The bus rattled to a stop, a cloud of dust swirling around the tires. The driver gave the run down station a disapproving stare.
"You sure you want to be dropped off here?" She turned to the single passenger.
The young woman smiled, "Yes. Here's fine." She pulled a wad of bills from her low cut shirt, and handed them to the older woman.
The driver gave her a side-eye, and shook her head, "That's a pretty big tip. But I don't ask questions, and I'm not complaining." She stashed the money in her pocket, "You take care now."
The young woman smiled. "You too." She ran a hand through her long black hair before descending the steps. Her heels sunk into the dirt road, but she made her way over to the station, waving the old woman off.
"Hello?" She called through the station doors. There was barely an echo in response, and not a person to be seen. She smiled to herself before slipping into the ladies restroom.
A few minutes later, the tall woman left the station, sliding a wide-brimmed cowboy hat over her sleek blue-black hair. "Perfect." She said quietly as she threw a bundle of her old clothing into the trash can.
"Hey, Sanji! Lemme get another Cola over here!"
The young man turned at his name. A customer sat at the bar, holding up his empty glass.
"I'll be there in a minute, Franky, be patient for once in your life!" The bartender rolled his eyes, turning back to the order he had been taking. "You what?" Franky laughed, his wide shoulders shaking, "Brook! Come serve me another drink!"
A thin man at the piano laughed loudly, "Yo ho! You know as well as I that Sanji will have both our heads if I do that!"
Franky tipped his empty glass upside down again. "Well, I guess I'll have to get it myself." As he reached over the bar top, a boot came down heavy on the wooden counter, stopping Franky where he was.
"Like hell you will!" Sanji growled. He reached under the top, pulling out a soda bottle. "No one goes behind the counter unless I say so."
The big man laughed heartily, I've got my Cola, that's all I care about."
"So how are things over at the shop?" Sanji asked, pouring Franky another glass.
"Eh, slow. Same as usual." He sighed, "Being in a town so small and out of the way, no one's got any use for a mechanic. Me and that kid just fiddle with some parts we've got laying around. It's not a bad life I suppose. It could be worse."
As soon as he finished speaking, the doors to the bar swung open. A mysterious figure stood in the entrance, taking in the scene. A hush settled over the room as everyone turned and stared at the newcomer.
"The heck's this?" Franky said quietly. Sanji said nothing, just watched the man.
The stranger was tall, and ridiculously broad. He was wearing a suit of impeccable neatness under a long coat. His hair was cropped, and neatly trimmed. He simply stared for a few moments before walking toward the bar. The man carried himself with an aura that reeked of power. Whoever this man was, he was not to be underestimated.
"I need to talk to the owner of this place." He said, observing Sanji with a cool, calculating gaze. The bartender waited for a moment, then nodded once.
"That'd be me. What is it you want?"
He lit a cigarette as the room's din slowly picked back up. The customers went back to their conversations, but suspicious eyes still gave sideways glances. Brook's music slowly wafted back into the air, and soon the bar was just as loud as it had been before.
The stranger looked around once before taking a photo from inside his coat pocket. "I'm looking for this woman. I've got good reason to think she's here in town somewhere. Any chance you've seen her in the last few days?"
Sanji's eyes widened as he took the picture from the man's grasp. Brook gasped as he appeared at Sanji's shoulder.
The woman in the picture was facing away from the camera, half turned so she was caught in perfect profile. Her skin was flawless. Her hair shimmered black like silken threads. Her eyes glittered like Caribbean waters. She was beautiful! Sanji was speechless.
"I am sorry to say that I haven't seen her." He handed the photo back, barely able to tear his eyes from the enchantress. "Who is she?" He asked.
The man said nothing as he glared at the photo. He paused for a moment and then spoke "She's known as Raven and she's a wanted criminal. I've been after her for a few years."
Franky visibly stiffened and Brooke startled.
"A criminal?!" Brooke cried, aghast.
"You mean you're a cop" Franky said, more a statement than a question.
He turned to the big mechanic and his eyes narrowed. "I'm a detective." He said quietly.
"So what is she wanted for?" Sanji asked as he twirled the photo around on the bar top. The cop looked at the picture and thought for a moment, but said nothing.
Franky huffed, "Come on Mister, if there's a criminal in our town we at least want to know what we're dealing with."
The man seemed to think about saying more, but remained silent. "That's classified." he finally said with resolve. Franky huffed again.
"Suit yourself Mister, but with that attitude you're not gonna get much out of the people around here."
Brooke said nothing, and Sanji simply watched. The stranger seemed to sense that he would get no more information, so he tucked the photo back into his coat, and left.
"Wonder if she's really here?" Franky asked as soon as the doors closed. Sanji sighed, "I hope so. She's a real beauty to miss out on."
Brook nodded in agreement, a grin plastered on his face.
Frankie stared where the stranger who just vanished, "I hope for her sake that she's not, because that man is dangerous."
Sanji nodded, solemn, "Yeah. I hope so too."
The motel lobby was empty except for a single woman behind the counter. She was loudly singing to herself, her feet propped up on the counter, flipping through a magazine.
The motel door dinged as it was pushed open, and the woman turned to see who had joined her.
"Hello!" She chirped, swinging her feet back to the floor. The newcomer smiled,
"Are you Nami?" She asked, readjusting the strap of her bag.
Nami's smile widened, "That's me! What can I do for you today?"
The stranger tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I would like a room, for an indefinite stay. If you have any available, please."
Nami laughed, "Available? I could rent you the whole motel, and no one would be upset. Did you want window's in your room?"
The stranger lowered her voice, "No, thank you. I don't like the sun."
A look of understanding passed between them. Nami let go of the regular key she had been reaching for, and reached for a button under the desk instead. She checked the security cameras and turned back to the woman, her voice also quiet. "Follow me."
She slipped through a door behind the desk, and shut it after the woman followed suite.
"It's been a while since I've had a customer of your...status here." Nami tossed over her shoulder, trotting up some stairs. "I've got a few rooms for you, all packed, with easy exits. You can take your pick."
The woman nodded, her courteous smile replaced with an anxious stare. Nami led her up to the second floor, and the woman pushed the door open to one of the simple bedrooms.
"There's a good stash of weapons under the bed, and in a few other in here," She pulled the carpet up and opened a shallow space where the woman could see various blades and firearms set up neatly.
"And the windows all open easy if you-" she stopped as something on the other side of the wall buzzed. "I'll be right back, I've got another customer." She slipped out the door, leaving the woman to explore the room alone.
Nami slid into her chair just as the door dinged open. The man that entered reeked of cop.
"Hello! How can I help you?" She called as he made his way over to her.
He surveyed the motel lobby before responding. Nami watched him asses the place. Definitely police.
"I'm looking for someone." He said at last, "Have you seen this woman in the last couple of days?"
He pulled out a photo and slid it across the desktop. It was a picture of the very same woman Nami had just brought upstairs. She internally sighed in relief. Good thing she had gotten her upstairs when she had.
"Can't say that I have. Then again, I don't really see much being stuck in this lobby all day." She gave him a friendly smile as she leaned back, "Why you looking for her? Your girlfriend run away?"
His eyes narrowed.
"She's a criminal. I'm here to take her in."
Nami's face twisted in surprise, "A criminal? Wow, she must be a big deal if you're trying to track her down."
The cop nodded once, "She's wanted for murder."
She widened her eyes as shock spread across her face. "A murderer? Here!? Oh my god!" She looked around fearfully. The cop just watched her, and she could tell he was trying to decide if she was for real or not.
He seemed to decide on the former, and took the picture back. "I'll be in town for a while. Tell me if you hear anything."
She nodded enthusiastically, "Of course!"
The lobby grew silent the minute the door closed behind him. Nami glared, twirling a lock of ginger hair around her finger. She sat, thinking for a moment before vanishing back up the stairs.
The woman was by the window, studying the back of the building.
"Cop was just here for you."
She turned at Nami's voice. "He was right behind you. He's good." She warned, sinking onto the bed.
The woman leaned against the wall, crossing her arms in thought as she waited for Nami to continue.
"He said you're wanted for murder. Is he right?"
The woman's face fell, "That is what they're after me for." She said, her voice almost a hiss. Nami watched her for a moment.
"But is he right?"
The woman met Nami's gaze. She could see the emotions roiling behind the woman's eyes. She could see the war between trust and instinct. But finally, her face softened, a small smile touching her lips.
"No."
Nami grinned. "Good to hear. I try not to discriminate, but there's always something unnerving about sleeping under the same roof as a killer." She laughed, "But since you're not, then we'll get along just fine."
She held out her hand, "I know you already know my name, but there's no harm in introductions. I'm Nami." The woman smiled, a genuine smile, and took the outstretched hand. "Call me Raven." The two shook hands, and shared a smile.