Fatherhood and Fear
TW: Mention of murder, violence and blood.
The sun had just begun to break through the top of the trees, indicating that the morning was soon coming to a start, and already it was turning out to be quite eventful as it were. A man could be seen running along the path through Elwynn Forest, just outside of the fences that lined the dirt path heading toward Goldshire. He could be seen looking back as he ran for dear life, the sound of a motorcycle revving as it went gunning after him. A sudden shot rang out in the morning air as a bullet made contact with the man that had been running, sending him toppling to the ground and grabbing his leg with a cry of pain. The motorcycle soon stopped and quick movements of feet could be heard as Mace was standing over him in but a moment.
A heavy boot nearly slammed down on top of the man that had been sent to the ground, bloody and almost broken apart, trying to squirm free of the weight that kept him down. In that moment, his nearly broken arm reached for the pistol beneath his shirt and tried to whip it around and aim it at the one who was trying to restrain him. With a quick kick from his other boot, Mace sent the gun flying across the dirt ground before his own revolver’s aim was set on him. “You fuckin’ prick-“ The man didn’t even manage to get a word out before Mace pressed his foot right into the side of his face to keep it in the dirt. “Oh, shut th’ fock up, you arsehole. You already knew this was comin’ when you decided to gut tha’ woman and burn her house down. Ya seem to remember ‘er kids were in it too, hmn?” He stowed his pistol away into the holster at his hip and pulled his foot away to reach down and grab the man’s arms. “Cole Turnbough, yer arse is goin’ away for a long time, if no’ executed with th’ shite you’ve done.”
He then pulled the pair of metal cuffs he had been given for the job and restrained the man’s wrists and arms behind his back. With ease, he grabbed hold and pulled the criminal to his feet, dragging him as the criminal struggled to walk. Mace leaned him over the back of his motorcycle to tie him down, acting as if it were the back of a horse. “You’re that Longclaw bastard, ain’t you? Heard ya got a real pretty wife, wouldn’t mind tryin’ to get a piece of her-“ A quick crack was heard as Mace’s fist made contact with his jaw, nearly breaking it before he finished tying him up. “Shut yer fockin’ arse up. She’d gut you an’ I wouldn’t have t’ do shite.” The man just groaned out with the pain, his neck nearly going limp as he hung off the back of the bike. Mace simply revved the engine again and took off back in the direction of Stormwind.
He pulled in front of the Stockades where some guards had been waiting, always eager to take in any criminals that were brought there. This day was no different as Mace got off his bike and pulled the asshole off it to drag him over to the pair. He held up the poster and handed him over with a nod from the older fellow. “Nice job, Longclaw. A bit brutal, but, it worked. Your pay should be sent in by the end of the day.” The guard said with a curt nod of his head. Mace just gave a simple nod, feeling the exhaustion settle in his bones now. He had been up nearly all night hunting down the man he just turned in, and some sleep was earned at this point. He waved them off as he watched the guards bring the man down into the stocks and he made his turn off to his bike to ride through the city and toward the Dwarven District; his home.
He made sure to drive slowly as it was still early in the morning, and he wasn’t sure if his wife and child were awake. Otherwise, he didn’t really care for the other people that lived in the district. He pulled the bike up to the side of the house and turned it off, pulling the keys from the ignition and locking it up with a chain to a bar against the house. As he stood up, his hand pressed to the side of his head feeling a sudden pain shoot through his temple. It even caused him to lean up against the wall to find support, teeth gritting at the harsh pain that he felt. As he opened his eyes, he swore he even saw someone standing in front of him with a blade that was nearly pushed right into his face. It caused him to tumble to the ground, fingers rubbing his eyes before he opened them again and whatever figure had been there was gone. He had had some crazy dreams in the past of people trying to attack him. But, to see such a thing while awake shook him right to his core. He had never had it this bad, thinking it was only because of his exhaustion. He hadn’t slept much in the past week or so because of either his bad dreams or getting up to help his wife with their newborn son. He just huffed out his breath, coming to stand as he heard a voice speak in the communicator in his ear. “Mace? Mace, brother, can you hear me?” It was Timwei. Quite the surprise it was to hear from him.
He adjusted the ear piece to be able to hear the other man more clearly, speaking out as he leaned up against the side of his bike to speak, “Yeah, Tim, I can hear ya. Th’ right hell ya callin’ me this early? Sun’s jus’ comin’ up.” His arms crossed over his chest as he listened to silence for a moment, then hearing Tim’s voice speak once more. “I thought it best to speak to you when you may have been alone. It’s about your wife.” Those words caused Mace’s heavy brows to furrow and he sighed out softly, rubbing his hand along the side of his temple. His eyes peered up to the high window where their bedroom was and where she was either tending to their son or sleeping. His voice hushed a bit as he responded. “What do you mean? Did somethin’ happen?”
Timwei’s voice was calm and collected as if there was nothing to worry about. He assured Mace in those next words, “I had tried to contact you a few days ago. But, no, no. Nothing happened. I had spoken with her a couple of days ago and she seemed quite out of it. I only ask that you keep an eye on her, yes?” A hand brushed along the front of his face and through his beard at those words, a bit of fear striking him. He simply relented and sighed, “Aye… I’ve been doin’ tha’. But, I’ll talk t’ her. Maybe see what’s goin’ on.” Tim just chuckled softly in response to that, and he could imagine the man just nodding his head in agreement. “Yes, my friend. Bring her and your son by soon, hm? It’s been some time since we all got together. I’m sure it would make my wife happy too. Talk to you again soon, yes?” Mace stood up and retrieved his keys from his pocket, moving toward the door of their house and unlocked it as he spoke. “Aye. Talk t’ ya soon, Tim.” He moved inside and clicked off the earpiece, showing signs of obvious worry as he leaned against the door after closing it.
He made slow and quiet steps toward the stairs, climbing them and entering his room once at the top. He saw Sable laying in bed, fast asleep, as was Timothy in his crib. He removed his armor and set it against the closet. Thankfully he was not all that dirty as he climbed into bed with her, eyes looking over her sleeping form with great fear in them. Just what was it that Timwei had called for? He knew it was -something-, but, he was just not telling him. He pushed away his own problems, worrying over his wife instead, wanting to talk to her when he got the chance. Right now, he needed some sleep, at least a few hours in the morning as he leaned in against her back. He fell into his rest rather quickly, a slumber filled with not so pleasant dreams.
To be continued…
(( @sable-longclaw for co-writing this with me <3 @ludlowvineyards ))
