Becoming A Queen

Impulses

"Cameron, you sure it's a good idea?" Gabriel says, watching me slip on my old ankle boots.

I sigh as I adjust my shirt. "I need to be out there. I need to know what's going on in the streets. I trust Gerald and I'm meeting with Founders and Directors in the morning but quite frankly I feel so out of the loop. I just need information I don't want to ask Gerald."

He bows his head, "I already know arguing with you is useless. So be safe and don't be stupid."

I roll my eyes and dig through the bag Justice brought. Luckily she packed my mask I used to wear when I was the Vigilante Heroine. First I go to the dresser and swipe on the red lipstick I might have borrowed from Jennie's room. I pull my hair back into a high bun and put the mask back on. Staring at my reflection was surreal. I felt seventeen again, ready to take on the world by myself.

Things are different this time around, though. I'm a mother, I have Justice to worry about. But I'm older, wiser and more experienced. I know gang members and how they work. But I don't know who the true enemy is. Which is why I must do what I'm known for. Confront gangsters in the dark alleys of Chicago.

"I could say the same to you. I'm leaving you the gun. Don't protest, you're protecting my daughter as well as yourself." I suddenly reach out and pull Gabriel to me in a hug. "I'll be back in three hours. Four tops. If you're uncertain, shoot first then run like hell. I love you."

I felt his grip tighten around my waist, "I love you too. Go get 'em tiger."

Using a magnet I boosted from the fridge, I use it to sit on the metal motion detector that will go off if the window is opened. The magnet will fool it into thinking the window is closed. A thing I picked up from Leon eons ago.

I then climb out and shimmy down the vines attached to the wall of the house. Fate would have it as once I got to the edge of the wall, the gate that surrounded the property was within jumping distance. I ignore the itch on my palms from the vines and plan my next move. Moving fast, I start swinging my bottom half side to side in dramatic motions. Then, using the the speed I was gaining, made the jump. My hands barely avoided the spikes on the fence.

I had to go past the burn I felt in my arms. With a soft groan, I pull myself up and bring my left foot to a space in-between the spikes. Using the weird angle, I swing my right leg slowly. Once I'm confident I add more force. With a great heave of my body, my right leg swings itself upward and my toes are pointed to the stars. But I wasn't done and using all my might I push myself off the gate. The weight of my right legs swings over the opposite side of the gate and my body twists to follow it. I land like a cat on the side walk.

The laugh that escapes my mouth is exuberant and high pitched.

"That was badass! If we could make you internet famous everyone would lose their shit on how animal like you move!" Gabriel whisper yells.

I get to my feet and shrug my shoulders, "Gotta be creative."

I then turn and jog up the street. This neighborhood is pretty fancy but not too far from where I need to be. After a couple of blocks, though, I was winded and sucking in air.

I dip inside an alley to avoid a car that was coming my way but honestly I wanted a break. I grasp my side and try to calm my heart rate. My throat ached for water as every muscle in my body begged for a bed.

"God, I'm out of shape," I mumble.

Looking around I assess my surroundings. Deciding this is a good place to start, I look down the alley way and see its a dead end that get's narrower the deeper you go. This was almost too perfect.