The Case Puzzle

Chapter 16

"That's illegal."

"Yes, I know."

"What are we doing here, then?"

I did not get a reply. I looked around, from far outside the crowd. I could hear a mix of cheers and groans. Some people were still waiting outside, in groups. Others were sitting in the middle of the road, smoking. It looked like weed to me because two of them had their faces planted on the road. Even the air around stank.

I heard roars of excitement and I peered inside to see what was going on. Seemed like someone finally won.

"Aren't you a law enforcement agent? You should not be participating in such activities," I said, turning around, only to realise that I was talking to the air. Where did Castiel disappear, leaving me alone in such a place? Did he abandon me to die here?

I walked around, back and forth, peeking here and there, hoping to see him but he seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

I couldn't even ask around because of the stares I was receiving. They must have been wondering what I was doing there.

Thankfully, the car was still there. I stood by the car, waiting. There was a man nearby, sitting on the ground near the pavement. I glanced at him as I caught him staring at me. I looked again and he was still staring. Did he want to say something?

"Beautiful night today, right?" I chuckled at him, "It's a great night for a...joint, yes." I eyed him with pursed lips as he smoked a joint and paused again, staring at me again. Okay...weird.

I leaned against the car door and checked if it was unlocked, in case. Just by awesome chance, it was locked.

I looked around, hoping there was another escape somewhere in case an unfortunate incident happened. I glanced at the man again and saw him flopped unconscious on the pavement. Oh, how relatable. Brought back memories of a few days ago.

I gasped in relief as I saw Shooky approaching me. I ran to him, clutching his arm.

"I appoint you as my bodyguard for tonight," I started and paused, "Do you do those things as well?"

"What? And can you ease up on the arm? You're pinching me," he requested, with a grimace.

"Did you come to bet?" I said as I loosened my hold on him.

"No," he frowned at me.

"Then, what are we doing here?" I asked.

"Let's go in," he said, marching in the fight club. With my hand clutching him, I got dragged along.

The place was hot and stuffy. The men snarled at me as I got knocked against them while trying to follow Shooky. Italian remarks flew around wildly; I was sure they were curses. My small self squeezed through the men until I arrived at the first few rows.

A man came on stage; it must have been the announcer. The next contestants were being announced. I didn't pay attention since I did not understand.

"Why are we watching this? Is this how you agents learn how to fight?" I whispered to Shooky. He glanced at me and looked up at the fight ring again. I huffed and looked back onstage and my mouth went agape.

I rubbed my eyes and looked up again.

Castiel, you idiot! What are you doing up there? I wanted to yell at him. But he didn't even spare me a glance.

I looked to the opposite side of the ring and gulped at his opponent's sight. He was about the same height as Castiel but he was...large. His muscles seemed to be bouncing as he moved. And tattoos made their way around his bald head, going down his shoulders and his arms. He must have been a popular one around, seeing that everyone was cheering for him, not that the cheers affected Castiel in any way. Instead, he remained his usual composed self.