Guess Then...I Kinda Got Arrested

[assassinrue]

Kendrick stared at the man. There was a name but it was fuzzy and wavering, it wasn't the guard's lie, it was somebody else's. Whoever had bailed him out didn't want him to know who it was. He warily followed Astrid down the hall, ready to run at a moment's notice.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The guard walked behind them. Astrid glanced around the lobby when they entered it, but all she saw was the two cops behind the desk and a young man with dark hair sitting in one of the uncomfortable-looking chairs. He didn't look much older than her. This couldn't be the guy that paid their bail, could it?

[assassinrue]

Kendrick crossed his arms and stared out over the nearly empty room. He was insanely suspicious but he couldn't read anyone unless they spoke.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The man glanced up when they entered and smiled at the two of them, which freaked Astrid out a bit. He slipped the phone he'd been holding in his hands back into his pocket and stood. "Thanks, officer," he said, nodding to the man who'd brought them. "I'll take it from here."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick's head snapped toward the man. He had no subtitles, nothing but his words rang like scum. He glanced at Astrid to see if she knew him.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid met Kendrick's eyes and shook her head slightly. She had no idea who this guy was. The officer had moved off to join his partner behind the counter, and the young man gestured for Astrid and Kendrick to follow him. He turned and walked out of the precinct, completely confident they would follow.

[assassinrue]

Kendrick locked eyes with Astrid for a moment then slowly followed the man, he stance cautious and ready to bolt at the first sign of danger, one arm loosely trailed behind him in an unconscious gesture to protect Astrid.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid kept her eyes on the man's back the whole time they walked through the door. He didn't once turn to look at them, not even as he led the way out of the parking lot. What, no car? she thought. It was supposed to be a joke to herself, but she was feeling too flighty to find it amusing.

[assassinrue]

Kendrick's suspicion grew. Who was this man? Where was he taking them? He had expected some fancy car with tinted windows and an old driver who saw everything.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Only when the man reached the corner at the end of the block did he stop and turn to face them. "Astrid and Kendrick, is it?" he said. "My name is Jonathan."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick stood his full height and crossed his arms. "And?" He sneered.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan raised his eyebrows. "And I just bailed you out. I think I deserve a little gratitude."

"No one asked you to," Astrid said. "We were doing just fine."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick stood, straighter and narrowed his eyes. "Why would you bother? We've both been arrested plenty, why not before." His voice was sharp and accusatory.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Because I didn't know about you then," Jonathan replied. His eyes slid to Astrid and he smiled. "You have quite a record, though. Almost as good as mine... of course, I've never actually been arrested."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick looked at Astrid. It was her turn to try to do something about this. He was getting irritated quickly and was tempted to just leave. This man and Kendrick's inability to detect his lies made him extraordinarily uncomfortable.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid shook her head slightly. "Well, thanks for the help, but we don't need you anymore," she said. She glanced at Kendrick and raised her eyebrows. "You coming with me or what?"

[assassinrue]

Kendrick nodded quickly and made to follow her. he did NOT want to be left alone with this man at all. He kept quick pace beside Astrid, prayign the man wouldn't stop him.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan's face didn't change, and he didn't move a muscle for a good three seconds. Then he spoke, and his words made Astrid pause. "They'll be here in about thirty seconds. You won't get far."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick turned slightly to look at the man. "Who will be?'

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"ANEW," he said simply.

"What the hell is ANEW?" Astrid said. Was this guy crazy? He'd just bailed out two teenage strangers, so maybe he was.

"People who want to hurt you," he said. "Probably kill you." His eyes slid over to Kendrick and a pensive look crossed his face. "Though they might try to utilize your abilities."