Hello! Hello! Hello!
Oh my guys. It's taken a long time…
BUT IT'S FINALLY HERE!
Sorry for leaving you all on a cliffhanger for so long, but trust me, this chapter is worth the wait! Or at least… I hope it will be. :D
Thank you so much for all your support on this story, because guys, we've reached over 500 reviews! I'm just! I can't! I'm so amazed right now I can't even process this!
You're all amazing people and if I could I'd give you all a massive hug because your reviews and support literally keeps me going every day! I've had a lot of family issues going on, but every time I get a review from one of you, it makes my day grow so much brighter. So thank you, and I really hope this chapter is worth the agonising wait!
ALSO A QUICK SIDENOTE! It makes me really sad when I can't communicate with you guys, so I thought I'd let you know that you can always message me on my Tumblr, at 'Superherotiger'. You don't even need an account! You can just go onto my blog and ask me a question anonymously when you click the 'Art Requests and Asks' link! So if you ever want to talk, just send me a message! I'd love to hear from all of you!
And with that I'll let you go on to the chapter! May the force be with you, always!
-Superherotiger
Kanan's POV
"I'm here!" I announced as I entered the interrogations room.
Kallus turned to face me, his expression pulled into an unimpressed scowl. "Congratulations, you're only two hours late," he spat.
I frowned and paced forward, retorting "I got here, didn't I? Now hurry up and tell me about this lead you've been yammering on about."
My partner was the least bit enthused, but took me over to one of the large screens at the far wall regardless. This small area had survey camera's to the two interrogation rooms either side of us, one way glass viewing into the empty, barren rooms. If a prisoner tried to escape from those rooms, they'd have to get through here first.
Which meant they also had to get through Kallus and Officer Kenobi, who both worked in interrogations.
Kallus lead me to the screen and pulled up a video from almost three years ago according to the date. "I once had to interrogate a kid who we suspected was a Spirit," the officer explained stoically. "He was stubborn and hot-headed, and somehow managed to worm his way out of prosecution with his quick mouth. But I've been running the voice-clip from the Spirit Raid to match any previous records, and this showed up again."
As Kallus turned on the recording the door behind us opened, and not a few moments later Obi-Wan stood beside me with his arms crossed. "Glad you finally made it," he whispered light-heartedly so only I could hear. "I was afraid Kallus would throw a tantrum if you waited any longer."
We both snickered before Kallus snapped "Pay attention!"
Rolling my eyes, I focused on the flickering tape as it played. It showed a young boy, maybe thirteen, fourteen years old sitting behind the interrogations table and talking calmly to Obi-Wan. "Sir, I promise you my hands are clean," he said innocently as he flashed his sharpened, jagged teeth.
It was obvious from his appearance that he was a street orphan, his clothes faded and skin dirty. His turquoise eyes shimmered in the artificial light as he conversed lightly with the officer.
"Listen son, I'm not trying to arrest you," Obi-Wan explained softly. "I just want to know why you have this."
He held a brown cloak in view, the brim fraying and cloth stiffened by years of mud and water. The boy shrugged casually, replying "Why else? It keeps me warm."
"Though that is a fair point, you understand this gives off a certain impression?" Obi-Wan quizzed.
He didn't seem concerned, rocking back on his chair with a lax attitude. "If people mistake me for a crimin'l then that's not my fault," he quipped cockily. "You can't charge me for what I look like."
"Well then," Obi-Wan started. "I guess we'll have to keep you here till your file is cleared, if you don't intend to speak to me any further."
The boy's face stilled, slowly resting all four feet of the chair onto the floor again. "How long will that take?"
"Usually around 24 to 48 hours," Obi-Wan replied.
Something triggered inside the younger male as a new layer of concern worked its way onto his face. The teen leant forward and spoke, a little bit more seriously this time "Please sir, my brother is out there somewhere, and I'm sure he's real scared. I'll do community service or whatever ya want me to, I just need to find him before the storm hits tonight."
Obi-Wan looked surprised by this new found compliancy, opening his mouth to speak when suddenly the door burst open and Kallus strode forward imposingly.
"Alright Kenobi," he said as he waved his co-worker away dismissively. "You've had your time, now it's mine. Let's get this over with kid."
Something spark in those gleaming eyes, the boy's lips pulling into a mischievous smirk. Maybe he saw an opportunity in Kallus' smug demeanour, or maybe he saw a chance to have fun. Whatever it was, he jumped on it willingly.
"Right, sorry admiral Mutton-Chops," he remarked with a two fingered salute. "Did I miss our one o'clock?"
"Shut up kid," Kallus snapped, unimpressed by his new subject. "Now give me your first name."
"Sure. It's Imaloo."
"Last one," he continued unknowingly.
"Zer."
Kallus glanced up with a puzzled face, repeating "Imaloo Zer?"
Obi-Wan scoffed lightly while the boy replied "Oh really? I'm sorry to hear that."
In realising what he'd said Kallus went bright red and growled at the teenager. "Watch it kid," he warned coldly. "I don't play games."
"Don't be ashamed of who you are bro, embrace it," the boy teased, ignoring the officer's word. "You know there's a great club on Seventh Street called 'Losers Anonymous'. You should try it sometime."
Obi-Wan was having trouble containing his laughter as he slowly stepped away, his hand pressed against his mouth as he snickered softly.
In real time Obi-Wan let out an amused chuckle, saying to me "Still gets me every time."
Kallus scowled at his co-worker and barked "It wasn't funny!"
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, and I whispered to him softly "Maybe he should go back again. He seemed less angry when he ran Losers Anonymous."
We both laughed until once again, Kallus shouted "You're missing the point!"
"Forgive us," Obi-Wan mused. "Go ahead Loser."
His eye twitched in frustration, before he tensely resumed the video.
There, Kallus slammed his hand on the metal table and barked "Don't test me, street rat!"
This hit a string in the youth, his expression going blank. "What did you call me, Fur Face?" he growled softly, the humour draining from his tone.
"I. Said. Street rat. Would you like me to say it slower? That way you might be able to understand," the officer mocked.
But the boy didn't take it as lightly as the older male, forcing a fake laugh as he replied "As uneducated as I might be, at least I'm not a low-life, ignorant loser like you."
"Well at least I'm not a poor, criminal Spirit like you are," Kallus snapped back. "You're just trash! Nobody cares about your kind. You're the scum of this city, the useless rats that everyone wants to exterminate!"
I could see the boy's expression hardening into a scowl, before Kallus leant forward and hissed "And do you know what we do to rats like you…"
He whispered something to the teen, quiet enough that the cameras couldn't pick up on it and judging from Obi-wan's puzzled expression neither could he. But whatever he said made the boy's face pale, his once vibrant eyes going still and vacant.
He stayed rigid for a moment, until he suddenly snapped.
Suddenly the boy was on his feet, the chair shoved back into the wall with a crack as he snarled at the officer in front of him. They both glared at each other, teeth bared, muscles tense. Neither flinched, and neither moved. The tension was so thick I could feel it through the screen of the camera, anger and hatred fuming off the two in pulses.
Eventually Obi-Wan stepped in and pushed them away from each other before someone lashed out, reasoning calmly "Let's just be civil about this everyone."
Narrowed teal orbs whipped around to the officer as he snarled icily "You want to be civil? Fine! You two have no power to hold me here without proper reason or proof! Condemning me because I wore a brown cloak is not enough evidence to solidify a charge, and unless you two want to be the next headline of the papers for arresting an innocent teenager, then I suggest you: Let. Me. Go."
His voice was bold and demanded respect, causing both officers to freeze at the sudden change in attitude. The boy's playful swagger had faded and his soft edge was non-existent as he stared down the two with a fierce gaze.
They stayed like that for a few, breathless moments, before Obi-Wan murmured "Let him go…"
Kallus' eyes shot open, and he snapped "You can't be serio-"
"I said let him go!" Obi-Wan ordered, cutting Kallus short and leaving him at a loss for words. Glancing up, Kenobi spoke softly to the boy "You're free to leave."
The teenager nodded sharply at the officer, but his hardened gaze remained fixed on Kallus. He took his cloak and clipped it around his shoulders, rounding the table to walk out before stopping suddenly.
He stood at Kallus's side, glaring, teeth bared. "One day," he hissed under his breath, so quiet I almost missed it. "You will get what you deserve…"
And with that the teen stormed out, slamming the door behind him as his cloak twisted and twirled. Both officers were left in shock, staring at where the boy once was with blank expressions.
The screen flickered and the recording ended.
Shifting my gaze to Kallus, my brows furrowed as I pressed harshly "What on earth did you say to him?"
Kallus glared at me, before brushing it off and replying "That's not the point. The point is that his voice matches the Spirit Co-leader and-"
"Regardless of who he is, you had no right to speak to him like that," I argued.
Obi-Wan placed his hand on my shoulder to calm me, explaining "It doesn't usually get to that stage, Kanan. We weren't trying to hurt him he just… snapped."
My eyes fixed on Kallus, and I muttered "I know one of you wasn't trying to hurt him…"
Kallus flinched under my glare, before Obi-Wan stood between us and continued "Nothing can change what happened. Now, let's just try to focus and work together on this."
With a sigh I shook my head, and though I still hadn't gotten the footage out of my mind, I questioned "Fine then. What do we know about him?"
"His name is Maximus Tontelli," Obi-Wan started. "He ran away at nine years old, and reports say he jumped around the country for a few months. From there we think he settled down in Lothal."
"At this point in time he's 17 years old, but we haven't had a record on him since his first, and last foster home six years ago," Kallus explained.
"Well what happened?" I asked.
Obi-Wan shrugged, replying "We still don't know. The parents say he was just there one morning and gone the next. He's been off the radar ever since."
"Well obviously our little friend has been busy in those years," Kallus remarked, turning away and muttering "Can't believe he was in our grasp twice and you both let him go…"
Obi-Wan frowned, turning to me and explaining solemnly "Though we have his identity, it's essentially useless to the cause. Maximus Tontelli practically doesn't exist anymore, so the name is useless to us and doesn't lead you any further to the other Spirits."
"That's why we need to catch them," Kallus said as he pummelled his fists together. Turning to me, he asked "You'll be there for the ambush, right?"
Reluctantly I nodded my head, and Obi-Wan added "I left the folder on your desk. By the way, your son seems pretty civilised for an orphan. He was very polite, granted a little tense."
My eyes widened. I forgot Ezra.
Twisting around I headed out the door, waving to the two and saying abruptly "Gotta go. Good luck on the Investigation."
"I thought you were supposed to be helping me today?!" Kallus yelled.
"Don't worry," I smirked, glancing over my shoulder and quipping "You'll be fine Loser."
"I HAVE MY RIGHTS!" the man bellowed as I hand-cuffed his hands together.
"Yes Sir, I understand that," I assured, pulling him off the ground and onto his feet. "But you're causing a public disturbance, and you also tried to hit me over the head with a beer bottle, so…"
"You can't do this!" he slurred with alcohol scented breath. "I wanna see my law-wer!"
"Sure buddy. We'll call your lawyer once we're at the station," I played along.
This seemed to calm the man somewhat as he muttered a simple "Okay" and obediently followed me back to the car. I could see Ezra through the tinted windscreen, and he watched on curiously as I opened the door for the intoxicated male and sat him in the backseat. Ezra was sitting in the front passenger's chair, and the back-seat and front-seat were separated by a mesh metal wall, so whoever sat there wouldn't be a disturbance to the driver.
I took my seat at the wheel and closed the door, glancing over at Ezra as I followed his gaze to the man.
They were looking at each other for a few blank moments, before Ezra asked "You hungry?"
"Yea man!" he replied cheerily, in a much better mood than when he was attacking me.
Ezra rummaged through his backpack for a moment and handed him his leftover sandwich through the glass panel. "It's chicken, you'll like it," he assured softly.
The male took it willingly and began feasting on the meagre meal, saying "Thanks kid!"
Ezra smiled and nodded his head. "No problem."
The teen glanced over at me, shifting uncomfortably for a moment as he asked "What? Drunk guys get hungry."
I smirked. "You're a smart one kid. How's your homework going?"
Ezra shrugged lazily and waved his paper in the air as he answered "Stupidly, as always."
"Do you need help?" I asked softly.
"No, I'm okay… thanks," he said as he lowered his head slowly. It was silent for a moment, before Ezra glanced over his shoulder and asked the drunk man "Hey, know anything about Shakespeare?"
"Only that it's stupid," he snickered.
Ezra laughed at the response while I smirked and tipped my police cap upward. The boy had seemed to be having an alright time today. He was pretty nervous when I found in the office, explaining to me that he'd met another officer and felt a little jumpy, though he had been extremely compliant in the car as I patrolled.
He just took the time to catch up on his homework, occasionally pointing out shortcuts in the roads that even I, after living here my whole life, didn't even know.
Suddenly, my radio sprung to life, causing everyone to still. I picked it up and spoke "Officer Jarrus reporting, what's the news?"
"There's a reported Spirit sighting outside the Lothal Mall," the com crackled. "Locate and Capture."
"I'm on Luna Avenue now, only a few streets away. I'll take care of it," I answered before placing the radio down and starting the engine.
As I started driving, I could see Ezra shifting in the corner of my eye. His relaxed attitude had faded, leaking tension into the air between us. I was tempted to ask if something was wrong but chose against it. I was at work, and during work hours my duty came first.
After a short, tense drive, I pulled up beside one of the streets just before the mall with my siren off, so not to attract attention. I could see a large congregation of people at the fountain just in front of the entrance, but then again, school had been let out only about five minutes ago, so it was practically rush hour too.
I unclipped my belt, about to go out and investigate when Ezra spoke "Kanan no."
I froze, my eyes going wide as I glanced over my shoulder. "What?"
The boy turned to face me hesitantly, his emotions conflicted as he said again "You can't."
"I don't understand."
"I mean you can't arrest the Spirits!" he snapped, before wincing nervously and correcting "I-I mean… you shouldn't arrest them, Kanan."
I sighed deeply and said "Kid, I know you care about them, but this is my job." And with that I opened the door and left before Ezra had a chance to reply.
Beginning to walk away, I thought the conversation had ended when I suddenly heard Ezra call "So what if it was me!?"
I turned around in shock, surprised to see he was standing outside the car with the door open. "What if that was me over there? Would you arrest me?" he asked harshly.
"Ezra, this is my job. Now get back in the car," I ordered with a firm, yet, caring tone.
"No!" he barked. "They haven't done anything wrong!"
"Ezra," I warned, walking towards the boy. "Go back in the car."
Ezra snarled, his teeth baring as he snapped "You say you're different, and then you just do the same as everybody else!"
"Car. Now," I spoke again, my tone less soft than before.
I saw him flinch as I continued forward, but never the less he argued "Kanan, listen to me. They're not bad peop-"
"Ezra! I don't want to hear it right now! Get back in the car!" I raised my voice, finally standing in front of him.
He gazed up at me with a firm stare, his blue orbs flashing as he barked "No!"
"Ezra, don't fight with me."
"No! You can't do this Kanan! You haven't even met them!"
"EZRA!" I yelled, stepping forward so I was practically craning above him. "GET IN THE CAR!"
The boy froze. He was completely rigid, staring up at me with wide, petrified eyes. I saw something flash across his face, and when I realised what it was, I immediately began to recoil. Terror.
Ezra ducked his head away, hiding his features behind his hair as his hands began to shudder. One arm raised and held his other shoulder, the classic pose of a child preparing for a hit. He looked terrified, like a dog submitting to a cruel master. I stumbled back slightly, guilt swelling as I realised I'd frightened him.
I reached forward hesitantly, saying "Ezra, I…"
He pulled away from my touch, hastily moving into the car and sitting there quietly, obediently. He didn't look up. He was just staring at the floor as his arms remained coiled around his chest, protecting himself from harm.
I winced when I saw this. I'd never seen him so… still.
It reminded me of the only other time he'd come into my police-car, except that time he snapped, and this time he… broke.
I never realised how big the difference was.
"Dude," a new voice chimed. I glanced over Ezra's shoulder to see the drunk man peering through the metal mesh, adding solemnly "That was rough man."
Feeling even worse, I closed the door slowly and stepped away.
I shut my eyes and inhaled sharply. I didn't mean to scare him. I wasn't trying to be intimidating. I… didn't mean to hurt him.
I shook my head and tried to clear my mind. Like I'd said, in work hours, duty came first. There would be time to mend things with Ezra later.
Twisting on my heel I headed for the fountain. As I approached, I realised lots of people still seemed to be standing around, as if they were just waiting for something to happen. I wove my way through the crowd carefully so not to alert the Spirits if they were close, until as I was walking closer to the centre, a familiar voice called out "Hey, Kanan!"
Shocked, I turned around to the approaching man and gawked "James?"
The doctor smiled warmly, his sky blue eyes shimmering in the sunlight as he shook my hand and exclaimed "Who'd of thought I'd see you here of all places. You come for the show?"
"I know, I haven't seen you since Ezra's appoint-… wait… show?" I repeated in confusion.
"Yeah. The Spirit show," he stated excitedly. "Don't tell me you've never been to one!"
I shook my head and he sighed in disappointment. "Kanan, how can you be a Lothalian and never seen a Spirit show," he spoke, ashamed almost.
"Well for starters what is it?" I asked, partially out of curiosity.
"The musical Spirits busk almost every day, but their shows are random and they're almost impossible to catch," James explained. "When you're lucky enough to hear a few of their songs though, you'd be a fool to not donate. They're actually playing another song real soon if you've come to hear one."
"Uh, no James, I'm actually here on duty," I spoke softly, tapping my badge.
"Oh, sorry Kanan," he apologised. "Well, before you go off to do whatever you need to do, why don't you come with me to hear one of their performances?"
"It's okay James, I don't need-"
"Nah, I insist," he said, taking my arm and dragging me towards the centre. We travelled for a few extra moments until appearing at the edge of a small semi-circle against the fountain. My gaze fixed on the three hooded figures sitting on the edge of the feature, one with two upside-down trash cans at his feet and another with a guitar against the cement. The one who I assumed was the leader had a guitar strapped over his chest and was talking to a small, blonde haired girl who watched the boy with awe.
James smiled warmly. "That's my daughter there," he said, pointing to the young girl.
My eyes widened and I quizzed "You're not afraid they'll attack her?"
"Hm? Never," he replied casually. "She loves seeing them. Once, they even let her play the drums with them for one of their songs."
I glanced back over at the Spirits and watched as the leader strummed a soft tune for the child, telling her the name of each cord as she watched intently. I smiled slightly at such a warming sight.
Suddenly, a new figure burst through the crowd.
She was only a teenager, with scruffy brown hair and baggy loose clothing, a violin grasped in one hand and a makeshift bow string in the other. A brown cloak flowed behind her as she stumbled towards the Spirits, smiling widely as she spoke "Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time."
The leader rose to his feet, waving goodbye to the little girl as she ran back to us and jumped into James' arms. "Daddy, he played a song for me!" she grinned with glee.
"Very good honey! Do you remember which chords he played?" James asked warmly.
The little girl paused, before blushing and answering meekly "No."
"Aw, that's alright. I think the show's about to start again anyway," he told her softly.
"Yay!" she exclaimed.
I turned my attention back to the Spirits, listening carefully as the leader said to the girl "We've heard a lot of good things about you Kara. Time to prove your worth."
"Of course Sir! Nothing but the best for my fellow entertainers!" she announced proudly.
"Alright," he started, signalling the others to get ready. "It's your lead today."
This Kara looked nervous, taking a deep breath as the leader stepped on top of the edge of the fountain and called out "Hello everyone! Our next song is beginning now!"
People began pushing forward, and space was quickly taken up as everyone tried to get a better view of the musicians. "Now, this is Kara. Everyone say hi to Kara!" the leader smiled.
There was a collective "Hello!" from most of the crowd, until the leader continued "Now, Kara is new here, and she'll be singing a special song for us all. Are you ready?"
"Yeah!" the crowd roared.
"Then let's play!" the boy laughed, jumping down and holding his guitar at the ready. He nodded at the other three, and they nodded back.
The audience went silence, the conversations ceasing.
Then, the leader started strumming his guitar, a mellow, gentle tune.
A few moments later the two behind him chimed in, causing an upbeat yet soothing song to ensue. The girl stepped forward and played her violin, before singing shakily "She sees 'em walking in a straight line, that's not really her style. And they all got the same heartbeat, but hers is falling behind."
Noticing the waver in her voice, the leader stepped to her side and sung together "Nothing in this world could, ever bring them down. Yeah they're invincible, and she's just in the background."
"And she says."
"I wish that I could be like the cool kids, 'cause all the cool kids they seem to fit in. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids…"
There was a small musical pause, and during that moment the leader twisted so they were facing each other. "Don't look at them, okay, you got this," he whispered to her softly. "Deep breath… relax…"
She nodded, and continued much smoother this time "He sees 'em talking with a big smile, but they haven't got a clue. Yeah they're livin' the good life, can't see what he is going through."
"They're driving fast cars, but they don't know where they're going," the two harmonised. "In the fast lane living life without knowing."
"And he says."
"I wish that I could be like the cool kids, 'cause all the cool kids they seem to fit in. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, 'cause all the cool kids they seem to get it. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids."
"Aaah, ahhhh, aaah, ahhhh," all four sung beautifully.
"And they say, I wish that I could be like the cool kids, 'cause all the cool kids they seem to fit in. I wish that I could be like the cool kids…"
"Like the cool kids…"
"I wish that I could be like the cool kids, 'cause all the cool kids they seem to fit in. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, 'cause all the cool kids they seem to get it. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids…"
"Whoa-o-o-oh. Whoa-o-o-oh. Whoa-o-o-oh," the girl sung, her voice strong and vibrant. "Like the cool kids…"
The music stopped, and the people immediately cheered. Clapping almost deafened the eardrums as people shifted to throw money into their worn down guitar case. Even James gave his daughter a few coins to throw in. "Thank you everyone, and round of applause to Kara!" the leader spoke cheerfully.
There was another round of clapping, until the crowd slowly began to disperse again.
My gaze lingered on the four Spirits for a few moments longer though as the leader walked up to the girl and placed his hand on her shoulder, saying "You did well Kara. Joker would be proud of you."
Kara blushed and rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Thank you Sir. That means a lot to me."
The boy smiled warmly, tapping his shoulder where an orange hyena badge laid. "I'll see you at the Stitching Ceremony, young Kara," he soothed.
Her eyes shot open in shock, and she stuttered "R-Really? Y-You think I'm ready?"
He smiled, and the two other boys stood at his side. I noticed though, that the two back up's had a different badge to the first boy. Theirs was an orange musical note, and the girl didn't have one at all.
"Of course," he replied warmly. "You deserve it."
Kara was over the moon, strangling her leader in a tight embrace and proceeding to hug each of the other members after him. "Thank you! Thank you!" she exclaimed with glee.
"They're good kids," James spoke softly.
I'd forgotten the Doctor was still at my side, jumping at his voice, before he smiled and added "You're a smart person Kanan."
"You know when something's right or wrong," he finished, before walking off with his daughter in his arms.
I watched as the two left, and only once they were out of view did I turn back to the Spirits.
They were celebrating somewhat, the leader placing his guitar to the side as Kara pranced around with the other two boys energetically.
And in that moment I saw them for who they were, behind the cloaks.
I saw four, talented, innocent kids.
I knew I didn't have the will to finish my duty now.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out from the crowd and approached the Spirits carefully.
The leader was the first to realise me, his body freezing as he snapped his fingers. In a flash the other three had their eyes fixed in my direction, and I stopped in front of their guitar case, gazing over them softly. The first boy rose, holding his arm out as a shield from the other three who had shrunk to behind him nervously. They were all rigid, the leader staring at me intently from behind his hood. I could see his fingers twitching slightly, and it dawned on me the only reason they weren't running was because they were unwilling to leave their hard earned cash.
"We don't want any trouble," the leader started, but his voice cracked a little near the end.
My expression softened, and I bent down next to the case. "Hey!" the girl snapped, before the leader stepped forward and snarled "Don't touch that!"
I glanced up at him, but he shrivelled back almost immediately, his confidence wearing thin. I sighed deeply, before pulling out my wallet and dropping a fifty into the case.
Standing, I watched as the four stared at me with wide eyes. Some were confused, but the leader was shocked.
I smiled. "Don't spend it all at once," I teased lightly.
Cautiously, the leader bent down and plucked the note from the rest and held it in the light. The other three craned around him, trying to get a view of the money as his face brightened with glee. Suddenly the four burst out in excitement, the three behind the leader jumping around and punching each other's shoulders in triumph.
The leader glanced up at me, and spoke softly "Thank you Sir… this is so generous of you."
Nodding my head, I said gently "Other officers may not find your music quite as entertaining as me though. You'd better get moving."
The leader took my subtle hint, whistling to the other three and sending them packing up their equipment. They ditched the trash cans but carried off the guitars, violin and money case, running along the rim of the fountain to escape the crowd. The leader was the last of the four, holding the fifty tightly in his grasp as he jumped onto the edge of the fountain.
He was about to run off, but then hesitated. Glancing over his shoulder, he spoke "We can never pay this money back… but maybe one day, if the opportunity rises, we could play a song of your request?"
I smiled and inclined my head. "I look forward to it."
The leader grinned and flashed his pearly white teeth, before twisting around and running away. He was gone within a few seconds, his destination unknown.
I stood there for a little while, staring blankly, before strolling down the street back to the police car. I opened the door and entered the vehicle, before glancing over at Ezra, who was staring back at me with wide eyes. "You… didn't arrest them," he murmured softly.
I smiled slightly and replied "No, I didn't."
He hesitated, before asking "Why?"
"Because," I said, placing my hand on the boy's shoulder warmly. "I saw them through your eyes."
(The song sung by the Spirits is 'Cool Kids' (Acoustic Cover) by Echosmith.)
Super Bomb #4
The Light in the Dark
Remember Me
Lost Chapters
O' Family of Ours
There is no Death, There is the Force
To Mend the Bond
Beasts of Legend
Family Ties