Chapter Text
Gargoyles, I suppose. That’s how this whole thing started. Me, a seventeen year old girl, being kidnapped by a bunch of crazies and held hostage. I looked at the wall, counting the tick marks scratched into the cement. Eight days. All things considered, I suppose it could be worse. The aching in my shoulders I could do without. My arms were chained above my head, just high enough that I could stand on my tiptoes and relieve some of the pressure. Ah well, not that I regretted any of it. If anything, I was really happy to have been in that general store the night it all began.
--9--
I hummed tunelessly as I browsed the shelves, looking for something that would satisfy my junk food craving. Nothing looked good. Winter was just starting, so my woolen sweater was all I needed to keep out the nightly chill, though I wondered if I should have put on a tank top under it. Pulling it out for inspection, I eyed the light orange colored gift. Knitted and thick, the Irish weave held up against almost anything, and revealed little. It ended just below my curvy hips, making me look short and cute, and the blue jeans still looked adult-ish. Eh, it’s fine. Pushing a lock of auburn hair behind my pale ear, I rubbed my face and tried to make a decision. Aw hell, just get a drink and go already. I grabbed a can and hurried to the cash register, pulling out my wallet just as another customer entered. Glancing at the stranger, I noted a billed hat pulled low over his face, and a black trench coat.
“Two eighty, dear.” The old cashier said, pulling my attention back to him.
“You can just hand that over to me, along with all the money in the register.” I whipped around, butt hitting the counter in surprise. The male that had just entered was right behind me- with a gun pointed at my chest.
“Please! Don’t hurt anyone!” The old man cried. I heard a gasp, making me remember a mother and infant that had entered with me- I had held the door open for them, and smiled at the mom when she thanked me. Her baby had red hair. Slowly, the numb shock wore away, leaving me tingling with fear. Were we all going to die? Or would he spare the mother and child? I could hear my heart hammering in my ears. Tearing my eyes away from the barrel of the gun, I looked up at the robber’s face. His brown eyes were empty, like all the life had been snuffed out. He was a junky. He wasn’t going to spare anyone here. Slowly, I filled my lungs and tried to dispel the fear gripping my throat.
“Hey, do you need money?” My voice was strong, to my relief, “How about you take my card, it has more money than whatever is in the cash-” Like a snake, the thief reached out and snatched my collar, snarling at me.
“Does it look like I can use your fancy card?” His breath was rancid, “I want cash! Not a piece of plastic!” The man shoved me, sending me stumbling back into the checkout counter. The door opened and slammed shut, making the robber jump. The woman was running across the road, screaming. While he was distracted, I kicked at the man’s stomach, using the counter for extra power. He grunted, falling and dropping his gun. Dashing to where it had fallen, I scooped it up.
“No!” Weight on my back made me collapse, gun trapped under me. It was the thief; he had jumped onto me and pinned my arms to my side. “Little girl, you’re going to regret that! I’ll kill you!” Just as the man was worming his hand under my side to get the gun, a bone-chilling roar filled the air, and the door smashed open. I screamed and tried to wiggle free; whatever was here, I wanted to face it on my feet, or at least be able to run. Suddenly, the thief’s weight was gone. I gasped and scrambled to my feet, twisting around to see- a dragon? It was red with white hair, glowing eyes, two horns curled back over it’s head, and bat-like wings. It was bare-chested, wearing only a loincloth belted to his waist. The thief was being held above a foot off the ground, yelling in fear. The beast tossed the man across the room, where he yelped, then lay still. Paralyzed in fear and shock, I did nothing when the dragon thing turned to me. A tail whipped back and forth, drawing my attention to it’s feet. Three talons clicked on the tiled floor, making me take a half a step back when I realized the beast was getting closer.
“Hey, It’s alright. Are you unharmed?” My eyes looked back at the thing’s face, noting that it’s eyes weren’t glowing anymore.
“I’m fine.” Came my scratchy reply. The answer was given without a thought, as my mind was still trying to process what I was seeing. My confusion must have been evident, because the beaked dragon smiled.
“I’m a gargoyle. My name’s Brooklyn.” I blinked. Then let out a small ‘oh’. The room started to spin. Another, larger creature walked up to...Brooklyn. They said something, but at this point, everything was muffled. I tilted forward, then felt nothing.
--9--
“Ma’am? Miss, can you hear me?” I sucked in a breath, jerking upwards. “Woah! Calm down, you’re safe now!” A female voice, followed by small, gloved hands, and then a pleasant, dark-skinned face filtered through my muddled mind.
“You were in an attempted robbery. You’re physically unharmed-”
“What about Brooklyn?” I interrupted. A woman with black hair whipped around, surprised. She quickly moved around the paramedic, before kneeling down- when did I end up on the ground?- and dismissing the black woman.
“I need to question her, I’ll call if anything happens.” Nodding, the first woman left.
“Now,” the dark haired woman continued, facing me, “How do you know Brooklyn?” She lowered her voice, making me strain to hear her. I frowned.
“Why should I tell you?”
“Because I’m their friend. My name’s Detective Elisa Maza.”
“Anyone can claim to know someone. Prove it, tell me what he looks like.” I was being unusually obstinate. I didn’t like to get on the bad side of police officers, so why I was refusing this one was a mystery to me. A gut feeling, or maybe a small voice, was telling me to verify this woman’s claim. The detective sighed. She glanced around, but everyone else was preoccupied. There weren’t many people in the first place; a small general store wasn’t cause for much alarm in the Big Apple.
“A red gargoyle with white hair.” Was all she said, but it was enough.
“He saved me and the store keeper from the robber, but I passed out before you guys came along.” I paused, feeling slightly stupid, “Uh, if you see him, can you tell him thanks? I didn’t get a chance to.” My cheeks were heating up at the request, but to my surprise, Elisa Maza simply smiled.
“Sure thing, I know he’d appreciate it.” Deciding to like this female, I smiled back and accepted her hand up. “Do you think you need a trip to the hospital?”
“No, I’m fine.” Elisa Maza nodded and waved, getting into her car. The rest of the emergency responders were leaving as well. I rubbed the back of my head and started off to my apartment, knowing Mom would be worried- if she was home yet.