The Villain Wrangler | Overwatch

Chapter 3

Angelica kept to the background after that, making sure the volunteers behaved and that Reaper wasn't overwhelmed by the kids. Apparently, the flower crowns were an invitation to treat him like part of the playground. Angela tried to cover a smile at the villain now, seated on the ground with Christa asleep in his lap while he told an enraptured audience some old fairy story. She laughed at the star-struck look on the kid's faces as Reaper ended the story and started forward. Reaper glanced her way, then stood, cradling Christa in his arms.

"Apparently, I'm being dismissed," he told them. He shook his head at the storm of protest that arose. "Sorry. Ms. Coffey did defeat me, and I must obey her wishes."

He carefully passed Christa off to an orderly, and stroked her hair as she woke from the movement. "Do you have to go?" she asked blearily. Reaper nodded, and Christa shoved her plush in his face. "I want you to have him. He needs a friend, and so do you."

Reaper solemnly took the proffered doll and bowed as she was carried off. He studied it for a moment, then the ground around him started to boil with shadow and he was gone. Angelica saw that the volunteers were starting the clean-up and decided her part was done.

As she walked to the taxi stand, a shadow detached itself from under a bush and began to flow alongside her. "Thank you. I think they all enjoyed it, and Christa will be talking about this for months, at least."

She heard Reaper chuckle, seemingly right next to her ear. "And what thanks will you give me?" he purred.

She shot an elbow back into the shadow, but met no resistance. She huffed as Reaper laughed. "A formal letter of thanks and a check will be sent your way on behalf of the organization. And since we have no postal address for you, it will be hand delivered at your convenience."

"Oh?" he asked archly as a tendril of shadow loosely wrapped around her waist. She swatted at it, irritated.

"I'll have the letter in a week. Try to behave until then." The tendril tightened then swiftly withdrew. "What's gotten into you?"

The only response was a rushing noise as the shadows retreated.

Angelica stared after them for a moment, then shook her head and continued to the taxi stand, digging out her phone. She dialed from memory, and she waited as it rang.

"Hey, I'm busy. Leave a message."

She waited for the beep, then said, "Brad. I might be running a bit late, so go ahead and I'll catch up. See you as close to eight as I can! Love you."

She hung up and climbed into the first available cab, giving directions to her apartment.

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She let herself into her apartment, dropping her keys and briefcase by the door as she kicked off her shoes. She was halfway to the couch when she realized she wasn't alone.

Soldier 76 studied her from the couch, a new phone on the coffee table in front of him.

"How did you find him?"

"What the hell are you doing in my apartment? How did you know where I live?" she asked, a shiver of fear sliding down her spine. 76 was between her and the drawer she had thrown Reaper's burn phone, and his big gun was easily in reach. He could shoot her before she reached her briefcase and other cell phones.

"Answer the question. How did you find Reaper?"

"Like hell I will! You broke into my apartment and start interrogating me? What-"

She broke off as black smoke boiled in through the window. Reaper solidified between them as 76 brought up the rifle.

"Get out," he snarled, smoke shielding Angelica from view.