Chapter 7: No Rest for the Wicked
After she fell into a deep sleep, that kind of sleep that always follows when you have been unexpectedly awaken in the early hours of the morning, Roxanne assumed her next awakening would be by the noise of persistent beeping from her bedside alarm clock. Instead Roxanne's morning would begin with an abrupt scare from her sleep from the loud ringing of her mobile phone. She was starting to realise in her upside down world nothing should be assumed.
Needless to say the news she received was not what she was expecting the morning after Megamind decided to break into her apartment for a vent session. But regardless of how she felt about the news, she was still grateful for her position as a reporter. The reliability of the informants that kept the media in the loop (for a commission of course) meant she was always on top of any news that was worth the ear of any listener in Metro City.
"Morning boys." An officer teased as he walked into view outside Megamind and Minion's cell. Both were sitting with their hands resting on their knees, seated on the thin mattress of the prison bed. Megamind was now rethinking his opinion of the prison as 'comfortable' as he straightened his stiff sore back to face the officer.
Megamind's eyes focused on the young mans name badge, the black letters on the golden brooch reading 'Jason.' Megamind could tell the officer was new, his rugged brown hair and youthful face was a clear give away.
"Straighten up you two you have a visitor." And not two seconds had Jason spoke those words Roxanne walked from the corridor into view. Both inmates shot up in surprise, Megamind slightly more than Minion. And although his complexion was a bright blue, Roxanne swore she saw Megamind blushing.
"Well aren't you two a sight." She said in a giggle.
"Roxanne!" Megamind spat leaping to the prison bars, "I can explain everything."
"Oh please do." She said somewhat condescending and thinking to herself this should be good.
"We were only trying to apprehend a criminal." Widening his captivating big green eyes in sincerity.
"So how did that work out for you?" She smirked.
"Honestly…" He smiled, "Not my best work." Seeing Roxanne smirking with that cheeky smile she wore so perfectly, Megamind felt relaxed to make light of his situation. It was obvious Roxanne was not angry or disappointed with him. A relief, since he didn't really care what anyone else thought about him, all he cared was what she thought.
"Hmm, I can see that." Roxanne's persistent taunting was relentless. Exhaling a deep breath she turned to Jason who had stayed to watch the exchange, "Ok I'm done." Megamind's smile disappeared in worried confusion, done? she is done with me? he fretted in his head.
To Megamind's surprise Jason reached for a clustered set of keys on his belt, jingling them all the way to the lock on the cell. "Alright Minion you are free to go."
"What!" Megamind cried, "Yeay!" Minion cheered leaping to his feet in a joyous bound.
Turning his sights back to Roxanne Megamind stammered, "You… you knew." Obvious by her smile.
"I arrived just as they were about to release him. Jason here was kind enough to give me a few minutes first." She said mockingly placing a hand on Jason's shoulder who had the same wicked expression as his female counterpart.
Opening the door and allowing Megamind to slip out, closely followed by Minion of course, Megamind mused over how it never got old just how good freedom tasted after being locked in a cell. But it was short lived because his undivided attention was now refocused on his manipulative visitor.
Megamind slowly paced towards Roxanne, his eyes meeting hers, until she was in hearing range of his whispering words, "You sly seductress."
"You flatter me with your words kind sir." She teased turning to leave the cell block corridor. Megamind couldn't help but just grin, she definitely got him good.
Stepping outside Megamind and Minion squinted from the blazing sun overhead, the dark glooms of the prison cells leaving them unprepared for the brightness of the morning.
"Hey guys I got to head off to work. Are you two alright for a ride?" Roxanne asked feathering her hand over Megamind's shoulder. Megamind was so distracted by the sensation of Roxanne randomly touching him he didn't even realise that she was looking at him for a response. It felt so overwhelming good that someone felt so comfortable with you that they would have the courage to touch you affectionately. He was used to being punched, but this… this was completely different and… pleasant.
It didn't take long for Minion to realise Megamind was off in his thoughts. "Oh we will be fine Ms Ritchi." He answered slapping Megamind on the back, a bit too hard as the impact made him jerk forward in shock. "I parked the car just around the corner."
"Yeap just around the corner." Megamind spat recovering from the slap.
"Alright, I'll see you later then."
"I'd like that." Megamind replied. Roxanne gave him a warm smile before walking down the steps towards the news van parked a few car spaces down the road. Minion sighed as he moved in front of Megamind walking in the opposite direction. "What?" He yelled in confusion chasing after his ape suit friend.
Not soon after Megamind and Minion saw the news van disappear around the corner, a black limousine screeched beside them giving Megamind such a fright that he leapt backwards into Minion with a yelp.
Smoke from the rubber of the tires drifted across the shiny exterior of the limo, and the tinted window of the back seat lowered revealing a man in a suit sitting inside.
Masked by black sunglasses he spoke in a deep commanding voice to Minion and Megamind who were staring in a daze, "Get in."
"Yeah I don't think so." Minion replied cynically. The man turned his head towards Megamind. Crossing his arms and giving the man a mocking look he agreed, "Well, if you opened with free candy I might have been tempted, but unfortunately for you I'll also have to say no."
Both Megamind and Minion turned resuming their walk down the footpath to their car, but they stopped dead cold as they heard a distinctive metallic click ring from behind them.
Frozen still they heard the man utter, "Trust me, you want to get in."
In a swift move Megamind spun around to face the assailant, his cape breezing through the air and his hand wisping up his dehydration gun from his belt and aiming it directly between the man's eyes.
The two were caught in a stalemate. Megamind pointing his gun, the stranger pointing his, and Minion cringing and too frightened to move.
Megamind stared sternly into the man's face, an expression without fear of the life threatening gun in his hand. But to Megamind's surprise as he prepared himself to react quickly to any movement, the man withdrew his gun back into the car.
"Look." He said at Megamind who declined to withdraw his gun, "I am just the messenger and my boss just wants to meet with you. That is all. You can even keep that little gun of yours. But I promise you if you don't come with me there will be repercussions to you, your pet there and your girlfriend."
"You dare threaten her!" Megamind bellowed raising his gun with more intensity and passion.
The man did not flinch. "Don't shoot the messenger."
"Yeah says who." Megamind replied unfamiliar with the saying. The man in the car distinctively raised his eyebrows but was starting to lose his patience with this scene.
"You have five seconds to decide."
Megamind quickly glanced at Minion who had a blank expression, his friend not being any help with suggestions. He wanted so much just to dehydrate this worm into a tiny cube, but what if his threats were genuine and whoever he worked for would indeed harm Roxanne.
Megamind lowered his gun and returned it to its holster on his belt. Instantly the back door to the limo swung open invitingly and Megamind and Minion climbed in, the car taking off the second the car door shut behind them.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hi everyone!
Firstly, Merry Christmas guys! Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays. Also, I want to send a huge thanks to my reviewers! Even at xmas you guys are still favoriting and reviewing. Aww 'tear.' I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint and I promise for an update soon to this cliffhanger.