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✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦ 1.2 (𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒚𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒍)
The two of us rode side by side toward the docks, the cool evening air brushing past us as we pedaled steadily. As we neared the area, April slowed, coming to a stop beside a large block of concrete tucked in the shadows. We both dismounted, leaning our bikes against the block, and crouched down, taking care to stay hidden.
I watched as April pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Mr. Rivetti. As the call connected, April's face became focused, her attention on the screen. I leaned in slightly, listening for any sound from the other end, knowing this conversation could be key to our investigation.
April, holding her phone tightly in her hand, waited impatiently as the screen flashed to life. Moments later, Mr. Rivetti's face appeared, his features contorted in annoyance as he realized who was calling.
"Are you kidding me?" Mr. Rivetti's voice crackled through the speaker as his eyes narrowed on April. "How did you get my number?"
With determination, April steadied her breath, her voice calm but insistent. "If I could just ask one more question..."
She was cut off immediately by the construction worker's irate response. "Listen, I already told you everything I know about this crime, everything. Okay? You wanna know anything else, you go back down to the docks and you see my guy Stan. He'll tell you anything else you need to know, got it? And hey, do me a favor. Lose my number, alright?"
Before April could protest, the line went dead. Mr. Rivetti hung up, leaving the screen blank. April exhaled slowly, frustration mounting as she stared at the phone in her hand.
ᯓ★
The air had cooled, and the night was thick with rain when April and I rode our bikes side by side, our tires humming against the wet pavement. As we neared a fenced-off area near the docks, our progress slowed when a loud bang echoed from the distance, followed by a chorus of commanding voices.
"Container's good. Move on to the next one. Move it out! Get those to the trucks now! Move out, next point! Go, go, go!" The orders rang out, sharp and urgent. My eyes widened in alarm as I glanced toward April, who had already pulled her phone from her pocket.
April's fingers flew across the screen as she quickly dialed the familiar number, her breath heavy with anticipation. The phone barely made it to her ear before the voice of her contact, Chris, crackled through.
"Channel 6," the voice said.
"Chris. Chris, it's April. I'm at the docks with Rory," she whispered urgently, her gaze scanning the shadows ahead.
"We're in the middle of the evening brief, O'Neil. Whatever you've got can wait until tomorrow," Chris replied dismissively, the sound of papers rustling in the background. Without waiting for a response, he hung up abruptly.
"No, no, I need—" April's words were cut off by the unmistakable beep of a dead line. Her frustration was palpable as she turned to me, her expression a mix of determination and panic.
I glanced back at April, then nodded quickly. We exchanged a look that said everything—time was running out. Without another word, we pedaled furiously toward the source of the noise. The distant shouts grew louder with each passing second, and soon the roar of the rain drowned out everything but the thundering sound of our own tires.
When we reached the fence, we quickly dismounted and moved silently, crouching behind the looming containers. Through the gaps in the metal, we could see the frantic movements of several men in the distance.
"2-3-2, clear!"
"That one's loaded."
"Get it out of my way!"
"Copy that."
"Dammit," April whispered, her voice barely audible as she tried to capture the moment on her phone, only to be frustrated by the poor lighting. She cursed under her breath and glanced up at me, her eyes locking onto the metal structure nearby. Without another word, she started to scale the fence, agile as always. I hesitated for only a moment before following her, making sure I was close enough to help if anything went wrong.
"Unit two, area three, move! I've got movement! Keep your eyes over here! Weapons free! Hold position!" A shout from the soldiers echoed across the yard, and my pulse quickened.
The soldiers froze. Metal clanged in the distance, their heads snapping around as their weapons were drawn. It happened too fast—one of the soldiers was suddenly thrown into the container with a force that made me flinch. I watched in stunned silence as four massive figures, moving like shadows, jumped from one spot to the next, their forms too large and too quick to follow.
April and I exchanged a quick, wide-eyed glance. The figures moved with purpose, like something out of a nightmare, and we were left with no choice but to slip through two nearby storage containers, cautiously making our way deeper into the compound.
As we squeezed through the gaps, we heard the distinct sound of retreating footsteps. A figure, unmistakable in its silhouette, stood atop a roof, shouting orders to the others as the soldiers scrambled to flee.
My heart raced as April pulled out her phone and snapped a quick photo, her breath coming fast. April's hands shook slightly, but she held her phone steady, trying to capture every detail. I scanned the area again, eyes searching the distance for anything out of place.
As the last of the soldiers disappeared into the shadows, we both stepped out from our hiding place. We made our way swiftly to the container where the mysterious symbol was visible, its meaning just on the tip of April's tongue. Without hesitation, April snapped several more pictures, her mind already racing ahead, thinking of what this symbol could mean. She turned to me, eyes alight with the thrill of the discovery.
"Let's go," April whispered, leading the way. We moved quickly, dodging in and out of shadows until we reached safety.
ᯓ★
The rain poured harder as the two of us burst through the door of April's apartment, dripping wet and breathless. April called out urgently, her voice high with excitement.
"Taylor! Taylor!" She looked frantic, her eyes wide with adrenaline as she rushed into the living room.
"Hey, I'm Skyping with my mom," Taylor replied absently, glancing at her computer screen as April and I came inside, soaked to the bone.
"You have no idea what we just went through. I'm freaking out! We saw a Foot Clan attack!" April said, her tone deadly serious.
"Are you okay?" Taylor asked, concern evident in her voice. I, still processing everything we had witnessed, silently made my way to the couch, my mind racing to piece together the chaos.
"We were riding our bikes by the docks," April continued, pacing the small room, her excitement growing. "It was dark, rain pouring down, and there were Foot Clan soldiers everywhere. Then, out of nowhere, this guy starts fighting back against them. And he... he left behind this symbol. I've seen it before. I can't remember where, but it's real. Someone is fighting back against the Foot Clan. There's a vigilante out there, and no one knows, but I do. I know. And now, I have my story. No more froth and foam pieces for me."
"What?" Taylor said, clearly confused by April's enthusiasm.
April paused, blinking at her friend. "Never mind," she muttered, suddenly feeling foolish. She glanced at me, who gave her a knowing look.
