Sparks | (nolanverse AU)

SIX - VANTAGE POINT

AN: I was on writer's block for a while, so I started my new story Masterstroke and then came back to this. Be sure to check Masterstroke out too!

The county fair was alive with excitement, the sky painted in warm hues of orange and pink as the sun set. Laughter and the cheerful clatter of carnival games filled the air. Helena and I were in high spirits, munching on corndogs and pretzels as we strolled among the attractions.

Helena's eyes sparkled with delight as she polished off her snack. "Mom, can we go on the Ferris wheel next?"

I smiled at her enthusiasm and glanced around, taking in the vibrant scene. "Sure, sweetie. Let's head over there."

As we approached the Ferris wheel, I spotted Bruce standing near the base of the ride. His outfit—a bright orange hoodie, worn leather jacket, jeans, and a baseball cap—seemed designed to blend in with the crowd, though there was an unmistakable focus in his demeanor.

"Hey, Bruce!" I called out, waving.

Bruce turned and gave me a nod. "Hey, Andy."

He glanced around briefly before leaning in, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "I've got a tip that there might be a mob meeting in that building," he said, pointing to a large structure looming over the fairgrounds. "I'm trying to get a better look."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh? If you need a good vantage point, the Ferris wheel might be your best bet. It'll give you a clear view of that building."

Bruce's expression turned thoughtful as he considered my suggestion. "That's a great idea. Thanks."

With that, Helena and I continued toward the Ferris wheel, chatting excitedly about the rides. Bruce joined the line for the Ferris wheel, his attention now focused on his task. When it was his turn, he climbed into a gondola, doing his best to stay inconspicuous as he settled in.

As the Ferris wheel began its ascent, Bruce pulled out his binoculars. From this elevated position, he had a clear view of the building. I could see him adjusting the binoculars and starting to scan, his focus sharp as he observed the activity inside.

Meanwhile, Helena and I boarded our own gondola. Her excitement was palpable as she pointed out various attractions to me, her voice bubbling with joy.

Bruce continued his observation from above, making mental notes of the people coming and going from the building. The Ferris wheel's rotation gave him a comprehensive view, allowing him to gather useful information.

When the wheel finally completed its rotation and descended, Bruce looked satisfied. He disembarked and rejoined Helena and me.

"Thanks for the tip about the Ferris wheel," Bruce said with a smile. "It gave me a great perspective on the situation."

I returned his smile, feeling glad to have been helpful. "Glad it worked out. Did you find anything interesting?"

Bruce nodded, his expression serious but pleased. "Yes, definitely. I've got some leads to follow up on. And the view wasn't too bad either."

Helena, who had been savoring her cotton candy, looked up at Bruce with curiosity. "Did you see anything cool from up there?"

Bruce grinned at her. "Yes, I did. It was quite a sight."

As we left the fairgrounds, the night settled in, and the lights of the fair created a magical atmosphere. Bruce seemed satisfied with his day's work, and Helena and I were content with our enjoyable outing. The evening had been both fun and productive, leaving us with memories to cherish.