Here we go again! If this story seems familiar it is. It's from my story of the same name This is My City. I've gone back and changed some things, but it is still somewhat the same story… but better! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Chicago PD or any of its characters. Just Mariana!
This is My City
Chapter One: Hard Knock Life
Mariana never understood what it was about starring out at the city skyline just as the sun was about to rise. The sky brightly colored by the pinks and yellow hues covering the clouds and the early morning fog blurring out the skyscrapers to the point that they all meshed together. Then there were the many-colored lights of the vehicles moving on the streets. Their lights glowing like Christmas lights on a tree. There was something so calming to her about this time of day.
This was Chicago, and this was her city.
A late fall wind swept across the bridge she had been standing on for the last hour now, leaning up against the metal railing with her arms hung over. On nights when she couldn't sleep she'd walk to this spot and watch the sunrise. I reminded her that there was still beauty in this harsh world, but once it was over she knew it was time to return to real life.
With a deep sigh, Mariana step back from the edge turning back to the direction of her house. The filthy streets were just starting to get busy; as some small businesses owners began to open their doors and everyone else was on their way home to sleep off whatever they took the night before. It wasn't the nicest or the safest neighborhood in Chicago, but it was the worst either. These were the streets she had grown up on.
The small bell rang as she entered the small diner on the corner, two streets down from her neighborhood. The air was thick with the smell of coffee and grease, but the atmosphere was welcoming.
"Hey, Mr. Johnson!" she called out sitting down on one of the stools by the counter.
Mr. Johnson, the old man who owned the diner with his wife, smiled back at her, "Morning darlin'. You're here early." He came over to her with a coffee pot in his hand.
Mariana looked down and shrugged her shoulders, "Felt like taking a walk this morning."
"Please tell me you didn't sleep outside again last night?"
Looking up at him for the first time, her eyes wide. She answered quickly, "No, really, I just went for a walk."
She knew he was just concerned for her, but it bothered her. Ever since he had found her asleep on the side of the sidewalk little over a month ago, he was always asking questions about her home life. Any questions directed at her life were dangerous.
It wasn't really a secret who she ran with. Most everyone on this side of town knew that the East Lobos owned these streets and that she lived with its leader, Tobias Santana. These couple blocks use to be the 616-gang's territory, but Santana had taken over little over a year ago and was steadily expanding. There wasn't a crime committed in this area code that Santana didn't have a hand in.
Studying the young girl for a moment, the old man let it go of the moment, "Okay, then. What would you like this morning?"
"Just two coffees to go. One with cream and one without," she responded as her fist unclenched themselves. Mr. Johnson gave her a pointed look, so she added, "Please."
"Coming right up."
Smiling she thanked him before he turned to get the coffee.
"Alright, two coffees," Mr. Johnson set down the two to-go cups and a small paper bag in front of her.
Mariana looked at the items in front of her and pointed to the bag, "What's that?"
"That is a blueberry muffin," he pointed out matter of fact.
"I can see that," she retorted. "I didn't ask for it though."
The diner owner gazed at the girl, "I know, but look at you. You're skin and bone sweetheart. I swear every time you walk through that door you've lost another couple pounds."
"No, really Mr. Johnson I'm-"
"Don't you dare say you're fine," he cut her off. Bending over close to her he added, "I'm not an idiot, I know who you hang around with."
"That's none of your business," Mariana instantly became defensive. She like Mr. Johnson and his wife well enough but didn't needed him snooping around in her life. It was not only dangerous for him, but her as well. "Just leave it alone," she dropped a couple dollars on the counter, grabbed the coffees, and stood up to leave.
Before she could make it to the door though, Mr. Johnson called out to her, "Whoa, whoa, wait a second. Hold up."
Mariana was at the door and paused wondering if it was worth turning around. Finally, with a sigh, she turned and faced the old man.
"Trust me, I don't have any desire to get mix up in whatever those boys are running over there. It would be stupid for me to do so, but you…" he pointed at her before continuing. "I'm sure you have your reasons, but all I'm saying is to be careful."
"I don't need your advice, sir."
"I'm sure you don't sweetheart. All I'm doing… all I want to do is just show you a little kindness because I'm sure you don't get much from the from anyone else," he motioned to a dark purple bruise on her jaw, then picked up the bag and held it out to her. "Sometimes you just have to accept what's handed to you. If all else, just to survive."
Looking the older man in the eye she could tell he was sincere and took the bag from him. "Thank you," she said quietly and exited the diner.
Mariana was grateful for the extra food, but she didn't need anyone snooping around in her life. There would be trouble for anyone involved.
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Walking up to the house she had lived in all her life, Mariana noticed that the front door was wide open. Even though she knew she had shut the door when she left. Some of her brother's and Santana's friends must have come by the house. She hated it when they came over because they had no respect for her home.
The house smelled of cigarette smoke and beer when she entered through the front door and making sure she shut it behind her. Of course, these over-powering smells were not uncommon in the house now days, but this morning it seemed stronger than normal.
"Zack!" she called out entering the living room. "Zack, you awake?"
"Would you shut up?" said the voice of the person lying on the couch, who she knew wasn't her brother. It was one of the other guys in the gang who had decided to squat here.
Mariana turned to look him and stated, "If you don't like my yelling, then why do you hang out here Elliot?"
Out of everyone in the Lobos, Elliot was the most intimidating. The man had no remorse for anything he did, no matter how horrible. She shouldn't really be talking to him like that, but she also knew Santana would kill him if he tried to do anything with her. Well, at least not without his permission he wouldn't.
The large man on the couch made no comment at her. Elliot just swore in Spanish under his breath and went back to sleep. Turning her back to him, Mariana walked towards the stairs and went up to see if Zack was there. Two bedrooms down, she found her older brother passed out on his stomach on mattresses on the floor.
Sitting down next to him and she ran her fingers through his dark blonde hair to wake him up, "Come on, time to get up hermono."
Zack stirred at his sister's touch, but still didn't open his eyes, "Leave me alone, Mari."
"Nope," she shook him more. "Come on, I brought you some real coffee. Not that crap you all call 'coffee' and if you're good I have a muffin for you too."
A small smirk came over her brother's face and he opened his eyes, "What did I ever do to get such a great baby sister, huh?"
Mariana didn't answer his question because she noticed how blood shot his eyes were and asked, "What did you do last night?"
He sat up and ran a hand through his tousled hair, he answered, "Just had to call in some favors people owed us. Nothin' too big."
"Yeah, and then drank a bottle of cheap liquor I bet," she accused, and then she noticed what was splattered across his shirt. "Is that blood?!"
He looked down and his white V-neck as if surprised at her finding, "Oh that? That's nothing, don't worry about it. It's not mine."
This somehow didn't comfort her, "It ain't nothing! It's freaking blood. Is this what you mean by calling in favors?"
Zack thought it was funny that his baby sister was getting so work up by this, "It's not for you to know babe, okay?" he kissed her forehead and continued, "You worry too much."
"Yeah, well, if I didn't who would?" she said mildly annoyed. "Just please tell me you're being careful."
"Always," he grinned like it was a joke. "Now I believe I was promised coffee and a muffin."
Reluctantly, she handed him the coffee and muffin. He had them both devoured within two minutes. He was such a pig sometimes. It still bothered her that he wasn't telling her the whole story of what happened last night, but part of her knew she was probably better off not knowing.
"I'm going to go get ready," Mariana said standing up. "You really need a shower. You stink." She laughed at Zack.
"Yeah, yeah," He answered and then asked. "You workin' today?"
Mariana shook her head, "No, Santana said Miguel was taking my spot today." She didn't add that the only reason Santana did this was, so he could have her do her other job tonight. The side job that Zack didn't know about and she wanted to keep it that way.
Mariana trotted back to her room at the end of the hallway and unlock the door. When Zack invited Santana and, by default, all their friends to squat in the house she made sure it was clear that her room was her room, and no one was allowed in unless invited. For the most part everyone had left it alone, but still she made sure to lock it when she wasn't around. It wasn't all that nice in there, but still it was the one thing she could still call hers. The room was a light green color and had been since her parents brought her home from the hospital. There was a bed, it was just a mattress on the floor, but she had it covered in blankets and pillows. Her mom had called it her nest. Then there was the furniture that all bedrooms had a; a tall dresser, a side table with a desk lamp on it, and a bookshelf that only held a few books. It mostly housed her framed pictures and small trinkets she had collected over the years. Mariana treasured her room.
Going over to the dresser she pulled out a semi-clean shirt and changed out of the one she had on. It's not like she had a lot of options of what to wear, she had worn most of her clothes to rags over the past two years and she didn't have the means to get new ones often. There were more important things that she was saving for. Santana often bought her new clothes, but they were only appropriate to wear when she was working nights.
Once she deemed herself presentable she exited her room and locked it heading downstairs. She was hoping that she'd find something to eat in the kitchen. Maybe one of the boys had ordered a pizza last night. At this point she'd eat anything.
"Morning, nina bonita," Santana greeted her as she walked into the dining room. He flashed Mariana his charming half smile.
Plastering a smile on her face she reciprocated, "Morning," and allowed him to kiss her on the cheek as she walked by him to the kitchen, "How did you sleep?"
"Like a baby," he followed her to the kitchen; making sure to be on her heals. "But I was worried when I woke up and you weren't here."
"Well, you shouldn't worry so much," she shrugged off and opened the fridge to see what was edible, but before she could check out what was available Santana roughly grabbed her by her upper arm. She let out a small squeak as he pulled her close.
"Well I do worry," he said gripping her arm tighter. "Where were you?"
Mariana tried to keep her fear out of her voice, "Nowhere, I just went for a walk and to the diner for coffee. That's all!"
He looked her straight in the eye, "A walk where?"
"Just around the block and back. It's not a big thing baby," she softened her voice.
He stared at her for few seconds and then slowly loosened his hold on her, "I'm sorry, I just worry about you."
Steadying her breathing she lied back to him, "It's fine, I love that you worry about me, but I can handle myself."
"I know that. I love that I have a girl that can handle herself," as he hugged her close he added. "But I will always worry."
Mariana just smile at him and hesitantly moved out of his strong embrace. She could feel his dark eyes still watching her. His stare was wondering up and down her body. She should be used to it by now, but Santana over the past couple month had been becoming more and more forceful and protective of her. The only way to really describe their relationship was complicated.
Taking in a couple deep breaths, Mariana no longer felt hungry and settled for a glass of water from the faucet. She watched from the corner of her eye as Santana light up a cigarette and sat down at the kitchen table, which was at the moment covered in empty bottles, cigarette butts, and a couple pipes. At least it matched the rest of the kitchen, which was filthy.
"Oh, by the way, I need you dealing over on Third today," Santana told her.
"What? No, you got me working tonight remember?" she spoke trying not to sound upset. She didn't really feel like dealing all day and then doing tricks for him most of the night. "You promised me the afternoon off."
"Well now I'm saying you're working," He clearly was in a mood this morning. She wondered if it had anything to do with whatever happened last night. "Miguel was an idiot and got arrested on some possession charge last night. So, you're up."
"Santana please, if I do this can you have someone else work my shift tonight?" Mariana pleaded as she batted her long eyelashes at him. I was better for her to play sweet and innocent when it came to him. It didn't work this time.
Putting down the cigarette he glared at her, "I'm sorry, but I must of miss heard you. That didn't sound like 'yes, sir'. You owe me an extra shift after that stunt you pulled two weeks ago."
Mariana clenched her hands into fists. The stunt he was referring to was when one of her clients pushed her out of his car because he thought she was over charging him. Mariana had hit her head on the pavement and had passed out for a moment. One of the other girls had wanted to call an ambulance, but Mariana knew that that would of just cause more trouble. She was fine a few days later; Santana had blamed her for it saying that she must have done something wrong. Never once did he consider that it was because the guy was getting too rough with her, so she denied him service.
As much as she wanted to yell at him doing that would only get her into deeper water. Biting her tongue, she simply said, "Okay, fine."
"That's my girl," Santana said relaxing back into his seat and taking another drag of his smoke.
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"Be good," Mariana requested of her brother as they pulled up to the corner on Wabash and Third. Halfway down the block she could see Santana waiting for her. There was another guy with him and they appeared to be a serious conversation since their backs were slightly hunched over and they faced away from the street.
"Aren't I always, carnala," Zack replied flashing his charming smile. "Honestly, don't you have any faith in your brother?"
"Uh, no I don't," she said just before opening her door and climbing out of the car. She heard her brother laugh slightly before pulling away into traffic.
Mariana stood on the corner for a moment taking in a couple deep breaths and adjusting her ponytail. She worried that Santana wouldn't like how she was dressed. He always liked to see her well done up with makeup and clothes when she was around him. After all she was "his girl" and she had to always look the part.
"Mari!" called a voice startling her from her thoughts.
Plastering a sweet smile on her face she approached the two men.
"Hey, babe," she greeted wrapping her arms around Santana's waist. She tried to hide her frustration when he ignored her gesture and continued to talk to the other man. Mariana was sure she had seen this tall man around the neighborhood before. Cheeto was his nickname because he was the only Hispanic in the neighborhood with slightly red hair. He had just started hanging around with the Lobos in the past couple months.
"Have Donnie and Joker run by Miguel's apartment or his girlfriend's. Either way I want him found," Santana appeared to order. The other man nodded and turned walking down the street to a waiting car.
"What was that about?" she removed her arms from around Santana and took a step back looking up at him.
He finally looked at her with his dark brown eyes. Eyes that Mariana was sure she had never seen any light in. Well, at least not since Manuel died, "Miguel got himself arrested early this morning and no one's heard from him since."
"He'll show up eventually. He always does."
Santana let the topic drop as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a couple plastic baggies, "You are to stay here until three, no leaving. Marcus will be driving around every hour to check that everything's okay."
More like babysitting, Mariana thought while taking the baggies from him and discreetly shoving them into her jacket pocket, "You got it." was what she replied though.
He slyly smiled at her and brushed some for her hair away from her face, "You look great today." and then grabbed her neck leaning in to kiss her.
Playing the part, she kissed him back and counted to ten before breaking the kiss.
Looking her up and down one more time he stepped away. Mariana watched him take a few steps down the sidewalk. Just when she thought she was safe he called out to her again.
"Oh, and your working tonight too."
"What? No, that-" she stuttered at him. She knew what job her was talking about. "Santana, I told you that was a temporary thing. I didn't want to do it all the time."
He stomped back up to her. His muscles bulged through his shirt as he tensed up. "Well, apparently you made some good impressions and have some repeat customers who are asking for you."
She didn't know how to respond without making him angry, so she just nodded. It wasn't worth the fight.
"Don't worry, you'll have fun. Plus, the extra cash will be nice."
She nodded again, and he turned a walked away. Letting out a frustrated grunt she ran her hand through her hair. Mariana took in a deep breath to stop the tears pooling in her eyes. After about a minute, she had her emotions in check and she turned back to the street and waited.
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What Mariana didn't notice was the dark SUV parked on the side street a block down.
"That's her," Detective Erin Lindsey said putting the car into park. "That's Mariana Tucker, the girl Miguel told us about."
Detective Jay Halstead looked across the road to the alley opening where three college age kids were talking to a young girl about a foot shorter than them. He didn't believe her, "No way that's her."
"According to the informant it is," Lindsey said, also staring over at the girl. "He said were looking for the girl who deals over on Third and Wabash."
"She can't be more than sixteen or seventeen, if that," Lindsey just nodded at her partner comment. "There's no way she could be high ranking in the West Lobos. I mean look at her."
"He didn't say she was high ranking, just that she was close to Santana," she explained. "I don't think we should underestimate her so quickly."
"Maybe."
Both Detectives returned their attention alley where the older boys were now getting back into their car and the girl was pushing a thick wad of what they assumed was cash into her denim jacket pocket. She casually looked down both sides of the street before her posture slacked and she leaned back up against the brick wall, lighting up a cigarette.
"Looks like we're up next," Halstead joked as he followed his partner out of the truck.
"Just let me do the talking," She whispered to him pulling down her shirt to cover her badge and gun. He nodded and did the same.
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Mariana visibly tensed as the two approached her.
"Hey, are you Mariana?" Lindsey called out to her, Halstead stayed a step behind letting his partner take the lead.
Mariana stuck her chin out and stood her ground, "Who wants to know?"
There was something off about the two strangers in front of her and it made her uneasy.
"Word is you're the one to talk to about scoring in this neighborhood," Lindsey answer.
The Detectives started to look more closely at her. She was skinny, almost boarder line unhealthy skinny. There were dark circles under her eyes. The slight shaking of her hands gave away how nervous she was. There was a nasty looking bruise on her jaw which stood out against her pale skin. This girl was clearly a mess, but by her posture she was trying her best to hide that fact.
Mariana took a long drag of her cigarette before putting it out, eyeing them cautiously, "Possibly."
"'Possibly' what?" Lindsey responded, not missing a step. She remembered how to play this game.
"Possibly, yeah, you see it's invitation only on this corner," she crossed her arms over her chest. "So, who sent you?"
Lindsey smiled warmly at her, not wanting to spook her, "The guy who works at the junk yard told us."
"Miguel was his name I think," Halstead said speaking for the first time. "He told us."
"Miguel? Miguel Rosas?" Mariana asked confused by this information. Her heart rate picked up as it slowly dawned on her what was happening.
"Yes! That's the guy," Lindsey exclaimed.
Mariana's eyes slowly moved between the two of them, "Alright, just follow me," She motioned for them to follow her farther into the alley and away from the street. Lindsey and Halstead cautiously walked a couple steps behind the girl.
Halstead was the first to catch it. Mariana's body jerked a little as she half looked back and before either detective could grab her she was sprinting full speed down the alley.
"Hey!" Lindsey yelled, as she and her partner tore off after her. "Chicago PD! Stop!"
Mariana's heart was pounding through her chest as the two police officers gained on her. At the end of the alleyway was a chain-linked fence and with all her weight put into it she jumped up and climbed over before either of the two reached the fence.
"Follow her," Lindsey called to Halstead. "I'll follow in the car," without waiting for an answer she booked it back out of the alley.
Halstead heaved himself up and over the fence. Jumping straight to the ground he had just enough time to see her turn the corner down an adjoining alley that led back to the main road.
Mariana could hear the man's heavy footsteps just behind her. She wasn't thinking about where she was going, just that she got as far away from these people. Santana would kill her if she was arrested for dealing. She knew she couldn't out run them, so she had to ditch the zip lock bags in her jacket pocket. As she turned the corner on to the main street she saw a car, with its flashing lights on, speeding her direction. Picking up her pace she ran away from the car. There was a large dumpster at the around the block she could ditch the baggies.
Watching her partner chase after the young girl, Lindsey could hardly believe Halstead had yet to gain any ground on her. The traffic on the street was preventing her from cutting Mariana off. She watched as the girl seemed to stumble for a slit second when passing a dumpster bin. The girl instantly righted herself and picked up her speed in a dead sprint. With her slip-up, Halstead had been able to gain on her, but that didn't last long. Lindsey could hardly believe her eyes as she watch this tiny girl suddenly pick-up speed, leaving him in the dust behind her. Lindsey saw her partner turn the next corner, but by the time she made it there she saw her partner standing there trying to catch his breath.
Rolling down the window she half shouted at him, "Where did she go?"
"I don't know," Halstead said between gasps. "I turned the corner only a second behind her and she was gone."
"Get in," she spoke putting the car back into gear. "She can't have gotten too far."
Halstead hopped in the passenger side and commented, "Did you see how she ran?"
"Yeah, she's scared."
Mariana had made it around the next block and stopped to calm herself. She was having trouble taking in a full breath and her side was killing her. Her relief was short lived though as she heard sirens come up behind her once more.
Pushing back whatever pain she was in, Mariana push forward, but she didn't have as good of a head start this time. Thinking quickly, she turned into a small park trying to lose the car, but she could faintly hear the car screech to a stop and two doors open. She dared not look back to be sure.
Suddenly, another body plowed into hers knocking her to the ground.
A male voice above her yelled, "Hands behind your back."
Mariana tried to do as he asked, but with the running and the shock of being thrown to the ground she was having trouble catching her breath and was gasping for air once more.
"Jay, hold up," A female voice said running up to them. "She can't breathe."
The Detective turned Mariana onto her side. She looked up at him as she felt like she'd cough up a lung.
Lindsey knelt next to the young girl and spoke, "You're okay. Just take a deep breath, okay?" and rubbed the girls back to help calm her down. Lindsey gave Halstead a look of bewilderment. This girl had just run so hard she had nearly given herself a self-induced asthma attack and to them people don't run like that unless they have something to hide.
It took a couple minutes, but Mariana finally managed to slow her breathing. She's surprised when the two cops didn't handcuff her; just place her in the backseat of the car. Mariana closed her eyes and rested her head up against the cool window. She had never been arrested before and she knew things were about to get a lot worse.
So here is Mariana! I hope you liked it. Most chapter won't be this long, but I wanted to give you a good intro to Mariana and her story. Please review and let me know what you think.
For those of you that have read the story before I deleted that one and revamped it to this one! So welcome back!
Until next time my loves….
P.S. Go check out my Tumblr for more updates, sneak peeks on future chapters, story pictures, and more!