Chapter 7: Beer Talk, Car Talk.
'Roast Chicken or BBQ?'
'BBQ or Roast Chicken?'
The packaging crumpled in his hands, he couldn't for the life of him decide. All he wanted was a snack and now he has such a big decision to make. He's had enough of the big decisions.
"Ah fuck it. I'll just get the cheese ones." He mumbled to himself as he placed the potato chips back to where they sat before, he then grabbed the cheese flavour and walked towards the cashier. As he walked past the drink section he grabbed himself a six-pack of beer and waited for the two people ahead of him to be served. Garth had a weird feeling about the man in front of him, he looked antsy and shifty, maybe it was the ripped beanie but Garth wasn't one for judging fashion choices. The man in front of him turned behind him and looked right at Garth for a few moments, his eyes darted around his person. Garth didn't move a muscle or return a look, he just looked right at the man deadpan.
The man was then next to be served, he placed his few items onto the counter and then the cashier had a subtle but shocked expression appear on his face. He looked at Garth and then back to the shifty man and slowly began to scan the items and when he finished the last one he asked for the right amount of money and began to slowly open the cash register. Within a few seconds Garth felt a cold piece of metal being slowly pressed against the back of his head, he hadn't been paying attention to what was going on around him. His mind was too swamped.
"We don't want no trouble, just don't move and we'll be gone and nobody gets hurt." The gruff voice warned. Garth let out a sigh, "Come on man, you had to pick tonight? Do you not see these god damn beers in my hand?-" he raised his right hand and jingled the cans together, "-I need a fuckin' drink and you're making it quite difficult for that to happen." he groaned as if tonight was a chore.
The man in front of him was now waving a gun towards the cashier screaming for him to hurry up with handing over the money. The cashier looked scared and frightened. The cold metal then pressed against the back of Garth's head once more, forcing him to take a step forward and to tilt his head forward.
"I don't give a fuck about your whiny ass!" The man with the gun roared.
"Why are you even doing this?" Garth asked, "This place has what? Like a couple hundred bucks. What are you gonna get with that? A small amount for your drug addiction? A few months supply of Happy Meals?" He questioned.
"Shut your mouth or I swear I'll do it!" The man then shouted.
Garth rolled his eyes and cracked open one of the cans, slowly taking a sip with a mocking look over his shoulder. "Get on with it then." He coaxed.
The men in front of him turned and gave him a confused look, as if he was weirded out by Garth. He then turned to his body and nodded his head towards the door, "Come on! Let's get out of here!" He beckoned with a bag full of cash.
"See ya you fuckin' nut-job." The man with the gun grunted.
As the two crooks ran towards the exit Garth placed his open drink onto the counter and then took another one of the cans from the six-pack. He gripped the second can in his hands and threw it with all his strength towards the man with the cash. The can of beer cracked against the wrist of the hand that held the bag and with a yelp of pain the cash scattered onto the floor. "Fucking Shit!" The man with the beanie shouted. Garth let out a happy giggle, that was totally on purpose so he thought he'd roll with it, "Shit... did somebody get hurt? That means there is trouble, right?" he taunted.
"Fuck you man!" the man with the beanie called as he pointed his gun from the entrance and began to fire his weapon, as did his friend. The cashier ducked behind his counter and Garth dived into the aisle nearest him. When the few shots from the guns finished firing Garth poked his head from where he took cover, the two men had disappeared but the cash remained on the floor, scattered. Garth ran towards the money and placed it all into the bag before it blew out into the Gotham night. He carried the cash towards the cash register and knocked onto the counter, "Are you okay down there?" he asked with concern. The shocked cashier slowly climbed himself up and onto his feet, he was holding is shoulder and was leaking red.
Sirens could be heard coming closer from the night and Garth's mind began to go on autopilot, he helped the man with his shoulder until the first responders came and then gave them all the details they needed, answering any questions he had. Before he knew it he was sat in the waiting room of the Police Station after helping them with anything else that they needed.
In the corner of his eye Garth could see someone walk towards him, he turned his head towards the left to see an old man dressed in a brown trench coat and a bushy moustache sitting under his nose. The man passed what seemed to be a coffee towards him, Garth took the drink and then looked to the man who was now beginning to take a seat next to him.
"Haven't seen you in a while young man." The old man begun. Garth turned to him and was nervous when he realised who was speaking to him.
"I saw your name on a file lying about, I thought I'd come say hi." He chuckled to himself.
"How has Barbara been lately?" Garth asked, taking a sip from his coffee. He was trying to see if the the old man knew anything.
The old man released an annoyed laugh throat, "You do know what she has done to herself? Don't you?". Garth looked away, "Yeah... I know." he mumbled.
The old man looked towards the ceiling and sighed, "I haven't seen her smile as much as I have the past few days-" The man smiled, "-But God knows what's different than a few weeks ago. She doesn't talk to me much about her life... I guess she gets that from my side of the family, her mother wasn't like that" He continued. Garth raised his eyebrows, Barbara had never really talked about her mother. The two have that in common he thought to himself.
"Barbara... She never talks about her mum." Garth coaxed. The old man turned to the young man next to him with an inquisitive look, "She was named after her mother you know... She walked out on us when I did something bad." he answered.
The old man then placed his hand on Garths shoulder, "Look after Barbara, won't you? " The old man subtly pleaded.
"I will, Sir." Garth replied. The Commissioner patted Garths shoulder a few times and gave a silent 'Thank you' and then made his way out of the room.
A few moments passed an another police officer stepped into the room and called out to him "Your ride is here Mr Daniels." The Officer spoke. Garth nodded and made his way towards the Officer and out of the waiting room, stood near the entrance of the station was a familiar sight, Artemis.
"You okay Garth?" She asked with worry. Garth stepped forward towards her "Yeah, I'm good. Sorry for bringing you out here so late." he apologized.
"Don't be.-" She answered, "-As long as you're safe." she smiled.
The two walked out of the station to Artemis' car, she helped Garth duck into his seat with as little pain as possible and then jumped into the drivers seat. "Good to go?" She asked, Garth nodded yes.
There was a long pause of awkwardness between the two, neither one of them really knew what to say. Especially after their last encounter. But finally one of them spoke up.
"I hear you've begun to remember things." Artemis inquired. Garth quickly looked at Artemis but then looked away "Yeah... I remember a fair amount." he answered nervously.
As Artemis opened her mouth to continue the conversation Garth interrupted her.
"Artemis... About what I did to you. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." he mumbled. The blonde quickly took her eyes from the road and looked towards the man beside her, she could see a solemn look on his face.
"I don't care if you're sorry Garth." She retaliated. "You still did it." She bit.
Garth exhaled, that took the wind from him. "And I don't care if you don't care. I know you won't forgive me but I want you to know that if I could go back and stop it from happening... I would." he countered.
Artemis raised an eyebrow in Garth's direction "No you wouldn't." she said.
Garth furrowed his brow, "Yes I would." He replied.
"You really wouldn't" she added.
Garth was now frowning, "Why are you being like this?" he snapped.
Artemis chuckled, "I've thought that about you so many times. I'm being like this because you don't know what you really want but everyone else can see that it's written on your face."
Garth now let out a sarcastic laugh, "And what does it say on my face Arty?" he questioned.
Artemis kept her eyes on the road, "You want to be left alone but nobody will let that happen. Not even yourself... Especially when you love Barbara." She spoke.
Garth was now quiet, looking out of the window beside him.
"I'm right, aren't I?" She adressed.
"As always." Garth sarcastically answered.
"Admit it Garth, Admit you love Barbara." Artemis goaded. If he finally admitted it to her she could begin the next chapter in her life, one free from her chasing after Garth. That's what she kept telling herself anyway.
Garth eventually turned to the blonde beside him, he felt nervous. He had remembered his relationship with Artemis, parts of it anyway. He had remembered that he cheated on Artemis with Barbara and he was disgusted with himself. But now he couldn't help but feel for the redhead.
"Fine. I love her. I love Barbara Gordon." He clearly answered. "Is that what you wanted?" Garth questioned. He noticed Artemis' eyes begin to glisten. Hearing that wasn't what she wanted, but it was something she needed to hear.
"We're here." she croaked as she pulled over to park the car. Her sight remained away from the man in her car.
The dark haired man could see the hurt on her face, "Artemis listen I-"
"I don't want to hear it Garth... Just go." She sniffed.
Garth opened the door and stepped out of the car, then turning to look towards Artemis, "I'm sorry for everything." he sighed. The door closed and Artemis drove away into the distance.
A/N: Only 1 or 2 chapters left kiddos.
