LOST SHADOWS - A Broken Lie

Chapter 20

"What the hell were you thinking?" Chief's voice boomed as he approached Nyxie. It had been 30 minutes since the jumper was taken to the hospital, so phone calls had been made. Dawn wasn't sure who called Chief in, but apparently since the three of them were 'involved' along with his 'partner', he was contacted. Dawn couldn't help but curl into himself. Even though Chief was a highly praised Protector, he found himself fearing the larger man. Nyxie did not share this feeling.

"I cannot think of whatever the fuck you mean by that, I was just doing my damn job." She spat back. Her voice was dangerously low as she glanced over the coffee Split brought her when he returned from the hospital. She hadn't stood up since her body was reconfigured. Split himself casually stood next to her, clearly unfazed by the situation, but still held a stance of protectiveness. Dawn wondered if this was a normal occurrence. A chill went down his spine at the memory that had taken place minutes before. Though he didn't really know his instructor, he still felt sick at the thought of her getting hurt like that all the time. Chief was clearly aware of the facts that were implied.

"I will not allow you to traumatize my rookies—" "OUR rookies." "—and being your 'partner" I was informed you had the day off!!! If you were going out on patrol you should have contacted ME!" A brief expression of confusion dusted Nyxie's face. Chief's anger was then directed to Split. "Do you have anything to do with this?!" He spat accusingly at his fellow Protector. "Last time I checked you REQUESTED not to be paired with ANYONE!"

Before Split could defend himself, Nyxie spoke up. "Leave him alone, I offered to help him patrol. He's been pestered all day by the media, you know how they are, he needed the extra eyes." She stood up, getting into Chief's space challengingly, despite her voice getting softer. Her white eyes were dangerous as they locked onto his, whatever was about to come, it made Split step back. "Besides, last time I checked, you didn't want anything to do with me. We train rookies, that's all the interaction we've had. You've never even been on mission with me before, and now you're all in a huff? Why? Cuz' Split actually treats me as an equal? Cuz' the rookies saw what the 'NYXIE' is know for around the office? Cuz' they saw blood? Cuz' they saw a Protector pay the price of saving a little girl that wanted to kill herself? They NEED to see these things! You can't protect them cuz' you think that because they're Support-Class they can't handle it. THEY chose to be Protectors. THIS is what they're getting into, and they need to know it isn't as flashy as the media tends to make it." Chief was quiet for a moment before he let out a sigh. "Look. I know that I'm not... supportive of your version of 'saving', and we don't even know each other very well... but Star-Hero put us together for a reason... and I'm only really now excepting his choice. You need to set a better example for the others, however, and show you do as well."

Chief then turned and left.

Nyxie didn't speak till she knew he was gone.

"...fuck."