ɢʜᴏꜱᴛꜱ | ᴅ. ɢʀᴀʏꜱᴏɴ

chapter 10

10. fight club

•—✽—✽—✽—•

the next morning

THE GROUP OF FIVE, INCLUDING THEIR newest member Gar, sat in front of a motel that they had arrived at. "I still can't believe you traded in the Porsche for a minivan," Gar said.

"At least we can all fit."

"Yeah, I wouldn't have been able to last any longer cramped into the back of that tiny fucking car," Paige said as Kory agreed that she liked the new car as well.

"We're not actually staying here, are we?" Rachel asked as they all looked up at the janky building in front of them.

"You know, there's probably a nicer place down the road," Kory suggested.

"We're being hunted by sociopaths. Nicer places draw attention."

"Yeah, well, they also make it easier to sleep."

"One road in, same road out. Only one point of access we have to watch. And also, it's quiet. If trouble comes our way, we should hear it first," Dick said as he started to get out of the car. "And who said anything about sleeping?"

"I actually want to know the last time that motherfucker has gone to sleep," Paige said as they watched him walk into the motel office to get them all rooms.

"I don't think he does sleep," Kory and Rachel said at the same time. Gar having just recently met him didn't having much of an opinion on the subject so he remained quiet.

"Yeah, sounds about right."

✄ ✄ ✄

They all gathered together in one room as Dick was the first to talk. "We're all in one piece, more or less. We need to figure out where we stand and determine what's mission critical."

"Mission critical?" Rachel repeated mockingly.

"Is that a cop thing?" Gar asked, "Sounds like a cop thing."

Shaking her head Paige answered his question, "No, it's a Dick Grayson thing."

"I had some combat training when I was younger."

"And he's a cop."

Going back to what Dick was originally talking about, Kory piped up. "I'm sorry, you were referring to 'we'?"

"We as of right now are a group of people who share a common enemy."

"Which makes us what?"

Noticing all of their eyes now fully on him, waiting for his answer, Dick responded with, "Let's call it an alliance. One born of mutual need."

"And what is that?"

"To stay alive. We have no idea how long we have until they find us."

"You just said 'they.' Who are they? What do they want," Gar asked.

"They are a family of murderers that are looking for Rachel and almost killed me," Paige piped up.