A/N: So we're clear, this is the one chapter I'm only doing this week because I was in the library. :)
Ghost Riders: Rage & Vengeance
Chapter 6: Empty Promises
When Johnny and Roxanne got to the city, they were surprised to notice two big tire marks, so big in fact that they practically broke through the cement, leaving charred pieces.
"Oh, no...", Johnny spoke in shock.
"It's hard to describe the destruction this morning.", one of the newscasters spoke as Johnny and Roxanne passed by.
"Can I get you people to stand back, please?", one man spoke.
"I don't know. It seems like something supernatural.", a civilian spoke.
"So, could you tell us about the Good Samaritans?", Matt asked.
"Well, I'll never forget them, that's for sure. They were tall, broad shoulders, and thin, really thin, like bony. And they had these rad choppers, they were all flames and stuff. Oh, and their faces were skulls and they were on fire.", the citizen from last night responded.
"'On fire?'", Matt asked.
"Yeah, like...", the citizen responded before making a hissing sound.
"Like that much fire. And I know it sounds weird,
but it looked okay on them. I mean, it was an edge look but they totally pulled it off.", the citizen added.
"Not sure what to add to that. I'm Matt Blaze on scene.", Matt spoke before the camera man finished rolling.
"Thanks.", Matt spoke before taking off.
No sooner had he done so that he ran into his parents.
"Mom? Dad?", Matt asked in surprise.
"Who else would we be?", Johnny responded.
"Listen, you two. Maria saw you two leaving by motorcycle and got furious. She's even having her brother and sister pack up and leave.", Matt warned.
"What?", Roxanne asked in shock.
"I know. There's even a good chance that Maria's still packing right now. And that's why I think it's best if you two stay away from the apartment. At least until she had a chance to calm down.", Matt responded before heading out just as meanwhile, someone found a license plate.
"Hey, captain! I got something.", the forensic spoke.
Hours passed and soon, the two went in by the lift, much to Maria's disdain as she spotted them.
"Unbelievable. Barton, get your suitcases and Annabelle's bag and start packing.", Maria ordered.
"Why, sis?", Barton asked.
"Because Mom and Dad proved that they're too irresponsible to take care of you two. So, you're coming to live with me and Matt, in New York.", Maria responded as she took off from her parents.
"Maria, wait.", Johnny spoke.
"You two have a lot of nerve showing your faces here after what you did last night.", Maria scolded.
"I know, honey. And we're sorry.", Roxanne responded.
But Maria was in a very unforgiving mood.
"It's too late for 'I'm sorry'. 20 years too late.", Maria responded.
"Honey, please.", Johnny added.
"No! Just..., no. I just don't understand, first you do stunt shows and nearly kill yourself for most of our life, then you promise after the last jump show your all done and not doing it anymore, and then the previous night you take your motorcycles out on a joyride when you should have taken the car! I just don't get it, Dad... Do you and Mom just simply not care about making us orphans?", Maria asked sadly.
"No, no, honey. Of course we care about all four of you.", Johnny assured.
"Of course. Your father and I care about that.", Roxanne added.
"Then why do you both make all of these empty promises only to break them so quickly?! Please just tell me.", Maria asked.
"You wouldn't believe us anyway.", Johnny responded.
"That's right.", Roxanne agreed.
"Try me.", Maria responded.
"Off the record?", Johnny asked.
"Yeah.", Maria responded.
"We sold our souls to the devil.", Johnny responded.
"And now, we have to spare you.", Roxanne responded.
"Spare me? From what?", Maria asked.
"The devil, on account we work for him.", Johnny responded.
"That's why we were on motorcycles.", Roxanne added.
"Because you two were working for the devil?", Maria asked.
"Well, yeah. We're his bounty hunters. But it only happens at night, like it is right now.", Johnny responded.
"Whenever I'm around evil... Evil people, evil spirits. We change into...", Roxanne began.
"What?", Maria asked.
"Just a couple of great big monsters, but we're learning to... we're getting control of 'em. We're trying to.", Johnny responded.
"So tonight, you'll...", Maria began.
"I believe so.", Johnny responded.
"You're serious. So this is your excuse? I just thought you two were neglectful this whole time, but now, I think it's really that you two are insane in every sense of the word. I'm taking Barton and Annabelle away from this nuthouse and we are going to live with my fiancé Max in New York and we'll be taking full custody of them and never allow either of you two to see them grow up.", Maria only spoke coldly before she took off from them before later being in a car with Barton and Annabelle in the back.
"If you want to do us a favor, don't even think about trying to contact us ever again.", Maria spoke harshly before driving away without even looking back as Barton and Annabelle looked back at them and waved sadly.
With Johnny and Roxanne's family life now officially in pieces, how much worse could things get?
"Don't move!", the policeman shouted after his car and the other stopped in front of each other.
Much worse! Instantly, the police surrounded Johnny and Roxanne.
"Hands up! Hands where we can see them! Right over your head.", one of the officers spoke as Johnny and Roxanne held up their hands as instructed before an officer came up to them.
"Johnny and Roxanne Blaze.", the captain spoke as he walked forward.
"Yeah?", Roxanne asked.
"Captain Jack Dolan. This is Officer Edwards. You two're coming with us.", Jack ordered.
"Okay.", Johnny agreed.
Sometime later, the two were now in a police station for interrogation.
"Let's try this again. What about him, you remember him?", Jack asked as he showed a couple of pictures of his corpse.
"What happened?", Roxanne asked in shock.
"Don't play dumb with me. This guy was three years from retirement; never harmed a fly. In fact, neither did most of the corpses turning up since you two came home.", Jack spoke.
"We didn't kill anybody.", Johnny responded.
"Lies! I know what you did to those innocent people and I am holding you two personally responsible!", Jack only shouted in response, setting Roxanne off.
"STOP IT!", Roxanne shouted in a slightly distorted voice, scaring Jack as he exclaimed and back off a bit.
"Wow! That went overboard real quick, so let's all take a breather.", a man suggested before he sat down.
"Whoo! It's warm in here.", the man added.
"Wait. Warm?", Roxanne puzzled.
"Yeah, I'm burning up. Aren't you?", the man asked.
"More than you could imagine...", Roxanne replied before the man got out a cigar pack.
"You want a cigarette?", the man asked.
"No thanks. I don't smoke.", Roxanne replied.
"Okay. Mind if I do?", the man asked before he lit the cigar only for the flame to jeer off to the right instead of straight up, prompting the man to turn the lighter off.
"Okay, that was weird.", Johnny spoke.
"Look, Johnny, I'm not asking for your help or your wife's. I'm asking you two to help yourselves.", the man responded.
"Look, we both watch a lot of TV and I know what you're doing. Good cop, bad cop.", Johnny began.
"But in spite of what you believe we did, I do understand that you're both good cops. And you provide a very, very important civil service.", Roxanne added.
"In fact, when I finish my stunt career, I intend to apply my skills to being a motorcycle policeman. So we'd love to help you, but we didn't kill anybody.", Johnny added.
"Oh, for the love of... Who are you trying to convince here? Us or yourselves? We're trying to help you here. We're trying to keep this thing...quiet.", the man responded.
"Yeah, because I imagine that your fans wouldn't be too keen on you two being wrapped up in this homicide investigation. Not to mention all those corporate sponsors, event promoters...", Jack added.
"You two ready to talk now, Johnny?", the man asked.
"Or do you two want to spend the night in the tanks?", Jack asked.
"Oh, we don't wanna do that.", Johnny responded.
"No, sir. For the sakes of whoever's in there, we don't want to do that. But we didn't kill anybody.", Roxanne added.
"Dang it!", Jack exclaimed, frustrated.