Chereads / Where Is Your Rider / Chapter 9 - Don't bank on it

Chapter 9 - Don't bank on it

"Hello, is this Kindlings brother, Smolder?" 

Loveall held the phone to his ear as he moved down the street. Passing by handfuls of other people of all different types. Horns, wings, claws, all out and about. This wasn't unusual for New York, a melting pot of millions of divergent souls. 

"Yes? Who's this? How'd you get my number?" The voice on the other end asked. Loveall had a plan. One that he needed help with and while he felt a little uncomfortable with what he was about to ask, he didn't think he could do it alone. All he knew was the Rider was sobbing his eyes out. Alone.

"My names Loveall, I'm his friend," Loveall said, stepping past a man who was using an X-ray click to swindle people out of money via a card game.

"Friend?" There was a hint of curiosity in the other's tone, "Well, how can I help you?" 

Loveall explained the situation at hand, at least, what he could. Catching the other up on the police and their budding friendship.

"Why are you calling me?" Smolder asked, the soft sound of a small child laughing could be heard in the background. "I can't talk long, my daughter needs me." 

Loveall bit his lip, what he was about to do went against his morals, but he held a kinship with Kindling that felt more important than an uncomfortable conversation with a stranger. 

"I…need a little bit of money," He felt the air rush from his lungs, "I know you help pay for his apartment…" He swallowed hard before rambling out, "But I'm homeless, and he was kind enough to help me out, but he came back from the police station, and he was crying. I don't know why, but I wanted to get him dinner, but I don't have anything a–"

"Whoa, hold on there, tiger!" The other laughed out, "You don't need to explain yourself, if Kindling needs something, that's what I'm here for. Where do you want me to send it?" 

Joy. So intense it made his heart flutter. 

***

Loveall placed his ID down in front of the bank teller. She examined it, "Your click's called Holy Sight? Interesting." she mused. Typing away on her computer. Loveall bounced on his heels as he waited. Until he felt a shiver roll through his bones.

The bank doors exploded inward, sending a shower of glass. Loveall stared at the teller, not moving as his mind worked overtime. A robbery. 

"Oh great, another day," The bank teller growled, putting a hand on a large red button, "Don't worry, Evangeline. The pro hero's will get here a-"

Blood, it splattered all over Loveall's face as the woman's head erupted and her body fell. This was not normal bank robbing behavior. Loveall turned. A man who looked to be part crocodile stomped into the bank, a woman beside him with her hands sparking to life with explosive fire. She tossed a bullet in the air, ready to catapult it anywhere she please. The crocodile man gave a nasty, toothy grin. "Collect yourselves together, or die."

He announced, "Me and Hotshot here have a date, with destiny."