"What emergency? Another shoot out or bank robbery?" I try to sound nonchalant and as not interested as possible. But Shadow flicked my forehead and gave me a knowing look.
"Auch! What was that for?"
My hand quickly covered my vulnerable forehead with both hands from another assault.
"Kid don't even dream about it? I and Night Stalker will be taking care of whatever emergency this might be, but before that we take your nosy ass home. Got it?"
Straight to his full height, and pointing finger at me, Shadow in my mind perfectly aligned with how my mum looks when she is trying and failing to be stern with me.
If I push him on it he might smuggle me in to take a closer look, but I had enough adventures for one day. So my proverbial white flag wafers in the wind.
"Yeh, you're right. I don't wanna be under your foot when someone's life can be at stake." I sound like recent trauma must have matured me at least 10 years. Like someone responsible who pays his taxes on time.
"There is no way we will take you with us! Wait...What!?"
Honestly it is a little funny to see him so flabbergasted when he tries all the time to be this super mysterious and dark persona.
"I mean probably if you asked me two days ago. I would sell my soul to go with you and Night on the mission, but after everything, I'm good. I rather vege out on my couch." To accentuate my mature side I do finger guns at him.
His left mouth corner lifts a little in universal expression of disgust. That's why I prefer to not have interactions with cool people. They are awfully judgy.
"Oh. Well, I'm glad you're being sensible. Take your stuff we are going." He sounds a little angry.
Why I'm literally doing what he wants.
"Are you cross with me?"
This stops him in his strides, and all hostile aura melts awry when he turns to me with a guilty look like he kicked a defenseless puppy.
"Sorry, kid. I didn't want to sound so harsh. I'm just strung up by everything and you surprised me." Now he is scratching the back of his head in an embarrassed manner. " I'm bad with things not going as I expected them to. Nothing personal. Really."
He sounds truly remorseful. How can I stay angry with him now?
"It's alright I hate surprises too." But he still wilted like my flower who I can remember to water maybe twice a year. I guess he needs a pick-me-up.
"When I was eight mum threw me a big surprise party with all my classmates. But she didn't know I hated all the kids from my class.So you can imagine what I felt when I was going home thinking I was gonna have some peaceful celebrations with my mum, and out of nowhere I opened the door and they all jumped out at me yelling 'Surprise!'. "
I looked at him to make sure he was listening. And surely I had his attention judging by his intense look on me.
"I run crying like a pack of wild dogs is chasing me. Mum had to ask her work colleagues to help find me. Whole local police force was on the lookout for me and they managed to find me after four hours. I hide myself on one of the slides near my house complex. It was shit show but I got my calm birthday with mum after this, because everyone went home after I was missing for an hour. If you ask me I won that day. Ha ha ha."
Shadow hand landed on my head. It is heavy and warm.
"Ha ha ha. You've been this awkward even then. You had it rough buddy."
One rough head rub later this conversation ended.
Thankfully Shadow silver tongued fella managed to excuse our abrupt exit to Richards family. They even let us take his hard drive from his computer as evidence, and promised to call us If they remember something new about Richis missing case.
"Thanks to you all for your cooperation. I know you are going through some of the worst times of your life, but you've been really helpful. One more time, thank you. Goodbye."
"No, thank you officer. Please keep us updated."
"Will do."
And that was it for our meeting with the victim's family. A little underwhelming, but honestly I don't know what I was expecting. This wasn't some special fun mission but interviu with a grieving family.
Night is already waiting for us in an inconspicuous car. She fiddles with her phone, but she doesn't look like she scrolling on Mugbook or Chirper. Her brow is scrunched up like she's solving a particularly difficult equation.
We get in the car, but she don't even look at us to be absorbed in whatever she's doing.
"Hey, we're back. Night do you have coordinates and a rough picture of the situation down?"
In the background there are distinct loud bangs. Gunshots for sure.
"I have it Boss, but the situation is escalating quickly. We have to get there now or losses will be immeasurable."
I take a sneak peek on her phone screen and what I see makes me sick. Today in the town center there was Fair taking place. Every year people come to the City with their unique foods, produce and hand made stuff to sell them in their stalls. I remember going even to one of these Fairs years ago and having a blast.
Today a whole bunch of men masked in Goblin masks are dowsing this cute little stand in gasoline and setting them on fire with merchants still inside.
I feel nauseous after seeing this.
"Is there any bus station on the way where we can drop off Pipsqueaka?"
Night clicks something more on her phone.
"Nope, there are no bus stations on the way."
For approximately three seconds we sit in absolute silence. Only unending gunshots are not letting this moment be tranquil in any way. Shadow tightens his knuckles on the steering well seemingly battling with himself, but eventually he loosens his hold.
"Kid, I know we just talked about getting you home first, but it can't wait. I'm even scared to send you in a taxi because cars are getting shot at too. We at least have bullet proof vehicle. We live you looked, I swear you'll be safe in here. What do you think?"
I scared as hell. My legs are shaking like it demit quake but there is no way I will prevent them from going to the fair as quickly as they can.
"Go man, don't look at me. I'm all good here but these people need help immediately."
Shadow immediately starts his car and pushes some button on his futuristic phone. He again looks like himself, but shockingly the car interior and probably exterior change.
What was a normal steering panel is now an ultra futuristic spaceship command panel. There are dozens on dozens of buttons, levers, screen parted in two one side showing road and second map and stats.
How can someone get a license for this think!?
"Strap in, we will be going as fast as we can."
I buckle up my seatbelt. Under my ass cheeks how the engine is coming to life with a satisfying purr.
Without another word Shadow bullets from the driveway and I mean bullets like the speed of the bullet.
oo;
Everything around us is behind a blur of passing light and colors. Shadow just zig zags between cars coming and going. I don't know if other drivers are spooked about it. We are going to fast to hear them even honk at us.
"Fuck! How fast are we going? WIth the speed of light?"
"We're going 120 mph but only because there are residual streets." Night answers me not even ungluing her eyeballs from the phone screen. For her it's another thursday.
"Great.I make me feel so much better." My hand on hand tightens in spite of what I say.
"Ha ha ha. Chill out Pepseck, I'm some of the best drivers you can get in this country."
As he is saying, the car takes another sharp turn and nearly crashes face first into the truck.
"Whoever told you that was laing!"
"Ha ha ha."
This motherfucker!