*Trigger warning* Chapter Two: I Feel the Earth Move
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Two Hours Before the Earthquake
Luna and Athena were patrolling the streets when a call crackled over the radio.
"Be advised, suspect fleeing the scene, stolen vehicle reported. Male, bright red hair, heading westbound."
Luna and Athena exchanged a look.Luna sighed. Athena pursed her lips.
They knew exactly who it was.
Marvin.
It was always Marvin.
The kid was a repeat offender—a walking cliché of bad decision-making. And, apparently, he still hadn't learned to dye his hair if he wanted to commit crimes.
The two officers made their way toward his house, parking in front like they were waiting for an old friend.
Luna scrolled through her phone, leaning against the patrol car, while Athena casually inspected her nails.
Sure enough, Marvin rounded the corner, chewing on a Snickers bar, looking very guilty.
He spotted them and froze.Athena tilted her head at him.
Luna straightened, hands on her belt.
"Where exactly were you planning on running?" she asked. "This is your house."
Marvin sighed, looking around like he might find an escape route.
"You know," Athena mused, "if you're going to keep stealing cars, maybe pick a less memorable hair color?"
Marvin exhaled dramatically and walked toward them. "You got me," he muttered, finishing his Snickers.
Luna put her phone away.
"When I hear about a felony and the suspect matches your description, I know where to find you," she quipped.
Athena reached for her cuffs as Marvin sighed again, holding out his hands like this was an inconvenience for him.
"This is the third time we've had to arrest you this year," Luna pointed out.
Marvin shrugged. "The hair is my signature. All master criminals have one."
"Yeah," Athena snorted, clicking the cuffs in place. "All stupid ones."
She guided Marvin to the squad car, pushing his head down as he slid into the back seat.
"I'm just getting all my sealing done before I turn 18," Marvin reasoned. "It's joyriding—borrowing the car without asking. Only thing I steal is some gas from the tank. If you think about it, it's—"
"—Still a felony," Luna interrupted.
Athena shut the door, shaking her head as she walked around the front of the car.