Watchdogs

[01] Can't Catch Me

BIG SHOUTOUT TO korslay !! She makes all my covers and, as you can see, they are literally the best. Thank you, Julia! 💛

Lauren skates down the abandoned train yard, avoiding multiple stationary trains that waited to be used by the conductors. A cop is chasing her down the railroad with a baton waving in his hand, his growling Doberman snapping its drooling jaws.

She ollie'd over the rail, skidding down expertly and leaping onto a moving train. She looks back momentarily, seeing the police officer struggle to try and climb up onto the vehicle.

"Maybe," Lauren teases, jumping down and kick flipping over an orange cone. "You should stop eating so many donuts!" The officer just shouts a curse, biting back a retort as he tried to catch his breath.

Lauren escapes, chuckling to herself as she thinks about the exhausted and overweight cop. Her phone slides out of her jeans pocket and into her hand. She lifts it to her ear, the number that she is calling already on speed dial.

"Did you get it?" Ally's voice projects through the phone.

"Yup," The green-eyed girl beams. "It's all on the drive. There's records for upcoming projects too."

"Nice job," She praises. Lauren spots the familiar nineteen-seventies red Mercedes-Benz convertible, parked in a secluded corner behind a building.

"Over time, Jauregui." says the annoying voice through the phone. Lauren rolls her eyes. She may have a crush on the uptight bitch, but it gets tiresome to hear the constant ridiculing of her punctuality.

"Fuck off, Hamilton," The Latina snaps back, her heavy accent rolling off her tongue smoothly. "Focus on giving old white men head, puta."

"Did she just-" Lauren hangs up. She slides off her skateboard, stepping on the heel of it and picking it up. She climbs over the closed passenger door, gratefully accepting a beer from the Polynesian next to her.

"Lauser," Dinah says, starting the car. She pulls out of the alleyway, speeding down the empty streets. The loud 'vroom' of the car gives them a vintage vibe as they pass the barren stores and restaurants. Santa Ana has become Watchdog turf, and most citizens still support Paragon.

"I don't get it," Lauren says as she sips her beer. "How the hell did you dick down the snobby bitch?"

"She's down for anything," The younger girl snickers, rounding the corner. "Literally, it's her job. You can hit her with a motherfucking paddle if you have to."

"I ain't that kinky," The green-eyed girl sniggers. They fall into a mutually comfortable silence, driving into the downtown area where most of their members and supporters live.

They pull up to the large modernized building, the glass reflecting the cloudy sky. Drones belonging to hacker trainees fly through the air in the courtyard as they practice their drills. Dinah's recruits suit up, strapping on their futuristic weapons and gadgets - TAC-19, railguns, magnetic gloves, hoverbikes, maulers, and more. The younger soldiers run laps around the track, their dog tags bouncing against their chests. A few residents lie on the grass and enjoying their lunch as they watch their kids run around. Others argue in broad daylight, being obnoxious with their supposed private conversation.

Lauren spots Camila speaking to one of her students, and she jogs over with the flash drive in her hand. Dinah follows after her, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her camouflage fatigue joggers. She looks down at the ground, no longer confident. Lauren lifts an eyebrow but says nothing.

"Hey Camz," Lauren greets as she extends the hand with the flash drive. "I got it. It's got banking records on all the Paragon offices in California."

"Perfect," The smaller Latina grins. "Hey Dinah." She waves to the now-shy Polynesian, who gives a small wave back.

"Oh um," Camila taps her chin. "Ally was looking for you. She said to meet her in her office. It seems important." Lauren sighs heavily, running her fingers through her black locks.

"Alright," She huffs, turning around. As she walks away, she puts a hand on Dinah's shoulder and says, "Talk to her, asshole."

•

Lauren walks through the automatic sliding doors of Ally's office, her eyes rolling when she sees Normani standing in the corner. Her crush nonchalantly stares at her French tips, ignoring the green-eyed girl's obvious presence. Ally, on the other hand, sits at her desk with her hands folded neatly.

Lauren surveys the room quickly, taking in the clear scenery. The room is stark white with bright pictures and yellow flowers. A holographic computer is angled to the right of her so she can see any visitor before her. She even has a control panel and some hidden ID card meant for the advanced weaponry.

"Sit," Ally orders, pointing to the white chair in front of her. Lauren obeys, taking a drag from the blueberry flavored vaporizer and blowing the smoke out.

"Stop smoking," She puts it away, chewing on her lip as she waits for Ally to speak.

"You two need to get along," She says. "It affects the group dynamic if you two don't. You guys used to be fine when we were eighteen."

"I know," Lauren snickers. "She's just got a stick up her ass cause she only has four inch dick in her life."

"Fuck off," Normani growls. The Latina just smirks and continues with her teasing assault.

"Mani, Mani," The green-eyed girl tuts. "Haven't you been waiting long enough?"

"Excuse me?"

Lauren sneers, "When was the last time you were fucked? And no, I don't mean faking your moans like a pornstar, I'm talking about being properly fucked."

"Recently, actually." She glares at her angrily. "He was kinky, if you must know." I didn't, but okay. Lauren thinks to herself.

"I hope y'all didn't use any whips," Lauren pushes herself out of her seat. "Slavery ended two hundred years ago. Your ancestors wouldn't be proud."

"Lauren Michelle," The Latina whips around. "Sit your ass back down in this chair before I make you.

"That doesn't work," She hisses. "Allyson. I'm fucking twenty-years-old, not four."

Ally stands up out of her seat, seething. "You better watch your damn mouth, Jauregui. I don't care how old you are, I will beat your ass if you don't show me some got damn respect. This little feud y'all have is because Lucy came, isn't it?" Normani stays silent.

"Unbelievable," Lauren scoffs. "Are you that jealous, Mani?" The darker girl just folds her arms and looks down at her feet, unable to meet their eyes. The Mexican woman just sits back down in her chair with a heavy sigh.

"Get over me. I got over you."