Stephanie's Journal: Lost

"...and there was smoke, a loud bang...I was stunned or something for a bit, and when everything cleared, Jackie was gone."

 

"You didn't get a look at the perp?'

 

"...no."

 

The one night we take off to just get a little relaxation in, and it ends like this! We got a call from the GCPD at about 4 or 5 o'clock. At first what the officer on the phone said confused me. Then I just felt physically sick. On their way back to Abe's house, Jackie and Johnny were ambushed by...someone, but they only took Jackie. Now he's gone. I don't know where he is, if he's hurt, or even alive. There's a manhunt in Abe's neighborhood right now, and we're at the GCPD, in Abe's office nonetheless. There's me and Tim, an officer, Abe at his desk, and his son Johnny. Johnny's the sole witness of this whole thing, yet he barely saw a thing. He looks confused, and kinda sad as well. I was just sitting there holding back tears. I lost my little buddy...

 

"Was their anything I could've done? Could I have helped him?..."

 

"Don't beat your self up, kiddo. You couldn't do much. Officer Blake, my wife is waiting downstairs. Can you take my son here to her? I need to talk to these two in private."

 

"Yes sir."

 

The officer had Johnny follow him out. The look on Johnny's face as he walked out was horrible. It was like guilt and sadness in one. Poor kid probably feels like he could've stopped this. We all wish we could... The officer shut the door of Abe's office as he left, leaving us in private. Abe sat back in his chair with his face buried in his hand out of distraught. We all sat in silence for a good minute until Abe leaned forward on his desk and looked us in the eye, a solemn look in his own.

 

"I'm not gonna pretend I know how you two feel. This is one of my worst fears, but it hasn't happened to me. All I can say is I'm sorry. Maybe if I didn't let them run around the neighborhood--"

 

"Stop. You didn't know. Stuff like this doesn't happen in Gotham Heights. You figured it was safe like it should be."

 

"Y'see here Tim, that's why I wanted to talk to you two in private like this. I've lived in Gotham Heights for a good enough time know to know stuff like this ain't right. And then there's who was taken. Jackie isn't normal."

 

"W-what are you saying?"

 

"What I'm saying is I don't think this is a simple abduction. Someone's gotta know what Jackie is and who he's really with. Tell me, did you guys mess with someone big while you were in costume recently?"

 

"Well, there was Queen Widow and The Broker...but they don't know who we are...right?"

 

"Those D-class idiots? They couldn't find us out if we kicked them in the ass with our masks off. Not alot of people know who we are...but we do have a couple personal enemies."

 

"Tell me."

 

"Excuse me?"

 

"Who are these personal enemies? I can help."

 

"Arlington, look-"

 

"No, you look! Jackie's important to all of us here. He's basically your little brother. And as for me, he's the only friend Johnny has. I'm not gonna let him lose something like that. Johnny deserves what innocence he has left. Jackie's helped him keep it. So please, let me help. I'm already assigning myself to the police case anyway."

 

"Abe, I'd more than love any help we can get. But some of our enemies...our real personal ones--"

 

"Are monsters. You don't wanna be near these kinds of evil."

 

"I can handle myself, you two. I've encountered some pretty scummy people myself. I'm not afraid. I just want to find a boy and bring him back to his loved ones. That's all."

 

"...fine."

 

"Great. Now, who are these 'personal enemies'?"

 

Whoa. Tim's actually working with Abe? I shouldn't be too surprised, I guess. He's probably as desperate as I am. Still, didn't make feel any less horrible. I think while Tim and Abe wear busy talking, a few tears got out...

Done