Episode Four

Chapter Ten

The police were busy trying to investigate any possible links to the vigilante that was rumored to have been spotting. There wasn't much, only handcuffed suspects and frightened witnesses.

Captain Thomas and Detective James couldn't find anything conclusive in their investigation. Leaving the investigation team to check for more evidence at the other crime scene, they made their way to the 7-11 that Blake had tried to rob, and were planning to question Ivan.

James: Think he'll have any valuable information?

Thomas: I don't know, but apparently the "vigilante" hasn't been seen since the 7-11 robbery, so it's our best bet.

James: Right.

They walked into the 7-11. Ivan was busy cleaning the shop.

Ivan: Oh, can I help you?

Thomas: Yes, sorry to bother you, but I'm Captain Thomas Fitzroy of the NYPD, and this is NYPD Police Detective James Mercer. We would like to know if you have any information regarding a...vigilante.

Ivan: Oh, I can tell you what I told the other officers.

James: That would be a big help, thanks.

Ivan: Well, I heard gunshots. Then, I heard the robber scream: "You, you're real?," ...then it was mostly...

James: Wait, pause. The robber mentioned the vigilante being real?

Ivan: That's what I heard. It sounded like he had heard of him before.

James: Really?

Thomas took James aside.

Thomas: If he had heard of him before, then that means he could have been in the same organization as Henry.

James: Right, and they could also have been watching the Henry situation.

Thomas and James went back to Ivan.

Thomas: Do you have anything else to share?

Ivan: Well, I told the other officers this, but he had on some military-like equipment, complete with guns and all.

Thomas: So he could have connections?

James: Yeah, that's likely, because ordinary people can't just access military gear.

Thomas: He could either be very rich, or tied to the military. Maybe both.

James: Definitely possibilities.

Ivan: Yeah, he definitely didn't seem normal. He seemed relaxed, more laid back, and dangerous.

James: Maybe our suspect isn't a loud and active person then. Maybe he's introverted and quiet.

Ivan: That's, that's all I have.

Thomas: It's fine, thank you for all the information you have given us. Take care.

James: Thank you, sir.

They left.

Thomas: So, this definitely isn't an average Joe. We need to look for a specific type of person. One silent, but dangerous.

James: Yep.

Meanwhile....

In the Manhattan Detention Complex, Blake Richmond was awaiting trial. Thrown in a cell with another prisoner, Hammer, he quickly realized his situation was dire.

Hammer: What the hell you doing in my cell, jackass?

Blake: I...I'm not supposed to be in here, man! I'm innocent!

Hammer: Yeah, we all are.

Hammer chuckled.

Hammer: You ain't special.

He grabbed Blake by the shirt.

Blake: L...look man, if you hurt me...my boss will...

Hammer: He'll do what? Come into jail and hurt me?

Blake gulped.

Hammer: Let me welcome you to jail.

He prepared to throw a punch at Blake.

Officer: STOP!

An officer came to the cell, pointing a gun at Hammer, who reluctantly let Blake go.

Hammer: Yo' ass got lucky, little boy.

Officer: Richmond, come with me.

He escorted Blake out.

Blake: Where am I going?

Richmond: You've been bonded out.

Blake: I have? By who?

They arrived at the front desk.

Officer: Well, here you are. Make sure you attend your hearing next week, or we will revoke your bond.

Blake was allowed through the front door. When he walked through it, he saw a middle aged man in a tuxedo waiting for him by a Lamborghini.

Blake: Michael?

Michael smiled at him.

Michael: Blake! Seems you've been caught up in the wrong crowd. Get in, pal!

Michael got in his car, and so did Blake.

Michael: So, what'd you go to jail for this time?

Blake: Look, I was under orders, I had to rob this one store—-

Michael: Armed robbery? That's a new thing, even for you.

Blake: Look, the pay was amazing—

Michael: C'mon Blake, you know to stay off the streets.

Blake: Sorry! Man, you know me! I gotta do what I can to make a quick buck!

Michael sighed.

Blake: But that's not the only thing. There's some, vigilante cop out there. Some people told me about it, but it's actually true!

Michael: (Laughing) Vigilante cop? Buddy, I think your eyes are starting to get old.

Blake: I'm serious!

Michael: Yeah, whatever you say.

Michael dropped Blake off at a house.

Michael: Now, I better not hear you causing any more trouble; I just had to spend my pocket money on you.

Blake: Yeah, yeah.

He pulled Michael into a hug.

Blake: Nice seeing you, old pal.

Michael: Yeah, you too.

Blake went into his house, and Michael pulled off. He took a shower and changed his clothes. Then he pulled out his phone and called a number: "Boss."

Blake: Hey, boss, I'm out of jail.

Voice: (Phone) And how did you manage to do that?

Blake: My old friend, he bonded me out.

Voice: (Phone) You should be grateful, you have a nice friend.

Blake: Yeah, I do.

Voice: (Phone) Do not get caught again. Resume the plan.

Blake: Yes, sir.

Meanwhile...

Thomas and James returned to the station. They had no more success in gathering information.

Ricardo, Maria, Troy, Olivia, Samantha, Alex, Francine, and other officers greeted them.

Thomas: Hey, you guys. Where's Officer Anton?

Samantha: He's off duty; he's with his son.

Thomas: Okay, we got a bit of new information from his son.

Olivia: Really, what is it?

Thomas: The vigilante is referred to as calm, composed, and dangerous.

Olivia: Yeah, that's consistent with what Ricardo's daughter told us.

Thomas: So, do you have any leads?

Olivia: We think he may be an athlete of some kind. Or, at the very least, he's in good shape.

James: Makes sense. But he seems like he's quiet and introverted.

Olivia: Yeah, that seems right too. We were told he usually seemed calm.

Thomas: Right. So we should look for someone who isn't one for public attention, is in good shape, and also is rich and well-connected because what we've been told is that the gear he uses is military-type.

Olivia: Right.

Thomas: Set up patrols around the area. Let's try and trap him.

Olivia: What are you thinking?

Thomas: Let's give him a crime to catch, but he won't be the one doing the catching.

James: Good plan. Next time he appears, we'll get him for sure.

END OF CHAPTER TEN.

Chapter Eleven

At the party, the teens were ready to play Truth-or-Dare. Bryant had gathered lots of them in a circle: Diamond, Robert, Dominic, Cody, Aurora, Pierre, Ryan, and even some of Diamond's friends: Niyah, Precious, and Jayla. The others were watching, waiting to see how this would play out.

Bryant: Okay. We'll go in a circle. Each person has to ask the next one the question, and if you say no, you're out. Last one that's still in wins.

They were all pretty drunk too. It would make this game more interesting.

Bryant was the first.

Bryant: Truth or dare, Diamond.

Diamond: Dare.

Bryant smiled.

Bryant: I dare you to kiss me.

She didn't seem bothered by this. She leaned in, kissed him, and gave him a little wink.

Diamond: Seems I'm still in.

Meanwhile, Demetrius was in his room listening to music and handling schoolwork, so he could go and take another run at being Riot. While the music was loud and so were the kids, it didn't bother him that much because, eventually, they would leave. He didn't find anything of note about Diamond or Aurora, so he left them be for now.

He checked his emergency feed for any new crimes, but nothing seemed to pop up, so he just went back to schoolwork. Outside his room door, Robert was busy dancing shirtless, no doubt a dare by Diamond.

Diamond: (Laughing) Wow, you're really getting into it!

Robert: Yeah, yeah.

He turned to Dominic.

Robert: So true or dare, pal.

Dominic: I'm a truthful man, but I'll do a dare this once.

Robert: Okay, then down a whole bottle right now.

Dominic: A whole bottle? That's gonna totally mess me up!

Still, he did it, even though he looked extremely uncomfortable after.

Dominic: Ugh, okay, my turn. Truth or dare, Cody?

Cody: Obviously, dare.

Dominic: I dare you to go knock on his door.

Everyone got silent for a second as Dominic pointed to Demetrius's room door.

Cody: Dude...

Dominic: Yep.

Cody reluctantly got up and slowly walked to the door. When he was about to knock, he heard a voice from the other side.

Demetrius: Touch my door and see what happens.

Cody immediately jumped back. He went back to his spot on the door. Everyone remained silent.

Cody: Uhh! My turn!

Dominic: Dude, he's, woah.

Diamond looked at the door, deep in thought, and Aurora looked a bit nervous, as it would now be her turn to be asked a question.

Cody: So...Aurora, truth or dare?

She looked as if she wanted to pick truth at first, but with the whole party watching her, she hesitated.

Aurora: ...Um, dare...

Cody: I dare you, to kiss Dominic.

She went red at this, but she knew if she didn't do the dare, she'd be kicked out. She nervously approached him, and he was looking excited.

Dominic: Go on.

Diamond: Yeah, come on, Aurora.

She leaned in slowly and planted a slight kiss on his lips. Everyone else was laughing and cheering, all in a drunken uproar.

Aurora: There...I did it.

Demetrius was still in his room, finishing up his work as the game continued. The emergency feed still didn't have any crimes around his area, which started to bore him. He decided he would try looking into the mugger's death, which could tie him back to an old case he never truly figured out: the murder of his best friend, Owen Hawthorne, 7 years ago. It hadn't been solved to this day, but the cases now seemed to tie back into that one, somehow, some way.

Demetrius: Let's see...

The party was getting louder, and Diamond's friends were dancing with each other. Demetrius tried to drone out the noise more and more, but their truth-or-dare game was making a racket. It would be hard for anyone, even in another condo, to focus, let alone Demetrius.

Niyah: Get it, girl!

Her friend Jayla was busy dancing with Precious. Diamond looked ready to jump in. The game had escalated, and now people all over were dancing to the music. Some dudes were taking off their shirts.

Bryant: Woah, you guys are going crazy!

Demetrius couldn't take it anymore. He needed to get out and get some air, and it was already 11:30 p.m., so these kids should be ready to go now. Then he remembered it was a bunch of popular kids, and it was a Friday.

Diamond looked again at Demetrius's door, and she stood up. Bryant's eyes followed her.

Bryant: Uh, D, what are you doing?

Diamond: The party is at his house. He should join us!

Bryant: Wait—-

Others started staring at her as she approached Demetrius's room door.

Diamond: Hello? Anyone in there?

The room got silent again.

Demetrius: Nope, no one's home. Come again later, or never, or something.

Diamond: It's fun out here, you want to come party?

Demetrius: Nah, I'm good.

Diamond: It's really funnn!!

She was extremely drunk at this point. Even the other people knew, drunk or not, that bothering this kid would only backfire on them. She either really didn't know, or she really didn't care.

Demetrius: ...

Diamond: So?

Demetrius put his backpack on and walked out his door. Everyone's eyes darted to him immediately.

Diamond: So, you finna party?

Demetrius: No, I'm leaving.

He looked to Bryant.

Demetrius: Get all these people and yourself out my house by 1 a.m., my parents will be home by then.

Bryant: O...okay.

He walked to his door and walked out. Going down the elevator, he stopped and saw Mr. Derrick on the phone again.

Mr. Derrick: You're missing another DoorDash order?

Voice: (Phone) Yes, you idiot! Stop eating my food!

Mr. Derrick: I'm not! How about you stop ordering online and go pick it up yourself because clearly, they are scamming you!

The phone said a few choice words and hung up. Demetrius walked up to Mr. Derrick.

Demetrius: Can you get all those kids out my place by 1? I'm gonna go buy some things.

Mr. Derrick: Again?

Demetrius: Yeah, need a couple of things for a school project.

Mr. Derrick: Fine, I'll, I'll do my best.

Demetrius: Thanks.

He nodded at Mr. Joe on his way out. He went to the back of the alley again and changed into his Riot gear. Then he got his motorcycle from back in the alley and took off. It had no license plate, so cops couldn't track it.

He waited on it for a little while, looking at his emergency feed, and he saw an attempted robbery pop up on it, happening in the Target in Times Square. He took back alleys on his way there, careful to try and not be seen.

Once he arrived at the place, he looked for the robber, but couldn't find him, because the lights in the Target were off. He pulled a flashlight out of one of his utility belt pouches and shined it, but when he walked further into the store...

Police: HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!

Riot jumped back.

Riot: What the hell?

The Captain of the NYPD, Thomas Fitzroy, was looking at him right in the eye as the lights turned on.

Thomas: So you are real.

He moved his hand, and a bunch of armed officers came out of different aisles around Riot.

Thomas: Stay where you are...Riot.

But before anything else could happen, a knife went through one officer's back: Officer Troy.

Troy: Ack!

Thomas: What the hell?

The lights were shut off again. Gunshots were heard.

Thomas: Get down!!

Riot: Wait wha—

Thomas was tackled into an aisle by Detective James.

James: Get out of the area! The bastard must have brought backup! He must of knew we were coming! It must have been something!

Cops all around were heard in screams of pain, frantically shooting their guns.

Officers Samantha, Ricardo, and Alex were grouped again, firing their weapons all around.

Ricardo: Is it the vigilante?

Alex: I don't know!

Samantha: Keep shooting! Officers have been hit!

In the chaos, Riot also retreated to cover.

Riot: Damn it, do I run?

He chose to go outside. When he did, he saw a female assassin in all-black clothes and what seemed to be a wig, running away from the scene.

Riot: Hey, wait!

She looked back at him.

Assassin: So it is you.

She drew a knife from her belt.

Assassin: Okay then.

END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Chapter Twelve

Hours earlier:

The officers at the NYPD planned to catch the vigilante, deciding to lure him to an area where he could either be arrested or neutralized if need be.

James: Here's the plan, we make a fake alert at an area around Hell's Kitchen, since the vigilante seems to have been seen operating around that area. We get into position, lure him in, and hopefully, he takes the bait.

Troy: I mean, if he really exists, then yes.

Thomas: If he doesn't, Officer Jenkins will have a lot of explaining to do.

Ricardo: ...Yes, sir.

James: Well, best we get to it then. It's nearly midnight; the vigilante has been stated to act around this time.

Thomas: Right.

The officers made their move. They picked an area the vigilante hadn't hit yet, but close enough that he could get there if need be: The Target in Times Square. It was closed by now, and most people were home sleeping or on their way home that stayed around that area, even if the city "Never Sleeps."

Getting permission to set up what they needed, they got to work, waiting in aisles and turning off the lights, and the Captain sent the alert, hoping the vigilante would see it.

Unfortunately for them, he did. And now things have become:

Thomas: EVERYONE, get the HELL OUT OF HERE!

James: Damn it, I can't see anything! It must have been the vigilante!

Ricardo went over to them, using his flashlight on his pistol.

Thomas: The hell are you doing, Jenkins? Turn that thing off!

He quickly did.

Ricardo: Sorry, I needed it to find you!

James: You need to get out of here! What the hell is going on?

Ricardo: This, this couldn't have been Riot, right?

Thomas: Why wouldn't it be? It's too DAMN convenient!

James started to get where Ricardo was coming from.

James: Wait, remember the letter from when Henry died?

More gunshots were heard, and more bodies dropped to the floor. It wasn't clear if they were cops or other bodies.

Thomas: Yeah? What about it?

James: If they were threatening cops, maybe...oh no...

Thomas: Wait, you're right! Maybe they used our trap for the vigilante, to trap US! Damn it! I wasn't focused on the possibility!!

Ricardo: No, it's my fault! I was so confused and determined to try and investigate this guy; now it's backfired on us!

James: This isn't the time for this! We need to move!

They tried to move away from the gunshots and find a back exit. Meanwhile, cops all over were heard being attacked. Thomas pulled out his radio.

Thomas: All units! Do not engage! Fall back!

The trio managed to find a back door, using Ricardo's light to get them to it. Before they could be shot, they barely escaped the chaos, to find:

Assassin: So, you're the one who's been getting in the way.

A female assassin was sizing up Riot, holding a knife in her hands. Her costume was distinctly feminine; Thomas had never seen an assassin costume like that before. Black jacket and vest, hood, a mask, a wig? of puffy black hair, thigh-high boots, a utility belt, gloves, and, a mini-skirt?

Thomas: The hell?

Looking at the exposed skin, one thing was clear: she was black.

The assassin looked over at the cops.

Assassin: So you live? Pity, thought they would have killed you all. Well, go away. I'll deal with you later.

She threw one knife at them, barely missing. Then she drew another knife and faced Riot.

Assassin: I'm busy right now.

She immediately rushed toward the vigilante, who barely had time to roll out of the way. When Riot stood up, she went low and performed a low kick on his legs, tripping him.

Riot: Ow. So you're not just some girl in a costume, are you?

Nothing but her skin color was clear. Even her voice had been modified, like Demetrius's own. There were plenty of black girls in NYC; any one of them could be her for all Riot knew.

This wasn't the time to think. She brought her leg down for a stomp. Riot rolled to the side and aimed a punch at her gut. It landed, but she easily shrugged it off.

Assassin: So you don't want to make this easy for me?

Riot: Uh, why would I?

She reared back and threw her knife at him. It grazed his arm, although, for the most part, he managed to dodge it.

She charged him again. The two engaged in a flurry of attacks: acrobatic movements and kicks from the assassin and practiced defensive movements from Riot. One thing was certain, she was fighting to kill.

Thomas couldn't let this situation get too out of hand. It already was unbelievable as is, and James and Ricardo were both standing there in disbelief, unable to comprehend an assassin battling a vigilante like some movie.

James: What on earth am I watching...?

Ricardo: I don't—-

Thomas: Both of you, on the ground! HANDS UP!

Assassin: Oh shut up, fake badge.

She casually flipped Riot over her back, winding him, and opened one of the pockets in her belt. Sure enough, she found what she was looking for, and she threw it at Thomas.

Ricardo: Run! She's going to throw!

The three officers burst away as the assassin threw a grenade at them. The force of the explosion was still enough to blow them all back even though they got some distance from it.

Thomas: You guys okay?

James: Ahh, my arm, I think...it's broken...

Thomas: Stay here! Jenkins, watch him! I'll try and find help!

The situation was very much out of control. Not only did they have some vigilante on the scene, but some psycho assassin too?

Assassin: You don't fight like a cop. Who are you?

Riot grabbed his gun.

Riot: I'll need you to get on the ground. Like he said.

Assassin: Don't tell me I was wrong.

She kicked the gun out of his hand, and kicked him in the chest, and when he fell to the ground, she wrapped her legs around his neck.

Riot: (Coughing) Ow.

Assassin: Shhh, you're just in the way.

She kept her hold tight; Riot started to see black.

Assassin: Just simple, I'm better than you. Now die.

And die, he would. Another day.

Riot: Okay.

He reached for his other gun and slammed the butt of it into her knee. She let him go in reflex, pain shooting through her knee.

Assassin: Ow! What the hell!

Riot slowly stood up and fell back down to his knees.

Riot: Always keep a gun. And keep two.

The assassin stood up and studied him. Her knee was swelling, and she didn't feel bothered to do this anymore.

Assassin: To hell with this.

She kicked him in the chest, sending him flying back, and she ran in the other direction. Riot tried to give chase, but his body was also feeling pain.

Riot: Yeah, no. She can have it this time.

The shooting in Target seemed to also stop. Dozens of masked individuals ran out of the store, some getting in cars. They didn't seem to go after Riot, so he went to the front and got his motorcycle; the surviving cops were busy tending to their wounded and capturing any of the assassin's men left behind.

Riot: What the hell is going on...

END OF CHAPTER TWELVE.