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CHAPTER 5

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A loud bang against the walls makes Jackie jolt awake, shooting up in her bed and clutching her racing heart. She quickly got out of her room to see what was going on, maybe there were under attack… no, what she saw was Hans carrying a bunch of boxes out of the 'guest room' and following Aria who also was carrying a big box.

They were calmly walking while the mercenary chatted amiably not really getting any response but the occasional look or maybe even a slight nod. It amazed Jackie that they were getting along so well and so fast after they had tried to kill each other not so long ago. She couldn't really understand it, but there were also many things she didn't comprehend.

Then Jackie saw an old piece of clothing hanging from one of the boxes. A piece of clothing she hadn't seen in years.- "Hey, wait a minute, what's in the boxes?" -Jackie held a lot of suspicion as to what was in the boxes, feeling already that she might have to confiscate whatever was in there.

"All the crap that was in the room" -the mercenary said and kept walking.

"Crap? Hey, where are you taking them?" -Jackie snapped, darting her eyes between the door and the boxes.

"To the dumpster since I'll be staying in that room. You should really clean up more often. It's a wonder you didn't have pest problem with all the piled up crap" -The green eyed female said while throwing the box out of the window directly over the dumpster outside. It was obvious that she didn't think much of Jackie's organization or cleaning skills.

Hans followed the example and did the same with the boxes he was carrying.

"No! What the hell! Don't throw my crap out like that! Get it out of the dumpster and put it in the storage room downstairs!" -Jackie vehemently argued with a glare- "what gives you the right to just throw that old crap away?!"

"Because it's crap. Old trash" - Aria raised an eyebrow and looked at Jackie with distaste. Then she probably remembered that she was being paid to stay in the place and decided to speak out the situation- "You shouldn't keep all this old crap. It's unhealthy and makes you look like a pack rat or one of those people that keep amassing useless stuff" -

"And why not? Hey, that's not up to you. Now just move them all downstairs into the storage room" -Jackie snapped. She … couldn't. She couldn't throw them away. Those things belonged to her mother and, in the worst case scenario, she would return, find her things missing and assume Jackie pawned them before proceeding to beating her within an inch of her life. The thought made her shiver.- "Just put them in storage in the basement. You are guests, not residences here" - Jackie reminded the both of them" -

"Oh Jackie …" -Aria grinned a grin worth of the Cheshire cat- "You see. As long as you pay me I am here as a resident. As long as he wishes he stays here as a resident too. You have us now and you can't diminish or lighten our presence. You got yourself into this madness and you have us to stop this madness from getting you. Your safe world of normal humans is gone. So get used to it and be prepared to die horribly at any possible moment" - =^_^=

The last sentence sent a frightened shiver down her spine, reminding her of the nightmare she could not remember. But for some odd reason her words resonated with her, bringing up that same fear and terror she felt in that dream.

" J… just put all that crap into the basement. I'm going out to buy a drink" -Jackie huffed as she grabbed her wallet and walked out the door. She'll have to check the dumpster when she got home to make sure they didn't throw anything out. Which they would probably do anyways.

"I won't. Some of those are completely eaten out by moths. Oh! And bring me some green tea, please!" -The mercenary called at Jackie's back.

Jackie trotted down the sidewalk towards the nearby mini market that specialized in sweet food and sometimes imported products. They might have the green tea but she wasn't sure. Jackie paused by the next building, looking back to her shop now housing two psychos. She probably shouldn't leave them alone in there but she needed to get out of that stupid house for a bit.

A few blocks later she walked into the shop, going to the soda machine in the back and grabbing herself some sweet tea and glanced at the choices, seeing green tea among the rest. Ugh. Jackie hoped this tea tasted like crap for the mercenary. Jackie walked over and filled a Big Gulp full of the green tea and headed over to the counter to pay.

Right before paying, a man with a hoodie that had some bunny ears at the top got near Jackie. He had long and sleek black hair that obscured his pale face as much as the hoodie covered the tattoos that had a day of the death art style, and that went on his skin up to his neck. Jackie stopped, making sure she's in sight of the cashier as she turned to face the man. He had Hazel with pale grey outline around the irises and his grin was quite big and creepy and he seemed to be in his 20's or 30's. She noticed him tailing her to the store and that's why she dropped into the store closer rather than the better one another block down. Is he planning to rob her right in the store? The man paused, staring at her as she stared him down with a firm look that basically said 'you-try-anything-funny-and-I'm-fighting-like-a-hellcat' face.

The man smiled with amusement at her attempt and at her noticing him. He seemed oddly pleased and stood back in line behind Jackie, way too close for comfort, while holding a bag of candy in his hand. Jackie felt her eyebrow twitch slightly in annoyance. ("Pest")

"Who the hell are you and why are you tailing me, creep?"- Jackie venomously snapped at him. It's best to let the potential thief know she was on to him. It will deter him from trying anything funny with her.

"Tailing you? I just happened to be going on the same way ... or is it I who led you here?"- He smiled in an even creepier way.

"And keeping the same distance from me the entire time walking even when I slowed down to let you pass by?" -She snapped. She was observant and he was absolutely under her radar of suspicion. He's probably from a few blocks down trying to make some easy cash by robbing a young woman or the elderly if he gets the chance. But those tattoos don't seem to belong to any low gang in the area. He might be a newbie stretching his arms in Mario's territory but that's a dangerous thing to do.

"Perhaps you were the one moving at the pace I set?" -The man said, his smile creepy as hell.

"Please don't stand so close to me" - Jackie said, still not believing a word he said. Every word out of his mouth is just pissing her off.

Before the strange man could say anything else, a voice called out- "Miss Penske. This man isn't bothering you, is he?" -An officer by the last name of Michaels, as labeled appropriately by his nametag, appeared to rescue her from the discomforting situation. A police officer surely would deter the creeper.

"Yes officer, he is" -Jackie said, stepping back and heading to the counter to let the officer deal with the creep. She'll thank him in a minute.

The man puts his candy on the other counter and paid before Jackie, getting the transaction done at the same time as Jackie. And as if this hadn't been anything he turned to her- "I apologize miss if my behavior startles you. It's just in my nature" -He said with an overly dramatic bow that made the bunny ears of the hoodie fall in front of his face. Then he turned around and left the store.

"What a creep" - -Jackie said as the officer let out a faint laugh.

"It's the weird ones you need to take in stride. The normal ones are actually the scariest" -The officer said, cracking the joke that made Jackie's lip twitch up. He's funny.

"True enough" -She shrugs as she started getting out her money to pay before the officer put down a ten dollar bill on the counter. Jackie blinked, more troubled than puzzled.

"What are you doing paying for me?" -Jackie asked, surprised by the officer's actions. The hell? What does he want?

The officer was surprised by her being surprised, but he assumed it was to be expected after the little incident and because she had been in a dangerous environment for a while with all those incidents recently. But the least he could do was being nice to her and showed that policemen were there to help. -"I apologize for that man's rude behavior. I saw him earlier and did not step in until I saw him enter the shop behind you. I could have prevented some anxieties but did not take the measures to do so. And for that, I apologize" -He said with a smile as he took the drinks and offered the sweet tea to her while holding the green tea- "Let me walk you home" -

"Thank you but it's not necessary" -Jackie said, bothered that the officer paid for the drinks. He wants something but she couldn't figure out what exactly he wanted.

"Maybe not, but then see it as me doing my job. There had been a few disappearances in the area and rumors of civilians going missing" - The officer looked really bothered and worried.

Jackie considered that some of those might as well be her fault as her heart skipped a beat with worry.- "Y-Yeah? Like who?"

"We are not sure … in the burned factory we found" - He stopped in mid-sentence, pausing.

"You can tell me. I see worse on the news" - Jackie said, curious to what the police knew about the case so far. - "And I would appreciate it if you did tell me, officer. There was an older man who went missing not too long ago" - Jackie said, taking a sip of her drink.

"By dental records we've found the identities of people mostly in this area of the neighborhood. I caution you to please be careful while out and about doing your business and to avoid walking around at night"

Jackie cussed mentally. She hadn't thought of dental records. - "Fire? You mean that big factory fire a dozen blocks down?" -Jackie asked in a too 'cutesy' voice for her liking. Relax, she reminded herself. If she didn't loosen up she'd blow her cover.

"Er, yes" - The officer said with a stiff nod, making the right turn to her street. The move made her walk a little slower as she cautiously eyed the officer.

"You know where my work and house is?" -Jackie asked, a little suspicious. Could he have been part of the group that's using the police as a cover? Is he using me? The officer looked away with slightly pink ears.

"Well, as an officer of this section I must be aware of all the businesses involved and their owners. You caught my attention over the others due to your young age and taking over the family business so early on."

"Not that I had much choice, but thank you." - Jackie said with a stiff voice. This is unnerving.

The officer smiled kindly. - "Then let us go"

During their way back they chat with calm and for the first time in a while, Jackie enjoyed the trip around the neighborhood. However, just when they were nearing Jackie's place they spied a patrol car in front of her shop. She looked up, seeing the police officers walking out of her shop before they noticed Jackie and the officer walking towards them.

( Uh … what were they doing in my shop? )

"Well done Robert!" -The officer that came out of the shop said with a grin as he headed over to them.

"Um … thank you? What did I do well?" -Officer Michaels asked, just as confused as Jackie was.

"Jackie Penske, if you would, we would like you to come to the station for questioning regarding the arson of a police branch stationed there. If you refuse I will get a warrant and return" - The other officer said with folded arms and a firm expression.

"What?!" -Both Jackie and officer Michaels shouted.

"Robert, you didn't read the files today? How negligent. But since you're a newbie I'll let it pass" - The officer sighed as he opened the car door for Jackie. - "Now, what's it going to be young lady?"

Jackie considered her options and got up in the car, and not long after she nervously fidgeted in an interrogation room of the kind of all classical low budget movies.

Officer Michaels leaned against the wall, looking uncomfortable and staring at her after reading the reports while the other officer, named Thompson, was sitting in the chair and glaring at her. His complete attitude made a complete 180 and it made Jackie wonder what happened while she was being transported here by them.

"What were you doing on the night the station went up in flames?"- Officer Thompson started rather straightforwardly and harsh, making Jackie pause at his ferocity before answering.

So … good cop bad cop then? Jackie stared into his eyes, seeing the true hatred and anger burning him up from the inside out. Holy crap. -"I was in my shop, of course. I'm always there working or cleaning up" - Jackie assured.

"And at any point and time did you happen to go out? Take a stroll through the park, say, or maybe to the pub with your friends" - He asked with a seemingly calm demeanor but that so called calmness only made Jackie literally feel the storm that was about to hit.

"Other than for some fresh air, no. The shop needed to be cleaned up and organized" - Jackie firmly answered. This isn't a random pick up. They have something that puts her in the area at one point of the night.

"And how long did this walk take? Call up your significant other, tell them it will be five minutes which of course, of course we know turns into five hours!" -He shouted with a barking laugh, making Jackie jump. Okay, now I know something is off.

"Um … is everything alright, Officer?"- Jackie asked, glancing up at Officer Michaels and seeing him slightly shrug his shoulders while cautiously eyeing his partner.

"Shouldn't we have to tell her about her situation?"- Officer Michaels interrupted, trying to steer him in the right direction again.

"Oh, but of course we should! After all, who likes to be left in the dark?"- He said with a laugh before turning his attention back to a stiff and very uneasy Jackie. This interrogation is weird and the guy seems pretty mentally unstable. Thompson took the remote control to set play to a recording in the small TV of the room. - "Then maybe this will jog your memory"

Jackie watched the footage of a gas station, trying to concentrate amongst the impatient tapping of the man's foot against the ground. She watched as she quickly crossed the lot in full view of the cameras. Her eyes widened before she took a cool gaze again. (Crap.) Jackie took a deep breath before sighing.

"I run a shop with cars. For the elderly clients I add a few gallons to their gas tank to help them out here and there" - Jackie truthfully said.

Without warning the officer's arm shot out, grabbing the collar on her shirt before his other hand slapped her across the face. What the-?! Completely shocked at his actions she didn't have time to resist as he yanked her forward and smacked her head against the table.

"George, what in God's name are you doing?!" Officer Michaels demanded as he grabbed the older cop's arm and tried to rip him back. The officer's grip remained firm on Jackie's shirt until Officer Michaels twisted the older cop's arm, forcing him to drop Jackie and clamber to the ground with Officer Michaels on top.

Jackie stumbled back and held her head, breathing hard as two other officers rushed in to help restrain the elderly man and not even a minute after, the head honcho of the police station walked in, observing the situation and pulling Jackie to her feet. She shakily stood up, startled by the sudden police brutality. She knew the laws pretty well and that alone warranted for a lot of nasty things against him. But what in the world just triggered him to do something like that?

"I'm sorry miss" - He said while brushing her shoulders. - "I deeply apologize for officer Thompson's behavior. I assure you measures will be taken, but please allow me to take you to the hospital for a checkup" - He offered, clearly wanting to take her out of the situation and away from Thompson before looking at the other officers who took the abusive man away.

Jackie took a step back.- "No thank you. I just want to go home"

The chief remained silent a couple seconds, studying her with a concerned frown. He clearly was worried about his officers and not so much about her; he's probably already thinking up a huge list of lawyers in case Jackie decided to press charges.

"Very well miss. You may go. Can I have you be driven to your place?" -He offered.

"Showing up at the shop from a police car won't look too good for me. Walking is just fine" - Jackie said, setting her hand over her nose. Ouch. It doesn't feel broken but it's definitely sore as hell and is going to hurt tomorrow.

"If you insist" - The chief said with a nod, holding the door open. - "I will escort you out. Officer Roberts, go check on your partner" - The chief said with a rather stern voice, controlling his temper pretty well.

"Right away sir" - Officer Robert said with a sharp nod, standing at attention as Jackie got a peek at his stiffened back and firm expression. Woof woof man in uniform~ no, no. Home, I need home now. Jackie rubbed her eyes as the chief brought her to the front door, telling her to call the station if any trouble arises from their presence earlier in her shop. Jackie waved him no and quickly went on her way, pausing as she saw the same creepy man as before that had followed her. A shiver crawled down her spine as she stared at the bunny hoodie, now with a missing eye and the other improperly sewn onto the hood of it. The man caught her eye and winked as he popped some candy in his mouth, turning and walking away.

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For those of you who have read the stories in the 'Heart no kuni no Alice' fandom, yes, it's peekodeemeko's OC 'Jackie' , but it's not exactly the same 'Aria' as this is a different time, more like a version of her in a different time, perhaps even an ancestor.