Always Hate Me

25. Dishonoured

Frida quickened her pace, frightened. People were watching her – their cold gazes boring into her back. A group of young man sidled into her path – blocking the pavement. Frida touched her mask, checking that it was still in place.

"Think you're special?" One of the youths heckled her. "Think you're so tough?"

She tried to slip past but they moved into her way. One guy, walked into her – his face offensively close to hers. Frida tried to back away but the gang had her circled.

"You knights have been spreading shit about the vampires."

"We're not," she argued. "We're simply investigating-"

The guy slapped her.

Frida clutched her cheek, in shock.

"Was it you lot that bombed that pub?"

Frida's mouth went dry. She looked around for help, but nobody else on the street was looking her way. Deliberately, she realised.

"Bet it was." The guy's mate rejoindered. He hocked up phlegm and spat her.

"Nasty, ungrateful shits. We're doing the vampires a favour if we get rid of you lot."

"Day Watch is here!" One of the guy's friends called out – clearly on look out. 

Frida took the opening and bolted for it, seeing a gap between the lads. She sprinted, running as fast she could. She ran out into the road and weaved between the cars – ignoring the honking of horns. A motorbike's breaks squealed, only narrowly avoiding her. She didn't stop to apologise. She kept her head down and ran.

There was a church up ahead and she dived into its shadowy doorway. Inside was quiet, the musty room hazy from candle smoke. She sagged against the wall, and struggled to catch her breath – grateful for the shadows. Jerkily, she ripped off her mask. The guy's spit had clumped in her fringe and her face scrunched in disgust. Heart beating fast, she yanked off the rest of her uniform and kicked it roughly away from her – dissociating herself from its tainted badge.

"Here to confess?" A priest asked her, speaking in Polish, his sudden emergence taking her by surprise. Frida shook her head, her hand clawing anxiously at her throat.

"Nie mam nic do wyznania," she replied shakily.  I've nothing to confess.

*

Chloe stood in the doorway of her office and surveyed the damage. The place had been trashed. They'd broken everything and thrown food and animal waste all over the floor and smeared some across the walls. Chloe exhaled through her nose.

"They should just pack up and leave."

"Aren't they ashamed?"

"You know why they hide their faces, right?"

"I bet they're the ones bombing places."

"Figures, only criminals wear masks."

Chloe knew that the Day Watch walking past the door were talking deliberately loudly. They wanted her to hear. She made no visible reaction.

"Oh, Captain!" One of the voices suddenly exclaimed. "Salute."

"Salute," chimed the group. Chloe grit her teeth. Of course he was here.