Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or anything associated with the Inheritance Series.
Claimer: I, SussieKitten, own this plot and the story. Borrow or steal my plot, my original characters (Axel) or story and I will report you. I also own my version of Saphira/Thorn's human appearances.
Warnings: Slash/Shōnen-ai – meaning mild guy x guy action. Swearing or strong language. Hurt/Injuries – a character or two will get hurt. If any of this disturbs you, click on the "back" button. I won't tolerate any flames.
A/N Thank you to everyone who reviewed and put this story on their alert and/or favourite! It really warms me that people like this slightly out of character story of mine. There is as always a vocabulary at the bottom of the chapter, just in case.
And last but not least, a huge thanks to my beta dragonrider713! You are the best!
RED HAZE
Part Two; Eradication
(06.29 PM - Monday 5th of May. Outside of Slogum's Gas Station in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
"I'll see you tomorrow, Arya!" Eragon called as he walked out of the station.
The black haired woman just waved as the doors closed automatically.
Eragon slung on his favourite brown hooded jacket and adjusted the bag he was carrying. He had had the shift just after school that day, and hadn't had the time to leave his things at the apartment. But that didn't bother him.
Eragon searched around in his pocket for his MP3 when someone tapped him lightly on the shoulder. He looked around, proud of himself that he didn't jump like he would have done the week before.
"Excuse me, are you Eragon Rider?"
The brunet frowned. The man before him had the face of a homeless man. Oily red hair hung around his face and his lips were slightly chapped. His silvery grey eyes seemed to be unblinking as he looked at Eragon. But his body spoke of him being a completely different person. An expensive suit fit a little too tightly and his long white fingers were still gripping Eragon's shoulder.
"Who are you?" Eragon asked instead of answering.
Something was oddly familiar about him. But Eragon had a feeling he didn't want to know what.
"Oh good, it is you." The man said with a creepy sneer. "I'm so glad we've finally found you."
"Found me? What the hell?! I don't know even you!" Eragon said and wrenched himself out of the hold.
"Oh, but you will, Eragon. You will."
The brunet was starting to breathe more heavily. He took several steps away from the man before him. Suddenly he could feel someone coming up behind him. Eragon turned
around and hit the surprised man hard in the face, knocking him to the ground. Pain shot up his arm, but Eragon ignored it. Surviving first, pain later.
"My, oh my. You're quite the fighter aren't you?" The man said and smirked.
"Stay away from me you creep!" Eragon yelled and knotted his hand into a fist again, even if the pain of it nearly made him cry out.
"Now, now, Eragon. If you just come quietly I won't have to hurt you." The red haired man said and his smirk widened. "I wouldn't want to steal that pleasure away from my boss."
"You can tell your boss where to stuff it! I'm not going anywhere!!" The brown eyed teen shouted and crouched down, ready to bolt at any second.
"What a shame. And I was so looking forward to get to know you on the way there."
Eragon felt his eyes widen when the man reached inside his jacket and started to pull out something that suspiciously looked like a gun.
"ERAGON, DUCK!"
Eragon ducked instantly and just barely heard a shot being fired over the beating of his own heart.
He heard the other man curse and fire towards whoever was trying to help him.
"GET OUT OF HERE, ERAGON!" The same voice yelled again.
Eragon didn't waste another minute and bolted out of there as fast as he could. He heard something fly pass him, but it didn't sound like any bullet he had heard before. The brunet forced himself to focus only on running, blocking everything else out.
He flew around the corner of the nearest building, ripping up the skin on his bare forearm as he did so. He leaned himself against the wall, fighting desperately to regain his breath. The brunet gripped the bleeding gash, panting harshly because of the pain. He only heard someone coming after him when it was too late to do anything. Eragon was prepared to be knocked out or shot down, but was surprised when a blur grabbed onto his arm and dragged him along. They didn't stop until they reached the bus station, and even then the one holding him didn't let go until they found a dark corner.
Eragon leaned down to hold onto his knees as he fought to slow his breathing. He looked up to find an equally tired and dishevelled Arya, her hair sticking to her face and a strange vest poking out where her sweater had bunched up on her stomach. But what he couldn't stop staring at was the gun in her hand.
"… Arya?" He wheezed out.
The black haired woman panted and stuffed the gun back into the back of her pants, pulling down her sweater to keep it hidden. She ran a hand through her hair before starting to look over Eragon. She instantly noticed the gash and started to fuss over it.
"Does it hurt much?" She asked as she checked the injury.
"I'm fine. Arya, what the fuck's going on?!"
Arya sighed and leaned heavily onto the brick wall behind her.
"I suppose you deserve some answer." She said sombrely. "I'm actually an undercover cop. I was assigned to check on every teenager that matched the description of possible murder victims. That led me to you."
Eragon ran a hand over his forehead, brushing away the worst of the hair that had been stuck there. The other hand he made sure was holding around the wound that was slowly starting to throb in sync with his heart.
"… What?" He asked meekly.
Arya pulled out a badge from her deep pockets. Eragon felt his eyes widen yet again when he found read his friend's name on it with the word Detective in front of it.
"You're… you're serious?"
Arya nodded gravely.
"And it was good that I decided to stay close to you." She said. "It appears that Galbatorix is after you."
Eragon felt himself sink to the ground.
"Me? The Galbatorix, the gang leader, is after me?" He asked disbelievingly.
"Well, if I am to believe Durza for once in his shady life, he is." Arya said and crouched down beside Eragon. "And seeing as Durza is Galbatorix's right hand man, I do."
"But… I'm just a kid!" Eragon exclaimed. "What could he possibly want with me?!"
"That's a job for the team downtown." Arya said and got up. "But right now my job is to get you safe. Let's get you back to your apartment. We need to make sure Saphira's safe."
--RED.HAZE--
(07.02 PM - Monday 5th of May. Inside the Police Department in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Nasuada ran into the briefing room, her blouse dishevelled and hair falling out of her ponytail. She had a slightly panicked look in her eyes.
"I have some good news and some bad news, Captain." She said and only gazed briefly at the other occupants in the room.
Murtagh stood up from his seat, instantly on alert.
"The good is that we've found the kid we think Galbatorix is after." Nasuada said and bit her lip. "The bad is, so has the Forsworn."
"Damnit!" Murtagh exclaimed and knotted his fists tightly to keep himself from hitting something.
"Is the kid safe?" Ajihad asked worriedly.
"Yes. Our agent managed to intercept what would have been a successful kidnapping."
Ajihad let out a relieved breath.
"We need to move him to a safe-house immediately." The Captain said and folded his hands under his chin.
"Are we sure this is the right kid?" Vanir asked and leaned back into his seat.
Nasuada sent the man a dark glare.
"Durza came for him personally." She practically growled.
Vanir wasn't the only one who looked surprised by the news.
"Who is he?"
All eyes moved to Murtagh. The dark brunet had moved over to the list of victims, where the teenager from the day before had just been added. He shut his eyes and scowled.
"His name is Eragon Rider. He's nineteen and a student at the college here." Nasuada said as she took her seat. "What is a bit strange is that we can't find any connections to Galbatorix what so ever."
"Maybe Durza got the wrong kid then." Vanir said with a snort. "Wouldn't be the first time."
Murtagh was instantly before him, dragging him up by his tie and was sneering down at him.
"Shut up you little maggot. Those victims deserve some respect." He snarled before pushing Vanir back harshly.
Ajihad sent Murtagh a firm look to which Murtagh responded by sitting back down. Thorn lowered himself back into his seat.
"Even if Rider is not the boy Galbatorix originally wants, he's officially a target." Thorn spoke calmly. "We have to get him to a safe-house."
"By doing that we could be scaring the shit out of a teenager for no reason." Vanir drawled. "That undercover guy of yours, is his cover blown?"
"Not necessarily. Many stores have a gun beneath the register. But then we have to assume that Galbatorix is willing to believe that story, which is highly unlikely." Nasuada said and shot a glare in the blue eyed man's direction. "He's not stupid."
"Then we don't need to move him just yet." Vanir said with an uncaring shrug. "Put another agent on this kid. If Galbatorix is truly after him, he'll strike again. Then we can move him."
Nasuada shot up from her chair, clearly ready to yell a hole in Vanir's head, but a hand from the Captain silenced her.
"Detective Therr might have a point here." Ajihad said and leaned forward. "We don't know Galbatorix plans yet. We can't move too quickly. We will have another agent watch over Eragon Rider and hope he truly isn't the one Galbatorix is looking after."
"And if he is?" Murtagh asked.
Ajihad locked his gaze on the hazel eyed man.
"Then we move in immediately and get him to safety."
Murtagh stood up calmly, his blank of emotions. He gathered his papers and put them under his arm.
"For your sake then, sir; I hope that won't be too late."
Murtagh gave a slight nod to the Captain before turning on his heel and walking out of the room.
--RED.HAZE--
(07.59 PM - Monday 5th of May. Inside Eragon and Saphira's shared apartment in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
"Mhmm… Alright. I'll report back to you later."
Eragon listened with only one ear as Arya got off the phone she had been talking into for the past half hour. His forearm had been wrapped up almost as soon as they had stepped inside the apartment. He now sat with his head in his hands, a distraught Saphira wringing her hands in her lap beside him.
"Alright, that was my contact inside the police." Arya said and sighed. "They've decided not to move the two of you yet."
"WHAT!?" Saphira exclaimed and shot to her feet.
"Calm down, Saph. Let me explain." The black haired woman and tucked the phone away in her pocket.
"Please do." Eragon muttered and rubbed a hand over his face. "Explain to me why the police just told me they don't give a shit what happens to me."
"They aren't saying that, Eragon." Arya stressed and forced him to look up and at her as she spoke. "Galbatorix is looking for someone, obviously, and they think he believes it's you. But that doesn't mean you are, according to them anyway."
"That guy, that Durma or whatever his name was, he frigging knew my name!!" The brunet exclaimed loudly. "How could he have known that hadn't he been looking for me!?"
"I'm on your side here, Eragon. I saw the guy Durza had with him." The green eyed female said with a frustrated breath. "He meant business."
"Are you trying to scare him even more??" Saphira asked harshly.
"I'm telling him the truth." Arya said seriously. "He needs to know what's in store for him. Those other boys were easy targets; they didn't know that someone was after them. At least Eragon has a chance to prepare himself."
Saphira calmed down noticeably and continued to once again wring her hands, the anxiety taking over for the previous anger.
"Well then, what can I do? Other than to put a sign around my neck, saying that: No, my name is NOT Eragon Rider. Please find someone else to maim and kill."
Arya sent him a tired glare.
"I'm doing this for you, Eragon. The team has agreed to put another undercover agent on you, so that you'll be more protected." She said and Eragon could see she had to hold in just how frustrated she was.
Eragon wisely shut his mouth. He looked away an in the process almost missed Arya's whispered sentence.
"This was Therr's idea for sure."
"What?" Saphira asked with a small frown.
"Nothing." Arya sighed. "He's going to meet us at the gas station tomorrow, the other agent. Which reminds me… I need to call in an attempted robbery and assault."
"Huh?" Saphira and Eragon asked in one voice.
"Eragon was attacked outside of the gas station. If I want to make sure my cover isn't blown, I need to do some damage control." The dark haired female said and flipped out her phone, punching a number and holding it to her ear before the others could even blink. "Yes, I'd like to report an attempted assault."
Eragon just stared blankly at the female as she stood up and started to pace around in the apartment.
"Eragon, are you sure you're okay?" Saphira asked softly.
The brunet clenched the hand that had hurt earlier. It felt just fine. Then again, it could be because of the gash he had gotten while escaping was hurting like hell. The body tended to focus on the major pains when someone had multiple injuries after all.
"Yeah." He mumbled finally.
"Eragon, we need to get back to Slogum's. The police are on their way there." Arya said as she picked up her gun and stuffed it back into the back of her pants.
"… Should you have a belt or something for that?" Eragon asked.
Arya looked up with a small snort.
"And let everyone know I'm a cop? Yeah, that's the way to keep my identity hidden." She said and rolled her eyes. "I have a standard harness to put it in at home, but I can't wear a jacket in his weather, so that was a no-go."
The brunet nodded softly.
"Let's go then. We need to get there before the police."
Eragon got up and put on the sweater from earlier back on. He knew from the looks Arya were sending him that he couldn't look like he had been at home in the mean-time. It would be two hours since that guy, Durza or whatever, had showed up when they arrived at the gas station. That in itself was suspicious enough.
"Ah, Saphira, can I ask for a small favour?" Arya asked just as they were about to leave.
"Anything." Saphira said and stood up.
"Go down to the department and give them that note from me. I feel like yelling at someone, however indirectly it may be." The black haired female said and left the apartment with a final wink.
Eragon saw his friend pick up the hastily scribbled note Arya had put together earlier before he left himself.
"Be careful, Eragon!"
"You too!" Eragon called back before running after Arya.
He really couldn't believe how crazy his life had gotten. Any minute he was about to wake up and realise it all had been a dream. At least, that was what he hoped.
--RED.HAZE--
(09.16 PM - Monday 5th of May. Inside the Police Department in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
"Murtagh, the meeting is going to start without you."
Murtagh groaned. Somehow he had fallen asleep on the mattered couch inside the break room. But at that moment that couch had felt feather soft and too good to be true. It was understandable then that he was unwilling to be dragged away from his much needed rest.
"Let it." Murtagh said huskily and turned to fall asleep again.
Thorn was instantly beside him, shaking him thoroughly awake.
"Fuck, Thorn. I hate you." Murtagh grumbled and got to his feet.
"You've slept for almost an hour already. Anymore and you won't be able to sleep tonight." Thorn scolded and dragged the other man to his feet.
Murtagh slapped the hand away, straightened out his shirt and picked up his harness and gun from the nearby table. He put it on and strapped the gun to its place.
"Lead the way, old buddy." The hazel eyed man said and straightened his posture.
Thorn snorted and led them to the room that was starting to become all too familiar lately. Both men sat down at their places once they entered. Murtagh was surprised to see a blonde female, looking to be no older than twenty, speaking quietly with the Captain. Ajihad nodded and the girl sat down beside Nasuada.
"A civilian?" Vanir snorted.
"Since you so carelessly brushed away the idea of moving Mr Rider and his closest to a safe-house, I thought it would be nice if Ms Drake here at least heard what she could do to make sure she was safe." Nasuada said icily.
Vanir rolled his eyes and looked away. Murtagh suddenly had an unusually strong urge to punch Vanir in his pretty-boy face.
"Then tell her already. This isn't some half-assed TV show where anyone can just watch."
Thorn jumped up to hold down Murtagh who had been on his way out of his chair, murderous intents gleaming in his eyes. Murtagh really couldn't believe his colleague. If Vanir said one more degrading word about the victims or Drake and her friend, Murtagh would kick him back to the Stone Age!
"Detective Therr, I suggest you watch what you're saying. I can't be responsible for everyone's actions at all times, especially Morann's." Ajihad said in a warning tone.
Vanir only nodded curtly to his boss. To Murtagh he sneered.
"Now Ms Drake, if you could follow Detective Black into another room she'll explain what you can do to make you and Mr Rider feel safer."
The blonde girl nodded and Nasuada steered her out of the room. The dark haired woman sent a vicious glare in Vanir's direction before closing the door. Murtagh admired her for not slamming it behind her. He surely would have done so in her place.
"Back to the case. I've decided that we will have Mr Elve watch over Mr Rider and his closest." The Captain said and folded his hands.
"What?! The intern?" Vanir asked loudly. "He hasn't taken his exam and is hardly qualified to go undercover. Especially on a case like this."
Murtagh for once found himself agreeing with Vanir, something that quite disturbed him.
"I can see where you disagree, Therr. Unfortunately Axel Elve is our only option." Ajihad sighed tiredly. "You aren't qualified to go undercover, I need to stay at the station as a Captain, Marron is far too easily recognized and Morann has a reputation. He's our only option without bringing in another agent. And think of it like this Detective Therr, no one knows Elve is an officer. He's the perfect man for this case."
The blue eyed man fell silent. But Murtagh could see he was still fuming for having been overlooked so easily. And while Murtagh himself could see Ajihad's points and agreed on them, he still wasn't ready to allow an intern to do such a job.
"Sir, you can't be serious. What about Black, can't she go?"
Ajihad focused his eyes on the pale man. He raised an eyebrow just as the door opened.
"I can't go either Murtagh." Nasuada said softly. "I'm the only contact our undercover agent currently has. It would be far too risky for her."
Murtagh sighed.
"Her? Are you saying that the agent out there, the only one watching out for this kid, is a female?!"
Nasuada growled loudly.
"That is correct, Therr. The agent is female. Do you have a problem with female agents?" She hissed.
Vanir for once in his life held his tongue.
"Didn't think so." Nasuada said icily.
"Settle down everyone." Ajihad said sternly. "I won't allow any bloodshed within our group."
"The only thing that bothers me sir is Axel's relationship with our agent. Won't it be too transparent for Galbatorix?" Nasuada asked worriedly.
Murtagh frowned.
"It might, but it's a risk we have to take. Unless you can take Elve's place, Detective Marron?" The Captain asked.
Thorn shook his head.
"I trust your judgement, sir." He said simply. "And you're right. I'm far too easily spotted."
"Then why doesn't Mr Hot-Stuff go?" Vanir drawled. "Or is he too afraid of big bad Galby?"
Murtagh snarled.
"I can name a handful of people on the street that don't or won't recognize me." He said darkly. "As much as I would like to take the post myself, I can't for the sake of this case. Unlike you Therr, I want this kid to make it out of this hell alive."
"Morann." Ajihad raised his voice slightly, the warning note in it more clear now.
Murtagh leaned back from the table, a neutral expression on his face.
"Then it's decided. Elve will watch over Mr Rider until we're sure Galbatorix is truly after him. For his sake, let's hope this stake-out will be in vain."
--RED.HAZE--
(03.09 PM - Tuesday 6th of May. Inside Slogum's Gas Station in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Eragon changed his bandage the next morning while desperately trying not to stare at the gash. It was slowly healing, but that didn't mean it wasn't still slightly bleeding or looked a little bad.
He only had morning classes that day, the same with Saphira, so they decided to leave for work together. Eragon threw on a long-sleeved black sweater under the green t-shirt he usually wore for work before leaving with Saphira. He and the blonde parted at the bus station and agreed to see each other at the apartment later.
He met up with Arya at the gas station for the afternoon shift and waited for the other undercover cop to arrive.
"Who is this guy anyway?" Eragon mumbled ten minutes into their shift.
Arya gave the change to a sugar-hyped teenager and wished him a good day. Then she turned to Eragon with a slight eye roll.
"He's my brother. And he can't be early or on time even if he got a million dollars." She said tiredly. "But he's good at what he does."
"That's why your team chose him?" The brunet asked as he leaned onto the counter.
Arya looked away and didn't answer. Eragon opened his mouth to ask her another question, but was interrupted. Just then someone had burst through the door; though how someone could do that with sliding doors was a mystery to Eragon. The male just barely managed to avoid tripping over the newspaper-stand and crashing into the first row in front of the register.
"Axel is in the house!" The blond male exclaimed loudly as he righted himself.
Eragon forced himself not to sweatdrop like an anime character. The male before him had blond hair styled up in a Mohawk with green and black stripes occasionally peaking out. He looked like he hadn't really bothered to check himself before going out that morning, though that didn't mean he looked horrible. He would have looked handsome to Eragon if he hadn't been so loud and so... strange.
"Axel." Arya said with a slight hint of displeasure. "Must you do that every time?"
"'Course my dear sis." The blond male said and grinned. "I've gotta make sure people know who they're dealing with."
Eragon felt himself pale. Did he just call Arya his sister? But that meant...
"So, you must be Eragon, ey?" Axel said and smirked. "It's a pleasure meeting you. If only it were under different circumstances."
Eragon felt his right eye begin to twitch.
"This is the guy who's supposed to look after me?" The brunet drawled in a low voice. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Sorry mate, I ain't kidding you."
Eragon glared at the sheepish looking female beside him.
"You're telling me they've allowed someone like him to graduate without punching some maturity in him?" Eragon hissed.
"I haven't graduated yet, so they still have a chance." Axel said and laughed.
Eragon felt his eyes widen and then narrow. Suddenly he felt like he was canalizing Saphira, knowing almost instinctively how she'd act.
"Arya, we're going downtown. I've got some bastards I'd like to thank for sending this moron to look after me."
Before Arya could answer, Axel had slapped a hand loudly onto the top of the counter. Eragon raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement.
"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover. You happen to be looking at the top of the class, and I've been included in the investigation of these murders since day one." Axel said gravely in a half-whisper. "I may look like an idiot at times, but I know my shit. And I'm packing. No son-of-a-bitch is taking you on my watch."
With that said, Axel pulled aside his jacket to show a gun hanging below his left arm. Eragon couldn't stop staring at it, even after Axel zipped the hooded jacket up.
"Ah." Eragon breathed. "Sorry dude. I was just a little shocked when I first saw you."
"It's okay." Axel said, his green eyes twinkling merrily. "You've been through some tough shit. I can understand your need to be sceptical and all that. I'd be like that too had I met Durza face to face."
Arya sent her younger brother a glare.
"Don't remind him." She hissed before murmuring more softly. "But at least they brought you up to speed."
Axel nodded enthusiastically.
"Though, I have to say there were two faces that could have been more pleased with me taking this gig." He mused.
"I don't even need to guess." The black haired female muttered under her breath.
Axel laughed.
"I'm not even going to ask." Eragon said and ran a hand miserably through the longer parts of his hair.
"Best not." Axel agreed. "If you're lucky though, you might be able to meet the crew once this mess is over."
"But what's important now is that you and I don't seem like cops, Axel." Arya whispered. "We have to make sure we're not giving Galbatorix any more reasons to suspect we're onto him."
Axel nodded gravely.
"So, from now on Eragon buddy, we're best mates!" The blond said and looped an arm around Eragon's neck, bringing their foreheads together.
Eragon scowled into Axel's face before effectively pushing him away.
"Just so you know Axel, I'm not interested in getting a boyfriend." He drawled before moving into the back to get... well, to get something.
Arya was still sniggering when he came back out.
"Then how about a fuck-buddy?" Axel asked huskily when Eragon stepped back into his place.
Eragon answered that with reaching over and slapping the back of the blond's head.
--RED.HAZE--
(09.59 PM - Wednesday 7th of May. Inside Murtagh's apartment in Carvahall, Alagaësia)
Murtagh was far from pleased. The boss himself had chased him home that day, saying that he needed to sleep. Nonsense. The couch in the break room was becoming quite comfortable. Why did he need to go home and sleep when he could do it there? He just needed to go home to shave and change; more was just wasting time that he didn't have.
The hazel eyed man checked his face critically for any hairs he may have missed while shaving. Finding none he dragged a hand through his hair and pulled on a t-shirt that had seen better days. Well, if he couldn't work at the station then he just had to do it at home.
Murtagh sat down on his couch, picking up a random file from the coffee table. He hadn't bothered to count, but he would guess there were about a dozen files hiding the surface of his table from view. But he consoled himself with the thought that at least his office desk was more packed.
He sighed tiredly. No matter how hard he looked, there truly was no connection between Eragon Rider and Galbatorix, not even to one of his known members! At least there had been a small or barely there connection between the other victims and the Forsworn, be it that they had murdered a member of their family before or that they knew a member of the gang. This time however, there were no connections whatsoever! Eragon's mother, Selena Rider, had married Brom Teller but hadn't taken his name. They had had a son one year into their marriage. Selena had been a waitress at a local restaurant Murtagh actually had been to a couple of times. Brom had owned an antique store. After they had both died the store had been taken over by Brom's first assistant and Eragon had been placed with his Uncle Garrow Fram and Garrow's son Roran.
Murtagh frowned. He flipped the pages back to Eragon's parents. Selena had indeed gone under the name Rider, he hadn't read wrong. But it was then strange that Garrow, her brother, used a different surname. The hazel eyed man picked up another file and flipped it open. Garrow and Selena's parents had been named Fram as well. Apparently she had changed her name. But for what reason?
Murtagh put down the file and picked up Selena's. She had been born and had grown up in Carvahall. She had gone to the local college and had taken a culinary exam. She could have started her own restaurant judging by her scores and grades in school, but instead she started to work at the popular restaurant Varden. But Murtagh found himself frowning when he looked a bit closer. There was a two year gap between she left college and when she started to work. During that time she must have met Brom since she married him only a few weeks later. But there were no papers or records on her during that time. It seemed like Selena had just vanished.
He was instantly at his feet and reaching for his phone. But he stopped himself just before he started to dial. He could imagine how the team would react, especially Thorn. They would say he was obsessing. At least Thorn could empathize, but he would get nowhere with this little discovery so late at night. If he was lucky whoever he called would hang up on him. Murtagh sighed and put down the cordless phone. He flung himself down on the couch again and forced himself to look away from the paperwork before him.
The police radio beside his phone was spitting out messages occasionally but Murtagh hadn't really been paying attention to it. The dark haired man rubbed his hands tiredly over his face. Everything seemed to be getting to him. Suddenly the lamp was radiating too much light, the busy street outside increased in volume, the radio was making his head ache and the silence in the apartment became too loud. Murtagh got to his feet and just barely remembering to grab a jacket before storming out of the apartment. The door's lock slammed into place behind him.
Murtagh stuffed his hands into his pockets and started to walk. He didn't care where he walked as long as he was going somewhere. Familiar buildings passed by and the nearby river could be hear clucking in the background if Murtagh strained his ears enough. The park he had walked by so many times before came up on his right. He continued his tradition and walked yet again away from it.
But as he kept walking thoughts were still swirling in his mind. He tried to force them down, but it wasn't easy. He came to a neighbourhood he hadn't been in before, but knew he had seen in passing a few times. The dark haired male frowned when he could make out a very familiar black and white vehicle hidden in an alley. Murtagh checked that he had his badge with him before walking up to it. He knocked on the window and flashed the badge when the officer in the passenger seat lowered his window.
"Can we help you, Sergeant?"
Murtagh lifted his eyebrow when he heard the other mutter:
"I could have sworn we were the only ones placed on this case."
"I was just passing through." Murtagh replied nonchalantly. "What are you doing out here?"
"Supposedly some gang members have been sighted in the area." The man in the passenger seat answered. "We were asked to check it out."
"Did they ask you to stick around and stick out as well?" Murtagh drawled.
The officer closest to him flushed. It suited his orange red hair very nicely, Murtagh thought amusedly.
"Listen here you punk. Members of the Forsworn have been sighted here." The other officer, who was just beginning to get gray hairs, said.
Murtagh stiffened.
"Where exactly are we at?" He asked coldly.
"At the corner of St. Main's and Brackstone. The bus station is just a ten minute walk from here." The first officer said before his partner could even open his mouth.
Murtagh swore.
"Have you actually seen anyone after getting here?" He asked hastily.
The red haired cop frowned.
"Ah, no. Not even heard a sound. But we've been asked to stay put until we're sure there is no one here."
"Fuck." Murtagh swore loudly. "You two stay here."
"And where do you think you're going?" The elder officer spat.
"Doing my job." Murtagh growled in answer.
He crossed the road without really looking around for approaching vehicles. He stepped onto Brackstone Street and looked around. He instantly found the apartment complex he was looking for and half ran in that direction. Just as he closed in on the entrance it was opened and three people walked out. Murtagh dove into a nearby alley.
Murtagh studied the three people. They all looked to be around twenty. Two were male while the shortest one of them was female. They were huddled a little closely together.
The two shortest of the group stood partly with their backs to him. Murtagh narrowed his eyes slightly and sharpened his ears to listen in.
"Now, don't lose sight of me for even one second." The tallest male said sombrely. "If you do, holler."
"Maybe we shouldn't do this now. I think we should wait for Arya." The female said and hugged herself tightly.
"She said she'll meet us downtown. We really should go as quickly as possible, just in case." The same male said again.
"Why? Couldn't they still be around?" The male in the middle said lowly, so lowly Murtagh had to lean a bit closer to hear him.
"They could, or they could have gone to find more people and could be coming back." The tallest of them all said and shook his head. "We have to leave now."
Murtagh frowned. Something was obviously going on. He leaned forward and accidentally made a soft clang come from the garbage cans behind him. The trio jumped a mile into the air.
"You two go." The tallest male said urgently. "Now."
"Come, Eragon." The female hissed and began to drag the other after her.
Murtagh felt his eyes widen. He had been right about where he had ended up. He swore inwardly.
"Alright, come out and I might not blow your head off."
Murtagh snorted. He knew that voice.
"It's me, you moron." He drawled, but came out with his hands raised in surrender anyway.
The blond male before him blinked. Then he tipped his head back and laughed.
"Taggy!" Axel exclaimed. "I didn't recognize you right away. You don't usually lurk like this, do you?"
"No." Murtagh replied deadpanned. "What are you doing?"
"I'm putting away my piece. I don't want to wave it around too much, yanno." Axel said and winked.
Murtagh sent him a glare.
"No, with the target." He hissed.
Axel sobered up in an instant.
"Someone left him a little message. We're meeting my sis to get it checked out." He whispered.
Murtagh nodded.
"It's from him, isn't it?"
Axel winced.
"Oh yeah." He answered. "That's why we're moving now instead of later. I've gotta go if I'm going to catch up with the ducklings. I can't have them get a too large head start."
Axel turned around and started to walk away. Murtagh saw one his hands slip into his jeans' pocket, close to where he knew Axel kept his gun.
"Don't fuck up." Murtagh murmured after him.
The blond turned around and saluted the elder man.
"I wouldn't dream of it." He mouthed before turning back around and sprinting after the two others.
Murtagh crossed his arms over his chest and glared into the night.
"Fuck." He growled.
Sometimes he really hated it when he was right.
A/N Just to clarify; the thing that zipped past Eragon in the "Durza" scene was a tranquilizer dart. Durza wanted him as unharmed as possible so that Galbatorix could... well, you get the picture, yeah? :sweatdrop: Do ask me if there's something you don't understand!
Secondly I have to say that I'm really sorry for not updating when I said I was going to. I planned on doing it on Tuesday, as a celebration of finally finishing my exams, but things got in my way. But here it is, the day after I officially got out of high school! Woot!
Also, I have a confession to make. By the looks of it, it seems like Red Haze is going to have 8 chapters instead of the original 7. That might bring smiles onto your faces 'cause; yay, SK's posting more! but to me that was a pain in the rear end. Have I mentioned that the story sometimes runs away from me, or simply start to run its own course? Yup, that's what happened.
Anyhow, as you might have noticed, I keep referring to the writing of the story in present-tense. That is because ladies and gentlemen, I haven't actually finished yet! :enter a faint from SK: I posted it ahead of time as a b-day gift to a friend of mine, and I was overly relieved when I was able to map out the end of the fic. Or he would have felt my unspeakable wrath loom over him. :is kinda joking:
But that's about it. Leave me a review if you have any questions regarding the fic, or just to let me know what you what you think of it! Until next week guys!
I know you may already know some of the words, but I'm adding them all just in case.
Police Speak:
Downtown – a slang term used for Police Stations
Safe-house – what the name implies; a house where people who are suspected to be a target is taken for protection. Very few knows the location of these houses and who's in them
Gun harness – the "belt" like thing the cops have around their shoulders and upper back to keep the gun in place under their preferred arm
Stake-out – where the police/bureaus get some of their bad reputation. An operation where they spy on a target or suspect to see what they're doing
Piece – a slang word used for guns