Hello. This is my new fic, entry please. Itâs not as polished as Iâd like, but here ya go. Lily is my new fav OC. I got more with her. Be Nice! Not beta read. Sorry the format is weird, idk what happened.
When a saintly young woman gets hurt, Vigilante catches feelings for a girl with secrets and the team might get a new member.
Tw for implied SA on female character, show appropriate vulgarity,gore, descriptions of violence and injuries.Not quite dead dove level but not fluff either. Read with caution. Shameless OC insert.
If I missed any triggers lemme know, Iâll fix it.
Pulling his keys out of his pocket Chris Smith started towards his car. A clang echoed off the wall of the alley followed by what could have been a muffled sound of pain. Something wasnât right. Drawing his weapon he carefully stepped toward the source of the sound.
He crept around the corner and aimed down the barrel at a bruised and bleeding young woman in a dirty pink dress torn at the shoulder. Soaking wet from the rain and barefoot she stumbled towards him. He caught her and she looked up at him with wide scared eyes. He picked her up and rushed back into their base of operations.
The the article on the folded newspaper peeking out from under an open bag of chips kept drawing his eye. It made him feel strange. He avoided it.
Substitute teacher sustained serious injuries in late night attack.
âWhy didnât you call me? We coulda gone together.â Adrian Chase complained to Smithâs broad back as he rummaged in the fridge.
âCuz, there wasnât much time and it was late. Besides, I went as me. But sheâs still in pretty rough shape.. Docs said itâll be touch and go for a bit.â He cracked open his beer as he plopped down on the couch.âPlus, she couldnât tell me anything since she passed out right after. But hereâs what Economos pulled up. Besides I figured youâd want in on the good part. Honestly, the whole team wants a piece of the guy who did it.â He tossed the paper file into Chaseâs lap. Chase flipped through the papers carefully reading everything. Turning the page he studied the photo showing an exceptionally pretty young woman in a white angora cardigan and a boatneck dove grey top her hair swept into an soft low bun. His brow furrowed as he turned the page.
Attended University of Washington on an archery scholarship.
Graduated in 2015, with a double major in nursing science and visual arts and double minor in political sciences and international relations.
She worked as Registered Nurse in the emergency department then transferred to pediatric oncology.
Quit her job in at Washington Regional in 2018 to care for her father full time. Her father Gregg White passed in October 2019 from pancreatic cancer.
Mother Marie White passed in 2003 from injuries resulting from a single vehicle collision. She attended an all girls school from 5th grade to high school.
âA nurse huhâ. He muttered as he continued. âAw, sheâs an orphan. Hey, what dâya suppose single vehicle collision means?â
âI unno, probably hit by a car? Maybe?â Smith shrugged.
âGnarlyâ. Chase replied clicking his tongue.
She still lives in the home she grew up in. Since 2019 White has worked as a substitute art teacher . She has volunteered at a local pet shelter since 2016 specialising in critical care kittens and puppies.She is active with the Make A Wish Foundation. No police record. Nursing license is current. She has little to no social media presence, all personal accounts are private except for her personal blog detailing her taste in vintage fashion and her foster kittens. She seems to have few personal connections. One long term relationship from 2014 to 2018 with Zachary Reid, 32. They were engaged briefly in 2018 according to Reidâs Facebook page. A restraining order was granted against him in early 2019.
A lead weight settled in his gut. â This is a real person right? Not like, some government morality test? Nobodyâs name is Lily White. Shit, itâs not like, an empathy test for team placement right? You know I wonât place well.â Chase began shuffling around under the couch cushions and under the coffee table hunting for electronic bugs.
âFuck no. Just read the file.âSmith scoffed. Chase gave him an exaggerated look of disbelief and flipped further forward. He found a printed out human interest article from the front page of a local newspaper . The headline and byline read:
Local Woman Rescues Ducklings
Off duty nurse frees ducklings washed into storm drain. Lily White, 26 came to the rescue of newly hatched ducklings at the corner of Pine and Cedar at College Park. Ms. White on her way to the farmers market comforted mama duck while they awaited the fire department. In total eight ducklings are now safe and happy back at the nest.
The photos that accompanied the article were clearly meant to stir up sentimental feelings. In the color photos a young lady stood wearing a retro looking pink gingham sundress her softly curled long brown hair held back from her face by a headband, a brown duck held against her busty chest. She looked familiar somehow.
In the next, a close up of her holding four fluffy yellow and brown ducklings in her cupped hands just under her chin. She was incredibly pretty with her large, kind, dark eyes and long thick eyelashes looking up at the camera from under her wispy bangs. Honestly under different circumstances heâd have said she was a total babe and discussed these findings with Chris at length.
He could imagine her nuzzling her face down into the duckling fluff, though he worried slightly about salmonella.
Upon flipping to the next page he glanced at the high gloss coldly clinical yet graphic images of the injuries to parts of her that upset him in ways he hadnât expected. He closed the file and tossed it aside, anger bubbling up.
âWell. Thatâs all kinds of fucked up.â He said slapping his hands on his knees. âShe seems like a real nice girl. Like, an angel even. My money is on the ex boyfriend.â His voice was cheerful.
â Yeah. Thats what I was thinking.â Smith mused.
âWhat a piece of work, honestly. She literally saves orphan kittens, what kind of asshole hurts a girl like that? Or any girl for that matter.â
âA real bastard thatâs who.â
Eagly chirrped his agreement from his perch.
âFucking animal.â He was vibrating with nervous energy.
âYa alright?â Smith asked, beer in hand watching the smaller man fidget with his glasses.
âYeah, yeah. I just, I think I seen her somewhere maybe?â
âWell,she lives in town. Maybe in passing ?â
âNo, like I talked to her?â He was pacing back and forth.
â Oh yea? When?â Smith sounded skeptical but Chase didnât pick up on it.
â Iâm pretty sure yeah.â He wracked his brain. Suddenly it dawned on him.
âAt work, a few months ago. Before you came back. She was trying to hide from some guy. It was a date or something I dunno but she was hiding in the kitchen and I told her she couldnât be back there. She looked good too, nice shoes⊠Anyway, I told her she couldnât be back there an she kinda told me what was going on. Seemed kinda scared. Sheâs not very tall, actually. The guy waited awhile, got pissed and left.â He had the forethought to withhold that he had desired her in that brief interaction. The ribbing would never cease, he knew.
âYeah, uh. Tall guy, mmm maybe like mid thirties and 275? White, dark hair. Looked like a chad yâknow? But skinnier though.â Chase rambled âLooked a lot likeâ-Smith showed him a picture on his phone. -â That. Iâm pretty sure thatâs him.â Chase nodded hands on his hips and sniffed.
âThis is her ex. Heâs a real estate agent I guess.â
Chases jaw tightened. âOkay then. Tonight, itâs go time. If it wasnât him, which I doubt he still did something to have a restraining order placed on him.â
âSounds like a plan.â Smith nodded checking his texts. Chase wiped his glasses off out of habit.
âHey, can you drive? Harcourt wants me to see if sheâs awake yet.â
Chaseâs green eyes held a hard edge as he nodded enthusiastically.
He thought of when he talked to her. She was beautiful, little hands with long painted fingernails. She smelled nice too. He remembered that at the time he thought she had a banginâ body, like heâd only seen in old movies. And most of all, he remembered that she was nice. Not just to him, but to everyone.
The kind of girl who probably has stuffed animals and genuinely enjoys getting flowers. The kind of girl who definitely pets stray dogs and saves baby birds and probably talks to little kids in line at the grocery store and pretends to be amazed when they tell her facts she already knows.
Who smiles and thanks the busboy for doing his job and whose smile touches her eyes the way others donât.
Smith noticed his knuckles were white on the steering wheel.
Outside her hospital room, Chase hesitated his mind flashing back to the documenting photos in her dossier. Clenching his fists he followed behind Smith.
The room was dim, curtains drawn. The only sound was the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor and her gentle breathing through the nasal cannula
. He sat very upright and stiff in a chair on the opposite side of the bed hands on his knees while Smith spoke quietly to the nurse in the doorway. His eyes moved over the devastation inflicted upon her. Her eyes ringed by deep purple bruises spoke to potential head trauma, the IV in her arm running an antibiotic, her split lip, her torn and broken fingernails, bruised wrists, the finger marks on her neck. His eyes flitted to the white board that told him of broken ribs and collar bone. The nurses listed her height as five foot two. Glancing back to her he noticed a scabbed spot near her temple about the size of a dime where the hair had been pulled out by the root. She looked so small and vulnerable on the bed. She did not deserve this.
He only looked up when Smith moved closer to the bed.
âHarcourt wants me to talk to the doctor, find out what he says.â He spoke quietly.
Chase met his eyes and nodded stiffly but firmly, hands in tightly clenched fists and returned to gazing at her still, but not quite serene face.
He didnât move again until Leota and Emilia arrived hours later, hardly seeming to blink and Leota gently laid a hand on his shoulder. Looking up at her and jumping to his feet simultaneously he just said brightly âKeep us in the loop.â and strode out the door. The three shared a look and Smith followed him out.
After casing his house, they drove to his office. Picking the lock on the side door of his building they methodically and quietly checked offices till they saw the glow of lights spilling out into the hall from under the door.
From Zacharyâs perspective heâd been bent over his paperwork trying to get it all finished before his clients closed in the morning when suddenly every surface of the office was littered with the flying splintered remains of his door while two heavily armed maniacs filled the ruined doorway.
âWell hey bud-dy, glad youâre here!â Vigilante spoke in a light hearted tone as he took large bouncing strides toward him.
âDâdo I know you?â Reid stammered out.
â Nah, but I think we got mutual friends, donât you think Peacemaker?âChase said conversationally as he hopped up onto the desk and turned to face Reid. Smith duct taped Reid to the chair, wrists bound behind him.
Zachary Reid was dressed business casual in flat front khakis, powder blue polo and grey sport jacket. He wore dark brown loafers with no socks.
â Yeah, I think we do Vig.â Smith agreed leveling his weapon with Reidâs chest.
âWhat the hell areâ- Reid started angrily.
âWhat da hew aw yew tawkinâ bout?â Chase mocked âDonât worry, Iâll fill you in.â Back to his overly friendly tone â Iâm talking about Lily. Ring any bells Zachy?â
Reid looked dumbfounded then the blood drained from his face .
âLily? I havenât seen her sinceâ-
âSince last night, yeah, yeah. We know.â Chase nodded, smile evident in his voice.
âNo, no! In years, not last night. I heard sheâd diedâŠâ he lied lamely.
â I guess youâre not a big reader.â Vigilante laughed âNo Zachy, Lily is very much alive. But I wanted to get your sideâŠâ he trailed off.
Vigilante slid across the desk and placed a foot on either side of Reidâs chair pressing a pistol to his temple. Smith moved to Chaseâs right to maintain cover for him.
âDonât fuck with me, I just wanna hear you say your side.â
âTake his advice, heâs insane.â Smith nodded solemnly âYou guys were engaged right?â
âY-yeah. Yeah we were.â Reid stuttered staring intently into Vigilanteâs inscrutable masked face.
âGo on.â Chase prompted.
âClocks ticking Zach.â
âWell if you know her then you know I sunk four damn good years into that stuck up bitch just for her to break it off after I coughed up for a ring.â A vein popped in his temple, face reddening from anger and stress.
Chase cocked his head to the side listening.
âSound a lil bitter there buddy.â
âBitter? I was pissed. It would have been alright if sheâd have just opened her legs up for me once and awhile. I was willing to buy in with no test drive and how does she repay me? By blowing me off.â
âWow, youâre a real mother fucker you know that?â Smith moved closer.
âMaybe. Maybe Iâm just taking what Iâm owed. I know one things for sure, sheâs not fucking either one of you.â Reidâs face broke into a cruel grin âIf you were youâd get it. Body like that? Iâm sorry I had to fuck up her face but she wouldnât open her mouth. Looked good gagging on it though. And at least she was still as fuckable as she was in college. Was, anyway.â
Without removing his gun from the manâs head, Chase drew the second pistol and in one fluid movement shot him in the gut, the shot deadened by a silencer. Reid screamed in pain, head lolling backward.
âHush now, donât want a noise complaint do we?â his voice chillingly cheerful. Chase hopped off the desk landing lightly on his feet and tied Reid to the chair.
With his knife he open the front of Reidâs khakiâs.
âWell. Iâll be straight with you Zach. I believe that the punishment should always fit the crime.â
Reid began to shake his head frantically back and forth.
âThat being said, since you like shoving things down peopleâs throats how about a taste of your own medicine mm?â
âNonononoâ- Reid begged incoherently, spit running down his chin before he screamed louder than before. Vigilante grabbed his face firmly with a bloodied hand and forced his still screaming mouth open wider, shoving the flaccid member as far back as he could push it.
The scream cut off with a choking gag as Reid retched while his mouth was taped shut. He rocked the chair back and forth trying to free himself, terrified eyes streaming tears.
Vigilante leaned over him, hands on his victims shoulders, shuddering from Reidâs muffled cries.
âHey, hey now. Itâs almost over.â he said in a tone one might use to soothe a crying child, patting the top of his head awkwardly. Vigilante began turning out Reidâs pockets. Out of the right blazer pocket he pulled a lock of shiny brown hair tied in a loop with a piece of pink material, the roots rusty with dried blood and a crumpled pair of panties. He laid them on the desk behind him and his mind went white with rage.
âSonovabitch.â Smith muttered trying not to look at the sick trophy.
âOh hey. I forgot something.â Vigilante snapped his bloody fingers and quickly ducked down. Reid screamed silently, legs kicking ineffectually. Sweaty hair plastered to Reidâs forehead covering his eyes
âIâm taking these with me.â Chase held up the severed scrotum for its previous owner to see.
âOh shit. My bad.â Vigilante reached up and pushed the hair out of his eyes and held up his prize. Reidâs eyes rolled back into his head and he went unconscious.
Vigilante stepped backwards level with Peacemaker and Smith shot Reid in the face, effectively obliterating it.
They left by the front door.
In the car Chris called Harcourt to see how things were going. Chase was a little more relaxed than when they set out for the night but he still wasnât himself.
He sat glumly in his civilian clothes in Chrisâs living room wearing a pair of food service gloves throwing pieces of Reidâs gore to Eagly who caught each piece with gusto.
Smith emerged from the bathroom toweling his hair.
âHey, donât feed him that, thatâs disgusting!â
âItâs probably healthier than chips.â Adrian reasoned tossing another piece. âBesides, whatâs more symbolic than being eaten by the symbol of justice and freedom and then being turned into bird shit?â
Chris nodded and shrugged. Chase threw the last of it on the floor with a wet thump and Eagly dove off his perch for it.
Adrian sighed heavily and slumped back into the couch.
âWhatâs the matter with you?â Smith asked pulling a T-shirt down over his abs.
âI âunno.â Chase spoke evasively. He didnât want Chris to make fun of him.
âCâmon. Somethings up.â
âItâs just. I donât feel very satisfied yâknow? Usually killing the bad guy makes it all worth it but this time it just feels like it was too late. Kinda.â He balled up the gloves and threw them in a waste basket.
â But heâs off the street and thatâs what matters.â Chris pressed a longneck beer into his hand.
âIt doesnât really feel like justice though. Itâs not going to magically heal her.â
âWell, no. But now heâs not around to keep hurting her.â
âI guess. I just⊠wish it hadnât happened.â
âI get it.â Chris clapped his shoulder in way that was clearly meant to be reassuring. Adrian gave him a half smile. Smithâs phone buzzed with a text notification.
âHey, finish that up and weâll go back to the hospital, okay? Harcourt says sheâs awake.â
Chase sat up straight. âLetâs go now, itâs only 8:30.â
Now he hesitated outside the hospital room for a different reason. She was awake, he could hear her croaky voice talking to Leota. He flattened his back against the wall when Chris knocked.
âJust relax, itâs going to be fine. Whatâs wrong with you man?â
âCome in.â Leota called.
Chris opened the door slightly and gestured for Chase to follow him. Adrian shook his head. Chris leveled a serious look at him, grabbed him by the shoulder of his jacket and pulled. Adrian stumbled in after Chris but tried to play it off, straightening his jacket deliberately. Adebayo gave him a sympathetic smile. Lily was sitting up supported by the adjustable bed. Her hair was now loosely braided, bangs pushed to the side. She held one of those big plastic sippy cups that every hospital has in her lap. There was a small plush calico cat beside her on the bed that hadnât been there before. She lifted her right hand a bit and gave Chris a small awkward wave. Adrian moved to stand by Leota. He noticed her ring finger was in a splint.
Smithâs face softened as he pulled a chair up beside Harcourt.
âHey, how are you feeling?â he asked her his careful.
âIâve been better.â Her voice was raspy and quiet. She gave a shy small smile and winced as it tugged her hurt lip.
Gently, awkwardly he patted the back of her hand.
âLily, this is Chris Smith and Adrian Chase, theyâre on the team too.â Harcourt supplied.
Lily looked up at Chase. Her pretty face was a little puffy and swollen. The whites of her large brown eyes were reddish and the bruises that ringed them darker now. But their expression was somehow still so full of kindness. He awkwardly pushed up his glasses and raised his other hand. She gave him a tiny smile. His stomach did a flip. Adebayo looked sideways at him then to Harcourt.
â Smith is the one who found you. If you donât mind Lily, would you please tell Smith and Chase what happened?â Emilia asked carefully.
Adrian stiffened a little as Lily haltingly told her story. Emilia held her hand and lightly rubbed her thumb over the back of Lilyâs trembling one while she spoke.
While the others listened eyes on anything but her, Lily began to quietly shed tears. Adrian who hadnât a social notion that he should look away, wordlessly handed her a box of tissues. âThank you.â She all but whispered as she accepted them.
Emilia looked up in time to see Chase gazing at her with such a look of stricken sympathy that she felt instantly sorry for him.
âAnd thatâs all I really remember.â She finished.
âYou did good honey, it all helps.â Adebayo comforted her. Harcourt and Smith moved away slightly to have a hushed conversation.
Chase continued to gaze at her with that expression till Leota tapped him hard on the back. Lily wiped her tears away gingerly. Adrian blinked his own back fiercely. He took a seat by Adebayo and pretended to clean his glasses.
âOh no!â Lily spoke suddenly.
Smith and Harcourt turned their attention back toward the bed with concern.
âOh no, my kitties. What time is it?â
âItâs just now 8:55â Adrian confirmed checking his watch.
âTheyâve been without food all day! Their rice packs are ice cold by now! Iâve got to get home, Iâm letting them down.â Wincing, she began to try and slide off the bed.
âHoney, you are in no shape. Lay back down baby, you are gonna hurt yourself.â Leota cautioned.
Gently Chris lifted her legs back into bed and adjusted the covers. Briefly, Chase saw her scraped, scabbed knees.
âBut theyâre bottle babies, they need me!â She protested.
âAnd you need to heal, let us help you. Okay?â Harcourt spoke firmly.
âYeah. Chris an I can get the kitties.â Adrian blurted.
âKitties?â Smith scoffed under his breath.
Frowning Harcourt smacked him in the abdomen with her fist. He spread his hands as if to say âWhat?â
âYouâd do that for me?â
âYeah, of course.â Chase shrugged one shoulder.
âThank you. Um, theyâre in the baby basket in the living room. The important numbers for the shelter are on the fridge, theyâre going to need to eat. I donât have my keys, theyâre in my purseâŠâ
âWeâll take care of it. Donât worry, okay?â
Adrian gave her a sweet smile and patted the bed awkwardly.
Adebayo and Harcourt shared a knowing glance across the bed.
âKitties? Really bro? Kitties? You go from choking a dude with his own dick to saving kitties?âSmithâs done dripping with derision.
âThatâs what she called âem, I didnât think about it.â Chase defended himself.
â Its fine if she does it, cute even. But when you do it itâs weird.â
â She didnât think it was weird.â Chase squared his jaw and stared out the windshield.
â I just know okay! GOD, can I live??â
âYeah. After you save the kitties.â
Adrian gave him a tight lipped stare across the car.
âAlright, alright. Iâm done, Iâm done! Sorry.â Chris put his hands up defensively.
Adrian nodded staring straight ahead. â Thank you.â
Chris side eyed him with a smirk.
Adrian sighed heavily. âWhat?â
âI didnât think it was possible, but thatâs it isnât it?â
Chaseâs jaw tightened again and he cocked his head to the side, confused.
âIâm right arenât I?â
â-n.Nah, what? Like duh, no. Thatâs a regular emotion dude. I donât have. Those.â He laughed nervously.
âYeah, you do. You like her like her.â
âNo. Nooo. No! Iâm, I uh concerned about her thatâs all. Professional, regular normal hero concern.â
Chris cracked that shit eating grin and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest poorly suppressing a snort of laughter.
âUgh, just say it.â Adrian rolled his eyes.
â Concern for the kitties!â he blurted roaring with laughter.
Adrian put the car in park and fixed his friend with a deadpan stare.
âAlright, alright. Iâm done for real. Promise.â
He rested his head against the seat and raised his eyebrows.
âFine.â Chase accepted, a surly edge to his voice.
The house was a nice white two story with a porch. There was one light on upstairs. Reaching under the porch light he retrieved the key.
The door was barely open before the frantic shrill keening of young kittens filled their ears. He flipped the lights on and scanned the living room. It was clean, cozy and smelled nice. A variety of large and obscenely healthy house plants grew in attractive pots. Her couch was covered with decorative throw pillows. There was a basket filled with folded soft fuzzy blankets. Framed family photos were displayed on her mantle piece interspersed with various crystals and geodes. A large attractively planted tank against the wall held colorful tropical fish.
âNice place.â Chris said appreciatively. âItâd be great if those guys werenât screaming though.â he gestured towards the basket on the coffee table. The basket was labeled with a pink hospital bracelet that read âSpicy Babies.â
Curiously he looked inside. Four little jellybean shaped kittens wearing collars crawled over one another. Adrian gently stroked the tiny face of the little yellow one who gave an itty bitty hiss. He lifted the tiny animal out of the basket. In sharpie itâs name was written on the yellow collar âGinger.â His siblings were Chili(tabby, red collar ), Pepper(black and white, blue collar ) and Sugar (white, pink collar).
They were a little chilly. âHey , look for a cat carrier, sheâs gotta have one somewhere.â He picked up the other three and carried them against his chest. They were squirmy and their tiny claws poked his skin through his shirt but not enough to really hurt, and they quieted down. He checked in the front closet and pantry for a carrier. The bottles and cat formula were on the kitchen counter. On the fridge was a handful of magnets in the shape of chibi cats and fruits, her shopping list, a copy of a funeral program he assumed was her fathers, and a calendar that had pictures of majestic horses running through fields or beaches.
âAh, horse girl huh.â The kittens meowed loudly as if in response.
He flipped through the pages with one hand noting that it was practically empty except for her work schedule. Her birthday was circled with a sad smiley face wearing a party hat. He pulled a face.
âAww, thatâs a bummer.â he said to the kittens. There was a plate fork and glass by the sink. Inside the fridge she had surprisingly little. A few cans of zero calorie soda, a nearly empty half gallon of milk, a large jar of whole dill pickles, a box of Chinese takeout and assorted bottles of condiments.
In her freezer was a lonely and very frosted box of Dino chicken nuggets and a half eaten pint of ice cream.
âFound it.â Chris called from the back of the house. âLaundry room.â Smith took some towels out of the linen closet and lined the crate and put the formula and bottles in a box along with the number sheet for the shelter. Chase heated two rice filled cloth bags in the microwave and tucked them and the kittens into the crate. On a dining chair was a black satin duffel bag. Peering inside he found her gym equipment. Poking around more due to his curiosity, he found a bow case and quiver near the back door. Pulling a pink and white fletched carbon arrow out of the quiver he noted that it was tipped with 1â quadruple fixed blade broadhead points.
âWhatâs so weird about that? She went to college on archery scholarship, remember?â
Adrian showed him the arrow.
âOh. Donât take her for the hunting type.â
âYeah me either. Heavy duty. Theseâll kill a moose.â Chase put the arrow back and continued his snooping. In the laundry room her hamper was full, all clothing, no towels or bedding.
âLetâs check upstairs, I donât think sheâd want the light left on.â Smith nodded, leading the way gun drawn just in case and swept the upstairs. Every room was dark, except the last room with a closed door.
âEy, uh. Why donât you check that one, Iâll wait here.â Chase stood awkwardly hands on hips in a weak attempt at being authoritative.
Chris dropped his arms at his sides.
âOkay, what reason?â He pressed.
â W..well. Uh. I can watch your back better out here.â
â You donât want to go in there because itâs probably her bedroom.â
âNo no no, I didnât say that. I think itâs better if itâs a one man job.
âNo.â Chase shook his head emphatically.
âSo what if it is her room, doesnât mean I like herâ-
âYes it does! Ha! I knew it, you got a crush on her. Though itâs a little weird under the circumstances Iâm
still glad because Iâm right. Canât hide shit from me!â
Smith pumped his fist triumphantly.
âItâs not weird, and itâs not a crush. Or anything. I just liked her when I met her. At my day job.â Adrian admitted quietly.
âWhy didnât you ever say anything dude? Thatâs worth celebrating! Iâd have totally been your wingman.And if you wanted another threesome Iâd have totally, totally said yes.â He slapped Chase on the arm good naturedly.
âI wasnât gonna say anything because I thought youâd make fun of me.â
âThe fuck dude, no. Sheâs the first girl I knew you were interested in since Rachel Millson in high school but sheâs like ten times hotter. Rachel was like, Winona Ryder hot cuz she had those perky lilâ titties and she didnât wear a bra but she had a vibe to where you were pretty sure she was probably nuts, remember?â
âHaha, yeah.â Chase laughed and nodded in agreement.
â But Lily is like, Catherine Zeta-Jones in Zorro hot right? But like with Jennifer Lopezâs butt and Jennifer Love Hewitts tits and personality yâknow? Like sheâd be nice to squeeze.â He mimed hugging someone.
â Oh yeah.I get it, yeah.âChase agreed. He didnât really but he did In fact he think about squeezing her a lot.
â Iâm not trying to be a dick or anything cuz of what happened yâknow but you should totally shoot your shot.â Chris said over his shoulder.
Without thinking Adrian followed him through the door and by the time he realized what heâd done it was too late. This wa it. Heâd seen it. Her private bedroom.
Her room was extremely feminine. She had an honest to god vanity with a huge mirror and velvet chair. The surface was cluttered with perfume bottles, lipstick tubes and hair pins. A black slip and lacy bra was draped over the back of the chair.
She had a canopy bed hung with sheer white curtains, made with white bedding , one corner pulled back as though the occupant would return any moment. A plush ivory blanket was folded on the middle of the bed.
âWeighted blanket.â Adrian observed.
Chris lifted it with one arm.
âThatâs like, 25lbs.â
The white bedding was accented with blush pink throw pillows in velvets and satins, some embroidered some beaded heavily. He counted at least 10 bed pillows. And there, among the pillows a few stuffed animals. The window was dressed with heavy pink velvet drapes and a luxurious pink satin robe trimmed with marabou was tossed on the foot of the bed. Poking out from under the bed skirt were two pairs of pink slippers both with marabou pom poms. One pair, flat and cozy velvet the other sexy,high heeled and satin.
There were flowers of every shade of pink and white in vases everywhere.
âShe really likes pink.â Chris commented.
âSheâs super feminine. Sheâs got like, 10 pillows. Did you know that people who sleep with more than two pillows are statistically more likely to be lonely or depressed?â
âMaybe she just likes to be comfortable .â Smith offered.
â Maybe, but she is an orphan. Plus the ,weighted blanket. So.â
âIn my experience if a girl has a bed that looks like that sheâs just a snuggler.â
â That doesnât sound right, but I donât know enough about it to dispute it.â
He tried to imagine her comfortably snuggled up in bed sleeping peacefully, healthy and safe.
Chase opened the iPad on her bedside table next to
a little spray bottle of lavender vanilla scented linen spray. The background was pink clouds. In her messages app there were a few conversations, mostly between her and her work or the animal shelter. But there were also messages she sent that never got a response. He knew that feeling.
âLook though.â Adrian held up a floppy stuffed unicorn â I knew sheâd have stuffed animals.â
âIâve been in lots of girls bedrooms, lots of girls have stuffed animals.â
âBut on the bed though?â
âSee? People who arenât lonely donât have to hold a stuffed guy at night.â
He carefully placed the unicorn back where heâd found it next to a bear another unicorn and a few cats.
âI thought sheâd have had her own grown up cat or dog, or something though. Kinda surprised.â
âI was thinking more along the lines of emotional support animals, the fish donât really count for that.â Chase clarified.
âI dunno man, watching fishtanks is supposed to be super relaxingâ
He clicked the lamp switch and they headed back downstairs.
In the car the kittens wailed, bemoaning their empty bellies while Chris talked to Harcourt on the phone.
âYeah, thatâs the cats. Yeah, theyâve got good lungs. Oh, Iâll tell him. Lily says if theyâre screaming theyâre probably okay.â
âMhmm. Yea. Okay. Alright see you tomorrow then.â
âWhatâd she say?â âSays just follow the directions on the can, theyâll be okay.â
âIâll take âem home with me. Eagly might eat âem.â
Later on, Adrian scrolled through Lilyâs blog as he bottle fed the kittens. She took great selfies, he noted.
In the post titled âSpicy Babiesâ she detailed how she hoped to adopt the one she called Sugar because it was the first one to warm up to her. She poured so much love and care into all these little animals she fostered. He read through all her posts till it was time to feed the babies again. Some might consider it stalkerish behavior but whenever he came across something she liked or enjoyed doing he made a mental note of it.
He waited a few hours, took a short nap and called the animal shelter. He explained the situation to the older woman on the phone who instructed him to drop them back with the shelter as soon as he could.
He left the little cats with the grandmotherly woman who thanked him for caring and inquired about sending Lily some flowers. After telling her to have them delivered to the receptionist and theyâd make sure she got them he drove to the team base.
It was early. Very early, but he hoped heâd be able to talk to either Harcourt or Adebayo before Chris or Economos showed up. He sat patiently in the dark. He didnât mind waiting.
About half an hour after sunrise Leotaâs key scraped in the lock and she reached for the lights rubbing sleep out of her still tired eyes. Before her fingers found the switch she heard a chair scrape.
âGood Morningâ. Chase said from the darkness.
Leota screamed and threw her phone reflexively at the source of the sound.
âOw.â Said Chase, annoyed.
âWhat in the hell are you doing sitting here in the dark? Scaring people half to death!â
âHonestly? One, you should work on being more prepared for these situations. Two, itâs stealth one oh one, never call unnecessary attention to yourself and Three, itâs a free country.â he tossed her back her phone.
âYou got a reason, or??â
âYeah, I do actually. I was hoping to talk to you or Harcourt about something.â
âLet me at least sit down first.â
âOh. Yeah, of course.â
Just then Harcourt walked through the door carrying a tray of coffees.
âWhat the hell is going on? I heard you yell.â
âChase got here at the ass crack of dawn because he wants to talk us about something. Hanging out in the dark like some intruder.â
âAn hour before dawn, actually.â
âIs this because you have a thing for White?â Emilia asked sipping her latte.
âWhat? No. Who even said that?â Chase lied lamely.
She narrowed her eyes at him.
âBut, if it were hypothetically about White what would you say?â
â Iâd say of course itâs about White.â
âDammit. Peacemaker told you didnât he?â Chase swore.
âNope. You did.â Harcourt smiled broadly passing Adebayo her usual.
âYou or Chris didnât have to say anything Adrian, we could tell last night.â Leota said kindly. â You got such puppy dog eyes looking at her.â
â I didnât have. Puppy dog eyes. It was an exercise to empathiseâ-
âHell it was. Itâs too early for this Chase, spit it out.â
âUgh,fine.â he deflated slightly and looked up to the ceiling. âHow do you know if you have. Feelings for someone?â
âWell. How do you feel when you think of Li-this person.â Adebayo prompted.
âUh. Well obviously this person is like, so attractive. So at first I guess hot?â
âAfter you read the file??â Harcourt said disgusted.
âNo. No!â He raised his hands defensively âAfter I talked to her-this person at my day job. A few months ago. After I read the file I just felt like I drank bad milk or got kicked in the crotch. Nauseous, yâknow?â He tucked his hands between his knees and cocked his head like a kid, deep in thought. âAnd sad. Really sad. Which is weird for me cuz violence never really gets to me. Like blood and guts nâ stuff, thatâs just a night at work. But those pictures in there-I dâknow. Just. Different.â He looked up with a childlike expression of confused sadness.
âOkay.â Harcourt nodded âBut what about a few months ago?
â Ahhuuhh. Itâs hard to describe. I felt nauseous then too, but not in a bad way? My heart was racing and I started to sweat little. I actually thought I was sick but it passed pretty quick. But I do remember I was a bit embarrassed cuz she was so nice. And not in like, a mean nice way like she was trying to see if she could make me say something dumb,like most people, but actually nice. It was sorta weird. She smiled at me and touched her hair, I remember that.â
âDo you like being around her?â Adebayo asked.
âYeah, but thatâs the thing. I think I like being around her but. Wulll, like yesterday. I feel like being nice to her but seeing her hurt, I also feel just, like so. So⊠like I could tear somebodyâs head off.â
Harcourt pursed her lips thoughtfully âSo, could protective be the right word?â she asked lightly.
â Maybe, yeah.â Adrian nodded innocently.
âIs it like you wanna hold her hand and do and be anything and everything for her?â Leota asked.
â Yeah! Like, I just wanna keep her safe. And whatâs important to her is important to me.â
âThen Iâd say the that you do have feelings for her.â Harcourt confirmed.
âOkay, but what kind??â Adrian replied, exasperated.
âVery very tender ones.â Leota said sweetly.
âAlright sweet.â He sat back satisfied. âBut wait, do I have to tell her??â
âEventually, you can. But sheâs been through a lot just now. Sheâs going to need time.â
âAnd most importantly a friend. You could start there.âLeota offered.
âA real friend. Not creepy, not a stalker not only nice to get her into bed, a real genuine friend.â Harcourt emphasized firmly.
âWell yeah, Iâm not a dick.â
â We know, but when I say time, I mean it.â
Chase nodded. âBut. How would I even tell her? Iâve never reallyâŠ.â
âHad a girlfriend?â Leota said with a gentle questioning tone.
âHowâd you decide to ask us all of this?â
â There you go. Just like that.â
â Are you sure?âhe asked skeptically.
âWell, yeah. Girls arenât that hard. Whatâs the worst she can say? No?â Leota shrugged.
âUh, yeah??â He replied incredulously.
âOkay, weâre getting a little ahead of ourselves here. Adrian, youâre sweet and youâre cuter than you realizeâ- Harcourt started.
âIâm cute?â He had the unabashed enthusiasm of a kid getting a star sticker.
âYeeesss. But, that being said you really need to take it slow first. Thereâs gotta be trust there. Get it?â
âYeah. Trust. I get that. I think. Can I still like, protect her?â
âWell yeah. Friends protect each other. You and Peacemaker watch out for each other.â
âOf course we do. But itâs different when it comes to Lily. Peacemaker can take care of himself. Not to sound sexist, but she definitely needs more protection.â
âSee, you get it.â Leota congratulated him.
âOkay good, cuz Iâd do whatever it takes.Iâd stop at nothing. Like, Iâd shove a guyâs own dick down his throatâ-
âWhoa, whoa whoa. Whoâs dick are we chopping off?â Economos said around a bite of powdered donut.
âOh, just this guy. When onetime I cut offâ-
âYes! That was fuckin brutal man, but awesome dude. Hardcore.â Smith said loudly â You were a beast last night, on fire!â
âWhat do you mean last night?â Harcourt asked her tone dangerously calm.
âOh, yeah. Vig an I killed Lilyâs ex. Youâre welcome.â
âYou fucknâ what? Goddamn it you guys, at least tell me you were careful.â John moaned.
âIâm always careful.â Chase scoffed.
Emilia slumped in her seat, face in her hands, Smith and Chase suddenly sheepish.
âI sense that maybe a mistake was made hereâŠâ Chase said slowly, eyes narrowed.
âOh really? What makes you think that?â
âIs that a rhetorical question? I think thatâs a rhetorical question.â
Chris motioned for him to shut up.
Zachary Reidâs murder barely made a ripple. The police found the evidence theyâd left connecting him to Lilyâs attack and suddenly his brutal death didnât matter so much anymore.
Chris was aware theyâd gotten extremely lucky. Adrian either didnât or just didnât care.
He sat on the front porch sipping his morning coffee. Adrian had called at 6:30 sharp to remind him Lily was being discharged from the hospital today. Even though the phone he could tell Adrian was going to be more high strung than usual.
Lily had been in the hospital almost a week. Adrian had taken to checking in on her every evening, and when he couldnât be there in person he called her.
Heâd searched until he found her phone and purse a block from base in some bushes. Sheâd been happy to have her phone back although the purse was ruined by the rain.
Adrian talked about her quite a bit. He didnât mind, it was kind of endearing really. How smart she is, how she was feeling, how she was healing, and most of all how pretty. Plus, Lily seemed to enjoy his company. Heâd been starting to feel like a third wheel honestly. As soon as the doc cleared it she was able to walk around a little. He actually felt sort of proud of how the guy offered her his arm for support. He handled her very little and when he did he was very gentle.
Harcourt and Adebayo had taken Chris aside and told him in no uncertain terms that he was not to undermine Chaseâs confidence when it came to Lily in anyway or he would suffer dire consequences.
Chris went with Adrian and Emilia to pack her a bag so sheâd have her own clothes to wear when they let her out. He leaned in the doorway of her bedroom arms crossed while Harcourt selected items out of Lilyâs dresser. âToo bad she canât come back to her own home yet .â She mused folding up a pair of black leggings.
âYeah, well sheâs only got the one bathroom downstairs and they donât want her going up and down âem cuz I guess sheâs still got a lot of dizzinessâChris gestured vaguely around his head âand they want her to be careful.â
âYeah.â Smith nodded with a rueful expression.
âBastard. Iâm glad heâs dead.â
âWhose been feeding her fish?â
âMe.â Adrian answered from behind Smith. Chris stepped to the side and let him in. âI put in an automatic feeder though. Should last about a month.â His arms were full of various toiletries.
âShampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste and toothbrush.â He muttered laying the items out on the bed. âDid I miss anything?â he looked a little timid asking.
Chris looked over his shoulder.
âI couldnât find any.â
âIâll pick some up.â Harcourt said laying out some thick socks.
âThanks.â He gathered up a few of her pillows and a body pillow and almost as an afterthought laid the floppy stuffed unicorn on top and carried them out to his car.
âSo whatâs the plan?â
âSheâs going to stay with me at my place till sheâs good for more activity. Iâm putting her up in the bedroom, Iâm taking the couch.â
âChase doesnât want her to stay with him?â
âThird floor walk up and heâs got a habit of bringing his work home with him.â
âOh.â She tossed a few scrunchies and a hairbrush into the bag and zipped it shut. âWhat about Eagly?â
âHe promised to be on his best behavior.â
Chris took the bag and the weighted blanket and followed Emilia downstairs.
Adrian helped Lily out of the car. Gingerly she stood up, left arm in a sling . She looked tiny in her soft leggings and baggy tee covered by Smithâs massively oversized zipper hoodie. In the sunlight she looked unwell and fragile. Her pale skin and bruises fading into shades of green and brown didnât help. Chase helped her around the car and Smith picked her up and carried her inside. The place was tidier than it had ever been but was unmistakably a bachelor pad. Her gaze landed on Eagly and his perch and she blinked a few times in surprise.
âYou have, a bald eagle in your house?â She asked somehow managing to sound both surprised and polite as though remarking on an interesting china pattern.
âYeah. This is Eagly. Donât worry heâs not mean.â
Turning to the unusual house mate he raised a finger to him. âBe nice.â
âYeah sure. Be careful though, cuz sometiâ-
Lily stroked the huge birdâs face just under the eye with a hooked pointer finger. Eagly clicked his beak and fluffed his feathers.
âBeautiful bird, lookit how pretty you are.â She cooed softly to him.
âAw, hey. He likes her.â Chase said, impressed.
The first week passed uneventfully. Lilyâs broken ribs were tender but her broken collarbone caused her more trouble and embarrassment due to needing some help dressing and undressing.
âI had mine replaced not too long ago, I know how it feels.â Chris said sympathetically as he unclasped her bra for her. He quickly turned around so he wouldnât accidentally see anything.
âYeah, but you donât need to worry about someone else seeing your boobs every time you need help though.â She pointed out.
âWeâll no, but Iâm not looking. Promiseâ
âI know.â He heard the bed squeak and the blankets rustling as she adjusted them as best she could. âReady.â
âNot that Iâd mind, all titties are great titties.â
âTheyâre not your type.â She scoffed.
âNah, I like all types. Yours are the kind everybody hopes they get wearing a push-up. Nice and full on top, round, big but still firm. They look good even when you arenât wearing a bra.Plus if you turn around, raise your arms, youâve got nice side boob from the back.â He clearly intended for this to be a major compliment. He mimed squeezing breasts against his own chest.
âSo you are looking?â
â Not from the front.â
Lily gave him a pointed look, brow arched.
âThank you.â She nodded laying down carefully.
He straightened the covers then spread the weighted blanket over her.
â I feel like a little kid.â She said, half pouting.
âBetter feeling like a little kid than needing surgery.â he pointed out â I really donât recommend it.â
âTrue.â She snuggled down into the bed. âI still feel bad taking your bed though. Are you sure you donât want to trade?â
âNah, itâs alright.â
âIâm a lot shorter and skinnier than you, Iâd fit better.â
âYeah, but itâll still hurt though, believe me.â
âWell, maybe I should go home? I could sleep on my own couch, order take out.â
âItâs not a problem, really. You still need help and thatâs okay. Iâve been through way worse than having to sleep on a couch. Trust me.â He patted her leg reassuringly.
Lily scrunched her face as if to say âyeah right.â
âOkay. Well, promise youâll kick me out when you get sick of me then?â
He laughed. âAlright, if I get sick of you, Iâll kick you out.â
He laid her phone on the bedside table for her.
âIâm going to be out again tonight, if you need anything just call me or Chase, one of usâll be right there. Just drinks and shootinâthe shit.I should be home before 1 unless things get crazy.â
âOkay, have fun. Hey, would you tell Adrian I said hi if you see him.â
âIs he like, mad at me?â
âWhat makes you say that?â
âWeâll he hasnât been around. Plus, I havenât heard from him. I just wondered if he was avoiding me.â
âNah, heâs probably just been busy thatâs all.â Chris shrugged awkwardly.
âWell. If he is thatâs okay too. I get it.â she picked at the covers.
âHeâs not like that. I wouldnât worry. More than likely he just got caught up in work.â
Lily nodded again trying to be nonchalant.
Chris made a mental note to ask Chase what was going on.
âHow many more of these racists dâya suppose are out here?â Vigilante asked as they walked back out of the woods. They had been staking out an illegal campsite deep in the woods for a few days that was being used by his Chrisâs dads followers. The fire fight was fast and dirty, and they got all of them except one guy that ditched the group just as things were heating up.
âHopefully not very many, but judging by the amount of supporters dad had, probably a lot.â Peacemaker said.
âWell at least thereâs a few less.â Chase stretched casually. âHey, should we look for that guy?â
â Nah, weâll deal with him later. Hey, can I ask you something?â
âYeah of course. Feedback? Lay it on me. If I can improve I willâ-
âHow come you havenât been talking to Lily Peacemaker asked bluntly.
âHey, Iâm gonna run ahead, see you at the carâ- Vig started. Peacemaker grabbed him firmly by the shoulder.
âCome on man, itâs not cool. She asks me about you every day. She misses you, youâre hurting her feelings.â
âYeah. She thinks youâre avoiding her.â
âWell she ainât gonna come right out and say it but yeah. She likes having you around, canât you tell?â
âI was just giving her a breakâŠThis guy at work said I oughta back off for a bit so sheâd be more interested in me? Was that bad advice?â
âThatâs the shittiest advice Iâve ever heard dude. Lilyâs not into playing games. Anyone could have told you that.â
âWell, I didnât think sheâd want me around after staying at your place⊠and he said it was good to keep her guessing.â he replied struggling to keep his tone friendly.
âWhat the hell are you talking about?â
âWhy would she want me around when youâre right there? If I was her thatâs definitely the choice Iâd make. Youâve got it all man the looks, youâre famous, the physique. A huge dick. I get it Iâm a fan too. I donât compete but thatâs okay dude, Iâm fine with it.â
âWhat?â Chris was dumbfounded. âItâs not like that at all man. Think about it, she doesnât even know Iâm Peacemaker! She has no idea youâre Vigilante! She only knows our secret identities and she picked you.â Emphasising his point by poking Vig in the chest.
âAre you sure?â Chase sounded skeptical âRamone saidâ-
âBro. Listen to me. Remember, in the hospital? She asked you to walk with her? You volunteered to get the kitties from her house, you found her phoneân stuff for her. Shit, you even brought her her favorite food when she said the hospital food sucked and even fed her fish. She laughs at your jokes! Itâs textbook dude, she likes you!â
âDid I really hurt her feelings?âVig asked, concerned.
âYeah, sheâs pretty down. She checks her phone about every two minutes. She plays it off but I know sheâs checking to see if you messaged her. What was the last thing she sent you anyway?â
âOh, uh. Here.â He dug his phone out of his pocket. âThere.â He showed the screen to Peacemaker. The message read: âHi! (purple heart emoji, blushing smiley emoji ) I was wondering if you were busy Wednesday night? If not, would you wanna get something to eat maybe? Iâm kinda tired of wearing my jammies all the time lol (laughing cat emoji)â.
âJust that. Then Ramone said I should play it off so I did.â
âDude. Sheâs low key asking if you want to take her on a date.â
âWhat?? N-no. She asked if I wanted to get something to eat?â
âShe said she wants to dress up. For You. Sheâs saying she wants to look nice for you. Thereâs all these emojis, sheâs flirting. With. You.â He shook Chase by the shoulders.
âHoly shit. Now what? You think I got time?â
âShe sent this Monday. Its 11:30 Friday night.â
âThat means you need to apologize for being a dick and offer to make it up to her.â
âRight. Okay, new plan. Iâll talk her when I drop you off.â
âNah, sheâs gonna be asleep. Do it tomorrow. In person though.â
âRight right right. Good idea.â
They walked in silence for a bit, Chase stunned that heâd been so very wrong.
âHey dude, I wanna say that Iâm sorry for projecting my insecurities on you, that wasnât fair. Youâre my best friend, you wouldnât do that. Thanks for keeping me straight.â Chase said.
âHey, itâs alright. Things get weird when chicks are on the line.â Smith replied tossing his rifle case into the trunk.
Adrian started the car and pulled out of the dark lot.
Her eyes popped open. Something wasnât right. She lay still, listening. The digital clock read 11:58, the green illuminated numbers casting a ghostly glow on the bedside table. The only sounds were crickets and frogs singing faintly outside. Just as she was about to turn on the lamp she heard it again. A heavy step on the porch, a scraping sound followed by the doorknob jiggling. It sounded too light to be Chris, probably wasnât Adrian or any of the others because they had a key.
So whoever was outside must not know she was inside or theyâd have been quieter. Very cautiously she opened the bedside table drawer and pulled out the black Glock 9x19 Parabellum model she knew was in there . Checking the magazine to ensure it was loaded she crept slowly and quietly out of bed. She lamented the lack of a silencer. Barefoot and wearing an old oversized tee shirt, she carefully crept her way to the doorway of the bedroom. Eagly was asleep, head under his wing. She had only 7 rounds.
She had no way of knowing how many people were outside but judging by the footsteps at least three. The trespassers cast intermittent shadows through the living room window.
From her vantage point she could see down the entire trailer and had a little cover. The door popped open with a clang and a tall thin man with long stringy hair stepped inside. She saw the holster on his belt , but he hadnât seen her. Quietly chambering a round she took aim at his throat and squeezed the trigger. He went down pop eyed and gurgling. Eagly schreeched and flew out the door.
Five separate voices yelled from outside the door, three men, two women.
âYou sonuvabitâ- String beans compatriot yelled as he lept through the door brandishing a revolver. Lily hit him squarely between the eyes.
Two more men and the women rushed inside. An older fat trucker type in a grease spotted wife beater charged at her with a double barreled rifle. She let him get closer then planted a bullet in his temple.
A woman with a shaved head screamed like a banshee and lept at her, hands clawed. In one fluid motion Lily scooped up the double barrel and whipped the stock against her head with a crack. The banshee crumpled, twitching and urinating on the floor. Lily popped one into her head with the Glock for insurance.
Headlights swept through the trailer house as the other woman screamed. Lily cut her off firing the rifle into the back of her skull with a loud report. The wiry young man with a confederate flag tattooed on his bare chest stared at her from the doorway. Lily leveld the rifle at him.
âYou better not shoot me with my daddyâs gun you bitch.â
âWhat are you going to do about it if I do?â She challenged.
â Iâll send you straight to hell.â
Lily heard pounding footsteps on the gravel outside.
She let out a sinister little laugh âI hope the fuck you do.â she challenged.
He let out a guttural yell and ran towards her. The rifle jammed and Lily turned and used her good shoulder to ram him in the solar plexus. He rolled over her back and off of her and she sprung smoothly to her feet and kicked him in the chest. He buckled and she brought her knee savagely into his nose. He slipped backwards in the dead womanâs urine and lay sprawled out like a starfish, face pouring blood.
Lilly stood over him pistol aimed point blank at his forehead.
âWhen you get to hell tell your daddy to oil his goddam guns.â
âYou bâ- Lily squeezed the trigger.
âBitch, yeah yeah.â Lily turned to see two costumed and heavily armed men standing just beyond the porch and the last intruder staring at her blankly, mouth moving like a fish out of water. Swiftly Lily shot him in the face while he gaped.
She turned to the two armed men gun arm raised.
Recognition dawned on her blood spattered face.
âChris?â She said incredulously. Slowly she clicked the safety back on and laid the gun down on the floor.
âJust to clarify, she was actually flirting right?â Adrian asked for the fourth time.
âYes, she was flirting. Nothing hardcore but just to test the waters.â Said Chris growing exasperated.
âOkay, so lightly flirting. How will I know if sheâs hardcore flirting?â
âYouâll know.â Chris nodded.
âOh totally, but just for clarification..â Adrian pressed pushing his glasses back up.
âHardcore flirting will happen when she wants you to get her into bed.â
âWhoa. That means sex. I hadnât actually considered that that could be on the table.â
âStart with the bed first, itâs nicer. Table sex sounds like a good idea when youâre hot and heavy but itâs super uncomfortable.â Chris said sagely.
âRight. Duh.â Adrian agreed enthusiastically as though this was sacred information bestowed upon him by the master.
âBut, youâre probably a little ways away from actually fuckinâ. Lily seems like sheâs the type who wants to be romanced. Yâknow? Sheâs really shy. When she needs help getting dressed she blushes so bad broâ-
âWait⊠you help her get dressed?â
âWell yeah her collar boneâs broke. That shit hurts.â
âSo does that mean youâve seen herâ he gestured over his chest, fingers splayed wide â yâknow?â
Adrian rolled his eyes â Yeah. Her, titties.â
âOh, no. Never seen âem. Naked that is. I donât look at her. Seems kinda, inappropriate.â
âOhhhh. I- Ookay.â Adrian shook his head perhaps a touch too disappointed.
He turned the car onto the gravel driveway.
âI mean, sheâll probably let you look at her titties naked. I bet theyâre nice. Theyâre nice in clothes. I think sheâs got little nipples but I donât know.â
âWhyâd you think theyâre little?â
âJust when they get hard you can tell.â
âYouâre getting her nipâ-
âSomethingâs wrong.â Chrisâs tone went from playful to serious so fast Adrianâs heart dropped. Eagly swooped the car then circled back towards the house.
âHurry.â Adrian sped up. As the headlights swept the house he could see the door was open but the house was still dark. Gravel flew as Chase slammed on the breaks. As he hurriedly shoved his mask back on the awful sound of a womanâs scream cut off by a shotgun blast echoed through the woods.
âShit.â They said in unison.
As they jumped out of the vehicle they heard another scream, followed this time by a smaller calibre weapon discharging.
Pounding up to the porch Peacemaker could see the outline of a small figure wearing an oversized T-shirt shouldering an unfamiliar shotgun in the gloom of the interior through the doorway. â-send you straight to hell.â Growled a shirtless man. He was answered by a sinisterly mirthful little laugh.
âI hope the fuck you do.â
The man yelled and ran full tilt into the house.
Peacemaker stopped dead in his tracks throwing out an arm to stop Vigilante. The other man had his pistol drawn and aimed at her.
âVig, thatâs Lily donât shoot!â
Slowly he lowered his weapon, confused. They rushed toward the door. The shotgun jammed and she instead performed an expert shoulder roll and an agile leap shoving her heel into the manâs chest. In disbelief they watched as Lily dealt a crushing knee directly to his face. As he lay sprawled on the floor Lily stood over him, produced a handgun and faintly he heard her say â-tell your daddy to oil his guns.â
âYou bâ- the wounded man spit out. He didnât have time to finish before she killed him.
âBitch, yeah yeah.â Lily finished for him derisively as she turned to the redneck on the porch. She looked him up and down and with pitiless twist to her lips shot him unceremoniously in the face at point blank range. He fell to the ground like a poll axed bull.
Her face was unbothered and smooth as she aimed down the barrel at them. Slowly, recognition crept into her eyes and her expression softened.
âChris?â She said incredulously. She clicked the safety on and laid the gun down on the floor. She took a halting step toward them onto the porch.
âFuck it.â Chris pulled off his helmet and started toward her.
âYouâre Peacemaker?â How? The whole time? The whole time??â
âAre you okay? Did he they hurt you?â He asked hands on her upper arms, bending down to her level.
âNo, no Iâm okay. My ears are ringing. The others didnât hurt me either. Didnât have timeâŠâ
âYeah, thereâs more inside⊠I need to sit down I think.â she clutched the side with the broken ribs.
He scooped her up and brought her inside, Vigilante right behind them.
âWhat the fuck!â Vigilante exclaimed taking in the scene. Two bodies were stacked on top of each other and three more in various positions in the living room.
âCareful! Floors wet, she pissed herself when she died.â Lily said pointing to a skinhead woman with her head dented in. âHe slipped in it.â She pointed to the one who called her a bitch.
âThatâs six dude! Six! By herself! Thatâs so hot.â Vigilante was vibrating with excitement.
Uh, no. No. Whoâs Adrian?â he replied lamely with a poor attempt at deepening his voice.
âGive it up dude.â Chris ordered.
Reluctantly, Adrian tugged the mask off. A slight blush came to Lilyâs face as she looked him up and down taking in his messy dark curls, his wide green eyes, the flush in his cheeks and most surprisingly the bulge in his pants. He gave her a small wave.
âOkay, what the hell is going on?â She asked looking out of her depth.
â I could ask you the same thing.â Chris said seriously sitting on the coffee table across from her, elbows on his knees.
â We all have some explaining to do it seemsâ. She crossed her legs and cradled her injured arm to her side. Adrian held up a finger and stepping over bodies retrieved a blankets and a pillow from the bed. âSorry, I. I can see your panties. Are you okay with a blanket.â He said sweetly.
âMmhmm, thank you.â He made to hand it to her, thought better of it and carefully tucked it around her, propping her injured arm up on it.
âIs that okay?â Lily nodded. âOkay.â He nodded and stepped back a respectful distance. Chris made a phone call and within 15 minutes the rest of the team stood in Chrisâs house looking in shock at the scene.
âOkay, so six dead bodies is pertinent phone call information, just so weâre all clear on that.â Harcourt said angrily.
âWhat the hell did yâall do?â Adebayo remarked stepping gingerly over the dead man on the porch.
âIt wasnât us.â Chris answered her, steadying her by grasping her hand.
âOh yeah? Then who the hell was it?â Economos asked with heavy sarcasm.
âLily.â Chris gestures to the girl bundled in a blanket on the couch, blood spattered on her face.
âGet real. What the hell happened?â Harcourt pressed.
âItâs true. I did this.â Lily spoke calmly.
âWho the hell are they?â
âAryan Nation members, I believe.â Lily answered.
âI told you we should have tracked that guy down!â Chase lamented.
âI didnât know theyâd show up here!â Chris yelled back.
âNo way. Was it an accident? Your covering for them right?â Adebayo reasoned.
âNope. She did it. I didnât see the whole thing, but god I wish I had. Mmmpht.â Adrian added arms crossed over his chest.
âAre you turned on right now you little weirdo??â Harcourt spat disgusted. The others groaned and looked away.
âYep.â He answered unashamedly.
Lily patted the couch beside her and offered him some of her blanket which he accepted with a smile.
âIâll tell you. Chris was gone and I was asleep. I woke up at 11: 58 because I heard a noise. I realized that the house was being broken into and that they thought the house was empty. I reached for Chrisâs gun in the bedside table and I waited for their move because I only had seven rounds. â
âOokayâŠâ John said slowly gesturing for her to continue.
â I picked off the first two there, from the bedroom, then I stepped out, got her, got her then him and before I knew it Chris and Adrian were here.â She shrugged.
âWhat time did you get here?â Harcourt asked.
âAbout 12:04.â Offered Adrian in a helpful tone.
âSix kills in that short span is considered a professional hit time.â Harcourt said a disbelieving edge to her voice.
â Its not my fastest time but to be fair I am working with a handicap. Though,I still have one round left so Iâll still call it a win.â Lily shrugged. âMay I offer a little advice?â she turned to Chris âIf youâre going to store a weapon for self defense, in the future you should make sure itâs fully loaded. But Iâm thankful for the rounds I had.â
âMmm. Sheâs right, rookie mistake.â Vigilante said waving a finger at him.
âOh, you shut the hell up, like your an expert.â he pointed at Vig.
âAre you implying that youâre a professional hit man?â She said.
âIâm not implying. I am. Though I prefer professional assassin.â She spoke in that same even reasonable tone.
âWait wait wait.â John said hands up â If youâre a professional assassin why do you live here? Shouldnât you be in like, Gotham or LA or something?â
âItâs much easier live low key in low key places. Besides, my parents lived here. I like it. Plus if I lived in Gotham my home and car insurance would be insane.â
âSo how long have you been doing this?â Adebayo asked.
âIâve been training since I was four years old.â
âYour whole life?â Adrian asked astonished.
âWait, so did your parents teach you this or?âinquired Chris.
âYes. Have you ever seen KickAss?â Lily asked.
âYeah.â Said Chris, Adrian John and Leota at once.
âRemember Hit Girl and Big Daddy? It was like that. My mom and dad were black ops agents working under code names They were a team, did contract work for the US government all over the world. Then they had me and trained me too. I spent my twelfth birthday jumping out of a helicopter into a war zone in Afghanistan. I had 32 confirmed kills before I was 18. I have an asset number. Its highly classified, but if you need to know Iâll give you the contact info for my government handler.â
âWhy didnât you tell us?â Chris asked gently.
âIâm sorry. I wasnât aware that you are who you are. I would have removed myself had I realized that I was infringing on another operation.â
âWhy didnât you know?â Adebayo asked.
âWell they donât exactly hand out maps of covert operations and give a whoâs who presentation. I just assumed after daddy died that most other auxiliary ops stopped up here.â
Chris wiggled his hand. âEh. They sorta did for Project Starfish though.â
âWhatâs Project Starfish?â Asked Chase enthusiastically.
âNever mind.â Harcourt said firmly then under her breath âDammit Smith.â
âOkay. So say we believe youâre some like, crazy good government assassin. If thatâs true, then what happened two weeks ago?â Economos asked harshly.
âWhoa, out of line.â Chris interjected raising his voice.
âIâm just saying, if sheâs telling the truth, howâd some random guy put her in the hospital then?â
âWhat the fuck is wrong with you??â Chris stood up, chest thrust out ready to fight.
âHey, thatâs enough.â Harcourt spoke firmly.
âI just have questions.â Economos said lamely, hand up defensively.
â Youâre adding insult to injury is what youâre doing sir. So what, havenât I done enough to prove my abilities right here? My attacker got caught me off guard. My fault entirely. I was tired and complacent. Complacency leads to situational blindness. I learned that lesson the hard way. Donât believe me? Youâre welcome to try and face fuck me too if you want, but Iâm warning you now, Iâll win.â
Economos went pale, realising what heâd said.
âHey,â Adrian rubbed her back gently with his gloved hand âThat wasnât your fault. Like, at all.â he reassured her quietly. Lily gave him the smallest of watery smiles. He looped his right arm over her and took her hand in his left giving Economos a dead eyed stare.
âYou arenât on trial White. And you are way out of line.â Harcourt pointed at John.
â If Iâm not on trial, why does it feel that way? Should I have not defended myself? I know who these people are and what group they belong to. So if the question is did they deserve to die tonight then, I say better now than later.â
âIâm glad youâre still alive White. Itâs just now youâll probably get conscripted into the team. Our boss doesnât appreciate it when outsiders wander in. And thereâs no easy way out.â Harcourt said with a tinge of regret.
âIâm used to it. As long as Iâm not the last man standing Iâll be fine.â Lily Squared her chin defiantly.
âWeâll talk more tomorrow. In the mean time Iâll take that contact info if you have it. Letâs get this mess cleared up.â Emilia stood up and directed Economos out.
Lily watched him leave, eyes cold.
âHey. Iâm sorry, are you okay.â Chris leaned in and patted her knee.
Her expression softened and her big eyes welled up with tears. She nodded.
âAre you sick of me yet?â she asked tearfully.
âNope. Not even a little bit.â He assured her.
âIâm sorry I killed all these people in your house. I tried not to make a big mess. Iâm not being a very good houseguest .â She apologized her voice quavering , tears falling now.
âAw, hey. Donât cry. Iâm not even mad! I was just worried that you were hurt. You did the right thing, donât apologize for putting yourself first.â Awkwardly he wiped a tear away. â Iâm gonna get up and take the trash out, okay? You stay here with Leota and Vig, and weâll be done in no time.â He gave her a small smile.
â Do you want me to help? I donât have my kit but I can do a quick turn and burn? Hide the identities maybe?â She sniffed.
âNah, most of âem donât have any teeth anyway. Itâll be okay. Okay?â
She laughed a little in spite of herself and leaned her head against Adrianâs shoulder. Absently he stroked her hair.
âThis might not be the best time, but I just gotta say that was probably the hottest thing Iâve ever seen in real life.â He complimented.
âThanks.â She mumbled quietly.
âDoes your shoulder hurt?â
âA little. My ribs hurt more though.â
âItâs probably tension. Here.â He said. Shifting a little, he lifted her into his lap. He was stronger than she anticipated. He gently pressed her head against his chest and held her close his arms encircling her, his his chin on the top of her head. He felt her body relax into him as she snuggled in.
Leota couldnât help but smile at the tender moment the two shared despite the gore that surrounded them. She did her best to pretend that she couldnât hear their quiet conversation as she busied herself filling a bucket with soapy water and wiping the blood spatter off of various surfaces but she strained to catch every word.
âHmm?â She turned her face up to his slightly.
âIâm sorry I sorta ghosted you. I mean, not sorta. I did..I took some really crappy advice and it sorta screwed things up. I read your text⊠I didnât answer because I was trying to seem cool. It was stupid. I didnât mean to hurt your feelings. Itâs hard for me to relate with emotions sometimes but I really donât want to upset you.â
She gazed up at him while he tenderly flaked off the dried specks of blood on her cheek with his thumb.
âI couldnât figure out why you pulled away.â
âHonestly, I was insecure and jealous. I got it into my head that if it was a contest between me and Chris⊠well that heâd win.â
âChris is just my friend Adrian. A good friend but thatâs all. I, I wanted get to know you better than that. Still do.â
âReally?â He said, genuine surprise in his voice.
âWell yeah. Youâve been so nice to me, nobodyâs ever been as sweet to me as you have. And I thought, maybe you might, I dunno. Stick around.â She said eyes downcast her lashes casting a shadow on her cheeks.
âI thought you were way out of my league! Well you are, obviously. But my main thing is I didnât know how to tell you without freaking you out.â
âYou could never freak me out, I trust you! Youâre the sweetest guy Iâve ever met in my life. And you treat me like a lady. Iâve never had to prove anything to you. You listen to me. You remember things I tell you. I like you.I want you to like me too.â
He blushed and gave her a boyish half smile meeting her eyes then looking away shyly.
âCan you forgive me? I promise Iâll never do it again. On god.â
âOf course I forgive you.â
âSee? That wasnât hard!â Leota said giving herself away âDamn, Adrian what did I say? And you two are cute! Weird as fuck, but cute.â She wiped her eye with a damp hand. â I need a minute, hold on.â
Adrianâs face colored deeply and he gave her a half smile. â I need a minute.â Leota excused herself.
Lily pressed her face into Adrianâs chest and hid behind her hand embarrassed. From the open door Chris gave Adrian an enthusiastic double thumbs up dropping the legs of a body with a thud. Adrian returned the gesture with one hand smiling broadly.
Harcourt called the number Lily had given her. The line rang twice and was answered immediately by a brusque military voice.
âHello sir, this is Agent Emilia Harcourt calling to verify your field agents credentials.â
âState the assetâs identification number.â
Harcourt looked down at the number written in a curvy girlish hand.
âThat number is valid. Asset code name Acolyte. Status as of 0500 this morning is listed as active or alive. Are you able to confirm assets current status?â
âYes sir, she is alive.â
âIs triple o three in need of extracting?â
âThan whatever it is she can handle it. Call me if she dies.â
âOkayâŠâ she said to herself. She made her next call to Murn.
âHey, Iâm sorry I know itâs late. I have a bit of a situation hereâŠâ
Murn drove out to Smithâs house. In the van, Harcourt filled him in.
âSo I called the number and a guy named Conklin answeredâ-
âHe said that this triple o three number is associated with an asset under code name Acolyteâ-
âAre you sure thatâs what he said?â
âYes, he asked if she needed to be extracted, I said no he said she could handle it and to call him if she dies.â
âWhat is it?â Harcourt pressed.
âIf Lily is Acolyte it poses a bigger problem. Sheâd undeniably be an asset to the team but itâs well known in intelligence circles that sheâs to be watched closely.â
âAcolyte is the daughter of two highly respected extremely effective black ops assets, Soldier of Fortune and his wife Fortuna. They trained Acolyte themselves from a very young age with no agency oversight. The suspicion was always that Soldier of Fortune raised Acolyte to be loyal to himself and himself alone, so while sheâs well respected and delivers results sheâs not fully trusted. Her reputation as a remorseless killer tends to raise a few eyebrows.â
âWeâve worked with plenty of dangerous killers, itâs not new. Hell, my impression of Lily is that sheâs a bit like Vigilante.â Harcourt said.
âNo, if sheâs Acolyte sheâs not like Vigilante at all.â
âHow do you mean? They seem to have gotten on like a house on fire.â
âLetâs assume White is Acolyte for the purposes of speculation. Essentially, whereas Chase is a likable yet awkward outcast who has few loyalties and a strong personal sense of justice, a skewed world view and a generous streak of brutal violence sprinkled in, he is still easily led and manipulated. While Chase believes himself to be free of the burden of human emotion, and, true his emotional intelligence is somewhat stunted at best his sense of right and wrong are very much present.
White is another terrifying creature altogether.
Whiteâs combination of brutality and skill was all but selectively bred for and refined by years of rigid training and concealed by a convincing veneer of malleable femininity. It might seem like she is an outcast, but she is actually an outsider by design. She had been brought up without the outside influence of children her own age until she was thirteen. She has flourished in situations that a child her age should never have been in. She could field strip then reassemble and system check most common models of fully automatic firearms in standard time by the age of five. Her father bragged about it like other fathers bragg about little league.
In her psychological profile it is unclear whether White is capable of true, non familial close personal relationships over the long term given how low she scored on the empathy scale. Whites emotional intelligence is scored very highly which showed that not only did she have a strong understanding of the emotions of others she very likely did not care when she inflicted pain on another. However, perhaps more concerning she was able to verbally demonstrate that she understood the morality of right and wrong but expressed enjoyment in these actions. Her file says that she was noted to be incredibly charming and charismatic. Itâs almost impossible to tell where her loyalties lie. She is exceptionally good at manipulating people and outcomes to her advantage.
Essentially, the assumption is that Acolyte is merely parroting back what she believes the person in front of her wants to hear.
Chase canât hide who and what he is, but White isnât just a chameleon changing her colors to suit her surroundings, sheâs a shape shifter. To be fair, she was evaluated after her mother died and almost everyone scores as a sociopath at that age. However it hasnât stopped them from putting failsafes in place.â
âHer codename is one of few on a very short list of operatives to be eliminated should they ever demonstrate any unwillingness to cooperate with their handlers. Acolyte is probably the one person that intelligence leaders worldwide truly fear.â
âSo if Waller found out that we might have Acolyte, sheâd definitely use her then eliminate her?â
âAbsolutely. And between you and I, I donât trust her to use Acolyte for anything good. Wallerâs loyalty is to herself then the United States, and Acolyteâs are unclear. So with her in Wallerâs hands we could very well have another Corto Maltese situation on our hands.â
âSo essentially she may have found a new way to punish us?â Harcourt said angrily.
âUnfortunately yes. Let me make a few calls to some old friends. Iâll see what they can tell me about White or Acolyte.â
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