Dream Light City Chapter 8: Patrol

Read chapter 8 of Dream Light City by jensrichard on NovelPedia.

On patrol in Dream Light City. I'm riding with one of the rookies. He asked if I would honor him and show him the streets. I agreed. He even called his mom. "Yes, Mom, I'm on patrol with the Sheriff now. How cool is that?" He drives nervously and keeps asking what turn to make. I ask him to relax and be curious. That's the best way to learn about the streets. "Just drive around a corner and see where it leads us," I tell him in a calm tone. He relaxes a little and tries to play it cool. He starts the typical 'oh my hero' talk. "That thing at the bank. I have never seen anything like it," he says, looking up and down at me, "I never wish to be in your way." He turns a corner and suddenly hits the brakes. "What?" I ask, confused, and look around. "There! On the road," he says in a pitched voice and points. Another dead young girl on the street. Dragged by two men. They see us and run from the scene. "I'll get them!" The rookie says as he jumps out of the car. I let him play the hero. I walk to the young girl. She looks like someone at my daughter's age. My biotech picks up her ID. Tina Smith, 17 years old. Fuck this shit. I scan her cause of death: Internal bleeding. Did they beat her to death? Who would do that? I call it in. "Maria, John here, we have a dead girl on…" FUCK!!! This is Bix's street! And this is the week he wants it clean from cops. "Repeat that, Sheriff." "Cancel that, Maria." "Make up your mind, John." Fuck-fuck-fuckedi-fuck. I need that rookie back ASAP. I call him on the intercom. "GET BACK HERE ROOKIE!" "But I got one of them, Sheriff." "Let him go, cancel that shit, and get back." "What…?" "We have bigger priorities. Get back here now." A man my age comes running towards me in panic. “TINA, TINA. No no no.” He falls to his knees, picks her up, and holds her tight to his body as he cries out: "I hate this city. Do something, Sheriff! Seek justice!" Suddenly, five gang members surround us. The leader steps forward and talks to me. "I think you are needed elsewhere, Sheriff." I stand up and look him deeply in his eyes. He doesn't fear me. The father is locked in grief and panic. "Arrest them all. Get rid of the gangs. Keep us safe, Sheriff." I don't answer him. My rookie arrives, panting. He pulls out his gun as he sees the gang. "Police! Step back from the Sheriff!" The gang leader turns his head slowly. "You even brought a uniform to his street." I walk slowly towards the car and wave to the rookie. "Gun down, officer! Get in the car!" The rookie follows my instructions. The father cries in despair. "No! No, don't leave us. HELP US." We sit in the car. The rookie says nothing and doesn’t look up as he starts the car. I get it. His reality must be broken now. His hero failed him hard. "Drive," I say. I call Maria. "Did you make up your mind, John?" "I need you to cover my tracks. "Why? Where are you? Fuck John. Why are you at Bix's street?" "I wasn't paying attention." "You should be more careful." "Just do it, Maria." "You owe me BIG TIME." "I'll pay you later." I look at the rookie. I have to explain what happened. "Bix is coming for you. I need you to be safe for the night." He changes character, smiling with confidence. He is no longer the rookie I started the patrol with. "You don't have to worry, John. You passed the test." What? Was this a setup from Bix? Including this rookie? Did he set up a murder to test my loyalty? Fuck this shit. Fuck you, Bix. Fuck you all.