struck up an attitude. I release the door, looking back to Pops. “What the fuck are you d-” I hear her yelp out as the door shuts closed. As I focus in back at Pops, I notice he has placed a large revolver on the counter. Ed has backed away towards the kitchen. Even he knows what this conversation is evolving to.

     

“Have a license for that hand cannon Pops?” I ask, my pointy tooth poking from my lips in a wicked smile. Intimidation works best when you’re unpredictable. And I have been anything but for as long as I can remember. My hands are stuffed into my coat pockets. I can hear Mandy slamming the car door to come in and get me.

     

Pops seems hesitant. Its obvious from his face he’d like nothing better than to blow my head off, but I know he couldn’t do it. Sweat trails down his forehead as he looks to me and then the gun. Back and forth…

     

The door swings open and Mandy comes inside. She takes no notice of me or the gun, but instead just walks over to Pops casually. She takes him by the scruff and slams his head down into the counter, “You are threatening an officer of the law with a firearm. Idiots like you have been killed for less.”

     

Pops squeaks out, “Arg, I-I’m sorry!”

     

Mandy turns towards me. She starts walking past me until I feel a sudden pain in one of my elvish ears. She yanks at it, pulling me along out the door, “Ow ow ow ow ow!” I grunt out. This is feeling familiar.

     

Once outside, I get free.

     

>I. I should just take my humiliation and go with her.

>J. I should push this bitch off me. No one humiliates me like this!

>K. Fuck, Raven stop! That hurts.

     

K

     

“Fuck, Raven stop! That hurts!”

     

Mandy pauses, looking back at me with a curious yet annoyed look on her face. “Raven? Beast Boy, look… We got a call. And as much as I’d completely LOVE to see you die as stupidly as you were about to, we have work to do and I don’t need to train a new partner.” She stops, taking a small breath.

     

“Ben Tennyson has been murdered.”

     

I pause. That can’t be. At once, all the memories of Raven dissipate and my mind starts clicking things together. Ben can’t be dead. He’s still present on the stream. I say as much to Mandy, “But, doesn’t he have a new show on the stream? Who would do that?”

     

“I don’t know.” Mandy says slowly, “But fucking around with Pops and Ed isn’t going to get us anywhere in picking up this case. The call just went out, and I’ll be damned if that asshole Eddy gets it.”

     

>L. I want to know more details before we go on the scene.

>M. She’s right. We need to get goin’ before Eddy gets the case.

>N. Fuck that, she can go solve the case by herself. I want to finish with Pops and Ed.

     

M

     

I nod as she makes her ultimatum. Mandy is right, I can’t keep dicking around here if the case is as serious as she says. I make my way for the passenger door and let myself in. Mandy circles around the car, a bit of a jog in her step. She always hated Eddy with a passion, and the thought of Eddy getting to such a big case as this seemed to put a liveliness in her I had never seen before.

     

I got a glimpse of Ed and Pops as I buckled my seat. Pops seemed to breath a sigh of relief, and then instantly turn back to Ed. The spit blasting from his big, unseemly mouth seemed to dictate that Pops was back to yelling at the poor bastard. I could almost hear him over the rain...

     

As she hopped in, I turned the CB up, listening for more information about the call. Mandy was already flooring it down the street as more information came in. ‘Ben Tennyson, white male, age twenty five, Stream present. I repeat Stream present!’

     

Even the radio Op seemed to be taken aback by the news. Someone in the stream doesn’t just get murdered. Sure, you can kill him, but why the fuck would you? It messes up the system for the rest of us.

     

Mandy suddenly spoke up, “Since we have some time before we get there… Who’s Raven?”

     

>O. I should be honest, but tell her I don’t wanna talk about it.

>P. I should change the subject. I don’t want to even think about Raven.

>Q. I should at least tell her something. Maybe it would help our partnership.

     

Q

     

I pause for a moment, collecting my thoughts. Mandy flipped on the siren. Suddenly the interior of the car was cascaded in blue and red. The sound of the siren above sounded distant, but in reality it was right above me. It was how I felt about Raven. In reality, I had no idea where she was, but I never had anyone so close to my heart. “Raven is… Was someone very close to me. Things got out of hand when the Titans split up after the stream ended. I still keep in touch with a few of them but… Departing with Raven was the hardest.”

     

I look to Mandy. She wasn’t even looking at me, her narrow eyes still fixated on the road. She took a quick turn, the wheels sliding along the slick pavement below.

     

I continue regardless, “After the stream ended. She had to… Go away. That’s all I wanna say about that.” I mutter out, lowering my head. I feel my chest heave up as the memories flow freely within, the yearning to hold her in my arms again is so strong it almost hurts. I sigh, leaning back in the chair.

     

Mandy says nothing. She only glances at me for a moment before pulling up on the curb. Two boys in blue are standing outside. Their side-characters, I don’t really recognize them.

     

I get out of the car, looking towards the apartment they have sealed off. So far it seems like we’re the first two here. I turn towards the street cop.

     

>R. “Witnesses?”

>S. “What happened on your first arrival?”

>T. “Has Detective Eddy arrived on the scene yet?”

     

R

     

“Witnesses?” I ask the cop, stepping away from the car. He lifts a hand to his head, giving a sigh.

     

“Not much, as usual. We got one person who says she saw Ben and the suspect going in together. It sounds like Ben knew the perp.”

     

“What’s her name?” I ask, looking towards where the other cop is speaking to her. She’s an old woman, fat yet seemingly active enough to move around. I can’t quite place her…

     

“Muriel Bagge.”

     

“THE Muriel?” I ask. She lived in Nowhere last I had heard. I can place her now. Despite still being fat, the years haven’t been kind to her. Maybe it was the lack of sun from the desert, but she looked paler, more saggy. I didn’t see Courage either. I hope he didn’t...

     

“Yeah, she says she moved her after the divorce. She was carrying home groceries before she heard the shot.”

     

>U. “Did she see the perp leaving?”

>V. I better get inside.

>W. I better interview Muriel.

>X. I better see what Mandy makes of it.

     

X

     

I turn back to Mandy. Her eyes are focused on the apartment itself. She crosses her arms, shaking head head as I walk up to her. “This one is already weird. I can tell.” She says, looking towards me. I have a hard time looking at Mandy in the eyes. Her intensity usually puts me off or I have to divert them, but now I can see it… The worry. Mandy knows this is bad. If there’s a killer out there offing people who are in the stream, then it’s a threat to all of us. And if he or she kills again?

     

Mandy sighs, “It's a message of some sort. Killing Ben means you don’t like the way the stream is going. The perp is making a statement.”

     

I chip in, “Problem is, we don’t know what the perp would prefer. There are a lot of people out there, old and new, who have opinions on what the Stream should be.

     

“Yeah, but they don’t kill someone to say it. Why damage the world with such a brash action? The perp has to realize he’s part of it.”

 

“Maybe he’s crazy,” I say, turning to face the apartment.

     

“That’s too simple. They targeted Ben because his new show just premiered. He was working again. The time frame just adds too much to the motive.”

     

I sigh, “Well, Ben knew the perp. So we should probably start with friends of Tennyson.”

     

“People liked Ben 10?” I snort at that, walking towards the apartment with a smile. I can’t see it, but I just know Mandy is smiling right behind me.

     

>Y. I better get inside.

>Z. I better interview Muriel.

>A. I should talk to that cop again.

     

Z

     

I head over to Muriel as Mandy makes her way inside. Mandy and I always had good chemistry on the job. I guess you could say we had a pretty obvious good cop-bad cop dynamic going. If we wanted to make a suspect sweat, she’d be the one talking. Right now though, I had to make Muriel calm so that I could get everything I needed from her. I approached slowly, waiting for the other cop to step away. “Miss Bagge? Could I ask you some questions?”

     

“Oh sure deary~! I don’t mind a bit.” The cheerfulness threw me off more than I thought her Scottish accent would. Still, I smiled my toothy smile and shook her hand, continuing.

     

“My name is Detective Logan. I work for TPD. Could you please tell me what you saw?”

     

“Well, I was on me wee way home from the store to pick up some things. I saw Ben, such a nice young boy, and a metallic looking man walking inside together.”

     

“Did Ben seem worried about this encounter?”

     

“Not at all! The lad seemed excited more like. He was ushering the metallic man inside, eager to continue talking.”

     

“When did you hear the shot?”

     

“When I got to my front door. I was fussing about with my keys, trying to get in when I heard one loud shot. Eustace used to carry a shotgun round, so I know what a gun sounds like.”

 

“Did the metallic man come out front?”

     

“Nope. I peeked from my window to watch him leave as I called the police, but he never did.”

     

I look at her for a moment. While it’s odd how casual she is about all this, Muriel has seen a number of strange things in her life. Its not very clear how complicit she could be.

     

>B. That’s enough questioning. I should join Mandy inside.

>C. I’m still not convinced. I’ll ask her to do a follow up interview tomorrow.

>D. She’s definitely suspicious. I’ll have the officer take her in and hold her for further questioning.

     

B

     

I shake her hand again, “Thank you Miss Bagge, we’ll be in touch.” I doubt we’ll interview her again. She seems harmless. I turn away from Muriel as she strikes up what seems to be an exhausting unrelated conversation with the street cop. Poor guy is too polite, because he seems to be listening.

     

I step inside the apartment, stuffing my hands inside my coat pockets. As soon as I step in, I turn to the right. Ben had a makeshift living area next to his kitchen. His body was laying frontwards, head slammed into the glass of the television. Mandy is kneeled down in front of the body. She has an intense look on her face as she studies the crime scene.

     

“He fall into the TV?” I ask, kneeling down with her.

     

“Doubtful. There’s a blood splatter on the TV that couldn’t be from a hand-to-hand wound. he was shot then shoved inside. Looks like he was messing with the TV when the bullet blew his brains out.”

     

“So, putting his head in the television is another message huh?” I add up.

     

Mandy doesn’t answer. She just leans in to look at the body. “Ben was facing away from the perk when he was shot. His eye is blown out.” She takes a gloved hand and turns his head towards me to see. I nod as she lays it back. His neck creaks with rigor mortis.

     

“Muriel say anything useful?” She asks me.

     

“Metallic. I’m guessing either our perp is a robot or someone wearing armor.”

     

“That sure narrows it down.” She says sarcastically. I snicker at that, standing up straight.

     

>E. “Anything else in the house disturbed?”

>F. “What do you make of this?”

>G. “We should let the chief know about this.”

     

E

     

“I’m going to check around the house.” Mandy doesn’t answer. She’s too involved in working out the body and how it fell. I turn away from her, heading towards the kitchen. I take hold of the fridge door with my hand still inside the pocket and pull it open. The soft whirr of the refrigerator peppers the silence of the crime scene. Looking inside I see nothing of note. There wasn’t any liquor. Perhaps Ben wasn’t expecting his metallic guest...

     

I turn from the kitchen and make my way upstairs. Peeking into the bedroom, I look around for clues. There are a number of posters hung up on the wall, all showing Tennyson’s achievements and shows. I had lost count how many times Ben’s show got rebooted or sequalized. It didn’t really matter though, Ben was making due. I huff, trying to find something of interest. There are a pile of magazines on the bed with a bag and a receipt. Nothing too crazy, just video games and anime mags. Ben was probably getting his influences fresh.

     

I turn away from the room, slipping into the bathroom. It looked fairly clean. It was surprising because I had always pictured Ben as rather immature. Sort of like me when I was with the Titans-

     

I carefully open the medicine cabinet and look inside. Nothing of note really, just some aspirin and cold medicine.

     

I make my way back downstairs. Mandy looks grumpy. I turn to find Eddy standing before me. He is standing in a white suit, all flash, all parody. I can’t even take him seriously. I squint my eyes at him, as if his suit were blinding me.

     

“What’s up fuckers?” He says, giving his big stupid grin that stretches past his fucking face.

     

>H. “What are you doing here Eddy? It was our call.”

>I. I should leave. Mandy and I are done here anyway.

>J. I’ll just ignore him. Mandy and I are the real ones working this case.

     

J

     

I turn away from Eddy and look at Mandy. She was glaring at him, but as soon as she sees me ignore the cunt. She’s all business. I smirk to myself. Mandy knows me too damn well. She follows suit, acting as if he wasn’t even there, “So, anything of note upstairs?”

     

“Hey.”

     

“Not that I can tell,” I say. “There were some recently bought magazines. Anime, videos games and the like. I think Ben was trying to get back in character.”

     

“Hey assholes.”

     

“What about you?” I ask, biting my lip as Mandy smirks at me.

     

“FUCK-”

     

“The scene is pretty self-explanatory. I’m not totally convinced we’re dealing with a robot, but I think we have enough to go on and investigate.”

     

“-ERS”

     

>K. Ok, we’ve tortured him enough.

>L. No we haven’t.

>M. We should leave now. Fuck Eddy and his need for attention.

     

L

     

Eddy is getting impatient. Which is perfect. I want to desperately turn to him to look at his face, to relish in the great way Eddy gets pissed off. But I hold. Like a Legionnaire on the battlefield, I wait for the barbarian.

     

Mandy is holding as well. I nod towards the stairs, having her follow me as we make our way upstairs. “There’s some stuff upstairs I need you to look at. Ben has an amazing collection of posters.” She follows. I feel like a Teen Titan again. Goofing around with Cyborg. Mandy wasn’t laughing, but her smile was always a sight to see. We make our way to the top of the stairs, about to turn into his room.

     

“BEN’S FUCKING OMNITRIX WAS SENT TO THE STATION!”

     

We stopped when we heard that. Mandy turns towards Eddy. “When?”

     

Eddy crosses his arms, pouting. He is still such a fucking cartoon. “Why should I tell you assholes?”

     

“Because Eddy.” Mandy takes a step towards him, stepping down from the stairs. “Because if this shit happened yesterday. If you had this in your possession, a tool that Ben uses on his show in the stream, I’m going to beat you within an inch of your life.”

     

Eddy pauses at that. The look on his face tells it all.

     

“Oh my fucking God Eddy, why didn’t you say anything?” I asked, running my hands through my hair. This was bad. If we had warning… If we had time…

     

Mandy was none too pleased. She continued towards him, step by step, as calm as always. She wasn’t walking past Eddy though, she was going right for him. I knew what that meant.

     

>N. I better hold back Mandy.

>O. Fuck it, let her get her aggression out.

>P. I’ll be the one to slap around Eddy, not her.

     

N

     

I give a grunt as I rush down the stairs to stop her. I side jump from the last stair to her side, reaching out and grabbing her by the shoulders. Her hands come out like claws, ready to tear into Eddy like he was a piece of meat. Her teeth grit, her eyes are afire, yet her tone never raises. It never gets loud when Mandy is pissed. It only gets frightening.

     

“Do you realize what kind of shit you could’ve prevented with that clue? If something is sent to the god damn police station, its probably a threat. And what greater piece of evidence against Ben Tennyson would there be than the fucking tool that gives him powers?” Mandy became looser in my arms. She gave an exhale, lifting her hand to her face. “Ok… Well, at least we know that he wants us to see his crimes. He’s putting on a show, trying to get us to challenge him. Which means that when this shit happens again,” She glares at Eddy, “And it will, we’ll be able to bring the victim into protective custody before anything can be done.”

     

I lower my hand from Mandy as she calms down. Though I’m not even sure if she ever lost her cool.

     

Eddy seems distant. He’s looking outside towards the squad cars, watching as a crowd builds around the yellow tape. Not long now. This case will be all over the news in a few hours.

     

Mandy looks towards me, raising her brows, “What now?”

     

>Q. We should make this public. The more pressure on the killer the better.

>R. We still don’t have enough evidence yet. We should get back to the station.

>S. We still don’t know how the killer got out. We need to stick around at the house.

     

S

     

I look towards the back, making my way to check the door to the backyard. Mandy and Eddy follow, Eddy lagging behind in the back. I reach for the door handle to the backyard, twisting it to find it unlocked. I give Mandy a look.

     

“Well, at least we know where the perp went.” She says as I open the door. The light from inside spills onto the bare, lifeless backyard. Its a small back yard, with basically just a small patch of grass covering it. There’s a grill in the corner and a high wooden fence that stretches around the property. I reach into my inner coat pocket and pull out my flashlight. The three of us step onto the lawn, looking around for clues.

     

Eddy seems to be interested in the grill. He pokes and prods at it, not really doing anything worthwhile. I’m guessing Mandy’s little spat made him feel a bit stupid. Mandy had that effect on people sometimes. God knows I’ve had that feeling before, but I wasn’t about to pity the bastard. He fucked up and he knows it. Let him sulk in his failure for a bit.

     

Mandy seemed focused on the grass. My take was that she was looking for a gun, but I doubt the killer would make such an amateur move. My guess is that he’d keep the gun to either use it again or destroy it.

     

I started around the high fence, kicking at boards. I came to the middle of one section and found a loose one. I whistle over to Mandy and she nods, walking over. “So, that’s how he got out.”

     

“He could’ve jumped the fence-” Eddy began, but before he could finish a police trooper stepped out back.

     

“Detectives, Chief is calling in. He’s saying they just got sent another clue.”

     

>T. I better go check it out.

>U. I’ll ask Mandy to go check it out.

>V. I’ll as Eddy to go check it out.

     

T

     

“I’ll take the call.” I make my way back through the house, getting a good look at Tennyson as the forensics guys start to make their way inside. Out on the street, a crowd is building. People are asking questions, showing their fear. They know what this means as much as we do.

     

I see one of the patrol men standing outside his squad car. He has a radio in his hand ready for me to take. I walk over to him, dodging some loud questions coming from the press. Giving a sigh, I take the radio from the cop, “This is Logan.”

     

“Logan, this is the Chief. Eddy filled me in on the way here what’s happened.”

     

“Did he now?” I say sarcastically, looking towards the front door of the apartment as I watch Eddy and Mandy emerge from the entrance. Neither can stand to look at each other. “I hear you’ve got another one.”

     

“Yep. Its in the same style of packaging, but I don’t know what the significance is.”

     

“Well, what is it?” I ask, scratching behind one of my ears.

     

“Mustard. Just a plain bottle of mustard. What do you think?”

     

Mustard.. Mustard.

     

Mandy comes up next to me. She has an annoyed look on her face. Her face changes into something different as soon as she sees me, something which looks like fear. He mouth comes agape as he raises a hand to my shoulder, giving me a light shake. “Garfield, what is it? Gar…”

     

It has clicked but I don’t recognize it. I can’t process it. My mind is refusing what my gut tells me.

     

I drop the radio, my hands are shaking. I can hear chief on the other line. He’s yelling my name. “Logan? LOGAN!”

     

>W. I have to call Starfire. I have to warn her.

>X. I need to get to her place. I gotta get to my car.

>Y. I gotta tell chief to get men over there.

     

W

     

I’m a mess by the time I get the phone in my hands. My prior instincts seem to be catching up with me. I wanna shift, I wanna turn into a cheetah and dart over to her. I want to save her. The phone feels like its going to slip from my grasp, I’m shaking so hard. My legs quiver as I try to stand straight.

     

I manage to find her number, pressing on the talk button to call her. I raise the phone to my ear, breathing heavily as I await for her voice.

     

I have time. I have time. She’s fine.

     

Mandy grabs the radio from where it hangs, lifting it to her mouth, “Chief, Garfield knows the next victi- Uh… The next person in danger. He’s calling her now. Garfield? Garfield! Who is it?”

     

“Mmf~... H-hello?” Comes a voice on the phone. She’s alive. Oh my God, she’s alive.

     

“S-Starfire? Kori, are you ok?” I quiver out. My voice cracks in a way that I haven’t heard it since I was in the tower. Since I was in Jump city.

     

Mandy is quick on the uptake. “Chief, its Starfire. Get a squad of troopers over to Starfire’s house now.”

     

Eddy walks over to see what all the fuss is about. He’s dangling a toothpick in his mouth, looking very nonchalant.

     

“Beast Boy? Mm, I’m all for catching up my friend, but it is rather late.”

     

“Starfire. I need you to get up and get ready to leave.”

     

“What’re you talking about? Beast Boy, what’s wrong?”

     

>Z. “Starfire, your life is in danger. Stay put until the police arrive.

>A. “Starfire, get the hell out of the house. Fly as far as you can.”

>B.”Starfire, try and get to the police station. We need to protect you.”

     

“Starfire, try and get to the police station. We need to protect you.” I stammer out, sitting down inside the squad car as I try to muster my courage. By her pause, I can tell she’s confused. My throat holds in my throat. She’s going to hang up on me.

     

“Beast Boy? What are you saying? Why would you need to protect me, I’m a super-”

     

“T-there’s a killer after you Starfire. He already managed to get Tennyson’s Omnitrix away from him and… Kill him. Ben Tennyson is dead Starfire, and you’ve been targeted as next. So please, get dressed and get to the police station as fast as you can. I’ll be waiting for you.”

     

Starfire pauses again, taking a deep breath, “You know, normally I’d think you were pranking me, but those days seem so far away now, don’t they?”

     

It was my turn to pause then. I lower my head, letting out a small laugh as I lift my hand to my head. “Please Starfire, get to the station. Please.”

     

“I’m getting ready. I’ll see you soon Beast Boy.” She says softly.

     

She hangs up at that point. I would have liked to keep listening to her. Hell, I could have listened to her speak up until the moment I saw her at the station. Was I being overly worried? Starfire was a super hero, there’s no way a normal person could take her down. I look up to Mandy. She was looking at me, watching me in my pathetic wretch of a condition as the thoughts of losing another Titan…

     

“Beast Boy… You’re crying.” Mandy whispers. I lift my hand to my face, wiping the tears away. I can’t do this. Not now, not here… Not in front of her. She’ll never let it go. She will think I’m weak. She’ll…

     

“Don’t call me Beast Boy.”

     

     

----END OF BEAST BOY'S CHAPTER 01----

 

 

I’m going to lose this case.

 

I already know it. Its a shoe-in for Jack. He has me beat. Looking through my files I can see that there’s so much evidence stacked against Billy that arguing my case is going to be an impossibility.

 

I sigh, looking to my defendant. Billy hadn’t changed much since he was younger. Mandy says he hasn’t changed at all, but that’s not true. He’s taller and fatter, much like his dad was I’m told. His hair sprouts out from his old red hat, giving him the impression of a high school stoner or metal head. But in reality, Billy was well into his twenties now, so he should’ve gotten over shit like this.

 

Red Guy speaks up, “Mmm, the accused is charged with disorderly conduct by public nudity. How does the defendant stand?”

 

I stand up, “Not guilty your honor.”

 

“Oh really?” He gives his weird, sickening grin. Red Guy hadn’t changed AT ALL last I saw him. He was still the chubby little devil that loved to cause pranks and mayhem. I think the whole city of Townsville seemed to miss the irony of making him a judge, besides me of course. As he spoke, he leaned from the booth. His tail stuck out as his round red ass came into view.

 

I look over to prosecutor. Jack had changed a lot… Meaning he became a lot more handsome. I spent my teenage years drooling over old episodes of Samurai Jack that came in from the Stream. He stood in a pinstripe suit, grey hair frosting at his side burns and short hair. He looked so good today... But he was my opponent.

 

Dammit Blossom, get your shit together.

 

“Opening statement Ms. Utonium?” Red Guy asked. I stood up, facing the jury. What was my opening statement going to be?

 

>A. Appeal to their nostalgia. I can show that Billy is just a cartoon at heart.

>B. Call out the hypocrisy. I should point out the obvious flaw in this case.

>C. I should l-let Jack go first.

 

C

 

I take a deep breath, contemplating every argument I have against this case. You got this Blossom, there’s no need to worry. Suddenly I feel that thing seize up in my gut, and I give a small quiver. I feel my knees buckle and I want to sit back down. I look to Red Guy with a weak smile, “L-Let Jack go first.”

 

Red Guy just grins wide with amusement. God, I hate that smile. Red Guy is one of those types you can't help but hate. I sit down quickly, looking down at my desk.

 

“Its ok Blossom. I’d be scared too.”

 

“Shut the fuck up Billy.” I whisper, giving him a quick glance of annoyance. He gives a small yipe and sinks into his chair. As I’m looking at Billy, Jack’s body rises up. He takes slow, careful steps towards the jury, making sure they get a good look at him. That sly mother fucker. Jack knows he’s devilishly handsome and he uses it to his advantage.

 

“Ladies… And some gentlemen, of the jury. You look before this man. A grown man I might add and think, ‘Oh he doesn’t know better, he’s just a kid at heart, he wouldn’t hurt a fly…’” Fuck you Jack. Its like he’s reading my mind. “I say to you that Billy is well aware of his actions and must take accountability for them. This is a new day of Townsville. We aren’t young kids anymore, desperate to adventure out into the Stream. We’re all adults with responsibilities and hardships. Billy should go to jail for exposing himself to men, women and children. And that is what I’m here to do today. To make sure that the weirdos like him learn proper respect and law. Thank you.”

 

He walks back to his seat.

 

Red Guy gives an alluring smile to Jack, “Just wonderful Jackie. You never fail to disappoint. BLOSSOM!”

 

>D. I should point out that Billy is a cartoon character. I can counter Jack’s argument.

>E. I should point out the hypocrisy of a pantless man judging someone for nudity charges.

>F. “Ms. Utonium.”

 

D

 

I rise up out from my seat, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury… I’d like you to reflect on our upbringing. We’re all products of the stream, something that the prosecution would rather forget if his opening statement is anything to go by.” Jack sticks his tongue out at me. I feel a tingle in my spine as I continue, “We have a duty to remember ourselves as the people we were, less we forget and cast aside what made us live this long. We are cartoons. From the very beginning. Billy has always been… An interesting character within our lineup. Its not his fault he was created this way. That’s just how he IS.” I take a moment to step around my desk.

 

“Haven’t we all had our nudity scenes inside the Stream? Billy may be an adult, yes, but if you think back to what kind of person he was before; Is him being an adult any different? Its not like he was trying to let loose some kind of sick, sexual fetish. I know the man. I know his friends. He’s not like that. All in all, Billy is just… Dumb.” There’s a pause at that. Red Guy chortles from behind the stand.

 

“Hear me out. For as long as we’ve been around, we’ve had those airhead characters. You know, the ones who just do their thing without consequence because that’s how the story is told. Billy never ‘grew out’ of that because that’s how he was made. To entertain. How can we suppress his nature?”

 

I pause again, “Convicting my client of indecent exposure is an insult to the tradition we’ve laid out for ourselves. Billy should go free.”

 

Red Guy nods as I finish. “Ok Blossom, that was good! Who ya bringin’ to the stand baby?”

 

>G. I should put Billy on the stand. He can attest to his own idiocy in his favor.

>H. I should put Mandy on the stand. She can show the court that this is nothing new.

>I. I should put one of the witnesses from the scene on the stand. They can tell the jury it wasn’t a sexually motivated thing.

 

H

 

“I call Mandy to the stand.” I hope that this is a right decision. Mandy had a tendency to be brutal and harsh when it came to discussing Billy. It seemed like she hated the man. In a… Loving way, I guess. The two were inseparable back in their youth, but when Mandy became a detective for the TPD the distance started to spread them apart. Her new position was how Blossom met her. The two had a mutual acquaintance with a defendant, and they became ‘friends’ soon afterwards. Though, being friends with Mandy wasn’t really something to be proud or happy with.

 

I watch as Mandy comes out from the back room. I expected her to be annoyed or angry, but her expression was… Passive? I hadn’t had a chance to talk to her since last night. It sounded like their latest case was an odd one, but she’s couldn’t elaborate further. She sat down at the stand, looking up towards me with her mouth parted. The look in her eyes…

 

It was surreal, Mandy never looked like this. If there was a consistent emotion with the girl is that she was a complete little ball of annoyance and contained rage. I come forward towards her stand, holding a pad in my hand as I prepare my questions for the girl. I look to both Red Guy and Jack, and they too seem to notice the oddity in Mandy’s behavior. I finally come before her, leaning in.

 

>J. I should ask about how long she’s known Billy.

>K. I should ask about how she feels about Billy’s accusations.

>L. I should ask about her well being. She may be a bad witness if she isn’t feeling well.

 

K

 

Mandy’s personal problems never really have affected her work before. There’s no reason to start thinking they would now. I pull back a bit, watching her as her eyes dart down towards the floor below the stand.

 

“Mandy?”

 

“Huh?” She lifts her head to me as I address her. He brows are raised…

 

“How do you feel about these accusations of public indecency?”

 

Mandy pauses for a moment, then speaks, “Indecency? Oh, uhm… With Billy?” I look at her dumbfounded. Is this a different person? She seems very distracted. “Well uh… Billy has always been indecent. I’ve known him for years, and honestly seeing him naked is nothing new.” Mandy gets a few snickers from the jury.

 

“Objection your honor, are we really going to listen to the witness’s trysts as proof of evidence to his upstanding behavior?”

 

“No no, not like that you idiot.” Old Mandy snaps back into her for a moment. Her brows furrow in an angry snarl, leaning forward into the chair. Jack actually sits down by her glare alone. Red Guy doesn’t even have to say anything. I smile to myself, pushing my notes up to my mouth to block it. Oh yes Mandy, tear into him. Even if I lose this case, that’ll be worth it. “Billy is-Was my best friend. And throughout the time I’ve known him, his nudity has been a constant reminder that I’m friends with a complete imbecile that couldn’t possibly harm a fly. Nor could he go out in public with his fucking dick out to show it to children for the purpose of getting a hard on. If you fucking knew Billy, then you’d know that this entire procedure is pointless for two reasons. A, because its Billy. And B, because its going to happen again. So what’s the fucking point of sending him to jail for something he will never learn.”

 

I forgot how much she swears.

 

>M. “Why do you hang out with Billy despite his problems?”

>N. “As a cop, do you feel Billy is a threat to others?

>O. “Your witness Jack.”

 

N

 

“As a cop, do you feel Billy is a threat to others?”

 

Mandy leans forward, like she was begging for this question. “Let me tell you something. There are things out there that I’d RATHER be getting to as actual threats, but instead I agreed to be your witness Blossom. And now, I’m sitting here defending a person who shouldn’t even have been arrested, but rather just given a spanking and sent on his way.” I blush a bit at her jab at me. Mandy doesn’t care who she’s stabbing at if its helping her point.

 

“Do I feel Billy is a threat- No, of course I fucking don’t. Billy is just a child in a man’s body. He never grew up, he never got better, he’s the same. He doesn’t deserve different treatment just because pubes started to grow on his balls.”

 

I hear a sniffle behind me. Oh God Billy, hush. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone’s ever said about me!”

 

Mandy rolls her eyes, sitting back in her chair, “See what I mean? Harmless.”

 

I give a nod of approval, stepping away from the stand to approach my table. Billy is still sniffling when I get there, wiping tears from his eyes. I give a sly, sensual look to Jack, tossing my hair a bit to rub it in, “Your witness.~”

 

Jack just smirks at me. He stands up, approaching the bench step by step like he usually does. He stops in front of Mandy, giving her a sly smile, “What did you mean about ‘WAS’ your friend.”

 

“Huh?” Mandy blinks, “What are you talking about?”

 

“Earlier you said that Billy was your friend. He’s not your friend anymore?”

 

Mandy looks annoyed, “No I-”

 

“Did something happen? Were the two of you romantically involved?”

 

>P. OBJECTION!

>Q. I’ll let him talk.

 

P

 

I stand up, my palms on the table, "Objection! Relevance?"

 

Jack turns towards the Red Guy, “Your honor, I’m trying to decipher if the witness is biased in her questioning. Heck, she’s already an unreliable witness for being friends with the accused, but if I can establish that the two were lovers-”

 

“We were never lovers you cunt!” Mandy reaches for the collar of his cuff, pulling him towards her. The two meet eye to eye, Mandy bearing down in Jack with a hard glare, “Billy is and always will be just a friend. There will never be any kind of romance there, because the very thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. I may just vomit right in your face Jack…” Mandy releases him.

 

“Also, if you must know I’ve arrested Billy before. For the same case. I’m required to by law, and every time I bring him in I have to explain to lawyers like you that such a conviction isn’t necessary. This entire ordeal is pointless. I’m a cop first and a friend second, and as a cop I see no more hard in Billy than I would a fly.” She crosses her arms at that, looking away from him.

 

Jack composes himself, straightening his suit as he steps back from Mandy. Jack was never the type to be taken off guard. There was a tact and patience within him that couldn’t be matched, so to see him be taken so off guard was quite the scene.

 

“N-No more questions.”

 

I smirk, watching as Jack departs from the stand somewhat defeated. But at he turns his desk, he prepares, cycling through his paperwork. Mandy is excused in that moment. She gives me a small look before she leaves, both cold and angry. Why was she glaring at me for? I give a sigh of relief as the Red Guy calls recess.

 

I notice that Jack is looking at me. Is he checking me out? Now?

 

>R. I should go see if Mandy is ok.

>S. I should talk to Jack for a bit… Privately.

>T. I should discuss Billy’s answers with him if he goes on the stand.

 

R

 

I look to Billy. “Billy, I want you to think hard about all the things you have planned for saying once you’ve gotten on the stand. Can you do that?”

 

“Ok.

 

“Now forget them. Forget all about them. I’m going to go talk to Mandy.”

 

“Ok!”

 

I leave Billy by himself, kicking his feet. I make my way out of the courtroom, peeking through the double doors for Mandy. I can see her down the hall, making her way for the exit of the Townsville courthouse. I keep pursuit, trailing after her, “Hey Mandy! Hey!” She doesn’t turn around. Instead, she just keeps going, pushing the doors open to the outside and disappearing into the rain.

 

I follow right behind her, cursing as the rain catches me off guard. I spot her sitting underneath a patio by the street, smoking a cigarette. I make my way towards her, keeping my hands above my head to shield me from the rain. I make a jump with my powers, flying next to her. Its hard to hear over the rain, so I have to yell, “Mandy, what’s wrong?” I ask, wiping some rain off my business attire. I land next to her, lifting a hand to her shoulder.

 

She nudges me off, “Nothing.”

 

“That’s not true. Something is wrong. I can tell.”

 

“Its fucking nothing, alright?” She says, turning back to me, “Last night was one of the worst nights of my life. My partner is in a state of emotional collapse and there’s someone on the loose I’m not sure we can stop. I’m fucking nervous, ok? And you bringing me in to talk about how fucking stupid Bill is isn’t helping!” She yells at me through the rain, tossing the cigarette into the gutter.

 

>U. ”What happened to Garfield?”

>V. ”What are you getting pissed at me for? You agreed to this before last night!”

>W. ”I’m sorry Mandy. I want to help.”

 

U

 

I pause at the mention of Garfield. My hands fall to your side, “W-what happened to Gar?”

 

“Mandy lifts her hand to her temples, rubbing them as she gives a long sigh. “Nothing, I’m not even supposed to be talking about this, so let it go.” She seems to think about it. She pauses once with her mouth open, then closes it as if she changed her mind. She then turns to me, her mouth parted from a small quiver, “Whoever he is, he’s targeting friends and family of cops now. Or maybe he isn't… Its all kind of random, but…”

 

“This has to do with the Tennyson murder last night, doesn't it?”

 

Mandy nods, “You probably realize how bad things could get if this fucks up the Stream. And if he’s targeting family… Blossom, I know I put on a hard exterior.” She looks down to a growing puddle of water below her. The rain keeps tumbling down on us both, yet everything feels so silent in this moment. She looks distant, but at her most vulnerable, “I can’t lose him Blossom. Neither of them. Billy is family and Garfield…”

 

“But what happened Mandy?”

 

“We got a warning in the mail yesterday pointing towards one of the Titans being murdered. We have the victim in custody now, so they’re safe, but the way Garfield acted at the thought of the person dying… I’ve never seen him like that.”

 

She stops at that point. I’m staring at her with a growing look of concern. I can tell how I must look, because Mandy looks at me and snorts, “I guess this is pretty out of character huh?” She then sits down on the bench under the patio, pulling out another cigarette.

 

>X. ”Give me one of those.”

>Y. ”Do you… Love Garfield?”

>Z. ”Is the Tennyson case that serious?”

>A. ”I never knew you cared so much about Billy.”

 

X

 

I don’t really know what to say. I sit down next to her, giving her a quick glance for a moment. She looks over to me, “What?”

 

“Could I have one of those?” She rolls her eyes, reaching into her coat pocket to pull out a smoke. She hands me both the smoke and the lighter, and I light up. I inhale slowly, getting used to the smoky flavor again. Jeez, I haven’t smoked a cigarette since I was a teenager. I remember going through my ‘rebellious stage’ with Buttercup, going to shows, hooking up with boys… I smile fondly, remembering it.

 

I catch Mandy looking at me. She smiles, “You know, I’m a vegan now… And It's kind of funny how I can be so health conscious at one time while polluting my lungs another.” She looks at the cigarette, exhaling a fresh puff of billowy smoke. “Its like I’m trying to balance my life. Keep everything on an even scale. Ying and yang, you know?”

 

I nod. I don’t have the same opinion about my cigarette, but I understand the need to keep your life in control. Its weird, the smoke brought back memories. Memories of my sister that I’ve keep inside. Maybe the reason I’ve been so hard on Billy is because I’ve been so hard on Buttercup. I’ve always thought that she never grew up. But why change that? I snicker to myself, thinking about the small matching tattoos we got on our hips. That thing looks so stupid now, but it makes me… Happy.

 

The rain doesn’t let up despite the shift in the mood. I bid Mandy goodbye and head back inside. Maybe I’ll call her later. Maybe I’ll call Gar too… And Buttercup.

 

As I’m walking back to the courtroom, I’m stopped in the hall by Jack. He smirks down at me, sniffing the air, “Blossom, my my, have you been smoking? Stressed out by the case?” He runs a hand down my side, petting over my hip.

 

>B. ”Get your hands off me Jack.”

>C. ”No, just feeling bad.~”

>D. ”Excuse me Jack, I have to get back to my client.”

 

D

 

I frown at Jack, pushing his hand aside. “Excuse me Jack, I have to get back to my client.” As I turn away to leave him, he skids towards my front again, “What’s the rush? You know, I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while now-”

 

“That’s nice Jack, but we’re in court. We can talk later, now excuse me.” I push past him. He seems to be trying really hard to keep me from the courtroom. I’m looking back at him suspiciously when it clicks, “You’re trying to keep me…” I quickly push open the doors, finding most of the courtroom still empty. Save for a few disturbed looking people and Billy sitting completely naked in his chair. I throw down my note pad with an angry grunt, turning towards Jack, “You’re an asshole Jack!” He just gives a sheepish shrug.

 

I make my way into the courtroom, sprinting past the viewing area back to my desk. Billy looks up at me with a broad smile, “Hey Blossom! Pretty great huh-”

 

“No, its not fucking great! Where are your clothes?” I ask with exasperation. He’s taken aback by my anger. He shifts in his seat, looking down in a sheepish, cartoony manner.

 

“Oh, uhm. Jack told me to prove to the jury when they come back inside that my nudity is a normal thing. Just like you said! So I stripped-”

 

“Where are your clothes Billy? For the love of God…”

 

Billy seems to think hard about it, sticking his tongue from his mouth. He doesn’t know, oh my God... I look around the courtroom. I can make out his hat hanging from a light fixture on the wall. I collapse in my chair. The whole case is going to be lost. Right here, right now… Jack won, the sneaky bastard. There may be a way to save this case if I can just pick something soon…

 

>E. I need to fly Billy out of here. Through the window above!

>F. I need to go after Jack and find out where he hid Billy’s clothes.

>G. The clothes have to be around the courtroom here. I should look for them.

 

G

 

Ok ok, just stay calm. I can do this… The clothes have to be around the courtroom somewhere. I blink, looking around with my X-Ray vision. My eyes tingle with the sudden intensity. Its been a long time since I’ve used these powers. Giving a grunt, I do a quick scan of the courtroom. I see that his undershirt is stuffed under the judge’s booth. I quickly fly over, pushing Red Guy’s seat aside and grabbing it. As I look for the rest, I pass by Billy, dropping the shirt with him, “Put it on Billy! Quickly!”

 

Billy nods, doing what he’s told. At least he’s good for something… I scan over the room again, finding his shoes have been stuffed under the Jury’s booth. I quickly hand them to Billy, continuing my search.

 

I have no such luck. Fortunately though, I notice his boxers are hanging from the rafters up near the windows. I quickly dart up and snatch them. I take in a small bit of Billy’s smell and already feel a bit disgusted. “Billy, head’s up!” I drop the boxers, which land stupidly upon his head.

 

That’s when I hear it. The jury is coming back down the hall, and only thanks to my super hearing do I hear them. I look around desperately for Billy’s pants to no avail. They’re not in the room. I grumble with annoyance as I zip back to Billy, push him into his chair and drop my coat over his legs.

 

Finally, I hear people start to come back in. Red Guy skips his way back into the courtroom. Jack comes in as well, whistling a little tune to himself as he sits back into the prosecutor’s chair. He looks over towards us and blinks, frowning. I guess he doesn’t notice Billy’s lack of pants.

 

I may be saved…

 

“Ok people! Next witness is… Billy.”

 

Oh.

 

>H. I should try to divert Red Guy from calling Billy.

>I. I should ask if Jack wants to call a different witness.

>J. I should slam my head on my table so I can hopefully blackout from this coming embarrassment.

 

H

 

“Listen, Judge Red Guy… Billy isn’t going to be that great of a witness. I uh, think we should hold off on bringing him on the stand.”

 

“Oh, and why’s that?” Red Guy asks. He’s giving me this look that stares right into my soul. I think he knows. Maybe he’s in on it. Red Guy jumps up on the judge’s chair on his knees, spinning around it playfully as he laughs.

 

I groan, holding Billy by the arm with my super strength as he tries to get up. “Blossom, they need me on the stand.”

 

“Billy, please stay seated.”

 

“BILLY! GET ON THIS STAND!” Screams Red Guy, spinning happily in his insane, goofy state.

 

I sigh, letting him go. My jacket slips off him.

 

I realize something as Billy gets up and starts walking towards the witness stand. I realize that this whole court system is completely fucked up. As the gasps are heard from the jury and spectators, and as the case slips further and further away from my fingertips. I begin to realize that I don’t want to be here. At all. This job is ridiculous, and it makes no sense for me to continue when I could be doing more productive things. Red Guy is slamming on the gavel, barking “Guilty! Guilty!” Before the jury even has time to deliberate. He’s right though… No way Billy’s walking away from this.

 

An hour later and its all over. I leave the courtroom, defeated and broken.

 

I find my way to a bar patio to sulk, sipping on my 2nd glass of red wine as I glaze lazily over my phone. The rain is coming down, but at least I’m not getting wet. Its funny. I called it earlier that I was going to lose the case, but its always during the middle of it that I get the hope to keep moving on. As I browse, I realize I want some company. The company of a friend.

 

>K. I should call Buttercup. I need to hear my sister’s voice.

>L. I should call Mandy. She looked like she needed a friend.

>M. I should call Garfield. I need to see if he’s ok.

 

K

 

You know, I haven’t heard my sister’s voice in a long time. And after all that nostalgia smoking with Mandy, I figure its time to catch up. I click through my phone, finding Buttercup’s number within. I press talk and hold the phone up to my ear. It rings for a while. She doesn’t pick up. It goes to voice messaging.

 

“Yeah, this is Buttercup. Leave a message.”

 

“H-hey Buttercup. Listen, I’ve had a rough day at work and I was wondering if I could come chill with you. I know I have been kinda mean to you lately, with your choices and all… But I just want you to know I love you.” I pause for a moment, thinking… “Actually, I may just come by if that’s alright. Its been awhile since we had a sister to sister conversation, and I wanna catch up. So… I guess you gotta deal with me now, heheh.”

 

I hang up at that point, smiling to myself. Yeah, this will be good. Hailing a cab, I make my way to Buttercup’s apartment. She lived in this shitty little complex on the East side, but she had always claimed that she liked the feel of it. As the cabbie pulls over, I see it hasn’t changed much. I sprint over towards the front entrance so I don’t get caught in the rain.

 

Walking inside, I can hear the whirring of a loud air conditioner, plus the crying of a baby. The whole hallways feels dank and dark. I make my way up to Buttercup’s floor, suddenly getting this weird sensation in my belly. Maybe I’m just getting nervous seeing Buttercup after so long, but… Something’s not right. I’m not sure what it is, but I can’t place it. I finally arrive outside Buttercup’s apartment.

 

I give a faint knock, “Buttercup? Its me-” The door cracks open a bit with the knock. There’s a fluttery white light coming from inside. You can already tell its the noise of a TV.

 

>N. I better get inside. This looks weird.

>O. I should call out her name. Buttercup could be getting laid.

 

N

 

I stare at the crack in the door for a moment, feeling my heart start to beat faster with every second I wait. I push open the door, hearing a loud creak echo throughout her living area. I step inside, looking around. My body freezes in place as I take in my surroundings. I feel that all too familiar tremble in my legs. The kind I got whenever my sisters and I ever fought Him. Only, this was different. More sinister...

 

The place is a mess. And not the usual Buttercup mess, but something more frightening. The TV is on, white noise blasting at full volume. I go over and turn it down a bit, but I leave it on seeing as its my only light source in the room. There’s a lamp knocked over onto the carpet, the bulb busted open from the fall. “Buttercup?!” I call out, my voice giving an audible crack. I’m afraid. I know what this means. I’m scared too.

 

Soon enough, I feel as if I shouldn’t have my back to anything. I get this tingling sensation that someone is going to come behind me. I retreat, pushing back into a corner so that I have full awareness of my surroundings. Looking around the room once more, I notice that there’s a video tape sitting inside an old VHS player. On the front is written in big red letters, “POLICE”

 

I can see two more rooms that haven’t been explored yet. Both are encompassed in complete darkness. I can’t stop breathing hard, my hands shaking. Oh no, where is she? Where’s my sister?

 

“Buttercup!” I yell out again. Somewhere in the apartment complex, a dog starts barking. No no no, she can’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.

 

>P. I need to call the police. Beast Boy and Mandy can help...

>Q. I need to see what’s on that tape.

>R. I need to explore the rest of the house. She could still be here.

 

R

 

I take a deep breath. My palms are pressed up against the wall. I feel like I’ll be absorbed into it if I stay here long enough. I close my eyes as I try to focus, getting my powers straight. Opening them again, I scan over Buttercup’s apartment with my X-Ray vision. Everything looks so still, so quiet…

 

I peel myself off the wall, looking around for any clues to help me find my sister in the other rooms. I approach her bedroom first, each step causing the floor to creak. As I get closer, I begin to hear music. Its light and haunting, a rhythmic guitar followed by ghostly lyrics.

 

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ygoDnlGCg

 

The music is coming from an old record player. I flip the switch for her light. It doesn’t turn on. The X-Ray helps me to see, but the whole room is covered in a black layer. I can make out details and objects, but I can’t tell what’s on the wall… If there’s blood. If there’s blood… I can’t see it.

 

By this time it hits me. I reach into my pocket, dialing Mandy’s number. She picks up after a few rings.

 

“What?” In her usual grumpy tone.

 

“M-Mandy? I need help…”

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

I can’t stop the tears from flowing, “Mandy, I’m in my sister’s apartment and she’s gone. There looks like there was a scuffle and… And I can’t find her. Please help me.”

 

“Ok ok. Stay put right where you are. I’m getting Gar and the boys together. Are you still a good fighter?”

 

“I haven’t fought crime in years…”

 

“Whatever, you can take them. Just get somewhere safe and wait for us.”

 

I keep the call on so Mandy can stay in touch. Turning out from the room, I glance at the video tape sticking out from the VHS. That’s when I notice the lights in the bathroom flickering on and off.

 

>S. Do what Mandy says. Find a place to hide.

>T. I need to know what’s on that tape before the police take it.

>U. I should check the bathroom too. Just in case.

 

U

 

I make my way away from the television to look into the bathroom. I peek around the corner sheepishly, gazing in towards the bathroom, “Buttercup? Are you ok?” I don’t know why I'm asking these stupid questions. I just want to hear her. I just want to hear that raspy voice call me an idiot for cock-blocking her. Please, just let her be ok and trying to scare me. Please be here...

 

Then I see it. Scrawled on the mirror in a black tar like substance are the words, “MINE NOW.” Through the reflection I can see my face. My eyes are wide with terror, my mouth agape, my skin pale...

 

I collapse onto my knees, my feet no longer having the weight to support me. The lights flicker on and off from the bathroom, but I can’t stop myself from scooting backwards. Eventually, I’m huddled in the middle of the living room, my knees to my chest. The distant sounds of sirens start to build, and that dog is still barking… But everything feels… Still. Its lifeless in here. I inhale, crawling over towards the VHS on my hands and knees.

 

I have to face facts. Buttercup was taken from this apartment is in danger. This tape may have evidence I can use to find her… Or… It could be a recording of someone brutally murdering my sister just to torture me. Do I want to see that? Do I want to see my sister’s final moments of agony? I feel my tears continuing to flow freely from my face, and I reach up to wipe them with the cuff of my coat. I breath in, looking at the tape.

 

>V. I should watch the tape.

>W. I should let the police watch it first.

 

V

 

I push in the tape. The screen goes black for a moment. There’s a shuffling sound, like someone’s messing with the camera. Eventually it lifts upwards, showing Buttercup sitting in a wooden chair, hands bound behind her.

 

She looks awful. Buttercup always had a very punky look to her, but now she was beaten and shivering. Most of her piercings have been yanked from her face, leaving her a mess of blood and bruises. Her clothes are torn in places, and she’s whimpering softly as she looks straight down, unable to lift her eyes to her captor.

 

“Do you know who I am?” The voice that speaks is distorted. Blossom can’t make anything out from it.

 

“N-no.” Answers my sister. She softly sobs, fidgeting in her chair.

 

“Buttercup.”

 

She doesn’t answer.

 

“Buttercup.”

 

“W-what?”

 

“Can you use your powers?”

 

“No, I can’t…”

 

“Why not?”

 

“I-I don’t know! You took them away!” She yells out at him, shifting in her seat. She reacts to something she sees off camera, suddenly reeling back, her eyes filled with terror. She tries to maneuver her chair back, looking away from her captor.

 

“Buttercup. Buttercup, are you scared? Do you want to know how I took away your powers?”

 

“I am scared. I’ve never felt… I can’t… How?”

 

The tape cuts off there. Its silent for a moment before a face flashes on the screen. Buttercup’s yells pierce through my ears, making me fall back in a gasp as her terrifying screams of complete and utter pain crackle the speakers on the tv. The feedback is going crazy, audio being blown out.

 

I curl up into a fetal position and sob, covering my ears with my hands. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening....

 

---- End of Blossom's Chapter 01----

 

Pops is yelling at me again.

 

I’m trying my best to block him out, but as I continue to wipe my favorite spot at the diner’s bar, his voice just gets louder and more mean. I wish Eddy was here. Eddy would yell, but at least he’d say I was doing good sometimes too. Eddy is always busy with police stuff nowadays, so he doesn’t have time for Ed.

 

“You’ll never amount to nothin’ boy! They should have kept your stupid ass in jail. Maybe there ya woulda finally learned something! Instead you’re the worst fucking employee I have.”

 

Pops sure likes to tell me how better off in jail I would be. I’m not sure if that’s true. In jail, I wasn’t able to see my friends. Though, now that I think about… I don’t see them now. I get sad as my small strokes wiping the table slow down. Pops shakes his head and walks away from me. Pops is always mean, but he got meaner after the other day. That superhero Beast Boy came in and told Pops to leave me alone. It made me feel good that someone cares about me for once.

 

I sigh as I finish up my cleaning duties. Pops doesn’t seem to notice, so I treat myself to a slice of Buttered Toast. I sit down at the bar area, about to dig in when I notice something out of the corner of my eye.

 

There’s a man sitting at a booth staring at me. He’s a large man, round at the stomach. He has a bald head but a large, fluffy red beard. He’s wearing a pair of black rimmed glasses. He sees me staring back and looks out the window. The glare from the setting sun blocks out his eyes.

 

>A. I should go say hi. That guy seems to know me.

>B. I should ask Pops about him. He seems weird.

>C. Buttered toast!

 

A

 

I decide to go over and talk to the man. I wipe my dirty hands on my apron and walk over to him. “Hi my name is Ed! What’s-”

 

“Not so loud. Sit down.” He mumbles out, lifting his hand to his face.

 

“W-what?” I ask. This guy is acting pretty weird. I lift my hand to my face, scratching under the little bit of scruff I have under my small chin. I smile at him, to make him feel more comfortable, but he just shakes his head at me.

 

“Ed, sit down. I know who you are. I know that you and your boys Eddy and Edd used to knock over armored trucks and banks. I know all about you three. You want to listen to what I have to say, so sit down.”

 

I sit down. I can feel my palms becoming sweaty. Its like they do when Pops yells at me or when the comic book shop opens. How does this guy know about Eddy and Edd? Eddy was so good at keeping his secret he was able to become a policeman. I breath slowly, looking straight at the man, “W-who are you?”

 

“My name is Dexter. You know who I am.”

 

“DEXTER-” I yell out. Dexter’s hand reaches up to grab my mouth before I get my words out. I gasp against his hand, muffling another, “Dexter!” Through his fingertips, just in case he didn’t hear me. Then I realize... He’s trying to be secretive or something. I nod at him, giving him a wink to let him know how sneaky secret I can be.

 

Dexter rolls his eyes at me, shaking his head as he takes his glasses off his face, “Listen Ed. I have a job for you. You got a reputation inside for being good muscle and being faithful to the job. I can’t discuss details here, but I’d like for you to do a job with me.”

 

>D. I got in trouble last time I did bad things. I don’t need this.

>E. How does he know so much about me?

>F. I should go get Pops. This guy is weird.

 

E

 

I pause, looking at him as he pulls his hand away from my mouth. I look down to the table, trying to put things together. This doesn’t make sense. How does he know about my past? How does he know about Eddy? I didn’t tell anybody about those secrets. Even in prison I did what Eddy said I should do, ‘Keep your trap shut.’

 

I lift my eyes back to him. He’s just staring at me. “H-How do you know so much about me? About Eddy?” I glance over to Pops. He’s giving me his mad look. I know what that means. He wants me to get back to work.

 

Dexter smiles. “You smoke right? Come outside and we’ll talk.”

 

I follow him as he steps out of the booth. He’s much shorter than me, but then again I’m really tall. I stand a few feet over him, walking slowly after him as he waddles towards the front door. His feet give this weird shuffling sound as we make our way out.

 

He brings me to the middle of Pops’ parking lot. We light up and he starts talking, “After I got cut from the stream, I was broke. I had all the knowledge and a lab to do it in, but nothing of value… No money. Once I graduated high school I skipped college and started building a new lab. I started fresh, made a business plan and got in touch with some contacts.” He pauses to take a puff, “I learned about you and your crew while searching through these lists. It stated that you were in prison, Edd was dead and that Eddy was now a part of the TPD.”

 

“But… But Eddy kept that super secret-”

 

“Just because he wasn’t convicted doesn’t mean people didn’t have their suspicions. There just wasn’t enough to bring him in when the job went sour. Plus, Eddy walked away with the loot. He was able to buy himself in anywhere. Let me ask you something Ed. Have you ever seen a cent of that loot you spent so much time in jail for?”

 

>G. I haven’t...

>H. That’s bull! Eddy cares for me.

>I. He still hasn’t told me what this job is...

 

H

 

I feel myself getting angry. Like I do when there’s a rock in my shoe or something. I give him a frown and a furrowed brow, “That’s not true! Eddy’s my friend! He cares for me!”

 

“When’s the last time you saw him?”

 

“W-what?”

 

“The last time you saw him. The last time you talked to him. I know it hasn’t been in the last few days, because I have people watching you. He hasn’t called, he hasn’t written, hell he hasn’t even googled you.” I begin to realize that this Dexter person has a lot more smarts than me. He has smart people working for him. He knows everything and more. “Ed, your faithfulness is commendable, it really is, but you’re giving it to the wrong person. Eddy is a lying, cheating, sneaky shit of a detective, and you don’t deserve to be treated like that by him.” I begin to feel a heaviness in my chest, like someone hit me with a hammer. Everything he says is right. Everything I feel now is what he's saying. Its like he can see into me and read me.

 

I sit down. Dexter does a light jog over to me, lowering a hand on my shoulder, “Ed, I want to offer you something where you can make some real money. Something that can give you a chance at a new life, not scrubbing away at Pops’ dirty dishes. All I need you for is a day’s worth of work, that’s all. You’ll make enough money so you don’t have to worry ever again.”

 

I don’t know. I don’t know what to think. I wish Double D was here. He would tell me if this is a good idea or a bad idea. I don’t feel smart enough, or wise enough to think of a right answer. Dexter pulls me to my feet. He grunts, giving a wipe of his brow as he stands up.

 

>J. “Give me some time to think about it.”

>K. “What’s the job?”

>L. “How much money are we talking?”

 

K

 

I feel as if my world has opened up just a bit. I dust myself off, taking off my apron and throwing it down onto the ground. I look up to Dexter, taking a long drag on my smoke before snubbing that out as well. “What’s the job?”

 

Dexter claps his hands ecstatically, “That’s what I’m talking about!” He comes around and slaps me on the back. He then reels back, looking towards his hand with a pained expression, “Jesus, you really are built like a rock, aren’t you?” He laughs it off, leading me on to his SUV.

 

Dexter pop’s the back door to his black SUV, leaning inside to draw out a duffel bag. He opens it up.

 

I stagger back a bit at what he shows me. Its completely full of money with a Glock sitting on top of it. He reaches in and hands me the Glock, “That’s for you. You won’t need it, but its better to be safe. This money is 25%. You’ll get the rest when the job is done.”

 

“Uhm… How much is that?”

 

“50,000 in tens and twenties. This job means a lot to me. Its the beginning of a strong relationship with a future client.” He stares at me for a moment, then looks around the car park, “I deal in high tech weaponry and armor Ed. The kind you see on TV and movies. This deal is one of those increments that’ll evolve into a beautiful friendship. Like we have now.” He reaches out to shake my hand.

 

I shake it hesitantly. He nods, zipping up the bag again and handing it to me. “I’ll have someone come pick you up at eight AM tomorrow. Dress down so we don’t draw attention. Got it?”

 

“Y-yes sir.”

 

“That’s what I like to hear Ed!” And before I can ask another question, he’s in his SUV pulling away. I look down at the gun and realize I’m holding a gun. I shove it in the back of my pants, biting my lip to make sure a cop isn’t around.

 

>M. I should hide this money somewhere.

>N. I should go spend some of this money.

>O. Oh, I forgot my buttered toast!

 

O

 

As I watch Dexter drive away, I realize my stomach is still churning. I turn around towards Pops’ Diner and head back inside. Pops is glaring at me once I come in. His arms are crossed and he’s tapping his foot. “You done with your break boy? Cause I have about a hundred dishes that need washing.”

 

I’m feeling pretty good, so I walk past Pops and return to my spot. He looks at me with shock as I ignore him. My buttered toast is still there, but the butter has soaked the toast into a soggy shape. I shrug, lifting my fork and stabbing it in one swift stroke. I then lift it to my mouth and swallow it whole. Gulping it down, I turn towards Pops. “Now I’m done!”

 

“You’re treading on thin ice Ed. Any other manager would have fired you for walking out on your tables and talking to some drug dealer. What’s he selling ya huh? Is that’s what’s in the bag?”

 

I clutch the bag to my chest. He’s not looking in my bag. “I-It’s not drugs Pops.” I stand up from my chair, ready to get up and leave.

 

“No one brings drugs into my diner. Give me that bag!”

 

“No!”

 

Pops lunges for my bag, pulling on the strap to try and free it from my grasp. A few of the customers are looking on amused as Pops tries to wrestle the bag from my grasp. I give a snarl, yanking it back away from him. He starts towards me again.

 

>P. I should smack him one and tell him I quit!

>Q. I should draw my gun on him!

>R. I should run away!

 

R

 

I take a few steps back, avoiding Pops as he slinks ever closer to me. I see a way to run around some of the inner tables, so I make a go for it, sprinting around towards the front door and bursting outside before Pops can even react. I’m already sprinting down the street towards home when I hear Pops from behind me, hanging his head out from the front door, “You’re fired Ed! You’re fired! Don’t ever come back.!”

 

That’s ok with me.

 

After I find my way to my apartment, I push the pizza and comics off my bed to look at the money. I zip open the bag, peering at all the cash. Eddy would freak if he saw this. I take out a stack, flipping though bill after bill. This is more money than I’ve ever seen! I could maybe live to be an old man with this money. I think… How much money do old men need? I zip the duffel bag up and push it under my bed.

 

I sit down and think. I pull the gun from my pants, looking at it. Guns were lighter than I remembered. Maybe its because I got a lot more strong when I was in prison. I slide the clip out from the grip. Sixteen… Seventeen… Uh, a lot of bullets were in there. I load the pistol back up and cock it, setting it on my bedside table.

 

How did Dexter know so much about me? Is there something in my room that could have told him what I was doing? What I was thinking? I scratch my head, turning on the TV as I think. The news is rambling about a kidnapping or something. I’m not really watching. I’m gazing around my room, curious about what my room is telling to strangers.

 

>S. I should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.

>T. I should look around my apartment for something I’m not seeing.

>U. I should go out back and shoot off a few rounds. Get the feel of it again.

>V. I should call Eddy and tell him about the money!

 

S

 

As the TV rambles on about the kidnapping victim, bringing out her two crying sisters for the camera, I find myself drifting off to sleep. I let my eyes close slowly, getting a last glimpse of the victim. She’s got black hair and green eyes… She’s kind of punky…

 

I awake to my phone ringing. I pull out my cell and answer. “Showtime. Get your things. We’re waiting out front.”

 

I quickly shoot up, making my way to my closet to put on a new pair of clothes. Dress down, dress down. I guess he means baggy clothes right? I put on a pair of baggy pants and my old green jacket that’s still way too big for me. Baggy enough now. I tighten my belt, put on my sneakers and then stuff my gun in my pants.

 

As I make my way downstairs, I notice a younger man awaiting me. He’s a blonde with blue eyes. He has a small goatee and is wearing a Hawaiian shirt with slacks. He gives me a nod, taking a small toke on a joint before stubbing it out, “Johnny. You?”

 

“Uh, Ed.”

 

“Welcome.” He then turns towards the street. I follow him outside, finding Dexter sitting in the passenger seat of a black sedan. He turns to me, “We’re meeting the shipment truck on the freeway. Get in.”

 

I hop in the back, scooting over to let Johnny in. The driver is someone I don’t recognize. He’s got black hair and what looks like to be a robotic arm coming from the sleeve of his red jacket.

 

>W. “What should I do when I get there?”

>X. “Who are these guys?”

>Y. “What should I do if things go bad?”

 

X

 

Its silent for a while in the car. Dexter doesn’t speak to me and the other two don’t speak to me. I lean forward, placing my hand on Dexter’s shoulder, “Uhm, who are these guys?”

 

“Oh, my apologies. To your right is Johnny Test. You may know him from the stream.” Dexter looks behind him, giving a smirk to Test as he frowns at Dexter. Test leans forward, “Don’t tell this idiot my name Dex. I’m only doing this for my sisters.”

 

Dexter ignores him, “Test’s sisters are looking for ways to advance their technology in their lab, and I offered to help in exchange for Test’s services.” Johnny Test doesn’t seem to be happy about this exchange. He lights up another joint. Dexter coughs a bit, “Put that out you idiot.”

 

I look to the driver. Dexter reaches over and pats him on the back, “This, my friend, is Generator Rex.” Dexter then frowns, “Rex, your arm is showing.”

 

Rex turns to his arm, “Huh? Oh right…” His arm then starts to morph to a normal arm.

 

“Rex is looking to upgrade his nanites. A feat I’m very willing to do, if he does his job right.”

 

It seems like everyone under Dexter’s hand has something they need. I guess money is what I need but… Am I that simple?

 

We pull over on the side of the freeway behind a small white truck. The man inside the truck hops out. He then walks to the curb and then hops the fence, walking away on foot. “That’s you Ed. Get in the truck and follow us.”

 

“Oh, uh… Ok.”

 

We eventually drive out of Townsville and continue towards the countryside. Its not long before we’re on a long stretch of road. Further down, a couple of black SUVs sit waiting for us. We pull over and Dexter walks over towards my cab, “Ready?” I nod, “What do you wanna do?”

 

>Z. I’ll stay in the truck to keep the stuff safe.

>A. I’ll go with Dexter to the meeting in the middle.

>B. I’ll hang with Johnny and Rex, who are by the sedan.

 

Z

 

“I’ll stay with the van, if that’s alright Dexter…” I tell him. He thinks for a moment, giving a nod and slapping the side of the cab. “Good man. When I wave, come up.”

 

Dexter walks away from the truck, making his way back to the black sedan. He pops the trunk, pulling out what seems to be two black rifles. I panic for a moment, thinking that Dexter is about to shoot them. But he grips them from the stock, walking over to three people who have appeared in the distance.

 

The person in the middle has a beanie on his head. Its… Its hard to tell from where I am, but something’s up with his face. He’s holding what looks to be a briefcase. He shows Dexter from afar and then points to one of his vans.

 

The two who are following him have distinct styles. One is a black girl with a blue tank top on. She takes one of the rifles and inspects it. The other is a blond white guy with a orange hoodie. He takes the other one.

 

Dexter and the beanie man talk for a while. It goes on for a few minutes before Dexter looks back to me and waves. I start the engine, pulling up towards the middle of the trade off. The man in the middle looks familiar, but he has a horrible burn scar that stretches along his face and what seems to be his hand.

 

I get out of the car and walk over towards Dexter.

 

“Ed?”

 

I lift my head when I hear my name called. The man in the beanie is staring at me with wide eyes. I focus on him, giving a blink as I realize who it is.

 

“The fuck is this? You trying to fuck with me?” Edd pulls a revolver from his pocket and points it at Dexter.

 

Dexter lifts his hands defensively going, “Whoa whoa whoa…”

 

Suddenly, everyone is pulling their weapons. I look back to see Rex and Johnny nervously pointing their guns. Edd’s men do the same. They throw down Dexter’s rifles and draw their weapons.

 

>C.”Double D?! I thought you were dead!”

>D. ”Whoa everyone, calm down!”

>E. I should pull my gun too.

 

C

 

“Double D?! I thought you were dead!” I yell out, raising my hands in surrender as I walk towards the three. Edd drifts his pistol over to me. I stop once he points it towards me, “Yeah, I thought I was too. But you two ASSHOLES left me in that burning van! Its a miracle I escaped at all.” His hand is shaking.

 

He grits his teeth, walking over to me as he presses the barrel of his gun to my head. “I don’t know why you always listened to Eddy. He was a moron. Even when you could see me trapped inside, begging for help, you still followed him when he told you to ditch me… We are… We were friends Ed.” I try to stay focused on what Edd is saying, but its hard when a gun is pressed to your head. I feel my legs shaking from under me. “So what is this? Trying to fuck the deal up by bringing him here?”

 

“No! Not at all! This is just a coincidence!” Dexter yells, stepping up, “I thought you were dead too… How was I supposed to know you’ve been in hiding all this time?”

 

“Aren’t you Dexter? Boy genius?”

 

“I swear, I had no idea that you were still alive. I mean, I had heard rumors, but if I based my business on the trust of rumors, I wouldn’t be in business that long.”

 

“Well, my superior has his ways of making people like me disappear.” Edd responds, lowering his gun. He looks back to me, “I hate you Ed, but I can’t kill you. We’ve known each other too long. If you see Eddy, tell him to fuck himself.” He pushes his revolver in in his pocket, looking towards his two guards. “Its alright Four and Five. Lower your guns…”

 

Dexter looks to me and then looks back towards his men. The two nod and walk forward, lowering their guns as well.

 

>F. “Edd… I’m sorry.”

>G.”Its Eddy’s fault Double D!

>H. I should keep my trap shut.

 

H

 

I want to tell him I’m sorry, that he’s right. I shouldn't have listened to Eddy. Edd gives me the coldest look as he’s walking away. I lower my head in shame, my hands falling by my sides. I can’t say it.

 

There’s a tug behind me. I feel something leave my trousers. Then I see that I’ve grown a third arm- No, that’s Dexter.

 

Dexter fires a shot at Edd, hitting him in the back of the head. His head pops with gore, his blood and brains splashing against one of his black SUVs. His arms go up as if trying to catch something, but they twitch and go lifeless as he tumbles forward. I stand still. I don’t know… I don’t know what’s happening.

 

Then a barrage of gunfire explodes on both my sides. Rex and Test are moving to either side of me, unloading on Four and Five with their handguns. The two fall forward, trying to reel back to shoot us. But its too late. Rex and Test continue to approach the two, emptying their clips into their bodies as they stand over them.

 

I lose my legs. I can’t… As Edd slumps against the SUV, he falls backwards, giving me a look at his face. His eyes are lifeless, mouth agape. I’m on my knees, staring at Edd’s body.

 

“Ok, that’s taken care of. Get the money.”

 

I crawl towards Edd’s body, on my hands and knees as I feel a wetness in my eyes. I’m finding it hard to breathe as I get closer. I place a hand on Edd, giving him a shake, “E-Edd? Double D?”

 

“Ed. Get away from him.” I look behind me to see Dexter watching me, still gripping my pistol. Rex and Test are already moving the cash, taking duffel bag after bag. I place my hand on Edd’s chest. I can feel his revolver inside.

 

Suddenly, there’s a knock on the truck of one of the SUVs. Someone’s in there. The four of us stop and look at it. Dexter speaks up, “Ed, see what that is.”

 

>I. I need to kill Dexter. I should grab the gun.

>J. I need to do what he says. I should check the trunk.

 

J

 

Every ounce of me wants to take Double D’s gun and murder that bastard Dexter. I lift my sleeve to my eyes, wiping my tears from my face. Dexter rolls his eyes, pointing his gun loosely at me, “Go on…”

 

I stand up, walking towards the SUV where the shaking is coming from. I open the trunk and look inside.

 

Its a girl. In fact… Its a girl I recognize.

 

Dexter walks over to me when he notices my surprise. He reels back with a grunt as he sees her. “Who the fuck is that?” He asks me… Like we’re still friends…

 

“Its the Powerpuff Girl from TV. The one who got kidnapped by the Ben 10 killer…” I mumble out, looking down at her. Her big green eyes stare up at me. She muffles out what sounds like a, ‘Help me.’ She’s scared… She’s scared more than I remember her ever being. Aren’t these girls supposed to be super powered? She has seen better days, that’s for sure. She stares up at us, bound by the mouth and arms, wiggling around inside the trunk. Her face looks beaten, red spots bleeding on her face from where some piercings were yanked from her. There are some burns on her body as well...

 

Dexter grumbles, placing the gun in my hand. “We don’t need any witnesses. Kill her.” I look to him with a blank stare, “What? Oh don’t give me that. You and your crew killed plenty of people when you were robbing banks and ripping people off. What’s one more? What’s cutting ties with bad blood?”

 

“Double D wasn’t bad blood…”

 

“Whatever. We can’t have her knowing what happened here. If word got out, I’d be done. Get rid of her and grow up.” He starts to walk away, turning his back to me. Rex and Test are over by the truck.

 

>K. I should do what he says. I should kill her.

>L .I should kill him instead.

 

L

 

My body is shaking with rage. I thought Dexter might understand me. That he might help me. He’s just using me to his own ends… Like people always do. I raise my gun towards Dexter, my hand shaking.

 

“Boss! Lookout!”

 

I fire two shots. One hits Dexter through the leg, forcing him to collapse in a sudden burst of pain and agony. The other hits him in the gut. Dexter’s down for the count for now. I reach in and grab the Powerpuff Girl by her arm, tugging her out of the trunk and sliding her behind the car.

 

As I duck behind it, I suddenly hear bullets firing in my direction. There are hard pings and pangs against the frame of the SUV. Peppered in with the loud screams of Dexter’s pain. I smile to myself a bit. I’m feeling like the old me again. Buttercup is just staring at me.

 

I wait for a pause in the shooting and then reach over the SUV, firing randomly out towards the white truck. After a few shots to suppress, I stand up and aim. Test is firing from behind the white truck, but he’s blind firing. Can’t hit him. Where’s Rex?

 

I hear a muffled yelp and then from the corner of my eye I see a smirking Rex marching towards me, ready to fire. Buttercup juts out her leg, tripping Rex before me. The gun clumsily slides away from him, and he lays forward at my feet.

 

>M. I should kill him.

>N. I should use him as a human shield.

>O. I should tell Test to drop his gun, or I’ll kill him.

 

M

 

I point the barrel down towards Rex, lifting my hand to my face to avoid getting gore in my eyes. Buttercup wiggles in her spot, muffling a scream. I pull the trigger as he tries to scramble to get up. The bullet blasts open Rex’s head, splattering his blood across my jacket and shirt. Buttercup gets some too, and it looks like it visibly sickens her. She turns away, closing her eyes with a shiver.

 

After dealing with Rex, I peek from the SUV, trying to get a good look at Johnny. I don’t see him…

 

Then I hear an engine start. The white truck pulls back a bit, turns, and then starts driving away. I stand up to see Johnny Test leave his boss in the middle of the road while he takes off in a van full of advanced hardware. I sigh, realizing that its over.

 

I walk over to Buttercup, pulling a switchblade out from my pocket. She flinches, pulling back, “Its ok, I’m not gonna hurt you.” I tell her, cutting her binds and mouth gag.

 

She stands up slowly, rubbing her arm as she turns away from me. “Thanks…” She walks off a bit, trying to get away from the mess before her. I turn back to Dexter. He’s crawling towards the black sedan, a small trail of blood following him from behind. I approach him, gun in hand.

 

“W-Wait! Ed! Just wait a second…” He lifts his hand. “I get it, ok, I get it you're pissed about Edd. But we can work this out. Those SUVs are filled with money. 5 Million dollars worth in untraceable bills. Take all of it. Just leave me with a cell phone, and we’ll never see each other again.”

 

I poise my gun towards him, aiming right for his head.

 

“Don’t do this Ed! I’m your only friend out here… You can’t trust Johnny to not hold a grudge, and you sure as hell can’t trust that Powerpuff. Why was she in the trunk anyways?” “G-give me a chance here Ed, I’m begging you…”

 

>P. I should execute Dexter.

>Q. I should give him Rex’s phone and leave him.

>R. “Why did you kill Edd?”

 

R

 

I move forward, getting closer with the gun, “Why did you kill Edd? What was the meaning? He was ready to do the deal!”

 

Dexter lifts his hand to me, panting hard in fear, “Ok ok… Listen. I knew that guy was going to be Double D, alright? I knew he was going to be here. And I knew that he would let his guard down once he saw you. It was a move. It was a stupid play, and I’m sorry, ok? I never planned to sell Double D those guns. They’re fake. I was waiting for a deal to pop up so I could score some cash and get my business started. I just figured that you cut ties with your old friends. That you’d be willing to do anything for some money… I was wrong.”

 

Buttercup has approached us. She’s hugging herself, looking down towards Dexter. “You were the one who killed Edd?” There’s a pause. He nods to her. She then turns to me, tears still in her eyes, “You should let him go.”

 

“He killed my friend!” I yell at her. The road goes quiet with a pause. I feel confused. She doesn’t know though. She doesn’t get it, “Why should I release the guy who killed one of my best friends?”

 

“Because your best friend, and the guy he works for, are monsters. And you’re starting to look like one too…” She says, wiping her eyes with her arm. “You’re the one with the gun though. Its your decision.” She then walks off, leaving me to my choice. I look back to Dexter. He’s getting paler by the minute.

 

>S. I should kill him.

>T. I should let him go.

 

T

 

I take a deep breath, and lower my gun. I can see the tension in Dexter’s face literally leave his body like his blood is. I look back to Rex’s body, walking over towards him and pushing him over. I dig through his pockets until I find his cell phone. I pick it up and then walk over towards Dexter. I place it on his chest and then walk away, stuffing my gun in my coat pocket.

 

I look to Buttercup, who’s waiting for me, “What now?” She asks, lifting her eyes to me. At least she can look at me now…

 

“Uhm… I dunno. I’m taking this money, but I can give you a ride somewhere.”

 

“I shouldn’t associate with criminals…”

 

“Oh, ok-”

 

“But it looks like I don’t really have a choice.” She says, giving a shrug as she walks up to me. She looks me dead in the eyes. Her eyes are so bright… She’s… She’s really pretty. I feel myself flush a little and then turn away from her, walking towards one of the SUVs. I stop to look at Edd one more time, “Good bye Double D…” And then continue walking.

 

Buttercup spits on him.

 

I slip into the driver’s seat, watching as Buttercup gets into the passenger seat. “So, Townsville?” She doesn’t respond. I turn on the engine, pulling away from Dexter as he dials a number on the cell phone and presses it to his ear. I pull away, leaving that mess in my rear view mirror. “I guess I’ll drop you off at the police station-”

 

“No, not there.”

 

“W-why?”

 

She turns to look at me, giving a shiver as she prepares to say it, “Cause he has someone on the inside.”

 

----End of Ed's Chapter 01----

 

The whiskey isn’t cold, but it’ll do. Its already half gone from last night, but thankfully there’s enough to tide me over these next few hours. I pour a shot and down it. I’m pulling a night shift tonight, but in reality Mandy and I work best in the dark... Walking to the mirror, I straighten my tie and pull on my coat. Its going to be a long night tonight… That’s already for sure.

 

As if on cue, I hear Mandy beep on the horn outside. She’s here to pick me up. The rain is coming down hard as always… It feels like Townsville has been doing nothing but crying since this ordeal started.

 

I slide my revolver into my holster and grab my badge. Heading for the front door, I take a deep breath. I’ve been feeling paranoid ever since Starfire called. Chief Jones told me to go home after we made sure Star was safe, but that only seemed to make things worse. Drinking helps a bit, but only to steady my hands.

 

As I make my way downstairs that strange feeling returns again. I feel like I’m being watched. There are plenty of shadows in the darkened alleys of Townsville, and every one of them has a pair of wandering eyes. These are the type of nights I wish I could just set this town ablaze…

 

As I walk outside, I see Mandy in the car waiting for me. I open the passenger side door and slip inside. She’s smoking… I give her a perplexed look, but she just rolls her eyes rather than say anything. She then offers me one from the pack. “Ok Gar, where to? Starfire is waiting at the station. Jones says she’s getting anxious, so it’d probably be best to move her. Eddy got a call out in the countryside. A bunch of bodies and lots of gunfire… He says Dexter, yes that Dexter, was on the scene. He’s wounded and being watched at Townsville Memorial. Its your call.”

 

>A. We should check in with Starfire.

>B. We should head out to Eddy’s crime scene.

>C. We should ask Dexter some questions.

 

A

 

I light up my smoke, leaning back into the seat. The leather gives a small squeak as I get comfortable for the drive. It might be the only time I’ll be able to stay comfortable tonight. “Lets head to the station and check on Starfire.” I tell her, giving a nod forward.

 

Mandy nods and turns on the radio.

 

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buP4ZjXjOgA

 

We sit in silence for a few moments, just comfortable in each other’s company. There’s no rush tonight. No guns are firing and the only bodies around seem to be in that prick Eddy’s hands. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe I need a break from all this blood.

 

“You ok partner?” Mandy asks, taking a left onto Boulevard. I shrug, looking out to watch the neon lights pass us by. “Haven’t slept that much lately… This kind of shit hitting you where you live tends to make you… I dunno.”

 

“Paranoid?” She asks, glancing over to me.

 

“I guess.” I answer lazily, taking a small puff on the smoke and leaning back. I let the exhale smoke collect around my face, looking into it like it were a cloud I could just disappear inside, submerge in and never come back. Its silent for a while again.

 

“You really freaked me out back there Garfield. Does this… Is this because of what happened to Raven?”

 

>D. I should answer her question. Elaborate more.

>E. I should change the subject. I’ll ask about Billy.

>F. I should turn up the music. I don’t need to talk to her.

>G. I should ask about Eddy’s bodies.

>H. I should ask about what Dexter has gotten himself into.

 

D

 

I take a breath, preparing myself, “Yeah… It does I guess. After our Stream ended, Raven wasn’t… The same. She just kind of crawled into herself, went back to the beginning. Like she didn’t have any friends, like no one cared for her... I didn’t accept that. She’d come so far, and now she was going to block us out again? We… We got together for a good while, and she seemed happy… I was happy, but there was this hole I couldn’t fill. She got violent after that, and they had to put her away.”

 

“Did she hurt somebody? Where did they put her?” Mandy asked, stopping at a red light.

 

“She hurt me. And I hurt her… After it ended, I wanted to stay a hero. Keep working to put the bad ones away. Raven didn’t… She thought we had struggled and suffered enough. It eventually came to blows, and that’s when our relationship ended. I swore never to use my powers again and Raven got locked up in an Asylum. She’s still there now. But I still believe I can help people out there. I need too. That’s why I became a cop.”

 

Its quiet for a while. I can tell Mandy didn’t expect me to open up to her so much, but seeing as we may be targets for a serial killer, I felt it needed to be aired.

 

My ears twitch. I take in the smell. My eyes go wide for a moment, and then I frown. God dammit, really? Now? After all that?

 

“How long have you been back there Robin?” I ask, looking in the rear view.

 

Mandy looks to me confused, “Huh?”

 

“Since Mandy left home.” A new voice says. His voice has gotten deeper. Mandy slams on the breaks in a panic, the car skidding to a stop as horns blare on our car. I hunch forward, gripping the dashboard. The two of us look behind towards the back seat to see Robin sitting there. He’s in his Nightwing get up. The one Starfire told us so much about.

 

>I. “Mandy relax. He’s a friend.”

>J. ”Did you hear everything?”

>K. “What do you want Robin?”

 

I

 

“Mandy relax! Robin is a friend.” I lay a hand on her shoulder, giving her a look as she releases her hand off her pistol. She faces forward, taking a deep breath and then continues driving.

 

“I don’t like strangers in my car Garfield, even if you two were best buds back in the day.” Says Mandy, giving her trademark grimace. She continues to drive, pulling on the interstate. I turn to look back at Robin, watching as the headlamps of the road constantly darken and illuminate him. He seems like he could just drift away in the shadows at any moment.

 

“Its Nightwing now actually.”

 

“That name’s pretty cute. A lot of superhero names are SUPER CUTE like that one...” Mandy says mockingly.

 

I give her a look before turning to Nightwing. I give a shrug, lifting my hand, “So, what’s up? You just drop in to look dramatic? Or do you have something you wanna say?”

 

“You know why I’m here.”

 

“No I don’t Robin. I don’t know why you’re in Mandy’s car spying on two officers of the law while they talk about intimate details about their past.” I say, rolling my eyes. He just glares at me through his mask.

 

“Starfire.”

 

I turn back forward, crossing my arms, “Jesus, really? What? You wanna take her away and keep her safe? She’s fine at the station. Plus we’re moving her soon, so there’s no reason to be worried.”

 

“That’s not a good enough answer. She’s in danger Beast Boy-”

 

“Don’t call me that Robin. I’m not a hero anymore.”

 

“Look, Garfield… I understand why you quit being a superhero. After the stream ended… I get it, more now than I did before, I get it. But you can be doing what you’re doing now if you were to come with me. Be a superhero again…”

 

>L. “I left that life behind. I’m a cop now.”

>M. “Mandy, pull over. Let Wonderboy out.”

>N. I should listen to what he has to say.

 

L

 

I pause, looking out the window. “I left that life behind Robin. I’m a cop now.” I catch a glimpse of Mandy looking at me. She smiles to herself, and then continues driving. “Besides, why are you drilling me about this? Its not like the rest of the Titans are fighting crime either. Cy is overseas, Raven is locked up and Starfire is doing a solo thing in the stream. Why me?”

 

“Because you show the motivation. After you quit being a hero, you decided to be a cop anyway. You still want to help people.”

 

“I do. And I don’t wanna go beyond the law and become a vigilante to do it. I’d rather do it proper.” I tell him, looking back at him.

 

“You and Blossom are exactly the same-”

 

“Hey, don’t bring her into this! Her fucking sister is missing you selfish-”

 

“Oh, and you don’t think I’m doing anything about that? I’ve been out night and day while you drink-”

 

Mandy finally pipes up, stopping our arguing, “Boys, boys! If anyone has the biggest dick in this car its gonna be me. So both of you shut the fuck up.” Mandy has a way of making me feel like an idiot. She looks to the two of us and glares with annoyance. “Now, I can understand what you are trying to say Boy Wonder, but Garfield is MINE now. And like hell am I going to let him run off, put on some purple spandex and go hand-to-hand with a serial killer who can erase his powers. You’ve probably seen the Buttercup tape, right? He’s better off where he is.”

 

Its weird having someone place a stamp of ownership on you. I’ll admit, whenever someone claimed that kind of power, like Robin, I would usually tune out. But it feels good knowing that Mandy wants me with her.

 

I look back to gauge Robin’s reaction to that. He’s gone. As quickly as he arrived. Mandy glances in the rear view and snorts. “Batman wannabe, isn’t he?” She says.

 

>O. ”You have no idea.”

>P. ”You own me huh?”

>Q. ”Maybe he’s right…”

 

O

 

I snicker at that, “You have no idea… Robin was always very serious. I’m guessing that’s where he takes it from. Still, I lived with him for years when I was with the Titans and still never knew much about him. He was a complete and utter mystery. We even raided his room a few times and never found anything linking back to his origins. Who knows...”

 

“I miss the red and the green. Now he’s all dark and brooding…” Mandy says, making a overly curved frowny face, imitating him. I can’t help but laugh. I don’t tell Mandy, but her ‘Angry Batman’ face is strikingly similar to how she normally looks. Its puts her in high spirits though, and she lets out a small ‘Ha.’

 

We finally make it to the station and make our way into Homicide. I look about to see who’s in as Mandy takes her seat at her desk. Chief Jones is looking over the white board. He’s nervously twirling his ascot. We have our three victims pinned up (Including our potential one), Ben 10, Buttercup and Starfire, but we’re having a hard time connecting them. Sure, Starfire and Ben were currently in the Stream, but Buttercup hasn’t been in the Stream in years. What’s the connection?

 

I see Starfire lazily clicking through her phone on the couch to the side. She looks annoyed. Starfire had changed quite a bit since we were younger. She wasn’t as bubbly as her old self and she had become a lot more vain. Having her own solo project in the stream seemed to make her out as one of those flashy movie stars in Hollywood or something.

 

Mandy is reviewing what’s on the objective tonight. Seems like she has plans to interfere with both aspects of Eddy’s case. I never knew why Mandy had such a grudge against Eddy. Sure, Mandy hated a lot of people, and honestly Eddy was a cunt, but for some reason she looked at him with such venom at times it scared me.

 

>R. I should talk to Chief Jones.

>S. I should talk to Starfire.

>T. I should talk to Mandy.

 

S

 

I walk over to Starfire, hands in my pockets. I don’t know why, but I’m nervous. Its been so long since I’ve had a face to face with any of my old colleagues. Unfortunately for me, as soon as her bright eyes drift over to me I lock up. “H-Hey Kori, how you doing?”

 

She smiles, standing up to walk over to me. I’m not sure what she’s doing… She hugs me. Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me in close. I’m pressed against her neck, her being taller than me, but I still wrap my arms around her waist. “Its so good to see you Beast Boy.”

 

“Uhm, thanks Kori, you too. And just call me Garfield or Detective Logan. I-I don’t like that name much anymore.”

 

She nods with a proper smile, taking me by the hand and leading me over to her couch. She sits down gracefully and I follow. She’s as beautiful and as charming as ever. “So, who do you think is after me Garfield?”

 

“Well, we don’t know right now. We thought it was someone who was upset with the current status of the Stream, but-”

 

“That’s seemed to have changed since Buttercup’s kidnapping.” Mandy says, walking over to us. She has a few files in her hands and she’s gently peering through them as she speaks to us, “We were building a profile for this guy, but it seems now we have to go back to square one.”

 

“Maybe the killings are just random.” Starfire offers.

 

“No,” I respond, “They’re planned out, and he or she has been planning them for a while. This must have been years in the making, because I don’t know of any technology that can depower a superhuman…” I say, looking to Mandy.

 

“Me neither, but for now we need to focus on keeping you safe. And frankly, it isn’t here. Where do you think she should hold up Garfield?” Mandy asks me.

 

>U. “She should stay in a small hotel. I can take her.”

>V. “She should stay at my place.”

>W. “She should stay at your place Mandy.

 

W

 

“A hotel is too exposed and people would look at my place…” I flinch, realizing what I’m about to ask. “Mandy, is your place ok?”

 

The look on her face tells it all. The angry arch of her eyebrows, the frown. Mandy is in full form right now. At any other time I’d laugh at her reaction, but I need her to agree with this. She looks to Starfire, who is bashfully batting her eyes. Mandy rolls her eyes and nods, giving Starfire a wave, “Alright, she can stay-”

 

“Glorious!” Suddenly Starfire wraps her arms around Mandy’s waist, hoisting her up in the air as she carries her via flying. Mandy is instantly mortified and embarrassed, the red in her face being offset by complete anger and hatred, “We will have an old fashion girl’s night! Movies and popcorn and-”

 

“Oh my God Garfield, I hate you so fucking much. I want you to die.” Mandy mumbles out to me, staring daggers as Starfire lets her down. I don’t know what to say. I just lift my hand to the back of my head and try to laugh it off. The two girls leave together with Starfire babbling about more girly activities. I frown a bit, a similar memory of Raven and Starfire flashing back to me. As soon as they’re gone, I stand up and walk over to Chief Jones. “Everything alright Chief?”

 

“Its a trap… All of this is a trap, its gotta be.”

 

I snicker at that. Chief hasn’t changed much. After years of solving mysteries independently, he finally decided to give police work ago. Problem was, not every crime has an explicit motive or reasoning. Sometimes things just happen… Sometimes someone just wants to see someone bleed. Thankfully for Fred Jones though, he may be right in this case.

 

>X. “Any news on Buttercup?”

>Y. “Where is Eddy’s crime scene?”

>Z. “See any leads in there Freddy?”

 

X

 

“What’s the news on Buttercup chief?” I ask, walking over towards the desk in the corner to make myself some coffee. As its brewing, Chief Jones turns to me, hands in his pockets. He’s definitely not the handsome mystery sleuth anymore like he was. He’s wide in the waist and wears suspenders that curve over his round belly. He still has a head full of blonde, shiny hair but its pretty obvious from his grey moustache that he bleaches it. And of course, that trademark orange ascot hangs loosely from around his collar.

 

“Its a fiasco Logan. Once the press talked to Blossom, it's been all over the news. I don’t know who leaked that tape to the press, but we’ve got pressure from the mayor to get this case solved before any more damage is done.  Eddy’s on your case.”

 

I was about to pour my coffee when he dropped that bomb. I almost drop my mug, “The fuck he is. Why?”

 

“Two reasons: One, I need every able-bodied detective out there working the streets. Two, we just got the forensics back from Eddy’s crime scene out in the stix. There’s blood on the asphalt. The blood came back positive as Buttercup’s.”

 

“T-then that means she may be alive… I should tell Bloss-”

 

“You ain’t telling her shit. I’ve already exposed too much from this case thanks to that tape being leaked, and I’m not about to raise the hopes of the people of Townsville. This city loves the Powerpuff Girls, but we need to KNOW before we raise their hopes that their darling is alive. So I’m asking you and Mandy to take the sticks out of your asses and start cooperating with Eddy. That said, get down to his crime scene. You two need to go over what he’s found.”

 

“Mandy isn’t going to be happy.”

 

“When is she ever Garfield?”

 

>A. I should let Mandy know about this development.

>B. I should do what Chief says and head for the crime scene.

>C. Dexter’s still at the hospital. If Eddy’s scene is related, maybe he knows something.

 

C

 

“You got it Chief.” I give him a small salute and grab my coat. I down the coffee before leaving my mug and making my way to a squad car. I’ll get to Eddy in due time… It may be beneficial to gather information on separate ends, just in case Eddy fucks us. I decide as much as I get into an unmarked car, turning the ignition and pulling out onto the streets.

 

Dexter is still being treated at the hospital. Who knows for how long... He may be moved at some point or someone may try to kill him for whatever went wrong out in the stix. I need to talk to him and get his story.

 

I pull up to Townsville Memorial. Walking inside, I can feel the tension. A lot of people have died recently, and the staff are worried. I take a turn towards the emergency wing and look for Eddy’s room. Before I get there though, I see a Doctor approaching me. She’s youthful and had red hair; cute figure too, “Excuse me Doctor uh… Foster. I’m looking for Dexter, gunshot victim, should have a police escort…”

 

She lifts her eyes to me and nods, “Oh, yeah. He’s just down the hall… But I thought…”

 

“What?”

 

“Well, we got a call from a Detective Eddy that stated the police escort was no longer needed. So, I told the cop he could go home.”

 

Shit… I shuffle past Doctor Foster and start sprinting for Dexter’s room. The fuck is Eddy doing? Is he getting money to let the rival gang’s people kill him? I skip to a halt at the viewing area, peeking in to see Dexter sitting upright and watching TV. He seems fine. Doctor Foster is right behind me, catching her breath as she peers in. “Oh, thank God. I thought… When you started running…”

 

>D. “Doctor, if another Detective comes into this hospital you let me know.”

>E. “Doctor, we need to move Dexter to another room.”

>F. “Doctor, I need you to call the police for more officers here.”

 

D

 

I stare at Dexter for a long time. I remember him from the Stream. He was very serious then, and he seems just as serious now. I know a little about Eddy’s case, but not much. I know Dexter was the only living soul to a deal which looks to have gone bad. There’s 2.5 million dollars sitting in the lock up to attest to that. Still, I need some answers.

 

“Doctor, if another Detective comes into this hospital you let me know. Give me your phone, send me a text if you hear one’s coming in.” I put my number in her phone and then give it back. She gives me a nod and the heads off downstairs.

 

I open the door and let myself in, “Dexter, my name is Detective-”

 

“Garfield Logan, previously a superhero of the Teen Titans. I know who you are.”

 

“Ok, so I need no introduction. Mind telling me what you were doing out there in the stix?”

 

“I was selling fake weapons to a rival.”

 

I was a bit surprised by that, “You’re awfully forthcoming with that information. You could face jail time you know.”

 

“Maybe, but not likely. I know enough to keep me in witsec and I didn’t do anything too terribly wrong.”

 

“Terribly wrong? There are four bodies out in those fields you were found with. That’s some wrong doing if I ever saw it.”

 

“Yes, I guess you could say its a weird predicament I’m in. Yet, I haven’t done anything really wrong. I didn’t kill anyone. The weapons aren’t there and the two that were are toys. The money isn’t mine. What’s there to convict me with?” He has a few points. There’s not much to go with besides a pile of bodies. It depends on what the forensics pulls off the weapons, but if what he says is true… All that he’s done would be dropped if he could supply reliable info to the police or FBI.

 

>G. “Why would witsec take you?”

>H. “Tell me what happened. What went wrong?”

>I. I should ask why Eddy pulled his guard.

 

I

 

I look behind me, peering from the window to see if there was anyone looking in. I then turn back to Dexter, leaning against his hospital bed. “Do you know why Eddy would have your guard pulled?” Dexter was mildly interested in me before, but now I had his full attention. He turns off the TV, looking to me.

 

“How long ago?” I shrug, looking to him. He seems to process some things, looking down and thinking before he lifts his eyes to me again, “You need to move me. Eddy is probably going to try and kill me.”

 

“What? Why would he do that?” I ask, standing up straight and crossing my arms.

 

“Because he probably thinks I killed Edd.”

 

“Edd? What’re you talking about?”

 

“There’s no time. Move me now and I’ll tell you everything I know. I know who has Buttercup.”

 

I drop my arms at that. I feel a shiver tickle up my spine, as if I’m being watched again. Or is that you Robin? I give a grunt and nod, taking Dexter by his rolling bed and pulling him towards the door. I roll him out and pull my cell phone from my pocket. I dial Mandy’s number as I push Dexter down the hall.

 

“Garfield, you have to get me out of here. Starfire is… Bouncing, and she won’t stop-”

 

“Mandy, I may have some information on Buttercup soon, but I need you to get dressed and get down to Townsville Memorial. I need you to try and get in touch with Eddy too. He’s on his way here, and for bad intentions.”

 

“... Alright. Let me get dressed.” I love that about Mandy. We sync so well together sometimes, she just knows when we need to just act and not speak.

 

>J. “Where is Buttercup? Who has her?”

>K. “Who’s Edd? Why would Eddy want you dead for that?”

>L. “Who did kill Edd then?”

 

J

 

“Where is Buttercup? Who has her?” Dexter is holding onto the railings of his hospital bed as I push him down the hallway, and then take a sharp right.

 

“E-Ed took her.”

 

“Ed? I thought you said Ed was dead.”

 

“No you idiot, the other Ed! Double D was the one who was killed. Ed is the one who killed him and took Buttercup.”

 

“Y-you mean the two from the stream? Ed from Pops? Ed wouldn’t hurt a fly.” I push Dexter into a supply closet. Its tight and its dank, but there’s enough room inside for him and its well hidden. I close the door behind us, panting as I catch my breath.

 

“Ed was working at Pops, but he has a past you might not know about. Back in the day, Ed, Edd n’ Eddy use to be a tight-knit crew who stuck up banks and robbed armored cars. Double D supposedly got killed during their final robbery, Ed went to jail and Eddy got away with the money. Eddy was suspected to be the third man, but there wasn’t enough to convict. He was able to get into Homicide by bribing his way in years later.”

 

He continues, “The day before yesterday, I saw Ed at Pops’ diner and offered him a job. He took it and we all went out to the fields to make the deal. I didn’t know Double D was going to be there, but when he showed Ed got angry, grabbed my gun and killed him. He killed Double D’s men too. Then, he tried to take the money for himself, but Rex tried to stop him. Ed killed him and then realized Double D had Buttercup. He took her and the car and sped off, leaving me in a pool of my own blood. My other man panicked and fled…”

 

>M. “That’s bullshit, Ed wouldn’t kill anybody.”

>N. “Why did seeing Double D set him off?”

>O. “Where was Ed heading with Buttercup?”

>P. “Who was your other man?”

 

P

 

“Who was your other man?” I ask, peeking from the door to see if anyone has appeared. I don’t see Eddy or the Doctor.

 

Dexter hesitates a bit. “If I tell you, will it help me if I go on the witness stand?” He’s always thinking a few steps ahead. I really don’t know much less care about how little or more time he gets, so I just tell him, “Probably?”

 

“Johnny Test.”

 

I turn towards him, “Test? He’s on the stream. Why would he risk himself for a shifty gun deal?”

 

“I offered his sisters some priceless technology for their lab. The deal required Test to work for me.”

 

“Sounds more like blackmail to me.”

 

I suddenly get a text. I pull my phone from my pocket. Its from the Doctor:

 

‘2 cops here. arguing’

 

I put my phone back in my pocket and turn towards Dexter. “Wait here.” I then make my way to the hospital lobby, where I find both Mandy and Eddy arguing with each other. Doctor Foster is behind the front desk with a couple of nurses looking on. They seem worried. The patients waiting in the lobby seem worried too.

 

“I’m telling you! That prick in there killed Double D! Let me in there before I-”

 

“Before what you creep? Before you MAKE me get out of the way?”

 

>Q. “Mandy, calm down!”

>R. “Eddy, calm down!”

 

R

 

I come up between them, lifting my hand to Eddy and pushing him back, “Eddy, calm down!”

 

Eddy looks pissed, “Me? She’s the one who started it. I just came to interview my witness.”

 

“Why did you call and have the guard pulled?”

 

That question seems to make Eddy pull back a bit. He takes a step backwards, composing himself as he looks towards the emergency wing. “What did he tell you?” He reaches in and pulls out a cigarette, lighting up in the middle of the hospital waiting room. Scumbag...

 

“Dexter says that Ed killed Double D and fucked up the whole deal. Ed then took Buttercup and the money and then escaped. Dexter also says he killed the three others. He also says you were an ex-con who used to rob banks and knock over armored cars.” I step backwards a bit, lowering my arm. Mandy slides up next to me.

 

She pipes up, “I knew there was something slimy about you. You’re going in there to keep his mouth shut about your past!”

 

Eddy turns towards her with an angry glare, “I’m going in there to beat him because he murdered my best friend!” He tosses his cigarette, yanking his revolver from his jacket and pointing it downwards.

 

Mandy draws her Glock, “Put the gun down Eddy! I won’t let you kill our witness. You’re just pissed off because your sordid past is about to come up now that this case is connected with ours.”

 

“Its not about that! Gar, you have to believe me. I’ve been to the crime scene! What Dexter is telling you is lies. You know Ed! You know he’d never draw on anyone, much less my old friend Double D! There is enough evidence at the crime scene to show that Dexter drew first. Hell, if Dexter has the gun powder residue on him, I can put Double D’s murder weapon in his hand!”

 

“Don’t believe him Garfield! He’s just trying to fuck with us to get to his own means.”

 

>S. “Eddy is right! Mandy, put your gun away!”

>T. “Mandy is right! Eddy, put your gun away!”

 

T

 

I don’t draw my gun, but I put my hand on it just in case Eddy tries anything stupid, “Mandy is right Eddy, put your gun down…” Mandy smirks to me, shuffling up close.

 

“Ugh, you’re not seeing the bigger picture! Dexter is an asshole. He’s feeding you false information!”

 

“I doubt that’s true. Dexter is feeding us what we need to know so he can stay out of jail. I guess I didn’t know Ed that well, but it looks like he’s gone off the deep end, killed Double D and took both Buttercup and 2.5 million in cash.” I tell Eddy. I’m going to stand on this. Dexter doesn’t seem like the type to lie to me when he’s dangerously close to being convicted.

 

Eddy looks at us like we’re idiots. He shoves his gun in his holster and storms towards the front entrance. He turns back to look at us, pure hatred his eyes, “You’ll regret this… You both will.” He then walks out.

 

Mandy slides her Glock back in her holster, giving a disgusted look to the leaving Eddy. “Well, I guess we should let IA know about Eddy at some point.” She says. She then grabs me by the collar, tugging me down. I feel myself come face to face with Mandy. She’s flushed. She gives me a small kiss on the lips, parting with a wicked, little smirk, “Thanks for believing me.” She says, giving me a wink.

 

I’m still a little shocked as we make our way up to the supply closet. Mandy is smiling to herself, shyly looking away from me. As we get to the closet, I open the door to-

 

Dexter is gone. All that’s sitting there is an empty hospital bed and a pair of uncuffed hand cuffs.. “Fuck me…” I say, leaning up against the door frame. It doesn’t connect with Mandy immediately, but as soon as she sees the empty bed her brows furrow. She pulls out her police radio, “Dispatch, we need an APB out on both Ed and Dexter...”

 

She continues as I just stare at Dexter’s bed… Could Eddy have been right?

 

----End of Beast Boy Chapter 02----

 

“You know, you’re pretty dumb Ed.”

 

I feel like I’ve been hearing that my whole life. Hearing it from a Powerpuff Girl doesn’t change much. I look up at her as I foolishly try and wrap a bandage around her burnt calf. She’s smirking down at me, wincing in pain as the bandage slides off.

 

“Uhm. I-I’ll get this right.” I tell her, sliding the old bandage off and gathering some new gauze.

 

We managed to score a hotel room last night. Buttercup didn’t want the cops to find her, so she had me put all the money in the hotel room’s closet before making me drive the SUV somewhere and ditching it. I walked back in the pouring rain to find her past out in one of the beds. The next day, she figured she needed to dress her wounds before they got any worse. This is where I came in.

 

She is sitting on the edge of the hotel bathtub; me kneeling down before her. She is holding up her pants leg so that I can wrap her wound, and I can tell its a bit of a hassle for the once super powered human. Not only to take the pain, but to let someone else address it, “Ok Ed, first the ointment first, then the bandage. And do it slow.” She whispers softly to me. I look up at her for a moment, catching a bite of her lip as she prepares for the pain. I take a small finger-dab of the medical ointment in my hands and then rub it into the brand that seared her flesh. She jumps and gives a shiver. I then start to dress the wound, wrapping the burn with the gauze. The gauze sticks this time, and her wound stays sealed.

 

She exhales when she sees the wound properly dressed, giving a nod, “Good job Ed.”

 

>A. “So, Double D did this?”

>B. “So, what happened to your superpowers?”

>C. I should focus on her wounds. I can ask questions later.

>D. “So, why were you in the trunk?”

>E. “So, who is this rat in the police?”

 

D

 

I pause for a moment, “So, why were you in the trunk?” I ask, lifting my eyes up to hers. She seems to avoid my gaze, looking towards the toilet on my left. “I mean, d-doesn’t that killer guy… Kill people? Why were you spared?” I place my hand on her calf, giving her a reassuring pat as I stand up.

 

“I wasn’t.”

 

“What do you mean?” I ask, standing up to face the sink. I wash my hands of her blood, getting ready to apply another bandage.

 

“I was in the trunk man… You finding me was clearly luck. Hell, if the deal went without a hitch I probably would have been killed soon afterwards.” She says, pointing towards my still bloody shirt.

 

“Was that the plan?”

 

“I dunno Ed. They didn’t really tell me how they were gonna kill me.” She makes an annoyed face towards me, nodding towards the gauze. I lower my head and then nod, taking the ointment and applying some to my fingertips again. She lifts her shirt a bit, showing some of her stomach and rib cage. There’s a terrible looking burn at her belly. Another brand. Seems the killer had a brand with the title ‘Mine’ to burn into her. I wince just looking at it, and she turns away with a sad look in her eye. “It was about control. He wanted to show how weak I could be… How weak I was…”

 

I press my fingers into the wound. She gasps at the pain, throwing her head back, “Ahh, Ed…” She cries out, lowering a hand to my shoulder. I look up at her. She’s crying. I can’t tell if she wants me to stop or...

 

>F. I should finish bandaging her.

>G. I should stop. She’s in too much pain.

>H. “Do you remember what the killer looked like?

 

F

 

I need to finish the job, pain aside. I continue rubbing in the ointment, making sure the wound is nice and covered with a thin layer of the cream. She groans in her torturous pain, writhing on the edge of the tub. I then pick up the bandage from the medical kit. I place the bandage flat on her belly, covering the brand completely up. She exhales once the job is over, looking down at the wound. She gives a soft smile, seeing how ‘mine’ is now gone.

 

I take a swab and dab it in alcohol. I stand up, getting close to her face, “W-what are you doing?” She asks, inching back a bit as I lean in close. I dab the alcohol swab against the cut at her eyebrow, where one of her piercings must have been yanked out. She winces, but keeps her eyes locked with mine. I can see a light blush appearing on her cheeks as I stay… intimately close. I can see her hand rise up, as if about to pull me in closer. She hesitates though, letting it fall back to the tub.

 

“You’re in a band right? I’ve seen you play a few times before. With the Gangreen Gang guys.”

 

She nods, leaning forward so I can continue my work of cleaning her wounds. “Yeah. I do lead vocals. We’re mostly punk, but Grubber likes doin’ classical every now and then.” Being reminded of her band seems to make her smile. She lowers her eyes from me, looking down at her knees.

 

I smile, thinking about the spit-tossing Grubber letting loose a glob of saliva over a roaring crowd. They probably loved it. I finish dabbing the cut on her eyebrow, moving down to her lip. I dab it gently, looking right in her eyes again. Her lip quivers at my touch. She’s so close to me… I can feel her breath quicken as I finish.

 

>I. I should try and kiss her.

>J. I should ask about Double D.

>K. I should see about our next move.

 

J

 

I feel the tension between us rising. I feel like I could go for it, like I could have stolen a… I pull back, throwing the alcohol swab in the sink. She looks down, smiling to herself as I lift a hand to the back of my head. I try to change the subject, “So, uh… Double D.”

 

She tenses up at that. Maybe it was a bad decision to bring him up. She keeps her eyes to the ground, giving a sigh, “What about him?” She lifts a hand to her arm, rubbing it gently as memories of the past seem to drift into her mind.

 

“What did he do to you?” I ask, closing up the medical kit. I look over to her, her body now almost halfway covered in bandages. She looks like she’s out of one of my comic books.

 

“Well… He didn’t DO anything specifically, but he helped.” She looked to me, standing up with a wince, “Listen, I know he was your friend, but I can’t look at him with any positive feelings in my heart for what he did to me. So, if you’re trying to find an angle here… Or a reason why your friend would become such a monstrous pig. Then don’t. He just was one…”

 

She takes a small breath, sliding past me out of the bathroom. I follow her into the room, watching as she walks over and sits on the edge of the bed. She looks out towards the window, watching as the lightning dances it’s light across the frame, “He was the one who took away my powers. I dunno how he did it, but he gave me some kind of drug… I was out partying with the boys the night before, and I passed out like I always do. But, this was different. I didn’t wake up with no hangover. I woke up strapped to a gurney.”

 

I walk over towards the other bed, sitting across from her. If Double D had developed a drug to take away super heroes powers, then he could have been a real threat to not only Buttercup, but other super powered citizens.

 

>L. ”Then what happened?”

>M. ”Was there more of this drug?”

>N. ”If you don’t wanna talk about it…”

 

L

 

“So, then what happened?” I asked, fingering through the hotel bible on the counter top. I raise my eyes to her, and I see her… She’s visibly shaken from her time with the killer. She holds herself, shivering softly as she remembers.

 

“Then, he handed me off to… him.”

 

“Him?”

 

“I dunno… I was blindfolded through most of it. They started by just hitting me, you know? Showing me how human I was. I’ve been beaten up before. When fighting monsters, or bad guys… You know. So I could take that. But when he started branding… When he starting… Burning me.” She trails off after that, taking in deep breaths as she softly sobs. She picks up one of the pillows, burying her face into it. “I don’t wanna think about it…” She says, muffled by the pillow.

 

I frown, realizing I’m not much help to this damaged girl. I’ve never been tortured in my life, even through my time in prison. This girl… She used to be so strong, so powerful. I look at her now and she’s a sobbing mess of tears and pain. I wonder if I can hold her. I wonder if I get can get her confidence back.

 

I look to the stack of money bags in the closet. Its almost funny how they’re shoved in there, toppling out from the doorway. I imagine how some lowlife, down on his luck, sitting in the room down the hall thinking of having a better life when one is right next to him in the millions. I notice a paper note sticking out from one of the bags.

 

>O. I should comfort Buttercup.

>P. I should toughen her up. Get her on her feet again.

>Q. I should check out that note.

 

O

 

I stand up. Buttercup follows me with her eyes, peering up at me as tears trickle down her face. I lean forward, taking her by her arms and hoisting her on her feet. She winces at the slight pain, but follows. I pull her into a tight hug, letting her press against me. I hear her gasp, wiggling around at the tight grip. “Its ok Buttercup! Everything is ok!” I don’t know why I’m yelling, but I’m staring forward, eyes focused as her face is buried into my chest.

 

Then I hear it.

 

Laughing. She’s laughing at me. She parts from my chest, pulling back a bit but still wrapped in my arms as she lays her hands on my chest. She looks up at me, snickering loudly as she speaks, “The hell was that?” She asks, wiping away what tears are left. “Why are you yelling?”

 

She then lets her hands fall, taking each of my coat’s edges in her hands. She swivels around, sliding into me. She turns around, wrapping herself in my coat and pressing her back into my chest. I… I’ve never had a girl this close to me before. My hands tremble as I try to find something to hold onto. My hands eventually rest on her belly, pulling her in. “You’re gonna protect me big guy?” She asks, peering back at me as I hold her.

 

I nod, giving my best tough guy face I can manage. She snickers at that, finally pulling away and slipping out of my coat. She then trots over to the money, peeking over it curiously. I hear a ‘Whoa...’ I get ready to get up and see what she’s looking at-

 

I hear a knock at the door.

 

>R. I should answer it… With caution.

>S. I should go see what Buttercup is looking at.

 

R

 

As Buttercup is rifling through the money, I make my way over to the door. I lean up against it, my hand on the pistol stuffed in my pants. I lean up against the door, listening to voices outside. It must be room service or something… But why come this late?

 

“No Yumi stop! We don’t have to be loud. Lets use the silencers this time...” Says a light, gentle female voice.

 

“Fuck that, Dex said to send a message. What better way than with a Spas 12 gauge?” Says a brash, raspy female voice.

 

My eyes go wide as I push away from the door, maneuvering between the beds. Buttercup looks over to me with a confused expression, but I have no time to explain. I reach for the mattress, throwing it up against the door. Two loud blasts pierce through the door just as I get the mattress up, splintering the frame and collapsing the door upon the mattress. The pellets tear through the bedding, barely missing Buttercup and I. I fall backwards, drawing my gun. I fall on my back against the hotel carpet, pointing my pistol at the coming intruders.

 

Buttercup covers her head as I fire a few rounds into the door. I hear a small yelp. There’s a shadow of someone moving past the big, open window of the hotel. My bullets tear through the window, shattering it as the sounds of the rain become more present. Thunder clashes in the open air. There’s no one to be seen.

 

I hoist Buttercup up by the arm, and we move back towards the bathroom. I push her inside, peering out towards the room. Its deathly quiet. The only sounds I hear is the rain pattering against the concrete outside.

 

“W-who are they?” Buttercup asks.

 

“Hitmen… Well…. Hitwomen. I guess.”

 

“What?”

 

>T. I should try talking to these Assassins.

>U. I should try and get Buttercup out of here.

>V. I should offer them the money. That’s what they want right?

 

U

 

I take a deep breath and then take Buttercup by the hand. I raise my pistol out of the bathroom, pointing it towards the open window and the splintered door. We move slowly, taking one step after another. I make my way over to the closet and sling a bag over my shoulder. Buttercup does the same. I start walking towards the window. Buttercup grabs me by the shoulder. I turn to look at her. She’s shaking her head no.

 

“What should we do then? Stay in here?” I ask, looking back forward.

 

“You’re asking me?” She frantically asks.

 

I approach the open window, pressing myself up against the wall to get a look at my angles. I notice that there’s a shotgun laying on the concrete, a trail of blood leading away from it. No bodies though… I can make out a few people peering from their hotel windows, looking at the chaos that has unfolded. This isn’t good. Buttercup can’t be made. Not yet.

 

I leap out from the window, looking about the parking lot for the two female assassins. They are nowhere to be seen. I glance back at Buttercup, “Grab that shotgun.”

 

“What? No!”

 

“You need to protect yourself.” I insist. She grunts with annoyance, climbing out of the destroyed hotel room as she makes her way for the shotgun. She lifts it up, pumping it and causing the two shells to pop free from the chamber. She looks over to me and nods, now ready.

 

I look back down the sights of my gun. I can’t make out anyone in the rain, but I’m sure the two are still out there, licking their wounds. I take a breath, ready to leap forward and hunt them down. Two dead assassins are better than two live ones chasing after Buttercup and me. I take a few steps forward, only to be stopped by Buttercup.

 

“We need to get out of here. Can you hotwire a car?” I nod in response to her.

 

>W. She’s right. Lets get out of here.

>X. We’re better off if the assassins are dead.

 

X

 

I shake my head to Buttercup, “They’re gonna keep following us. We should kill em’ now.” I tell her. I can tell by her face she doesn’t like this. She shakes her head at first, looking down and clutching my jacket, but then she lifts her head, hoisting her shotgun to the ready.

 

“Cover my back, I’ll move forward.” I say, starting off. Buttercup does as I ask, following behind. I make my way towards a car in the parking lot. From there I can get a good look behind the edge of the hotel. I can see two figures by the dumpster, one looking at the other’s arm. The one holding the other’s arm is making sure to stay on point. She looks left and right, “I told you we should have gone in quietly.”

 

“FUCK! That hurts so bad…” Says the other girl.

 

I move up as the soft-spoken one looks down at her friend, ducking behind another car. Buttercup lags behind, and unfortunately is seen by the girl. She lifts her pistol and fires into the rain, shattering a car window just above me as Buttercup slides into cover. We don’t hear the shots, only the pings it produces. Buttercup gives a small yelp as the bullets ring against the vehicle we’re hiding behind, but its good cover. We’re safe. Once the shooting stops I lift myself up and start firing towards the dumpster. Buttercup follows suit, blasting her shotgun towards the two girls. We stop for a moment. The two girls are gone.

 

I slowly start walking towards the dumpster, gun at the ready. Buttercup stays behind the car, shotgun pointed in my direction to give me cover. I lower my gun once I hear the sirens. The cops are coming. I look back towards Buttercup. She’s ready to go. She reaches inside the car that had it’s window shatter and unlocks it, slipping inside. I turn forward to see a Mercedes speed away.

 

>Y. We need to chase them down.

>Z. We need to get out of here before the police show up.

>A. We should gather the money first, then leave.

 

A

 

As Buttercup sits in the car waiting, I run back to the room. The sirens are getting louder. Buttercup sticks her head out of the shattered window, calling out to me, “The fuck are you doing? We have to go!” I ignore, her, jumping back into the room and making my way to the closet. I hear a car door slam from outside, and soon enough Buttercup is inside joining me. “The money? We have enough money, lets go!”

 

“I had to see my friend Double D die for this money. I’m not leaving it behind. I throw two more duffel bags worth of cash over my shoulder, getting ready to move outside. Buttercup blocks my path. “We don’t have to take this cash. We can get more!”

 

I stop, looking down at her, “What do you mean?” The sirens are getting closer. I can hear one cop car outside skid to a stop. Doors are opening and people are yelling. Its hard to make out over the storm, but there’s only a few right now. I hear orders being barked out from a unknown man. “Surround the building! Make sure no one leaves!”

 

I edge my way back to the window. There are a few cop cars parked outside, a few policemen gathering behind them. I can make out a green skinned man walking around behind the cars, gun drawn. Its Beast Boy. I intake a breath, looking back to Buttercup. “What do you mean we can get more?” She shoves the note from the bag in my hand. On the note are names of different banks in Townsville, including numbers beside them.

 

“They’re safety deposit boxes. Probably holding more of the Killer’s funding.” She smirks at me, peeking from the window, “We can hit him where it hurts. I can get revenge and you can get paid. Its a win win, but first thing we gotta do is get out of here.” She shoves the note in her pocket and draws her shotgun, giving me a look, “Without KILLING any police.”

 

>B. Buttercup is right. We need to move.

>C. No! This is my money. I’m taking it with me.

 

B

 

I nod as Buttercup hops back out the window. She makes a mad dash for the car, a single duffel bag slung over her shoulder. I follow quickly behind, throwing down the extra two bags and making my way towards the car with her. I hear Beast Boy call out my name from my right side as I sprint towards the car, “Ed, stop! You’re under-” He stops though, and I slow down to take a look.

 

I glance over to him. Beast Boy lowers his gun. He looks confused. Then I realize... Buttercup is with me. Dammit, they’ve made her! Now they’re going to know that Buttercup is alive and that she’s working with me. I don’t have time to think about that now though. I slip into the driver’s seat and duck bellow to start working on hot wiring the car. “Hurry Ed!” I hear to my side, the sounds of boots clodding towards us filling my ears.

 

Buttercup pulls the shotgun out of her window and fires up into the air. The police scatter, calling out in a panic. It buys me some time. A few shots ring out against the muscle car, and Buttercup dives low to avoid the shots, “Don’t fire!” I hear Beast Boy call out, “Cease fire! He has Buttercup!”

 

As if a sign from God himself, the engine turns on. I quickly reverse the Challenger, pulling back and slamming on the gas. The car peels forward, going over a grassy embankment as I pull towards the open road. The car’s radio starts up:

 

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF2ZqlPNuqU

 

I turn out of the hotel parking lot, driving out of there like a bat outta hell. Its not long before I can see those distant flashing lights getting closer, blue and red splashing color over our dark figures. I keep pushing forward, the Challenger gaining amazing speed. I bite my lip as a cop car gets close.

 

>D. ”Buttercup! Shoot out the tires!”

>E. I should hit him with the Challenger.

>F. ”Buttercup, take the wheel! I’ll shoot out the tires!”

 

D

 

“Buttercup, shoot out the tires!”

 

“What?” She asked, looking towards me with a scared look on her face.

 

“We have to get them off us! Shoot out the tires of that cop car!” She leans out the window, the rain splattering against her bandaged body as she poises her shotgun to the cop car next to us and fires into the tire. The Spas tears apart the rubber tire, sending the cop car spinning out of control until it crashes off the side. I look back in the rear-view mirror. It doesn’t look too bad.

 

Still, as Buttercup slinks back in, she looks shaken. “I-I could have killed him…” She looks to me angrily, punching me in the arm, “I could have killed that guy Ed!” I lift my arm in a reflex, blocking her punches.

 

“Ow, stop!” Thankfully for us, we’ve gathered enough speed to get away from the remaining pursuers. I cut off the car’s lights and turn off a side street, a dirt road towards a trailer park. I manage to park the car behind a trailer and hide it between it and some trees. I roll my window down, listening for the sirens. I hear them pass, one by one.

 

“I think we’re safe.” Buttercup doesn’t respond. I turn to look at her and see that she’s looking out the window, arms crossed. She seems pissed.

 

>G. “That was the only way Buttercup.”

>H. I should keep quiet.

>I. “Grow up Buttercup. If you wanna rob banks, you’re gonna have to get used to this.”

>J. “I’m sorry I made you do that.”

>K. I should get out of the car and make sure its clear.

 

J

 

There’s a long silence between us. I keep my hands on the wheel, like at any moment we could be speeding off again. “I-I’m sorry.” She turns towards me, giving me a look. I feel shamed. I lower my head, giving a little whimper, “I’m sorry I made you do that.” My hands grip the wheel tightly. I feel like running, like leaving her to help herself and disappearing into some crappy job again.

 

She pauses and then laughs, lifting her hand to her face, “I swear to God Ed, what kind of gangster are you? You are the biggest puppy dog I’ve ever met!” She exclaims. She still likes me… Good.

 

I feel a pressure on my lap, and turn forward to feel Buttercup climbing onto me… Onto my lap. She swings her leg over, sliding it between me and the car door. “Uhm…” She just smiles at me, taking me by my collar and leaning in to kiss me. I feel my lips against hers. She’s warm… Like Buttered Toast, but… Different. She doesn’t push her tongue in, like the movies, but it still feels… I dunno, weird. My arms find their way around her, and I pull her in close. She parts with the kiss, looking down at me with batting eyes. Her hands lay on my chest.

 

“Have you ever been with a woman, Ed?” I shake my head no. I never really got many girls’ attention, even after I became a criminal. I got some guys attention in prison… But that wasn’t the kind of attention I wanted. I take a deep breath as I start thinking about being with Buttercup.

 

“Never again, got it Ed?” She says, laying a finger upon my nose. I nod to my new boss, giving a gulp as she smirks at me, “I don’t wanna hurt anyone Ed. I forbid you from killing anyone without my explicit permission, understand?” I nod in agreement, “Until we corner that bastard who branded me, you keep your gun in your pants.” I nod again eagerly.

 

She then lifts a brow, her hand trailing lower. “With your pants in mind… Lets get them off.”

 

----End of Ed's Chapter 02----

 

This was a mess.

 

I look towards the crime scene before me with nothing but contempt. I don’t want to be here, and neither does Mandy. Funny enough, she’s not here. I briefed her on the situation, telling her what I saw last night. That Ed and Buttercup were both fleeing the crime scene. She hung up on me. A handful of cops even reported seeing her shoot out the tires of a squad car. This was a mess alright… I wish I could climb my way out of it.

 

I pull a smoke out of the pack, leaning down to place it in my mouth before lighting it up. The hell was I still doing here? The blood by the dumpster was just going to add another clue to the clusterfuck that was this case. I should be back at the station, connecting what clues we already had. Except I had to be here. I was an officer on the scene. I had to make sure what was seen never made it to the press. Some luck I’d have with that. A half a dozen witnesses claim to seeing the Powerpuff Girl fleeing with Ed boy. Maybe I could pin it on Stockholm Syndrome...

 

“Garfield!”

 

Ah, shit. Not her. Not now. I turn with a half-hearted smile towards Blossom, carrying her sister Bubbles in tow. It had been a while since I had seen Bubbles. She had adopted some new age hippy lifestyle and started teaching at Townsville High’s art program. I hear her work is… Unique.

 

“There’s rumors that my sister was here. What have you heard?” Asks Blossom, Bubbles clinging to her and shivering with fear. Fear of knowing the truth...

 

>A. I should delay her. She doesn’t need to know yet.

>B. I should tell the truth.

>C. I should try to comfort Bubbles. Change the subject…

 

B

 

I take a breath, realizing that dancing around the issue won’t get me anywhere. I look at the two from where I’m standing. Its weird to see the two most powerful beings in Townsville succumbed to sobbing messes. I guess the thought of being powerless really factors into their fear of what happened to Buttercup, but that doesn’t matter now… Not with Ed on the scene.

 

“Well, Blossom… I’m afraid the rumors were true. My men and I caught Ed fleeing with Buttercup last night. And she seemed to be aiding and abetting rather than a hostage, though that is just my personal observation.”

 

Bubbles looked confused, “W-what, so what is it? She’s a criminal now?” She asked, a bit of ferocity in her voice. I take a small step, raising my arms.

 

“No one said Buttercup is a criminal. That’s up to the courts on Blossom’s side of things. That’s just what I saw… Plus, there are a whole bunch of factors that haven’t clicked in yet, so there’s plenty of room for me to be wrong.”

 

“Bubbles, let me talk to Detective Logan alone for a minute.” Bubbles nods, and steps away. Blossom gets close to me, “Did she shoot at anyone?”

 

I hesitate, “She shot out a car’s tire. The driver is in the hospital for a fractured arm, but…"

 

She shakes her head, reaching out for a smoke. I give her one, leaning in to light it with my own. “Well, thanks for telling me. I trust you and Mandy. I’m glad that my trust wasn’t misplaced.” She takes a drag, exhaling with a shake of her head. “Jesus… What’s your next move?”

 

>A. “I need all the facts. I’m gonna follow up on this blood trail.”

>B. “I need to regroup with Mandy at the station. We need to put a lock down on some of these clues.”

>C, “I need to find Eddy. Ed’s in trouble, and making up with him might be my best choice of getting closer to Ed.”

>D. “I need to get a hold of Chief Jones. He probably wants a report of my recent findings.”

 

A

 

“I’m still not done here. There’s a closet full of unaccountable money sitting in that blown out hotel room, and I’m looking at a blood trail of a 3rd party that may have started the shooting.” I tell her. It may be a bad idea to lay all of this on Blossom, but we’ve known each other a long time. Blossom and Mandy go way back, and we have a small… History as well.

 

She nods to that, offering me a smile I haven’t seen in quite a while, “Thanks Gar. I hope you find Buttercup safe. No matter if criminal or innocent, I just want my sister back.” I give a nod, shaking her hand before she pulls away and joins her sister.

 

I make my way to the dumpster area. Its been roped off, a few of the guys from forensics looking over the blood droplets. I wait patiently by the police tape for a moment, and then speak up, “What we got?”

 

“Blood belongs to a Yumi Yoshimura. Punk singer from the East side. She moved her with her friend Ami Onuki. They were gonna continue their music here, but it sounds like they got involved in organized crime. Rumors are that the two are notorious hitmen… Or women… Whatever.” The forensics guy approaches me, ducking under the tape. “It wasn’t that bad a wound, from what I can make of it. Probably just a graze.”

 

I take a drag off my smoke, tossing it inside the dumpster as I make my way over to the hotel room. I remember Puffy AmiYumi from when it was on the Stream… Seems like everyone who gets a good whiff of the Stream seems to stumble into darkness in this town. At least me and Mandy have our heads above the water… But for how long?

 

I look over towards the hotel room and see Eddy snooping around. Shit, he probably won’t be happy to see me. Maybe I should just walk away. Then again, I could use this as an opportunity to mend old ways.

 

>E. I should tell him to fuck off the crime scene.

>F. I should go speak to him about what’s going on.

>G. I should get out of here.

 

F

 

I reel back a bit on my heels. I’m going to have to talk to him at some point, might as well be now. Eddy is standing at the shattered window, looking in. His flashy appearance has dulled since last I saw him. Like the life of his personality got sucked out of him. I keep forgetting that he lost a close friend, like I almost lost Star or... He’s staring at something. I approach quietly from behind to peer in with him. He’s looking at the big pile of money stacked in the closet. There are investigators taking pictures of the pile.

 

“You know, out of all the scams we ran back as kids… I never dreamed of ever seeing this much money… And now Ed happens by it with pure, fucking luck.” He says to me. It was like he could just sense my presence. Is that how deep Eddy’s hate runs?

 

“We’re gonna catch him Eddy. Before Dexter or anyone else does.”

 

“You don’t know that…” He mutters, turning away to face me, “Besides, why am I talking to you? You and your bitch partner fucked me over on Dexter, and now that maniac is out on the streets causing more trouble.” He spits down by my shoes, shoving past me and walking towards the police blockade at the front of the hotel. I hurry to catch up with him.

 

“I guess Ed really has changed for you, huh?”

 

“He hasn’t changed at all. He’s still as big an idiot as he was back then, its just the stakes are raised. He had me to keep his stupid ass out of trouble, but now that’s all fucked cause I don’t know where he is…”

 

>H. “Eddy, I need you on this case with us. I’m sorry.”

>I. “Where would you possibly see Ed going now?”

>J. “Don’t call Mandy a bitch man…”

>K. “Well, if you weren’t so corrupt, maybe we wouldn’t have been so suspicious.”

>L. “You talk to Chief Jones yet?”

 

H

 

“Eddy, I need you on this case with us… I’m sorry.”

 

Eddy turns back towards me, stopping in his tracks. He gives a small snort. “Shit, I guess he hasn’t told you guys yet.” He pulls out a smoke, lighting it with one of his trademark shit-eating grins on his face. He throws down the match and then shoves his hands in his pockets, “I told you I’d get you back, mother fucker…”

 

I look at him confused. He just smirks, “Though I appreciate the sentiment, I let Chief Jones in on you and Mandy’s little cock block of me trying to interrogate the witness at MY crime scene. That’s obstructing an officer in the line of duty, by the way… You and Mandy are both off the case. Jones wants to see you now. That’s why I’m here.”

 

I stand in complete shock. No, he couldn’t have… But its fucking Eddy, of course he did. I don’t know what to say. Of course, I wanna wrap my hands around his throat and throttle him, but… Does Mandy know? Does she have the faintest idea what this little cunt has done? He couldn’t have...

 

Eddy laughs at my sudden misdirection, tossing his smoke down as he revels in the glory of his overwhelming victory. He lifts his arms in a passive shrug, “Hey man, I played my cards just like you and Mandy did. Though mine didn’t lead to a witness escaping custody, you prick.”

 

>M. “The fuck I am off this case!”

>N. “Does Mandy know?”

>O. I should punch Eddy.

>P. I need to go see Chief Jones NOW.

 

P

 

I find myself stumbling back to my car as Eddy laughs from behind me. “Keep your feet Beast Boy! I’m sure Jones has a parking meter you can watch after…” No… No, I can’t be off this case. It means too much. I feel sick, a bubbling in my gut that brings me back to my Titans days. I hunch over my car, giving a heave before I slide myself in the driver’s seat. Mandy has to know…

 

I ring her on the phone. She answers almost immediately, “I just heard. What the FUCK?”

 

“I know…” I say, looking out the window towards Eddy. I feel a churning rage build inside me as I start to watch him give orders to the cops on the scene. Taking over MY case... I sigh, leaning back in my seat as I start the car, “The fuck we gonna do Mandy? I’m on my way to talk to Jones. This can’t be right.”

 

“I just called him. He wants us both in his office.”

 

“So its not bullshit.” I sigh, putting my car into gear and pulling out from the hotel. I get on the freeway, thinking of what all I’m going to say to Jones when I get back. I thought crosses my mind though… It won’t matter. If Jones has already sided with Eddy, what the fuck is two fuck up detectives yelling at him gonna solve?

 

Mandy must have probably been thinking the same thing, “How you wanna approach this boss?”

 

>Q. We should fight fire with fire. Bring up Eddy’s corruption to Jones.

>R. We need to beg and apologize. Yeah, we fucked up, but that’s no reason to pull the case from us.

>S. Fuck seeing Jones. We can do this solo. Why do we need the department’s help anyway?

>T. We go hard. We threaten to quit if he fucks us on this.

 

R

 

I wince as I realize what I’m about to ask of Mandy, “Mandy?” I say with a high tone in my voice.

 

“No.”

 

I can already tell I’m going to have trouble with this brick wall. “Listen, this isn’t going to work unless we both go in and apologize to Jones. Its true, we fucked him on this. He told us to work with Eddy and instead we blocked Eddy from pursuing his witness.” I pull off the interstate, heading past Boulevard back to the station.

 

“He was gonna kill him!” Mandy yells through the phone. I part the phone from my elfish ear, giving another wince as I try to calm her.

 

“We don’t know that. Right now, we need to get on Fred’s good side. We do this by stroking his ego and trying to weasel our way back on the case. That’s how Eddy would have done it, and it seems to be working for him.” I tell her, trying to make her see reason. I understood Mandy. No part of me wanted to do this either, but it had to be done. I just needed to get that through her stubborn skull.

 

She sighs, “Fine. But you’re taking me out to dinner. Some place nice too.” I smirk at her response.

 

“Yes ma’am.” I whisper.

 

“I’ll see you at the station.” Mandy grumbles.

 

Moments later, we both are in Jones’ office. He’s sitting at his desk staring at us both. I try and put on the best, sheepish smile I can, but Mandy’s hard glare is making quite the juxtaposition between us. I take a deep breath and realize I’m going to have to take the lead on this one.

 

>U. “We fucked up boss. We’re sorry.”

>V. “You gotta let us back on this case Chief.”

>W. “Chief, let me explain what happened.”

 

U

 

“Chief, we fucked up-”

 

“You’re goddamn right you fucked up. You two are lucky I’m not busting your asses down to patrol, but I need every detective I got.” He fishes through his desk and pulls out a cigar, leaning back into his chair and lighting it. Mandy makes a face. She never liked the smell of cigars. Chief knew that. He was trying to set her off to give him an excuse. I gently graze her hand with my own. Mandy inhales softly.

 

“Chief. We gotta get back on this case man… We started this with the Tennyson murder, you should at least let us finish it.” I appeal to him, coming forward with my hands outstretched. I feel like a beggar. This case is feeding me in ways I didn’t think possible...

 

Fred gives us both a look, “Close the door.”

 

Mandy blinks, and then follows his orders, closing the door behind us three. She leans up against it, facing us two.

 

Fred leans forward, “Ok listen. This mess has become far too high profile for my liking. I’m reassigning you, but its towards the same goal. Garfield… You’re going undercover. We’re gonna cut you from the case, as if you were fired. We have heard rumors that Ed and Buttercup are going to look into hiring a crew for some kind of score. They’re already in talks with a driver by the name of Bravo. I want you in on that.”

 

...This is quite the shock. I cross my arms with disbelief.

 

“Wait, if Gar is going undercover where am I going?” Asks Mandy, stepping up to Fred. She has a sudden look of panic on her face.

 

Chief Jones smirks, “You’re getting partnered with Eddy. You’ll also be Gar’s contact while he’s undercover. You two trust each other.”

 

>X. “Chief, I don’t want to do this.”

>Y. “How am I supposed to get in Ed’s gang? I’m a cop!”

>Z. “You can’t be serious partnering mandy with Eddy.”

>A. “Tell me about these rumors.”

>B. “I’m game. How is this gonna go down?”

 

Y

 

“Ok, wait… How the hell am I supposed to get in with Ed’s gang? He’s not going to trust an ex-cop.” I ask, plopping down in one of the chairs Chief has set up across from his desk. I slump in it, showing my frustration to the man. How the hell was this going to work?

 

“Maybe not. But you have a lot of connections to these people Garfield. I think at least they’d hear you out. Ed knows you from Pops, and you’re friends with Buttercup’s sister. We’ll set it up very publicly, something that gets you fired as well as recognized in the underground world. Plus, rumor around the campfire is that Ed and Buttercup are looking for people to hit the killer’s funding. We can get closer. The thing is, they can’t think they’re going to get arrested for illegal behavior. I wanna wrap all of this up in a nice bow. So we need to make it look like you’ve gone vigilante. I want you in on that-”

 

“You’re pairing me up with WHO?” Yelled Mandy quite loudly. Jones pulls back a bit, his cigar hanging loosely from his lips. A smile spreads across his lips as he watched Mandy boil over with complete rage, her eyebrows forming into a perfect V as her body quakes with anger.

 

Jones chuckles, “Relax Mandy, relax! I know about the corruption accusations you’ve brought up. You can continue to work the case, report what you know to Garfield who will be on the inside, and then monitor Eddy for suspicious behavior. Its a stretch, but this may turn out to be just enough of a curve ball to throw that killer off his track.”

 

Mandy looks to me, breathing out a sigh. I can tell she doesn’t like this, and even I feel its somewhat clumsy of a move. But the killer hasn’t caused any kind of ruckus lately, and we feel stuck on this. Mandy has a pleading look in her eye, like she would do anything to prevent this separation.

 

>C. Alright Chief, I’ll do it.

>D. I’m sorry Chief, I can’t do it.

 

C

 

I look down at the ground. This could be quite the change, not only for me but for Mandy too. My career was about building towards Detective. Now I’m shoved into Undercover? How can I adjust? Should I do this? Its for the greater good, right? I take a deep breath and raise my head, giving a nod. “Alright Chief, I’m in. Tell me what I gotta do.”

 

The chief claps his hands together excitedly, giving a bit of a bounce in his seat, ‘This is perfect! The best trap I’ve ever set.” He stubs out his cigar, planting files and documents before me for me to take.

 

I glance to Mandy. She has her head lowered, a look of anger cast over her features. I look forward, biting my lips. I feel awful. Mandy isn’t only my partner, she’s closer than that… We’ve been through so much, good and bad, and this feels like a divorce neither of us want.

 

Chief seems to notice this shift between us. “Uh, you guys probably need to talk. You’re excused.”

 

We walk out outside together. Neither of us speak. We step out in the parking lot, surrounded by parked cop cars, “You know, I get it Gar. Ok, I get it.” Mandy finally speaks, “Jones is right. This case is stagnant. There hasn’t been a murder in days, and we’re running dry chasing Dexter and Ed to see if MAYBE they’ll land us on the killer. We need a new game plan, and Jones seems to have thought this through.” Mandy is speaking rationally, but I can tell that’s not what she wants. “I’ll admit, this isn’t what I wanted… I had hoped we could have stuck this case out to the end, but…”

 

>E. I should reassure Mandy.

>F. I should keep it professional.

>G. I should ask how she really feels.

 

G

 

“Mandy, are you ok? I mean really… You can drop the act, the angry face, whatever. Talk to me. How do you really feel?” I ask, stepping up close. She is looking towards the ground.

 

Its silent for a moment. Mandy then steps up to me, placing a hand on my chest. I feel myself tighten on the inside as she gets close, her breath quivering gently against me, “Y-you’re the first person for me to be… I dunno, happy around. Yeah, we fight and shit, but you don’t run away or avoid me. I’m scared that I’m going to lose you with this new assignment. You’re going to get too deep, or Ed’s gonna cut his losses and kill you. I can’t have that Garfield. I can’t be stuck with Eddy. I need you. I lo- I… I…” She looks up to me, her eyes soft and wanting. I rarely see this side of Mandy, but I keep seeing it more and more recently. I know what she wants to say, but her little angry soldier on the inside keeps it from escaping her lips.

 

I smile, laying my hand on hers, “I’m not going anywhere Mandy. Chief says we’re going to be working directly with each other.”

 

“Yeah, but you won’t be here. You’ll be on the other side. It won’t be the same.” She grumbles, burying her face into my chest. I wrap my arms around her, hugging her close. “This is so stupid. I shouldn’t be so upset about losing your green ass.” She says, giving a small sniffle. Mandy grips me by my jacket, tugging me into her. I rest my cheek against her head, feeling her warmth as she breathes softly against me, “You know what I wanna say…”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I-I can’t do it.” She admits, parting from me. She looks back up to me, her lips agape as she locks eyes with me again.

 

>H. “I’ll do it for you. I love you Mandy.”

>I. I should kiss her.

>J. I should give her some time.

>K. I should stop this.

 

I

 

I smirk down at her, my hand trailing up along her upper back to the back of her neck. I hold her there, beginning to lean in. Mandy’s eyes go wide as she sees what I’m doing, her face becoming flushed as she lifts her hands to my chest, barely pushing me away, “W-wait, wait-” I seal her stutters with a passionate kiss on the lips, pressing myself into her. I feel her body just jolt straight up, like she were shot. But then she quivers, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck and forcing her way in closer. She melts in my grip. Got her...

 

I part from the kiss, catching my breath as she looks up to me, grinning with a heavy blush on her cheeks, “You jackass, that was so corny.” She looks back behind herself, “Hang on, lemme make this perfect.” She lifts her leg up, giving herself the classical feminine pose from the movies. She snickers, leaning back in for another one. I accept it without question, turning her around and pressing her up against the wall. Our tongues dance together as I ravish her, though I doubt she’d admit to it being phrased like that.

 

I pull away from the last kiss slowly, giving a toothy grin to her as she lays her hands upon my shoulders. “Well, that certainly made things simpler. I don’t have to say anything when you put it like that.” She admitted, petting my cheek with her hand, “I guess parting won’t be so sorrowful when I have that kiss to think on.”

 

“Heh, and I promise to deliver another one with every bit of news I get from undercover.” I whisper, nuzzling up against her.

 

She rolls her eyes, “Alright, alright, get off me.” She gently pushes against my chest, forcing me off her, “You keep making me break character like this and I’m not gonna be my angry, little self anymore… Oh, and you still owe me dinner.”

 

“Just had it.”

 

Mandy blushes again.

 

----End of Beast Boy Chapter 03----

 

I was already feeling a bit tipsy. I didn’t drink much, but Bubbles had insisted ever since she announced that she’d be staying with me while this whole kidnapping thing went on. I sipped lazily on the wine, sitting with my sister on the couch as we watched old, bad movies. This one was about ants attacking a city or something… I wasn’t really invested, more lost in thought.

 

Bubbles poured herself another glass, giving another soft sniffle. She had been like this all night, her eyelids red. Her big blue eyes had a teary glaze over them, giving an impression like she had two pools of water in her sockets. I could feel myself getting lost in them at times, trying to stir some of that high emotion out into me.

 

But… I couldn’t. When Buttercup was first taken, I had lost it. My composure was gone, I felt weak with fear and doubt. Now, days later, I was feeling like myself again. The leader I was supposed to be. But should I be acting this way? My sister is gone, possibly gone bad or brainwashed… Shouldn’t I be in such a mess as Bubbles? I finish my glass and scoot over to her. She looked at me with her sad, glistening eyes.

 

“I-I’m sorry I keep acting like this Blossom… I just can’t help but think that we could be doing more…”

 

It was true. We were superheroes, native to this town. We could have been flying up above, crying her name and searching high and low. But would that be good for her? Would that be good for the city? We took a vow late in our career’s to give up being superheroes. But now, more than ever, I wanted to fly off and fight evil again…

 

>A. “It’ll be ok Bubbles. The police are searching day and night for her.”

>B. “You need to suck it up Bubbles. Crying every five minutes won’t help.”

>C. “We can. Lets start searching on our own tomorrow.”

>D. “We need more wine.”

 

A

 

I put my arm around her, “It’ll be ok Bubbles. The police are working as hard as they can to find Buttercup, whether she’s guilty or not-”

 

“I don’t believe it.” She snapped back, sitting straight. Her brows furrowed in a way I rarely see with Bubbles. Anger. “How could that wannabe cop Beast Boy know anything about her situation? Why would she become a criminal? Doesn’t she know she’s an ex-Powerpuff Girl? A SUPERHERO! We have had our moral values since we were in fuc- flippin’ kindergarten.”

 

I smirked at Bubbles’ sudden reflex. She was always very careful with her words, even when drunk. Bubbles became a schoolteacher when she became an adult, teaching high schoolers. From what I had heard, she was very popular with the male students. Watching as she bounced about in a huff, I could see why. “Well, you’re right. They don’t know her situation any more than we do. But, we might have to face facts that Buttercup has taken up a criminal cause. Maybe its for revenge, maybe that Ed guy is forcing her, I dunno… But we have to hope they can bring her back safely without anyone getting hurt.”

 

“You were always better with these things than me Blossom. I feel like I’m all flustered for ideas and what to do, and you seem so calm. Why is that?”

 

Truthfully, I still didn’t know. After Buttercup was taken, I just kind of went… Numb. Even before Buttercup was confirmed alive, she had already died in my mind. I was putting up this front, this feign of concern. Was it because I didn’t care? Or was it because I had confidence in Buttercup to find her way out of this weird predicament? I think its because I’m afraid. What if what happened to Buttercup happened to me?

 

>E. I should be honest with my sister.

>F. I should dodge the question.

>G. Wine.

 

E

 

I take a deep breath, slipping my arm away from her. I don’t know to put it, how to tell her… But Bubbles is Bubbles right? She’s anything if not understanding. I set my wine glass on the end table, turning towards her with a frown, “I don’t feel anything Bubbles.”

 

There was a pause, “W-What do you mean?”

 

“I don’t know. Ever since I found the tape, I’ve been trying to force myself to have the same emotional breakdown that you have been having, and I just… Can’t.” I bow my head, ashamed, “I mean, it just feels like she’s dead to me-

 

“Don’t you dare say that! We know she’s alive! H-how could you be so insensitive? You know I’m a wreck like this, and you drop THIS bomb on me?” She’s standing up now, pointing at me accusingly. This was what I was afraid of.

 

“I don’t mean it Bubbles, I’m just trying to be honest with you. I look at how you’re a river of tears and I can’t help feeling the need for that. But I can’t do it!” I’m yelling now, “I can’t feel it… I try and try, but… The remorse just isn’t there. I… I think something is wrong with me Bubbles.” I stand up, feeling the urge to drink. I walk into the kitchen. Bubbles floats right behind me. Even after all these years, she still uses her powers regularly.

 

“I-I’m sorry Blossom. We all deal with things in different ways, I didn’t mean to accuse you of not caring.” Its beyond that though. I don’t think she gets it.

 

>H. “Its ok Bubbles.”

>I. “Well, be careful what you say next time.”

>J. “What do you think is wrong with me Bubbles?”

>K.“I need a drink.”

 

H

 

I sigh, “Its ok Bubbles. I don’t know why I’m saying this stuff…” I go ahead and pour both of us another glass of wine. I don’t remember getting this bottle, but I’ll drink more wine regardless. I smirk, handing her the glass. We both give a small cheers and down the alcohol. It hits stronger than the previous bottle. “Damn Bubbles, where did you get this one?” I say, making a face.

 

“I didn’t get it, you must have. Ew…” She mumbles out, lolling her tongue out with a wince.

 

I’m about to pour another glass when I see it slip from my fingers. It shatters onto the floor in slow motion, giving an echo across the kitchen. I lift my eyes to Bubbles. They feel so heavy… Bubbles is gripping the edge of the countertop. She topples over on her back, her own glass shattering beside her. I have to… I gotta…

 

It goes dark.

 

…

 

I awake with a sharp pain in my head. I feel the coolness of linoleum floor touch against my bare feet and hands, my PJs soaked with sweat. I sit up, feeling something crinkle across my stomach. Its a note. I also notice a revolver at my side. Oh no… I open the note slowly, peering at the words:

 

”Blossom,

Your powers are gone. I have Bubbles. If you want to see her alive you will have to kill the following people:

-Ami Onuki

-Yumi Yoshimura

-Dexter

-Ed

-Johnny Test

-Buttercup

 

No Cops. I’ll kill her if they’re involved. Ami and Yumi are at Jack’s club downtown. Get started tonight.

~You know who.”

 

>L. I should inspect the gun.

>M. I shouldn’t waste time. Gotta get to Jack’s club.

>N. I should call the cops. Fuck what the note says…

>O. Buttercup?

>P. I should understand my situation better.

>Q. I should test if my powers are really gone.

 

Q

 

Ok, ok, don’t panic… I collect myself, hopping to my feet with soft breathes. I close my eyes, mustering my ability to fly. Flying didn’t require a jump, spring or anything like that. I could just feel it and start flying. Nothing… I can’t fly. Or else I’m doing it wrong... I look towards the wine bottle, focusing my eyes to try and melt it with my heat ray. Nothing… I slam my fist down on the cabinet, trying to break it in half like I know I could. Nothing… I wag my palm, trying to get rid of the sudden pain that I haven’t felt ever in my life.

 

I nurse my hand, suddenly panting with deep breaths. This is real. I’m… Human.

 

Ok, now I’m panicking. I grip onto the counter's edge to steady myself. I have the note in hand. I lay it down flat, rereading it. Dammit, its true… My powers are gone.

 

I look down at the gun.

 

>R. I should check out the gun.

>S. I need to get moving. I need to get dressed for a club and get out of here.

>T. Maybe I should call Mandy or Garfield. Is that calling the police?

>U. I should call Jack to see if the Puffy sisters are still at the club.

>V I should analyze this note more. What does this hit list mean...

 

T

 

Mandy or Garfield would know what to do in this situation. I quickly stride over to my cell phone in the living room. I tap in my password and then look for Mandy in my contacts. I press CALL, holding it up to my ear.

 

The phone doesn’t ring. I wait for a moment, hoping it’ll connect-

 

“I thought you were the smart one Blossom.” Comes a familiar distorted voice from the receiving end. It sends chills down my spine. I feel my breathing just stop, and that feeling of someone being behind me creeps inside again. “Mandy and Garfield count as police you know. No matter what little assignment Garfield is on... I’m feeling generous, because I see potential in you, but don’t make this mistake again.”

 

“Why are you doing this to me? Why have you taken my sisters?” I mutter out, clutching the phone tightly. I feel its going to slip from

 

“None of your concern. I have my reasons, but I don’t need anyone to understand them. Especially soldiers like you. You have till 2 AM when the club closes. Now, my little soldier, GET TO WORK.” He screams out the last part, the distortion causing the reception to squeal out and then cut off.

 

>W. I should figure out this gun.

>X. Its only 9:30. I should get a shower and dressed up first. I’ll have to get in this club…

>Y. There’s no time, I have to get down to the club now.

>Z. There must be some other way...

 

Z

 

No, no… I won’t be reduced to killing to save my sister. There has to be another way. I stand alone in my living room. The TV that was playing muted monster movies now is only showing static. He was in the house.

 

I walk back to the kitchen, back to where Bubbles fell over. The shattered glass is still sprinkling the ground. I walk over it- Ack!

 

I fall back on my ass, reaching down for my foot. Its… Bleeding. Not having any powers is such a strange feeling. I wince as I pull the shard of glass from my skin, giving a small gasp of pain as it finally leaves my foot. The blood trickles over my foot and splashes onto the broken glass bellow. I’ll have to be careful in my new, fragile form...

 

I feel exhausted. Wrapping my foot up, I realize that I’m left with no options. I have to go to the club and do… Something. I reach for the revolver on the mantle. It feels heavy, but maybe that’s because of my lack of powers. I open the gun up, staring down at the six bullets loaded inside. Could… Could I really do it?

 

Six Bullets… Six Targets…

 

But not Buttercup. I couldn’t kill my own sister… Does this psycho think I’ll really kill my sister to save another? Can he honestly put me in that situation? Of course he can… He’s crazy...

 

>A. I need to call Jack.

>B. I should get going. I’ll throw something quick on.

>C. I need to get dolled up if I’m getting into this club.

 

A

 

I glance at my cell phone again. Is it the numbers that are bugged or the phone itself? I still had Jack’s number from when he and I… Well, when we almost hooked up. I get embarrassed internally just thinking about it. Buttercup had ragged on me when I told her the story. She said it reminded her of old, bad grandmother television. I sigh thinking back on that. This is great… Jack’s going to think I’m interested again.

 

I look through my phone and find his number. I make the call, knowing very well that the Killer might be listening in. Let him listen. I’m doing the job, as far as he knows. And if I’m going to be his hitgirl, then a proper hitgirl would assess the situation first, right?

 

It rings a few times and then he picks up, “Blossom? I didn’t think I’d hear from you again until we met once again in court. This is surprising.” I could hear a soft, muffled beat behind him. Jack was a wealthy prosecutor, one of the best in Townsville, but there was also rumors that he was corrupt. Took money from the mafia, took brides, etc. None of it was founded though… But the fact that he paid for a million dollar night club out of pocket seems to ring those accusations true.

 

“Yeah, hey Jack…

 

>D. I should lie. Let him think I wanna hook up again.

>E. I should ask about Ami and Yumi.

>F I should ask about him and the club, get a layout…

 

D

 

“So, uhm… With all that’s happened with my sister and all, I feel like I need to cut loose a little.” I said, leaning up against the counter as I looked at my foot. I was hardly in a alluring position.

 

“Yeah, I heard about that. My sympathies Blossom.” Jack had a bit of honor in him. I heard that’s what he used to be all about, but times change... I could feel him bowing through the phone. It made me smirk. “And cut loose you say? You thinking of coming to my club?”

 

“Maybe.~ I was hoping there could be a few things for me to DO while I’m down there. Dancing, drinking… Maybe hang out with a certain someone.~ Wanna accommodate me?” I asked in a sensual tone. I was never good with flirting with guys. I was always ‘too cheesy,’ Buttercup had said. It always seemed Buttercup and Bubbles got laid way more than I did, but sometimes I had my moments. I heard an inhale on the other line, Jack realizing what I was asking.

 

“O-of course Blossom. You’re welcome tonight if you wish. I’ll let the bouncer know to put you on the list.” He said, his voice growing a bit softer. Jack had big confidence in the courtroom, but that’s because he had time to prepare. He sounded nervous. Damn, was I that sexy? Or maybe he was nervous about something else.

 

“Mmf~ I can’t wait hun. I’ll be down within the hour, kay?”

 

“S-sure.”

 

I hear a click as he hangs up. The background music goes quiet. I hear a distorted snicker on the other line, “Damn Blossom, you’re better at this than I thought..”

 

I hang up my phone and toss it away. “Prick…” I then stand up, wincing at the pain in my foot. I may look silly in heels with a wound this bad, but I have to make an impression. Then again, Jack already thinks he’s getting some. So, I could wear something plainer.

 

>G. I should get dressed up. Play this part well.

>H. I’ll dress casually. Jack won’t care.

 

G

 

I start rooting through my closet, picking out dress after dress. Eventually I select a slender black one. One that shows off my curves. It rides high too, giving way too much to look at near the thighs. Why did I have this? I look at the tag and realize it was one of the shops Buttercup used to frequent when she went out. It must have been hers… Or a gift or something.

 

I strip down and slip it on, looking at myself in the mirror. I’m actually surprised. I look pretty damn good. I admire myself for a bit, holding the gun up with a pose. I looked like one of those femme fatale types in those pulpy books. I gave a small smirk, looking about the dress for a pocket.

 

Wait…

 

Dresses don’t have pockets. I dig through my closet some more and pull out a black purse. Its small, but it can fit the revolver if I take everything else out. I zip up the purse, apply some classy makeup and then slip on my heels. Time to do this…

 

Half an hour later, I’m at the club. Another five minutes and I’m inside… The music is loud and bumping. The crowd was large, smoothed together by a need to fulfill their repetitious needs of grinding and humping on each other. As I listen more and more, I realize why such a place isn’t my scene.

 

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QVC__Uvd8s

 

As I’m walking along the bar, a few eyes dart towards me with lusty gazes. I’m just another club slut, mixed in with the others. Perfect. I give a few a wave or two, scoping the place out. As I peer about, I notice Mandy at the end of the bar, drinking by herself. What is she doing here?

 

>I. I should go talk to Mandy.

>J. I should go meet Jack. I should stay away from Mandy.

>K. I should look for my targets. I came here to (maybe) do a job.

 

J

 

I turn away from Mandy, hoping to avoid her as I make my way to the VIP section. Damn… If Mandy is here, its going to make my job much harder. I glance over to her, seeing how she’s sipping on a dark ale from the bottle. Sometimes I wonder if Mandy is a man… Her pink dress was cute though.

 

I start to realize that I’m getting more and more comfortable with the idea of killing these two girls. Why? Shouldn't a normal person be hiding in the corner and crying, desperate to find another solution? I thought back on what the killer said… How he said I was better at this than he thought. For some reason, it was a comfortable feeling…

 

I make my way through the dance floor, dodging dancers and taking a few humiliating ass grabs. Any other night I would knock those perverts out, but now… I can’t. I have to stay focused. I eventually walk up to the bouncer who’s guarding the upstairs. I push out my hips a little, giving him an alluring smile, “Jack’s expecting me.”

 

He nods, as if he was already briefed, and pulls back the rope for me to pass. I feel my heart beating strongly as I make my way upstairs. I look up and find him standing at the top of the stairs, puffing on a cigar. He offered me a hand as I took the final step to the top, “Blossom, you look amazing.”

 

“You look pretty great yourself handsome.” I take a small kiss from Jack on the hand. Its a cheesy gesture, but Jack had the kind of money and reputation to get away with it. I giggle softly at the kiss, ushering a small blush to accompany it.

 

“So, what now miss black dress?” He asks, looking me up and down. I feel a rush of excitement. Everything is working. I just blend in here… It makes me feel like I could take on anything.

 

>L. I should stick to the job. I should look around the VIP.

>M. I should play along with Jack. I should get a drink with him.

>N. I should get to the business with Jack. I can get him out of the way now.

 

M

 

I slip my arm through his own, hooking into him as he leads me into the VIP section. I got to make him wine and dine me a bit, get him comfortable. He smirks as he leads me on, puffing on his cigar. “You seem gentler than usual Blossom. Every time I shook your hand in court I could feel that superheroine death grip.”

 

“Well, we were rivals in court Jackie. Now we’re…”

 

“Lovers?” Jeez, that was forward. He gives me a lusty look.

 

I smirk to him, “Casual. We’ll see about the other.~” I whisper to him. “How about you get me a drink.”

 

He nods eagerly, snapping to one of his waiters as he leads me to a small table for two at the edge of a balcony. From there, I can see the whole club. I don’t see the two targets… Yet. I eye Mandy downstairs looking out on the dance floor. She always looks so angry… That guy Eddy walks up to her and says something. She quickly replies, then peers upwards towards the balcony. Eddy points towards me.

 

Shit.

 

I give a small wave as Jack comes to the table with two drinks. I look away from Mandy and divert my attention to Jack. I shouldn’t seem suspicious. Sure, maybe its a bit odd for a girl with a missing sister to go out for drinks, but maybe its not at the same time. Like Bubbles said, people deal with things in different ways.

 

“So, what really brings you here Blossom?” Jack asks, sipping on his drink, “You come to me tonight… Why now?”

 

>O. “I came to see you.”

>P. “Jack, my sister is missing. I just need to let some tension out.~”

>Q. “I’m actually looking for some people…”

>R. “Mandy invited me.”

>S. “Bubbles insisted I get out of the house. Here I am.”

 

P

 

Jack is leaning forward, elbows on the table. I cross my legs, leaning in, “Jack, my sister is missing… I’ve been nothing but a mess these past few days. I just need to let some tension out.~” I whisper to him, licking my lips as I flash him a lusty smile. Ha! Jack blushes at that. He leans back, giving a small cough like his cigar smoke caused him to.

 

I lean back as well, biting my lip. Part of this isn’t an act. Part of me is enjoying teasing Jack like this. Its exciting. He made a fool of me in the courtroom, the least I can do is play with him a little here, “Well, we can go to my office.~” He mutters out, smirking to me as he sips on his drink.

 

“I want to finish my drink, they we’ll slip away.~” I say softly, pushing my chest out a bit as I take another sip of my drink.

 

“The fuck you doin’ here Blossom?” I hear an all too familiar deadpan voice behind me. I choke a bit on my drink, losing my composure as I set it down.

 

I look back to see Mandy staring at me blankly, Eddy behind her talking to the bartender. She looks tired, but mostly annoyed. I get a better look at her attire. Her dress is cute, but its somewhat wasted on Mandy who wouldn’t know body language from a dirty sock. “Mandy! Its great to see you. This is uh…”

 

“I know Jack.” She nods to him, “We were in court together, remember? Now, I asked you a question. What’re you doin’ here?”

 

Jack seems annoyed at the sudden intrusion. He crosses his arms, watching us.

 

>T. “I don’t have to answer you Mandy.

>U. “I’m here to see Jack. We’re talking… Law.”

>V. “What are you doing here?”

>W. “I’m here looking for two friends.”

 

V

 

“What are you doing here Mandy?” I ask, crossing my arms. She has no right to question me, even if she is a cop. I give her a frown, one which she returns eagerly. Jack leans forward at his table, looking at us as we look as if we’re about to start a spat. Mandy seems a bit taken aback by my annoyance. She’s used to dishing it out, but people who have known her long enough rarely return it once they understand that’s her personality.

 

Mandy narrows her eyes, “I’m here investigating a lead in a case. And I find it odd how you’re at the same place I am, talking with Jack who I thought you hated, in the VIP section. You’re a bookworm Blossom, not a clubber.”

 

“Maybe I came to take some things off my mind Mandy, you know… Like my sister who’s possibly a criminal? Aren’t I allowed to cut loose? Or is that against the law?”

 

Mandy pauses, “No, you’re not breaking any laws. Yet. I’m just wondering about your intentions.” Have I been made? “This isn’t like you, is all.” Mandy takes a few steps back, turning to walk away. I watch as she reconnects with Eddy, Eddy giving her a look that spoke a questioning nature. Mandy just shoves Eddy out of the way and walks downstairs.

 

“Well, that was interesting. Shall we leave?”

 

I nod, following Jack back to his office. The room is flashy, yet contained. He has his degree up above his desk and what seems to be a samurai sword, “Wow, is that THE sword?” I ask, inspecting it. My nerdy nature is coming out a bit, but Jack doesn’t mind me stroking his ego. He presses up against me, sliding his hands over my belly as he presses his lips into my neck, giving light kisses.

 

“Sure is, wanna see my other one?” I roll my eyes at that. Thankfully, he’s too absorbed in my body to notice. I look over his desk, noting an award sitting by itself.

 

>X. I should play just a little bit.

>Y. I should knock Jack out with the award.

>Z. I should ask about the two targets.

 

Z

 

I turn around, facing Jack. I place my hands on his chest while his wander to my butt. He’s kissing up and down my neck now, and I giggle flirtatiously to keep him going. “You know.~” I mumbled, feeling his hand reach up to grope my breast. “Mmf~ I am looking for some people here to meet up with later tonight.~” Jack stops.

 

He lifts his head, looking to me with a curious frown, “So, I wasn’t the reason you came tonight.”

 

“No no, you were! Its just I wanted to dance a bit too. I have a couple of girl friends in town that I haven’t seen in years. I was told they’d be here tonight.” I say, giving a happy smile. I need to play the cute angle more.

 

“Who?”

 

“Uhm… Do you know a Ami or a Yumi?”

 

Jack slips his hands away from me, taking a few steps back, “H-he sent you didn’t he?”

 

“What? Who?” This isn’t good. I should have kept my mouth shut, Jack knows now… I can play it cool though, keep calm, “Jack, I just wanna see my friends. Who’s he?”

 

“You know who! He must have told you they were hiding out here… That they’re on the run. D-did he tell you to kill me too?” I see something in Jack I’ve never seen before. Fear. Jack was one of the biggest action heroes on the stream, and now he’s stepping away from me like I’m some kind of monster and he’s a little boy in his PJ’s. He’s making his way to a liquor cabinet, fingering at the drawer.

 

>A. “Jack, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

>B. He’s reaching for a gun. I should shoot him.

>C. I need to knock him out.

>D. I should go at him with his sword.

>E. I should be honest with him. He’s not a cop.

 

E

 

I lift my hands defensively, showing that I’m not going to hurt him, “Jack, listen.” My purse is still hanging loosely from my arm. I could reach for the gun, but Jack looks freaked out right now… I’ll be honest with him, “Jack, he took my sister. My other sister, Bubbles. He gave me a hitlist and said not to talk to the cops. I… I don’t have a choice.”

 

“Bullshit.” He reaches into the cabinet and pulls the gun, pointing it towards me. Seeing that barrel pointed in my direction sends a small tingle down my spine. I’m staring a possible death right in the face. Its weird… Its not fear, more like… Am I getting turned on? Jesus Christ Blossom, get it together… “So, he has a list huh? Am I on this list? Its cause I let Dexter use my club as a front for drugs, isn’t it?” For a lawyer, Jack sure is spilling a lot.

 

“No no, Jack, you aren’t on the list! Ami and Yumi are though. I know they’re here Jack, and I have to kill them by two or else he hurts Bubbles.”

 

“Tough tits Blossom. If I help you, I’m jipping Dex out of two of his best hitwomen. That puts me on Dex’s bad side. The best choice is to take care of you.” His hands are shaking. He wraps them both around the pistol, pointing it towards me.

 

I press my rear up against the edge of his desk and then roll backwards over it. I topple back behind it just as he starts firing wildly at me. Jack may be good with a sword, but his aim is garbage. I hold my head low, feeling the desk shake as bullets splinter into it. Thank God the desk is thick enough. I reach into my purse, pulling my revolver out. The music is loud enough outside to muffle the gunshots… I think. One bullet splinters into the wall, sending Jack’s sword down next to me. “Shit!” I hear him cry, followed by clicks. He’s out.

 

>F. I should shoot him.

>G. I should go at him with the sword.

>H. This is my chance, take the sword and run.

 

H

 

Jack may be dirty, but I don’t need him to die. Just the other two. I grip his sword, standing up to poise my own gun at him. He immediately drops his weapon, throwing his hands up and backing away. I make my way to the door, clutching his sword with a small smirk on my face, “Best keep your mouth shut Jack. It’d be a shame for this sword to be the murder weapon, it being yours and all.” Its a bluff, a little something to buy me time. I kick off my heels, going barefoot as I open the door and shut it behind me. Ok, so the girls ARE here… Just where?

 

They weren’t on the dance floor, so I explore the upstairs a bit more, putting my gun back in my purse. The sword stands out though, so I move quickly. I make my way to the VIP lounge, looking about for my targets. I look kind of strange with my dress ripped and my heels missing. I get a few glances from some of the patrons. I step into the lounge. Thankfully no Mandy…

 

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0EeuN-g0Rg

 

The music seems to be picking up again. Sitting in a booth are both Ami and Yumi. Ami is snuggling up next to Yumi, who is clutching a wound she seems to have wrapped on her arm. The cute one gives Ami a kiss on her cheek, whispering something in her ear. Yumi then laughs, giving a faint blush.

 

They both turn when I walk in. A guard comes up and stops me, a big bouncer type. He places his hand up, “Sorry miss, you can’t be in here like that. Wait… Is-Is that Jack’s sword?” He asks, suddenly reaching for the gun in his belt. Ami still looks confused, but Yumi seems to know what’s happening. I notice Yumi standing up, reaching for her own gun. My heart is pounding so fast I think its going to burst.

 

>I. I should take care of this bouncer then move towards the girls.

>J. I should pull back, lure them out of the lounge.

>K. I should push forward, run right towards them.

 

I

 

I push myself into the bouncer, blocking his reach. I then jut forward into his nose with the hilt of the sword. His nose bursts open with a display of blood, and he topples backwards. I get a good bit of it on my face, but I’m in the zone now. Yumi draws on me, and I duck below the bouncer as she fires her pistol into him. The huge man falls forward, taking numerous bullets in the back. I quickly dart around the homunculus as I stampede towards Yumi. As she’s reloading, I draw out the sword, slicing her hand clean off her arm. She screams in pain.

 

I’m completely soaked with blood. It feels… I dunno, it feels good. Something in me has clicked, like this is where I’m supposed to be. I never felt right as a lawyer, and I only felt a little right as a superhero. But as a killer? Ami is sitting in shock. I draw my gun out and point it towards her face. Her eyes cross at the barrel before I pull the trigger, emptying a shell into her head. Blood splatters against the back of the seat, and she slumps backwards. I don’t feel anything for her. I don’t feel anything but pure adrenaline as I turn my attention towards Yumi, squirming on the ground.

 

I poise my gun to the back of her head. She climbs up onto her knees, clutching her wound. She looks out, a soft weeping coming from her mouth, “I-I’m coming Ami-” I don’t let her finish.

 

What- What was that? I look to my work with confusion, the few that were in the lounge area now fleeing in terror. Why did I do that? Didn’t I have a choice in the matter? Wasn’t I supposed to be conflicted?

 

I exhale, lowering the gun. I’m in trouble now. They’ve had to have heard the shots. I look around and notice a window behind me and what seems to be an access to the roof. Mandy should be running…

 

>L. I should jump through the window.

>M. I should go through the roof access.

>N. Fuck it, I’m going through the front door.

>O. I… I’ll turn myself in.

 

M

 

I make my way for the door leading to the roof access. I hear people behind me as I slip inside, people screaming… I start making my way up the stairs, darting for the roof as I huff out from adrenalin. This is nuts. What did I do?

 

As I open the door to the roof, I take a fresh breath of the cool Townsville air. Its all alight for me, the city lights blasting onto me like a spotlight. I allow myself a small smile as I make my way towards the fire escape. I start climbing down, making sure to wipe off as much blood as I can from my dress. It doesn’t help much.

 

I find myself in a lonesome alley, looking back and forth down my two exits as I hear the sounds of approaching sirens. They’ll be on me soon. I make my way towards the back, crossing a hobo who seems to be sleeping. I kick at him, pointing my gun at him, “Your jacket.” He hands it over with a whimper. I consider silencing him before taking off, making my way to the street. I wave down a taxi and… I-I made it. I got away with it. Sure, they’ll know it was me, but who cares? I just got away with murder. And Bubbles is safe… I hope.

 

My cell phone rings. The number is an unknown. I answer, “Its done.”

 

“I know. Very impressive Blossom. You seem to enjoy this more than I thought you would.”

 

“Bubbles?”

 

“She’s been released, but I’m keeping an eye on her, if you know what I’m saying. Though, to be honest, I don’t think I need any more leverage. You LOVE this shit, don’t you?”

 

“...Yes…”

 

“I thought so. I’m going to text you an address. Its a safe house stocked with weapons and supplies. You and me are going to work Blossom. I’ll handle my little transgressions, and you work on this Dexter problem for me, ok?” He knows my answer. I hang up and lean back against the taxi seat. Cop cars are speeding past us, but its all alright. I have a purpose now… I have something I’m good at.

 

----End of Blossom Chapter 02----

 

Everything went as smoothly as Chief Jones had planned it.  It was a simple set up really.  I got to let my anger out on Eddy as a cover, so that was a major plus....  It was real public too, just like Jones wanted it.  

 

Chief Jones was announcing that Eddy would be taking over as lead Detective on the ‘Detox’ killer.  That’s what the press was calling him now, on account of how he could take super being’s powers.  A name’s a name, but ‘Detox sounds like he’s doing us a favor by depowering us.  I guess the press seemed to think super beings were a bit toxic.  Wonder what they thought of me...

 

It was beautiful.  I walked up on the stage, punched Eddy right in the jaw and tried to draw my (unloaded) weapon.  The cameras caught everything.  I was arrested within minutes, screaming and hollering like a real psychopath.  I think it sold pretty well...  I made it look like it was the first time I was hearing of it, but Eddy knew better.  He knew something was up.  Hopefully Jones briefs him.

 

No matter now…  They gave me attempted murder along with assault, so I got a pretty harsh sentence.  Here I was, sitting in an orange jump suit on my way to Townsville’s Max Security prison, chained by both my wrists and ankles.  They also fastened a shock collar on my neck so I couldn’t morph.  I was alone in the back of the truck, sitting next to a security guard who knew the score.  He was supposed to let whatever happened from this point on happen.  But it was my call…  Sure, it’d be easier to get out now, but breaking from the prison itself might make things more public…  I needed this cover solidified for Ed and Buttercup to let me into their gang.  Plus Jones said there were people inside I could possibly recruit.

 

>A. I should try and get out now.  No need to waste time.

>B. I should wait until I get to prison.

>C. I should talk to the guard.  See what he knows about the inmates.

 

C

 

“What do you know about this place?” I ask, the prison van bumping along the road.  Its loud engine roars as it tries to build speed along the long dirt road, inclining up a hill.  My body gives a slight rattle as I look to him.  He doesn’t look at me once, keeping his role close to his chest as he speaks up.

 

“Townsville Maximum Penitentiary.  We don’t house super criminals anymore like Mojo or the others, but we have a good stock of criminals from low to high tier.” He said, peeking from a view slot. “You’ll be fine.  You may be a cop, but you got a reputation from what I understand.”

 

I nod, looking towards the direction he’s looking at.  I can see the prison coming closer, the high walls, tall fences and guard towers giving it the look of a large castle.  In the distance, I can see Townsville’s skyscrapers.  Townsville Penitentiary was within the perimeter of the city, so escaping would just be a matter of heading downtown.  As we approach the front gates, I can hear a loud buzzing sound.  The gates open slowly, and we proceed inside.  I can see processing ahead.

 

“Stand up.” I heard the guard say as we stop in the yard.  I’m the only prisoner on the bus, so there isn’t a grand entrance like one might think.  I was expecting all of Townsville’s most dark and depraved coming up to the fences around me and calling, ‘new fish!’ or something from the movies or stream.  All I get is small glances from the prisoners as I walk off the bus.

 

>D. “Who’re the big players inside?

>E. “Who’s the Warden here?”

>F. I should say nothing.  I gotta be in character now.

>G. I should check out the prisoners.

 

E

 

“Who’s the warden here?” I ask, turning back to my guard.  He doesn’t answer at first.  Instead he takes me by my cuffs, pulling me along.  We approach the front doors to processing, and he pulls me inside.  The doors shut and we’re succumbed in darkness of the hallway.  My elvish ears twitch.  Silence accompanies us inside.  The prisoners outside can’t see us now either.  I see a spark in the darkness, a cigarette light that illuminates my guard.

 

“We got a few minutes before you’re due, so I’ll brief ya.  Warden goes by the name of Weasel.  You probably know him from the stream.  No nonsense kind of guy, and he doesn’t know about our gig so it’d be best to keep quiet.

 

“What?” I say, blinking.  He offers me his smoke and I take a drag, getting a few small shakes in my hands, “If there’s no one at the top having my back, how am I supposed to break out of here?” I ask him, giving a frown.

 

“That’s up to you man…  As far as I know, Jones wants you to do what you can to get out.  Now, I can point you in a few directions if you want, or you can go about this on your own.  What’s it gonna be?”

 

>H. I need help.  Who inside can help get me out?

>I. I’m good.  Thanks for your help.

 

H

 

“Know anyone inside who could help me out?”

 

The guard takes another drag, “What kind of help?” He asks before stubbing out the smoke.  What little light there was goes out with his smoke, as if his answers are shrouded in darkness.  Answers from a man who is not there.

 

“If I want to appeal to Ed and Buttercup, I’m going to have to have a crew that can attract.  If they’re hitting banks, I need a driver, a safecracker and some muscle.” I say, peeking from the door to look out on the yard.”

 

“Best driver is Bravo.  Johnny Bravo.  He drives old school muscle, but he knows how to handle it.  Just don’t expect him to be subtle.  Chicken would be the best safe cracker.  He got busted for running cons, but his real passion is robbery.  Strongest here is probably Shnitzel.  He’s a fucking rock monster.  I assume he can help you with any muscle problems.”

 

>J. Tell me about Bravo.

>K. Tell me about Chicken.

>L. Tell me about Shnitzel.

>M. Lets go.

 

K

 

“Chicken?  I didn’t really take him for a con man.”

 

The guard shrugs, “He ain’t that bright, but he’s street wise.  He isn’t affiliated with any groups inside, but he’s looked after by those with short sentences.  A lot of crews want him on their team, so you’re gonna have to appeal to his worth.” The guard looks down at his watch and then exhales, “Alright, lets go.”

 

I’m ushered along towards processing.  They shave my head and hose me down, the whole nine yards.  My humiliation must have showed by the time I got to booking, where they snapped two unflattering pictures of me.  I’m led from processing and booking towards my cell block.  Cell Block-A it was labeled, small time crime like assaults and robbery went here.  Perfect.  I’m led up towards my cell and pushed inside.  The guard gives me one final look, nodding as he whispers, “Good luck.” The door slides shut.

 

I’m alone in my cell for a while.  I have time to think…  Time to think about Mandy, about the Detox killer, Ed and his girl…  The Titans.  I let out a small exhale as I listen to the inmates going on with their prattle and nonsense.  It feels weird being on the other side of it.  I wonder if I’ll run into any of my arrests.  Doubt it.  Its not long before the cell door slides open again.  Its freetime.

 

>N. I should go looking for Bravo, Chicken or Shnitzel.

>O. I should wait.  I shouldn’t seem so aggressive.

 

O

 

I have time.  I lay back on my cot, looking towards the small flickering light that is sealed above my cell.  My mind wanders to the murder detective thought process, how someone could break that light…  How someone could take the shards and make a pretty effective shank from it…  How someone could hit the jugular, killing someone in seconds…  They’re dark thoughts, but I’ve gotten used to them.  

 

There’s a sudden knock against my cell bars, “So, yous the cap I’m hearin’ about, right?” That accent is unmistakable.  I lean upwards, resting my hands on my knees.

 

“Chicken.”

 

“I heard yous was lookin’ fer me.” He says, taking steps into my cell.  Chicken crosses his arms, noticing my surprise.

 

“I guess i should keep my questions to myself.” I say, swinging my legs around to plant my feet on the concrete surface below. “Why did he tell you?”

 

“Not much gets around here without me knowin’.  I see yous, only guy on a bus, talkin’ to my man Quentin, and I’s thinks, somethin’ up with this cop.” Is my cover already blown?  I frown at Chicken.  The light bulb trick is seeming more approachable. “Relax cap, I’m not heres to fuck you up.  I greased my man, and he tells me that yous aren’t really here on assault.  That there’s somethin’ else yous got goin’ on.  And I thinks, I want in on that.  I needs a good reputation with the police after all.”

 

>P. I should play dumb.

>Q. I should tell him what I’m here doing.

>R. I should beat on him a little.  Threaten him to keep his mouth shut.

 

Q

 

I exhale, looking down with a slight snicker, “And here I was thinking I was being slick.  I’m looking to get a crew together to bust out of here.  You’re on that list.  I can’t really say what we’re gonna be doing yet, but if you help me I can promise you immunity.” I say, standing up to walk towards my bars.  I peer around the corners, looking for anyone listening in. “You know I’m murder police.  This is a part of it.  I’m after Detox, and Townsville PD is giving me the go ahead to do anything necessary.  You help me, you’ll be doin’ the city a service.”

 

Chicken snorted, climbing up on my bunk. “Townsville never done me no services.  But a shorter sentence couldn’t hurt.  Detox is a problem thoughs.  What yas need?”

 

“You good with Bravo and the Rock Monster?” I ask softly, turning back towards him.

 

“Shnitzel?  Yeahs, I’m good with both.  Shnitzel probably won’t wannas break out though.  He’s really sorry for his sins.  Bravo would probably be game though.  Though I hears there's a crew outside lookin' fer his services too.”

 

>S. “Why won’t Shnitzel come along?”

>T. “Convince Shnitzel to join.”

>U. “Set up a meet with Bravo.”

 

S

 

“Why won’t Shnitzel come along?  What did he do?” I ask, stopping in my peeking to look back to the bird.  Chicken pulls out a smoke, peering towards my wall.

 

“He got reals mad in the bakery shop one days.  He smashed uped da place, got Chowder hurt real bad.  He promised himself he’d steers from violence from that day on.  That ain’t trues though.  He is the strongest around heres, and he is always in some kinda fight or another.  He just won’t break out.  People has asked him, and he won’t do it.”

 

“Well, maybe if he knows that its for a good cause, he’ll reconsider.” I say, taking a look back outside. “What about Bravo?  No qualms right?  He know how to hotwire a car?”

 

“Of course.  That kid’s got wheels on da mind and nothin’s else.  Bravo will wants money out of it though, so it’d be best not to mention your eheh…  affiliates.”

 

“Noted.” I respond, walking from my cell.  Chicken follows.

 

“So, who’s ya gonna talk to first?”

 

>V. “Lets talk to Bravo.”

>W. “Lets talk to Shnitzel.”

 

V

 

“Where’s Bravo?”

 

“He’s out ins tha yard.” Chicken said, nodding towards the cell doors downstairs.  They were open for freetime and they led out to the yard.  Nodding, I followed Chicken as he led me towards the exit.  He peeked back at me to offer some advice, “One ting.  Bravo’s still got a big ego, so stroke it a little when yas talk to him.”

 

Moments later we were outside.  It was surprisingly sunny today.  Townsville was usually pretty miserable, but now the vibe was more desert like.  Maybe the city just had a continual rain cloud hovering over it.  Maybe that’s why the city turned into such a shithole…  

 

We approached the work out area.  Bravo was still as buff as he was in the stream, but he put on a little paunch in the gut.  He still had the glasses, but his pompadour haircut seemed a bit more… contained.  He had a small blonde chin stamp as well, giving a sharp little point.  Bravo was lifting weights.  He had that ox like appearance, but the weights he was lifting were actually very light.  I couldn’t help but smirking as I approached.  Chicken elbowed me in the knee.

 

“Whatcha want huh?  You’re cuttin’ into my ME time.” Bravo said without even looking.  Then again, who could tell behind those black aviators.

 

>X. I should prod him a little, poke fun as his ‘weight’ lifting.

>Y. I should let Chicken do the talking.

>Z. I should do the talking.

>A. I should compliment his strength.

 

A

 

“Wow Bravo.  I had heard stories, ya know, about how strong you are, and man does it show.” I offer enthusiastically.  Chicken lifts a brow at me, but lets me continue, “You know, a guy like you must get a lot of offers to act as muscle.”

 

Bravo sits up, giving a swaggering lift to his biceps and giving both an affectionate kiss.  I fight the urge to cringe and just smile at him, “Listen here chump, I ain’t runnin’ protection no more.  If you want muscle go talk to Shnitzel or one of the other guys.” He says, standing up.  He stands a few inches above me, but there’s no intimidation in the man.  I’m harder and he fucking knows it.  He can see it in my eyes.  He watches me for a moment, glancing down to Chicken curiously, and then asks, “What you really want man, cause if you’re hangin’ with this little schemer, then I know you’re playin’ me.”

 

I smile, “I’m looking for people to help on a job.  I hear you’re the best getaway driver in Townsville.  I wanna enlist you in this band of misfits I’m building.  Chicken is already in, and I got two on the outside waiting for me.”

 

“Ahuh, I am the best.  But if ya didn’t notice buddy, we ain’t on those sweet, silky streets of Townsville.  So, there ain’t much availability for my services, ya dig?”

 

“Yous ain’t needed nows.  We’re gonna bust outtas here, and we needs yous to provide us with transportation once we are in the city.”

 

Bravo thinks for a moment, paused in his steps.  He’s giving…  a pose?  I roll my eyes as he stares at the ground below, and then lifts his head. “Ain’t you a cop?” He asks me.

 

>B. “Yeah.”

>C. “No.”

 

C

 

“No.”

 

Bravo lowers his eyebrows at me, as if trying to stare the truth from me.  I can’t tell how informed he is, if he actually knows about what’s going on in the outside world.

 

“I was a cop, but I got fucked by the job and now I’m looking to make a little money in my short, pathetic life.  That’s why I need you big guy.”

 

Bravo spits, wiping his mouth, “Cop or not, I don’t trust ya greeny.  So, I’m gonna pass on your little job offer.  You can wipe down my sweat on the bench if ya wanna though buddy.” He gives a loud laugh, walking away from us.  Chicken gives a small exhale, looking up to me.

 

“Shoulda let mes do the talking.”

 

“Yeah…  So what now?” I ask, walking with Chicken as we navigate the fence.  

 

“I’ll talks to Bravo.  I’ll get him to comes around.  You talk to the rock man.  Appeal to his justly nature.” He says with a snicker.  Chicken then waddles away from me, leaving me alone to look out towards the city.  It looks like I’ll be here longer than I thought.  Looking towards the skyline, I can see dark clouds approaching the city.  As if on cue, they flash, giving a rumble of thunder.  I glance towards the sun, already becoming enveloped in the clouds that overcast this city.  Rain begins to trickle against my forehead, and I smirk to the heavens as I realize that Townsville won’t be changing for a while.

 

“Its about time…”

 

----End of Beast Boy Chapter 04----

 

The first bank was easy.  Simple smash and grab, crowbar to the deposit box.  Buttercup waited in the car while I went in and grabbed the money.  She was nervous.  I guess I understand.  She was a superhero before, and now she’s on my side of the tracks.  I was nervous my first job too, but Eddy was there and made me feel safe.  Now I’m doing my own jobs.  With my uh…  I guess she’s my girlfriend.  I’ll have to ask her about that...

 

The second bank was not really a bank at all.  Apparently, local criminals used this warehouse by the docks district to clean and exchange dirty money for clean money.  I ran in and they gave it up quick.

 

Today, we were watching the third bank.  It wasn’t small time like the two before.  This was the real deal now.  I tried to stay secret by reading a comic while I watched people come and go to get their money.  We were sitting in the Challenger, scoping the place out.  Buttercup was pretty scared.  This was the first time she was going to go in with me.

 

“Y-you sure this is the best way?” She asked, glancing to me as she slipped on a ‘Big Slurp’ from the gas station.

 

“Yeah.  I’m gonna be stuck in the safe for a while drilling the box.  I need someone to make sure no one tries to run or call the cops.  We only got four minutes too, so its gonna be quick.” I glance to her, she’s biting one of her nails, “It’ll be ok pretty lady.  Just wave yer gun around and make sure everyone lays down.”

 

Buttercup snorts at her label, lifting a brow to me.  Her burns and wounds were starting to heal, and I couldn’t help but get red just looking at her, “You’re too sweet for this lifestyle idiot.” He said, leaning over to plant a kiss on my cheek, “Ok boss, what’s our first move?

 

>A. We should case the joint first.

>B. We should storm the front doors.

>C. We should sneak through the back.  Catch security off guard.

>D. Lets smash the car through the front.

 

A

 

“Let's case the joint first.” I say, opening the car door.

 

Buttercup’s hands reach over to me, pulling me back inside. “Wait, wait wait!  What does casing mean?”

 

I smirk, closing the door a bit, “We’re just going in and looking around.  Grab some brochures, other stuff, whatever.  Make it seem like we’re customers.  Then, once we get an idea of what the place looks like, we come back in to rob it.” Buttercup didn’t seem sure.  Her eyes darted around for an answer to a problem that didn’t exist.

 

“O-Ok.  I’ll follow your lead then.”

 

And with that, we started inside.  I left the gun in the car.  It was a .38 I bought from a pawn shop.  Small, easy to pull quick, and barely noticeable inside a pocket.  I may not know much about science, history and stuff, but I know my stick ups.  As we go inside, the bank seems a bit more populated than usual.  There’s extra security, a line of bankers waiting to talk to the teller.  This may be hard for Buttercup to control.

 

I eye the security.  Two guards behind the teller and another by the front door.  He nods to us with a friendly smile.  He’s old, bushy eyebrows covering his eyes.  Buttercup files in behind me, and she makes her way to the line. “I’m gonna go get some cash hun.”

 

I’m a bit shocked by how in character she has gotten, “O-ok wife!  I’m gonna look at money pamphlet things!” I yell back.  A few customers turn towards me and I see Buttercup mouth, ‘Shut up.’ I gotta learn to not be so loud.

 

>E. Play it cool.  I should look at the pamphlets.  

>F. Talk to the guard.  I should ask about the security.

>G. I should join Buttercup in line.

>H. I should head out to the car.  Buttercup’s got this.

 

E

 

I nod enthusiastically at Buttercup as she turns to wait in line.  There’s a rack of pamphlets alongside the door that have stuff written on them.  A few of them are about getting loans, or saving with a financial plan.  Maybe I should think about putting the money I got from Dex into some kind of plan.  I dunno…  I pull a couple out, peering down at them.  

 

“Lookin’ to invest son?” The guard asks me, approaching along my side.

 

“Oh, uhm…  Yes!  Something like that.  I recently uh…  inherited a bunch of dollars so I’m looking to put it somewhere safe.” This is what normal bank people would say right?

 

“Well boy, our branch is known for our friendly service and reasonable deals when it comes to your financial security.” Something seems weird. “If you want, I can introduce you to one of our desk staff members who can get you set up with a plan.”

 

“You’d do that for me?

 

“Sure son!  Been doin’ it for years now.”

 

I smirk at him, “Heh, you see like you work at the bank rather than running security for it.” I ask, looking back to Buttercup.  She’s a few feet away from the teller behind two people.  The two guards in the back are looking at her.

 

“Well, I’m really a teller myself.  We got orders from someone up top to crank up security.  They put me in this uniform to deter any bad guys.  Something about a couple of hooligans robbing banks in Townsville.  Pretty wild innit?”

 

>I. I should smack this guy and take his gun before they nab Buttercup.

>J. I should run back to the car and get the gear.  Time to improvise.

>K. I should see what happens first, wait it out.

 

I

 

I realize things are about to go bad.  One of the guards takes a hold of the radio on his shoulder, looking towards Buttercup with a squint in his eyes.  I gotta move quick.  While the old man is jabbering about a savings account, I reach down and draw his revolver from his belt pocket.  He doesn’t have a cop’s training, so he can’t react.  Thankfully, its real.  I then smack him on the nose, instantly smashing it in a spout of blood as he tumbles down on his ass.

 

The sudden jump of violence shocks most of the bank, who all turn to me in wild, scared expressions.  Even the guards behind the tellers are shocked.  The one clutching his radio stops to look at me.  Their focus was on Buttercup...

 

I immediately raise the revolver, “Don’t fucking move!  Let go of that radio, drop it you cunt!” I scream, letting out a seething, angry tone as I march towards the tellers.  The guards hesitate,

each reaching down for their own guns.

 

Fuck.

 

I grab a woman by the back of her hair, pulling back so that she screams in agony, poising the gun to her head. “I’ll fucking kill her.  Don’t move.”  The guards then lift their hands in surrender. “Toss the guns over the tellers!” I yell, glancing to my partner.

 

Buttercup is just staring at me.  Her eyes are wide, fearful. “We’ve been made B, they’re expecting us.”

 

Buttercup nods, looking towards the guards.  She kneels down, grabbing a gun before she turns back to me, “What now boss?”

 

>L. “We got four minutes.  Go outside and get the gear.”

>M. “We should bail.”  

 

L

 

4:00

 

“Four minutes.” I whisper, looking towards buttercup. “One of the tellers probably hit the alarm.  We gotta get moving.  Go get the car and pull it towards the back.  Get the gear too.  We don’t need the bleach and the masks anymore.

 

“W-why?” She asks, ready to move.

 

“Cause we’ve been made.  It won’t matter.  Hurry!  Go!” Buttercup nods and sprints out the door.  Once she’s gone, I turn back to the crowd.  Most are on the ground, some are still standing though.  The two guards are still in their places, radios going off about a silent alarm.  There’s also a whole back area where the lockbox vault is.  We need to find the manager.

 

I look at my options.  I gotta do something before Buttercup comes back inside.

 

>N. I should put the remaining customers on the floor.

>O. I should go take care of those two guards.

>P. I should explore the back, make sure we aren’t gonna get jumped.

>Q. I should look for the manager.  We need the key to that vault.

 

P

 

>3:30

 

I pick up the remaining gun and move towards the back.  The guards and civilians look around, eager to escape. “Nobody fucking move.  If anyone leaves, I’ll kill whoever is left.” I yell, swinging the gun around before lifting the teller’s door up and moving towards the back rooms.

 

I spot two vaults.  One where the majority of the cash is, and the one where the strong boxes are.  I peek around the corner and see another room.  A few seconds of watching and I see the door crack open, the barrel of a shotgun poking from inside.

 

Security room.

 

I make a mad sprint towards the door and slam my body against it.  I hear a loud crack as I send another security guard flying against the wall, tossing his gun in a loud gasp of pain.  There’s another guard inside, speaking into a radio.  He stops and stares at me as I come inside, and point the gun at him.  He tumbles away as I start shooting into the radio, then peppering the video screens with shots until the security room is destroyed.  I then toss my spent revolver and pick up the shotgun from the injured guard.

 

Buttercup flies through the back door, locking it behind her.  She has a duffel bag draped across her back. “Oh God, when I heard those shot…” She starts, seeing me come out of the security room.

 

“I’m ok.”

 

“What do you need me to do?”

 

>R. Stick to the plan.  Control the lobby and I’ll zip tie the security guards.

>S. Stick to the plan.  I’ll look for the manager while you control the lobby.

>T. Zip tie the guards, I’m gonna lock the front doors.

>U. Go look for the manager.  I’ll control the lobby and zip tie the guards.

 

U

 

>3:00

 

“You go look for the manager.  I’ll zip tie everyone.” I tell her, pumping a shell into the shotgun.

 

“Ok ok, the guy with a key around his neck right?”

 

“Yeah, he should have his own office.  Once you get him, bring him to the vault.  He’ll open it up.  Then let me know and I’ll get the drill goin’.” I say, taking a handful of zip ties from the bag and going to work on tying up the security guards.  I tie up the two in the room and then start towards the lobby, putting the two behind the tellers on the ground and tying them.  I also unplug their radios and then hop over the teller’s desk to the middle of the lobby.

 

Seconds pass…  I’m feeling nervous, spinning around and making sure everyone gets a barrel in their eye sight, just to let them know how serious I am.  I head towards the front, locking the doors and making sure we don’t have to take anymore hostages.  I turn as I see Buttercup leading a fat man with a key dangling around his neck towards the vault, “Move it fat ass!” She’s yelling, holding a revolver to the back of his head.

 

I smirk, watching her work, making a final note to zip tie the old man before Buttercup find me. “Ok, its done.  He’s opening the vault now.”

 

We join the manager as he opens the vault, pulling it outwards so we can see inside.  He then unlocks the gate inside and lets into the vault.  I look at the slip, making sure to find the right safe deposit box.

 

That’s when I hear it.  There’s a smash of glass from the lobby and sudden screaming, “Heeeelp!  We’re being robbed!”

 

>V. I should tell Buttercup to control the lobby while I work.

>W. I should see what the fuss is about.  The drill can wait.

>X. We should both go see what the noise is about.

 

V

 

2:30

 

“Go see what’s going on out front, I’ll start drilling.” Buttercup nods and quickly darts from the vault.  I hear her yelling, but before I can get a gist of what’s going on, the drill fills my ears with noise.  Its loud, loud enough to block out any sound as I work into the strong box, cutting any locks so shake the steel contraption loose.  It takes a minute, but eventually its loose.  I set the drill down and then pull the box from the vault.  Its filled to the brim with dirty cash.  Well over a million.  I take out another duffel bag and start filling it up, taking a bunch of stacks in each grip and stuffing the bag.

 

I then jump with the sound of two shots.  Grabbing my shotgun, I break away from my duties at the vault and make my way towards the lobby.  Buttercup is climbing back inside a broken window, a look a of worry on her face. “What happened?” I ask, coming to peek from the window.

 

“A few of the hostages smashed a window and ran for it.  I tried to pull one back, but she got loose.” She seems upset, like she fucked up bad.  There’s a part of me that realizes she wanted this job to go good, that she wanted to be a good criminal.  I’m not sure if the thought excites me or makes me nervous.

 

“That’s ok, we’re almost done anyway.” I tell her, leaning in to plant a small kiss on her forehead.  She exhales with relief, and we walk back towards the vault.  We start filling the bag up with cash.  We finish filling one bag, but there’s still plenty left in the box.

 

>Y. “Go start the car, I’ll get the rest of the cash.”

>Z. “Fuck the rest, lets just go.”

 

Y

 

1:30

 

“Go start the car and load this bag, I’m gonna grab this last bit of cash.” She nods, taking off with the duffel bag.  I sit alone in the bank, pushing the last bit of Detox’s money into the bag.  Eventually, I get the rest and hoist the bag up over my shoulders.  I then leave the vault, ready to leave this bank forever.  I see Buttercup in the driver’s seat, ready to go.  She waves me to come on, and then I hear it…

 

There are sirens in the distance, growing close.  They may be here early, but as I stuff the second bag of cash in the trunk, I realize we’re going to be out of here by the time they arrive.  I slip into the passenger’s seat and buckle up.  Buttercup pulls out from the bank with a frantic turn right, merging with lunch traffic and driving fast.  I give her a look.  She’s…  Smiling?  I was like that my first few jobs.  The thrill of the steal, as Eddy called it.  I slump down in my seat, almost relieved until I see the cop cars approaching.

 

>A. “Floor it!”

>B. “Just keep driving normal.”

 

B

 

Buttercup looks scared.  I can see her foot pressing down on the gas, hoping to go faster.  I lay a hand on her arm, “Its ok, just drive normal.  I don’t think anyone made the car.” She nods.  The cop cars pass us, the sirens giving us a loud reminder that they are there before they continue to the bank.  There were about four of them.  More most likely on the way.  I wonder if Beast Boy will be there like last time?  We both let out a sigh of relief.  I turn to Buttercup with a smile, and she starts laughing.

 

“God, I thought you had lost it in the bank.  First the stupid yelling about the brochures, and then how you went crazy on the hostages.  Is that part of your bank robbin’ act?” She asks, turning on a dirt road.  Trees then surround us, hiding our car.  I roll down the window, looking for police choppers.  There’s the sound of one in the distance, but its too far away to be watching us.

 

“Uh, yeah…  That was all an act.” Maybe I’ll take a look at another bank’s plan thing once this is all over.

 

“So, we’re going to the exchange car right?  Torching this one?”

 

“I dunno, I kinda like the car…” I say bashfully, giving her a pouty lip.

 

“Dude, if they had security cameras, this car is made with us included.  We should burn it and get a new one.” She has a point, but this Challenger is such a cool ride…

 

>C. “You’re right.  Lets get a new car and torch this one.”

>D. “Lets keep this car!”

 

C

 

“I guess you’re right…  We should torch the car.” Buttercup smirks.

 

We pull off from the dirt road back onto the highway leading to Townsville.  After a bit, we’re back in the East Side.  Buttercup spots a normal looking Sedan parked in an alleyway, and we start loading the money into the new car once I pop the locks. “Hey Ed…”

 

“Hm?” I ask, fishing for the gasoline tank in the trunk.  As I pull it out, I look towards Buttercup.  She looks good, leaning against the alleyway wall as she watched me work.  She has this classic style to her, her punky leather jacket and fishnets giving me visions of an old 80s punk tape.  I smile to her.  A stupid smile, not really alluring or sexy or whatever…  But I’m just happy to be with her.

 

“You ever thought of yourself as anything other than a con man?” She asks, raising her gaze to me.

 

“Not really…”

 

“I used to beat on criminals and they would always try to give me their life story, why they got into crime, whatever…  As time when on, I noticed the motivations always seemed to grow darker.  It wasn’t about getting money or taking over the world anymore.  ‘I started robbing to fuel my drug habit.  I started because I wanted to hurt people…  Blah blah blah…’ This town suddenly became something I didn’t like being a part of.”

 

I head over to the Challenger, looking the car over one final time before I started to douse the gasoline over the vehicle.  Making sure to get a lot in the interior, soaking the leather seating and upholstery.

 

>E. ”Is that why you quit?”

>F. “I’ve never felt comfortable at a regular job.”

>G. “I got into this business cause of Eddy.”

>H. No time for talking.  We need to finish torching the car.

 

G

 

I set the gas tank down, “I got into this business cause of Eddy…” I speak softly, Buttercup turns to me to listen, “He was always makin’ me and Double D run cons and pranks on the other kids back in the day, and when we got into High School it just got deeper.  The trouble was more…  Everywhere.  We started selling weed that was mostly oregano, stupid shit like that.  After high school, Double D got into college, so it was just me and Eddy for a long time.  He told me how to rip people off…  How to be a gangster and stuff…  I was in a serious gang after that.  We did bad stuff...  And once Double D got back in we started robbing banks and armored cars.  It just got crazier and crazier, and I never questioned it.  I…  I never really thought of any other life until I went to jail.”

 

Buttercup lowers her head, listening.

 

“I mean, at first I was dumb.  Thinking Eddy would get me out or that jail wouldn’t be so bad…  Eddy left me though.  Then I learned he became a cop.  He just left me to rot like another corpse on the side of the road.  I dunno what to think anymore...” I admit, sitting on the hood of the Challenger.  My pants start soaking with gasoline, but I don’t care.  Letting so much out has taken the wind out of me.

 

Buttercup walks over to me.  She slides herself in between my legs and pulls herself into my jacket again.  My chin rests on her head, and she murmurs against me as we snuggle up against the car, her face in my chest. “You’re the teacher now Ed.  You got me.”

 

>I. ‘I’m not sure I want to teach you…”

>J. “You mean that?  You want to learn more?”

>K. I should kiss her.

 

K

 

I don’t answer her.  I’m just happy to be close to her.  My girl…  I lower my hand, slipping it under her chin and lifting her gaze up towards me.  I plant a kiss on her lips, taking in her taste, her smell…  She snickers softly under her breath, accepting the kiss.  Almost a purr.  Her hands come around me, pulling me off the car so I’m at level with her as we make out.

 

I part from her first, biting my lip, “Are you my girlfriend?” I blurt out.

 

Buttercup pauses, then starts laughing loudly.  I’m grow red with embarassemnt.  Was…  Was that a stupid question?  She finally lifts her hand from her face, “W-what?” She asks, trying to silence her laugh from my serious question. “I mean…  I don’t really do the boyfriend girlfriend thing, ya know?”

 

“Huh?” I ask, arching my head with a confused look.

 

She just stares at me, “God, I don’t know why your puppy dog innocence does so much for me.” She says, shaking her head as she leans in to kiss my cheek, “I’m not really a relationship kind of girl, to be honest…  I kind of just hook up with whoever is eager in my band on a certain day, but…” She smiles brightly, “Yes Ed, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

 

I don’t really get the rest, but the last part makes my heart soar. “R-really?  You mean it?”

 

“Of course you oaf.” She says, giving me a playful slap on the cheek. “Now boss…  Lets get serious.  What’re we gonna do with the money?” She asks, grabbing a lighter from her pocket and flicking a flame.  She then tosses it on the car and it lights up.  We watch it for a moment, and then head for the new car.

 

>L. “Lets keep it with the car.”

>M. “We should find a hotel.”

>N. “We need to find a stash house.”

 

M

 

“We should stay in hotels.  Keep moving, never stay in one place for too long.  We’ll stay in places out of down and do our work in town.”

 

Buttercup nodded, “Sounds good.  I wanna contact Blossom and Bubbles at some point.  They have probably seen me all over the news and will probably want to know if I’m ok.” I nod, opening the driver’s door for her.  She bows at the gesture, giggling.

 

“We can stop by a pay phone.  You can call her and then we can find a hotel.” I offered, giving a big, bright smile.

 

We pulled away from the alley as the Challenger finally started to really burn.  I give a respectful salute to the car as we pull away.  Buttercup laughs, but I was being very serious.  I’ll miss that car.  Best getaway car I’ve ever had…

 

I turn on the radio, “-are still investigating the situation.  For now, ‘Jack’s Place’ has been shut down for the time being until investigators can understand more.  In breaking news, Townsville Center Bank has been robbed!  We’re just getting reports in, but it sounds like two gunmen, a man and a woman, came into the bank during lunch hours and held it up.  Police aren’t saying much at the time, but our sources are telling us it was a professional job-”

 

Buttercup turns it on the local college station. “That’s just gonna make me nervous.”

 

>O. “Aw, I always listen to my robberies!”

>P. “Fair enough.”

>Q. I should say nothing.

 

P

 

“Fair enough.” I say, leaning back in my seat.  I let myself rest for a while, taking in the sounds of Buttercup as she drives around.  Cussing mildly at bad drivers, humming beats to the radio’s song…  I absorb myself in her little details, and they make me smile.  After a bit, we stop.  I lean up, watching as Buttercup leaves the car and heads for the closest pay phone.  I turn back to the news as she’s dialing.

 

“-ore news in the nightclub shooting last night.  Initial reports of two shooters have seemed to come up as false.  Police are now looking at… Ahem...  I’m sorry, its hard to admit.  Blossom Utonium is being sought for questioning by TPD in regards to the shooting.  Police will not speculate what role she played, but she is being regarded as a suspect…” I look out to Buttercup.  

 

She slams the phone down, taking two steps back, covering her mouth.  I leave the car, approaching her.  There’s a look of fear on her face.  I can’t tell what she’s been told, but it looks as bad as what I’ve just heard.

 

“T-That was that chick…  Mandy.  I called Blossom’s place.  Why would the police be there.” She looks to me.  My face must say it all. “W-what?  What happened?”

 

>R. I should tell her.

>S. I should keep quiet.

>T. I should lie.

>U. “You should call Bubbles.

 

R

 

“I-I don’t know how to say it.”

 

“W-what, is she dead?” Buttercup asked, her knees buckling from under her.  She covers her mouth.

 

“No no…  That nightclub shooting.  The one you changed the radio from…  She was involved.  Police think she was the shooter.”

 

“What do you mean the shooter?  Like…  She went into the club WANTING to kill somebody?  She hurt someone on purpose?  Blossom?  No, that can’t be.” She says, shaking her head as she starts pacing in front of the phone, grabbing handfuls of her hair.  She then stops, “Its my fault…  If I just went to the police instead of tagging with you, maybe she wouldn’t have tried to copy me.  She always did that, she always tried to be cool like me or some shit…” Buttercup is panicking.  I approach her, pulling her into my arms.

 

“No no no…  She mumbles, shaking her head. “This is wrong…  This is so wrong.” I feel her weight giving out below me.  She’s falling, ready to collapse under the stress.  I hold her tight, keeping her straight.  If there’s one thing I can do, its keep Buttercup upright.

 

---- End of Ed Chapter 03----