YOSH! Here's a new Chapter of Stray Dogs
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.
I'll probably rewrite the previous chapter to make it shorter. I want to practice the habit of separating long stuff into several parts or just making it shorter.
Lotus hears someone "Speak": "~I wish they were girls,~" and this isn't exclusive to Ace/Zero talking.
The Stray Cat(1)
March 15/ 2010/ State: New Jersey/ City: Gotham
*CRUNCH* *CRUNCH* *CRUNCH*
On the roof of a warehouse that sat on the Gotham docks; old, abandoned, and dark, a particular woman waited patiently, a Hunter one could call her. Tonight she waited patiently, like a panther hunting for its prey in the jungle, and much like a panther she was clad in a black suit that excluded her head, allowing her black hair to breathe. It was routine, a dangerous routine, and to her a wonderfully fun routine. She looked out beyond the dock to the calm and dark waters that gently crashed against the land. Out there she could see a bit more of the city lights in Gotham; bright dazzling and hollow.
*CRUNCH* *CRUNCH* *Swallow*
"Pretty nice night," the Hunter looked up at the full moon with its reflection beaming in her green eyes, "Perfect night for some fun, not enough for a dip though," she said confidently with an apple in her hands. The Hunter looked at the apple and saw that was it down to its core, she tossed it off the side of the building into a dumpster below. She stood up and started stretching, she clasped her hands behind her back and stretched them back as far as possible. "I hope they show up soon, it's not nice to keep a girl waiting,"
*Meow* A black cat appeared with green appears from the edge of the warehouse and walked over to the Hunter, rubbing against her leg and purring.
"I wish they were like you, you never show up late or disappoint," Said the Hunter. She looked off in the distance and saw several vans headed to a nearby warehouse. The Hunter smiled like a sly thief, her green eyes widening like a lioness seeing a juicy piece of meat. She knelt and petted the cat, "Now out of sight Isis,"
*Meow* Isis obeyed want gracefully made her way down the warehouse and into the darkness. The Hunters pulled what looked like a tight black latex hood on top of her black pixie-cut hair and over her ears. She then pulled out a pair of gray oval goggles with sharp-eyed lenses and placed them over her green eyes. She looked over to the water and saw a boat coming in. Her patience was being rewarded, her time to hunt would come soon.
"Now, let's get started,"
March 16/ 2010 State: New Jersey/ City: Gotham
Gotham Homeless Shelter
Gotham City was one of the most well-known and infamous cities in North America, to even say the world was no exaggeration. And for good reason too. It was home to many museums, those of high society, and institutions of science like STAR Labs and had an old history of colonization, settlement, and industrialization going back to the 1600s. It's also home to many villainous cutthroats though one could argue most of them were mentally ill as well; Joker, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, The Riddler, and more were known for their "activities". Bruce Wayne, one of the richest billionaires and CEO of Wayne Tech Industries and, coincidentally enough, the vigilante Batman of the Justice League fought with Robin at his side while protecting the city as a dynamic duo.
For the Stray Dogs, Gotham was a place where many requests could be made. However their main issue wasn't the city that was littered with danger, it was Batman and Robin and having to fly unnoticed by the dynamic duo. And it wasn't restricted to them, they had to be careful in any city that a member of the Justice League was known most for protecting. The League was not to know about their activities unless there was an emergency, though the two doubted they knew they existed. Here, Lotus and Ace had to practice stealth and wisdom, with no unnecessary movements.
*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG*
"Soups on!" yelled Lotus with a smile as he banged a metal pot with a ladle. Wearing a white apron over his clothes, his locks held back by a hairband while nestled inside of a hairnet, he even wore a facemask that Ace provided. Before he could continue a dark-skinned weathered old man with short brown graying hair stopped him.
"Will you stop that, you don't have to bang on the pots like that." said the old the weathered man in a gruff manner. Lotus felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. from getting scolded as groups of homeless Gotham citizens walked from where they were sitting and approached the long counter where Lotus and others would serve vegetables, stew, mashed potatoes, spaghetti, beef, and even chicken cooked or boiled at their best courtesy of the Stray Dogs. Young or old, wearing old and dirty clothes. Some of them were alone, others had children with them, but all of them were hungry, The workers quickly began to feed them, though only Lotus chuckled embarrassed, guilty, but amused
"Sorry about that, guess I'm a little excited," said Lotus. He dipped one the ladle into the stew placed it into a bowl and handed it to someone. "I like feeding people and cooking so I'm really into this," he hands the person a cookie and they happily took it. The Weathered old man was also feeding people and places some spaghetti on a plate
"Just cool down son, your 'job' is to feed people." said the weathered man as handed out food. "IF you get too tired just sit down," he seemed to half expect that to happen.
"Don't worry about me sir, I can go all day," said Lotus. He was approached by a woman with a food tray. He quickly gives her a helping of food which he hopes will fill her gullet. Lotus saw her soul and aura, both moved like a lantern's flame trying not to go out. He could feel her weakness and her hunger beating down against him, but seeing the food caused it to move quicker and glow brighter with hope.
"Thank you," she said meekly.
"Oh and take this," Lotus hands her two cookies, "Fresh out the oven, made'em myself," he said with a smile. The woman didn't hesitate to take them, they were hot and they even smelled nice.
"These smell good," her eyes lit up, "Thanks kid, I love chocolate chip," she said with a growing smile. She walked back to the set of tables where some of the others who stayed at the homeless shelter were sitting.
"Anytime, come back for seconds later," said Lotus. He then saw the next people to feed; a young boy and his father, sharing a tray. Lotus smiled at the pair though he felt the dismay of the older one; the father rubbed his five o'clock shadow, putting on a happy face for his kid and patting the top of his son's black haired head. Lotus could see the aura around the boy, it was somber and shy.
"Oh hey there, what's your name?" asked Lotus in a gentle manner. The shy young boy didn't respond. He merely held his father's hand tighter, nervously. The father looked at Lotus, he seemed nervous himself.
"S-Sorry about him, he's a-adjusting still and he's shy," said the father. He looks down at his son, "His name is Noah, and I'm Micheal." Lotus scoffs, he looks down at Noah.
"Okay then Noah, what will you have your dad have? asked Lotus. "I can sneak you an extra cookie if you want," However the boy didn't respond, and Lotus could feel nervousness off him. However, undeterred Lotus turns his eyes to the father.
"Hey since he can't tell me, what'll you both have" asked Lotus. He readies his ladle, "Any requests?" Before Micheal could say anything, Noah tugged on his father's coat. Micheal knelt and his son whispered in his ear.
"I want extra carrots," Noah whispered to Micheal. Lotus heard him and scooped up some stew making sure to put a bit more carrots in there.
"No, you don't ha-"
"Have to what, give your kid vegetables? I'll just chop more," said Lotus as he placed a spoon in the bowl. He places the bowl onto Micheal's tray and makes sure to get them a plate of some more food. Noah looks at Lotus and quietly says.
"Thank you," Lotus could hear looking down at his bowl his mouth curled, attempting to turn into a smile, but his shyness stopped him.
"You're welcome," said Lotus. Micheal gets some spaghetti to eat. Lotus gives them both a cookie and the two walk back to their table to eat
"Careful about how food you give people, glad you helped the kid but we've got more people to feed and other kids too." said the weathered old man. Lotus nods.
"Don't worry, I'll make more if we run out like earlier," said Lotus. The man was a bit surprised at Lotus's attitude, he couldn't tell if Lotus was being cocky or nice. Though in part of his mind, it may have been out of convenience, after all, Lotus did cook his portion of the meals they were serving and baked those cookies. "That ain't a problem is it?" asked Lotus.
"No, I suppose not since you and your friend are just filling in today," said the old man. "Just don't overwork yourself, you've got all summer to do this before going back to school," he hands someone some food. However, the elderly man then felt an elbow bump, courtesy of the dark-skinned, chubby woman sporting an apron and a pair of glasses.
"I think it's sweet, Martin, don't see many boys their age coming up here." said the woman. "Let alone cook anything for this place," Lotus flashed a smile under his mask while Martin groaned a little.
"Don't mind him, my husband's just grumpy," The woman then gave a middle-aged man a big helping of cabbage and mashed potatoes for him to eat, earning a bright smile from him.
"Here you go, eat up, and remember you can come back for seconds later," she said happily.
"Thanks, Margret," said the homeless man gruffly. He smiled with affection that Lotus could feel whenever someone hit on a person they were attracted to. He groaned inwardly at this. One of the others who worked at the shelter called out to Lotus, a woman whose hair was styled into braids. She looked like Martin.
"Speaking of which you came here with that weird kid in the mask, Ace?" she asked. A homeless woman and her friend approached her and she gave them as much food as possible. "He sort of vanished after you brought your food in.
"Oh, Ace?" Lotus gestures at the end of the room where the T.V., whose screen showed nothing but a black screen. "He's in his element right now Ms. Lisa, he said wanted to take a look at your T.V. Past the fold-open tables and people sitting in them to eat there was a crowd of people who were watching Ace, some of them heading there after they got their food. Ace himself was behind the T.V. as it rested on a stand, with a toolbox on the floor next to him. Ace, dressed in civilian clothing, was working on it. Strangely enough, he wore a scarf over his face mask, a piece of fashion advice from a friend.
"He told you that?" asked Lisa in confusion, "I didn't hear him talk since he got here," Martin looked over at Ace as suspiciously as he could, he had kept his face covered the whole time and Lotus speaking for him was weird enough and now he's just touching things.
"He said it was broken and he'll fix it quick," said Lotus.
"You're only supposed to help us cook and feed people today, I didn't even ask you to sweep," said Martin sternly. "Tell him to get away from it, he could get hurt."
"You don't have to worry about him, Ace's parents taught him everything he knows about this kind of stuff, and everything else he learned he practiced himself.." said Lotus proudly. "He's the Stray Dog's tech expert," Martin groaned hearing that.
"Right, the 13-year-old knows how to repair ?" Martin asked doubtful. Lisa and Margret narrowed their eyes at Martin,
"Well he's 14, but yeah that's it," said Lotus.
"That nice and all but I think he should leave it alone, that TV hasn't worked for us-
"It's working!" someone yelled.
The others looked over at the TV and saw that it was flashing a bright blue screen. All the men, women, and children that had invested their time into Ace's repairs. Their patience was rewarded when T.V. turned on and turned to Gotham City Gazette, on the T.V. it showed Vicki Vale.
"This is Vicky Vale of the Gotham City Gazette. I'm here in Docks at the far west end of Gotham where last night po-
After Ace was finished he sealed the back of the Television and allowed the others to watch their programs.
"All finished, whew. This would have bothered me all day," Ace thought to himself. Ace then takes his screwdriver and puts it back into his toolbox. He double-checks and makes sure that all of his tools are safely put away. Ace then walked from behind the T.V. and saw his audience look at him with smiles of gratitude.
Thanks, son," one said. "Now I can watch my stories," he joked. He pats Ace's shoulder with the young man fighting the urge to back away. He didn't enjoy strangers touching him.
"Thanks, kid," said an elderly man with glasses.
"If I had a buck I'd give it to you," a middle-aged man proclaims jokingly with his missing teeth.
"Thank you." said a woman with bruises.
Ace looked down nervously, he pulled down the bill of his cap to cover his cobalt eyes with his smile and blush hiding behind his scarf. He wasn't yet dressed in cooking attire so he was dressed in his regular clothes; a black short-sleeved button-up shirt with brown paints, he even his wristwatch and rubber wristband.
"Hey you okay under that thing,?" asked the woman with bruises. Ace nods his head in response but doesn't look her in the eyes. In reality, he was burning underneath it.
"~I'm so daft for putting this on, I'm never listening to Kent when it comes to fashion ever again.~," said Ace. Somehow he heard Lotus laughing when he let that stray thought fly. And predictably, when he looked across the room he saw a smiling Lotus looking at him while he served food.
"I just had to notice that telly," he thought privately. As he walks over to the Lotus and the owners of the homeless shelter he notices something out of place; everyone who stayed at the shelter was awake, eating, and keeping busy, but someone was sitting against the wall. They were hugging their knees to their chest while they wore knee-length skirts. Their head was down with nothing shown but curly red hair. Their upper body was hidden by a brown bomber jacket with fur collar and insides. And dangled over their arms was a brown scarf.
"They're not moving, it's a bit foreboding," Ace thought. He wondered if they were okay, but was too afraid to try and wake them. He quickly made his way to the serving station where he was met with an angry Martin and a smug Lotus.
"Don't mess with that T.V. like that, it's dangerous," said Martin sternly, "What if you hurt yourself?" Ace couldn't do anything but look down at the floor, guilty. He was aware he did this with no permission and that wasn't what they were there for, but he couldn't help it. However, Margret was there to save him.
"Oh Martin will you stop," said Margret. She looked at Ace, appreciative of what he did. "The rest of us appreciate you, honey," Ace blushed bright red, "But next time ask us, please," Ace nodded quickly.
"Couldn't miss a chance to show off couldn't you, you techie?" asked Lotus. "All while Ms. Lisa and Mrs. Margret were watching," Lisa giggled while Margret stifled any laughter she had. She looked at her husband, Martin, who was pretending not to hear that comment. Ace scowled at Lotus, he pointed at him and a nearby chair and put up 5 fingers.
"~Oh Shut up, dumbass. I just need to put my tools away,~" said Ace, "~After that you can take a break and I'll take over,~" Lotus just shook his head.
"Nah man, don't drag me outta my favorite spot," Lotus pointed his thumb to the doors leading to the kitchen, "Just set your tools down and go get changed,". The next group comes up and Lotus helps the others feed them, "And hurry up, man." Ace nods and quickly places his tools down out of the way, he also removes his scarf showing a black face mask with the image of a diamond on it. Ace then quickly runs into the kitchen and gets an apron, a pair of gloves, and a hairnet to us. But before anything else.
"~Lotus, is that girl sitting by the wall okay?~" Ace asked, "~I don't think I've seen her so much as move since we arrived,~"
Lotus hands him a ladle and looks at the girl, her aura and soul are still active they seem to stirring quite a bit.
"Nah, she's fine," said Lotus. "But yeah, she hasn't moved an inch since we got here," said Lotus. Martin heard their "discussion" something Lisa and Margret had decided not to question.
"What are you two talking about?" asked Martin. "Or one of you, since the other one can't,"
"Oh, Ace just wanted to know if that girl sitting down by the wall was okay," said Lotus. Martin and Margret looked off at the wall and saw a regular visitor to their shelter.
"Oh her, you don't need to worry too much," said Martin, "Go-nightly's just sleeping, she'll be fine,"
"Go-nightly?" asked Lotus.
"Holly Robinson's her name," said Margert somberly. "Poor thing comes around every so often and sneaks away in the night,"
"She doesn't stay here?" asked Lotus.
"No but somehow she's able to sneak back in here," Martin groaned, "Even when I lock the door," Lisa chuckled at his reaction.
"Don't worry too much about her, Holly's not a bad girl at all," said Lisa. "The worst she does is steal, I think," she prepared another place for someone.
"~Well I'm happy to know she's not hurt over there,~" said Ace. "~She'll probably eat when she wakes up,~" he was a bit nervous though.
"Well since you are so worried maybe we should make her plate," Lotus said. Lotus then began to feel Holly slowly moving from her spot and looked in her direction, "Oh, She's waking up." Ace, shocked as he was, looked over and saw her getting up.
As for the girl in question; As Holly slowly stood up she stretched like a cat waking up from a perfect nap. She stretched her arms and legs, cracked her fingers, she moved her neck around allowing it to pop a few times. She ruffled her curly red hair, making sure, and parted it from her eyes.
"*Groan* M-Morni-wai-wait is it morning or afternoon, or night?" she asked herself. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was 3:30 pm. "Oh Afternoon everybody," said Holly loudly, still infested with sleepiness. Anyone who heard her greeted her in a friendly manner.
"Hey, Go-nightly,"
"Morning,"
"Now the dead have awakened,"
"Hey Holly,"
Holly strolled over to one of the tables as old friends greeted her. She sat next to a woman with some facial bruises she was eating but she stopped when she saw Holly.
"Holly, you finally woke up," she ate some food and swallowed, "Good thing too they just started serving food," she ate some more with Holly giving an amused look,
"I can see tha-" she noticed the bruises on her friend's face, "Your face feeling any better?" asked Holly with concern. Emma nods shyly, and taps the table gently with a sigh,
"I-I'm fine, I haven't seen Mark in a few days so my face is getting better," answered Emma, though Holly was still worried, "I-I think I'll stay here for the time being."
"Okay, j-just stay away from him," said Holly.
"I-I'll try." said Emma, "So did you have fun last night?" Holly nodded, though she looked around the room for a bit.
"Sort of; it started with the same old stuff as usual, but then some weird stuff happened," said Holly. "I'm not sure about all the details, but I got this out of it," Holly stood up and spun around and did a little pose, "Tada! I got this sweet coat out of a dumpster by the docks," answered Holly. She gave the collar of the coat a quick whiff, "*Sniff* It doesn't smell bad either," Emma looked at the coat, it seemed to cost more than what she'd ever make.
"Wow, it looks good, there's even fur on the collar," said Emma.
"Eh, I'm no fashionista, and it's kind of burly." she patted her coat and fixed her scarf, "But as long as it's warm I don't care," said Holly. She hugged her coat a little. It was then that Holly began to notice that everyone was eating something or another.
"Wow is it lunchtime already?" she asked. She smelled the air and the aroma of cooked food
"Really, well I woke up at the be-" Holly turned her head to the serving station where she saw two unfamiliar faces giving out food. It was then that Holly's smile turned downward and her guard was up, "Who the hell are those two?"
"I think they're volunteers, they showed up today and brought some food here," said Emma. She ate the cookie the Lotus had given her earlier, "It tastes really good,"
"They gave me extra carrots," said Noah. Holly chuckled upon hearing that.
"Huh, I've never seen these two before," she folded her arms as she watched them hand out food to the last of the people in line "They don't live in Gotham,"
"I think they're okay, I mean fixed all this food, and the guy on the left even fixed that busted T.V.," said Emma. Holly quickly looked over and saw some of the others watching T.V. as they ate.
"Huh," Holly's stomach grumbled, she was hungry. However, her suspicions and curiosity about the volunteers couldn't be ignored.
"I guess I'll go say 'Hi' to the loving volunteers here to feed us," she said nonchalantly.
Holly walked over to the serving station and saw the Tibbs; Martin, Margret, and Lisa. The family who ran the homeless shelter. She knew them a bit better than she liked and was far too familiar with Martin's stern gaze when he found out about her sneaking in and out. However, this time she was focused on two things, unfamiliar faces and food.
"Afternoon everybody," said Holly, she covered her mouth as she yawned.
"Hey Go-nightly, sleep well?" asked Lisa. Holly looked at Lisa and didn't hesitate to blush at Lisa.
"Hi Lisa, I slept like a baby," she turned to Margret who flashed her a warm and loving smile, 'Hi Margret," then she looked at Martin, "Hi, Martin,"
"Hello Holly," he said. Holly looked next to him and saw Lotus and Ace standing there, one smiling under his mask with his Amber eyes almost glowing as they peered at her, while the other couldn't look her in the eyes and seemed shy.
"And who are these two new volunteers," she asked. She strolled over to Lotus and Ace with Ace looking downward.
"~And of course they had to all be boys, and not a single cute girl~" Lotus chuckled a bit hearing this stray voice from Holly.
"They answered one of the ads we put online," said Margret, "They've been helpful all day, lovely boys," Lotus and Ace beamed with pride hearing that.
"They cooked half the food and even fixed the T.V.," said Lisa.
"The second was without permission," said Martin.
"I heard." she looks directly at Ace, "So what's your name?" Ace didn't look directly at Holly and instead stirred his ladle into the food. Holly was a little put off by Ace's silence.
"Okay, d-did I do something or what?" uttered Holly. Lotus immediately jumped in.
"He doesn't talk," said Lotus, "He's mute," Holly widened her eyes.
"Oh my god," Holly covered her mouth with her hands in shock and embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, I-I didn't know,"
"It's fine, he didn't say anything," said Lotus. Ace then jabbed him in the shoulder,
"~I might as well carry signs or a name tag,~" said Ace annoyed. Lotus elbowed his friend's side.
"You'd need hundreds of them, lucky thing I'm here," said Lotus. Holly was filled with nothing but confusion,
"Uh, what did you say" she asked.
"Oh, It's nothing." Lotus scrambled to say. "Let me introduce us: I'm Lotus and this-" he points at Ace with his ladle, causing some of the stew to fly and hit his friend's apron and mask. Holly stifled her laughter as she could see the irritated look in Ace's cobalt eyes. Lotus stops in places as if he's committed a crime.
"O-Oops, sorry Ace," said Lotus.
"~You dumbass! Us coming here was your idea so don't make a mess of this,~" Ace wipes some of the stew off his mask, "~Ju-Just introduce me, I know I can't,~"
"He's uh Ace, we're the Stray Dogs," said Lotus.
"Stray Dogs?" uttered Holly. Lisa chuckled a little.
"Just what we call ourselves," said Lotus, beaming with pride. Holly shrugged, not minding it at all.
"Well Lotus, Ace," she spun around like a ballerina, stopped, and put her hand to her heart, "My name is Holly, Holly Robinson," she put her hands in her coat pocket, "But you can call me Holls, Holy Girl, or Go-Nightly," said Holly in a friendly manner. Margret and Lisa nearly laughed while Martin groaned a little. Lotus smiled and quickly got a plate ready for Holly.
"Well Holly eat up," he holds, "I made it myself and if you come back for seconds for dinner later I'll give you big big ups," Holly was hesitant, but she took the food and even eyed the cookies, there were at least 20 of them left.
"Thanks, Lotus," she turns her head to Ace, "Thanks for fixing the T.V Ace." she then took her food and walked away, "Bye, Stray Dogs."
"Stop breaking in here," Martin said loudly.
"You have no 'proof' I did," Holly said back.
"Huh," uttered Lotus as he looked at Holly. Ace poked Lotus's shoulder to get his attention.
"~What happened, mate?~" asked Ace
"She's suspicious about us, I think," Lotus saw Holly's aura move cautiously as she walked to her table, "Like really suspicious,"
"She doesn't like strangers, she can be guarded a lot," said Margret, "Poor baby,"
"That's smart of her," said Martin. "Especially in Gotham,"
"~On that I can agree- HEY!~" yelled Ace in shock.
"What happened?" asked Lotus. Ace gestured to the plate of cookies, 13 were left. "What the he-I thought there were more-" he and Ace looked over at Holly and saw her sharing some of her cookies with her friends, including Noah who was far less shy around her.
"~When did she take so much of them?~," asked Ace in awe. "~I didn't see her do it~ and she must have been quick to make it past you,~"
"I was sort of distracted, still she's sharing them so it's not bad, said Lotus, Ace nodded in agreement.
After an hour of serving food to the homeless Lotus and Ace were allowed their break, their first one in the hours since they first arrived. They were sitting on a bench in a hall that led to some of the back rooms and offices. Next to them were some empty Tupperware left with scraps of pasta from Lotus's cooking, they made it a policy not to eat the food they'd prepare for others. Lotus patted his stomach where the picture of a cascade of Snapdragon flowers was on his shirt, leaning back in the chair with headphones in his ears. Ace himself had a soda bottle in his hand and let his body rest.
"*Sigh* Pretty easy job," said Lotus, Ace nodded and quickly sneaked some sips of his soda under his mask, not letting his face go uncovered. "We should come to Gotham and do this more often,"
"~Not as often as you'd want, I hate this dastard town,~" Ace quickly drinks some of his soda with Lotus looking away as he did, "~Nothing but trouble comes our way when we're these kinds of cities, and you know I'm right,~"
"Don't be like that man," Lotus points at Ace, "Wannabe heroes or not, a member of the Stray Dogs can't let their fear keep them from their duty." he smiles.
"~Yeah I know, I just hate the trouble this town comes with especially when we have to be careful~" said Ace. "~Speaking of which, have you seen "them" yet?~" Lotus shook his head. He checked again, feeling around the familiar souls and auras, their emotions, hearing the voices, trying even the catch them in his sights. However, he could not catch the ones Ace had mentioned: Batman and Robin.
"No, I haven't seen them all day so they're out of my range for now," said Lotus quietly.
"~Just keep an eye out, I want to be sure to stay quiet around them,~," said Ace cautiously, "~And remember, never tell anyone what you told me~" he took another sip of his drink as Lotus looked away.
"I never told anyone about your face, I didn't find out on purpose," Lotus thought.
"Interrupting?" asked Martin The two of them turned around, Ace hastily putting his mask on, and saw Martin Tibbs.
"Oh hello sir, need something else done?" asked Lotus. "If it's more cookies then I can stand to make a few more," he points to Ace, "And Ace'll fix anything you want." Ace nods. Martin sighed a little and shook his head.
"No I don't need anything done," he pulls out two 100-dollar bills, "But take these," Lotus and Ace stood up and took a good look at the money in Martin's hands. They awkwardly looked at each other and then at Martin.
"Huh, we volunteered to come here and it didn't mention money," said Lotus.
"I know, but you both worked hard and I was rude to you before," said Martin somberly. "You cooked half the food for the people here and they couldn't stuff it down, you even made cookies," He turned to Ace, "And you, you fixed the T.V. although that was just dangerous," Ace felt a wave of embarrassment, "I'm grateful, so take it,"
Lotus and Ace gave each other a side glance, both knowing how to respond.
"~Well I can't speak, so go on and do it,~" said Ace. Lotus then reached out for the money but instead pushed his hand away while Ace shook his head.
"We can't take your money, the Stray Dogs work for free," said Lotus in a stern tone. Martin was surprised, he had seen Lotus laughing and smiling before, but now he and Ace were acting seriously.
"Look after all the work you did y-"
"It's not to insult you, Mr. Tibbs," Lotus folded his arms, "It's more of our rule, one of the few we go by," said Lotus. Martin wasn't completely sure, but he felt like he wasn't going to get anywhere with these two. He put the money back in his pocket.
"Policy, rules. You two are strange for a pair of teens, most would want money working on their summer vacation." said Martin, "Of course, most of them don't work here during their vacation either." Lotus nervously chuckled while Ace adverted his eyes, they didn't have to worry about school, ever.
"Okay then, but don't tell Lisa that I tried to give you money, she'll get mad," said Martin as he looked over his shoulder to see if she was there. Lotus and Ace nodded.
"Deal, but do you have anything else for us to do, like needing me to cook some more?" asked Lotus. Ace raised his hand.
"~Don't forget me,~" said Ace. Martin thought about it and something came to him.
"Okay, since your handyman here, Ace, can clean the windows for a while," said Martin. He then points to the supply closet down the hall, "You can get everything you need in there, I'll have Lisa work with you," Ace blushed under his mask.
"~Dang~" Lotus had to suppress his laughter. Martin then hands the money to Lotus.
"Here take this and go buy some newspapers or books at a kiosk a few blocks away. I know the guy there and I pay him for any extra magazines or newspapers that he's got," said Martin. "Lots of the folks here like watching that TV, but others like reading or doing those crossword puzzles too."
"I'll head there now," said Lotus.
"I called in advance, just give them to Margret when you get back, but don't let her take the Sudoku books for herself." Martin rubbed the back of his head, "She won't help but fill them all out, "Lotus and Ace stifled their laughter hearing that.
"~Go gather information, God of Flowers. I'll maintain the perimeter,~" said Ace. Lotus nods and puts his and Ace's Tupperware away. As Lotus left out the front door, Holly kept her eye on him While the others were watching a baseball game Holly had her attention to the Stray Dogs and had done so since lunch.
"Is he headed home?" Holly asked herself. She looked over and saw Ace walking out of the back hall with cleaning supplies. "No, he left his friend here," she kept her eyes on Ace.
Then she noticed something else strange: Lotus walked back in, he then walked over to Ace as he was going to the windows and said something to him that Holly couldn't hear.
"Okay what are they up to?" she thought.
With the light of a lowering sun shining through clean windows. Ace looked on at his handy work with an iota of pride. All that time cleaning up his lab and dishes built his experience, although their base didn't have any windows at all. He looked through and smiled under his mask. Lisa, who had looked after him, patted his back and made him jump like a small rabbit
"Nice job, you got all the bottom windows," said Lisa, "You can take a little break before getting the top rooms, but if you need me feel free to clap or tap my shoulder," she joked. Ace nods. She then hands as a new bottle of cleaning solution, noting that his was going empty. Lisa then walked away with Ace catching a glimpse as she left,
"She's so cute," he thought to himself. As he looked back he noticed that Holly was sitting in her corner, but rather than going to sleep, she was looking at him.
"What the," he quickly looked at the window and pretended to clean it, "S-She's looking at me," he thought in a panic, fighting every blush on his cheeks. He looked back again at the corner of his eye and saw Holly's head was down.
"I-I must have been imagining," he thought, He looked through the window to see the outside when he noticed something through the crystal clear window; he saw a man on the other end of the vacant street, sitting on a bench. Wearing a stocking cap, a pair of black pants, and, a black and white jersey with a bird on the center with a black jacket over it. He was looking down at his phone, but taking occasional pointing the back of his phone at the shelter.
"Of course, just like Lotus said.," Ace thought.
Right on cue, Lotus comes through the door with the boxes of newspapers and magazines. Lotus sets them down away from the door and walks over to Ace.
"~Bout time you got back,~"
"Sorry, I got stopped for speeding," said Lotus,
"~I'm not helping you pay for the ticket,~," said Ace, carefully gesturing outside, "~Those guys are still there, bold enough to take pictures too~" Lotus didn't even have to turn his head.
"Huh, I got a weird feeling about these guys," said Lotus.
"~Did you hear anything from them?~"
"It sounds like they were looking for something, and being in trouble," said Lotus. "But nothing concrete, I can't control what I hear,"
"~Well, you're taking the lead this time, and that includes handling surprises like this,~" said Ace. "~What should we do?~"
Lotus thought about it for a moment. They had no clue as to why these men were watching the shelter. If the homeless shelter was in any danger, and if they could stop it then he saw no reason not to.
"Let's watch the place after we leave," said Lotus. Ace nods.
"You two chatting it up?" asked Holly. Ace and Lotus both jump, startled by Holly. They turn around and see her looking at them with her hands behind her back. Lotus noted the smile on her face but felt nothing but growing suspicion from her.
"Oh, Hey Holly, said Lotus. "Something up, want some more cookies?" he mused. Holly shook her head.
"Nah, just checking out the eager newbies wanting to help," said Holly answered. "You boys have just been so helpful I couldn't help but notice, especially since you were asking about me earlier," Lotus could hear the distrust and caution in her voice, it was practically hitting him in the head. Her aura wasn't just cautious and distrusting, it trembled and shifted in a manner that looked afraid.
"~She was watching me earlier, she's eavesdropping on us and she's been suspicious for some reason,~ said Ace.
"She thinks we're after something. What did she do?" thought Lotus.
"Hey Holly, you know much about Gotham?" asked Lotus.
"Not much that I can tell you, don't know much," she said.
Holly's aura flickered and flared, Lotus then felt a pang in his ears. She was lying, to protect herself, from them. Lotus then tapped his waist to signal to Ace of the lie.
"Why, what do you want to know,?" asked Holly. Her tone was hiding any negative tone toward the two.
"Just if anything we should be careful about, like if anything dangerous happened lately," said Lotus, "We thought the famous 'Go-nightly' could give us a warning,"
"~Be a bit more conspicuous~" Ace said in an irritated tone. Lotus nearly groans.
"Well it's Gotham, you don't have to live here to know how dangerous it is," said Holly.
"~On that we can agree,~," said Ace
"Eh, I guess your right," said Lotus, "Just curious about the city is all, since we're new,"
"Yeah keep talking you suspicious idiot," Holly. She shrugged.
"Trust me, boys, every night in Gotham is dangerous, if you want out of trouble then stay indoors, and if you find it then run away," said Holly confidently, "Words from experience,"
"Ace, Lotus, we're serving dinner soon, get dressed," Martin called out to them. Ace and Lotus stiffened up upon hearing Martin's voice.
"Yes sir!' Lotus called out. Ace nearly yelled as well when he remembered he was a mute.
"See you at dinner, Holly," said Lotus. She walks away with Lotus and Ace heading to the kitchen. Holly heads over to her corner, waiting for everyone else to get their food first. Holly also made a mental note to keep especially quiet tonight. She would sneak off like she did every night, only with more haste than before.
Several hours later
It was 10:30 in the city of Gotham. The sun had vanished. Everyone was in their beds, Lotus and Ace had left hours ago. They had said their goodbyes to everyone except for Holly, she had decided to go to her bed and pretend to sleep. Now that everyone was asleep Holly would make her getaway. She slowly gets up, making sure not to create any large creaks on her bed. Holly then looked at the others sleeping in their beds, it was one of the more serene things that she saw when she sneaked out. Holly then slowly tip-toes over to the door, then unlocks the door on her side. She then looks back and makes sure that she didn't wake anyone up, to her glee they were all still sleeping.
"Okay time to leave," she quickly looked at the security pad where the numbers would get pressed in. Looking closer she saw thumbprints in the little light that she had. She quickly pressed the numbers in and turned off the system.
"Thumbprint tells all," she thought, "She then pulled out a small lockpick and carefully undid the lock on the door. "Ha! If Martin didn't want me sneaking out he should have got better locks." She was honestly not pleased with herself, but now wasn't the time to celebrate. She looked back at the others sleeping in their cots and blew a kiss to them all.
"Good night everyone, see you when I see you," she said quietly. She then walks out of the door and closes it, making sure to arm the security system and lock the door behind her.
Gotham City
Standing outside, Holly turns her back to the shelter and looks at the city of Gotham. The lights of the streets shined brighter than any star in her eyes. Holly could feel a difference in everything: traffic and cars were louder, the people who walked the streets were more rude and belligerent, it wasn't even that things were different at night. If you lived in Gotham then you'd know that it was all it was, the worst and the best. There was a new moon so no light to shine other than the stars Holly scanned the area for anything strange, police on patrol, or any notable gang members based on markings or uniforms.
"I'm pretty sure those two were after me, I can't stay at the shelter," she thought back to Lotus and Ace, "They just showed up at the homeless shelter, after last night, way too convenient," she was sure that something was wrong. Holly leaned against the wall as people passed her by, she could tell that they were trying to ignore her. Going unnoticed had its advantages, it meant she could sneak by people who wanted to avoid her and that included the police.
"Now where to go?" she asked herself. She slowly started walking. Then she got a bad feeling, a chill up her spine she knew not to ignore. She slowly looked around and thought she saw a pair of eyes on her. "I knew it!" she said.
Holly then runs as fast as she can, slipping past as many people, and almost knocking over a few of them.
"Watch it you urchin!" yelled the woman. Holly ignored them, and heads left across the street as the cars nearly hit her. The honking horns blare in her ears, a sound she had grown to ignore over time
*HOOOOONK!*
Holly goes as fast as she can down an alleyway past the trash cans, dumpsters, rusty fire escapes, broken windows, and old apartments. Holly felt slowed down by her coat, she cursed the cold night air wishing she didn't need it. In a panic Holly looks behind her as she runs, wondering if any pursuers would catch her. She was too afraid to look behind her.
"I have to keep going, keep running till I'm in the clear," she thought frantically. She kept her voice down didn't yell for help and watched out for any cops who might be in a bad mood.
After running far enough to get more than a mile away from the shelter, Holly stops to take a rest in an alleyway, she sits by a wall, trying to blend in the darkness, thankful that any wall lights were out in her area. Holly looked around quietly to see if she had been followed, she suspected Ace and Lotus of doing so.
"I have to get to the old apartments on the far end, as long as the police don't catch me I can find a place to-" She suddenly grabbed by a large hairy hand and pushed against a wall.
"Argh!"
Holly's head bounced hitting the brick wall. To her surprise, it wasn't the two boys she suspected, rather a large man in a stocking cap. He held Holly by her shirt collar and looked at her with anger in his eyes.
"Though you could get away from us, you were dead wrong little girl!" he said angrily.
"G-Get away!" she said, flailing her arms around, but nothing she did work.
"Quit squirming you damn street rat," he pulled out a radio with his other hand, "Dean where are you, I got the brat," but all the hairy thug got was static, "Dean pick up!" he said angrily.
"I have to get free!" she thought. Holly continued to struggle but nothing worked.
"You little rat, you know what you've cost us?" he asked as shook her. Holly shook her head, unable to answer back. Holly even stopped fighting upon hearing the anger in the thug's voice. "Where'd you put 'em?!" he asked angrily.
"What the hell is he even talking about?! I don't even know him," she thought frantically. The thug then looks closer at Holly and his eyes widen in shock, he pats her body and then pulls out a pocket knife. When she saw the blade Holly's heart sank and her blood ran cold.
"No NO NO NO NO-!"
"Y-You little thief, your were ca-"
*Whack*
Holly then sees a rod-like object hit the man in the back of his head. He falls to the ground with a great thud. Holly falls to the ground and backs up to the wall, like a frightened animal. She gasped for breath, not caring if she choked on precious oxygen. Holly then saw the knife fall on the street and quickly grabbed it to defend herself against the newcomer. And in the light of the full moon, she saw him standing above her attacker: a boy with a cap, a face mask a backpack, and a familiar pair of Cobalt eyes.
"Ace, y-your Ace aren't you?" Holly asked in a scared tone, she couldn't believe it. Ace noded and put his finger to his mask to signal Holly to be silent. He then points at the unconscious thug on the ground.
"D-Did you come here to help o-or get to me before he did?" Holly asked, her voice trembling.
Ace held up one finger as if to say "The first one,". He then nervously held out his hand, to help Holly off her feet, but she didn't extend hers. Holly held the knife tighter, prepared to use it if need be as she stood up on her own. Holly watched Ace's arm drop in disappointment.
"Damn it, I hate being mute," Ace thought. "She was just attacked by that scumbag, she's scared and not thinking clearly, *Sigh* I should have let Lotus come here first,".
Ace then walked over to the thug and used all his strength to fold him on his then pulled out a flashlight from one of his pockets and pointed it at the man's chest, but found a skull mark near his neck
"~Lotus I got him,~" Ace shook his head in dismay, "~I think he's with a gang, but I don't know which,~" Holly took notice of the tattoo and was gripped with fear.
"Oh no, he's with one of the gangs," she said in a panic. "Why did he come after me?!" Holly hugs her body, shivering in fear, unable to process all of this. Ace looks at Holly's reaction with a pang of sadness.
Holly was confused but stopped and thought about it, this boy was her savior, and if he wanted her dead he would have let her attacker kill her. Realizing this, Holly took a deep breath and tried to calm down, though it was a rough road to do so. She
"I-I'm sorry, I'm just so confused," she said with streams of tears down her cheeks, She dropped the knife and tried to dry her eyes.
Ace walked over to her slowly. He then extends his hand to the crying girl, she is still hesitant to take it and he puts his hand away.
"~She's still so scared, we need to hide her and find out what's going on, "Zero clenches his fist,
"We'll protect her," said a familiar voice. Holly quickly turns around and sees Lotus walking from behind her. She moved aside as Lotus walked in, he is dragging another thug by his collar with one hand, "Got the other one,"
"Y-You too? What are you doing here?" asked Holly
"Dragging this big fool around, can't you tell?" he tossed the thug onto the other one. Lotus looked at Holly, he didn't need his powers to see that she was frightened "More importantly, are you okay?" he asked. Holly swallowed and calmed down as best she could.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she looked at the thugs, "You both beat him up?" asked Holly,
"Yeah, they were pretty weak so don't worry, about us," said Lotus. "Noting to a pack of Stray Dogs," nodded at the deceleration.
"Well I'm grateful," said Holly, "if you didn't run into these guys then I would be dead," Lotus and Ace look at each other for a moment and then back to Holly.
"We never actually left," said Lotus. "We stayed 'cause these two were watching over this Homeless Shelter."
"Wait what?!" asked Holly in shock.
"We didn't know what they wanted and we wanted to make sure they weren't going to do anything," he gestured to the defeated criminals, "When you left they ran after you,"
"But why, I-I didn't do anything," she ran over to the men who wanted her dead and removed their masks; The one who attacked her had a scar over his nose, and the other one had a burn mark around his right eye. Holly recognized none of their faces, "Just I thought I don't know then, but think I took something from them!"
"Wait, so they were trying to get something back from you?" asked Lotus. Before Lotus could go any further Ace tapped his shoulder.
"~ We can talk about this later, right now we're out in the open,~" he points at Holly, "~Convince her to let us take her somewhere safe,~"
"Right, Ho-" Holly went over to the criminals who were hunting her and quickly rifled through their pockets, their coats, and even their shoes in a flash
"What are you doing?" asked Lotus
"Invading someone's personal space," said Holly. In that moment she took everything she could from them; their wallets, phones, pocket knives, and even their radios. She took the money and credit cards out of the wallets and pocketed them
"This outta be enough to cover the damages: pain and suffering, stalking where I sleep, and cause I hate you," she began kicking the criminals as they slept, not caring if she knocked a tooth out, leaving Lotus and Ace wincing with each strike
*KICK* *KICK* *KICK* *KICK* *KICK* *KICK*
"Oh that has to hurt, she's putting her back in it," said Lotus. Ace nodded "We should probably get her out of here,"
"~First get these two's phones from her, those'll tell us more,~," said Ace.
"Holly," Holly stopped her assault and turned to them. "Can we have those phones, they can tell us what's happening," Holly didn't hesitate to give it to them.
"Okay, now we need to get away from here," said Lotus. He turned to Ace, "Can you warp us away?" Ace shook his head.
"~Its not safe enough to teleport her, no matter the distance,~" said Ace. "Plus I'm not confident in warping a normal person and the possible effects aren't worth it,"
"Warp?" asked Holly.
"Don't worry about that, but right now we need to head somewhere safe so we can talk," said Lotus." We can't go back to the shelter, is there anywhere in Gotham you can take us?" Holly thought about it: multiple abandoned places existed all over Gotham that you could hide in; parks, old buildings, the sewer, and places by the pier.
"Okay, I can get us somewhere safe, but I need you two to promise me something," said Holly. Ace then pulled out a rope and started tying up the criminals.
"What is it?" asked Lotus, he puts his fist to his heart "The Stray Dogs will keep that promise till the end,"
"No cops, no CPS (Child Protective Services), and no Batman and Robin," Holly ordered,
"Deal," said Lotus, he smiled and held out his hand for Holly to shake it and Holly shook it.
"Deal," said Holly. Lotus noted that Holly's soul and aura gave off fear, but with slightly more assurance when Lotus and Ace arrived and it kept growing.
"Now let's get out of here," said Lotus. "Ace, are you finished?"
"~It would have been faster with some help, but yes,~" said Ace. They both look at Ace who had finished tying up the thugs. Ace then points at a dumpster. "~Stick them in there,~"
"Good idea, they go in the trash," said Lotus.
"At least they'll have something to eat," said Holly. She didn't miss a beat uttering those words. They quickly place the thugs in the dumpster.
"We can head to one of the old apartments, I stay in the basements sometimes," said Holly. "Follow me, I know a quick route,"
Holly then ran ahead with Lotus and Ace following after her. However when they leave Lotus turns his head back, believing something to be there, but it was just a black cat on a fire escape. He ignores it and lets Holly lead the way.
That's all I wrote, sorry this took me so long, I was planning on making this chapter shorter but it got away from me
Review, Favorite, and Follow, please.
"This is Squalo King Signing off :)"