Another Quick Note: From now on, anytime you see a character talking in italics, that means they are speaking Spanish. I would have translated it, however I can't speak Spanish and didn't want to use an online translator because they aren't 100% reliable. I also don't know how the Veracruz prison system works, so forgive my information. As for now, enjoy the chapter! *Criticism is welcomed
"Dejalo si quieres continuar (hermano)
Sol ilumina tu vida
Todo el cielo aplastandote
Dime que harás (intentalo)
Ilumina ese amor
Antes que se vaya,"
10 Years Later
Both Gwen's body and mind had spun into an uncontrollable frenzy.
Her dark, onyx eyes darted around the station frantically, her front teeth had dug themselves into her bottom lip to keep from crying, her heart was beating at an irregular pace, her stomach growled loudly with hunger every so often, her black tracksuit was covered in dirt and seawater, her face was covered in filth and injuries, and the handcuffs around her wrist irritated her skin. Nothing seemed to be okay. However, she ignored all of these discomforts, and continued to scan the room.
Gwen was 28 years old and living large. Almost immediately after graduating from OCAD, she became a world-renowned environmental activist. She went on to complete a degree in Environmental Politics and was internationally infamous for her extreme acts to save the environment. She was wanted in 23 countries as she exposed them all to the world for their unjust violations against mother earth. Gwen was currently in Veracruz; trying to stop overfishing of the Bluefin Tuna in the Gulf of Mexico. However, while she was trying to peacefully stop an illegal fishing boat, the coast guard came out and arrested her boat for … actually, there was no good reason. Gwen herself had changed a lot. Her hair was all black now, and her chest had filled out quite nicely. She somehow managed to maintain her pale complexion, and still sported an all black wardrobe.
Gwen had a small team that followed her lead wherever she went, even to prison. Sitting next to her was David. David was 35 and originated from Japan. His English was strong, and his moral ethics even stronger. He met Gwen at a 'Walk for Water' march when most of the city of Toronto gathered to discuss water pollution.
Across from him sat Paul. Paul was 31 and very big. It was his idea to come to he Gulf of Mexico in the first place. He met Gwen when she attended university. He had come to OCAD to raise awareness about habit destruction.
Next to him was Rachael. Rachael was only 25 and very small. She wasn't one to take action, however, Gwen had talked her into coming. Rachael was more for the written word. She had written hundreds of articles on global warming. Gwen had contacted her and asked her if she would like to join their team. Rachael agreed (but was probably now regretting it).
Gwen's team had been in prison many times. Mostly for no good reason. However, Courtney (who was in the Arctic now covering there last case) was always there to help her out. Courtney had attended Harvard and was one of the best lawyers in Canada. To their surprise, the two girls had become great friends over the years, and Courtney was always there to help Gwen out of situations like this.
Gwen's lip began to tremble with worry. They had been sitting in the police station for nearly two hours. It was late, and all of her team members expressed feelings of drowsiness and fear. The station was pretty full, and officers were running around like headless chickens trying to fill in paper work. Gwen gently rested her head on David's boney shoulder. He responded by laying his head onto hers. "I'm sorry guys," she murmured.
"Don't be," said Paul strongly. "It was my stupid idea to bring you all here," he added angrily.
"Come down big guy," said David sympathetically. "It was our fault to,"
"The second they let me call someone, I'll contact Courtney, and we'll get the hell out of here," said Gwen as she lifted her head back up.
"Algo siempre te entristece
Cuando todo va bien
Que pasa contigo?
Algo siempre te entristece
Cuando todo va bien
Que pasa contigo?"
She glanced around the room again (she did this a lot when she was nervous). Nothing had changed, except for a strange figure that had walked into the room. The figure wore all black as well as a black baseball cap that covered most of his head. Gwen couldn't see him clearly, but he seemed to be dragging a person along with him. Gwen watched the figure closely. There was something about the way he walked that looked to familiar. The figure had a certain swag in his step that was determined, strong, and yet, a feeling as though it didn't care about anyone else. Gwen inspected the body of the figure closely. His chest was big to match his muscular arms and legs. She couldn't really see the front of him, but his backside looked very nice, but, once again, very familiar. The figure made his way to the front desk, dragging the person behind him. The officer greeted him with a smile. "Ah, Duncan. Getting into trouble again I see?"
Gwen felt her body froze. Did he just say "Duncan"? Her thoughts were confirmed as the figure removed his black cap and ran his bold fingers through his bright green Mohawk. Gwen's mind suddenly began to race with every memory she ever had with her former lover. From all of this uncertainty, she began to panic.
Duncan looked … good. His face was older, and his soul patch was accompanied with a scruffy five o'clock shadow. "Not tonight my friend. I actually have a present for you. I caught this one trying to break into some poor old women's house," he said.
Gwen closed her eyes and sighed. His voice was now a little deeper, only seducing Gwen with every word that came out of his harsh lips. And he spoke Spanish. To her disbelief it sounded better in Spanish. Why did he have to be so perfect?
Duncan sighed a few papers, and let a few officers come and collect his captive. "Thanks, sir. Someone will be along shortly to give you your reward," said one of the officers. Duncan nodded as they carried the prisoner off. Duncan then yawned and stretched his arms as he gracefully let his own eyes glance about the room. Gwen continued to panic and looked away. It had been 10 years and she still wasn't ready to see him. Especially not like this. What was he doing here anyway?
Against her better judgment, she carefully looked up to see if he had seen her. And, sure enough, just as she looked back at him, his teal eyes fell upon her.
At that very moment, time froze. Everything was still and quiet. Nothing else mattered. The buzz of the station was reduced to dead silence as they looked deep into each other eyes. The look on his face was covered with surprise and happiness. She could only guess that she looked the same way, only with a touch of concern in her eyes.
"You, up!"
Their moment was broken as Gwen felt someone's strong hand grip her forearm and pull her to the front desk. Each rough step pulled her closer to Duncan, who was still staring at her with amazement. The officer pulled Gwen past Duncan as she desperately tried not to look back. Her shoulder, however, went astray, and slightly brushed up against his.
"You're the one the cost guard pulled in?" asked the man at the front desk.
"Yes," answered Gwen.
The officer at the front desk looked to the one that was still gripping Gwen's shoulder. "I need for you to fill these out," he requested as handed some papers to the other officer. The officer released Gwen, and gave her a threatening look. Gwen, however, could care less about his dark glares; she was more concerned about the look she was still getting from Duncan. She couldn't see him, but she could feel his eyes upon her.
"Gwen."
One word from his lips and Gwen felt herself begin to cry. How could he still have this much control over her? She blinked frantically; hoping to hide the salty droplets of water that were pouring out of her eyes. When she felt ready, she looked back to him. "Hi Duncan," she said meekly.
"Long time no see," he commented. Gwen nodded. "How you bin?" asked Duncan.
"I've had better days," said Gwen as she gestured to the officer filling out her report.
Duncan smirked. "I guess I rubbed off on you, huh?" Gwen bit her lip. She felt like the worlds biggest hypocrite. It was because of his constant jail time that Gwen had broken up with him. Now, she stood before him; hands bound by hand cuffs, dirty, smelly, and vulnerable. "Take it easy on this girl, Carlos. She's won't give you any trouble," said Duncan to the man behind the desk.
"No trouble? Thanks to her, I'll be in all day tomorrow finishing the paper work!" complained Carlos. Gwen bit her lip and looked to her feet.
Duncan eyed her with an aroused suspension. "What did she do?" he asked.
"She was found with her crew in the middle of the Gulf harassing a fishing boat. She was brought in with these," Carlos reached under the desk and pulled out a box of multiple items; a switchblade, a flare gun, a set brass knuckles, and a bottle of pepper spray.
"They were fishing illegally! They should be the ones in jail!" argued Gwen. Carlos rolled his eyes and put the box back under the table. The corners of Duncan's mouth were flickering up and down. Gwen knew this look; it would appear anytime he wanted to laugh.
"Well, well, well, the tables have turned," commented Duncan. Gwen rolled her eyes as Duncan went on. "I've been watching you over these years. All of the trouble you've gotten into? I must have rubbed off on you," he winked.
Gwen wanted to smile. He hadn't changed a bit. The things she loved about him had stayed the same all this time. However, she raised her eyebrow at him, as she used to when they were together. "And have you been keeping out of trouble?"
Carlos began to laugh. Obviously he knew a little bit of English. "This guy? He's in here almost all the time!" he said.
"I wouldn't be laughing so hard, seeing as how I've captured more convicts then you," pointed out Duncan. That signature grin that Gwen always quivered at spread on his face as Carlos's laughter died down.
"A bounty hunter?" asked Gwen, placing her hands on her hips.
"Don't be fooled. He gets into trouble just as much as the people he catches," giggled Carlos.
It was then that a group of officers approached Gwen. "Until you can get a hold of your attorney, we are going to keep you and your team here," said the biggest one. He then grabbed her by the arm and started to drag her away.
"Now wait just one second-" started Duncan. Gwen looked back. Was he actually standing up for her? After all there horrible history?
"I'll be fine. But you watch out for yourself there , juvie," she called over her shoulder. Duncan smiled at the sound of his old nickname. His face soon disappeared in the crowd of criminals and officers.
"Dejalo si quieres continuar
No ocultes tu alma al sol
Tienes una vida preciosa
De que sirve si solo
Mueres suavemente,"
After another hour of interrogation, pictures, and fingerprints, Gwen and her team were finally taken to their holding cells.
The police station had a fairly standard set up. It was a white four story building on the outskirts of town. On the first floor was a collection of offices, on the second floor were the holding cells, the third floor was dedicated to two separate cafeterias (one for the convicts and the other for the employees), and the top floor was a gym, locker area, and recreation room (once again, all separated between convicts and employees). Fences, alarm systems, and angry dogs heavily guarded the grounds. Convicts were allowed outside, but there wasn't much to do. The cells were divided by brick walls and closed off by metal bars. There was a small toilet in the corner and a set of lumpy bunk beds against the opposite wall.
Paul and David were bunked together, and Rachael was placed with some other inmate leaving Gwen alone. She climbed to the top bunk and lay out, staring at the cracked ceiling. As she lay there peacefully, she rubbed her freed wrists while she listened to the discussions of the other inmates;
"Is that the Gwen girl from the papers?"
"I think so. They found her trying to kill some fishers,"
"Jesus Christ she's hot. And locked in here with us!"
"Don't get excited. I hear they've got this whole place watching her,"
Gwen sighed. On one hand, she was a little flattered, on the other, she prayed that Courtney would come through first thing tomorrow morning. Why was she being treating like a killer? She didn't want to hurt anyone, just save the animals that were being killed off one by one.
"I got a letter from my sister today. She said the newspaper are full of stories about her,"
"What do they say?"
"Some say she's a menace, others support her. But apparently, after news of her arrest, huge load of protestors went to stand outside the gates of the fishery,"
"Are you kidding me? My brother has a job there! Goddamn-it she's ruining everything!"
Ruining everything? Trying to save everything is more like it. Gwen growled to herself. Why wouldn't anybody listen to her? She turned over onto her side and stared at the wall on the opposite side of the room. The tope colour seemed annoying to her. Such a bright colour for such a dismal place.
But, like many for the lonely nights she had before, her thoughts went back to Duncan. Gwen always thought about him, ever since the day he left. She spent countless hours hoping that he was all right. Seeing him again, Gwen concluded that he had changed. He was still the same, however, there was something broken in his eyes. Was he still hurt from her? Did he even think about her?
Her thoughts were interrupted as the door to the cell was forcefully opened. There stood Duncan. His face was locked in a sly smiled and his hands were held behind his back. Behind him, stood a pissed off Carlos. He threw Duncan into the cell, locked it, and stormed off down the hall. Duncan rubbed his writs and looked at her.
"Must be my lucky day," he joked.
"What the hell happened?" asked Gwen with surprise.
"Turns out its actually illegal to 'bounty hunt' in other countries," shrugged Duncan as he took a seat on the bottom bunk.
Gwen hopped down from the top bunk and looked at him with strong judgment. "And you just happened to be placed in my cell?" she asked.
"Don't flatter yourself, sunshine," said Duncan with a smile. She chuckled at her old nickname. "Half of the cells are under repair, so they're mixing men and women. This was the only place left,"
"Is that safe?" asked Gwen as she started to worry about Rachael.
Duncan shrugged. "Don't you trust me?" he winked. Gwen gave him a small smile and climbed back up.
"Just try not to keep me up with your snoring," she called back down.
"I make no promises!" he called up. Gwen laughed and gently closed her eyes. "Hey Gwen!"
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Can I say something?" he asked vulnerably.
Gwen didn't know why, but she started to panic slightly. Duncan was always unpredictable and would say the strangest things at the worst times. Would he bring up the past?
"Shoot," she said nervously.
"You looked pretty sexy with those handcuffs on," he snickered.
Gwen silently let out a sigh of relief and blushed a little. It was defiantly the same old Duncan. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," she said with a giggle.
She heard him chuckled as well before she fell asleep. When she finally landed into a deep snooze, she was completely relaxed. For some reason, she felt a little safer knowing that Duncan slept just beneath her.
"Que pasa?
Que pasa contigo?
Que pasa contigo?
(mi hermano)
Que pasa contigo?
Escucha a tu propia voz
Salva tu amor
Que pasa contigo?
Antes que se vaya
Si todo va bien
Que pasa contigo?
Que pasa contigo?
Mirate a ti mismo
Enfrentalo
Que pasa contigo?
Mi hermano
Ven animate
Que pasa contigo?"
Song: Latin Simone (Que Pasa Contigo)
Artist: Gorillaz
