Redemption Run

Chapter 26

One Year Later...

An apartment building in Orlando, Florida.

This had to be the right door. I kept thinking that it had to be the right door as I knocked again. It was seven in the morning, and I knew the person on the other side of the door worked nights, so there was no way I could have been wrong.

Right when I was starting to doubt myself, I heard someone on the other side of the door yelling, "I'm coming, I'm coming, hold your horses!"

There was some shuffling from behind the door, the sound of locks being unlocked, and the door opened to reveal a man with light brown hair and brown eyes, tank top and saggy lounging pants.

"Yeah?" the man asked.

"Dexter Menton?" I asked.

"What do ya want?" the man asked, "Do I know you? Ya look kinda familiar. Aren't you that ambassador girl for all those Tolkien guys from that country that came outta nowhere a bit back?"

"That's correct," I said, "My name's Riley Newman. I also met your little sister, Katie."

The man's eyes widened, though whether from him fully recognizing me or me saying her name I didn't know. The man looked down at the floor, then back up and said, "Do you... want some coffee or something, Ms. Newman?"

"It's Mrs. Newman, thank you," I said, "And yes, that would be nice." I said, and Dexter stood aside to allow me to step into his apartment. The TV was on the news.

"I'll go get the pot going," said Dexter, and he stepped into the kitchen as the newsman started talking.

"Our top stories this morning: Mr. Xelsa Polimtal pushes for a vote on the State vs. Josiah Gray-Mane case that will finally settle the debate of werewolves potentially being registered as both police officers and sniffer dogs. Mr. Polimtal gave his opinion on the steps of the courthouse: 'There's no reason other than appearance which is ridiculous. Superfluous nonsense like appearance should have no place in this country or the next.'"

"Also in the top stories, Mr. Killian Renwick has expressed his appreciation for several hospitals throughout America that are employing vampires to detect and treat blood diseases. While several of these hospitals have received complaints from locals about "bloodsuckers," the hospitals have reported zero incidents so far concerning patient care.

"In other news, Angelus representer Mr. Zappiel Saulon continues to butt heads with the Catholic church, claiming in his most recent statement that: "We are not angels and don't plan to be. You don't have to worry about your faith."

"Finally, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Mr. Kydro Crollet in the landmark case of Crollet vs. the Board of Education, allowing young elves, vampires, angelus', orcs, and ogres to attend the same schools as humans. Protests have already begun, but Mr. Crollet has stated-"

"Coffee's ready." Dexter's voice broke through the TV and I turned to him, just in time to take one of the mugs from him and sip the dark roast. He sat down next to me, and I put the mug down on the table.

"Do you recognize me?" I asked.

"A little." said Dexter, "I only heard about all of this stuff when I got out a couple of months back. But, you said you knew my sister?"

"Katie and I were in the Requiem Run," I said, "She passed, unfortunately."

Dexter looked down at the floor and just said, "I figured as much."

"That's why I want to give you this." I said. I reached into my pocket and pulled out Katie's purple bracelet, "She told me you made this?"

"Oh my god..." Dexter said quietly as he took the bracelet from me, "I made this for her right before I got arrested. She had been having it rough in school, and I wanted her to know I was there for her... then I went and got myself arrested for selling heroin like an idiot."