Diamond on a Landmine

~Chapter 1~

"Wakey wakey everyone! Good morning to you! Good morning to you! Good morning to friends! Good morning to you!"

Arthur groaned as Uncle Jack's voice finally woke him up. His back, neck and head hurt. He had slept so awkward, and now he's regretting it. Laying there, Arthur looks up at the bottom of the top bunk. A picture of him and Percy was tapped to the metal. The picture he had seen in the paper that made him lose it. He had swiped it from a copy he had found, wanting something to keep him going while he was off on this crazy adventure. He lost his job, home and old lifestyle just to go after his younger brother. In a way it made him… happy. He still had his old self buried deep inside, under all the joy he had taken for so many years.

After a few minutes, he finally got up. Rubbing his face and letting out a sigh, he grabbed his canteen and drank whatever water was left inside. He sat at the edge of the bed, hands on his knees. This had been his tenth night in Hamlyn. He made sure to pretty much run his way through the Garden District, not wanting to deal with the downers and their hostile personalities. Though, he was sure he'd be back. Knowing Hamlyn, it wouldn't be long before people started to realize that he wasn't really on joy. And everyone knew what would happen if you weren't taking your joy pills.

He shook his head. He hated how his life had become. Of course, he could go back. Start retaking his joy and just tell Miss Byng he had been on holiday. But, if he did that, he wouldn't know what would become of Percy. And he had promised to look after him. So, pushing that thought aside, Arthur stood up and walked over to the ladder. Here goes nothing.

He left the hatch, the night air feeling nice against his skin. He had wanted to check out the Reform Club before he left Hamlyn in search of somewhere else, but seeing as they only opened after 9pm, he had went back to his safe house to rest up. He didn't know how long he'd be out, and he didn't want to be falling asleep on the sidewalk like some hooligan.

Slipping past the bobbies, Arthur made his way down the street, making a few detours in order to stay out of sight. The outside of the large building made him feel so small. He frowned slightly, though walked up to the intercom. He hesitated, but finally pressed the button.

"Hello! Please, hold up your invitation up to the camera!"

"Oh! Um… I don't have one," Arthur confessed, "Just a uh… healthy curiosity as to what this is."

"Ah! Well, it's a very discreet club for people with a particular taste. If you ever get an invitation, though, you should definitely come back!"

And just like that, the woman had left the mic. Arthur stood there, arms crossed as he pondered his next move. An invitation, huh? Well, there was a woman admiring some flowers next to him. She must be a member. Why else would she be breaking Hamlyn's rule and be out after dark if she wasn't a member? And with that thought in mind, Arthur quietly strolled over, putting her into a chokehold and slowly lowering her to the ground as she slipped into unconsciousness. He had apologized as he did this, though assured she would be okay. And after she was out, he checked her over. He smiled when he found an invitation, not feeling too bad about doing that. At least it wasn't for noting!

He went back over to the intercom, pressing the button again.

"Hello! Please, hold up your invitation to the camera!"

This time, Arthur complied and held up the invitation. There was a delighted giggle on the other side.

"Splendid! It's always nice to see new members!"

The metal shutters were lifted and Arthur was allowed inside. The first thing he saw was a bobby dressed in red, eying him as he walked in.

"And what do we have here?" he spoke, his voice sending chills up Arthur's spine. He stood so tall, looking intimidating. And his smile wasn't exactly like the other bobbies. It seemed… more relax and normal. "I'm sorry, but I don't think this is the right place for your kind."

"My kind?!" Arthur was a bit offended at this statement. How dare this man judge him! "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Oooh, feisty," he chuckled, "Just look at yourself. You're so proper."

"At least I don't look like no downer!" he shot back, and this was the only time Arthur had ever seen an officer frown. "Uh… I mean-"

"Downer, eh?!" The man stalked towards him, seeming to just get bigger as he tried to shrink into a ball without causing too much movement. "You really think I look like a downer?!"

"N-no! I didn't mean that!" Arthur's voice went up a couple octaves, his fear showing through. He couldn't fight a bobby. He didn't even have a weapon on him! His last cricket bat broke that morning! But, hearing his voice high made the man laugh.

"Well, listen to you!" He slapped Arthur on the back. "You know, you're a bit cuter when you're scared."

"Thank you?" Arthur looked around to try and escape through the door, but felt his heart sink as he found that the metal shutters blocked his path.

"You're very welcome," The bobby reached forward, going to brush a piece of hair away from Arthur's face. "My name is Rodger, by the way! Rodger Hunt!"

"I-I'm Arthur," Rodger wasted no time in shaking his hand, his grin now starting to resemble the other bobbies.

"Pleasure to meet you, Arthur," The way his name rolled off his tongue made Arthur shiver again. He felt… unsafe. But the warm glove made his hand feel nice. He had been so cold lately. "Now, as much as I like your company, I still do believe that this isn't the place for you."

"Y-yes! I agree!" He wanted nothing more than to get away now. Warmth or not, he felt weird with Rodger around, especially how he was still holding his hand. "I-I should be going before it gets any later!"

And just like that, Rodger had pressed a red button to the right of the wall, the metal shutters lifting up. Arthur practically ripped his hand away, going to speed walk back to the gate, before the bobby had stopped him.

"Oi!" he called out, making Arthur flinch. "I expect to see you back here at 7am sharp! I want to talk to you!"

"S-sure, Rodger! I'll be here!" Like hell he would be! Tonight, he was gathering his things and leaving! If he had read in the newspaper correctly, Maidenholm was just across the bridge, and that was his next stop.

On his way back to the hideout, Arthur sat down on a bench that wasn't near anyone on patrol. He put his head in his hands, taking a deep breath. What in God's name just happened?! Rodger was beyond weird, and what would he want to talk to him for? He felt just a bit sick, actually. A discreet club with a guard like that? Hell, he was happy he didn't get any further than the entrance! Rodger was right, that place wasn't for him. But, as he thought about the bobby, he smiled. Not many of them were too friendly, which he could understand. It was just a bit sad that he took it that far. Maybe if he had been more subtle, he would have considered going back in the morning to talk to him. But, after that display of… weirdness, how could he possibly go back?!

"It's okay, Arthur," he spoke, going to stand up and walk down the street. "Just get back, pack your things and leave. No more staying in Hamlyn!"

It was past midnight by the time Arthur got back to the safe house, and it took him a couple hours to finally leave. He got something to eat, listened to the calming music that played from the radio to ease his mind, then went to work on grabbing things. Medicine, healing balms, food, canteens, joy pills for emergencies, and some bandages. By the time he had everything packed, it was nearly 7am. He quickly grabbed his suitcase, running over to the ladder and exiting the hatch. He had to leave before too many people woke up.

Unbeknownst to him, Rodger was very serious about their "appointment". And when Arthur didn't show up on time, the bobby walked down the street, going to see if he could find the smaller man. He got surprised looks, and was shocked himself to see the same man he was looking for practically running down the street. By the way he was going, he knew exactly where he was headed to. He just smiled. He wouldn't get away from him that easily.