Chapter 11: The First Attack
Disclaimer: SVU characters not mine. I'm just borrowing.
A/N: So, I'm thinking of kinda letting go of this story. I'm not sure how much you guys like it, cause hardly anyone is reviewing. I don't usually mind if I get no reviews, but I am bouncing a lot of stories around right now (check 'em out if you want! Just go to my profile! :D) so if I have to give up one…I think this is it. Unless you guys review muchly!!
ENJOY!!
Sam braced herself against the gust of wind that met her as soon as she stepped out of the precinct. She looked up to see the sky was a dark swirling mass of angry clouds. 'Jeez.' She thought. 'Another storm?' she shivered involuntarily. It seemed that a lot of the bad things happened to her during a storm. The incident at the hospital flashed though her mind before she could push it away.
"No." she whispered aloud and pushed her fist into her left temple. She refused to think about that. Instead she tried to focus on the main problem; break it down. 'Alright…first things first.' She shoved her hands into her pockets and bowed her head as the wind kicked up. 'Who would be next in line as leader?'
An image of a large, tattoo-ed, bald man flashed in her mind's eye. 'Gardner.' The son-of-a-bitch that had suggested they rape and beat her so she would never break. Never be weak. That bastard was twenty seven years old, 6'7, and weighing in at nearly 400 pounds. He wasn't all fat, but not all muscle either. Just the right size and weight to be absolutely terrifying. She had known him for the better part of three years, but she had seen no discernible weakness in him.
Nothing. He was so much worse than ZJ. As far in the way of gang leaders…ZJ was downright genial. He was ruthless, though. He had a quick temper and a mean spirit, but he had a chivalrous side to him. That's what made him such a cunning leader. He could charm anyone into being his best friend…then stab them in the back the next second. Literally.
But, when ZJ had learned of her past he had taken her under his wing. He had a background very similar to hers and had sort of…empathized with her. He had fallen for her and she had forced herself into some twisted semblance of love for him. It had kept her alive for three years. If not for ZJ, she would have been beaten, raped, and left for dead. Or outright killed. So, as bad as he was…he had a naïve streak in him. Had a gentle streak. Albeit a small one…but he had protected her from a lot. Mostly things that the others members tried to do…but, sometimes what outsiders did.
"Outsiders? Godammit! They're the outsiders!" Sam grumbled to herself angrily. When Gardner's face swam into her mind again she cursed aloud. "Gardner…I swear I'll make you burn in hell."
"Will you now?" a husky voice came from somewhere to her right. Sam felt a meaty hand clamp over her mouth, but she ducked and took several steps away. She watched as a hulking figure moved out of the shadows, partially revealing the vicious man of her previous thoughts.
"Speak of the devil." Sam gasped through strained vocal cords. She tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice and fear from her expression, but she was failing miserably. Gardner looked bigger then she remembered and without ZJ…there was nothing to stop him from killing her.
Or worse.
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Max watched Sam stride through the precinct's doors. She held her head high, but there was a certain loneliness in the way she held her body. Like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. But there was also a feral awareness about her as well. She was ready to attack at any moment.
"Should we go after her?" He asked the detective who had introduced himself as "Stabler."
The man looked back at him. His blue eyes were hard, but they looked lost at the same time. Max was once again amazed at how the detective managed to pull off the two very different emotions. 'I wonder if he does it a lot.' Max thought absentmindedly.
"You should go home. This is a police matter." Detective Stabler spoke sternly, but his eyes were fixed on the doors that had only just swung shut.
"But…the way she was talking—," But the detective interrupted Max.
"Look, Max, right?" Max nodded. "I don't know what your relationship to Sam is, but this is police business. She is a victim and key witness for a gang's activity. I'm going to have to ask that you leave her alone."
Even thought the man had said "ask," Max knew he was telling. The man intimidated Max, sure, but he couldn't just forget about Sam. Max met the detective's eyes and knew he had no choice to agree. He made a noncommittal noise, put the flowers on the desk sergeants' desk and headed for the door.
He had just reached out his hand when the gun shots rang out.
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Elliot stared stunned at the place where Sam was just standing. She had seen right through him. For years, Elliot had played the part of the caring partner and nothing more. He had always thought that he put on a convincing show. Now, he worried if anyone else knew.
The kid asked him a question. It took Elliot a minute to process the words. The boy wanted to know if they should follow her. 'Yes!' Elliot wanted to scream, but he couldn't get the kid involved. He wasn't much older than Sam.
Elliot told him that Sam was a victim and a witness. He laughed inwardly at what Sam might have said had she heard him call her a victim. She wouldn't be happy. He told 'Max' that the police had to handle it and that he should go home. Max looked like he wanted to refuse, but, instead, mumbled something and dropped the flowers on the desk.
Elliot made to follow him. No way was he letting Sam out of his sight. Some of the most dangerous people in New York were out for this girl and he didn't even know where to start looking for them. Sam hadn't told them anything yet. Not the gang's name or her life before the game.
Elliot was right behind Max when he heard the gun shots.
And people began to scream.
TBC
A/N: Sorry, it's a short chapter! More to come soon! R&R! 7/29/08
