Han, Raven, Red and Zeke stood at the airport bright and early to see Moon off with Brianna. She hugged all of three of them stopping at Zeke. "You got everything right?" He asked. "For the eighth time. Yes. Now stop being a parent." "How's Soul-Taker treating you? It's not rejecting you right?" Moon summoned Iziel and Soul-Taker for a split second, giving Zeke a sarcastic smile. "Yeah, they're fighting me. Stop worrying. I got this." Brianna slapped Zeke on the shoulder. "Yeah, we got this. Besides, I'll be her Tank and look after her." Zeke nodded clearly still uneasy about Moon leaving through the Rift without him. He opened his arms for a hug, and Moon pulled him in a for kiss. He reeled back stunned, shaking his head, and blushing. "What...what was that about?" "Moving some blood out of your brain. Stop worrying. I'll be back in 3 months or less." "Most likely a little over 3 months." "I'll finish this job lickity split, and be back to party." "Just..just be safe." "Aww, he's so worried about his girlfriend." Han said. "We're not-eugh...Alright we're leaving. Be safe." Zeke said hugging Moon and Brianna goodbye.
Brianna and Moon sat together on the flight both giddy to reach the Rift. "So you and Zeke, finally dating huh?" Moon blushed playing with her hair. "Kinda...we're pseudo dating." She cocked an eyebrow at her. "The fuck is that?" "Well I've classified it as friends with benefits, but really I'm making sure he realizes that there's no one better for him than me. Then eventually he'll realize he's fallen in love with me." "Or! And just hear me out on this. You could just tell him? You know before any misunderstandings happen?" "It's fine. I mean it's Zeke. He's always picking up on hints and clues. In fact. I'm 99% sure, he's just playing along." Moon said confidently. In actuality Moon could not be any more wrong. Zeke was 100% oblivious to Moon's budding feelings of love. "I bet you, that he'll have a big surprise to welcome me home as well." "Alright...don't say I didn't warn you. Now, do you remember what we discussed?" "You're not Zeke. Don't use you as a human shield." "Correct."
In the busy and bustling streets of New York City. Lieutenant Jones and Detective Stevens sprinted and barged their way through screaming for people to clear the way. Lieutenant Jones was an overweight and balding man in his late thirties. His dress shirt and pants were stressed at the seams, and his pits covered in sweat stains. A few metres just ahead of him, was Detective Stevens. In his early thirties, with a lush set of mahogany hair, it was the only thing about him that appeared youthful. The two chased after a mugger in a black hoodie, shoving his way through the streets. "STOP!" Stevens shouted, holding his badge in the air. He stumbled to a stop keeling over to lean over his knees and catch his breath. Lieutenant Jones collapsed onto his knees beside him, holding his phone to his mouth. "Suspect! WOOO! Last seen HAAAAAAA! Fuck me I gotta run more...." He wheezed, wiping his brow. Stevens slapped the back of his head. "Directions!" "Heading south west!" "Come on we gotta keep going." "Fuck that. We ain't gonna catch him." "What makes you say that?" "Ten bucks says he's marked." "You're on." Stevens said helping him up.
The mugger bolted into an alleyway hiding behind a heavy dumpster. He inspected the designer handbag he had stolen, finding a bulging wallet inside, with a new phone. He chuckled at his score, resting easy against the wall, and wiped his brow. Standing up he saw a woman in a blue and white track suit standing in front of him. The sun behind her shadowed her face completely. She tossed him a pair of handcuffs. "Put those on, and come quietly." He could tell she was young, and way too confident. He pulled his hoodie back, slapping the metal dumpster. It screeched and morphed into a giant lance. "Run along piggy. Before you get hurt." "Looks like we're adding another felony to your charges." She said walking towards him. He let out a grunt hurling it towards her. Raising her right hand, the lance was reduced to ash in a blinding white light. "Tsk. Tsk. Destruction of government property. You're looking at 15 years minimum." He shook his blurry and spotted vision trying to focus on her, after the staring at the light.
Seeing her silhouette getting closer, he lunged at her. She caught his wrist and locked it behind him, pinning him to the ground. The mugger grunted trying to throw her off. "Keep moving, and I'll start breaking some bones." She took out her phone. "Lieutenant, culprit caught." "Great...oh my fucking god, I need a cheeseburger after that." "Wrong, you need the opposite of a cheeseburger, you fat fuck." Stevens yelled over the phone call. "Shut up! I'm your superior officer and you should-" "Guys." "Shinnie, that guy. Was he Marked?" Stevens asked. "Shinnie?" She asked irritated. "Sergeant Shinsei, was the culprit marked?" "Did you two make a bet?" The phone was silent except for their breathing. "...Yes he was marked." "Fuck!" "Fucking called it!" Lieutenant Jones celebrated. "Great work, we'll bring the car around." "If you're gonna sit on me lady, at least sit on my front and ARGH!" She snapped his pinkie to the left. He winced and gnashed his teeth, letting out a grunt.
The two pulled the police car around. Sergeant Shinsei threw the culprit into the back. He mean mugged her, looking her up and down. Tall and slender with porcelain skin, and her fiery red hair tied into a short pony tail, she smirked at him rubbing the beauty mark under her right bright violet eye. "If you weren't such a bitch, I'd actually think you're hot!" The mugger snarled. "Hey dumbass. Don't insult the person, you're gonna be riding with back to the station. It makes the trip very awkward." The mugger grimaced as she shoved him to the side with ease, and took a seat next to him. The radio in their car beeped. "Sergeant Shinsei, can you hear me?" A deep voice asked. "I can hear you Captain. What's wrong?" The four of them heard a gentle sobbing and whimpering in the background. "Can you hear that?" "Yes?" She asked confused. "Now, answer my next question correctly, and I won't give you night shift for the next month. Where is your partner?" She winced and cringed, mouthing a cuss. The two at the front smirked. "Umm....is there any lie, that I can-" "Office." He said terminating the chat.
"Ooooooooh! Somebody's in trouble!" The two said. "You're both idiots." "Why does no one respect my rank? I am your Lieutenant, you're meant to be respectful to me." "Can't respect a man, you can bribe with a jelly donut." Stevens muttered. She snickered covering her mouth. "Hey!" He snapped. "Don't use the truth to hurt me." Jones pouted. "You know there's nothing stopping me from turning this entire car into a popsicle and killing you all right?" "Go ahead." Stevens said confidently. The mugger grunted, looking confused. Repeatedly slapping the door frame. She tapped his cuffs, showing several different etchings and engravings. "Ah...etched handcuffs..I see...Is that gonna threat gonna be used against me in court or, did you guys know I was joking?" He asked with a nervous smile. The three of them looked at him askance.
The two booked the mugger while Sergeant Shinsei made her way into the Captain's office. She took a deep breath before entering. A young blonde woman sat on the Captain's couch sniffling. She wore a tight pencil skirt dress and high heels, her mascara was smoky and running. The Captain was a large muscle bound man, in his late twenties with slicked back black hair. "Captain. I-" "Sit." He growled, sitting behind his undersized desk, filling out paperwork. She pursed her lips to a line and took a seat in front of his desk. He aggressively scrawled his signature on a document, slamming his metal pen down. He stared at her with piercing blue eyes, filled with burning rage, and clasped his hands together in front of him. "Do you have something to say?" She rolled her eyes turning back the girl. "I'm sorry." "For what." She said frowning at her. Shinsei turned back to the Captain, shaking her head at the situation. "Do I really have to-" "Yes." She let out a sigh, getting out of her seat.
She bowed at the young girl. "I'm deeply sorry, for leaving you behind." "Miss Rogers?" She pouted at Shinsei, wiping her nose. "It's a start, but I refuse to work with her anymore. I'm leaving. Effective immediately." "Oh no. What a shame. How will I ever cope?" She said sarcastically slumping back into her seat. "You see Captain? How am I meant to keep her safe, when she won't even respect me?" Her face contorted to confusion and anger. "Protect me? I'm a thousand times stronger than you." "But you're an E grade Hunter, and I'm a D grade. That means I'm stronger than you honey." Shinsei rose to her feet clenching her fist. "Sit down. Miss Rogers, if you want to stop working with her, hand in your resignation form." "Hmpf. I already emailed you it. You need to put a leash on this one Captain Carter." "Leave." He snapped standing up. He towered over the both of them, and guided her out the door.
"Tsk, who would want to work with her anyway?" She scoffed. He calmly and silently took his seat after closing the door. "Told her a thousand times. Hunter or not, you can't catch criminals in high heels." "Are you made of Viagra, Sunny?" She looked at him shocked. "What? No sir. Why would you-" He slammed his fist onto the table shaking the entire room, and making her jump. "Then stop making everything in my life so damn hard!" He slumped back in his seat letting out a long sigh. "Captain, with all due respect. I don't need her, or any other Hunter babysitting me." "Wrong. Wrong. Wrong!" He said shaking his head. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he rubbed his temples. "What if that asshole out there had a power you couldn't deal with?" "Again. If I couldn't deal with them, no shitty partner of mine could either." "That's not the...are you even carrying your weapon?" "Don't need a gun. Don't need a partner. You know this." He took a deep breath composing himself.
"Look. By law, you're meant to have your badge and weapon on you, and a Hunter partner with you at all times." "You know that I don't." "I know that, but the commissioners, are wondering why one of their youngest sergeants are running around without a partner or weapon." "Can't you tell them to, you know...fuck off? Like before." "That was before the grade reset. As an S grade, they would let it pass, but right now. You're classified as an E grade." She grunted. "This is fucking stupid." "I agree, but if you got a problem, take it up with Alistair and the other crazy nine." She folded her arms, pouting and sucking on her teeth. "So what now?" Carter took out a folder and placed in on his desk. "I've got great news, good news, bad news and terrible news. How do you want me to tell you?" She inspected the size of the folder, stroking her chin. "You're bluffing it's all bad." "Good catch. So let's get started. You're new partner arrives tomorrow." "What? Already?" "Please. Save your angry outbursts to the end."
He handed her the folder. She skimmed through letting out a whistle. "Kid has a rap sheet." "Minor crimes." "There's a grievous bodily harm charge in here." "Kid was ten, when he did it. Didn't have control of his strength." "He's a Demon Hunter? No. I refuse to work with him." "Too bad. He's the only one accepting the damn contract." She tossed the folder back onto the desk. He compiled the folder and handed it back to her. "You're gonna work with him for three months. Then hopefully in that time, someone else will pick it up." "Isn't there-" "There is no other way. Now I know you two are natural enemies, but I need you to suck it up." "Look at his rap sheet." "Yeah, and how many teenagers you know actually pay off all their debts, and open their own freelance agency?" She sat down in a huff. He opened the folder. "He had a rocky start in life, but look at his accolades. 6 month refresher course, completed in less than months at Chiron Academy no less. Killed a Colossal Centipede. Fucked a Drow."
Sunny looked at him askance. "Hmm, not sure why that's put in his file, but moving on. Won the Hunter Games held at Chiron Academy. Has a letter of recommendation from...Christ that's impressive. Damien Hawthorne, Adrianna Jaeger, Lillia Edelgard." "Who?" "New head of the Australian Hunter Agency." Sunny nodded begrudgingly impressed. "He's still a Demon Hunter." He flashed a picture of Zeke to her. His hair down covering most of his face, his eyes hidden by a blanket of hair. "He's five foot seven. You really gonna treat him like the other Demon Hunters?" "He's short. That doesn't make any less of their kind." "Just...just don't give the kid a reason to leave his contract early." "Why? What happens if I don't have a partner?" "You don't work." "What!? That's bullshit!" "Again. Take it up with the World Rankers for making the reset." He tossed the folder to Sunny. "Now remember to pick him up at the airport, and do it with a smile and wearing something more appropriate." "I was on a run." She left in huff.
Sunny found the other detectives and officers gathered around Stevens and Jones, in front of a large whiteboard. "Alright, we got 1 to 1 odds, this kid leaves in less than a day." Stevens said. "10 to 1, that he makes it a week." "How much for last the three months?" An officer asked. "Risky man! I like it. We got that going for 1000 to 1." "Are you all betting on me?" They all let out an audible startled gasp seeing Sunny. "Uhhhh...that depends, are you mad?" She made her to the front seeing a policeman's cap filled to the brim with small to large bills. "How much in the pot right now?" "I mean, I'm not saying we are betting on you, but right now about 5 grand."
She looked at all of them, taking out two chips from her pocket. They all marvelled at the sight of it. "You're all betting when he leaves." She tossed it into the hat. "First one to make him leave. Gets the pot." "What are you thinking Sergeant?" Jones asked. "Australian kid, in the big city. Give him the grand tour." They all let out a sinister chuckle. "What's going on here?" Captain Carter asked silencing the room. He approached the whiteboard glaring at Jones and Stevens. Inspecting the board for a minute he took the marker and wrote one billion to one with a love heart next to it. He placed a single dollar in the hat, and smirked at Sunny, who sneered at him. "Uh captain, you want to explain that bet?" Stevens asked. "One billion to one odds. That Sergeant Shinsei here, falls in love with him." The room erupted into laughter. "It's never gonna happen." "Right, I forgot to tell you one thing about this new partner of yours. He'll be staying at your place." "WHAT!?" The other officers and detectives chuckled leaving the room and patting her on the shoulder.
She chuckled nervously. "You're joking right?" He walked out with a smirk. "Captain. Captain! You're joking right!?" She anxiously followed him into the bullpen. "Captain, I have a tiny apartment." "I write your salary, why would you lie to me?" "He's a Demon and I'm just a helpless girl?" "HA!" Stevens and Jones cackled. "You two shut up!" She snapped, waiting beside him at the elevator. "I mean where's, he gonna sleep? I don't have a couch." "Let him share your bed." "Is it too late to get the girl back?" "Is it too late to make a bet on that?" Carter stepped into the elevator, with Sunny following him inside. "Captain, come on. There's gotta be another way." "You have two options. One, spend the next 3 months with a 17 year old Demon, probably raging with hormones and angst. Or start taking contracts and work your way into becoming an S grade Hunter again to run solo." "But-" "Thought so. Now I don't want to hear any complaints from this one. I'd rather the NYPD have a good relation with the Australian Hunters." She watched as he walked off, her jaw hanging. "Couldn't you just torture me instead!?"
Zeke stood with Raven, Han and Red at the airport. He wore his suit and hair slicked back. Han shook her head taking off his tie and unbuttoning his chest. "What are you doing? I thought you wanted me to look presentable?" "It's spring in New York. You should look casual and stylish at the same time." "So no tie?" "How are you so smart, but so dumb with fashion?" He shrugged at her. "Alright, while I'm gone. You're in charge." He said to Raven. "What? That's bullshit, I'm older than her." "Ah huh, and exactly how many people are coming to the party?" "About....Okay how and when?" Han asked. "You really think you hid the beer in the basement that well?" "Why are you snooping on my basement?" "Because it's my house. Which is why I'm leaving Raven in charge, also if needed, she could physically throw you out." "Got it Boss. Anything else you want me to do while you're gone?"
"Keep them out of my room. Make sure Red goes on her daily walk, and doesn't over eat, I'm not paying for another VET bill. Other than that, keep the house relatively okay. Cleaners should be around every month." Raven nodded. He gave Red a few scratches, before looking at Han. "It's not a big party." She pouted. "You called it mega bomb ass party." "Okay seriously. Are you spying on me?" "Downside of having Red as a Facebook friend is that I can see what she sees." Han glared at Red who cowered away. "You traitor. I was gonna give you shots as well." "Do not give her shots." Zeke said sternly. "Alright, time for you to go. You're gonna miss your check in." Raven said. "Oh before I forget. If anyone from the church comes around. You politely yet firmly ask them to go fuck themselves and get off my property." The three nodded at him, waving him goodbye.
Sunny angrily sat in her car at the airport pickup. She wore a simple white t-shirt and black jeans, with her hair flowing down. "Bogey's flight landed 20 minutes ago. He'll be coming out of baggage claim right now." She said. "Feel like, you should call the kid his name, since he'll be living with you." "He's not gonna be living me!" She snapped at Stevens. "Not if you all do your job. Now remember the kid looks like an absolutely emo. Long hair over his face, and crummy clothing." "Um Sergeant, this doesn't feel like a very good use of police resources." An officer said. "If you had something better to do on a Saturday morning, you wouldn't be here." "You ordered us!" "I'll buy you all drinks. Just scare this kid home." Stevens stood in the baggage claim, unaware that Zeke walked right past him. 'Man where is this kid?' Zeke took his baggage wheeling them out, admiring the new country he was in. Still oblivious to some women gawking at the sight of him. Jones sat in a cafe, trying to remain inconspicuous, while reading his newspaper.
"Any sign of him of Stevens?" "Nope. Are you sure this kid was even on the plane? There's no one coming out?" "You missed him? How? You had one job!" Sunny snapped. "Don't yell at me." "Lieutenant can you see him?" "I got nothing, hang on-" Zeke approached him. "Can I help you son?" "Hi, sorry to bother you sir. I just wanted to let you know that your newspaper is currently sitting in your coffee." "Oh shit!" He clumsily took out his newspaper spilling his coffee. "What the hell is happening?" Sunny hissed. "I can pay for that." "You don't need to pay for my clumsiness." "Well you'd still have some coffee, if I didn't say anything." Jones chuckled with Zeke, as the two helped the barista clean the spill. "Can I get you anything sonny?" "What? No, I already have a coffee." "No, thank you. Actually I was hoping you would help me with something." "Of course. That's what this badge means. To serve and protect." "It's serve and protect fat ass." Stevens added. "Well my Uber app isn't working right now. I was wondering how much does cab fare normally cost from here to Central Park?" "Smart man trying to not get scammed. It's about $25." Zeke bowed at him. "Thank you sir."
"Will you two focus! Where is the kid?" "No idea. I don't even think he was onboard." Stevens asked. "What a nice young man." He approached the receptionist. "Police business, but was a Hunter named Zeke Chen aboard that plane?" "Hmmm...Yes he was sir. You must have just missed him." "Sunny, think he's heading your way." She grimaced. "Does anyone have eyes on him? Anyone?" Zeke noticed several officers scanning the place touching their ear pieces. 'Hmmm, must be looking for someone, better leave before something bad happens.' "We got nothing Sergeant." "Did the kid not have a contact number?" "He does, but I'm not calling it." "Oh just do it. Give us his location and we'll scare him." Stevens said. "Fine! This is ridiculous. Trained detectives and cops can't find a single Chinese kid." She angrily muttered dialling Zeke. "Hello? May I ask who this is?" Sunny cleared her throat, putting on a deep voice. "Hunter Zeke Chen." "Oh you are Hunter!?" The driver asked excitedly, his thick and loud Persian accent overshadowed her. "Yeah, I'm a Hunter." "Oiyoyo! Why you take my cab? Why you not just run to place huh? Make me waste fuel!"
"Wait you're in a cab?" "No he not! Out! You waste of money! Go!" "Hey wait, I have stuff I need to bring." "No! Out! RAPE! RAPE!" The driver started to scream. The call dropped as Zeke fought the driver. Sunny pulled her phone away looking at it confused. Jones came out to see Zeke being kicked out of the cab, with the driver angrily throwing his luggage out. "Go!" He physically hissed at Zeke, making him back away extremely confused. He stood there dumbfounded scratching his head as the driver took off with screeching tires. "But...I was gonna pay?" "You alright?" Jones asked walking over to him." "Oh. Uhhh...I'm not sure. He found out I was a Hunter and flipped out." "Right, forgot to mention that. Everyone always thinks Hunters can just run everywhere, but you got luggage." He said helping Zeke carry his luggage back to the drop off zone. "Here, I'll get you an Uber, they're normally less crazy than the cab drivers." "Thank you." "Actually...I'm heading in that direction myself. How about I just give you a lift there?" "Oh that'd be amazing."
"Does anyone have eyes on this kid?" "Think he's gone boss." Stevens said. "Damn it I'm calling him again." Zeke hopped into Jones's car, with him taking out his ear piece. "Hello?" Zeke asked confused. "Why did you hang up?" Sunny asked in her deep voice. "Um, didn't mean to, but can I ask who this is?" "Never mind who I am. Just know that you should turn back and-" Zeke ended the call shaking his head. She stared at her phone dumbfounded. "Did he just hang up on me? That motherfucker!" "Weirdest scam call I've ever gotten." "They're getting weirder." Jones said. "So what business you got here?" "Just here on a bodyguard contract." "Oh that right? A big name?" "Sorry not sure. The contract just says go to Central park and I'll be contacted at 1pm." "Oooh, mysterious. Are you nervous to meet them?" He chuckled. "To be honest a little, but I should be okay. It's a government contract." Jones answered his phone call from Sarge. "Where the hell are you?" Sunny snapped. "I'm going back to the precinct." "What!? Why? We haven't found the kid yet!"
'Hmm, so they were looking for a kid.' "Give it up. Just go meet up with him and the captain." "But-" Jones hung the phone up. "That sounds like you should keep looking for that kid. Aren't the first 48 hours critical?" Jones chuckled. "It's not a kidnapping or missing kid. She's just being dumb. Alright Central Park. You sure I don't need to take, you to a hotel or something?" "You've done more than enough." Zeke bowed. "Have a good day sir." Jones drove off, seeing Zeke wave him goodbye. "Damn it! Totally forgot the get kids name. Ah well. I'm sure he'll be fine." Zeke took his two suit cases deeper into the park, enjoying the site and sending a few pictures to the others. Mums and female joggers ogled as they passed. "Wonder what this Detective Shinsei even looks like? Is she the one I'm meeting? Why here of all places? Ah whatever. Just enjoy the view."
Sunny drove like a bat out of hell, weaving in and out of traffic to reach Central Park. Captain Carter stood by a street light wearing black suspenders over his shirt. "You're late." She chuckled nervously. "What are you talking about? I'm not late. I am only fou-ty five minutes late...I slept in?" "Come on. The kid is waiting for us. He's exactly sure where he is. So if you find him first, text me." "Oh, I'll text you." "And no excuses, like your phone isn't working or you have no data. I know about your little scare operation." She pouted at him, sulking into the park.
Sunny found Zeke sitting on a bench playing with a jogger's chocolate Labrador. He knelt down at its level playing and petting it. "Ah! Look at how cute this guy is!" She spotted at the jogger was clearly interested in him. 'Woah...he's cute, and good with dogs." Sunny approached him, scaring the jogger away with her badge. "Sir, can I speak with you?" He dusted himself off. "Of course officer. How can I help?" 'Polite too.' "I'm looking for a young man. Wears baggy clothing and has long hair over his face. Have you seen him around?" Zeke shook his head. "No miss. Haven't seen anyone like that around." She eyed him up and down, liking what she saw. "Are you here on business?" "I am. Was meant to meet someone for a contract, but think I gave bad directions. Not exactly sure where I'm at right now." "Well if you're free, would you like to join me for dinner?" She asked. Zeke paused, carefully checking his surroundings, before pointing at himself. "Me?" She snickered. "Yes you. Would you like to join me for dinner?" "Are you asking me out?"
"I don't like to beat around the bush. You look nice, and I would like to know you better." "Umm...would I be able to ask a few questions, before I answer?" "What are they?" "Am I being recorded right now?" She shook her head. "Are you an organ harvester? Because I thought those women only appeared in like European countries." She snickered shaking her head again. "Okay, final question. Are you sure, you're talking to me?" "Yes. Now is that a yes or no?" "Sure...I would like to say, I don't really know any great date spots." He said awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "That's alright, I know a few. Here give me your number." "I-uh" Zeke awkwardly watched as Sunny snatched his phone, freezing at the picture of Moon. "Is this-" "She's not my girlfriend. That's just a prank my friend put on my phone. I swear." Zeke blushed. She smirked at him and giggled. "Maybe you'll put me on next time." She said cupping his chin up. He went bright red.
She squealed internally. 'Ah I can't stand it! He's so friggen cute.' Zeke received a text. He awkwardly backed away from Sunny, grabbing his phone out. "Ah damn it. They seemed pissed. But how exactly do I describe this damn place?" "Here give me the phone." He reluctantly gave the phone to Sunny. "Hi, the person you're looking for is at-" "Sunny?" She froze on the spot her eyes bulging out of its sockets. Sunny spun around. "Captain Carter?" She whispered. "Did you find him? Why are you on his phone?" She spun back to Zeke. "Um....can I ask for your name?" "Oh right, i totally forgot to introduce myself. Zeke Chen. Pleasure to meet you Miss...?" She squealed turning around accidently crushing Zeke's phone into pieces. "AH! What the hell!?" Zeke yelled rushing over. Sunny was bright red. "Sergeant! There you are." Captain Carter said. "Why'd you break my phone!?"
He cocked an eyebrow at the dumbfounded and frozen Sunny, and was even more confused at Zeke picking up the pieces of his phone. "Um, Mr Chen." "Yeah!?" He frowned at him. Sunny shook her head in horror and in complete despair. "I'm Captain Carter of the 50th precinct. I'm sorry it took so long to find you. This here is...Have you two been talking?" "We were and then she broke my phone." "Why did you break his phone?" "It had...incriminating..." "What's your problem lady? First you randomly ask me out to dinner." Captain Carter did a double take at Zeke, looking at him astounded. " She did what?" "Then you break my phone." "Um...could you repeat that last part? What did she do?" "I broke his phone! And nothing else..." "She asked me out to dinner. Even put her number in my phone, and held my chin." Captain Carter reeled back breaking out into a maniacal cackle. "Shut up! That didn't happen! He's a Demon and lying!" She squealed bright red, shaking Carter.
Zeke backed away from the two of them. 'What the fuck...' He mouthed. "Nothing happened! Tell him nothing happened!" "But it did happen. I'm pretty sure that camera picked it up." Carter and Sunny went silent, both looking up to the CCTV camera looking down at them. As Sunny's face contorted to pure despair and mortification, a sinister smile stretched across Carter's face. He took out his phone. "Who are you calling?" "This is Captain Carter of the 50th precinct, I need all footage of Central Park from today." "NO! DELETE IT!" She lunged at his phone. "Yes, I would love for it to be in 60fps and 4K resolution." "Captain, I'll give you whatever you want." "I'd like a billion dollars." "Anything other than that?" He shook his head, with a big smile he forced a hug onto Zeke. 'What the fuck!?' "This is the best day of my life!" He celebrated grabbing Zeke's luggage. "Come with me Mr Chen." "What about her? She owes me a new phone." "She does, and she'll be back with a brand new one for you. Otherwise I'm going to have so much fun at Show and Tell." "I-You-! But-!HE!" "It was a brand new Iphone by the way. Don't downgrade me." "You heard him Detective Shinsei." "Wait. She's the person I have to bodyguard!?" "AH I LOVE IT! SO MUCH!" Carter cheered.
The two of them sat in front of Captain Carter, with almost everyone trying to eavesdrop from outside. Pressing their heads against the walls with cups to their ears. "Well, now that we're all here. First of all. Thank you for making my year Mr Chen." "Nothing happened. He's lying. It was a prank!" "There's footage, why are you trying to lie?" Zeke asked. "Secondly, allow me to introduce you to your V.I.P. Detective Sergeant Sunny Shinsei." "Sunny, you know him already, and were planning to know him even better." She pouted looking away with her ears going red. "You'll be staying at her place for the next three months." "I object." She said. "Why? You were gonna have him there anyway." "I wasn't!" She barked. "Look you clearly have some problem with me, and I'm guessing it has something to do with the source of my Mana. But I'm here for the next three months to keep you safe. So let's just try to get along, and I'll agree to forget our first meeting." She begrudgingly shook his hand. "See, look at you two already hitting it off."
"Now with that being said. He's your new Hunter licence Mr Chen. Reports say you have a perceptive eye and high level of intuition, and problem solving capabilities." "You're making him a liaison as well? He's a damn kid." "That you tried to illicit for sex." She bowed her head in shame and defeat. "Um I like puzzles about it. Wouldn't say I'm fit to do detective work. From my understanding, I was just meant to come here and make sure she doesn't go all Rambo." "You are so damn perfect for this job." "I don't need a babysitter, and liking puzzles doesn't mean he'll be of any help as a liaison." "Mr Chen. From your brief interaction with Sergeant Shinsei. What can you tell me about her?" He looked at her up and down. "Hey! Eyes up here." She growled. "I wasn't staring at that. Hmmm. Well she's a Sergeant, and she's straight forward with what she wants. That puts her age at around 22 to 25. She's still over confident in her abilities and strengths, which means she hasn't gone through many Rifts, or fought a stronger opponent. Or even a natural counter to her."
Sunny stared at him annoyed. He was reading her like a book. "Go on." "Was a former S grade, but now an E grade. Meaning she hasn't bonded or owns any items from a Rift, also has no aspiration to take anything from the other realms. Which means she's in this job for a personal reason." "Maybe I'm in it for the stability. Did you ever think about that?" "Well if that was the case. You'd just take a patrolling gig at the Agency here, and work a stable 8 hour shift and route." "He got you there." She sucked on her teeth. "Anything else you can tell me about her?" "She's from a blue Rift, and a devout Catholic. Which explains her unwarranted hatred towards me." "It's not unwarranted. You're a Demon." "Have I done anything Demonic since I met you?" "Got you again. Thank you Mr Chen, that was very informative. Sergeant, anything you like to add?" "Yeah, it's a waste of taxpayer money to have someone weaker than me, try to protect me. I'm writing a formal complaint." "Go ahead. It takes months to be processed."
"Also, weaker is a subjective term here." "You stay out of this. This is between me and him." "And as your bodyguard, I'm trying to protect you from ruining your career by being petty. So sit down." "Oooooooooooo..." echoed from all the eavesdroppers. "That's it!" She yelled ripping her cross off and pressing it onto Zeke's forehead. "You feel that huh!?" "SERGEANT!" Carter shouted jumping to his feet. "That's Consecrated gold and....." She trailed off seeing Zeke stare vacantly at Captain Carter. She took a few steps back shocked seeing only a small red mark on his forehead, that disappeared nearly instantly. He rubbed his forehead. "Did you want to try an exorcism next? Remember Latin is a fickle language, it doesn't work if you say it wrong." "What the hell..." Zeke hopped up to his feet. "Alright enough of that. I haven't eaten since the flight, and I would like to drop off my luggage. Where's your place?" "You're not staying at my place! I'll get you a motel." "Fine. Just let me drop off my stuff, so I can start doing my job." "Ah, I love this kid so much."
She angrily stormed out, shoving her way past the smiling officers. Zeke followed behind her with his luggage. Zeke rode in the back of her compact car. The back seats were filled to the brim with food wrappers and left over drinks. The two sat in silence, with Sunny glaring back at him through the rear view mirror. He was staring out the window. 'Tsk. Who does he think, he is? He's meant to be some emo kid, and comes dressed in like that. I wasn't prepared.' "You can stop staring at me and focus on the road." She corrected her car veering off the road. "Do you have eyes in the back of your head too?" "Nope, just always get a feeling when someone's watching me." "Well, let's go over something then. Tomorrow, when they ask, nothing happened. Got it?" "Really don't like me do you?" "What happened today?" "I'll agree if you answer my questions." She let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Go ahead." "What did you find me?" "Huh?" "Did you find me handsome, cute, hot, sexy, what made you ask me out?" "What's the difference?"
"Well, words mean different parts. If I was just talking about a girl's body. I would say she's hot or sexy. If it was her face, cute or pretty. Her personality would be fun, quirky, loving." "Ah huh...and what would you call the whole package then? A ten?" "I'd call that person beautiful." "Well, I found you cute. That's it. You're too short to be hot or sexy." "Fair enough." He smiled. "Now about today." "You thought I was drunk, and took my chin to see my eyes. Put your number into my phone to make sure, I had a contact here to keep me safe in case anything happened. How's that?" "That's...that's good. Just remember to be ready for me at 6am sharp." "Got it." She drove in silence, dropping him in front of a small motel. "Out of curiosity...what would you call me?" She asked as Zeke took out his luggage. "Well before I got to know your personality, I would have called you beautiful. Now I just think, we're gonna have a bad time together." He said walking inside. She blushed before shaking her head and frowning at him.