Episode 7: Lightning Gunslinger
The skies above became dark with each passing second. The sun had completely vanished over the horizon, disappearing from sight of any who might've seen it seconds earlier. In it's place the moon had begun making herself known alongside her companion of stars.
Down below Destiny City illuminated. With the light of the sun going away and being replaced with the radiant light of the moon, the streetlights started flickering for a brief moment until they each turned themselves on one after the other. Near the streetlights various building lights were turning themselves on at the exact same time. From left to right the city had shined her lights, bringing comfort and wonder to those who'd remained awake.
However, even with the brightness of her lights, Destiny City ain't no utopia.
WEE-WOO! WEE-WOO! WEE-WOO! WEE-WOO!
On the streets a car made it's way on the concrete at alarming speeds. Going airborne the car landed right back down, swerving itself to the left but in time to move into a corner before straightening itself out. Inside the car was a man with a shaved haircut, but rocking out a small blue mohawk. Next to the man was a young woman with dark-pink hair and a piercing on her lower lip. Gripping his hands on the wheel the man let out a few heavy breaths while keeping his eyes straight on the road. The young woman held a grip on her left leg while keeping her eyes on the man and the road.
"I'm real sorry, sis. This got way out of hand." The man said.
"No, no, this is all my fault. You told me not to come and I didn't listen. I'm the one who made things worse." The sister replied.
The brother shook his head and took a glance at his sister. Her lips trembled alongside her eyes. Every second he looked at her the rhythm in his chest increased. This wasn't her fault. It wasn't her fault! And now, now things weren't looking too good for either of them right now. But...regardless of that, they gotta keep going. They have to...
Right behind the siblings a police car was storming after them with it's siren blaring on overtime. Inside the car was a dark-skinned middle-aged man wearing a dark-blue police uniform with a golden badge on his chest showing the initials DCPD. His eyes narrowed while tightened onto the wheel, keeping his eyes locked right onto the road and the car in front of them.
"Looks like they're not gonna stop any time soon." The cop said. Turning his head he looked at his partner. "Guess you're up, Southern Belle."
Turning her head to her partner, Amber gave him a nod and pulled down her window. Sticking out her head she pulled out a megaphone and pushed her lips to it.
"PULL OVER YA VEHICLE NOW! THIS IS YER ONLY WARNING! ANY MORE RESISTANCE AND WE WILL HAVE TA USE FORCE!" She called out.
Lowering the megaphone Amber closely watched the vehicle and it continued on without a small ounce of stopping. Closing her eyes for a brief moment she opened them back up and narrowed them at the car. Putting the megaphone into her other hand and putting it down she reached into her holster and pulled out a Silver Revolver. Getting a good grip on it she raised her arm and placed it outside of the police car. Pulling back the hammer she lowered her arm.
BAM!
Pulling the trigger the cylinder rotated, pushing the bullet right out. Leaving the revolver the bullet traversed through the air, hitting it several times as it made it's way towards the car. Since Amber lowered the revolver when she fired it the bullet gradually made it's way downward, but who's to say that was a bad choice to make. Closer and closer the bullet quickly made it's way onto it's appointed target and made it's impact.
The car the siblings were in abruptly lowered itself and started shaking. The car soon began swerving itself and begun to spin at a rapid pace. Inside the car the sister gripped onto her seat, gritting her teeth and tightly closing her eyes. The brother further increased his grip on the wheel, jerking it to the side with one eye open while the other was closed tightly. More and more the car spun out of control until it was coming up to a nearby streetlight.
BAM!
At just the right angle the front of the car crashed straight into the streetlight. Both siblings had their heads jerked forward, slamming them right onto the wheel and a portion of the car before the airbags deployed, instantly pushing their heads to their seats.
The police car slowly decreased it's speed and ultimately came to a complete stop near the wrecked car. Taking off their seat-belts Amber and her partner quickly got out of their car and approached the damaged car. Stopping several feet from it they locked their eyes on the car when the doors started opening up. Both siblings got out of the car and turned their heads to them.
"On the ground, now!" Amber said with both her and her partner raising their weapons at them.
"Don't make this harder than it has to be!" The partner added.
The siblings immediately raised their hands up into the air and dropped to their knees. The sister started to whimper with fresh tears coming down onto her cheeks. Her body shook violently and her whimpering slowly turned into loud uncontrolled sobs.
The brother turned his head to the state of his sister. His lips curved down and shook. Seeing his sister like this... It was the most painful thing he'd ever seen. And...this was it. End of the road. Two cops standing right in front of them, weapons out, and a crashed vehicle. He could try to run or distract them so his sister could escape, but...that wasn't possible anymore. He could do something, anything, and it wouldn't matter at the slightest. This was reality hitting them big time.
Walking up to the siblings Amber and her partner put their weapons away and pulled out some handcuffs. Coming up to the siblings from behind they each put their hands behind them and cuffed them up.
"Ya both have the right ta remain silent. Anything ya say can and will be used against ya in court. Ya have the right ta have a lawyer with ya durin' questionin'. If ya can't afford a lawyer then one will be provided fer ya. If ya wish ta answer questions ya may stop answering at any given time." Amber said while picking the sister up.
Both her and her partner put on tight grips on the suspects and guided them back to their car. Neither suspect showed any form of resistance once they were put in and were strapped. With the expression on their faces, any type of resistance couldn't come to mind.
Turning her body Amber pointed her attention onto the vehicle and started approaching it. Grabbing the handle on the back seats, Amber opened up the door and found two large bags in the seats. Reaching her hand out she grabbed the zipper of one of the bags and pulled it down, opening it. Stretching her head out her eyes gazed into the confines of the bag. Her eyes slowly narrow as her lips curved down. A small puff of air exited her nose. Zipping the bag up she grabbed them and brought them to the police car.
"What do we got?" Her partner asked.
Amber merely glanced at him while putting the bags into the trunk and shutting it harshly. Pulling out her phone she typed in a few numbers before placing it near her ear. Her phone rang for a few moments until a voice came on.
"Hello?"
"We've got a wrecked vehicle here on Abigail Road. My partner an ah are headin' back ta the station. Can ya handle this?" Amber replied solemnly.
"Thanks for telling me. We'll be right there."
With the suspects obtained Amber and her partner went back into the car and drove away.
Roaming the streets the sounds of sobbing was all that was in the atmosphere. The sister continuously cried, not even giving herself a chance to breath with the endless tears fall from her chin. The brother could only look at her with a sorrowful expression. As much as he wanted to comfort her right then and there, his hands were unusable at the moment, which made his head fall and putting his vision onto the carpet of the car.
Passing a stoplight the police car made a turn and coming up the road was it's destination. At the heart of Wild District in Destiny City lies a massively large twenty-floor building. On the outside stood a large sign that read: Destiny City Police Department with bright yellow lights and a symbol of a large bird spreading it's wings in the center. The building was gray with a plethora of windows ranging from large at the top and small at the bottom. At the very top of the building a long pole stood tall and high with a humongous flag waving in the wind.
Making another turn the police car started to descend onto a slope, making itself decrease it's speed right when a huge garage door started opening up. Going underneath it a large trail of lights turned on, guiding the police car further down the path. The lights themselves illuminate several other cars to the sides. Each one was parked symmetrically, perfectly aligned standing by until their usage was needed.
Soon the police car made it's way to the very bottom and to the left was an entrance to the bottom portion of the building. Right outside the entrance stood a small number of officers. Some had their backs against the walls, one had her phone out, and one merely crossed his arms with narrowed eyes. At the sight of the police car coming the officers stopped what they were doing and calmly approached the vehicle.
From each side an officer opened the doors and helped the suspects get out before wrapping their arms underneath theirs. Turning their bodies the officers made their way to the entrance, keeping a good grip on the suspects. The other officers opened up the trunk of the car, locating the bags inside and taking them out before closing the trunk.
Amber and her partner soon got out, watching the suspects go into the building.
Watching them go Amber closed her eyes and let out a small breath. Her narrowed eyes started to lessen, though she raised her arms and held them in her palms. The objective was met. They surrendered without a fight. They were criminals, yet...a wave of sorrow and guilt entered her mind. This wasn't the first time...and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
Turning his head the partner looked onto Amber and noticed her posture. His lips curved down the more he looked at her and it wasn't hard to understand what was going on in her head. Raising out his hand he slowly placed it onto her shoulder.
The sudden addition of pressure on her made Amber turn her head to her partner. The expression on his face brought some comfort to her, yet only an ounce of it.
"You okay?" The partner asked.
"Do ya really 'ave ta ask?" Amber asked.
"I just want to make sure my partner and friend is okay." The partner addressed.
Amber merely shook her head.
"Officer Evans." Officer#1 called, making her look at him. "Captain Briggs wants to speak to you. She told me to tell you when you got back."
"Where is she?" Amber asked.
"In your office." Officer#1 replied.
On cue her partner padded her shoulder and made his way to the entrance. Amber released her arms and followed behind him.
Going inside the building Amber took a few glances at some holding cells to her right. On the inside the pieces of scum quickly pushed themselves away from the bars. Their bodies started shaking just by looking at her. The beats in their chests rapidly started pulsing, making them hide their faces from her.
Amber scoffed at them and made her way down the hall. From left to right there were more holding cells. On the left it was full with a variety of women ranging from late-teens to mid-thirties. On the right was a large capacity of men also ranging from late-teens to mid-thirties. As soon as her presence was known on both sides they all immediately moved away from the bars and backed up to the walls. Most of them started screaming their heads off, some cradled themselves on the floor, and some just...fainted. Yeah, at just a glance they fainted by looking at the woman.
At the end of the hallway Amber went through a two-way door. On the other side a large area came into her vision. Near her there was a large wooden desk with a lady typing on her computer. To the left there were two officers holding large mugs and chowing down on some big doughnuts. Next to them a female officer was casually walking pass them carrying some folders in her arms. The two officers offered to help her, but she kindly declined and walked pass them. On the right were a large collection of desks were gathered around with a small number of officers answering calls.
Watching her partner go to the left Amber made her way to the right. Going by several desks some officers took notice of her walking by. Most of them smiled at her. Some frowned and returned to their work, and others...scoffed at her and gave her glares. Amber paid no mind and made her way forward. Just the usual looks she'd get nearly everyday.
Up ahead she spotted a room opened up and slightly increased her pacing. Coming up to the door she made her way inside. In the room there was a large wooden desk with a laptop at it's center, a large stack of files next to it, and two picture frames. One was of her in uniform surrounded by a large group of officers and the other was of her and her parents standing in front of the building.
Within the room there was a dark-skinned young woman with short black hair and brown eyes wearing a light-blue collared shirt with a black-tie, black dress-pants, black dress-shoes, and a badge on her chest. Next to her stood a tall tanned-skinned middle-aged man with black hair, brown eyes with black-framed glasses, a white collared shirt, a brown jacket, dark-blue jeans, and black dress-shoes.
The young woman grinned at the sight of Amber and approached her. "Officer Evans. I'm glad you're back."
"Captain Briggs." Amber replied. She then turned her head to the man, "And who is this?"
"Hello." The man said, offering his hand to her. Amber took it before they shook. "I'm Doug Maheswaran. I just transferred here a few hours ago."
"Amber Evans." Amber replied. Once they were finished shaking she turned her eyes onto her captain. "There was somethin' ya wanted ta talk ta me 'bout?"
Captain Briggs nodded. "I know you just came back from a case, but I'm assigning Maheswaran as your second partner."
Amber cocked an eyebrow at her Captain. Turning her head to Maheswaran the man smiled at her. This was something Amber wasn't expecting to happen. Though she already had a partner, her Captain was giving her another. It was common in the department for many officers to have a selection of partners. At the very least...she can see what he can do.
"Not that ah don't like this, but why am ah gettin' another one?" Amber asked.
"Because I want Maheswaran to learn from you." The Captain replied. "Be nice. Take him out for a drive." She added as she walked out of the room.
Walking out of the building Amber approached the police car in front of her with Doug behind her. Watching him go to the other side and opening his door both officers entered the car and strapped in. Pulling out the key, Amber inserted it into the ignition and twisted it. The engines roared and started humming with the lights in and on the vehicle turning on. Placing her hands on the wheels Amber slowly pushed themselves back before going forward.
Going up the hill-slope they drove up to the garage door as it was opening up and went right under it. Exiting the garage Amber turned the wheel, maneuvering the vehicle onto the road and adding some more pressure onto the accelerator, giving it some additional speed.
Keeping her eyes on the road Amber witness a car ahead of her. Lifting up her boot slightly the police car's speed began to decrease, however the car up ahead soon took a turn, making Amber press her boot back onto the accelerator, giving it back the extra speed.
Doug turned his head to his window and raised it up. His eyes gazed up at the beauty of the moon and stars. Though it was unclear to him, there was this...calmness in the atmosphere that made him smile. Being in a police vehicle with his new partner, driving at night, it felt...really soothing to him. He's suppose to be taking this seriously, but as of right now...nothing serious was happening.
Turning his head he saw a stoplight up ahead turn red. The vehicle began to decrease it's speed right until it came to a complete stop. To his right stood a nearby building with it's signs brightly glowing. Outside of the building various pedestrians were causally or quickly crossing the street to get to the other side. To his left the pedestrians made it to the other side and traversed among the sidewalk.
Shifting his eyes onto Amber she had her eyes locked onto the road. Getting a good look at her it wasn't hard to see how different she was from the other officers. Moreover, when they were leaving the people in the holding-cells just freaked out at the sight of her. Geez... Either they were afraid of the police that much, or...it has something to do with Amber. That answer...was pretty obvious, and made his curiosity towards her grow.
"It ain't polite ta stare." Amber said calmly.
Hearing her voice, Doug flinched and turned his head to the opposite direction. Sucking in his lips his cheek started to get a bit warm. Great... first time with a partner and his first mistake was staring at her. Nice job, Doug.
"Sorry." Doug replied. "I didn't mean to."
The stoplight soon turned green, making Amber press on the accelerator and go forward.
"Don't tell meh ya got a crush on lil' o me afta we jus' met." Amber said.
"W-W-What!?" Doug stuttered. "N-No, no! Absolutely not. I-I mean, you are a very beautiful woman, but I'm married and I have a child. So I'm already taken."
Amber smirked. "Ah'm messin' wit ya, honey."
Hearing that a long sigh exited Doug's mouth.
"However, ah don't see no ring on those fingers of yers." Amber pointed.
Putting his hand into his pocket Doug pulled out a small golden ring with a silver emblem at it's center. Amber slightly turned her eyes to him, witnessing the ring he was holding and soon putting her eyes back on the road. Right when Doug opened his mouth to speak the radio was then going off.
"Dispatch. This is Officer Park. We've got a 10-71 on Allen Avenue at The Shack in Wild District. Back-up required. I repeat, requesting back-up."
Amber and Doug turned their heads to each with narrowed eyes. Wasn't often that kind of call comes in, but when it did it wasn't a happy experience for any officer. Reaching hi hand out Doug placed his finger onto the radio button right when Amber slammed her boot onto the accelerator and turned on the siren.
"Officer Park, this is Officer Maheswaran. Officer Evans and I are on our way. Do not engage until we arrive. I repeat, do not engage until we arrive." Doug said strongly and firmly.
Thanks to the siren each vehicle ahead of them began pulling over to the side of the road, giving them more room to get through and to reach their destination.
Shifting the vehicle to the right Amber jerked the wheel before straightening it and keeping it going. Doug grabbed onto the safety handle on the roof and let loose some deep heavy breaths.
Normally, anyone going as fast as Amber would instantly get arrested on the spot or delve deep into a large chase, but luckily for her and Doug, they were allowed to go at high-speeds. Fire-trucks are allowed to go incredibly fast, ambulances were allowed this privilege too, so it is also passed down onto the police for reasons such as this.
Straight ahead Amber began to decrease her speed and turned the vehicle to the right, entering into a large parking-lot. Within the parking lot stood a large building with five large tables outside with large umbrellas placed on them. The building itself showcased a large sign spelling: THE SHACK, large see-through windows, and a statue of a burger with a cute smile wearing a top-hat.
Coming to a complete stop, Amber shut off the engine and both her and Doug got out of their vehicle and slamming the doors. In front of them there was another police-car parked in front of the building with an officer standing right outside of her car. The officer was a middle-aged woman with short brunette hair and hazel eyes. She wore the standard DCPD uniform with a golden badge planted onto her chest and showcasing a name-tag that said: PARK.
"Cynthia." Amber called out.
Hearing her name getting called the officer turned her body to see Amber and Doug coming to her.
"What's the situation?" Amber asked, turning her head to the building. Through the windows the officers witnessed a young woman pointing a gun at a young man raising his hands in the air. All around them were civilians on the ground holding their heads and trembling.
"I got here a few minutes ago." Cynthia replied. "I've tried approaching the building, but the suspect won't allow me to enter."
Descending her eyes onto the megaphone in Cynthia's hand Amber raised her hand to her, allowing Cynthia to give her the item. Turning her head to the building Amber pulled up the megaphone to her lips.
"THIS IS THE POLICE! WE'RE COMING INSIDE THE BUILDING!" Amber called out.
Giving Cynthia her megaphone back Amber started marching right up to the building.
BANG!
Screams echoes into the air when the suspect raised the gun to the ceiling. Amber soon stopped in place while keeping her eyes locked onto the suspect.
"DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!" The suspect yelled. "IF YOU DO I'LL SHOOT EVERYONE IN THIS STUPID PLACE!"
Taking Cynthia's megaphone Doug walked right beside Amber, putting the megaphone to his lips.
"DON'T MAKE THIS WORSE THAN IT ALREADY HAS! DROP YOUR WEAPON IMMEDIATELY AND GET DOWN ON THE GROUND!" He yelled.
The suspect completely turned her whole body around, placing her attention onto the cops. Raising her hands out she then pointed her gun right at the window. Her lips began to quiver as did her eyes. Soon her whole body started shaking like a leaf and tears started pouring right down onto her cheeks.
"GO AWAY!" The suspect wailed. "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS! JUST GO AWAY AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!"
Lowering the megaphone, Doug gave it back to Cynthia. All three officers planted their eyes onto the suspect and her current state. They gave her a chance. They are willing give this woman more chances than she needs, but...from the way she looks and how she is acting right now, it didn't look like what they say will ever reach her. Even if they call for more back-up it'll only make the situation worse and bring up a body count. So...there was only one option remaining.
Taking a step forward Amber raised out her left arm and turned it onto her right shoulder. Placing it near her Gemstone it slowly started glowing and a large yellow handle erupted right out of it. Grabbing it she pulled it out, revealing it to large revolver. Narrowing her eyes she raised out the revolver, pointing it directly at the suspect.
Doug turned to Amber as his eyes greatly widened, looking at Amber and the actions she was displaying at this exact moment. "What are you doing!?"
"Hush!" Amber yelled firmly. "Ah'm doin' mah job."
"But-" Doug tried to speak.
"Officer Maheswaran." Cynthia intercepted, gaining his attention. "I suggest you stay back. The suspect made her choice."
Turning from Amber to Cynthia, Doug wasn't so sure on the proper actions to conduct at the moment. Just looking at Amber gave him a great feeling of uncertainty with that revolver in her hand, yet Cynthia told him to stand back. He didn't know either of this women, only meeting them tonight. So many things were spinning right through his mind on what to do, but...at this moment he raised up his leg and stepped back.
Keeping her finger on the trigger Amber's eyes began to glow yellow. A small surge of electric energy started pulsing around her revolver and her hand holding it. Pulling the hammer Amber gave the suspect the harshest glare she could muster. The suspect shut her eyes tightly and turned her hand away, pulling onto her trigger.
In the split of a second, Amber pulled onto her trigger too.
BANG!
BANG!
In almost perfect synchronicity both wielders fired off their weapons. The suspect's bullet traversed through the air, heading straight for the window. Coming on close the bullet made contact with the glass, shattering it and piercing right through it, making it go right toward the other side. Unfortunately for it...that was as far as it was going to get. Amber's bullet soared right through the crisp air like a sonic jet, heading straight for the other bullet. Getting closer and closer to it, Amber's bullet shot itself right onto the regular bullet, splitting it in half.
Storming pass the now broken bullet, Amber's bullet pierced right through the broken glass and made it's way toward the suspect. A small gasp exited her mouth right as the bullet found it's way toward her skull.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPP!
On impact the suspect got covered in electricity and her body started twitching and flailing out. Her eyes went into opposite directions as foam started coming out of her mouth. All around her the victims could only watch in horror to what was happening to her. Doug gritted his teeth as he watch this event transpire. Cynthia closed her eyes and looked away. Amber... She only looked at the suspect with narrowed eyes and a frown.
Soon...the suspect stood in place. The electricity surrounding her vanished. She just...stood right in place, though her eyes and mouth remained as they were when she was getting fried. Pulling her head back the suspect released the gun in her hand as her body began to tilt itself back. More and more her body tilted back until it crashed right onto the floor, making it jump for a short moment until she landed right back down.
Lowering her arm Amber's revolver disappeared in her. Closing her eyes she sucked in some air and slowly exhaled it out. Re-opening her eyes she raised her leg out and made her way to the building.
"C'mon. We gotta finish the job." Amber announced.
Without giving her a response both Doug and Cynthia shortly followed her.
End Of Episode 7.
Hope you all enjoyed and be aware of what is to come.