| Chapter 7: "NEW LEAF", Part 3
Dean is rather quiet the rest of the trip. As they approach a darkened warehouse, Dean opens the door and steps out of the moving car. He opens a panel revealing numbered buttons. Randy slows to a halt just short of the building. Dean quickly punches in a four digit code and the huge steel doors slide open. He signals for Randy to drive in. She reluctantly drives forward. Dean climbs back into the car as she passes. The doors slide shut behind them as they enter the warehouse. Randy continues to allow the car to slowly roll forwards until Dean raises his hand signaling her to stop. Randy stops the car in the center of the warehouse beneath a spotlight. The floor shakes for a moment. Then again. Finally it seems to drop out from under them. Randy screams as they plummet twenty-five stories unrestrained. She hears the brakes engage, but it takes another five stories to bring them to an soft stop. The eighteen foot long platform turns ninety degrees and Randy finds herself looking into a large open room. Randy looks to Dean. He nods his head, indicating that she should drive into the room. She rolls the car off of the platform. With the weight of the car gone the platform automatically rotates back and springs upward with incredible speed. Its stop at the top is not nearly as gentle as its landing at the bottom. Dean gets out of the car and pushes an illuminated button on the wall. A series of lights switch on revealing an enormous white studio apartment. It is lavishly decorated and fully equipped with a wet bar and Jacuzzi. “Amazing,” Randy gasps as she exits the car. “You’re welcome to stay,” Dean says. “Why are you doing this?” Randy asks. Dean senses her suspicion. He can also sense her desire to stay. “Have you any family?” he asks. His voice is deep, but his manner of speaking is almost childlike. “No,” Randy answers quietly. “My Dad brought me up since I was seven. He died last year.” Her voice trails off as she completes the sentence. “I am alone too,” Dean answers. “You remind me of someone. Someone very close to me.” “Where is she now?” Dean shakes his head in response. “I’m sorry, but that doesn’t explain why you live underground and run around saving people.” Dean thinks for a moment. He looks down at the floor as if he is ashamed. “I used to be bad. Very bad. It was all I knew. People like those who attacked you, hurt her. It has to stop. I have to help.”
A group of protesters gathers outside of City Hall. They are carrying signs demanding the capture of the vigilante. The Chief of police looks out of the Mayor’s office window. “They should give the guy a parade,” the Chief says, “not this.” “Your opinion aside,” the Mayor responds, “they want him caught, so I want him caught.” “I’ve already assembled a special task force. We’re checking psych profiles on ex-marines and soldiers right now.” “Check those mercenary magazines, too. Look under ‘Bullet-Proof Vigilante’.” The Chief laughs. “By the way,” he adds, “we’re going to need some new artillery. Really, really, big, powerful stuff.” “Why? What’s he carrying?” “So far our boy has only used cutting weapons, but we’ve found squashed shells at some of the crime scenes.” “Body armor. We’ve been over this.” “Maybe, but it would have to be stronger than anything we use. I want to be ready for this freak.” “You write up a requisition. I’ll see that the state militia supplies your needs.”
Dean wakes up first and quietly watches Randy sleep for about ten minutes before she begins to stir. She looks up at him and smiles. “I’ve never seen you without your camouflage on before,” she says. “Few have,” he responds. Dean walks over to a small table and sits down. He waves for Randy to join him. She sees that there is already some food set out. She walks over and takes a seat. After a few long moments of tense silence Randy clears her throat. “I was wondering,” she begins, “if it would be okay if I brought some of my things over.” She quickly follows with, “just for a little while.” Dean smiles and nods his head.
When Randy arrives at her apartment she finds the door unlocked and slightly ajar. She cautiously steps into the room. “Hello,” a man says from the shadows of her living room. Randy jumps back and gasps. She holds her keys between her fingers as a makeshift weapon. “Calm down,” he says as he stands up and steps into the light. “I’m Officer Davis.” He holds out a badge. Two larger men step in from the kitchen. “This is Travers and Sketty,” Davis says pointing to each man as he states his name. “What do you want?” Randy demands. “We came by this morning to ask about your incident last night, but you weren’t home.” “And you just let yourselves in?” “There is still a vigilante running around this town. Someone you have had contact with. We thought you might be in danger.” Davis steps up close to Randy. He places one hand on the wall behind her and leans in to whisper, “You don’t know where we can find this guy, do you?” “N-no,” Randy stutters. “How would I?” “Where were you this morning?” “I went out. Is it a crime to be up early?” “Those clothes are awfully wrinkled. They look like they’ve been slept in.” “Get out!” Randy shouts. “Let’s go, fellas.” Davis and his cronies leave. As they walk down the stairs Davis orders his men to follow Randy. “She knows something,” Davis says. “Soon we will too. Call me as soon as you find out anything.” Travers and Sketty nod obediently and walk to their car.
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