Don’t Trust the Ones Who Protect You

They call her the queen of mischief at King City High School—a title she earned with little effort. No one matched her audacious, rule-breaking nature. Fear held everyone back, for good reason. She didn’t dread getting caught, being exposed, or facing what terrified others. The absence of fear was what pushed Cassidy Greene to the top of the ranks.

Cassidy Greene has been the delinquent criminal of Monterey County for as long as she can remember. For her, breaking the rules offered not just a thrill, but a sense of control over her own life. It was the sensation of feeling bad and knowing that others couldn’t stop her that got her adrenaline pumping. It was only because of her father’s status that she was able to strut and own the streets. It was the pure reason she acted the way she did. What better example of corruption in the law enforcement than the police sergeant’s own daughter breaking half the laws in Monterey County and flying free as a bird?

“Hey Stevie!” Cassidy called across the hallway in the school, grinning ear to ear as she caught up to her all-time friend. Stevie rolled her eyes and tucked a stray bubblegum pink hair behind her ear. She was more of a soft girl, carrying innocence that Cassidy would ruin every time she turned.

“Hey, Cass,” she responded meekly. Cassidy wrapped an arm around the girl, and her green eyes flickered excitedly.

“How’d you like to come downtown to a party?” She asked. Stevie snorted and nudged the junior playfully.
“You’re always at a party,” Stevie commented, but she nodded anyway. “Can’t let you go alone. Your dad would arrest me if he knew where you went,” she joked, and both girls laughed.

“True. My dad’s a pain,” Cassidy said, pulling out her Marlboro Red 100s. “Want one?” But as she offered, she spotted a teacher. She muttered a curse, shoved a cigarette in her mouth, and hid the pack down her shirt. She couldn’t risk losing them before math class—the worst period. Cassidy refused to be deprived of her cigarettes beforehand.

“Miss Greene! That’s the sixth time I’ve seen you with a cigarette! To the principal’s office!” Mrs. Miller exclaimed, and Cassidy rolled her eyes.

“And this is the seventh time I’ve been able to see when you’re on your period this month,” Cassidy snarked, and she winked at several people as she went down the hall with the cigarette in her mouth. She did, after all, have a reputation to uphold.

Cassidy flicked an ash on the plant in the main lobby, grinning at the receptionist behind the desk. “Hello, Abby. How are you?” She asked. The receptionist gave a tight smile as she pushed a button.

“Sir, Miss Greene is here.” She told the phone, and a sigh came from the speaker.

“Give me a minute.” They said, and Cassidy put out the cigarette in the plant’s pot.

“Sit right over there,” Abby instructed. Cassidy snorted and leaned against the wall instead, her arms crossed. A few minutes later, the door down the hall opened, and a tall man came out.

“Miss Greene, come in,” he said, and he went back into his office as soon as Cassidy propped herself off the wall. She swaggered into the office, shutting the door behind her. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Cassidy leaned against the door, exactly how she was against the wall moments ago. “I’ve given you loads of warnings. First, it was your outfit.” He glanced over the girl and sighed. She wore a halter top cut off above her belly button and shorts barely fingertip-length. “Next, it was threatening everyone with fights and actually fighting.” He said, and Cassidy proudly smiled at that one. “And now it’s drugs on campus.” He took a breath in, and he shook his head in disappointment. “What do I have to do to help you go back to the way you were, Miss Greene?” Cassidy snorted as she narrowed her green eyes at the principal.

“Nothing, Landgrab. I’m never going to be the nice little girl who helps everyone and pretends to be naïve again. I’m fed up with bullshit,” she told him, and she sighed. “If we could work out somethin’, I’m pretty sure I’d be happy with a few accommodations.”

“And what could that be?” Mr. Landgrab asked. He was scared to ask because he knew how some offers could lead to his job being suspended. Cassidy grinned and pulled out her pack of menthol cigarettes. Her red ones.

“Instead of holding me inside like a pitbull in a cage, tell the teachers to let me step out the back door. I won’t be distracting everyone with my smoke, and it would help the asthma kids.” Cassidy offered. “I’d stop smoking within the school building.” Mr. Landgrab raised his eyebrows, and he let out a sigh as he nodded.

“That’s better than before. I get tons of complaints from the asthma kids’ parents about you smoking in the building.” He told her, and he hesitated before asking, “What else?” Cassidy looked up, as if she were pondering a thought, and she slowly looked down at the principal with a devious look. Shivers went down his spine, knowing that look all too well.

“I want my day cut 30 minutes early. I have to get my supplies somewhere, and my daddy doesn’t want me out there.” She said. The principal shook his head, intertwining his hands.
“I’m sorry, Miss Greene. The least I can do is tell your teachers to let you have a desk towards the back door of each classroom so you can do your thing.” He said quietly. “I can’t promote drug use.” Cassidy nodded and grinned.

“Thanks, Landgrab,” she said, and she turned to the door. He watched her leave from the corner of his eye as he sent the e-mails to her teachers.

Cassidy returned to her next class with a large smile. Her green eyes twinkled as she went into the back row near the door and sat in the empty seat. Nobody sat there. It was her seat now.

“Miss Greene, must I ask why you aren’t sitting in your seat?” Miss González asked. The young Hispanic teacher wore an unamused look as she waited for Cassidy’s response. The girl simply kicked her feet up onto the desk, carefree.

“Cause I can,” she simply said. Miss González furrowed her fake brows as her lips thinned.
“No, you cannot. Get back to your seat or else!” Cassidy rolled her eyes and pulled out a cigarette from the pack between her breasts.

“I think not,” she said as she lit the tobacco. The teacher stared at her in rage and stormed over to the junior.

“I think so,” and the girl took a puff of the cigarette and blew it into the teacher’s face as she snatched the cigarette away from her. Several other students snickered as Cassidy threw her head back. “González, I need that. I’m not wasting my last cig in this stupid class.” Cassidy grumbled, holding out her hand. The teacher huffed, stomping the cigarette out with her heel.

“No, Miss Greene. Now pay attention!” Miss González told her sternly, restarting her lesson. Cassidy let out a groan and glared at the teacher. Killeon, the boy who usually sits in the back, turned to her.
“Do you need another one?” He whispered. His offer made Cassidy grin.

“If you have one,” she said, and he handed her a Newport short cigarette. Cassidy laughed and lit it almost instantly. “Thanks, man,” she said, and she kicked her feet up onto her desk, leaning back. It was only one good second before Miss González had begun glaring at Cassidy.

“Miss Greene! To the principal!” She ordered, and Cassidy shrugged.

“Skip school, it is,” she commented. “Thanks, Killeon, I’ll return the favor one day,” she told the boy. Cassidy slung her backpack over one shoulder and walked out, her head held high. She didn’t care what others thought, not anymore. It was pointless, because even if she listened to others, they wouldn’t listen to her. She simply quit trying to please others, as others wouldn’t please her. When she hit the sidewalk outside of school property, a grin spread across her face.
For once, she was out early enough to do whatever she wanted.

Cassidy’s face blazed red; her pupils thinned into pinpricks. Her drug use was unmistakable. Whenever she could, she snuck out to see Jake. Her body twitched reflexively as she walked, turning onto Wild Card Drive beneath a sky already black with night—well past ten. She breathed out as she approached her house. Her father’s patrol car sat in the driveway; her mother’s car was gone. Despite living with a cop and a doctor, she risked everything. But their jobs also protected her if she slipped up. She knew getting involved in this mess was reckless. She did it anyway.

Cassidy unlocked the door with her key, a neutral expression on her face as she came inside the home, the blue walls dark from a lack of light. She set her backpack down in the hallway as she made her way to her room, but she froze as she saw her father peer around the corner.

“Hey, Daddy, just got in,” she sent a small smile to him, and the thirty-six-year-old sighed.

“Cassidy, can we please just talk for once?” He asked, and his eyes showed the inflicted pain that had grown over the past six years. Cassidy let out a sigh as she leaned against the wall. She ran a shaky hand through her hair as the light was turned on. She hissed and shielded her eyes, and her pupils grew wide. Her father sighed as he turned the light back off, crossing his arms. “I should’ve known.” He murmured softly.

“Yeah, well, what do you expect?” She sneered, her pupils slowly going back to a thin state. Her father gazed at her with a look Cassidy knew all too well, and she scoffed.

“I just want my daughter back, Cassidy.” He said quietly. “You’ve changed, and I don’t even recognize you.” Cassidy rolled her eyes as she pushed herself off the wall, glaring at her father.

“Don’t you remember why I changed, daddy? Huh? It was because of you!” She said, her voice maxing to a yell. Memories flashed in her head as anger seethed through her. “You think that because you have a badge, it makes you special.” She spat. “Sometimes it’s not always who you think it is, but you’re chasing the wrong reason!” She yelled, and she could see the rage building up within his body as she yelled. But she wasn’t afraid. Just because he was a cop doesn’t mean he has authority over her. He was merely a stupid man in her eyes.

“You don’t speak to your father in that tone, Cassidy Riley! If you can’t speak to me as a loving daughter, then you will address me as you would a cop!” He shouted, and Cassidy let out a cold laugh as she pulled out her half-empty pack of cigarettes, plopping one in her mouth.

“How about you get off your damn period for once, Sam! I’m tired of your bullshit!” She shouted, and she stormed into her room, slamming the door shut in anger. Her blood was boiling with anger. How was he so simple-minded? Had he forgotten that moment so easily? Cassidy took a long drag of her cigarette, closing her eyes to relax her nerves. She sat on her bed, blowing out the smoke as she flicked the ashes onto the hardwood floors. She remembered it all too well.

——————————————————————————————–

Cassidy laughed as the siren went off, her green eyes lighting up. “Who are we catching today, Daddy?” She asked. Her father pointed ahead of them in the car, and Cassidy looked straight ahead and saw a man stepping in front of a child, taking a hit from a woman. Cassidy became confused as her father stepped out immediately. Cassidy hesitantly stepped out, and when she had thought he was going for the woman, her mouth opened as he tackled the man.
“Daddy, no! He was protecting the boy!” Cassidy cried as she ran forward, taking the boy’s place in front of him as the woman tried to grab him fiercely. The woman grabbed Cassidy instead, and her small body tensed.
“Get out of my fucking way!” The woman shouted, and Cassidy was shoved aside. Cassidy quickly moved to her feet and snatched the pistol off her father’s belt holster. The thirteen-year-old girl pointed it firmly at the woman, her eyes flickering with emotions. She had trusted her father to know who the criminal was, but in this moment… he failed.
“Cassidy! What in God’s name are you doing? Give me my gun back!” Her father shouted as he let up on the man and reached for Cassidy. She pointed her gun at her father, shaking. It was obvious in her eyes that she felt betrayed. The innocent man pushed her father off him as he scrambled to his feet, standing beside Cassidy and the boy.
“Please… stop,” the boy whispered, and Cassidy glanced at him. She offered a reassuring smile as she turned to her father.
“You arrest the woman. She assaulted me and attempted to assault the boy. Aggressive Child Assault, code 35 in the Police manual.” Her voice had an edge to it, but her father glared at her. He reached for his radio and turned it on.
“This is Sergeant Greene. I request backup. My daughter has my gun.” He told the radio, and she heard the voice from the other side.
“10.4,” It said, and her heart hammered.
“You—You—YOU AREN’T JUSTICE!” Cassidy shouted, and she placed her finger on the trigger, shaking even more. “You lied to me!” She cried, and her body shook as more red and blue lights came down the street.
“Just give me the gun!” He shouted. Cassidy felt a tear roll down her cheek as she pulled the trigger, as a group of cops stood outside their cars. The bullet pierced his shoulder, and he staggered, his breath shortening.
“Cass! What the fuck has gotten into you?!” Officer Colt shouted as he ran forward, his silver handcuffs quickly being placed on Cassidy. Tears washed down her cheeks as she stared up at the officer she thought was her friend, shaking her head.
“It’s all a lie!” She cried. Officer Colt furrowed his eyebrows as he took the gun from Cassidy, glancing at the other three witnesses. The two males looked scared, and the woman wore a look of rage. He shook his head as he gently handed Cassidy to Officer Katrina.
“Take care of her in the investigation room at the station until we figure out what’s going on. I have to get Sam to the hospital.” He told her, and Cassidy was put into the back of a police car for the first time in her life.

——————————————————————————————–

Cassidy still felt the emotions wash back over her because from that point on, she never had a normal life. She knew at age 13 that the justice system was corrupted, and she tried her best to help those in trouble, but she was getting into trouble herself. It was like she was the bad guy, as she actually did what a cop was supposed to do. Cassidy was only trying to prove people’s innocence and defend them.

Cassidy felt groggy the next morning, a sense of nausea running over her. She let out a low groan, rolling herself out of bed as the curtain started to show the sun from outside.

“Honey! Are you up? You have five minutes until the bus gets here!” Her mother shouted through the door, knocking repeatedly. Cassidy let out another groan as the knocks at the door caused her head to hurt.

“Mom! Stop doing that!” Cassidy shouted, and she slowly got up. She ran a hand through her messy bed hair, yawning. “Shit…” she muttered. She quickly changed out of her night clothes and into a crop top, a ripped Jean skirt, fishnet leggings, and her platform heels, grabbed her cigarette pack before leaving, and grabbed her backpack at the last second. Cassidy ran another hand through her tangled hair as she made it to the bus stop just on time. Miss Sheryl, her bus driver, sent her a small smile.

“Good job today, Miss Greene. You aren’t late this time,” she said. Cassidy snorted as she sat in the back with Stevie.

“Don’t expect me to be that way every day!” Cassidy shouted, and a group of chuckles and laughs bounced around in the back as the bus became in motion.

“Looks like Harley Quinn had another rough night,” Jake, one of her suppliers at school, snickered. Cassidy didn’t let the comment faze her as a teasing smirk made its way onto her face.

“Maybe I did, but at least it wasn’t you,” she teased, and an outburst of ‘oh’s erupted from around them, as far as Cassidy could be heard. Jake mumbled something under his breath and held up his middle finger at the girl.

Cassidy sighed as she led Stevie into her home, dreading the moment her best friend would meet her father. Stevie was a wonderful girl, but she had that innocent wonder that Cassidy was still in the process of ruining. It was a wonder that the two got along, but they did, nonetheless.

“Daddy! I’m home, and I brought company,” Cassidy called. Her voice echoed off the walls as Stevie looked around.

“This is definitely your mom’s decorating,” Stevie commented as she looked at the soft blue walls that were lit by the afternoon sun.

“You’re home? This early? It better not be a boy!” He shouted from the master bedroom. He came out in his usual police uniform. His eyes scanned Stevie, and a smile grew on his face. “Nice to meet you, I’m Mr. Greene.” He held out his hand, and Stevie shook it.

“Stefanie, but I go by Stevie,” she smiled, and Cassidy placed a hand on Stevie’s back.

“We’re going to have a sleepover tonight, so don’t bother us. I’ll order food when we get hungry,” Cassidy said bluntly, and she gently pushed Stevie into her room. Cassidy’s room was a mess, with clothes and other items scattered everywhere. To say the least, it looked like a tornado had hit it. Stevie’s eyes widened as she took in the mess, stepping around as much as possible.

“What the hell? How do you know what’s clean, and what’s not?” Stevie asked, her voice rising in alarm. Stevie was… cleaner than this. Her clothes always remained clean. Cassidy laughed and jumped onto her bed, sliding her back to the wall.

“It’s called you sniff, and after everything is dirty, you wash them,” Cassidy said as if it were the simplest thing. “It’s not that hard, honestly,” she teased, and she pulled out a cigarette.

“So… what am I here for?” Stevie asked, raising an eyebrow. Cassidy took a small drag, shrugging.
“I figured I’d spend some girl-to-girl time with you. Can’t I do that every so often?” Cassidy asked, raising her eyebrows. Stevie laughed, and her brown eyes lit up.

“Girl to girl? So I’m going to learn all of your deep, darkest secrets?” Stevie asked. Cassidy let out a snicker and shook her head.

“God no. I know you like to talk.” Cassidy rolled her eyes, pushing her hair back. Stevie raised her eyebrows in confusion.

“So… then what are we doing?” Stevie asked curiously. Stevie knew that the girl had a different idea of fun, as she was always causing mischief. Though… Stevie couldn’t say too much about Cassidy, considering all that the junior has done for her. Cassidy laughed as a sparkle lit up her eyes.

“Once my dad goes in, which is usually by eleven, we can sneak out to go to the hottest party, Zach Ethrene’s.” Cassidy scanned Stevie as her friend’s cheeks flushed in spurts of red. Cassidy knew, and well, that Stevie had a child’s crush on Zach Ethrene. It was stupid child’s play to chase a person you couldn’t have. Cassidy never said a word, though.

“You got invited? How?!” Stevie exclaimed, grabbing Cassidy’s forearms. Cassidy let out a cackle, pulling her arms away as she gently pushed a hair from Stevie’s face, a smirk on her face.

“I have my ways, darling. Now, I just need to make you so… irresistible,” she leaned close, whispering the last word. Stevie’s face became flustered as she pushed Cassidy away.

“How many times do I tell you I don’t go that way?” Stevie asked, and Cassidy’s eyes widened.

“I wasn’t trying to get some, damn.” She defended, and the teenager gave a quick scan of Stevie’s thin body. She was like a stick, and short. She honestly looked like a ten-year-old. “Even if I was, it wouldn’t be you,” Cassidy grumbled, and she relaxed against the wall. Stevie rolled her eyes as she cautiously sat on the edge of Cassidy’s messy bed. There was no telling what the girl had put on her bed, and Stevie would rather not find out. Stevie glanced around, and it was simple. No posters, only her clothes, a simple six-drawer dresser, and her bed were in the room. There were signs of previous decorations, but they appeared to have been torn down in a rampage.

“What exactly happened here?” Stevie asked quietly. The words sounded off in her ears like a bullet, and then everything became fuzzy for Cassidy. A wide range of emotions surged through her, eliciting a growl from the teenager.

“None of your fucking business, Stevie.” She spat, and she ran a hand through her hair. “Why are you so damn nosy?” Cassidy glared at Stevie, and the girl flinched as if Cassidy had hit her.

“Sorry,” Stevie mumbled, and she looked down at her hands. Cassidy carefully watched and let out a sigh.
“Look, Stevie darling, I don’t mean to be mean, but I don’t talk about the past. I am Cassidy, the Harley Quinn of this stupid ass school we go to.” Cassidy said flatly. “What happened here… is in the past. I could give a fuck less about it.” Stevie, who thought it obviously meant something, kept silent. Something happened here, and Stevie could feel it. Suddenly, Cassidy dashed to her closet, shuffling around the few things that were hanging up, pulling out a rose-pink lace dress that had off-the-shoulder sleeves. “Here, change into this and I’ll do your makeup and hair,” Cassidy said, tossing the dress at her friend before going back to shuffle in her closet.

“Cassidy, I don’t… I don’t feel too good,” Stevie murmured, her eyes looking to the already loud house before them. The teenager wearing a dark emerald cocktail dress rolled her eyes, giving Stevie a pat on the back.

“You’ll be fine. Just don’t take the sugar or doxie.” Stevie shoved the older girl, who looked unsettled as they walked into the house. There were people everywhere. The different smells of illegal drugs were fuming all throughout the house, even the faint smell of cigarettes. It hadn’t been long before someone had come up to the pair with two drinks out for them. Cassidy took them and passed them to Stevie, grinning lazily.

“Thanks, darling, now where’s the party?” The boy raised an eyebrow before another male hurried over, his eyes wide.

“Cassidy! You actually came! Bruce, this is Cass, she is the definition of party hard,” Zach introduced the two. Bruce’s curious face suddenly became sly, his eyes glancing between her and Stevie.

“Not bad, not bad. You must be her dazzling co-star?” Cassidy turned to Stevie to see that a sheepish expression had overruled her face. A little push wouldn’t hurt, Cassidy thought as she wrapped an arm around Stevie.

“Actually, she’s the only reason I’m able to come to parties anymore. To my dad, she’s an angel, so long as she’s with me, he doesn’t suspect a thing,” Cassidy said smoothly. “Such a sweetheart, too, Zach. How about you go show her around?” Cassidy gave Stevie a small push forward, causing her to stumble into Zach’s arms. Stevie had a profound blush rise on her face as Zach grinned.

“Sure, come on, angel face.” Bruce laughed as they left, stepping closer to Cassidy. His dark eyes scanned over Cassidy again, and she snorted.

“Push off, man. I did that for her. I didn’t do it so I could screw you. Let me get wasted first,” Cassidy spoke. She didn’t waste a moment brushing past the new male, heading over to a group of people she knew.

Cassidy was on the top of a table, with another female beside her. The house’s stereo system had the equalizers bumped up, especially the bass, as the songs played. Cassidy nudged the girl with a sloppy smile, her eyes gleaming. “Come on, Sasha! You can’t be the wild one with just that! Watch!” Cassidy dropped down in a smooth motion, curving her body in a smooth dip, slowly standing up with her fingers just barely outlining her frame. Whistles came from the crowd, Sasha’s face blossoming to a cherry color.

“Cass… I don’t think I can, I…” Cassidy placed her hand over the girl’s mouth.

“Then together, come on, darling.” Sasha watched Cassidy intently, mimicking the exact movements that Cassidy did, and Cassidy wrapped an arm around Sasha’s waist, a bright smile on her face as more whistles and hollers came from a few. “It wasn’t too bad, was it?” She asked softly. Sasha gave a sheepish nod. Cassidy leaned in, and just as she was about to kiss the girl, she felt a vibration come from her chest. She groaned and put distance between the two, quickly retrieving her phone. She glanced at the caller ID before her blood ran cold. “Everybody! Silent unless you want your asses in jail!” She shouted over the music, and it barely took a second before the music paused, and everyone was frozen in their spots, wearily looking at her. “Hi, Daddy,” she answered.

“Cassidy. Where are you and your friend?”

Oh no.

“We just went out to grab some food, Daddy.”

Pause.

“I can hear the slur. Where are you at, Cassidy?” Cassidy’s eyes widened as she made a ‘go’ motion to the back door. Several people exchanged glances, a few groaning. None moved. “I can track you, Cassidy. Where. Are. You?”

“I’m… I’m hanging out with Zach and Stevie.”

Silence.

“So, you aren’t-” Two sets of police lights set off in front of the house, making Cassidy swear.

“Move it! And I mean it! Don’t look back! Go to Spot Alpha!” She shouted, and this time the people listened to her as they filed out. Sasha turned to Cassidy, her eyes wide in fear.

“Where’s spot alpha? Will we be arrested? Will my parents find out?” Cassidy pushed Sasha to another girl, a stern glare on her face.

“Follow the others, and you won’t be arrested if you fucking listen!” Cassidy shouted. Tears rose up in Sasha’s eyes, and she sprinted through the crowds. Cassidy stayed where she was, hanging up on her father, and as the house was starting to get emptier, Cassidy sat down at the table, gazing at the front door, waiting for the cops to come through. After a few shouts outside went on, along with a bark, before it became silent. Cassidy hunched over, the effects of the drugs and alcohol seemingly wearing off as she waited. A few minutes later, the usual four that got caught, Jackson, Elliot, Valerie, and Chris, stumbled through the front door with three police officers she recognized.

“Hi, Daddy, Colt, Kathy.” The three sighed, shaking their heads as the other teenagers sat on the sofas in the living room.

“Colt, arrest my daughter, and Kathy will get these four.” Mr. Greene tiredly said. When Officer Colt came over, he held a somber expression.

“Cass… why do you do this?” He asked softly as he motioned for her to stand up and turn. Cassidy shrugged before standing up.

“I just stopped giving a fuck.” The cold metal of the handcuffs snapped tightly to Cassidy’s wrists, causing her to wince. “When I say I don’t give a fuck, I don’t mean for pain. I want to live, ya know.” Cassidy mumbled. Officer Colt sighed and redid her cuffs, this time giving her a little bit of wriggle room. As they exited the house, Mr. Greene looked at Cassidy with disappointment.

“I’m not bailing you out this time, Cassidy Riley. Either get your friends or your cousin to.” He told her, and Cassidy snorted.

“Fine with me, old man.”

Cassidy threw her head back laughing as Jake followed her into the warehouse, his bat in hand. “Darling, you aren’t gonna scare anyone. You look like a tweaker.” Jake scoffed and shut the door behind them.

“I haven’t been over in this district, Cassidy. I don’t go around, knocking on doors like a Jehovah witness to sell my product…” He came behind Cassidy and slapped her bottom. Cassidy jolted, only to kick backwards. Jake laughed and joined to walk beside her as they weaved through the abandoned pallets wrapped in ceram wrap. “So where am I gonna be tapping on you?”

“Just shut up, Jake,” she snapped as she led them into an office. She flicked the lights on. They flickered, the light bulbs dim. She motioned to him. “What’s the new one?” Jake’s dark eyes sparkled as he hurriedly swung his backpack off and pulled out a small bag with a few brightly colored pills with a smile on them.

“Ectasy.”

“Yeah! Guy said its potent for parties ‘n such.” Cassidy sighed and snatched the bag from his hands, taking a pill from the bag. She held it between her fingers before sighing and popping it into her mouth. She tossed the Ziploc bag onto the counter before leaning against the wall, her arms crossed.

“Was that all?” Jake blinked and made a gesture towards the bag.

“That was big! I’ve never brought ectasy around, Cass! This is my first time being trusted with it!”

“I wonder why,” she remarked, rolling her eyes. Her stomach felt uneasy. Skin was starting to crawl. Jake blinked. He furrowed his brows and stepped closer.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re a teenage boy on drugs. Why wouldn’t they want to give you molly?” Jake’s expression darkened and he tried to grab her, but Cassidy stepped aside and kicked him away. Jake staggered, his back to the counter. Jake said something, but her ears had blurred out any noise. Her vision swirled. Cassidy leaned against the wall. Her chest felt tight. Jake approached her again, this time successfully pinning her. His hand was on her jaw. He was saying something, but her head wasn’t in the same space. Cassidy tried to push him away, her eyelids feeling heavy. Her arms fell and she reached for her pocket, pulling out her phone. She pressed her emergency contact and pressed speaker. It didn’t ring but twice when a man picked up the line.

“Cass? You never call me.” Upon hearing her father’s voice, Jake let go of Cassidy and swore. “Who is this? Cass!” Cassidy slid down the wall, tucking the phone to her chest.

“Daddy… allergy… 5462 Heisenhower lane…” There was a swear on the line followed by the echo of police sirens.

“Stay on the line. How is she now? You’re keeping her awake, right?” Jake stared into her green eyes, and he could see her eyes fluttering, her body twitching. “Son? I need an answer.”

“I can’t keep her up long—she can’t hear me. I don’t think she can see me either.” Jake stammered, his heart literally throbbing against his chest. “Cassidy, talk to me, baby. What’s your favorite color again?” Cassidy blinked as she tilted her head at him, her breath being shaky.

“Fuck… fuck off, Jake,” Cassidy rasped. Her throat felt tight. Her head was starting to pound. Her skin was itching, but she couldn’t move well enough to scratch. Cassidy closed her eyes and let her head rest on the wall behind her. “Daddy?…”

“Sweetheart, oh, thank God, what is it?” Cassidy tilted her head back, a shaky breath escaping her as a tear slipped down her face.

“I… I… I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? What are you sorry about?” Cassidy stayed silent, her breathing growing more distant. Her chest was aching. Her ribs bursting. Lungs refusing to cooperate.

“I… I… Shot you.” Jake furrowed his eyebrows, but even as the line grew tense, Jake couldn’t help but wonder if there was a dark secret that he didn’t know about Cassidy. But Cassidy didn’t care if Jake learned about her past right here, as she would have possibly been on her deathbed.

“Cassidy… you were trying to do what was right. Hold on, I’m outside, which side?”

“Office.”

“Stay on the phone, both of you.” Jake held his breath, giving Cassidy some space as he waited for her father, and when he showed up, Jake stood. “Go out to the car, I got her son,” he said quietly, scooping up his daughter in his arms.

The drive to the hospital had Jake holding onto the handle above the door with a grip that made his knuckles white. Sam had turned on the sirens of the police car and was breaking every traffic law known to man, weaving between lanes and crossing the solid lines, driving on the shoulders, and going well above the speed limit until the car screeched to a halt at the ER entrance where the ambulance parked. Sam hopped out and lifted his daughter from the backseat. He rushed inside and the nurses knew the drill already.

“MDMA drug allergy, age 17, name Cassidy Riley Greene, weight 125.4, height, five foot six and a half inches,” Mr. Greene recited to the doctor as they rushed to a room to the right in the ER. The officer set her down on the bed as the doctor grabbed a few IV lines.

“Last time it was a stab wound, this time drug use… How many times are you going to let her do this to herself, Sam?” The doctor asked, inserting the IV tubes into her arm, wrapping the blood pressure wrap around her upper arm as a nurse came in, her mask covering the bottom half of her face.

“Oh my god, Cassidy!” the woman cried, and before the nurse could rush forward to attach herself to the seventeen-year-old, Sam Greene pulled the nurse close to his chest. “Sam… Sam, where… Where was she?” She could barely utter the question, and Mr. Greene sighed. He raised his hand to pet his wife’s hair before speaking:

“An abandoned warehouse building with a boy from her school.”

A few hours had passed when Cassidy started to show signs of consciousness, and the first one at her bedside was Jake. Even if Mr. Greene disapproved of him, he could only be grateful that the boy had called rather than letting Cassidy pass out.

“The… the fuck are you doing here?” Cassidy muttered, blinking as her eyes dilated from the light. Everything felt distorted; her stomach was curling with the urge to vomit. What… had happened?

“Cassidy, why didn’t you tell me you’re allergic to ecstasy?” He asked. “You know if you had died, I would’ve gone to jail for murder?!” he hissed. Cassidy furrowed her brows at his questions, and it took her a moment to register them before she sat up. She didn’t care if the room went spinning; she knew what she had to say.

“Do you know I think I had an allergy?” Cassidy paused before realizing her words hadn’t come out right, “Do you think I knew I had an allergy? No! But even… Even then, don’t be a selfish asshole! I could have died! And you’re complaining about jail time?!” The curtain flew open as Cassidy scooted to stand up. “Do you know how many times I’ve been in-”

“Enough! Jake, out. You’re forbidden to see her again.” Mr. Greene’s voice came from where the curtain had flown up. His glare followed the boy out of the room before sitting beside Cassidy. “Sweetheart… how are you feeling?” Silence passed between the two, a tense atmosphere growing. “Cassidy? Princess?” He placed a hand on her shoulder, and Cassidy turned away.

“I… I want to go to rehab, I need to.” She murmured, and with how shaky her voice was, how her body started to shake, Mr. Greene felt something tear in his chest. It had to have been serious if his daughter wanted to stop.

“You sure? It’s going to be hard, Cassidy. You… You do a lot of them.” Cassidy gave a small nod, raising her hands to wipe her eyes.

“I’m sure.”

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as Cassidy went through proper rehab, as she had finally made it to her hundredth day clean, she was looking relatively better than she had. Her skin had gained its nutrients back and cleared up from acne, her cheeks seemed fuller than they had been, and her eyes had gained some of their shine back. Unfortunately, her personality hadn’t changed. The only change that anyone could see in Cassidy was that she had become closer to her seven-year-old sister.

“Honey, can you-” Mrs. Greene had just walked into the living room of their home to see that the seven-year-old had fallen asleep curled into Cassidy’s side with a stuffed Pikachu in her hands. Cassidy turned her head, her eyes tiredly meeting her mother’s gaze. “Never mind. Just take Lilly up after, okay?” She asked, only leaving as Cassidy gave her a gentle nod.

To think… being on the brink of losing a life could make someone stop immediately. It was weird how she remembered each little thing in her life on her way to the hospital. Her life had flashed before her eyes, and she felt as though she hadn’t gotten to the hospital when she had, she would’ve been six feet under. Cassidy was pulled out of her thoughts as Lilly shifted, tugging on her loose T-shirt.

“Cass? Can you tell me a story?” The way the innocence gleamed in Lilly’s eyes was so much different than Cassidy’s own green eyes, symbolizing how different they were in maturity. Cassidy nodded.

“Which one, darling?” Lilly took a moment before she had an excited yet sleepy smile on her face.

“The one about you and Stevie when you first met!” Cassidy gave a quiet laugh, ruffling the little girl’s chestnut brown hair before scooting off the couch.

“That one is for daytime, okay? How about… the moon and me?” Cassidy suggested. The little girl pouted for a minute before she nodded, getting up excitedly.

“Okay! Beat you up the stairs!” The small child took off, and Cassidy playfully ran after her, causing the little one to make noises as she scampered up the stairs to her room across from Cassidy’s. “I beat you!” She exclaimed, plopping onto her bed, her hand tightly grasping Pikachu. Cassidy laughed, shaking her head.

“I guess I’m too much of an old woman, huh?” Lilly giggled and nodded. Cassidy gasped playfully and held a hand to her heart as she knelt beside Lilly’s bed. “You were supposed to call me young and beautiful! Gah, I see how much you love me,” Cassidy grumbled, all to tease the seven-year-old. Lilly’s smile never faltered.

“You used to look like Mom! But now you look pretty!” Cassidy had to hold back a laugh as she prepared Lilly for bed.

“Don’t let Mom hear you say that, she’ll get upset,” Cassidy said, her own smile twitching at the corners of her lips. Lilly nodded and made a zipper motion with her lips, only causing Cassidy to smile more. “Now…” Cassidy proceeded to tell the story of ‘The Moon and Me’. Halfway through, Lilly’s eyes fluttered shut, but Cassidy carried on until the end of the story before quietly leaving the room.

However… as time passed, more troubling things came along.

“Speak to me now, bitch!” A loud slap echoed across Cassidy’s cheek, the area stinging as she bit the inside of her cheek. How the hell did her father manage to piss off a gang? “I said speak!” Another slap. “Speak!” A punch to the cheek. Cassidy’s vision started to become blurry as a familiar iron taste leaked over her tongue. “Where is your daddy, huh? Where is he!? You said he’d be here by now!” Cassidy could barely make out a blade being pulled out from the man hitting her, and she let out a bitter laugh.

“You think my daddy gives a shit about me, bucko?” Her words seemed to make the man enraged as he swiftly slid the knife across her face.

“Liar! You’re his daughter!” Cassidy waited a moment as she felt her face tingle with pain. Oh, how she hated her father right at this moment. What the hell was he thinking about messing with a gang? She knew from her own time in the streets that these were the last people you wanted to mess with.

“Go ‘head. Get my phone. I’m not lying, dumbass! He doesn’t care about me. I’m a druggie, you really think he’s proud of me?” She snarled. Even if it had been a year since she had used a drug, she knew damn well that it was still in her reputation and record. The man pulled Cassidy to her feet, snatching her phone from her back pocket. He swiped before scrolling to dial Mr. Greene’s number. He put it on speaker as it started ringing.

“Cassidy, what is it?”

“Your precious little daughter is with me, Sammy. You gonna come get her before we sell her to the black market?”

A pause.

“No. Keep her.”

The line hung up, and before anyone in the room could say a word, the man threw the phone against the wall. Cassidy struggled in her bondage as her face became red.

“I told you the damn truth, and you threw my god damned phone?! What the hell, man?!” She shouted. The leader glared at her before turning to a heavily toned male in the furthest corner of the room.

“Shoot her.” Cassidy felt her heart rate pick up as her throat tightened. This was not how she wanted to go out. Cassidy struggled in her bondage as she forced herself to move.

Click.

The magazine was loaded in. She had to hurry.

Snap.

Ready for fire. Cassidy hurriedly jumped over as a gunshot echoed in the room, barely missing her. She started to pull at her wrists, using her arm strength to try to break the rope. She was able to loosen it, but by that time, another shot sounded. Pain coursed through her left leg, causing her to stumble. She swore, her eyes glaring at the man.

“Just wait until I find your daughter! I’ll kill her! I’ll make sure that you’ll know not… not to fuck with me!” Cassidy shouted. Something flickered on the man’s face as the boss scoffed.

“Don’t listen to her. She doesn’t know our families.” he said, “Shoot her. She’s still yapping.” The boss was expressionless as he raised his gun, Cassidy’s muscles freezing.

“Rosita, Rosita Fairway! She’s only five!” Cassidy shouted. This was her only hope. Both men whipped around to face her. She gave both men a hard stare. She needed to get out of this.

“You don’t have the guts to kill someone.” The leader spat, and he snatched the gun from the man, who looked hesitant to even hold the gun anymore. Cassidy snickered.

“Really? Hey Siri.” a phone in the boss’s pocket answered. “Cassidy Greene’s criminal record for Monterey County.” The phone took a second before reading out her public record. “I shot my father. You think I’m playing now?” She snarled. The boss skeptically looked at Cassidy before setting the gun on a table.

“Sit.” He commanded. Cassidy unwillingly sat, wincing as the bullet dug further into her leg. “You’re… peculiar, Miss Greene. I will admit that. You have- “

Sirens echoed from outside the building, and several shouts echoed in the air. She recognized one as Colt’s. “Fuck!” The man started shouting orders to different people as they left, and none of them even glanced at Cassidy. Horrid timing.

A few minutes later, Officer Colt rushed into the room, his pistol drawn. Cassidy sighed. “Hurry up. I need to get a bullet out. Was my father that lazy?” She asked. She had drained her voice of any care. Officer Colt quickly cut the ropes as he helped her up.

“He said he was called to another task. He said he would meet you at the hospital.” Another sigh escaped Cassidy as they made their way out. A lie, most likely, but all she wanted to know was how and why he thought it was a good idea to piss off this gang.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though her father didn’t listen to her at the hospital. Despite her shouting and scolding him, everything, Samuel Greene still seemed to stir unrest among gangs in town. Cassidy knew it was the worst thing that could be done, because that meant that each gang here would have a bounty on their heads. But Cassidy wasn’t all too concerned about herself. It was more so… her little sister. Lilly didn’t deserve to be subjected to this. She was just an innocent child.

Cassidy had convinced her father to let her buy a gun for her and Lilly’s protection. Wherever Lilly went, Cassidy went. Wherever Cassidy went, Lilly went. Cassidy would even take the young child to parks. Anybody and everybody made Cassidy wary.

Cassidy held Lilly’s hand as they walked down the street. It was starting to get dark, and Cassidy knew she couldn’t stay out too long, not with Lilly. There were too many people out there who would hurt Lilly.

“Cass?” The eight-year-old called out. Cassidy hummed, glancing down at the small child. “Why have you been taking me everywhere? Did something happen? Is Dad going to do something to you?” Even if the little girl was naïve… she knew how to pick up on certain things. Lilly was smart. Cassidy gave a sigh.

“Daddy… daddy did something, and he endangered us.” The little girl froze, looking up to Cassidy in disbelief.

“No! Dad’s a cop! He wouldn’t put us in trouble!… would he?” She whispered the last part. Cassidy saw the girl’s eyes water, and it tugged on her heartstrings to see her face. She couldn’t make Lilly like her.

“Daddy just made a boo-boo, but he’s trying to make sure we stay-“

“Cass!” Lilly shrieked, suddenly raising her arm to point behind the teenager. Cassidy went to turn, but a baseball bat had hit the side of her skull. Her body went limp, and before Lilly could try to run, another grabbed her and covered her mouth with a dirty rag. The little girl struggled, but after a few seconds, she fell still.

Cassidy woke up to screams. Not her own. No, someone younger. As she opened her eyes, she felt pressure on the side of her head as her eyes slowly adjusted to her surroundings. Her heartbeat faltered, and she felt a chill spread through her veins. Lilly was tied up in a corner, blood covering her face and clothes, and it was obvious that they had been trying to force answers out of the young girl. Cassidy found herself struggling to move, trying to call out for the girl.

“Lilly… Lilly!” Cassidy’s voice came out in a rasp at first, but the second time she called out, her voice was laced with terror, trembling so much it barely sounded like her own. She saw a man, one she recognized. It was Alec Jehji. Part of the White Dagger gang. “Get away from her!” She shouted, thrashing around, and she heard a rattle behind her. Cassidy glanced back to see that she was cuffed to a leg of an iron desk. Alec chuckled darkly.

“Oh? Does she mean something to you, my dear, sweet Cass?” His voice made her skin crawl.
“It’s me you want, Alec! You don’t want her! I can tell you all about Samuel Greene! Just… Just don’t fucking hurt her!” Cassidy shouted, trying to tug at the desk again. It didn’t budge. The man walked over to her, revealing a sharpened switchblade in his right hand as he squatted down, cupping her face with his free hand.

“No, sweetheart. I already learned my lesson with you. Sammy doesn’t care about you. But his lil angel here… that’ll get him to learn.” Cassidy thrashed again, bashing her head against him. She grunted as he stumbled back, swearing. “You bitch!” He held his nose as blood seeped behind his hand. “Maybe this’ll teach you a lesson too! God dammit!” He stood up hastily, sending a nod to a man in the corner. He had tattoos covering his entire body, and he looked as though he had seen hell.

He strode over to Cassidy, and without warning, he started to kick, punch, and slash at her. Cassidy let out ear-piercing screams as the pain burned her body. It wasn’t just her screams, but the small child in the corner was trying to reach out, sobbing at the scene.

“Daddy! Daddy! Help us!” Lilly cried, and Alec threw a glass at the screaming child. It broke on the side of her face, cutting her face.

“Shut up!” The tattooed man stopped once Cassidy’s skin started to become discolored from the beating.
“What…. What do you want, Alec?” Cassidy stammered. “I… I can… I can get it for you,” she offered. She didn’t want Lilly to suffer because of their father. She hated that she couldn’t shield her baby sister. Alec snorted.

“It’s not what I want. It’s what I need. Your lousy father promised it to me, and he hasn’t given it to me yet.” He spat. Cassidy grimaced as she forced herself to sit up. It hurt like hell, but she needed to be strong for Lilly.

“What is it? Police password? Serial numbers? Favors for schemes?” She listed what it could have been, based on common sense.

“Police pass. You can’t give us one, sweetheart. You aren’t an officer.” He spat. Right as Cassidy was about to respond, Lilly started to wail again.

“Darling, hush, okay? I… I need you to stay calm, for me, Dad, and Mom. Okay? Hush,” Cassidy tried to coo, but her own voice lacked the reassurance and warmth Lilly needed.

“Dad won’t save us! He would’ve come by now!” She cried, and Alec smirked.

“Giving up so soon, little one? Not too long ago, you were so adamant about him coming to play hero! What happened?” He crouched down in front of Lilly, causing Cassidy to try to struggle again. She had to try to get the man away from Lilly.

“Hey! Brute! I’ll sleep with you if you let my sister go!” Cassidy offered, but the man didn’t falter from his position. He stayed right in front of Lilly.

“Nice offer, but I already have a girl. I don’t need another.” He spat, and he cupped Lilly’s cheek. Cassidy stared at Alec before she knew that there was only one thing she could do.

A roaring scream escaped her lips, her vocal cords feeling as though they were straining to make such a loud noise. She saw Alec shuffle over to her, clamping his hand over her mouth as a gun was pressed to her thigh.

“Shut the hell up! I can’t stand you bitches who want to scream like that,” he growled. Cassidy bit his hand. As a reaction, Alec shot a bullet into her leg. Another scream left her involuntarily at the pain, causing the man to forcefully push her head into the desk behind her. “Just shut up!” He roared.

A few minutes passed as Alec wearily looked between the two girls. Samuel Greene hadn’t yet come. Maybe they were right. Maybe the damned cop was that lousy of a father. As he was starting to consider releasing the small one, hoisting her up to her feet, the door busted open, revealing the wanted cop.
“Dad!” Lilly cried, but at the sudden cry, a gun was pressed to the girl’s temple. A whimper escaped her as Cassidy jolted again, letting out a cry. Mr. Greene somberly looked at both of his daughters. They were both in horrible condition.

“Give me back my daughters, Alec.”

“Give me the clear pass.” The two men both had their demands, and it seemed as though neither was going to give up first.

“My daughters first.” Alec scoffed.

“You think I’m dumb? The papers now, or I shoot.” Cassidy thrashed again, this time feeling blood flow from her arms where she had been tugging.

“Sam! Just give him the damn papers!” She shouted. Mr. Greene pulled out an envelope. Alec gestured for the tattooed male to check it. He did and shook his head.

“I warned you.”

“No-“ Cassidy’s screams were cut off by a gunshot, and Lilly’s body froze, falling limp to the floor. “No! No! Sam, how could you?!” Cassidy cried, pulling against her cuffs again to try to free herself from her restraints. “Lilly!” Her cries continued as Alec focused back on Mr. Greene.

“See what you did, Sammy? Lost one daughter, and one’s going to have mental trauma. See what you did? This is because you couldn’t comply.” Alec glanced at the crying, screaming teenager before raising his gun. “Shut up! This is the last fucking time I’m telling you!” He roared. Her cries nor screams stopped. Alec furrowed his eyebrows, and as he readied to shoot her, voices echoed into the building. He froze, turning to Samuel Greene. “Did you call backup?” Mr. Greene shrugged, causing the male to swear. “Dammit, Sammy!” He tried to rush out the door, but he was met by the leader of a S.W.A.T. team.
Sam Greene knelt beside his eldest and only living daughter, gently uncuffing her. Her body was still shaking, and tears still stained her cheeks. He gently put his arms under her and picked her up.
“You… you let them… You let them kill Lilly. You… killed your own daughter,” Cassidy whispered hoarsely. Mr. Greene didn’t say a word; he simply left the room with Colt and Katherine behind him.

Losing a loved one was hard. Even if Cassidy had her physical wounds healed, the therapy didn’t even help her get over what happened. She could hardly sleep anymore. She hardly left her room. She hardly ate. Her mother never came home anymore. She picked up more shifts at the hospital and claimed they were short-staffed. Cassidy didn’t blame her. She was their mother. The last time she had seen Lilly before the incident was before a 48-hour shift. Maybe the woman thought that if she didn’t come home, it didn’t happen. But Cassidy was stuck at home with the man that caused it.

The walls didn’t seem to be like the sky anymore, rather a blue that would pass for a rainy day. Lilly’s door would haunt Cassidy. The teenager swore she would hear a giggle or a playful shriek, but nothing was in the room. The walls remained pink, the pikachu on the bed where Lilly last had him. Everything was just collecting dust now that it wasn’t being played with.

The nineteen-year-old wanted to believe she was still there. But as time passed… Lilly never came back. Her gravestone was still in the same cemetery. Her obituary was still there. It stung like salt being rubbed on a fresh wound. The only thing that Cassidy had that was Lilly’s was the belongings Lilly had in her room. The one thing that brought her comfort was her little sister’s stuffed Pikachu. The very same one the small child used to carry around. In this matter, Cassidy would swear that she would see glimpses of a shadow. The doctors said it was post-traumatic stress disorder, but Cassidy felt different.

It was Lilly.

It just had to be.

The shadow was so small, small as a small child’s shadow. It had her sweet, innocent laugh. It felt like her, to Cassidy anyway. But… why was she back? Especially as a shadow? When Cassidy started looking into shadow spirits, or ghosts as some would call them, she found that they had unfinished business somewhere. Sometimes passive, sometimes it was vengeance. Vengeance against whom?… Cassidy concluded it was their father. It was their fault that Lilly had died in the first place.

“I’ll avenge you, Lilly, I promise,” Cassidy whispered to the mirror, and she swore she heard a soft ‘okay’ in response. She had to do this. For her. For Lilly.

Cassidy walked out of the bathroom, pulling her gun out of a drawer in the hallway table. She hadn’t carried it since that night. It felt ice-cold in her hands. She switched the safety off, loaded it, then went into the living room. Sam was sitting on the couch, reading the newspaper. “Hey, Daddy,” Cassidy called, her voice distant. Sam looked up in surprise, not noticing the gun just yet. Surprise was written on his face.
“Hey! Cass, I see you’re out! Everything okay?” Cassidy stayed silent, and during this time, he noticed the gun. “Cassidy?…”

“For her…” she whispered, raising the gun, and without hesitation, she pulled the trigger. The bullet went straight to his shin. She shot again, and he fell this time.

“Cass… Cass… why?… I said.. I said I was sorry,” Sam weakly asked. Cassidy let the gun drop to her side.

“She came back, Daddy. She was back for vengeance. So I avenged her so she could rest peacefully.” Cassidy said, and it was this that made Sam open his mouth, wrinkles forming in his face.

“Cass, I didn’t kill her, it was-” A gunshot echoed through the living room. A dying breath was given as Sam’s body fell limp on the floor.

“Lilly, he’s dead now. You can rest now, darling…” she whispered. Cassidy stepped away from her father’s corpse and sought out the master bedroom. Her mother’s side seemed untouched, but the woman had practically been living at the hospital, doing 48 and 72-hour shifts around the clock since Lilly died. Maybe this would bring her peace too.

Cassidy had gathered all her father’s uniforms and police department equipment. Part of her wanted to spit on it, burn it, mock it for the things it has done. Police weren’t truly justice, were they? It was just a symbol to keep people at bay. Then, a part of her was gnawing on her internal organs, telling her to take them. To honor what it really meant.

She even wore his uniform now, her hair tied up into a ponytail, the cap pulled onto her head. For someone who wanted to avoid this life… she sure as hell ended up adapting to it. It wasn’t the way her daddy had done things. Cassidy Greene decided she would do it the right way. She would even report the crime scenes to 9-1-1 before leaving.

The man staggered back into a pile of cardboard boxes and trash. The woman screeched and stumbled to the back door of some bar, a bruise already forming around her neck. He was holding a knife out to Cassidy as if it would scare her. It only made her snort a laugh. “Get… Get away from me!” Cassidy tilted her head.

“Oh, I can’t do that. King City has a new squad out now, and you’re at the top of the list.” Cassidy reached for her father’s 9mm in the holster. The man’s eyes widened. He tried to roll to the side, but Cassidy fired. One. Two. Three shots. The man was shaking on the alley floor, red circles eating his calf and thigh. A spare bullet missed on the ground between his legs.

“Please…”

“Pray to God, Satan, Jesus, whoever the hell you want! But they can’t save you.” Cassidy fired her pistol one last time, the bullet piercing his forehead. Cassidy stared at the dead man in a state of void. The woman whimpered, breaking her of her trance. Cassidy glanced at her before pulling out her phone. The woman flinched, grasping the doorknob. She dialed 9-1-1.

“Hello, what’s your emergency?”

“Between Allister’s and Barnyard, 15th street.” Pressing the red button, Cassidy hung up without any other context. She didn’t have much time left. If she didn’t want to be caught, she had to go. She hurried into the shadows, slipping her pistol into her holster after clicking on the safety. She took a few turns, her pace increasing as sirens echoed in the distance. There wouldn’t be another free-walking predator if Cassidy Greene could help it. Pigs would be slaughters in the own pits of their homes while the scared mice ran free.
Watch what crimes you commit, or you’ll be next.

Credit: Charlie Murray

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