AN: Sorry about the gap in updates. I had writer's block…but now that I'm home and have friends to help me figure things out, I'm ready to start again. So…here's chapter 8!
John had no idea where he could go from this point. Chas was gone, and all he had as a clue to the boy's kidnapper was a feather from a half-breed that smelled strongly of fish.
Fish…maybe…He thought, his mind racing. A fish market. The half breed must have an earthly job at a fish market. And since it was almost dawn, the fish market closest to him would be opening soon.
Well…he had to start somewhere.
He changed his direction, tossing down his spent cigarette and lighting up another one as he tucked the feather into his jacket. His other hand still gripped Chas's hat; he knew the boy would want it back when he was found.
The early morning sounds of the fish market were unfamiliar to John; he wasn't a big fan of fish. He wasn't a big fan of food in general, hence the skinny, haggard appearance. The yells and the overpowering smell would've been too much if he weren't so determined to figure out who'd gone to such lengths just to trick him and kidnap Chas.
None of the booths selling fish were open yet. They were still unloading the fish and arranging them in displays, and fish were flying around as if flung on catapults. John was almost afraid he would meet his end in the form of a flying salmon.
There, his mind snapped as he suddenly caught sight of a young, dark haired angel arranging a display of iced tilapia. His wings were invisible to the human eye, but spread out like a beacon to John. This had to be the kid; the feather was the right size, and there weren't that many angelic half breeds in this city anyway, let alone more than a couple working in a fish market.
He approached the boy from behind and grabbed him by the shoulder, and the boy spun around, his expression a bit surprised. He couldn't have been over 18, by any means.
"I'm sorry, sir, we're not open yet…" He said, his voice fading a bit as he sensed that he was facing a man who knew just what he was.
John stared him down for a few moments with a smirk, and then he tossed down his cigarette and pulled the feather from his jacket. He twirled it in front of the boy's face, letting his point sink in.
"You're coming with me. Now."
The boy's eyebrows shot up. "But I have to-"
"Now, fucker."
The boy cringed, and he called out something in Italian to the guy running the booth. The man waved him off with a snort, and John grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away.
"Where are we-"
"Shut up."
John yanked him into an alley and then shoved him up against the brick wall, taking no care to be gentle even though the boy was obviously afraid.
"What's your name, kid?"
"A-Adrian…Adrian Stroude."
"Well, Adrian, you've gotten yourself in a shitload of trouble."
Adrian swallowed hard. "What are you talkin' about?"
John once again stuck the feather right up in Adrian's face. "I found this…right where I last saw my…my apprentice. And now he's gone. Care to explain?"
"But I don't even know you…"
John didn't give him a chance to continue the objection before slamming him against the wall again, even harder than before. "Wrong answer."
"I swear, I didn't have anything to do with it!"
"Listen, kid. My name is John Constantine. I'm sure you've heard of me…and I'm sure you've heard stories about what I'll do to you if you don't cooperate."
Adrian's eyes widened. "You're John Constantine? The John Constantine?"
John smirked. "Changing your story now?"
"Well, no, but-"
John practically growled, and then threw Adrian down to the ground on his back and planted his foot firmly on the boy's chest. "Kid, I don't have much patience for games right now, not with Chas missing…"
Adrian didn't bother struggling, which was probably a smart move with John's current state of mind. "Look, I don't know how one of my feathers got there, but I swear I'll do everything I can to help. I wouldn't lie to you!"
John scowled at him, not letting up the pressure on Adrian's chest. "So this is just a complete coincidence? Hard to believe."
"Have a little faith, John…"
John stared at him, shook his head, and then moved a little away from the boy. Adrian rubbed his chest as he pushed himself up to a sitting position, and John simply lit up a cigarette.
"If I find out that you lied to me…if I find out you had anything to do with this…Lucifer himself will cringe at what I do to your sorry ass," he muttered to Adrian, not moving to help the boy up. "Now, how do you plan on helping?"
"Well…let's go talk to a couple friends of mine. If anyone knows anything about this Chas kid and why he got kidnapped, they will."
AN: Woohoo, updateness! Review, please, for reviews are like cookies. I must have them to LIVE.
