The scene that had unfolded had given me some comfort, small as it was. To see Marinette completely unravel like she had was very satisfying. But I had this feeling that this would not be over. If these people are who I suspect them of being, that is the teen cohorts of Carter, the Young Bloods. They certainly will not kill her out of some misplaced sense of morality. The pink barbie parasol wielding bitch is insane. Completely detached from any sense of morality at all. She is only surrendering now out of a sense of self preservation. Dogs have that much. But as soon as a chance presents itself, she will take it. Kill anyone around her and escape to continue her crimes. How many graves does she need to fill before someone finally just does what common sense will tell you and put a bullet in her fucking skull? She kills with no discrimination. A warped psychopath who cannot be rehabilitated.
She is too dangerous to be left alive.
But I gave a defeated sigh as my head rolled to the side. There is nothing I can do about that now.
With that being that, my eyes were drawn to Red who now was blatantly the center of attention of Marionette's temper tantrum. I gave a weak smirk to myself. But the smirk faded as Red drew in a young Japanese girl in for a kiss. One that was not like mine from earlier. This was initiated by him, something he wanted to do. Either because he really had something with this girl or just wanted to infuriate Marionette further. I had no idea. But as a realization dawned on me. My faint smile returned in spite of the pit in my stomach.
Well Red, seems you have made your choice.
There was no longer a need to speak to him about my proposition for him to join me and Brianna. Then again, I thought as I shifted my sights on a recovering Sebastian, we have added another number to our little family after all. So, I guess it all worked out in the end, right? Then just like that I heard Neo's voice creep into my ear again.
"Raven, the Police are swarming towards your position. You have maybe five minutes tops to get the hell out of there before your whole act is busted." Well, there is my cue. The attention seemed to be on the couple in the center of the now very wrecked Cathedral. Which meant I was surprised when a red haired girl picked me up and helped me to stand. Asking me if I was a Young Blood. As well as apologizing if she caused any discomfort.
Her comment on me being a Young Blood confused me. Is she not a member? If she is, she must me new. But that kinda confirms my hunch on the others, I mean, who the hell else could they be? Starting with a grunt I answered her.
"N...No, I'm not. The uniform may be dirty, but I am still a cop." Despite appreciating the helping hand, I pushed off of her and stood on my own. "Thank you, but I think I got lucky. Nothing feels broken, just lots of cuts and bruises." I needed to sell the act, and do so quickly so I can get out of here no questions asked. So, I revealed a pair of hand cuffs as I limped over behind Marionette and cuffing her hands behind her back. Reading off her Miranda Rights, which I had memorized watching episodes of Law and Order: SVU. Love that show. What happens if she tries to bust me out as a fake? Tell everyone she hired me as a street gun? I smiled to myself. Just deny it of course. She is insane, she cannot say anything these people will believe. With that handled I limped away a few steps as I addressed the crowd of teen heroes.
"I am Officer Sterling. This man here..." I announced as I pointed at Red. "Is innocent of all charges layed on him. I am sure the courts will handle formalities later but this crazed bitch here confessed to everything. Including framing your friend here for crimes he is entirely innocent of. Then, I turned around to face both him and his asian girlfriend. As a exhausted smile crept on my face.
"The man is a hero...plain and simple. We are glad to have him with all of you, keeping us safe." Exhaling I could see that our new addition was already recovering. Standing on his own. I moved over to Brianna's side with real concern on my face. Her armor vanishing and revealing the tattered police blues underneath.
Officer Gates? Come on Partner, wake up for me." Quickly locking eyes with Sebastian I motioned for him to come over.
Officer...Brown." I said after a moment of hesitation. "Get over here and carry Gates out of here.
I cannot lift her myself." I ordered not oblivious to the fact he had no uniform on, I just hoped everyone would assume he was undercover or something. As he moved over, he picked her up rather easily. And the three of us started to move towards the back of the Cathedral, heading for a back exit before I turned and addressed the teen heroes one last time. Now with police sirens in the distance.
"All of you have been a great help. My fellow officers will be along any moment now, but we have to get Gates some medical attention. Thank you for handling the prisoner for me."I hoped that they bought my act, as we moved out of the back entrance of the church because if they did not then it would not take them long to chase us down with us on foot. I looked over at Sebastian as we were now back in the darkness outside behind the church.
"Thank you for what you did back there. But we need to get the hell out of here. So, we are going to need to acquire a ride." I suggested not so subtly that we steal a ride.
"We need to get her back to our hide out, there is someone I want you to meet."
It's been quite some time since I have been this far from both the dojo and the family. Normally a visit to another city would mark a family vacation or some other event that carried the usual fluffy tones. But it was a more personnel issue which led Mayla here a thousand miles away from her family back home. A lesser man would think my actions a little suspicious. But my husband knows better than to believe such nonsense. After all, we are nearing our 15th anniversary pretty soon. And it is no lie that we are both looking forward to many more. But this here, is a personnel matter. Even in a marriage, there are some things you just want to take care of yourself. Have to take care of yourself.
Daniel knows this. So when I told him that I needed to go to San Diego suddenly for a few days. Maybe a week. He understood. More than that, he supported me. Taking a leave from his job as a lawyer in order to step in at my Dojo as the new sensei. I gave a slight smile to myself as I thought about it.
I have good students, but I am certain that they would much prefer me instructing them rather than my husband. Daniel can be rather, tense. When it comes to training. My mind started to be flooded with memories from our younger days, crime fighting together. Daniel knows that training can be the difference between life and death and so he does not take it lightly.
As for me, I was now walking down a street in the entertainment district dressed in my full combat gi. I stood out, and I had been dropping rumors and such that I was looking to expand my Dojo. It is a famous institution for teaching superhuman martial arts an so people will talk about it in certain circles. Gaul will likely hear of it eventually and come and find me.
Its why I am making myself so easy to spot wearing this outfit.
So for now, I simply continued doing what I have been in the past couple days. Keeping to populated but open areas and waiting for Gaul to come find me.
We have a lot of catching up to do.