A special thanks to CullenHathaway who has been a huge help and a very supportive friend, thank you so much :)

Disclaimer: I don't own VA, only own the plot and a few characters.

Chapter 17

The waitress leisurely walked to my booth and set down my coffee with effortless gracefulness before walking back behind the counter after I mumbled my thanks. The restaurant was flowing with adolescents who were bickering, bitching, twitching, laughing, coughing, sneezing and the list goes on. I gritted my teeth at all the unwelcoming noises surrounding me and yet I was situated at a private booth.

I eyed my coffee with distaste before scanning the restaurant to make sure no one was watching me before I slipped a vile out from my jacket and tipped its contents into the mug. I returned the vile and took a sip before setting it back down again a little too hard. I threw a glare at the chick that made my coffee, thankful she didn't see it or else I probably would have been kicked out. They burnt the milk. I paid enough for the coffee as it is and yet they still have the nerve to fuck it up. Thank god the blood from the vile made it just bearable to drink.

My lips thinned when a group of perky girls entered, their high-pitched voices carrying throughout the entire restaurant. I eyed the metal dispenser where the perfectly folded napkins were set in place, just picturing myself throwing it at the leader chick's face. My brows furrowed as I gave that idea more thought. Well, if that were to happen then she'd scream and create an even bigger performance than she already was. I immediately dismissed that idea.

Just when I thought matters couldn't get any worse, they started bouncing in my direction. And then it came to me that there weren't any more available booths to sit at. I admit I must have looked selfish because I had a whole booth to myself. I reckon six people could fit at the booth, and there was five of them. Figures.

I mentally shrugged, unaffected. I had made my way to the booth first and it shall stay my booth until further notice. And just as I had predicted, they stopped in front of my booth. I looked up at them, my expression unreadable.

My god they were hideous. What I'd do for a ruler at that point. I would pin them down, turn their faces to the side and scrape their cheeks with the ruler and then show them how much layers of fountain they put on. The foundation wasn't even the correct colour for their skin. I had to do everything in my power not to retch at the sight of them.

The leader chick's eyes scrutinized me up and down before meeting my eyes.

"Here's how it's gonna be, darl," her irritable voice sneered. At the sound of it, my nails dug into the seat, tearing the leather. "See this booth?" her hand shot out and slapped the table. To my disgusted, she captured the entire restaurant's attention. She continued on, as if she was used to the attention. "It's mine, and when I announce something is mine and someone else has it, they go run home to their mummies," she mocked, then, along with the rest of her herd, burst out laughing.

But to her annoyance, I still didn't usher an insult.

Her bubbling laughter abruptly stopped, and then she leaned over the table to very nearly put her face directly in front of mine.

"Did you hear-"

My hand struck out, clasping around her neck and then shoved her away, sending her crashing into the booth across from me and into a girl's lap. Her herd cried out in surprised while everyone else just stared at me in amazement. She staggered to her feet, huffing and puffing as her narrowed eyes met mine. I leisurely got to my feet, took one dark look at her friends, which sent them cowering away, and then I slowly turned my head towards the leader. Although her eyes were narrowed, it was obvious her bottom lip was trembling in fear.

She bared her teeth at me in anger, while I leaned against the table unfazed.

"You think you're so tough," she spat. Oh here we go. "But really you're just a pathetic, stingy person who won't get anywhere in life. You know what, I bet you-"

I opened my jacket to reveal the contents inside, which shut her up real quick.

The waitress that served me screamed and hid under the counter, dialing '911' on her mobile. The customers nearest to the door escaped quickly but everyone else just ducked down, hoping I wouldn't hurt them. The leader was shaking, tears streaming down her eyes.

My weapons varied from throwing knives and ninja stars to grenades and even a spiked flail. I may have paid for some - and some magically made themselves at home in my jacket, unpaid for.

I gave her a lewd smirk. "Which one will it be, darl?"

She shook her head quickly; her expression was tormented with terror. "Please, no, please-please…I-," she stammered and then her attention shifted towards the door where five police officers now stood.

A look of disappointment shone on my face. "Looks like I'll have to settle for second best", I said in a dull tone, then my hand whipped out behind me to grip the coffee. A second later the coffee exploded against her face; sending shards of glass everywhere. The girl screamed in anguish as the shards cut into her skin - and she fell. I didn't wait around to see what had become of her. I turned on my heel and stalked over toward the entrance where the five officers stood, guns pointing at me. I gave them deadly glares.

"Drop your weapons!" one of them shouted.

I cocked my head to the side, pretending not comprehend their order.

"I said put–them-down," the same officer shouted, saying the last three words slowly, but forcefully.

"Say what now?" I taunted.

Another stepped forward and looked at me pointedly, and nodded at my jacket. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You pick."

The room filled with wary silence as everyone watched my every move, wondering what my next one would be.

I already knew just exactly what I'd do to them. It only involved a couple of casualties. Or more.

"It appears to be a man driving the ship into –Oh-oh my god it's unbelievable! He just drove into the-" the TV was switched off.

My heart missed a beat from hearing the terror in the TV reporter's voice. My brow furrowed.

A man driving a ship into what exactly?

"Turn it back on," my voice was dangerously low.

"Don't you dare ma'am-"

I flung a throwing knife at the officer, the blade going deep into his forehead. His limp body collapsed on the ground. The only female officer, whom I'm assuming was cowering behind the bulky male officers for safety, screamed and got out her walkie-talkie.

"When will you people ever learn," I sighed, throwing three knives at her, all colliding with her chest. She was next to go. The next two, being the biggest, charged at me, one with his gun pointed directly at me. I feinted going right then lunged left when he fired. The bullet flew unswervingly into the waitress's neck.

I rolled across the ground, flung myself up, getting ready for the expected blow the officer sent to my jaw. The force knocked me into the other officer's grip, which I easy got out of after stabbing him in the stomach. Scrambling left, the remaining officer held up his gun, his body sweaty; his eyes narrowed with anticipation. All those who could escape flew without a second thought, those who were trapped, hid under the tables hoping desperately that I wouldn't turn on them. I had no interest in the humans, not even in the officers. Although I haven't had a killing spree in awhile, so why not have a little fun while I'm in the neighborhood.

My next movement was a blur and all the humans could see was me taking a large step forward; grabbing the gun; spinning it towards the officer and firing until his eyes were sightless and his body fell to a heap on the ground, surrounded be a pool of blood.

I spun on my tippy-toes before taking a threatening step towards the rest of them. Another girl that worked there was shaking uncontrollably, perched behind the counter, tears pouring down her eyes.

I gestured to her with the gun, making her gasp in fright.

"Turn the TV on," I said, my voice low and rough.

She eyes slowly scanned for the remote and once she found it, her trembling fingers wrapped around it. The TV blasted back on, on with another story on the news.

"Try a different channel," I said.

She changed the channel, and just by shear luck, the news was on, broadcasting on an oncoming ship.

Nothing was out of the ordinary…until I noticed that the ship was now in the harbor and there was no sign of it slowing down. My eyes narrowed.

That's odd.

My eyebrows rose in surprise when the ship was almost at the dock and yet the captain still didn't slow down. The camera crew was ecstatic, babbling on how the story will be the hit of the day; while the reporter was trying to conceal her excitement on getting footage that will shock the viewers. And it did.

I, of all people, gasped when the ship collided with the harbor. Splinters of wood flew into the air, momentarily creating a gloomy atmosphere around the front of the ship. My eyes widened in wonder when the ship not only collided into the harbor but also rammed into another ship, the force of the crash resulted in both of the ships exploding, sending fire and smoke shooting up into the sky. The crew rushed down to the edge of the harbor, a few yards from the site to keep a safe distance.

What surprised me was that there was a man at the site; standing about ten feet away from the ship that crashed into the harbor. He seemed somewhat familiar.

The camera zoomed on the TV reporter as she continued on with her report cheerily.

"It appears that there is a man walking near the ship. Investigators are on there way to see what the cause of this catastrophe was and who is that mysterious man walking along the-"

The sound of a gunshot echoed on screen.

Blood spurted out of the reporter's forehead as she was thrown forward. My eyes widened. Her blood was oozing out of her mouth as she fell to the ground, lifeless.

A dozen more bullets were fired, until it was only the cameraman left. The next bullet that fired flew into him and the camera clanked on the concrete. Where it laid was situated in the perfect position to view the murderer; the mysterious man near the ship.

He stood there with perfect posture, now aiming the gun at the camera. His defined red eyes glared at the camera, glaring at me.

Raiden's eyes flickered dangerously before he mouthed; I'll see you soon Rosie.

My heart missed a beat as I took in his warning. Leaving him there battling the sharks was a risky move. He knew it, and I knew it. His jeans were torn in some places where there would have been gashes underneath, yet he healed. And that only meant one thing. He took blood from the ship's crew.

He fired and the screen went black. I blew out a breath I was holding onto for awhile.

Was it a coincidence that the harbor felt somewhat familiar? I dumped the helicopter at a harbor as it was running out of fuel. I had not the slightest clue where I was, which didn't help me in the long run.

I looked at the waitress and gestured to the TV.

"Where's that harbor?" I asked.

She rose up slightly to be heard more clearly. "The harbor is about thirty minutes away, two hours by foot," she spoke; her voice was trembling.

Oh shit no.

I ran out of the restaurant just as a police car rocked up. An officer shouted out to me but I ignored him. The police were the last thing on my mind. The girl said is would take two hours by foot. Raiden would be here in ten minutes.

Why had I not paid attention to where I left the damn helicopter! Surely its caught his eye and already he was on the prowl, looking for me. Knowing that I was stupid enough to leave it in the open. And he'd find me in no time. The town was no huge, glamorous city.

So like so many times, I ran from him. I was scared out of my wits if he caught up, and at the same time I was still having a hard time sorting out my thoughts.

But that wasn't the problem. From this point on, I couldn't contact Sonya. I can't contact my family, asking how's Hope doing – nothing. I wouldn't want to endanger them in any other way – especially when Raiden could hurt them.

I'd have to go into hiding for a while. I'm not sure for how long. But at least my family will be safe.

AN: Hey guys, I was ready to update this yesterday but ff had a bit of a problem. I haven't written the next chapter yet, and its only come to my attention now that I won't be having internet in the house I'm moving into this week for awhile, but its ok, I'll upload the next chapters at my friend's place.

And I'm sorry I haven't UD in awhile. Loosing motivation to write was extremely difficult for me, but I don't like leaving my stories unfinished.

Please review and tell me what you think, and I know this chapter wasn't all exciting but the next two will be dramatic and that is something I look forward to :)