The Town

Chapter 16: Capture

"Hey. Hey!" A somewhat loud voice shouted into my ear. I grumbled, ignoring the voice as I nuzzled my face further into the soft pillows I was laying on.

Suddenly, I felt two spindly hands shove my shoulders and then the scratchy grass against my cheek. I blinked away the blurry vision, revealing Leo glaring down at me. Pink donned his cheeks in absolute embarrassment, with mine matching soon after I realized I wasn't lying on pillows.

I tried to start a sentence, but could only stutter a few sounds before Leo muttered.

"Whatever, it is fine. But it is almost five, you will have to be at the station soon."

He stood, grabbed our empty cups, and started to walk out of the clearing. I rushed to my feet and followed after him. It was far quicker walking back now that I knew the way, but I wished it wasn't. I didn't want to go back to the station; I especially didn't want to hunt someone down in a barn.

Before I was prepared, Leo had stopped in front of the station and patted my arm. "Good luck. Do not get hurt, Ari."

He walked into the side alley, leaving me to psych myself up to enter the building. I wished he would have at least looked back at me, or given me more encouragement, but unfortunately this isn't a cheesy romance story.

I've wasted enough time. Let's just get this over with, I thought while striding into the rundown station.

The boss was standing in the center, mumbling to himself, with Carter, Tommy, Jasper, and the Bruiser lady surrounding him. The other Sect Leaders and a few more lower members were trickling in from the different rooms. Jasper discretely waved me over and introduced me to the short yet terrifying woman.

"Hey, Ari. This is Kalama Hale, the Addersfield Sect Leader."

She smiled sweetly, greatly contrasting her tanned skin littered with bruises and scars, and snatched my hand to shake it. "Nice to meet you, Ari," she declared. "I've been wanting to meet the boy that impressed the boss. You must be quite spectacular if you caught his attention."

She let me go and decided to redo her hair, putting her long, thick, black locks into a quick Dutch braid.

"Like Jasper said, I'm the Sect Leader for Addersfield. So I'll be leading the charge with the boss and yourself."

I nodded along, but our attention was stolen by the boss as he cleared his throat. Kalama walked up next to him, but sent a sharp glare at me and motioned with her head for me to stand on the boss's other side. I widened my eyes. I don't want to go up there, but I guess as the boss's partner I need to be next to him.

As I took my spot behind him, Boss finally looked up and addressed the crowd.

"Today, myself and Winters came across interesting information. A Provider in Addersfield has been harboring an Outsider, tonight we are going to apprehend him. Based on the information we extracted, the criminal is someplace in the Provider's barn. Hale will lead us to the Provider's home and help with the search. Sanderson and his chosen Bruisers will help search as well. Hawks, I want you and your chosen to watch the north and west sides in case there is an escape hatch or they try to run. Lawson, same but on the south and east. Does everyone understand?"

A unanimous "Yes, Boss" echoed throughout the station.

"Good, everyone finish preparing. We move in five minutes."

Everyone in the room started to rush around in order to get their weapons ready. I followed quite a few people to the locker room, where I had stored the majority of my weapons. I figured I would need all of mine, even though I am probably just being over prepared. I don't need any mistakes tonight.