I have come to believe that the current chapter 1 for Brannigan will not be able to carry into the rest of this fic. It may be rewritten depending on what you, the reader, believe should happen.
To Elfe Lunaire: Thanks! I apologize for how long I took to complete this chapter, but I do hope that you enjoy it.
To BrookeWorm3: Indeed it did.
And to everybody else who has favorited, followed, or just simply taken the time to read this fanfiction: thank you!
Hours had passed; the sky, once an empty black canvas of polluted city night, was now a deep shade of blue.
Kelsey now sat propped against a wall, handcuffed to a beam, observing her company's movements as he paced along the length of the shadowy alley. It was only recently that her brain had resumed normal function and, for better or worse, Mr. Wolf seemingly hadn't noticed her awareness yet — or at least hadn't bothered to acknowledge it.
The man, after what felt like a century, stopped pacing and turned away to smoke. It was then that Kelsey decided it would be safe to look around. During the time in which she had blacked out, Mr. Wolf had apparently tried to lessen her discomfort; cardboard was placed between her and the cold concrete ground and her position had been adjusted such that she would not later feel sore.
(Woody, or rather his body, was not present in the alley and was likely moved by Mr. Wolf. It was strange, though, that her captor would be able to transport that amount of dead weight — let alone in New York City — without being seen.)
Mr. Wolf sighed loudly. "I know you're awake," he said before turning towards the detective, approaching her slowly, prepared to stifle a scream. "I need to ask you some questions. Actually, I need to ask you quite a few questions. But that can wait. Now, I need you to follow me. Quietly. Without drawing attention. It's nearly light, and I can't be seen with you. Understood?" He paused for a moment before continuing, considering his words carefully, to have the maximum effect. "I don't know how else to put it, so I'll give it to you straight. You have no idea what you have gotten yourself into." The Sheriff enunciated each of the words in the latter sentence distinctly.
Kelsey opened her mouth to speak, but closed it before she said anything she would later regret. She had always had a hot temper, and it could only worsen her situation. Instead, seeing as there was no other alternative, she decided to go along with Mr. Wolf and nodded.
The man almost appeared surprised, as if expecting resistance. He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a silver key. He kneeled down next to the detective and unlocked the cuffs binding her to the pole. Mr. Wolf then grabbed Kelsey's arm and helped her to her feet.
Kelsey stumbled a bit, her legs stiff from sitting still for so long. Mr. Wolf caught her before she could fall, and leaned her against the wall. "Can you walk?" He asked.
Kelsey tried to give an answer, but the only sound that came out was a dry croak, so she nodded again. Mr. Wolf nodded in response. "Good." He said. He gripped her arm again, just hard enough, and led her out of the alley and onto the sidewalk.
The walk to the apartment building, though long and slow, was uneventful. The lobby was mysteriously empty except for a plump guard snoring loudly at his desk. The detective doubted that she would be able to wake the man in time to receive help, so she passed him without muttering a word. Mr. Wolf led her to an elevator, which smelled of leather and expensive perfume. He pushed a button, and the elevator began to move. Before the elevator could reach the desired floor, however, it stopped.
When the doors opened, a pale, black-haired woman stepped into the elevator. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed the occupants.
"Snow," Mr. Wolf said quietly, almost meekly. He seemed to be trying to hold the woman's attention away from the detective.
"Bigby, how'r-" she started, cutting herself off as she studied the woman beside her colleague. She looked back to Bigby, blue eyes piercing him. "Care to explain?" she asked quietly.
"Not here." The man pinched the bridge of his nose, as if fighting off a migraine. He shifted nervously, forcing himself to meet the woman's eyes.
Her eyes lingered on the man for a moment longer, concern and annoyance a visible mix in her expression. "Makes sense. My apartment, then."
Mr. Wolf, without hesitation, smashed another button on the elevator panel and the machine once again began moving.
A FEW HOURS LATER
The trio had, to the Fables' relief, reached Snow White's apartment without running into any more of the Woodlands' tenants.
The apartment was incredibly spacious, seemingly impossibly so considering the small structure of the building as a whole. Its walls were flawlessly smooth, painted blue and white, and the furniture was masterfully placed. The whole scene may very well have been one from a fairytale.
Kelsey Brannigan could not help but take in the majesty of the apartment - hopelessly wondering if she could implement some of the creative aspects into her own residence. Even handcuffed to a couch, the detective could not shake the feeling that she had stumbled into a palace. After quite some time sitting like a vegetable, she finally was able to snap out of it.
Still silent, Kelsey watched as her kidnappers (she wasn't sure what exactly to call them, though - "kidnappers" didn't quite seem to cover it) made their way to the opposite side of the room, engaged in a heated, though quiet discussion that she could only guess was about her. After a while, the two returned, looking none too pleased.
"Let me get a look at your neck," the woman said gently, slowly reaching over to the detective. Snow tilted Kelsey's chin up slightly, revealing purple bruises. The woman's touch was cold, as if she had spent a night in an ice box.
"Hmm. Doesn't look bad enough to require medical assistance, at least. I'll go get some water, see if that helps." The woman spoke calmly, but her face betrayed irritation. She started for another room, but paused briefly to add "Oh, and Bigby? Don't go too hard on her." With that, Snow left.
Mr. Wolf stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, eyeing Kelsey without any distinguishable emotion. Sighing, he made his way to a seat beside Kelsey's.
Sitting at an angle at which to comfortably question the detective, Bigby leaned towards the woman. Maintaining eye contact, he said, "Let's start with the basics. Who are you?"
"Kelsey Brannigan, NYPD." She replied evenly, trying her best to push back the fear and usease that she felt.
"Figured as much." The sheriff replied. He could smell her fear. It was nothing new - Bigby was used to people fearing him. He would be able to use it to his advantage. Shifting his position, he continued, "Alright. Remind me why you have been following me."
"Mr. Wolf, you can't just walk out of a police station and expect to be left alone," The detective replied sarcastically. Immediately, she felt regret in doing so, but there is no changing the past.
Mr. Wolf responded to the detective's attitude with a smirk. "You have no idea who I am, do you, Kelsey?"
"To be completely honest, the only reason I know you exist is because of a kindergarten-level sketch and a few bullets in a list of your personality. Hell, as far as I know, you could be the goddamn American werewolf." She replied, sounding much harsher than she intended.
Bigby involuntary shivered at Kelsey's mention of the American werewolf. Even though it was by complete chance, it was, technically, true. "That will be all for now." He said, and removed himself to the opposite side of the room.
Just then, Snow returned with a large glass of iced water. The cool drink soothed her sore throat more than she thought it would. "Thank you." She said to the woman.
"Of course." Snow replied before turning towards Bigby. "So, how much does she know?" The woman spoke quietly, so quietly, in fact, that one would not expect the sheriff to have heard her.
"Nothing." He replied. "This is just another of Crane's fuckups."
Snow sighed at the mention of the pervert's name. "And I thought that it was all over. Should've known better."
"So, what're we going to do with the mundy?" Bigby asked.
"Until the memory wipe spell is complete, she will stay here." The woman replied. "In the meantime, w-" Snow was cut off mid-sentence when the sound of handcuffs clattering against the wooden floor shook the room. The fables turned to see a freed Brannigan, shaking uncontrollably, aiming a gun straight at them.
"Freeze!"