Chapter 7

Dust flies in the air as Diane and I remove the white sheets off the furniture of my new room. I cough as I inhale just a little too much of the foreign particles.

"Ops," Diane's awkward chuckle is muffled by her hand. "Guess I shoulda opened a window first. Hold on a sec." She unlocks one of the nearby windows to air out the dusty room. "There we go, much better!" The brunette gathers up the sheets in her arms and gives me a pleasant smile.

I still can't get over the fact that she's one of the Seven.

"I'm gunna throw these in the wash," she holds up the sheets. "Want anything before I head off to bed?"

"No, I'm fine."

She nods and makes for the door.

Feeling a weird need to thank her, I say, "wait!"

"Hmm?" Diane hums as she turns her attention back to me.

"I, uh, just wanted to thank you," I explain as I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. I folded my hands behind my back to stop from fidgeting. I should have just let her leave.

"What for?" She cocks her head to the side curiously.

"Well… you've been kind to me since I've arrived," I nibble my bottom lip for a bit. "You don't have to be."

Diane studies me and for the first time since I've met her, she's almost... cold. "Isn't that what good people are suppose to do? Be nice to the cops?" Her stare is hard before she blinks and that kind smile is back on her face, as if she'd never said anything at all. "Think nothing of it, Princess. G'night." She excuses herself from the room, shutting the door behind her.

I frown at the odd turn in the conversation. I shake my head, deciding that I have other things to worry about at the moment. I need to get a hold of Howser, I muse as I reach for my phone. My fingers graze only the leather of my belt and my eyes widen. I pat myself down, searching in vain for a phone that clearly isn't there.

The dresser, my panicked mind suggests. There really is no place for a phone on this uniform. It's possible I put my phone with my other belongings without even realizing it.

Frantically I tug the drawer open. My clothes are just where I left them. I search each article intensely before it dawns on me.

"They took my phone," I whisper. I look around for a clock and cringe.

3:00 a.m.

My check in time with Howzer was three hours ago. I groan. Somehow having to face what I know is going to be one hell of a scolding from my partner is worse than having my phone taken from me.

"He's going to be so pissed," I mumble as I strip down to return to the clothes I arrived in. I had to find a pay phone or something to get a hold of him. The last thing I needed was for my longtime friend to send out a search party because I didn't check in when I was suppose to.

I reposition my gun holster and throw my jacket back on over my vneck tee. I glance at the still opened window. No, I think better of scaling down the side fo the building. Even if it is only one floor up, if I got hurt… It was too risky.

My hand grips the doorknob and I take a deep breath.

The hall is dark and quiet. I look both ways before slowly creeping out of the room and closing the door behind me. I stand there silently, waiting, listening. The only sound was that of my own heartbeat in my ears.

Good.

I took the stairs just as slowly. I was already late, so Howzer could wait a little longer. Luckily for me, the staircase was a thick metal, so there was no fear of creaky steps, which made my descent that much easier. Now at the entrance to the bar area, I'm thankful to find no one occupying any of the chairs or bar stools. It seems like everyone had gone to bed.

I make quick work of navigating the bar and getting to the door, finding that it was still unlocked. Instinct has me looking over my shoulder a few heartbeats before I dare opening the door and stepping out into the early morning air.

My body instantly relaxes as I shut the bar door behind me. I only hope that they aren't to big about locking up after they close. If worse comes to worse, I did leave the window open. The thought helps to urge my feet forward in the unfamiliar territory. My steps are fast and I keep my eyes open for any potential threats. Finally, after a block, I find what I was looking for; a payphone.

A deep breath leaves my lips as I mentally prepare myself. I'm both looking forward to and dreading this call. I punch in the number I've known by heart for years.

"It's me."

"Elizabeth?" I internally cringe. He's only ever used my full name a handful of times and only when he's pissed. "Where the fuck have you been?! Check in was hours ago!" Howzer immediately berates me.

I sigh, leaning into the payphone cover, thankful that no one else seemed to be roaming the streets. "They took my phone. I had no way to get in touch with you until now."

"Where the hell are you?"

I peer around the street, finding a crossroad sign, but deciding it best not to say, "I'm safe."

"That's not what I asked." I can hear the frustration in his voice and picture the disapproving scowl on his face.

"I know that… but I can't tell you. Even if I knew for sure."

"What?! That's ridiculous! You're a cop, El. If they're holding you against your will-"

"They're not. I gave my word, Howser. There is too much at stake here for me to just go back on it." I sigh again, pulling my jacket tighter around me, "So for now, you'll have to settle for knowing I'm safe."

There's a long silence on the other end, "Is there anything else you can tell me? Anything I can work on while you're putting your life at risk?" He finally asks, his tone terse and begrudging.

"Don't be like that." I shake my head even though I know he can't see me, "I don't have anything for you." Howser is my partner, but at this point everything is still too new… there wasn't enough to go on to send him on any wild goose chases. "I'm too green. They're not telling me anything."

A lie. Necessary. In order to keep my word to Meliodas, I needed to keep the things they told me close to the vest.

"Fine," Howser relents with a heavy sigh. "Just… be careful, El. These guys aren't to be trusted."

I smile lightly at his concern. "I know."

"I wish I was there. Someone shoulda had your back on this."

"You have my back Howser," I stress the importance of his, what he probably thinks is minimal, role. "Even if you aren't beside me, I know that." I think of his support back when I first brought the idea up. He didn't like it anymore than anyone else but still, he spoke up for me like he did. Howser's never failed to be there for me.

"Ugh, stop flattering me," he groans into the phone. He's rolling his eyes at me, I know it.

I giggle softly and with a fond shake of my head I say, "goodnight Howser."

"Night, El. Call me when you can."

"Will do."

I hang up the phone and let out a long sigh. It was comforting to hear his voice after all of the craziness of today. I have no idea when I'll be able to reach out to him again, but at least he knows I'm safe for now and won't do anything stupid. I make the short walk back to the bar.

Cautiously I reach for the door handle and turn slowly.

It clicks open.

An excited smile forms on my lips. I have to bite the inside of my cheek from squealing at my good fortune. Not wanting to wake anyone, I tip toe through the door, shutting it quietly behind myself. I freeze the moment I hear them.

Voices.

"C'mon boss… do you honestly think anything's gunna change? I mean, she's a spitfire for sure, but she's one of them. The pigs've never done anything useful before, what makes you think she's any different?"

I hold my position just inside the door, while my face ignites. They're talking about me… There was no mistaking the first voice. It was Ban, and this was the most sober I'd heard him in the time I've known him.

"Wishful thinking I guess." There was a long silence then before I heard the thud of a half empty beer mug on the wooden countertop. Meliodas' voice did not hold his usual confidence, "The girl's got something to lose. I guess when I saw how determined she was to crack the case, I figured she'd be more motivated than others to help us out."

Ban let out a humorless chuckle, "Yeah, yeah… You got a heart of gold. We get it." He too takes a long swig of his drink and sets his mug down with a louder thump, with a contented sigh, "Don't get me wrong, boss. I like the broad. But what's keep'in her from turn'in us in?"

Meliodas must have been in the upswing of a comment because Ban immediately spoke up again – I could see him wave his arms sarcastically, "Yeah, I know, she gave her word." His tone was mocking and I could practically hear his eyes roll, "Grow up, man. Her word means jack-shit when the only thing between her and a shiny commendation is a pack of half-wits stupid enough to let a cop into the gang."

There was silence again. It was contemplative, heavy. Meliodas didn't say anything, just took another long swig of his drink.

Ban took his silence as an invitation, "You know I'm right. We've got to do something about her before she stabs us in the back."

"You said the same thing when I brought Diane here," another voice joins them. King. Where did he come from? "Though," he pauses and I can almost hear the gears in his head spinning as he takes a seat. "She wasn't a cop."

"Exactly," Ban snaps. "We can't trust her."

"Well, I wouldn't say that either," King contemplates calmly, pouring himself a drink. "We don't exactly know enough to say one way or another."

"She's a pig!" Ban slams his mug on the counter. "That's all we need to know."

"What we know is that cops can be swayed," King's tone hardens. "It's still up for debate which way she'll end up. I say we give it some time. She'll show her intentions eventually."

"That's a piss poor way of avoiding the issue here," Meliodas' supposed right hand man growls. "Pick a fuckin side, Sloth."

"I'm not gunna let you goad me into making a decision without seeing all the facts first, Greed," King fires back.

"Just an excuse for your wishy washy attitude."

"Not everyone goes with their first gut reaction every time, jackass."

"If we wait for you to make up your damn mind, we'll be behind bars, shit for brains."

"Oh, that's rich coming from you."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Exactly how it sounds. You're an idiot. You act first, think never."

"At least I had enough balls to ask out the girl I care for. You took almost two fucking years!"

Another tense silence.

"You don't get to judge me," King finally replies. His tone lacks any real emotion. "You can't possibly compare you and Elaine to me and Diane."

Elaine? I can't help but think. Who's Elaine?

"...you're right… sorry," Ban's apology barely reaches my ears. It's somewhat shocking to hear. I didn't think a man like him had such a word in his vocabulary. "I know that was… complicated."

"It's fine," King responds. "I'm sorry too.. I shouldn't have gotten so fucking defensive in the first place…"

"Seems like we're all a bit on edge," Melidas speaks up for the first time since King joined the conversation. "Thanks for the wonderful insight guys, but I think that's enough for tonight. We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Alright."

"Sounds good."

I hold my breath, straining my ears to hear the sound of their footsteps fading. I count the seconds as I wait for a good time frame to leave. After five minutes I chance a glance around the corner. It appears deserted. I slip off my shoes and carry in my hand to move swiftly and quietly across the floor. I take my time climbing the steps, careful not to catch-up to any lingering sins.

Pulling the door of my new room open, I slip inside. A heavy sigh leaves me as I softly shut it behind me and lean against it. Safe, I smile in triumph. I have successfully left the building and returned without any of the Sins being the wiser. I even managed to get a few interesting bits of information. They make zero sense to me at this time, but they could be useful later.

My eyes sweep over my room and notice an extra door. I investigate and find I'm lucky enough to have my own bathroom along with a closet.

I decide to change into some different clothes before heading to bed. Some simple pjs are tucked neatly in one of the drawers. Unlike the dust that seemed to have covered the entire room, the clothing was fresh. My brows furrow.

Did someone leave these here for me?

My first thought is Meliodas. A shiver passes through me at him knowing my size. I push the thought away and reason that it was probably Diane. The female Sin was taller than I, but not by much. I strip down. Pulling on the pants and then putting on the shirt. As I fiddle with fastening the buttons, one pops off.

A frustrated sigh leaves me. Could this night get any more irritating? I lean over the bed, face pressed to the bed sheets as I fish for my missing button. My fingers graze along the wood floor below, dancing back and forth to find the round annoyance keeping me from going to bed - when I touched something else. Paper. I grab it and pull it up, blowing the dust off.

Not paper. It's a photo.

I recognize Meliodas immediately. He looks the same in appearance. Well, not completely. He looks happier in the photo - he's practically glowing. He's got his arms wrapped around the shoulders of a woman I don't recognize. She's pretty; short bobbed pink hair, bright happy eyes. Both of them are wearing camouflaged patterned uniforms.

BDU's? Those are definitely military uniforms…

I flip over the picture and find a note scribbled on the back top left corner: "Mel and Liz, 57th Brigade"

Who the heck is Liz?

Luv: So I saw this shirt today. It said "Hello darkness my old friend" and had a picture of a coffee cup on it!

Dom: *Snores softly, nearly falling out of her chair*

Luv: Get it? ... am I boring you? I thought it was pretty nifty! Like that song and now it reminds me of Trolls and I totally just watched that for the first time the other day! Lots of singing in that movie. Right up my alley! I could sing you some! *clears throat ready to sing her heart out*

Dom: *Head rolls as she snores louder* mmm…. No…. zombies stole my bike…. *Falls forward, face planting the table*

Luv: …. Well okay then. Next time on Don't Trust Me: Progress seems slow for the eager Elizabeth - or so she thinks! In the next chapter; lewd suggestions and underaged drinking! A dark night brings a teenager to the bar. What connections does he have with the Sins?

Dom: *Continues snoring, drool pooling on the table* Those are my maracas...

Luv: Soooo~, you do want me to sing? Play those maracas! *starts bobbing head to non existent music* See you guys next chapter!~