He gasped as he hit the ground hard and was pinned down. The sun was blocked out by broad black demon wings, and a girl was crouching on his chest. "Who the hell are you?! How did you find me?!" She hissed in his face, and he lay stunned for a moment.
"Dude, chill. I'm Delsin, and my Conduit friend Eugene found you." She stopped short, and let go of his arms.
"Eugene? With powers over television?" He nodded, and she stood up, stepping away so he could haul himself into a sitting position.
"Damn... Never been tackled by a girl before..." He rubbed his chest where her knees had been, and stood up. "What's your name anyway?"
"Me? I'm Lidia. Why didn't Eugene tell you that?" She looked suspiciously at him, her violet eyes glaring up into his brown ones.
"Woah, calm down. He didn't even tell me you were a girl, much less that your name." Delsin lifted his hand to feel for his hat, and she flinched. He blinked, but put his hand down. "Sorry if I startled you, but I was wondering if you knew anything about the recent murders."
Her eyes hardened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, I'm the one who's been committing them. But it's not like I want to. I have to, so I can survive." Delsin crossed his arms in turn.
"Why do you need to commit a felony to survive?" She looked away, almost remorsefully.
"It's a long, complicated story." Then she whipped around as Reggie stepped up behind her, his gun out.
"You're under arrest!" His voice was loud and commanding, and she hissed at him. Delsin held his hand up toward his brother.
"No, wait, Reggie, stop!" But it was a moment too late. Lidia's wing collided with Reggie's hand and knocked his gun away before she leaped forward and slammed her shoulder into his chest. He went flying backward, and she grabbed him by the shirt front. She dragged him to the ground, snarling in his face.
"Who the hell are you, and why did you put a gun in my face?! I should kill you for that!" Delsin stepped forward.
"Lidia, stop! Let me explain!" She hissed and grabbed Reggie by the neck.
"Start talking, pretty boy." Delsin took another step forward.
"Eugene and Fetch told us where to find you. We just wanted to talk. My brother here, the one you're strangling, is a cop. He's just following procedure. I swear, we won't make you go back to Curdon-Cay. We just want to talk." Her grip on Reggie's throat relaxed, and she pulled herself to her feet. Reggie coughed and grabbed his throat, curling up on his side. Lidia's smoldering eyes turned on Delsin.
"Well, you've got my attention, pretty boy. Keep talking." Delsin swallowed hard, and continued.
"We want you to stop the murders. We want you to come with us, to Fetch and Eugene so we can help you. So we can all get rid of the DUP, and shut down Curdon-Cay. We just want to help you. Please, come with us." She glared at him, her arms crossed.
"How do I know you haven't done something to Fetch and Eugene?" He pulled out his phone.
"You can talk to them yourself." He dialed Eugene's number, and waited as it rung.
"Delsin? Did you find her?" Eugene sounded urgent, almost desperate.
"Yup. I found her. But she's currently threatening to kill me unless she talks to you and Fetch, so I'm giving her my phone." He handed the device over to the girl, who took it hurriedly.
"Eugene? Fetch?" She listened for a few moments before she sighed with relief. "Thank god..." She exchanged words with the pair for a few more moments before she handed Delsin back his phone. "Here. I'll go with you, if you take me to Fetch and Eugene." Delsin nodded, and took back his phone. Reggie dragged himself to his feet, rubbing his throat.
"Damn… Delsin, remind me to never face a Conduit again." Delsin smirked and shook his head.
"I thought you would have learned that by now." Lidia growled irritably.
"Can we hurry this up?" Delsin glanced at her.
"Okay, calm down. Follow me."