Worm
The Grimm
Chapter VI
Grimm leaned against a truck's interior while parked across from some dented up sign utterly ruined by graffiti, broken glass and drunk driving considering crooked angles. Winslow High School, lower Brockton Bay and utterly worse than a place I called the bucket. His leg throbbed painfully when even trying to move it out of habit, it'd been five days since being able to walk around relatively without tripping and it'd been absolutely irritating. Jesus, what an absolute shit hole called of a school and I can only imagine who attends daily.
School buses which had seen better days dropped off students, or rarely public transportation stopped at distant corners. No signs of police visibly, but that doesn't mean it's clear. But it's almost been a whole week which is where things tend to get complacent. Blowing out smoke a window as a phone's screen vibrated leaving little imagination. Scorch's number had been utterly frequent to a point, if anything someone had slipped out what exactly he'd be doing. Considering Rascal's anxious attitude who sat next to him shrunk away whenever cars passed by them.
"Did you blurt out something that is causing the woman in blowing up my phone?" Glaring annoyed at a Thinker who admitted, "Few people were talking about past relationships, they asked if I'd let anyone behind and told I'd at least say goodbye." A hand visibly started dragging flesh downward when Grimm's huffing exhale tested patience's virtues, "Kid...shut up. Do me that favor, or we're high tailing it out of here before your piece of ass walks by."
Out of all people who'd off the young felon, it'd have to be Kaiser's cousin and pain in the ass for various personal reasoning. Oh boy, I'm going to regret every fucking second. Finally waiting several moments until slipping right in answering, "What?" He barked out due to keeping an eye on both Thinker and possible threats which could have been hiding out of sight. Normally walking around wouldn't have been issue considering Grimm hadn't exposed himself, but Rascal's face wasn't as fortunate in abiding with years in decaying public awareness.
"Where are you!" Scorch's voice was lividly frigid as if she were driving around herself, "Hanging around? What else?" He shot back closing both eyes absently stretching when Rascal kept looking for whoever he'd say his goodbyes too. Kid's really nervous, maybe puppy love was a little lenient since he's risking his own neck for pussy. And by Jesus, woman's really pissed for once. Maybe I should do this more often, heh.
It certainly changed some pacing when she bit out, "I swear I will kill him, John." Humming loudly in drawing a certain pair of eyes who widened in hearing Scorch clearly, "You know for once, I'm severely tempted to agree with you on something. Call me surprised, so mark it down on a calendar since it actually happened."Leaning away with an elbow supporting a hand against his cheek did smoke lazily get forced out. It lingered partially due to warming air as a truck idled for nearly fifteen minutes since arriving.
"Get back home now!" The blond's voice frostily raised itself gradually making him smirk, "Don't even try to cause a scene, woman. Either I nip this in the bud now, or it'll bite me in my ass later." Reasoning apparently had too much to ask after silence, "Believe me, I'm very aware. If he wants to get chewed out, I already did it last week and if he's burned? So be it, I warned him and kids don't believe it until they see it."
Beneath a coat strapped along one shoulder lay an armed glock mainly meant for self-defense in such scummy places rested. She sure sounds pissed, I haven't heard her sound ready to kill anyone except when someone slapped her ass that night. Quietly snickering due to an innocent hand holding said phone fondly, "When I find him, you and I will decide if he prefers being burned alive. Or strung up for birds to rip out those spick eyes." Grimm whistled absolutely painful when shaking his head at a younger felon who gulped due to hearing every word.
"You need a vacation, ya know?" He drew out cheekily savoring an intake of frustration, "But I made it clear to him. Say your goodbye, we get him out to some club and he'll think you're decent enough to..." Scorch's voice raised in making him wince jerking away from a speaker, "No!" Headaches started coming on stronger when Kaiser's cousin sounded utterly furious, "John his face is on every damned channel constantly! They haven't found you because at least you're smart enough to avoid being seen, but he's a low life mulatto whose too recognizable!"
Rascal's face tightened when his fist slammed onto an interior arm rest making Grimm mouth silently, "Not in my truck!" Even though she'd made valid points, if only out of his own well-being he'd go through with it. If the Thinker didn't want to use a bit of logic, Grimm only prayed he'd learn a lesson not many people wanted to learn. You're public enemy number two, I hope someone doesn't put two and two together. I am not slugging it out with PRT, or police in front of some run down and low income fucking high school just to get hysteria reaching new heights.
Although said Thinker looked anxiously when one decent looking vehicle filled with high school students strolling past pulling into a parking lot. One that had various spots available when he motioned, "That's her friends car, Grimm." Eyes rolled behind tinted glasses when pulling away as traffic lightened up considerably into lightly hitting speed bumps. Driving to the furthest most corner which had an overview a building's crumbling side provided ample overview, "Anyone recognizes you before seeing her? You haul ass back, or I'm pulling your ass back here, so do what you need to do kid. I got this to bitch with, so thanks and to fucking you."
Waving him out as he nodded gratefully did a young teenager step out breathing deeply. Hazel eyes followed until yelling out a window, "Don't wear the hood! Idiot!" That screamed sketchy whenever people believed looking suspicious enough drew eyes intentionally. Fucking Christ man, acting all sketched out and wearing a hood approaching crowds? You trying to trigger an active shooter drill, or some shit...god damn, kid.
Rascal looked back conflicted until he groaned before waving him back, "Use a beanie. Least it looks like you came off work, so thank me later." Pulling out a black beanie for him to fold over hair and partially conceal sideburns made him gruffer. I am so drinking tonight, I'm baby sitting an actual fucking to god honest felon. What is wrong with my life? Rubbing away groaning stress pains due to a thigh injury ramping up again, Grimm took a long purposeful drag of tobacco to finally catch some relief.
"John!" An ear splintering shriek finally drew him away from one growing danger into an ever pressing aggravated pain, "What?" He defended speaking into a phone call slinking against the driver's door partially rocking said truck, "Do you get off on saying my name? Because it got old after it didn't make it fun anymore, woman."
Scorch's patience finally snapped audibly when her yelling got extremely uncomfortable, "You're risking everything more for this filth more than you'd do for your own! He's not one of our people, he's not like you or thinks like you! What hell are you even hoping happens?" Grimm's jaw clenched snapping back clearly fed up, "Would you shut your fucking mouth! Don't start bullshit, if it's not in my face then you're asking for me to back hand you when I get home. You think you know me, but you haven't seen me pissed when I get into it."
Involuntarily his own vehicle vibrated due to a loose nut from his dashboard started raising itself accordingly, "You talk lots of shit when I'm around. Don't forget who reports to who, isn't it something when your Kaiser's little cousin, girl." Scorch's silence bordered on near apocalyptic frigidness, "Don't forget who saved your life when I could have seen you dumped on some street. You don't know anything about me, John and I know well enough what makes you sleep. So stop thinking you're someone, who you're not!"
Grimm laughed coldly finding that rich enough to snark out, "Cry me a fucking river! Saving me, it's all the same excuse when you just wanted it too keep going. Stuck in your hands, acting like you're the boss and being kept on a leash. Bitch you're only someone else's sorry excuse for family, so do me a favor." He ended the call suddenly while leaning back when his phone thrummed again revealing an almost disgusted mood. Pressing power in thumbing an off switch, it went quiet inside a truck as he exhaled finally relieved.
God, I'm never going to hear an end of it. Lamenting while watching numerous groups of high school teenagers entering a building, or loitering near exits didn't exactly seem innocent since many were smoking cigarettes. Or what had to be bundles of whatever they'd picked up. Right, drugs and lots of it everywhere. How many are going to end up in prison, dead or whores? Let's find out in seven years, I got surprised when it'd gone further into hell.
Gusts of wind blew past making him wipe an eye until lights on his dash board provided a means to ignore Scorch's temperamental idea. An engine oil light came up giving him a moment, "Finally something I can actually think is normal." Shutting off a vehicle before straining to pluck an object underneath his seat was half empty galleon of said liquid. Knew buying enough would help, least I have an excuse to walk a bit and try to get some feeling back. A week mainly in bed just flat out makes me wish, I'd have seen that cheap shot coming.
Pulling out a ragged clothe from one compartment did he limp stiffly around to where his truck's hood popped open. Setting down make shift supplies while angling did heat blow into his face, "Almost seems normal, almost." Unscrewing a cap to wipe down a dip stick gave fair indication filling it would be worthwhile. Ah crap, funnel genius! Puffing out smoke before leaning in to yank out a red plastic to have it settle firmly on an exposed engine block gave him solace. Glancing up at cloudy skies were seemingly storm clouds darkened left little imagination that picking rainy days gave rise to misty humidity.
Yawning absently Grimm began filling much needed liquid momentarily in peace as buses dropped off students off to his right somewhere. Cars went past without any seemingly noticing, or thinking twice when seeing himself all too naturally unconcerned. Fuck it, I need some music. Switching a phone back on revealed three missed calls within minutes, "Not even gonna look." Plugging in an app where tunes started playing mildly in volume until cranked up, Grimm leaned up against a truck's front exhaling out smoke nodding along to heavier metal.
For a few minutes he stood there without glancing around until someone's voice had him yelping to hit his head on an extended hood. Fucking, fuck and holy shit! Shaking away throbbing flesh did he focus on a person who seemed genuinely impressed, "Nice truck." A lone student who had some sort of half finished cigarette wearing jeans, a high school track sweater and eyed an engine whose taken cared condition seemed akin to new. It'd been a gift from friends years ago, an expensive gift and one he'd reluctantly accepted due to events years prior.
Light dark toned skin stood out promptly with brown eyes, "It's a two fifty." He replied finally rubbing hands of grease while avoiding in soothing away headaches, "Ain't nothing special, kid." The girl's straight hair had been put up rather neatly into a pony tail when hunched over noticing something oddly flattering, "Ford doesn't have those kinds of motors. Custom?" Grimm shrugged before slipping a plastic stick to check oil levels. Almost had a damned heart attack, kids just love to be nosy or else I'm seriously pissed by the woman's nagging.
He blew out smoke through nostrils leaning against a hood after letting liquid settle internally, "Gift from a guy who knew his stuff. Knew trucks in and out, so he offered for experience." Lying smoothly when gesturing to polished metal reflecting his own appearance, "Wanna hear it rev up?" Offering mainly in keeping polite images aside, "Just changing some oil. And some a few other things while I'm at it."
The girl seemed to be interested when grinning, "Mind if I do it?" Grimm flatly found that request well beyond his reasonable assumption, "Would you let a stranger get inside your truck in this part of town?" If she seemed offended it only seemed sensible given her shrug, "Shit is shit. But I guess if you're offering. Sure, start it up."
Hands marginally cleaned form greasy blotches he reached over before getting into a seat and started up said truck. It roared consistently due to gas being fed as a girl seemingly nodded rather pleased with a smirk enjoying it all, "Not bad!" Grimm's crooked smirk didn't help alleviate some ego in owning what every man loved in some aspects, "It runs, it works and I can't let it go. Third truck, if you believe my luck."
Without warning she leaned over looking at an exposed engine visibly intrigued even as he walked over checking oil again. It still wasn't enough when placing a funnel back on, "Mind if you hold it steady, kid? Can't exactly waste what I paid from work, please." Gesturing as she hardly hesitated when nimbly holding plastic in place from slipping off, "How's school treating ya? Heard it's a rough place, or seems like it."
Even while smoking illegally she seemed to expertly balance along a mouth's edge, "It's full of fun, if I make time." Grimm slowly tapped the last of an empty container absenting thanking for the help, it'd be a welcomed cover considering circumstances aside. I'm getting a strange impression, why are you looking at my truck? It's not that good, or maybe I'm really overestimating how much I take care of it nowadays. Rolling eyes while tossing over a clothe which didn't need any hesitation with hands absently cleaning themselves accordingly.
"Shouldn't you be heading to class?" He spoke leaning against a warm front taking another lungful of nicotine shuddering absently, "Pretty sure being late is detention." The girl's soft laugh hardly was worrying given she leaned against his truck as well, a little irksome since it bothered him from talking to this stranger. It seemed incredibly ballsy to him personally, "I never get detention, I have my ways and it's really nothing to be worried about."
That caused Grimm in laughing quietly chalking it up to kids being kids, or just living a little. But he remained staring ahead searching for Rascal, "You live in Brockton Bay?" Nodding absently while finding the Thinker proved tiresome, "Yup. Not around here though, I'm just baby sitting for better lack of a word...it's boring shit." That earned an almost pitiful snort that seemed to be mocking, if only for finding it strange enough.
"Must be exciting where ever you live, if you have that saying something." Grimm looked over mildly curious when brown eyes trailed downward in seeing a pistol's hostler. He looked up right into amused eyes daring him to deny carrying a loaded firearm, "You planning something?" A para-human crookedly whistled innocently lightly hiding it before pulling out one small plastic holding where his face and information stopped the young girl. If there was one thing he'd planned on, it'd be quelling stigma of carrying weapons around in public.
"Unlike you, this is what you call legal." Tossing over a license to carry over for her to flip it over several times and return it mainly impressed, "Damn." She still didn't move off as an engine thrummed more gradually into consistently pacing behind. Yet it passed time relatively without seeming too off-putting to cause a scene, "Never tried cigars, how are they?" The girl asked plainly curious when he laughed finding it almost familiar when he'd offered many in past attempts, if she wanted to find out then he'd be a responsible adult in spirit.
Reaching towards an internal pocket along his jacket did a packaged stick get tossed over. She looked almost stunned at a brazen display lacking hesitation, "You tell me, if you can stomach it." Pulling out a jet lighter did he advise mainly out of experienced habit, "Toast an end by lightly skimming it with the flame's tip, so it'll keep the wrap in place as well as flavor and casually smoke it. Inhale and you'll be in the nurses office, which I'll be taking off rather quickly in that case." Her sudden laughter found that advice almost honestly generous in his opinion.
Yet ever a perfectionist in one hobby he noticed clumsy attempts, "Not like that!" Reaching forward in taking a lighter while angling it, an obvious line of practiced habit form one ring of blackened paper and lazy sporadic patches burned briefly. Stuff isn't exactly cheap, I'd rather not see it happen on my watch. Kids, it ain't smoking some over-priced cancer stick. Before long he gestured with an almost three inch flame's tip, "Breathe in quickly, don't inhale like it's that little piece of paper you got and exhale, do it for a bit then you'll see what I mean."
An eyebrow rose challenging a warning when following instruction somewhat arrogantly until eyes widened and coughing followed with a hand rubbing an owner's throat. Grimm's smile struggled remaining until quiet chuckling followed up, "Warned ya." The girl's face went upward with closed tightly closed when a grin due to an extreme surge of nicotine was voiced by a soft, "Oh...I like this! Damn." Historically cigar smoking had dangers in it's own right, egos affected but for Grimm who'd done for years it'd be like talking about weather in all certainty.
"If you get really light-headed, or feel sick?" He advised puffing away on his own casually in drawing a gaze of competitive inferiority, "Find some sugar, quick. This isn't for kids!" Even though his tongue nearly nicked itself, if only from Rascal and now actively appearing sketchy himself. Man, I need better places to hang out at. Smoking stogies in a high school parking lot, what a bad way to thinking it's all fine.
However weight shifted when the sweat wearing student slipped mainly from inexperience when steadying herself from saving face, "I'll manage." Hazel eyes rolled, "Yeah, sure. That's what everyone says the first time, don't try to have balls when you crack your head open. I'm not calling cops when I have a license, I'll probably be shot on sight with all this crazy shit happening." The girl smiled rather bemused yet made no comment in favor of silent agreement. She certainly had probable cause in acting aloof in his mind's eye.
"Got a name?" Grimm didn't hesitate when checking on a slip stick again being more satisfied it'd last another few months, "John." Wiping oil off his hands again while slipping out of a coat due to it increasingly getting close to running machinery. He'd rather not risk crushing an entire engine block, if only to avoid prematurely losing his head or be sent to a hospital. A black wife t-shirt mainly for humidity's sake was exposing arms. It made quite an impression due to colored ink apparently drawing attention.
Great, I'm hearing a tearing sound in the slip belt. Can't say I'm surprised, two years and it lasted this long by grace. Filing that away for another day, he started lightly tossing an empty oil container until noticing an over stuffed trash bin a little off. Calling over a shoulder, "Steal my truck? And I start using this to start a school shooting." Tapping an exposed hostler which hid most of a pistol before wandering away in order to toss out garbage. It only took a moment when lightly throwing it, as hands wiped themselves along pants reflexively.
Surprisingly his vehicle remained in place with a conversation starter looking partially tempted to press his patience. Cleaning up a rag, funnel and securing the oil measuring stick did he finally ask an equal answer in return, "And you're who exactly? Slick?" As hands got cleaned again when returning to look out over an entire parking lot as a coat loosely swayed where an entirely rolled down window revealed clean interiors.
She didn't answer when excited chatter from a small group drew their attention when more students wearing high school clothing approached, "Hey girl!" Grimm winced from ear tingling pitches when his would be conversation starter nodded, "Sup Emma." The group was led by some sort of red head who kissed cheeks of a person next to him, "Damn it, Sophia! Do you always slink off whenever everyone hangs out, huh?"
They either had to be seniors, or if god willing juniors given two words stood out in Grimm's wry smile bordering exasperated wonder. Jail bait. Quite a few younger boys had eyes trailing downward on torn jean pants when she leaned forward wrapping an arm around another girl's neck, "What the hell is that thing! Holy shit, it reeks!" Sophia seemingly raised an eyebrow gruffly retorting, "My new habit and personal second most joy."
Surprisingly a startling pair of green eyes trailed over when looking at him up and down. Grimm found better details when spotting Rascal due to a black beanie sticking out among various colors of white, red or blue apparently. Hurry it up, Thinker. I'm getting at my patience's end, I didn't need to be center of attention for kids today. Lamenting internally while taking another drag to flick ash onto a cracked asphalt didn't make his mood improve at all.
"Nice engine." Grimm laughed lowly shaking his head while looking up in favor of ignoring nuisances officially crowned, "Tell me about it." Was all he said making several younger kids suddenly blurting out, "Dude! That's boss!" Referring to an engine block's polished front in making an aggravated para-human wonder, if God just wanted to punish him. Fuck it, I'm doing what I want because this is surreal. Kids, why do I put up with them...oh, right! If I tell them off, it'll get them sketched out with some random guy acting like he'll shoot a place up.
One of them started taking a picture just for bragging rights apparently, "Mind if I send one to a boy of mine? He like shits his pants over anything like that, man." Grimm shrugged blowing out smoke again in driving some of them to step away wincing, "Go for it. But if someone breaks into it, I'm coming back and getting your name for a police report." Several started hooting in shoving a boy around who looked slightly worried, if only not realizing he'd been serious for all intensive purposes. It's all smiles and laughs, I am concerned for people who thought we were crazy...ugh, what a mess.
"Hey is that...real?" Pointing to a pistol's hostler along his left side as a placid reply made it clear again, "License to carry." One of them pulled up a shirt revealing clearly an illegal pistol which resembled some sort of snub-revolver much to Grimm's absentminded guess. And this is why, I carry everywhere because of bullshit like that. Several fist bumps were an inside joke apparently, "Yeah and I'm packing pal, packing good."
Figuring to humor some sort of entertainment he mainly gave off a less than impressed tone, "Carry a forty four magnum, kid or go home." Most of them gave off jeering as a curt voice coming from Sophia sent them quieting down, "Stop measuring your cocks since he's not impressed. Be nice, or fuck off." Grimm actually clapped several times thanking at least one student, if luckily found that appealing to be appreciated. They visibly deflated when their literal eye candy of a red head hissed backing up someone who was a friend, "And put that away! Fucking idiot, I told you to leave your dad's shit at home."
The mass murderer looked over quite interested when a stammering boy hid behind several larger others who laughed, "Now imagine that. Daddy's guns are missing!" He drew out rather knowingly before giving a brief thanks to both girls mainly for generosities graces, "Thank you, both." Tipping his cap mainly out of old fashion courteously sent them smiling for whatever reasoning. He was only being polite in hindsight, it wasn't nothing more considering it'd been a kindness and it didn't register much to his lamenting.
"So what brings a guy like you to school?" The red head asked leaning against his truck's exposed engine front as her friend behind blew out smoke clumsily, "Baby sitting." He told her truthfully looking out towards Rascal who moved in between groups of kids, nervously but few paid him any glances due to luck alone. He's not getting it, son of a bitch. Trick is mingling, not standing out and you're going to get tagged kid.
Distractions arose when a hand lightly traced his arm's tattoo making teeth grind quietly, "Nice ink. How long did that take?" Not looking away when absently recalling, "Two sessions. Eight hours a piece, guy who did it right had thirty years doing it." The distractions became far too annoying when shifting away in ignoring grouping kids who started leaning against known cars, or possibly their own when doors unlocked. All of them started smoking while shooting the shit, it all screamed absolutely idiocy to his eyes.
"Sophia? You got ink yet?" Emma's voice tinged as she was called voiced out coyly, "Thought about it. Don't have time off when I do." There was a smug sense of someone trying to show off, "I got one right along my leg, it's got a heart and cross bones." Grimm hardly sounded impressed given it probably looked like absolute dog piss, "Sounds like you enjoyed it. Do a full sleeve next time, I'm sure you'll appreciate what you want."
Rascal seemingly froze amidst a crowd when he looked towards one larger group of students gathering and departing near doorways. Most seeming were on phones, or started up in squaring off as preparing for some sort of fight. School yard drama, glad to know it's gotten worse. No teachers around as far as I can see, I wonder if they're getting plastered for working here. Sternly glaring while inhaling on a visibly burning stick of tobacco which tingled against his lips, it'd been a constant effort to remain indifferent to annoying children thinking they had to impress someone.
"What do those mean?" Sophia questioned not familiar with language printed along scrolls making Grimm grunt, "Which one?" Her eyes flickered along an entire room detailed with iconography seemingly trying to decide, "All of them." He didn't immediately voice out meanings in favor of seeing Rascal finally steel himself in approaching one group closest to a doorway. Grimm folded both arms while lightly bobbing to music still playing behind him, it'd been enough to keep up appearances for his humors sake alone.
Hurry up, Thinker because I'm running out patience and humor when I told you coming out in public as a wanted felon will make you nervous. Falling upon expectant expressions from two students specifically did he tilt an arm mainly for clarity's sake, "Carpe Diem: Seize the Day." Pointing to one as another more pronounced between marble like pillars cracking, "Bono Malum Superate: Overcome Evil with Good." Even some of the other boys perked up looking over since it drew attention of either crushes, or far more natural urges. In response Grimm rolled a jawline considerably when Sophia gestured to one unseen by most since it'd been downward angled.
"And that one?" Grimm smiled placidly finding that one more of an ego booster considering it had yet to happen, "Invictus Maneo: I remain unconquered." Emma took it all before shrugging rather indifferently finding it all a little preachy, "Sounds like you're serious, John right?" The girl only proved his own assumption when flippantly waving a hand, "Meaning has power, kid since it's a purpose you live. Without either what's the point in trying to look good in life, if you don't have anything to do?"
He got a few stares for that comment as if it were insulting, either them or himself possibly. But after several minutes in uncomfortable silence did the darker student speak up, "If you can't be strong, why bother being weak?" Grimm hummed simply finding that Darwin theory like insight far too loose considering it'd be disproved eons ago, "Because even strong started off from being weak, kid. How do you think the world's weak if you're that serious? I'll give you a hint in my opinion, it never was and you only thought it so."
Falling into natural reservation in favor of keeping an eye on the Thinker who finally approached one small group breaking off. Oh shit, oh shit! Said group was moving their way towards a parking lot's edge when waves from around himself greeted them. Grimm tensed up before quickly yanking his phone immediately dialing a number. Pick up, pick up kid or else I'm hauling ass when I pull you into the damned truck. Why the fuck is this happening, no way all these kids know each other or else I'm pissing glass tonight.
Rascal looked down at a phone once while reluctantly answering, "I haven't..." Walking away briefly as if taking a call didn't seemingly draw attention, "They're coming towards me. Wait it out, find a place and relax since whoever you know...it's drawing a crowd." Remembering two names mainly since said sources were chatting audibly in tones of smug, or aggravated suggestions, "Does your girl know two people next to my truck? Sophia, or Emma since I can see them waving at each other, is that news for you?"
The Thinker replied almost as if nothing were too surprising, "Yeah, they hang out together. Sophia's a bitch though, I never got along with her." Grimm groaned silently biting on a tongue, "So it's not just bad luck. They all know each other, alright new plan...I'll drive off, you say goodbye and haul ass to my truck since I'm tired of listening to kids." Luckily enough it gave an excuse to just get some peace and quiet finally after stressing out internally, it was already getting irritating in humoring school yard life.
But if things go accordingly to plan since the kid was literally acting on every word, "If they don't move? Wait it out, just relax and try not to appear jumpy. You're managing." He ended a call resigned in playing off aggravation when groups merged together. They all walked through parked cars occasionally send up high fives, or low fives against others as if they hadn't seen each other for weeks on end. Or maybe they were just kids thinking they were hot shit, if gesturing to his running vehicle indicated as much.
Least I can get an idea about this girl of yours, kid. Hopefully, I can call it and leave without ever wondering why I'm stuck here. Bracing for an almost surreal tension he watched when a girl came over and hugged both figures he'd identified. They started wildly gossiping, "Guess what? Taylor's showing up, we got some fun coming!" All three sported smirks of common joy even as Grimm raised an eyebrow noticing them smugly looking out towards corners. Apparently they were looking for someone, if he had to guess and they didn't look friendly either.
"Whoa! Nice engine." Rascal's apparent girl he crushed on seemed delighted as a scowl finally slipped making him irritable, "First two times, it was funny. Now it's getting old, kid." Various school faring teenagers, or younger adults started laughing to themselves when fist bumps started going off. It had to be a game of pissing people off, because it finally got what it wanted. Flicking away a cigar's end as he pulled out another would appease aggravation in literally being too close to a known felon, who slid over just behind a few cars, he appeared cautious enough and leaned against a light pole which appeared rusted and almost bent out of shape as if it'd been rammed into.
It devolved into chatter relatively quick when sticks were tossed, or phones started going off when people posed together grinning. And Grimm remained in place keeping an eye on wandering hands getting close to his truck, "Mind if we get a video? It's a beast of an engine, man!" Couple younger guys were almost pleading much to a para-human's amusement, "You know I have to leave eventually, it isn't a sleeper for Christ's sake. Don't you know people?" Shaking his head while heading back to sit comfortably inside a comfortable seat which thrummed in unseen vibrations due to metal underneath squirming in protest.
Alright, I'm going to make this loud and get them away. Rigidly giving acceleration which blared to life made those sitting up front hold up phones. Cheering and wooing seemingly gave an impression they weren't taking hints, "Hell yeah! Rev that bitch up man, it's fire!" Ego aside he did so, it sent cheering after minutes even exhaust poured behind in being swept up in a nose tingling musk. And after another round he let it idle out again.
"That's a mean machine man, where did ya get it?" A younger kid asked grinning akin to being fed speed as Grimm told him, "Gift from an old friend." The trio leaning against his truck's front seemingly cleared out ears, but otherwise weren't too bothered. And seeing phones taking pictures of them in earnest, a pair of hazel orbs narrowed mainly out of frustration. Kids these days, see a pair of legs, ass and tits making them lose their minds. Man, where did we go wrong if they're not seeing the hint in someone getting pissed.
Yet ever forcibly patient he remained sitting when checking time almost a bit amazed it wasn't even half way to eight. No wonder, they're all early and bullshitting before classes start. Detention, I've been out of school for way too long to remember what it meant. Immediately diving into his text history he started scrolling through Scorch's ever frequent attempts in getting attention. She seemed incredibly irate, almost utterly pissed off and mainly it all centered around a Thinker who he spotted sitting by himself without too many people seeing him.
"You won't believe what happened this week." Rascal's little crush came next to his right with a trio of girl's leaning relatively close knit. She showed the red head first who gawked, "That little creep? Are you fucking serious?" Despite being almost thunderstruck in overhearing a conversation there was a lingering defense, "He's smart and actually helped me out, didn't ever ask for anything. Hell if it weren't for that, I'd have done summer courses even if he's so once you knew him. He's not bad a guy, little shy and nervous but alright."
The red head sputtered when arguing, "You need to stop thinking Juan..." She got interrupted by an aggravated correction, "Jose." She continued shaking the Thinker's little crush almost damning, "He's with that new damned terrorist for fuck's sake. Sophia, who was it again? Gram?" The darker girl who lazily started getting used to a light-headed sensation gruffly said, "Grimm, Emma. Some new cape whose in town, I've heard for a week already."
Peering onto a phone's screen just behind his side mirror said cape winced visibly, "Call the damned cops already, he's helping a damned terrorist." But their darker skinned friend did glance over frowning openly, "Is he actually trying to talk to you? Weak fuck." Madison's eyes averted when hesitating into texting a Thinker who sat well out of hearing range, "His mom's actually pretty cool, I mean he did supposedly paid her bills off. Is that weak, or what?"
Sophia's face turned murderously over that didn't look natural for a para-human who seemingly kept the phone company. There wasn't any sympathy in her next words, "If he tries showing his face, I'll personally fuck him up. He's a weak little shit, clueless and worthless since he resorted to being a cowardly gutless shit. Don't think about it!" Grimm lightly whistled underneath cringing in finding that attitude eerily similar, if not far more brutish than a pain in his ass who kept trying to call. But it seemed the Thinker hadn't been off in saying goodbye for being a mostly decent kid.
"Word is this Grimm asshole might appear, if Jose Perez appears as a convicted and verified cape called Rascal...Madison." Both girls as well as several others looked up either in disbelief, or heard from various news sources. The irony wasn't lost on Grimm since he casually spoke up finding it almost too tempting, "Watch the news more often, it's everywhere. Sounds like you're all doing him a favor, in my opinion." The trio looked at each momentarily stunned since they hadn't been aware of himself listening absently.
Fiddling with a radio which played local stations akin to hip-hop, or talk shows as one of them briefly added, "Yeah, guy ain't wrong." That came from a younger looking boy who gestured to choppers flying overhead distantly, "Cops and PRT are freaking out. Heard he slaughtered like...uh, how many bro? You're more into it, than I am."
Another kid started skimming through apps notorious for interest theories, "About sixty? Bunch of fucking wackos are posting some weird things, they call themselves, 'Grimm's Due' or really far out there claims saying things." People started laughing finding it all almost pathetic as a para-human agreed mainly for humoring idiocy, "Every cape's got a cult following, Grimm's apparently some dude whose got a problem with everything. Problem is not many videos of this cape, I had to go through three dozen pages until I found this...it's fucking crazy."
Couple people including Rascal's little crush and her red head friend watched some very old footage of himself seven years ago. Uh, oh fuck. Faces paled immediately when nothing was hidden, an old reminder he'd kept true to things that were forgotten. Exhaling out smoke flicking ash outside just made things rather complicated, if almost impossible now. Kid was gonna get nailed, if he showed up anywhere at school. Glad to know I just screwed you over kid, but for your safe alone you'll thank me later!
After footage ceased playing many inside their group backed off, "Damn. Fucker's hardcore!" Another kid commented almost sickly, "Yeah, and what's worse? He's been ghosting for seven years, I can't believe someone can hide that long." The actual hidden murdering extremist gave a crooked grin in being complimented a little too well. Yeah, he's hiding alright. Far, far away!
"You actually think he'd come back? Here of all places?" Madison asked guiltily in making her friends nod mainly out of expectation, "If he does? Crazy bastard, weird but absolutely nuts since he's with that guy whose a fucking monster." The red head cringed trying to forget already what they'd seen, but a darker girl didn't say much. She only looked away as if checking up on what her day would consist in getting done.
The conversations ceased mainly in small talk about various school topics, occasional capes and mostly settled on updating social media status. Overall it managed in calming down a racing heart inside Grimm's rib cage, "He isn't a bad guy." He heard her mutter tiredly before reading another text as bells rang out loudly signaling attendance. But cigarettes were tossed almost in line with groans as bags got slung signaling a shift in priority. Most of them were just resigned in going through motions akin to jobs and he found that absolutely humorless.
"Mind if one of you close my truck's hood?" He spoke up in leaning back to yawn contently as a dark skinned girl simply knocked metal loose. It slammed leaving little concern since he didn't mind it, "Thank you, I hope you all have a nice day." One by one they began moving towards a crumbling building which had seen probably it's best days, gloomy and cracking underneath many who simply went through doors. Perhaps in hindsight it'd been due to decisions made long before he, or even they'd been born into a world spiraling towards decaying ruin.
Although the trio of friends lingered behind mainly due to their own struggling to send back a lone message. Grimm watched from a peripheral smoking an almost fully burning cigar, "Do you guys think I should?" A red head shook her head while crushing cigarettes indicating voiceless answers, as another growled out, "Do it, and I find him. He's only useful in drawing out what really makes you think is a good idea, capes don't mix with people...ever."
She departed leaving their friend behind with an unseen ultimatum in place that even made hazel eyes blink simply. Fingers touched a screen displaying photos presumably of herself and Jose along with others, "I'm sorry." Murmuring quietly enough that even Grimm made out in mouthed out words, a gut wrenching feeling akin to cold electricity made him rigid. Oh god, she's gonna rat him out! Fucking shit...I KNEW IT!
Rascal started moving almost hopefully when the girl's phone dialed another number which made his eyes narrow expectantly. He didn't need to make out three simple numbers, even from just in front of a truck as she walked forward. Nine...one...one. The Thinker was being lead right into his own imprisonment as it happened quick and he didn't have time to warn him. But he called in vain only to see a young felon meet half away as Madison approached hugging him openly. Oh fuck me, I should have stayed home today.
"Jesus Jose." His friend seemed utterly transfixed when they had sat down towards a main building's corner. He'd been modestly explaining what exactly had happened minus where Grimm's house was situated, "Yeah. I...panicked, ran and thought finding someone who'd help me. It's rough, but told me once if I ever needed an ear..." His voice lowered when hands covered a face as a hand tentatively patted his back uneasily. Tears were flowing freely as everything finally crushed him inwardly, asking a terrorist and murdering cape who'd make things worse everyday, it wasn't fair everyone wanted him just because Grimm's predictions weren't entirely wrong.
Across from an entire parking lot which had quieted down gave them a bit of privacy, the Thinker practically wanted to throw up. Looking over in seeing a pitiful look, "Rascal is your cape name for what you do?" The boy nodded tiredly when pointing at his own head, "Can dig up almost anything if there's a pattern to it, I...I found out when I started coding. It was so easy, but then I figured my mom would be able to make it, if she wasn't worrying about paying rent, food and all the debt she owed to every hospital in Brockton."
Despite being almost a year apart he'd found the girl honestly kindhearted since few people willingly befriended him, "Cracked open some bank account, it took me weeks but I managed. And transferred it all into mom's checking, paid off debts...until some PRT guys started chasing me all around the city last two weeks ago. Madison, they were going to shoot me and they almost did in some club where...where Grimm was rumored to visit." The girl blinked rapidly when looking him up and down in seeing a nearly stressed out Thinker of all people breaking down. His eyes were reddening when a black beanie covered them after shuddering visibly.
"So it's true about you being with that...terrorist?" He helplessly admitted, "Who else do cops, or PRT think twice before messing with?" It was a fair point when sitting next to him, "I was desperate, scared and...I wasn't thinking. Grimm was a rumor, he was just someone I found and looked up because dark web likes to play cape footage no one likes seeing. And I found a web chat where some guy supposedly picked up on where, somehow!"
Madison's face scrunched up when he exhaled tiredly, "Dark Web. Below what most people see on the net, it's not illegal but dangerous since everyone can find you. Anyway I panicked when PRT pings hit my computer, I asked for help..." He admitted covering his face shaking uncontrollably that wasn't normally seen much to a girl who tried calming down an overloaded Thinker, "Jose! Easy, easy take it easy, it's just you and me. Explain why you thought it was a good idea to go to a guy who...who kills people?"
The Thinker laughs seemed in having hollowness when throwing hands aside limply, "Never said it was a good idea, but funnily enough Grimm's not what I expected." Madison blinked confusedly when asking lowly, "You actually help him? Or is he worse?" Rascal's strained smile didn't exactly find those questions entirely strange considering events weeks prior, "He's a man of his word, if I had to guess for god's sake. But he's mixed up with some other dangerous capes, I can't say who but they're fucking scarier than him. Least he actually tries to look out for me, I mean I think I almost got him killed and, personally I've never seen a cape look that mangled up."
The girl sputtered despite a hand holding her own phone tightly, "He's a damned terrorist! Jose listen to yourself, I mean the guy...he's killed a lot of people!" A Thinker bitterly knew that all too easily, "Compared to what I'm looking into? Madison, Grimm doesn't come close to capes who I'm trying to find out for him. And I don't know what's going to happen, if they ever find out Grimm is trying to take them on."
Tears were leaking again forcing an elder girl to cautiously wrap an arm around him, "If I run from him, I'm good as dead but if I'm caught? I'll be reeducated and twisted into some PRT lab rat whose under constant watch. It's no joke, I read up on those camps...it's not fake." Madison's eyes were simply widening unable to get an idea to what information he'd discovered, "Cape stuff is under wraps, it's kept secret and only the 'good' ones are in public. PRT is just making sure, if anyone else looks into it and offs them one way, or another to keep an image. At least I'm safer with Grimm, he hasn't lied to me and I'm not about to risk it."
Behind them a phone had been set down while an active recording caught everything within earshot as guilt reared it's ugly presence. Oh my god, I'm so sorry Jose. The young triggered Thinker seemed to have a panic attack yet gulped down air in avoiding vomit surging inside his own gut, "I know I should stay hidden, but I can't see my mom and I can't trust myself. You deserve to know, you and I are friends which I don't...have many to say, I like." Chuckling brokenly for seemingly regretting past attempts in saying it sounded gut wrenching, Madison's gaze looked towards a phone momentarily but made no move to silence it.
"You're a good guy, why don't you try to get out of it? Be a hero?" She asked mainly stalling for more time yet also slightly hopeful in being somewhat sympathetic, "Why fight to help people who are dicks and assholes? Getting bullied for not being a gang, used when I told teachers and all that bullshit..." The Thinker bitterly reminded a girl of who'd she been talking too considering her own efforts stemmed originated some of that negativity, "My family's safe which I can live with, mom's good and she doesn't have to worry about getting an abortion. She found out the night I triggered when jumping off a bridge."
A hand covered an almost horrified realization when said Thinker would have ended it, "As Grimm would say if I told him, 'Nothing special, you got fucked over.' I was going to have a sister, or brother and I did what I do to save them." The girl found herself gawking when seeing a whole picture that occurred within weeks, it almost tore open her heart but she watched him put his head down. What the hell happened to you, it's like you've given up thinking you can do something for yourself! You're a damned cape, do more or better than this Jose!
But an image appeared of an older text asking for advice. She'd ignored it on a night out with her friends and it clicked, "You...tried stopping yourself." Rascal's hollowed look seemed haunted when remembering the perfect sensations, "Wind whipping past and hearing only a roaring. Looking up at a light hanging from a bridge, feeling as if everything was weightless and hitting an icy wall was when I knew I'd...die." Yet hands flipped over when recounting icy pin pricks along with fire surging inside his head when he made it to a bay's surface, "I lived, barely. Swimming to a dock, I walked back home and sat down in my room...then I realized it, like it clicked into place and I realized I could break into anything when money appeared."
They lapsed into silence watching traffic go by as buses continuously showed up late, or barely on time unloading more students. Rascal seemed to envy them, if only out of bitterness in seeing that it was he'd known. You'll never look at the world the same way again, kid. Grimm's voice seemingly spoke without hesitation since it'd been true enough. How did you do it, seven years and you act as if you're just another guy who can make people laugh. What the hell did I do, I...I don't think I can do this...I'm going to lose my mind.
Exhausted from thinking of too many probabilities he only mentioned to a girl whose adorable face seemed conflicted, "I just wanted to say goodbye, to say thank you being my friend and...I'm sorry, but I can't just wish it'll go away. I broke the law, I did what I needed to do and I won't risk seeing mom, or my sibling see me behind a jail cell." Her hand gripped an arm forcibly making him sit rooted since it'd been an old sign of her telling him to listen, "I'd rather disappear happier knowing I did something good, whether I can walk away is up to Grimm in getting me a clean state. He knows more, he's not afraid of them and funnily enough...if he can walk away, then maybe I can at least try being at peace to live a life."
Madison's voice trembled when his smile seemed almost happier, "Rascal...turn yourself in." He stared at first when tears were leaking down a face that seemed agonized. But multiple vibrations inside his pant's pocket allowed him in slipping out a phones dimming screen. And his heart froze mid beat almost literally. Capitalized letters in three rapid texts, a Thinker could only watch terrorized when meeting a friend who'd seem to be warring within herself.
PHONE, SNITCH! Searching until he noticed said object still partially active with some call as he saw three numbers. RUN, BEHIND BUILDING! Tremors ran along his limbs when looking around numbly as vehicles being escorted by Brockton Bay Police started appearing from opposite ends in front of Winslow High School. The Thinker could only start hyperventilating when dull echoing of helicopter rotors started moving in distantly. HAUL ASS KID, DON'T FREEZE!
They were time stamped several minutes ago making his heart seize when a grip made him numbly stare into betrayal itself. Madison's tears were freely seen, it'd been killing her and yet he found himself being captured when he should have picked up a phone earlier. But he'd trusted her...he'd hoped and wanted to at least leave someone behind who'd known him as good. And yet it was only a knife striking him center mass when throwing himself away as if she were the worst monster that existed, a nightmare in short.
"Jose, please...don't!" The Thinker found himself dizzily breathing quickly as his ears burned when starting to sprint when police cruiser's slammed to a stop. Uniformed men and woman started shouting at him to freeze, "Jose don't!" A girl screamed when running after him trying desperately to stop as rifles, pistols and shotguns were drawn visibly. But the young man wasn't chancing as his legs burned in sheer stress when sharply taking a right. The parking lot didn't sport a familiar truck which meant either Grimm had left, or he'd prepared accordingly when heaving out air to dial the man's number immediately.
The building's exterior seemed dauntingly longer than from previous memory as he jumped over a piece of concrete landing down into some loading area. His phone call got picked up, "Don't stop running, Rascal." It was Grimm much to himself crying out, "Where are you? They know, they were waiting and she..." An almost sardonic tone followed by sirens blaring to life behind him echoed damning in earnest, "I know Rascal, I got a nice view. Run behind the school, head to the second alleyway and you'll see a fence."
Running past parked box trucks where workers unloaded product, or some shadier kids dealt with teachers exchanging packaged bundles. His feet crushed thunderously scattering loose bags of trash from a dumpster which had been overflowing, stray cats hissed and shrieked when reaching another corner in turning. Behind he saw his friend keeping up, if only holding a phone and that left little imagination she'd been giving updates in his mind's eye. You damned bitch, you back stabbing and fucking bastard! I TRUSTED YOU!
Digging deeper into an untapped anger he gnashed teeth by full on throwing himself further and further into instinctual terror. It helped as adrenaline made him hurl yet grimy slime clung, it kept him going when seeing multiple buildings adjacent to a school itself. Second alleyway, second alleyway! Three older buildings passed without any gaps until one came up, but he flew past it leaping over discarded boxes and other trashy reminders. And looking behind he couldn't believe a girl had kept up despite visibly sweating running in a skirt.
Of course she'd keep up, she does track part time with friends and works out! His mind screamed damning when remembering who'd been her own close knit of friends. Fearfully looking at a gap coming up was a closed off fence, parked cars which rotted out and seemed abandoned when hoarsely spoke into a phone, "I'm...I'm here! Grimm, help me please!" He had only scant seconds until either being tackled, or literally cornered when further behind uniformed figures were hauling rapidly covering ground menacingly.
"Run!" The man's voice seemed amused as an entire fence squealed in protest as it tore itself apart, cars flattened and slammed into buildings as if being shoved aside. A boy flew well beyond any urgency he'd felt in a short life, far beyond that night in a club and it reached new heights. His pursuer jolted when seeing crushed metal starting to reform, but managed through skimming jagged pieces in tearing off her skirt's edge briefly. Yet she seemed to be looking around when buildings started groaning audibly as an ear shattering crash above them exploded outwards.
Is that a helicopter? Crumpled balls of Brockton Police Department smashed behind blockading off an entire alleyway as tremors echoed thunderously behind. Where is he? Running down a straight away throwing aside shopping carriages, slumped over ragged figures who drank from paper wrapped bottles or just seemed akin to skeletons. Pieces of concrete fell behind him as if dissuading someone else yet the girl barely by her skin's teeth stayed ahead. Why isn't she on track, god damn it this isn't fair! I can't keep going like this!
"Run straight past a main street, don't worry about traffic." Ahead cars and trucks moved by as he pushed it screaming involuntarily when muscle cramps hit him hard. Yet he stumbled almost falling face first right into oncoming vehicles, he looked up paling and screaming naturally when screeching tires of drivers got smashed sharply together. Both sides piled up when jerking motions of cars flipping, or outright turning in full circles sent people screaming out in shock. Metal, right! Grimm, thank you god!
Running down another straight away when more ear wrenching screeching came thundering downward sealing off two adjacent intersections. He got guided past wreckage's were crimson droplets visibly leaked from doorways stained crimson, "Take a left, then right and I'll be seeing you. Don't trip, or else you'll find out I'm out of patience." The Thinker didn't need motivation when skidding through a muddied puddle of water, he felt stinging sensations due to rock and dirt hitting when as he gulped down air greedily.
The first left came quickly when running past fencing that'd been torn asunder as bodies of Brockton police were staked against walls. A cruiser lay crushed when he ran past bullet shells which got kicked up on in his wake, "They knew!" Glancing behind while lunging out for anything, his fingers grasped a glass broken bottle and screaming he'd thrown it without looking to see if it'd hit. But water sloshing aside indicated little difference. Fucking hell, just stop chasing me! You don't understand, you don't get it and you think I have a choice! I'm as good as dead, either by him or from PRT who will make me wish I was dead.
Half bent up trash cans lay on both sides in growing intervals, he flung as many as possible while trying to delay his lone pursuer. He refused looking back in favor seeing a right which was some sort of staircase descending past buildings, "Thank god!" Jumping down three, or four steps with a knee banging itself against rugged steps he yanked a handle bin which caused bottles and cans to stream outward. And hearing them being smashed aside just gave voice to someone who refused on stopping despite being in worse off danger.
Where are you, Grimm! Only a distant street going out towards some distant crossing was met until he glanced back. Madison looked torn between petrified, determined and almost seemed to pale when memorizing tremors racked an entire alleyway. And even he stopped due into being tripped up, "Shit!" Skidding face first and crying out when an ankle angled awkwardly, he limped up until hearing foot steps as he yelped when someone dove onto his back. No, no, no...help! Please help me, help me, I don't want to go to jail!
"I got him...I got him!" A spine curling pant of desperation when arms wrapped around his neck making himself try desperately to break free, "We're..." An ex-friend tried struggling did an ear splintering shriek came next as Rascal heard metal snapping off nearby. Above fire escapes rattled as bars broke off squealing, twisted and descending to some sort of coils as he found himself weight free when a girl screamed in earnest unable to stop it. Coils slithered and wrapped around her as she got uplifted several stories crying out for help, begging him probably or just went absolutely hysterical when a stake leveled against her forehead, it dug partially as if resisting piercing flesh.
The phone's cracked screen had an emergency operator yelling for her to answer as it was picked up by a descending Grimm. Metal buckled underneath his ragged breathing when clutching a thigh that burned inwardly, "She'll be in touch." His voice couldn't conceal an annoyed expression when a thin stake impaled said phone against an almost moldy brick wall. Rascal watched stunned with his heart racing akin to thunder, it hurt to breathe and trying to get up on a twisted ankle didn't help when watching the man helplessly.
Above his friend's muffled screams were cut short when a solid mass of metal slammed across her temple as limp limbs dipped immediately. Turning back to a stunned Thinker did an elder para-human look absolutely livid, "You owe me, a lot more Thinker." And the last thing he saw was loose pipes descending into him with Grimm's murderous sneer all too clear. Darkness claimed him when bone met metal and there wasn't any contest to remain conscious willingly.
Slamming a trunk down while getting into an almost stifling car interior which almost mirrored some heatwave, Scorch's eyes remained in one fixed glare. Grimm didn't bother mentioning an incredible amount of weight, "He will die." Three words didn't hide apocalyptic induced promises that made a pair of hazel eyes remain frigid, "Don't tempt me, woman. It's as close as I agree, sharks have been showing up lately and keeping them around sounds great for tourists." Picking one of a pair of cigars didn't even help their comfort when it couldn't be helped.
"What were you thinking about that behind in my car?" They pulled out from a side street where she'd been waiting after getting directions from the para-human who absently replied, "No witnesses, I'd rather not be on camera for killing a kid, it's bad publicity." Dry humor aside he scowled when stomping a foot down growling, "Fucking idiot. Please tell me, if hostage ransoms are even worth it or else I'm stuck with another kid problem."
The frosty glare seemed to boil air when shimmering wisps of flames licked along clothing, "A high school student?" Grimm spat out a glob of reddish saliva out the window when bypassing police cruisers speeding along furiously in an opposite lane, "John, kill him." That idea awfully came close into being put into practice, "Stop tempting me." Was all he said on that matter when leaning back to calm down finally after nearly tearing an entire building when Rascal had been followed, he'd either let his litte crush do it, or was that terrible for cardio naturally.
What a fucking mess, I should have stayed home and drank myself silly. Scowling became almost mirrored in a blond who drove through wreckage's of cars that were being assisted by para-medics taking out shaken people, "All of this for kids? They'll vilify him, if they can't find you and he'll be sought after since it's on his fucking skull for thinking about it." Grimm didn't entirely disagree considering no one expected him to be literally shadowing him, it'd just confirm speculations and increase hysteria in public man-hunts.
"Tough shit, I warned him." He stated less than brightly to simply shrug, "And here I just wanted to take him to a club. Get laid, have a good weekend but no..." Trailing off in mimicking a heart broken boy almost irritably, "I like her! Please, help me!" Spitting out liquid akin to stress didn't make things any more pitiful, or remotely entertaining. Already news vans were pouring past towards what could only be imagined as another war zone, if only strung out and less concentrated considering choppers with PRT logos patrolled skies armed to the teeth. Thank god, they didn't show up or else dealing with this many would be a pain my ass.
Scorch's tone bordered on near livid implications, "John!" Grimm rolled both eyes, "What? I go to clubs, if I can. Stop being pissy, would ya?" Steam from boiling leather on a coat didn't help his case apparently, "Knock it off. Just tell me there's a place I sort this shit out, a place where I can stash two kids for now and I damn well you'd know more than I would."
Across from them scattered debris of a helicopter being torn across building tops were met with white clothes being folded over pilots. It's all fun and games, isn't it Rascal? For once you'll be blamed for what I'd usually do on my off-days, there's a reason why I don't go out during daylight. Too many people, too many eyes and too many pissed off idiots. Inhaling leisurely while flicking ash past crowds struggling to regain their shattered normalcy, a bunch of cops and PRT soldiers were pushing them onto past school grounds while trying to close off intersections. Not one of them looked pleased, or simply started taking testimony from screeching people whose own children were recording in sheer earnest gawking expressions.
"There's a few places which are left barren, a contingency if our main staging points are compromised. We'll find out if..." A phone buzzed leaving little imagination when Grimm groaned already knowing who'd call so suddenly, "Kaiser adheres to your request." She finished while placing said object to an ear bracing for fallout. How many are going to take to the streets? How many people will just demand action, against me, you and whoever will make it out to be public enemy number one? Rascal, you fucking stupid piece of shit...you just gave PRT an excuse to tear apart everything and kick down doors while claiming I'm around now.
No where would safe from any place he'd been, if anyone managed putting it together that Grimm was right among school kids. Shit location aside he asked, "What's the bill for playing nice guy?" Scorch didn't respond mainly due to an elder cousin speaking softly, it caused her eyes to wince continuously when a cold laugh emerged out of words alone. Son of a bitch, I'm in for it now. Kaiser isn't a guy I really try not to piss off on a good day, but now whatever he wants...I'll have to deliver just to keep your skin intact kid.
Grinding teeth in a rare showing of anger did little when Scorch relayed coldly, "Don't expect this will be allowed again. Your Thinker will die, either from me or you. Kaiser's made it clear, one excuse and it's over with him." An entire car started wailing lowly as if brakes gave out momentarily, yet Grimm didn't say much except breathing out smoke sharply. But a lone thumb curled upward agreeing in averting possibly conflict against another cape, he'd have to heal and sleep off whatever Lung had thrown at him before considering that much.
"Tell your cousin, he's an angel." Snarling out a rare thanks which made the blond narrow blue eyes hotly in disgust before returning to a conversation. No more second chances, it's one and done, kid. Either you pay your due, or I'm offing you when the weather gets warmer for a nice little boat ride off the cape. And if you can't, I guess you'll have someone with you after all. Two for the price of one, if this doesn't get you off your ass.
As devastation arose within city limits did fingers tap against a dashboard when one lone foot propped itself up contently. As far as anyone was concerned, Rascal as a Thinker would be demonized for all what had happened. Lines were crossed, they were willingly crossed by selfish belief and Grimm took it all in relatively unbothered by people coming out buildings. He did war the kid weeks ago, he made it clear and as a result didn't listen. But war often had a way coming back to the very place when it'd started long before any of them had a choice to wonder why.
End Chapter VI
Author's Note: Did I ever mention, this story isn't entirely going to be canon? If you thought so, well sometimes ripples extend outwards and effect even the largest of lakes. This isn't a happily ever after kind of joke, Rascal's character is in essence what everyone normally perceives as a sob story. Reality, sob stories don't change what is the consequence of being someone who can't think clearly, or yet alone imagine there's no easy way to think being snitched out is suddenly horrifying. People do it, they will always do it and the example is set above in stone...kids, teenagers or whoever regardless of Capes simply don't understand the world as it stands.
But now things get really, really interesting and far more intriguing in terms of what is going to happen. Context, perspective and seeing is what you all need to see. Writing some battles is what I call a waste, you see it for what it is when the Thinker thought he can trust people. But considering what you read up above, who thought in their honest opinion it'd be a smooth goodbye? Once you drag people into Cape 'shit', don't expect them to have normal lives, or believe it'll all go back to normal. More so, doesn't this strike people familiar enough when encountering what you'd see in reference to reality pertaining to politics, serious conversation or rather a lack of acknowledging it? Maybe, or maybe not, it's all on your opinion to determine if that above is feasible to occur from a slew of angles I'm giving away for you to judge.
And now we come down to the real twist, side characters no one tends to view or just glosses over. The Trio, as they're infamously known according to most but I see only untapped amusement. Is anyone a little concerned, or just outright chuckling whenever you think of suspense? You all knew, it'd go badly but how badly is left up to the imagination. So it seems we've got problems, very difficult considerations and Grimm is not entirely happy. If you think he's furious now, just wait...just wait and take a gander into knowing what's known about him. But there's an under lying danger, someone was right in front of the other and it's just about to make things far more...convenient.
Why did Shadow Stalker not make a connection with Grimm's glasses, for example is simply an overlooked detail and rather odd. Who expected Grimm to simply be right in front of them, it's not a lack of observation but merely blending seamlessly without an issue. More so, distractions and other topics do make attention spans shift drastically. Funny, right? And the little slip of Taylor (Skitter), let's just say...I'm a cruel bastard who knows well aware what caused her to trigger, so imagine the after math of shall we say...someone acting out? Yes, indirect influence is quite a scary thing when connecting events without really changing too much save for frequency, or scale.
Considering what the 'heroes' know about their intended target, he never operated in daylight as 'Grimm' but I guess expectations will change drastically. Hostage, kidnapping and causing a small rumble near schools? Let your imagination wonder, it's rather clear cut for me. Politics aside, there's plenty of that opinion and whether you agree is simply another opinion, on your time to stomach. Nonetheless, let's find out together where this rabbit hole goes considering now stakes are raised and pardon the terrible pun.
Have a good week, stay safe and try not to lose yourself in recent events. Apparently everyone is losing their minds, but it's just a Wednesday as we say. Leave a review, since people are reading this story, and I do like to read your thoughts on the matter. Until next update, I'll be enjoying a wonderful vacation and hoping it calms down.