When Hell Runs Cold

Chapter Two

Jasper Blanchard wasn't what one would call a friendly person. The man, presumably in his thirties, was at least a foot taller than her and had a glare that could turn someone into stone. Alysia would be lying if she said she wasn't slightly terrified of the man.

"Do you have what I need?" Blanchard asked, and Alysia nodded, opening her satchel and dumping its contents onto the man's desk. He picked up a diamond ring, inspecting it closely, holding it between his grubby fingers. "Any trouble last night?"

Alysia winced, remembering the way Whirlwind had thrown her against the wall, absent-mindedly rubbing her lower back. "The vigilante, Whirlwind, intercepted me last night. I don't think I'll be able to do another heist for a while. Maybe two weeks. Three weeks, at most,"

When Blanchard gave her a disapproving look, she continued to ramble. According to one of the other members of Gevasi, Blanchard had shot a member in cold blood because he hadn't delivered what he asked for.

"I hit the Carstairs. They're the richest of the rich. I think a lot of those are maybe 7 carat diamond rings? And if I rushed into another heist too soon, the vigilante would get more involved and your entire operation would fall apart." Alysia rambled, shutting up when she noticed Blanchard blankly staring at her.

Blanchard simply sighed, furiously typing at the keys. The clicking of the keyboard overtook the silence in the room as Alysia nervously shifted in place, running a hand through her golden brown hair.

Was he ordering a hit on her?

Was he going to call the clean-up crew so they could dispose of her body once he shot her?

Was she going to break her pinky promise with April?

"I've wired enough money for the hospital bills for the next two weeks. Now get to waiting tables, Lockheart." When Alysia looked at him, confused, he sighed. "What are you waiting for? Get out of my office."

***

The diner which Blanchard owned was a cover for Gevasi, the largest gang in Ziren City. Everyone knew what kind of diner it was, but police never had enough evidence to make any arrests.

Although there were rumors, it never stopped people from coming to Expresso's. The diner wasn't in the bad part of town, and the food wasn't half bad.

Alysia would wince whenever she sat down, or when she leaned down to pick something up due to the previous night's circumstances.

Alysia turned to look at the TV as Eric turned up the volume."Another body has been found! It seems as if a new supervillain has arrived in Ziren City." Carina Franklin stated, arms folded atop of the table.

"According to the very limited amount of pictures we got at the crime scene, it matches the signature of the other victims. Icicle through the chest. All the victims seem to be young women in their early twenties, all with the same features. Light brown hair, green eyes, and average height." The second anchor, Keller Goldstein continued, wrapping his hand around his 'World's Best Anchor' cup. "So ladies, if you match that description, I'd be careful."

Alysia smiled fakely, handing a few customers their drinks, before waiting for the chef to finish cooking.

If there was a new villain that meant that Whirlwind and Blitz would be too occupied with them to interfere with her heists.

Alysia glanced back at the TV, her eyebrows furrowing when she noted the similarities between her and the victims.

It couldn't be about her.

She had been careful, pulling on a very realistic wig whenever she broke into mansions, making sure she didn't leave any evidence.

Lux and Alysia had no physical similarities except for height as far as the public was concerned.

It couldn't be about her.

***

Alysia sighed, pacing outside of the hospital room, fingers wrapped around what she believed was her third cup of coffee.

Her phone dinged, and Alysia smiled at the sound of April's personalized text tone. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, quickly typing in her password.

From Apes: It's official. I'm a homewrecker, Lyss. Violet has a gf! Maybe I should try celibacy....

Alysia shook her head, before quickly typing a response.

To Apes: If you knew, you wouldn't have slept with her. It's on Violet. Not you. I heard knitting helps you keep your mind off of it if you try to be celibate.

From Apes: Sounds like you know a lot about being celibate, Lyss :P.

She rolled her eyes before sending her another text and shoving her phone into her pocket.

Alysia looked at the door of the hospital room she hadn't entered in four years, internally debating on whether she should go in or not.

Not.

She slumped into one of the chairs outside the room, and let out a sigh. One of the nurses, Stella, smiled at her as she passed by, before rushing to the emergency room.

She shut her eyes for a few moments, listening to the nurses and doctors rush through the hallways. She felt someone sit in the seat next to her, but kept her eyes closed anyways.

"You know, I'm pretty sure the point of coming to visit someone in the hospital, is to actually go visit them. In their room."

Alysia was startled by the man's voice, but kept her composure regardless. "Maybe I'm waiting for someone to get out of surgery." She responded tartly.

"People wait for people to get out of surgery on the other side of the hospital."

"Do you always just talk to random people in the hospital?" Alysia questioned.

She could hear the grin in the man's voice. "Only the people who interest me."

Alysia opened her eyes before replying, "Are you flirting with me in a hospital?" She turned towards the man, and her eyes widened in shock as she recognized him.

He was just like how all the magazines showed him, except he had a lot more pores in person. He held out a hand with a grin. "I'm Nathan. Nathan Carstairs."

Author's note:

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