On my Watch
Part I
Jayden descended the singing stairs with relief earned thanks to his self-control that restrained his anger from lashing out at the bully who was enjoying bossing around the two young officers back in the stifling apartment. He continued down stairs while struggling to block out Blake's detested face from his mind eye. He had to, otherwise he was not sure he would not go back inside and give the bossy lieutenant a taste of his fist. To his fortune, he found his rage cool off with the numbing effect of the sorrowful rain that was still pouring. Adjusting the collar of his leather jacket, he gazed above solemnly wondering if the bereaved sky would claim another life tonight before carrying on the deadly mourning ritual again and again. 'Would that make her a killer?' He thought philosophically before whispering, "Not more of a killer than me anyway…" He smiled with the pitiful irony before his eyes were cast down to watch his splashing steps reaching to his ride.
A tired frown captured his face when the passenger door refused to oblige his need for shelter from the heavy downpour. He sighed with irritation as the thought of Blake's car abusing him and laughing at his wet face reflecting on the window glass; just like what her master would had done. "No wonder!" He mocked with childish irritation as he started analyzing the affinity between the dark car and her owner before the silly idea was cast aside. Blake was getting into him – that was for sure, but he needed the ride now. He glanced at the weary building contemplating going back inside while waiting for the older man to unlock his car. Immediately, he was held back with the reminder of his early anguish trail; after all the spilled blood did not dray yet and he definitely preferred the rainy smell over that metallic one.
Blake was leaning against the entrance frame with one arm resting on his head while enjoying the foolish act unfolding outside. He watched Jayden pacing back and forth along his car; shuddering every now and then with stinging cold. He wanted to see how far the stubborn kid would go before he sought cover from the hammering rain. He was willing to wait but he felt the fun peaking when a speeding car saluted the oblivious agent with a splash of muddy rain water. He chuckled vulgarly at the seething agent who surprisingly had his own thick dictionary of nasty words. Smiling with vengeful content, he pushed away from the wooden frame and started walking proudly toward the still thrashing young man.
"And I thought you enjoyed dancing under the rain Norman." Blake announced with his ridiculing tone that never failed to award him the same spiteful stare that he was growing used to. "Just unlock the damn car!" Came the frustrated hiss from the other side with a shy plea. "We can't risk you catching a cold and start sneezing in my car, can we?" Blake dragged on the mockery but it was thrown back at him when Jayden spat sarcastically, "Don't worry! I won't stain your precious BMW leather-interior. I cross my heart!" – The oath was gestured with fake innocence. The older man would had stalled more just to enjoy the FBI agent's discomfort but he was not going to risk another speeding vehicle assaulting him as well – Karma was a bitch after all. With a forced laugh, he ended the teasing contest and worked the key to unlock the care before sitting behind the steering wheel. Gloved hands busy starting the engine, he glanced at the side but he was not surprised with how fast the shivering agent had gotten in. With a victorious snicker, he set the care in motion and drove away toward their next destination.
For Jayden, despite being at close proximity to that pathetic excuse for a cop it still felt nice to be spared the soaking wetness and the accompanied coldness; but that was about the limit of the bright side here. The ride was quite except for moments when reckless rain drops decided to challenge Blake's over-speeding car only to be squashed mercilessly on the windshield. He averted his eyes from the uneven battle taking place in front to watch rivulets of rain water sliding down the window in bitter defeat. For a moment, he lost his thoughts in the blurry glass that left him no choice but to relay on imagination to draw a murky picture of the damp buildings standing witness on the side of the road.
Through watery glass, Jayden spotted a blurry red flash but it vanished as fast as it appeared. "Damn it Carter! Your badge doesn't allow you to do whatever you want." He scolded with drained annoyance not bothering to look at the invincible driver. "Yeah…remind me to write myself a ticket for passing a red bitch." Blake replied with disinterested, he then heard the younger man whisper, "…and speeding," however, he ignored it in favor of the slippery road but not before cursing audibly, "Fucking scout boy!" Jayden dropped the conversation with a mental sigh, 'Just don't kill us before we find that psycho.'
Unknowingly, Blake obliged the unspoken appeal of his partner when the car reached its destination safely. He killed the engine laying his head lazily on the headrest in preparation for the long wait. A minute passed and Blake found his mind drifting back to Nathanial's death luring him to steal shy glances at the silenced man beside. He noticed the dark expression on the young agent's profile and the vacant gaze lost beyond the rainfall. The sight awarded him with a frown of alien concern that he immediately shrugged by averting his gaze to the other side; however, he could not resist. Sighing in surrender, he spoke his mind fast before his pride would tackle his sympathetic persona again, "Was it the first time?" He asked hesitantly.
Jayden was pulled back from his thoughtless drift by Blake's distant voice. He slowly turned his hollow gaze toward the other man before asking him tiredly to repeat what he just said, "Sorry?" This time he heard the man question, "Was it the first time you shot someone?" However, he wasn't exactly enthusiastic to answer or even retrace his thoughts back to the incident. "I don't want to talk about it." He cracked with a hint of accusation and tried to go back to continue his empty staring but Blake's voice kept him here. "You did what you had to do. Sure, something gets you the first time but you get used to it eventually." The experienced cop advised him in an unusually tender voice and he could not help admiring the compassionate gesture; still coming from the wrong person. Like a partner, Blake had tried to ease the guilt; which was a great breakthrough considering the rough approach he usually employed when dealing with emotions. Nevertheless, the idea of getting used to killing was still horrifying. "Honestly, I don't want to get used to it." He announced bitterly before uneasy silence reclaimed the air.
Already regretting his foolish act of compassion, Blake found his gloved hand griping the wheel in frustration. He wished if the younger agent had lashed at him and gotten rid of whatever guilt roaming inside but he knew better; after all the kid was unhealthily calm. It was only when he sensed the alert movement on his right that he looked back at his companion and joined his vigilant gaze to see Korda walk out with a cup in hand. "Looks like we have our guy." He announced before getting out of the car with his partner following behind.
Approaching the ignorant suspect, Blake noticed the young cop nervously reaching to his pocket; not once but twice. 'Getting the itchy fingers already…I will be damned if I let use your gun again.' He silently assured the fuddling agent while walking toward their second suspect. "Miroslav Korda?" He spoke and earned the bold man's attention. "Yeah..." Came the distrustful reply and he continued, "Lit. Carter Blake. I'd like to ask you few questions." The last part came as an order more than a request and he heard the unease man comply.
Blake thought Korda had agreed to answer their questions but a splash of steamy coffee to the face suggested otherwise. He groaned with the burning sensation that he tried to cool off with his gloved hands before feeling Jayden hovering motherly over him with evident confusion. His sharp instinct ignored the pain for a moment searching for his night pray that was running away now. With rough urgency, he shoved his partner away shouting, "Shit! Don't just stand there – He's gonna get away!" To his relief, the younger man overcame his hesitation and started chasing behind the blond thug.
When the older lieutenant shoved him and shouted his order he had actually done Jayden a favor and shattered the confusion caused by Korda's cheap trick. Before he knew it, he was running after the blond suspect barely avoiding screeching cars when he recklessly crossed the street. For a brief moment, his mind drifted back to Blake's raw face while keeping up the hunt through the crowded market place. "That must've hurt." He thought feeling the imaginative sting of hot pain before real pain assaulted him when Korda tackled his run with ice cubes that threw him roughly on his back forcing a muffled groan out of him. It took him a second before he was on his feet again chasing the blond criminal and passing as much invented obstacles as possible.
Jayden was lucky that Korda did not knock down the metal shelves, but he reconsidered how lucky he was when the feathery bird was battering against his face. "Bitch!" He cursed and shoved the innocent bird away without failing to notice Blake's bad influence on him; after all he was cursing a brainless creature out of annoyance. He came to a halt at the entrance of the poorly-lit meat cooler and instinctually pulled his gun out. He steadied his aim as best as he could with a heart still pounding urgently from the early tricky chase. With the deadly metal piece held in his soggy clutch, a foreboding feeling crawled up his aching back and he felt Nathanial's restless soul roaming the chilly compartment that he was now rethinking walking in. Ignoring his guilty conscience with renewed resolve, he released his painfully trapped breath and walked in overlooking how burdening the gun felt in his grip.
His cautious steps grew reluctant as he ventured further into the deadly darkness. The cold silence provoked his edgy nerves with fear of predator eyes patiently awaiting an opening before pouncing on him. Hanging pieces of dead meat blocked his vision while assaulting his nostrils with the smell of clotted blood of the butchered animals. He found himself walking blindly glancing back each time an elusive presence sneaked behind his stiff shoulders. Panic was building up in his head while pushing useless air down his throat.
Jayden felt bizarre relief when he saw Korda attacking him with a meat hook swinging desperately to claim his gun – at least he was ridden of the freezing feeling of being stalked helplessly. The weapon was out of his stiff hold and hit the floor with resonating clatter that warned him of the disadvantage that he was at now. More metal swings sought him viciously and he evaded some but failed on couple of painful occasions where his side and face paid the price. Fed up with the cold offensive hook, he managed to kick it away from the desperate clutch before sending an angry fist ramming his opponent temple. The man swayed with stunning pain giving his enemy the chance to deliver more agonizing punishes while dangerously closing the gap between them. Enjoying his brief advantage over the bold, Jayden changed his offensive tactic and kneeled the man to the stomach causing him to bend over; however as soon as he did a bold head swung up smashing Jayden's jaw in the process and sending him stumble backward.
In that brief moment, Jayden felt too much pain being delivered to his nerve system. His jaw hurt with the unseen smack that caused him to bite his tongue and snap his neck back roughly. Through tearful eyes, he saw Korda staggering away still dizzy from using his skull to deliver that desperate strike. With one hand clutching his jaw in a hopeless move to sooth the triple ach, he strode madly toward the abandoned hook. Promising his rage the long-awaited release, he gritted his teeth and clutched the cold metal in both hands before bouncing at Korda to hammer him repeatedly till he kissed the bloody floor.
TBC