|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 9:23 am
Putting on a bulletproof vest was one thing--it's not like he hadn't played around with Jeremy's before. But wearing it, being out in it...
Myles was filled with trepidation, and a twisting sensation in his gut that made him feel like he was going to throw up. He sat in the back seat of the police car with his hands in his lap, tugging at the hem of his shirt--which was already badly frayed from the action, which he must have been repeating all day. His brows were knit with concern and he had ridden in silence as Erica drove. The chatter of the police radio wasn't very comforting, and it felt like it was tedious just to remember to breathe.
He was restless; by the time they parked, he was ready to jump out. This wasn't the first time he'd been in the back of a police car, and while he was grateful there wasn't any issue this time, it didn't mean that he didn't still remember. Sometimes, Jeremy would have him sit in the back. Sometimes, there was a spot cleared out for him.
But things were different when his brother was around. He was safe with his brother around.
He hadn't felt safe since he realized something was wrong.
As soon as the door opened, Myles sprang out. They had arrived at a construction site for a parking garage that looked like it was steadily nearing completion. There were a few streetlights to illuminate the area, but it was oddly dark, anyway. There was something cold and ominous about the place, but such could be said for any lifeless concrete monstrosity. There was nothing wrong with it, but a shadow seemed to cover to building.
Jeremy's car had been found here, and they hadn't told him. This was the last place they knew his brother was. He was anxious, pale and clammy, and he looked to the other two officers as if for permission. He found a hard time finding his words but he managed, "So, here? This is where they found his car? So maybe he's somewhere around here?"
He sounded desperate, hopeful. Like it would be so easy--like his brother had just tripped down the stairs and sprained his ankle and couldn't walk home or something.
Like there wasn't a chance he was dead and lost already.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:35 am
“Possibly,” The Police Chief didn’t mention anything about the dashcam being turned on or any evidence of what happened being caught on video. The damn vehicle had so many problems that she was surprised it wasn’t recalled months ago. Unfortunately, they were already waiting on replacements from the city since one was totaled in a high-speed chase gone bad and another was damaged to terrorist activity. Thankfully only moderate injuries were sustained but the city was being stingy with their money and they were being asked to wait and make do with what they had. “Jeremy is smart. If he were able he would have left some sort of clue that he was here.” She glanced around, noting the BobCat, excavator, multiple large dumpsters for concrete recycling. There was a pile of rebar stacked against a large connex box where the smaller tools were likely stored. “They had to use the spare set of keys at the office to get the vehicle back to the precinct. If he was in pursuit of a suspect and got cornered, he may have tossed his set somewhere so they couldn’t joy ride through Destiny City in an armored car.” “Drew, I want us to set up a small perimeter. You take the north side but stay within sight. Myles, I want you to help me look around the dumpsters. You know your brother best, if he were to hide something would it be up high, under, or in something? Think things through and carefully. Even if you think it’s a dumb idea it’s still something worth exploring. Ok?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:56 am
Drew or Officer Bones as he should probably be called by now, nodded. He too wore protective gear and it felt heavy on him. He walked Northward and took the perimeter. He looked this way and that. Listened for anything that sounded suspicious. Mainly for sounds of Jeremy. Here was a enclave - he poked his head in - nope nothing beer bottles. He shook his head, and thought, Homeless people and high school kids.He walked on. There was a surprising amount of trash around here. He should come back on his day off and clean it up. Maybe with Dria and Dani. Then he heard something.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 11:56 am
Myles didn't even care that he was being told to go dig through dumpsters; he was desperate and would have done absolutely anything if it meant there was a chance of finding his brother. It was easier with Erica taking control over the situation. He didn't have to feel so lost or confused about all of this. She could tell him what to do, he could do it, and they would find Jeremy and everything would be okay.
Everything would be okay. Everything would be okay.
Everything would be okay.
He repeated the words in his head, almost nonstop, sometimes losing track of what the words even meant. They didn't really bring him comfort, it was just something to keep him grounded.
The three of them were there for nearly two hours before there was even the slightest sign that there was more to the eye. Some water hadn't dried up from the last rain, and near one of the drainage areas, Erica had found a bullet casing. She recognized it better than Myles ever could--a police issued firearm had gone off here.
His hands were ice cold as he listened. They didn't know where the casing could have come from exactly, given that the water had carried it--but it had given them an idea. They had searched some more. Myles was finding it harder and harder to breathe. He'd nearly thrown up the food he'd devoured several times already, and as the night dragged on he found it harder and harder to blink away the wetness in his eyes. He was determined, desperate, and using every ounce of his energy to look for Jeremy--and to fight off feelings of hopelessness.
Finally, frustrated, he stood in the middle of the room and yelled, "Jeremy!"
It was so loud that it hurt his own ears. It echoed for what felt like hours, and then there was only a horrible, painful silence. His breathing hitched. His lips trembled. He sucked in a breath to shout again when he heard a noise.
He wasn't sure what it was, at first--a shuffle. A croak. An echo?
His heart fluttered with hope, but he was so afraid that it was misplaced. Less loud, but equally panicked, he tried again. "Jeremy?"
Erica was nearby, and Drew just off to the side. They were trying to find any more shell casings, or any signs of where the gun had been fired.
When Myles' voice finished echoing, there was silence again. And then, a thud from the ground. From the same area, a soft, almost missable, "Here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 4:15 pm
Erica could tell after the first hour of the searching that Myles’ patience was wearing thin. Even with that knowledge she wasn’t entirely prepared for him to suddenly start shouting his brother’s name. She sighed and walked over to the young man to try and talk him down “I-” her mouth opened to offer a suggestion but again he called out for Jeremy. “Myles…” her heart went out to him, it truly did but he’d run himself hoarse if he continued yelling like that. Despite finding a second casing there was no evidence of blood anywhere, only an oil slick like spot that had stained the ground. The area was otherwise undisturbed save for some tire tracks likely from the construction crew’s personal vehicles. No drag marks, no surveillance cameras, no nothing... “We’ve been searching for a while. Perhaps we should-” Officer Griffin paused when she heard a thudding sound from the ground beneath them. “Holy s**t… BONES!” She motioned for her partner to hurry over.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 4:40 pm
Officer Bones was investigating some black oil like substance when Griffin screamed his name. He jumped and bolt over, only to hear thudding from underneath him. He looked down. and noticed the concrete slab beneath him didn't match the rest of the floor. This was it! "Griffin! Myles! Help me with this!' He called to them. Already his massive muscles were strained to the limit as he attempted to lift the enormous piece of concrete. He set his jaw as he waited for them, already he could see a piece of police uniform. He repositioned his legs and pushed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:24 pm
Erica hustled over to where Drew was standing and tried to help move the fallen slab. At first, she tried to wedge her fingers beneath it to try and lift it up but there was no groove or broken bit that would allow her to get a firm enough grip on it. “Damn it…” she hissed beneath her breath then shifted so she was now on her knees to try and push the concrete to the side, unfortunately, the lack of friction did not allow for this to work either.
“I’m going to get a piece of rebar.” With haste, she got up and ran over to the connex box and grabbed what appeared to be a sturdy piece. The goal was to move the slab without it breaking, otherwise, a chunk might fall off and crush her patrolling partner, that was honestly the only reason she opted against using any of the heavy equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:53 pm
Myles froze, rigid and alarmed, like he forgot how to breathe. And then, he was moving--quicker than he could think. He wasn't as strong as Drew, or probably even Erica, and though he did his best to push the concrete slab from the hole, he didn't think they were getting anywhere. At least, not fast enough.
Myles was frantic; he could see the uniform, could see his brother's bright hair--could see blood. And then, he couldn't see anything, because big, wet tears were bubbling in his eyes and suddenly he was a blubbering mess and suddenly there was a henshin pen in his hand--and then, Myles was gone.
Replaced by the reds and whites of a senshi.
He couldn't think enough to care. His brother was trapped. If it meant he went to jail to save him, fine. Whatever. Myles couldn't live without him being okay. He let out a pathetic grunt and shoved, and the combined force of Drew's muscles, Erica's tact, and Caia's adrenaline pushed the concrete slab several feet away, exposing the cramped hole.
Caia was off balance and looked like he was going over the edge anyway, but Jeremy's hand shot up to grip the front of his uniform and he yanked him in. Unceremoniously, Caia toppled in, all limbs and tears, and he sobbed and he wrapped his arms around his brother.
Jeremy didn't have the strength to get up, and even the desperate hug he had for his brother was far weaker than it should have been.
"--We couldn't find you, I looked for days," Myles was babbling. "--Erica and Drew, they're here--Jeremy, are you okay? --They came to help, we filed a police report. They told me they didn't have any leads but Erica just got back and found your car and Drew was there and we all left and got here together and I knew you were okay, I knew we'd find you and--"
His brother was rambling. Jeremy couldn't make out half of what he said, between the speed he was talking and how the sobs wracked his body. Jeremy was stoic, too dehydrated to cry, too tired to move. His breathing was irregular and uneven, like it was the first time he'd been able to fill his lungs in days. A close eye could have easily told that he was hyperventilating, unwilling to let go of his brother but desperate to get out of the hole.
His clothes were still damp from the rain, and he was clearly clutching something to his chest. Dried blood still stained the concrete floor, and matted his hair on the back of his head and on his forehead. He was pale and gaunt, with dark circles, and eyes that screamed even as he said nothing. His nails dug into Caia's back, but he couldn't even seem to muster the strength to look up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:29 pm
Officer Bones made a big heavy push and shoved the concrete slab just enough that it came off Officer Fischer. He held out his arms to carry the injured sick man and spoke in reassuring but alerting tones to Miles. "Miles, or Sailor, I don't know your name yet. We've got to get your brother to a hospital. I understand you want to help, but do you understand that being here transformed now will not help your brother. Unless your power is healing civilians which I doubt it is or you would have used it by now. Don't you realize that when help comes, they will turn on you and think you are the monster that did this.. so power down now! Believe me I know." He pulled out his own Super Senshi Henshin Pen to Prove it. He was risking a lot, showing in front of Officer Griffin, but a lot more was at stake with Miles staying transformed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:54 pm
Caia remained where he had tumbled into the hole and just gripped his brother tightly. He could feel Jeremy's fingers on his back but he just needed it to feel real. He heard Drew's words. He just couldn't quite process them. Vaguely, it made sense, but he felt sluggish.
Jeremy was worse, but there were a few key words that startled him out of his daze.
"No," he said suddenly, and he hadn't released the grip he held on his brother. The familiarity at which he clung to the senshi indicated that he knew. He was trembling, but he didn't let go--nor did he make any effort to reach for Drew's offered arms.
To Caia, he said, "Just get me--get me the ******** out of here. No bus, I don't want a ******** ambulance. I just want--"
"Hospital," Caia said.
Jeremy tried to say something else, but Caia said again, "Hospital."
Silence, for a few seconds, and then Jeremy said, softer, "Just get me out of here."
Caia complied, and though he had partially processed Drew's words, he seemed like his mind was trapped in some loop. He was straddling his brother and carefully stood up, keeping his arms tightly around him as he rose. Jeremy clung to him, but was visibly doing his best to push himself up on his own. His knees buckled, but Caia's grip ensured he didn't fall, and when they were both standing, Jeremy kept one arm hooked around his brother's shoulder. Caia held Jeremy's left hand in his own, and kept his right arm hooked around his brother's waist.
"I'm sorry," he said to Drew, and then paled to each of them when he realized he was powered up. "I'm sorry," he said again--and repeated it three more times before Jeremy said, "It's fine. Please."
Caia nodded and heaved his brother up, just a bit. Jeremy was sitting on the concrete edge, still trembling, and Caia scrambled up to get out. One of his hands was on Jeremy at all times, like he needed to touch him somehow to make sure he didn't disappear.
It wasn't until Caia was standing on the solid platform again, that he was heaving Jeremy up again, that he even realized that he was holding something. Jeremy hadn't let go of the starseed, and even now was protecting it in rigidly curled fingers. He had the expression of someone who was almost wild, tempered only with fatigue.
"*Don't call an ambulance*," Jeremy protested, either to Drew or Erica, it was unclear. Softer, he said, "I'll go. I don't want any fanfare. I don't want to wait for them, just--you brought a car, just drive me. I just want to be out of here."
There was desperation in his voice when he just said, "Please."
Caia didn't know what protocol there was for such things, but as he kept his arm looped around his brother again, he seemed to come to his senses just a bit and he did power down. He looked a mixture of relieved to have his brother--and ashamed. He was holding onto Jeremy tightly, like he needed him for support. Myles' head was bowed and his brows knit; his entire posture was nearly stooped, like he was curling in on himself. His lips were trembling and there was shame--and fear--in his expression. He couldn't look at either of the officers and as he stood there, he seemed to be shaking like a leaf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:10 pm
“Jesus, Jeremy…” The rebar clamored to the ground beside Erica. With her now free hand, she raked slender fingers through her long purple-blue ombre colored hair in an exasperated manner. The sound of concrete grinding against concrete was startling enough but when she turned around to see someone other than Myles standing over the now-exposed open hole, Officer Griffin had instinctually placed a hand on her taser. However, seeing him jump into the hole with tears on his face and the way Jeremey held onto him at least gave her a little bit of reassurance that this fantasy faire costume wearer was Officer Fisher’s younger brother. Nonetheless, it didn’t keep her from eyeing him warily. “I leave for one week and expect to find you at your desk buried under a stack of reports to write… Instead, you decide to surprise me with a game of lost and found?” Her head shook as she approached and with a sigh, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re alive.” She added in a much kinder tone. Erica offered him a half-smile but when she turned to Myles, the look of concern faded into one often worn by a disapproving parent who had just been lied to. However, now was not the time to ask questions that demanded honest answers. “I’ll drive you to the hospital.” She stated, stepping aside she motioned to where she parked patrol vehicle. “But after all is said and done and you’ve been released.” Erica pointed at all three men since Drew obviously had a clearer idea of what just happened than even she did. “An explanation is owed, ok?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2020 12:38 pm
Officer Bones nodded to Officer Griffin. "That is acceptable." He bent to Officer Fischer. "I think it would be much better if either Myles carried that for the time being." He whispered to his mentor, gesturing to the starseed. "Just for safety purposes. You can have it back after you are seen to." After everything was taken care of, Officer Bones assured the others he'd be okay. He would have his sister pick him up and then he was going to write a nice long report on the state of things in the department, including this incident, and send it to Internal Affairs. Nothing would be said of Myles powering up. Just then a powerfully built woman, about Officer Bones's age, and who looked a lot like him, pulled up on a motorcycle that was white and had a blue lotus on it. She did not look around, she did not ask questions. Officer Bones said his goodbyes and goodbyes and got in to a side car that was tan and gold and had a Cheetah painted on it. The two of them left the scene. This was because there was not enough room in the squad car for all of them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:32 pm
Jeremy didn't have much energy to protest, nor did he particularly seem to care to. Caia was oblivious to any sort of police procedure and helped Jeremy to the car. He helped his brother in, mindful to be gentle with him--especially his head--and hurried to the other side of the car. He had powered down at some point in time, but he couldn't remember when he shifted from senshi to civilian, only that before he'd done so he'd pulled a handful of dry snacks from his subspace.
Jeremy might have listened to Drew's suggestion about the starseed at some point in time, but he was too shaken to really talk to Myles much about it. It had wound up in Myles' hand, clutched to his chest; Myles' other arm was looped around his brother as they sat in the back seat of the patrol car. Jeremy seemed tense, like he was torn between feeling smothered by his brother and wanting more space. He was visibly stressed in the car but he had inhaled the food so quickly that he nearly choked on it.
Myles spent the first part of the trip apologizing for not having water--but then, their conversation fell quiet. Jeremy was whispering to his brother and Myles was nodding fervently.
By the time they reached the hospital, they were both quiet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
