‌Chapter 1: Training Day

Early morning.

After days of torrential rain, Chicago finally welcomed clear skies.

Inside the Midtown police station, Ginny walked briskly from the chief's office clutching a thick file, cheerfully greeting every colleague she passed.

Her youthful energy caught the attention of the station's seasoned veterans, who exchanged knowing glances.

Once she disappeared through the doors, the usual banter erupted:

"Heard the rookie got assigned to Rorschach?"

"Rorschach? That Rorschach Butcher?"

"Yep—Rorschach 'Motherf*cker' Butcher!"

"Oh ho, this'll be fun…"

Unaware of their whispers—and uncaring even if she had heard—Ginny focused on one thought: She'd finally achieved her childhood dream of becoming a patrol officer!

At the parking lot, she found her squad car and slid into the passenger seat. New recruits were always paired with veterans for field training and evaluation. Fail the assessment, and you're out.

Her hands trembled as she opened her partner's file:

‌Name:‌ Rorschach Butcher

‌Age:‌ 26

‌Hometown:‌ South Side, Chicago

The photo pinned to the file stopped her cold. The man had jet-black slicked-back hair, a razor-sharp jawline, and eyes so icy they could freeze hell. Damn, he's hot, she thought, fist-pumping internally. Way better than some doughnut-chomping old-timer!

But her excitement faded as she read further:

1‌.At 18, he enlisted in the military. Due to his exceptional performance, he was selected into the elite 101st Airborne Division and awarded two Crosses of Valor.

2.Post-service‌: Top of his class at the police academy.

3.Turned down FBI/DEA offers to join Chicago PD.‌Promoted to homicide detective‌ for solving cases at a statewide record pace.‌Demoted to patrol‌ after knee-slamming a BLM protester until they screamed "Black lives are sh*t!"

Re-promoted‌, then ‌demoted again‌ two weeks ago for beating LGBT protesters with a baton.

Ginny stared at the file. What kind of psycho cop is this?!

Before she could process it, a voice growled outside:

‌"Who the f*ck are you?!"‌

She spun to see a towering man in a leather jacket, scarred knuckles clutching a doughnut, cigarette dangling from his lips. His glare could strip paint.

Ginny glanced between the file photo and the grizzled beast before her. Same face, but the photo had lied—this man radiated violence like a nuclear reactor.

Snapping to attention, she saluted. "Officer Ginny Bauer, badge 43627, reporting for duty!"

Rorschach eyed her Barbie-doll looks with disgust. "You're my rookie?" He shot a venomous look toward the station. Fcking chief dumped a liability on me.*

"Get in," he barked.

Ginny scrambled into the car, avoiding eye contact.

As they rolled into Chicago's South Side, pristine streets gave way to crumbling buildings and clusters of Black youths loitering on corners. A child mimed shooting at their cruiser.

"Stop here," Rorschach ordered suddenly. Ahead, a group of tattooed men harassed customers outside a diner. "Clear them out."

Ginny hesitated. "Alone?"

"Need me to call SWAT for backup?" he sneered.

Ginny gripped her Taser and marched over. "Gentlemen, vacate the premises immediately!"

The gang laughed. A chest-haired giant blocked her path. "Free country, piglet. We ain't breakin' laws."

Rorschach watched, finally biting into his doughnut. This'll be good.

When a thug shoved Ginny, Rorschach exploded from the car. The gang froze.

"Keep talking," he said, eerily calm.

The leader raised trembling hands. "Didn't know she was yours, Butcher! We'll bounce—"

Rorschach slapped the man's cheeks. "You come and go as you please? Makes me look bad."

As the thug protested, Rorschach's gun somehow appeared in the man's grip.

"Oop—stealing an officer's firearm?" Rorschach headbutted him, then smashed his face into a table until blood spurted. "Motherf*cker! Assaulting an officer? I could waste you right here!"

He turned to the stunned gang, wiping blood off his hands. "Listen close. I don't care if you're 'oppressed' or 'queer.' See this skin?" He jabbed a finger at their faces. "You're Black. You see me? You look down. Got it?"

Later, cruising ruined streets, Ginny finally spoke: "Your bodycam… it recorded everything."

"Yep," Rorschach puffed his cigar. "He grabbed my gun. I defended public safety. Problem?"

"But he just needed dispersing! You nearly killed him!"

Rorschach grinned. "Know why I became a cop?"

"To… protect people?"

He laughed. "Nah. Badge lets me kick Black ass legally."

Ginny stared in horror as he revved the engine. Somewhere ahead, sirens began to wail.

‌She'd made up her mind.‌ After today, she'd beg the chief for a new partner. If refused, she'd transfer to another precinct!

Beside her, Rorschach glanced at her tense profile, his expression indifferent. If this doll-faced rookie had lived through half my shit, he mused, she'd hate these South Side rats even more than I do.

But whatever. At least he'd checked the chief's stupid "mentorship" box.

Just as he debated whether to hit Eliab's Bar for whiskey or grab a burger first, the cruiser's radio snapped to life:

‌"All South Side units—Amber Alert! 7310 Medella Avenue reports child abduction. Proceed immediately!"