To research...
The words stuck to her like leeches and drained the will from her. Lan's knees buckled, momentarily and her entire form shook with a dry, silent sob. Her eyes remained dry, but the sensation of despair could not be displayed in such a way by one burdened with her affliction. Jiangshi did not cry, nor had she ever seen another vampire shed tears that were not crimson and full of rage. Instead, Lan's mouth turned down at the edges and she withdrew into herself; sliding the pieces of plastic into her pocket.
I took too long, again. I wish Commander Victoria would understand that I'm just checking facts. That I'm trying to help.
She had been using her phone, oblivious to the machinations and movements of the rest of the team; leaving her rooted in solitude as she had taken her search to the ethereal, infinite corridors of the internet. She had learned the name of the missing member of the family and had begun to compile her postulations into a sensible presentation. Her mind had raced, leaving her body as an empty shell for a moment. Her fingers slid into the pockets of her long coat, sliding over the smooth edges of the small epitaphs that remained for the Ashworth family. Aside from the lingering smell of blood and magic, she knew she was mostly alone; only the Commander lagging behind the rest of the group.
Deacon, Camilla, Marcel, Nora...and Lucilotte.
That was her name. The missing girl. Lucilotte. Her body was nowhere to be found amidst the drying blood and discarded cadavers. Lan tensed her fingers, retrieving the naked rectangle that housed her cigarettes and lighter. She opened it and slowly took a cigarette, tapping the bottom of the pack with her palm to force the lighter out and into her waiting hand. She closed her eyes, enjoying the mock darkness that came with shutting everything out. Lan struck the lighter, filling the quiet umbrage with a slight click and the quivering, faint orange of the dancing flame.
Research...
She exhaled, feeling the acrid air pass over her tongue and through her tightly pressed teeth. Lan let her eyes slip open, lowering the cigarette to her side and shifting on the balls of her feet; too anxious to contain herself. Victoria had been angry at her and the others had disappeared. She felt more like a ghost than a corporeal undead; and, perhaps, she silently wished that she were. Her feet moved sluggishly, one silent step after another from the rigor-stricken faces of the murdered sacrifices.
"Commander Victoria," Lan queried into the empty air, skirting around a corner and finding herself before the elevator she'd entered the scene through, "are you around here, somewhere?" Her tone was timid and muted, words punctuated by long, hissing breaths, air whistling around the side of the cigarette as she drew the tiny ember closer to her lips. "I..."
I what? What do I have to say...she's already made her decision. It's not my place to question my Commander. It's not my place, this...here...this job, this life. Damnit...
"One of the Ashworth family is missing, their youngest daughter, Lucilotte. It could be that, um," the echoes of her voice drifted back to her, if Victoria was around, she'd certainly hear her, "...they took the girl."
Of course they took her...that much is obvious. Why am I doing this to myself?
She clenched her hands in frustration, taking a few more steps.
"What I meant to say is that they've taken the girl and...she's alive."
Lan didn't know that as a certainty, but it would make sense given the general rules that Witches tended to follow. She cocked an eyebrow, looking around, turning to check behind her. The taste of magic, blood magic, kissed the air and drove her to hopping in place; fighting back the sinister whisper in the back of her mind. Though she didn't feed on blood, specifically, there was something alluring about the scent that made her extremeties cold and her core warm; almost like her heart had begun to beat again, albeit with poor circulation.
Suddenly, she was water, leaning against the wall beside the elevator as she struggled to maintain a grip on what she was going to say. The feeling rose and fell in waves, finally dispersing into a complete numbness throughout her being. Lan traced her fingers on the wall, quietly giggling to herself, pushing against it to stand upright.
"Commander...?"
She could've sworn she felt the woman, nearby...though it may have been the phantasmic imprint left by her magic.
Her magic...
Lan turned her head, staring down the hallway; back and forth. Victoria hadn't used magic in quite some time...the Jiangshi knew that the situation was serious and time was of the essence and, with realizing that, wished she could kick herself in the teeth without breaking her leg. The prodigious weight of her ineptitude fell on her shoulders, forcing her down to the ground; again, her long coat pooling around her small form as she drew her knees close and fixed her eyes on a spot near the bottom of the wall. There was no reason to hurry. If everyone had left...what reason was there to run.
She pulled the small stack of IDs from her pocket and looked them over, one by one. Looking at each detail of the Ashworth family's faces. Lan tried to envision the missing girl, combining their features into a pretty, porcelain thing that grinned in her mind before the image disappeared. It was her responsibility to save her. The team's, but more importantly; Lan's.
I've already failed everyone else. If I fail her...I'll quit. I'll let them burn me. I'll let them forget I ever existed.
"I promise, Lucilotte Ashworth, if you aren't already dead...I...we'll find you."
The Jiangshi stood and smacked the down button with her palm, covering the polished metal.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
He spat, cocking his head to the side and letting the indignation fly with fervor. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting the city streets in a pinkish glower that set electricity coursing through him.
I can't believe that bitch! Are you kidding me?! Useless? Me? After all the times I've fucking carted around equipment and spent my time with her hiding in bushes and stalking people! She's lucky I l-...whoa. Ok, chill, Miles! You need to chill. Bad, my man.
Miles ran his hands through his hair, tossing his hood back and letting the night air kiss his crown as he cocked an eyebrow at a passerby that glanced in his direction. They paid him no mind and he simply shrugged, taking long strides down the street; fully intent on going back home and drinking himself to sleep. Hell, that was his intent from the beginning; before Ruby had called.
Ruby...goddamnit.
As if by some act of providence, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket; rattling against his chest, demanding his attention. He retrieved it and flipped it open, lazily, an incredulous expression on his face as he saw who it was from.
Miles, I'm sorry. I lost my head, and had no right to say such things to you. Could we meet up? I'm at Regent-.
Weird. It struck him as insanely weird. Ruby rarely sent half finished texts and when she did the follow up was nearly immediate. He grimaced, stopping in the middle of the walkway; allowing the sparse other shuffling beings to pass him by as he pondered over it. His finger struck the key to reply, but, on instinct...and perhaps out of pride, he snapped the phone shut and changed directions.
Regent...Regent Park is about the only place she could get to so quickly. If she's not there, well, fuck, I'll just reply and apologize back. Maybe I shoulda done that anyway? Eh, whatever. It'll be alright.
Miles smiled his crooked half-smile and let himself let go of the tension that'd been with him since Ruby had barked insults at him and his parents. That was just the way things were between him and Ruby...they were friends, friends that enjoyed tearing out each other's throats every once in a while.
It'll pass, it always does.
He felt unreasonably smug as he strolled into Regent Park, moving by a few slackers near the gate and then by a few business people power-walking toward the entrance.
Probably afraid they'll be murdered or something. Paranoia always takes a deep root when a scene like this goes down. At least it's not some Jack the Ripper wannabe, picking off and dismembering hookers...
Combing the park was quick work, he and Ruby had met around here a few times. He checked the usual spots and started calling out for her, cupping his hands around his mouth, shouting; drawing glances from strangers as he did. He ignored them, suddenly jogging.
When he saw it, his heart froze and his arms dropped. It her was her camera, that old, clunky thing she loved so much; the lens shattered against the ground. Miles stooped to pick it up and brought it close to his face. There was blood on it, a small drop that rolled away as he watched.
What...
He was dumbfounded and stricken by the horror of it. She was gone. Someone had taken her. His fingers went to his phone and he dialed her number. If she didn't answer, he had work to do.
Goddamnit Ruby...answer!
The rings stretched for an eternity, finally interrupted by the sound of her voicemail. Miles shoved his phone into his pocket and turned away, holding the camera close, bolting off towards his apartment. Dread chased him, nipping at his heels and spurring him to move faster than he had in some time. His eyes watered against the wind, or so he wanted to tell himself, as he made his way from Regent Park and down the street; the sound of his footfalls echoing into the coming night.