The 13th Division

Chapter 1: Exploding Teddies

"Sup, Jul."

"HUNTER!" Juliette shrieked. "You just walked out of an exploded building and all you got is 'sup'?!"

Hunter sauntered toward her and gave a cocky two-fingered wave. "Yup." She looked undeniably fabulous in hot pink jeans, platform heel boots and a blood red jacket over a black tank top. The fire light from the explosion danced off her dark skin and caused a halo effect around her black hair.

"What in hell happened?! You had – oh my god, you're bleeding!" Juliette rushed to Hunter's side and began fluttering around the broken skin. She had very blonde hair, died red at the tips and wore a blue-black skirt that cut diagonally to one knee and a fitted white long-sleeve.

"Aye-yai, stop that." Hunter battered her away. "Where's Scar at?"

"Probably working on damage control," Juliette said accusingly.

"Police are around the other side, come on." Hunter nodded toward the burning building and they headed off.

Sirens filled the air and police were setting up ropes and barricades. Others were escorting people further away or forcibly removing them where they tried to get a closer look.

To their left medics were loading a boy into an ambulance. A sobbing woman followed him in, her hands reaching out desperately.

The ambulances siren joined the clamour as part of the building gave. More firetrucks arrived and added their hoses to the blaze.

Juliette surveyed the carnage wide-eyed and Hunter hung her head, choosing to study the ground instead.

"The guy's tall, brown hair, store uniform, he was planting teddies. Cute pink ones, loaded with bombs. I've got a pic of both," Hunter said as they rounded the corner.

They were greeted by the sight of Scar staggering out of the burning building. One arm was wrapped around an old man's waist and the other held his wrist over her shoulder.

Paramedics rushed forward and took him off her hands.

Juliette and Hunter broke into a run.

Scar lifted a hand to wave as they approached.

"Don't just walk into –" Juliette's rant-to-be was cut off by the crash of the building giving way.

A fireman rushed toward them, dressed to max is protective gear and ushered them out of the danger zone.

Policemen stood by cars and talked on radios. Firemen watered down the flames and by-standers gawked or cried and one or two laughed.

The three girls stood and watched the building collapse.

Hunter heaved a sigh. "I screwed up."

Juliette shook her head. "We were just too slow, if we'd been there to back you up ..."

They all fell silent for a minute.

Scar cracked the silence. "Come one, let's head home," she said gently.

The roads had been closed and police patrolled the area, directing traffic onto alternative routes.

Scar pulled a key out of her Fox riding pants and headed for a gorgeous black and orange motorbike. "Wanna ride?" She asked the other two with a smirk.

"Hell. No." Juliette fired back immediately. "We'll take a cab."

"I've had enough near-death for today," Hunter sighed.

"Suit yourselves." Scar shrugged and pulled her jacket off the handle bar.

"Hey, kid!" A cop was hurrying toward them. "This confusion is not an opportunity to attempt theft."