Chapter Text
Come on, Lucy! Breathe.
Don't panic, and breathe.
Screwing her eyes shut, Lucy took control of her breath and kept the noises at a minimum.
Darting a look around the corner of the building, she made sure the men were gone.
"Okay. They are gone. You know what to do, right?"
She asked, turning back at the group of teenagers waiting behind her. Determination was written all over the oldest face as he wiped blood on his face.
"Thanks for everything, Miss. Hope you'll find your friend."
Whispered one of the girls holding onto Dina's hand as the group passed her, disappearing in the dark.
Once the last of them was gone, Lucy let her head fall on the wall behind her.
The sharp pain of the action and the cold of the wall helped her to refocus on what was ahead of her.
The very, very bad idea that she just jumped into with her own two feet.
To say that she was terrified would be an understatement.
Everything had been going so well .
And then she was running for her life with Jason god knows where.
' Twice and it becomes a pattern, you know. '
Not now, Sophie, groaned Lucy.
Why does her friend have to follow her even in her head?
Where did it all go wrong?
She remembers letting herself lull to the sounds of the bus.
Her eyelids were heavy as she was practically snuggled to Jason's side.
She was pushed there by the next wave of people who joined them at the following stop.
Surprisingly, she hadn't felt the need to leave.
He had faintly smelled of smoke and mechanic oil, all covered by a nice smell of cologne. She remembers feeling devious as she sensed Jason stiffen, trying very hard not to show how embarrassed he was.
So, of course, she had to tease him by whispering a 'I love your cologne' into his reddening ears. The boyish smile he gave her nearly made her melt.
It had been nice. It had felt nice. They didn't need to talk or anything. It just clicked .
Until she felt the relaxed Jason stiffen once again. His eyes darted around the bus as something like panic flittered through his face. But it had been gone too quickly for her to put a name on it. The passengers started whispering to each other. Louder and louder.
Until one of them, a middle-aged man standing at the end of the bus, made his way to the front shouting at the conductor.
"Where the fuck are you taking us?!"
The next thing she knew, a gun was fired.
She was shoved to the ground and then out of the bus.
It had been so dark. Jason had been clutching her hand as he pulled her away.
There were men and women, armored and holding weapons, running after the passengers. Rounding them up without a care, Lucy nearly stops when she sees a crying teen being dragged by the hair into a van.
But Jason kept pushing her until they made it far enough that the screams could barely be heard.
"Fuck, fuck. There isn't any signal."
He mutters, uselessly pushing the buttons on his phone.
"Jason. What was that?"
Frantically whispered Lucy, tugging on his sleeve to get his attention.
His attention slips to her, the worry slowly melting away as he comes to a decision.
"You have to get out of here. Listen, I can't come with you, but if you keep running this way. You should be able to get out of the no-signal zone. Then call this number to have someone pick you up."
He whispers back, pushing a card into her hand as he drags her upward by her biceps once again.
Fed up with being pushed around as a doll, Lucy quickly pulls away.
"What? No! We have to get out! You can't just leave me!"
She didn't mean to sound all whiny like a child, but by the way Jason's face hardened, it was exactly what he heard.
"I don't have time for this shit. Keep your head down and do as I say if you don't want to end up shot."
With those curt words, he turned the way they came, quickly disappearing into the night fog.
Puffing her cheeks in sheer anger, Lucy squashed the feeling of betrayal and turned around.
She had been walking for at least ten minutes when she heard something in the mist.
A quiet whimper, barely piercing the fog.
Freezing in her steps, Lucy stretched her ear, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the sound.
It was slowly and careful of her steps on the snow that she advanced deeper and deeper into the dark alleys of the city.
The nearer the sound was, the less light illuminated her way.
Caught by a realization, Lucy stopped dead in her tracks.
A violent shiver ran down her spine, as if all of her body was warning her of the danger lurking just ahead of her.
Jason's order resonated in her head, and she nearly turned around. But..no! She wasn't going to keep feeling sorry for herself and get home wondering if the crying person got help.
And she most certainly didn't need to listen to a total jackass who left her twice amid panic!
At the thought, she instinctively massaged her bruised wrist.
Jason's grip had been...strong.
Rounding the corner, she stopped just in time to avoid stumbling upon a little black girl.
She was pressed to the walls, clutching a bag to her chest as she sobbed as silently as possible.
Looking at her, Lucy felt as if she knew her; something about the round face was familiar. As her eyes caught sight of the pink flower-shaped hairpin, the memories resurfaced. It was one of the girls from a few hours ago! But what was she doing here?
"Hey. Are you alright?"
Carefully asked Lucy, keeping her voice on the soft side as she lowered herself. The little kid stiffened, turning her snot-running face in her direction. Eyes wide open in fear, she leaped back at her voice.
"Hey, hey. It's okay. I am not going to hurt you. Do you remember me? We met a few hours ago?"
At the lack of response, Lucy frowned.
"Are you sure you don't remember me? I was with my friend. The big guy. He gave your friend some money."
"I know. Olie was getting us waffles."
Whispered the little girl, some of the tension leaving her frail body.
"Yeah? That's great. But why are you here alone?"
At that, a new wave of fresh tears flooded her eyes.
Panicked, Lucy looked around, but of course, there wasn't anything to help her. But... maybe.
Rummaging through her backpack, she let out a little triumphant laugh as she dug up the chocolate bar left inside.
She extended it to the child as a peace offering. And after what felt like an eternity, she finally accepted it. She dragged her body to sit closer to Lucy.
"Destiny warned him, but he wouldn't listen."
Finally started the child after having eaten half of the sweet.
"He said that it would be an easy job. And that with it, he would have enough money to get Carl into his special program without needing to work for Bradley again. Bradley is not very nice."
That was absolutely not reassuring, thought Lucy, dread coursing through her.
"What job?"
"I don't know. Tonight should have been the last time. Just a few hours, and then we would all be going to get the waffles. He said I could even ask for extra whip and syrup. But then he was gone for longer, and there were shouts everywhere, and they all went looking for him."
"Hey, take a breath. You are safe."
"That's a lie."
Mumbled the kid in her sleeve. And it was. Wasn't it? Lucy was just as terrified, and if anyone were to come their way, she would barely be able to do anything.
But...
"Come on, we have to get you to safety."
"I can't! I have to wait for the others to come back. They will!"
And despite her tears, the stubborn streak on the little girl's face was nothing but resolute.
"I know they will. But you have to get away. It's not safe out here. I-I'll look for them."
The child blinked in surprise, reflecting Lucy's feelings.
"You will? I...Alright. But you have to promise. Pinky promise."
And pinky promise she did.
Ten minutes later, she found a group of teenagers running away. Lucy hesitated to entrust Dina, but she convinced her that she would be ok. She was going to join other kids staying in the abandoned building on Mappel Street.
And all of this ended up with her walking down the deserted street, coat tightly held around her.
According to Dina, Olie was working in a warehouse down a few blocks. When Destiny went to check it out, the place had been empty except for a flyer for a Club on Fitzenguard Avenue. A club she went to check out and never came back from.
So Lucy was going to the Club. The very shady-looking Club with people glancing her way every two seconds. She thinks, at least? But true to be told, most of them seemed to be too busy celebrating the New Year to even glance her way.
Lucy quietly laughed at the absurdity of her situation.
Here she was playing some kind of detective, in the middle of the night, in part of the town she never put a foot in and most likely never would have, considering the sorry state of the building, looking for a missing runaway child.
Sophie would have her head.
She can barely understand why she is doing this herself.
So out of place.
She was out of place with her long skirt and blouse.
She looked like a nun compared to the flashy outfits of the men and women around.
None of them were bothered by the cold and the snow.
The alcohol and the burn of a smoke were enough to keep their blood boiling.
No matter what, she couldn't back down.
Pinky promise and all.
Entering the Club was like setting foot into a whole other world.
A strange, stressful, and colorful world.
It reeked of alcohol and lust, people's faces hidden behind masks, and darkness. The occasional flash of light changed their features, making the whole thing feel more unreal than ever.
Servers were striding in the crowd wearing what Lucy could only describe as Christmas lingerie. Voluptuous forms swinging sensually to the music, serving food and drinks, or leading clients behind closed doors.
Head spinning, Lucy clung to the straps of her backpack as she made her way to the bar. The only place where even a semblance of peace seemed to reign.
"You lost, Cupcake?"
The suave voice whispering right into her ear startled Lucy so badly that she threw a punch before she could even see who was talking.
"And feisty."
Whistled the voice as a rough hand stopped her fist a few inches from a face.
"Shot! I am so sorry. I just-"
"No harm done, gorgeous. And a guy can't blame a girl for having some good reflexes. Not in this city."
Lucy squinted at the smiling face.
The man, older than her, she thinks, held himself pretty loose.
Shoulders thrown back, body nearly sprawled on the bar and stool, but not in a drunken way. He reminded her of a cat; there was grace in his movements, the space around him folded for him, not the other way around. He wore a black dress shirt, the last three buttons popped open to reveal a smooth chest, dark hair slicked back, and a kind smile that edged on mischief.
Rubbing her arm in search of comfort, Lucy stumbled forward when two overly excited women crashed into her back.
The stranger helps her to stay upright.
The gesture was similar to what Jason did only a few hours ago, but the feeling was not the same. So far from it that Lucy felt the urge to scrub her arm clean.
"Thank you. You could say that I am lost. I am looking for my younger brother. I've been told he could be hanging around here."
The lie rolled easily on her tongue, but Lucy couldn't feel bad about it. Not when the man's eyes kept assessing her with a coldness that she hadn't seen at first, cutting her each time their eyes met..
"Got carried by the party?"
"Yes. You wouldn't have seen him? High like that, wearing a brown jacket and red hair."
"Ha, no. I am sorry, I didn't see him. But try asking Guy."
"Guy?"
"Yes, he is the bouncer and pretty good at spotting underage. He should know if your brother tried to make it in here."
"I-thank you then..."
"Cameron. You should hurry home, princess. Midnight is not an hour for a pretty girl like you."
The words may have been told with kindness, but Lucy could hear as clear as day the threat hidden in them.
The same way she knew Cameron lied to her, and knew exactly where Olie was.
Stomping on his feet to chase the cold away, Jason tried unsuccessfully for the third time to light up his cigarette. That damned lighter refused to give him even the tiniest spark.
By the fourth frustrated attempt, a new flame was silently presented by Manny, whose red nose gave him a funny, drunken look.
Jason takes his time, lets the smoke drag and curl in his lungs, then releases it slowly to make the burning last.
"GPD is on the move. Word's Robin is heading there."
Jason hums in acknowledgment as he keeps track of his men working.
Hood's men really, but it was all the same to them. If words came from him, Manny or Jaden, they knew to listen.
Speaking of the man.
"You've seen Jaden?"
Manny shook his head, eyes narrowing at the sky as if the falling snow was a personal offense.
"No. You tried calling?"
"I will. Shit. Nearly made it 'til the new year."
To say that Jason was pissed off was an understatement. He had been looking forward to the fireworks. Damn it. He was having a good time. But shit had to happen, and he is now busy waiting for the GPD to come and do their goddamn job.
At least his terrible mood amused some. Manny barely managed to hold back his ugly snorts.
"I told ya you got the Eye on you, brother. You really should try to see my Aunt Nikki. She can see those kinds of things. Appease the spirits and all."
"I ain't appeasing shit. This isn't bad karma. I don't need your voodoo. What I need is a drink and a hot shower. Don't these shit heads have anything better to do on New Year's Eve?"
"I am not staying any longer to find out. Listen, I'll make sure the guys finish rounding up all the victims. But we'll have to answer for this bullshit soon for acting out of our territory. I know you don't give a damn, but I do. It shouldn't take much. I know the guy around this part, and even if he doesn't like Hood, he can get behind this. The guy is a good Christian soul."
Good Christian soul, he says. Jason makes the immense effort of not rolling his eyes at the man.
"If you say so. I let you finish cleaning up, then. See you later, man."
"Sure. Happy New Year, brother!"
Jason waved as he walked out. Patting his pockets, he retrieved his phone, whose broken screen showed him that it was nearly one a.m., so much for the fireworks.
He doubted Lucy would even answer her phone now, but he could at least check with Jaden.
It took three long rings before the man's too-happy voice came through.
"Jaaaason, my man! Happy New Year! How is it going?"
Jason could barely hear Jaden above the music and screams happening in the background. The man sounded drunk, the words slurred with a note of euphoria he got whenever his light-weight ass made it to his fourth beer. Jason had a bad feeling about it. He knew the man was supposed to get to a party at midnight, but he also knew that if Lucy called like she was supposed to, he would still be sober enough to hold a conversation.
"Jaden, did you get a call an hour ago?"
"Huh? I was supposed to? I mean my sister did like, call me, but I doubt that's what you want to know."
"No."
Jason didn't have it in himself to say anything else as he hung up.
A rage like no other, boiling in his chest, started to cloud his vision.
Motherfucker.
Where is she?