Teeny – Lady Shadows
The day Jak died Aaron called all of the other heroes and asked them to meet at Tyler and Nathans, around 8 pm, not giving anyone a reason for the meeting. He showed up a little late so he would be the last to arrive, told them all what happened, without detail, and promptly left, leaving them stunned and speechless. At the door he paused long to enough to call over his shoulder that if someone had Jak’s girlfriends phone number, to give her a call and let her know before she had to see it on the news.
Natalie was the first one to react, collapsing against the arm of the couch and bursting into tears. Each hero followed suit shortly after.
A few hours later most tears had dried, though eyes remained moist. When the friends finally found their tongues, their talk turned at once to vengeance.
“I guess this sort of proves that we’ll have villains to fight,” Nathan said, half to himself.
“I’m going to kill her,” Natalie murmured. Nicole crossed the room to sit next to her sister and put an arm around her in comfort. Natalie rested her head on Nicole’s shoulder and they both began to tear up again.
“We’ll catch her,” Tyler promised, eyes turned dark red like a mood ring. “She’ll go to jail, her and any other villains that stand with her.”
Natalie ignored him, pulling out her phone and calling Aaron for the third time since he had left. Like the other two times, it went straight to voicemail. She hung up without leaving a message.
“How are we going to find her?” Teeny asked the room in general.
“Someone like this isn’t going to stick to the shadows,” Crystal answered. “I think this overly public act was done for a reason, to send a message. I’m guessing we just wait until she calls attention to herself, possibly with friends. Then we all call each other and get there as quick as we can.”
Not interested in hearing anything further, Natalie excused herself for a smoke break and walked to the back porch.
Once her cigarette was lit, she took a shaky deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, willing time to rewind, or change what had happened, or something, anything to make it not be true. When she opened them again, it was to see Crystal coming out to join her.
“Hey,” Crystal said. The screen door swung shut with an audible screech behind her.
“Hey.”
“Are you ok?”
Natalie didn’t respond.
“Look, we’re all hurting. Cutting yourself off isn’t going to change anything, but being around friends-”
“I appreciate what you’re doing,” Natalie interrupted, not unkindly, “but I need a little alone time. I’ve known Jak almost my whole life. You guys just didn’t know him like I did, I don’t think even his girlfriend did. I don’t say that to be rude, it’s just…” she trailed off uncertainly.
“I think I understand,” Crystal replied. “Just remember that we’re all here for you, ok?”
Natalie nodded, then on impulse reached forward and pulled Crystal into a hug.
“Thanks. Speaking of Penelope-”
Crystal squeezed her hard. “I’ll call her,” She promised, then turned and made to go back inside.
“I am, going to kill that girl,” Natalie muttered, half to herself.
Crystal stiffened, but didn’t stop to respond.