The Grim (Ravens #3)

vi. nighthawks

A/N: First off, this is a slightly longer chapter than normal. I think it's a really good chapter though, so hopefully you agree. Also, a brief warning, there is a decent amount of swearing here and a lot of talk about sex. There is nothing vulgar or explicit about it, but they talk about it more than normal, so be prepared. 

"Harry Potter!" Skylar Jordan called, tossing a backpack towards Sebastian as he entered the locker room Tuesday afternoon. She was straddled along the wooden bench, dressed in only a sports bra and her black jeans. To her left, Levi leaned against the gray lockers, fully dressed and ready for their patrol. "You're late."

"I know," Sebastian muttered, catching the bag and throwing on the brown jacket of their uniform. He kept his head down, his back hunched over and tense, not turning to acknowledge his teammates beside him.

"Damn, what happened?" said Skylar, "You and your girlfriend had a fight over lunch or something?" She began to get ready herself, throwing on her t-shirt and running her bony hand through her short, boyish hair. Instead of reacting to her comment, Sebastian began to lace up his boots. "You know, there are a whole lot of rebounds here. Plenty of hot girls. Personally, I've never understood the point of official relationships. Just sleep around, have fun. I mean, when you're doing it with girls, pregnancy isn't exactly a concern, but you, Augustus, don't really have to deal with that either—"

"Shut up," he snapped. His head whipped up and he glared at the girl, a fierce intensity blazing in his eyes. Although taken aback by his sudden anger, Skylar brushed him off casually with a prideful little smirk. "Let's head out," he said. His voice was lower than normal, but perhaps that was just a result of the grim darkness that hung heavy over his shoulders.

The afternoon was gray, the sky covered with dark clouds that hung low towards the ground. Skylar couldn't help but think that the dismal attitude of the day reflected Sebastian's mood perfectly, but refrained from making such a comment. She had a reputation for being brutally candor, but was always left frustrated by how much she didn't say. Skylar Jordan was an iceberg; the public knew only the tip of her thoughts.

"Hey, bro, what's going on?" asked Levi, slapping Sebastian playfully on the back. His eyes were wide with concern, genuinely interested in what his friend had to say, in listening to his problems. Skylar was ready to listen as well. Even in what was described as a heart that could never love another person, she did care about the doe-eyed pretty boy from the forest.

"It's nothing," Sebastian said. He continued to keep his head low, to avoid eye contact with anybody, including the strangers walking down the street and paying the trio no attention. "It's gonna rain."

"Observant," murmured Skylar under her breath, just loud enough for Levi to hear. In response, he shot her a quick glare as a warning to back off.

"I'm sorry, bud." Levi turned back to Sebastian, "We're not exactly therapists or anything, but you can talk to us if you want. Skylar might be a bitch, but she's not a completely terrible person."

"Thanks," said Sebastian curtly. He then sighed, adding, "I'm sorry, I'm acting like a dick. It's just been a really shitty day. Bad news, that's all."

Levi exhaled, "It happens to the best of us."

"I wouldn't say I qualify as that."

"Oh shut up, you pure, perfect person," Skylar said, releasing a small laugh. "You, Sebastian, qualify as the best of us. Whatever news you got, I'm sure you don't deserve it."

"Thanks for that," he said quietly.

"Jordan! Anderson! You're late!" a loud voice called as the trio approached the check-in point. It was Marshal Jefferson, an older officer whose chin was home to an omnipresent gray stubble that seemed to never grow or disappear, causing Skylar to question if this man ever shaved, and how he managed to maintain such a constant length. She wished she knew his secrets; it got quite irritating keeping her own hair buzzed.