The station was quiet, the clamor of keyboards and shuffling boots replaced by an uneasy calm. Eli leaned forward in his chair, tapping a pencil against the edge of his desk, his eyes fixed on Kai like he'd been holding a question back for hours. Finally, he let it out.
"How did you do it, Kai? Yesterday, pulling off that whole thing with Rourke. I've been thinking about it all night."
Kai smirked, leaning forward, elbows on the desk. "When I first got to the station, I showed the chief my recording. He already believed me that Rourke was a spy, but belief doesn't mean proof. I wanted more proof than just a recording, so I trapped him in the act, no doubts, no excuses. So I told the chief to assign you and Rourke together for patrol. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist making a move, and I was right. I slipped a tracker on the car, followed you guys, and signaled the squad when the time was right."
Eli shook his head, half-amazed, half-exasperated. "Wow, Kai. That's.. impressive. You make it sound so simple and easy, but that plan saved my life."
Kai shrugged like it was no big deal, though a glint of pride flickered in his eyes. "If we want to win against them, it'll be psychologically, not physically. Remember that. Outsmart them, and they're already finished before the fight even starts."
Eli sat up straighter, nodding slowly. "Psychologically, huh? Guess I should've payed more attention in psychology class."
Kai gave him a crooked grin. "I can handle the psychological parts, you'll handle the physical. How about that?"
"Sure," Eli chuckled.
Later that evening, Kai found himself wandering a dimly lit gas station, the hum of the broken lights buzzing above him. He wore sweatpants and a plain black T-shirt, the most casual he's looked in a while. For once, he wasn't a cop on duty, just another guy buying snacks. But maybe he preferred life this way.
He picked out a bag of chips and a bottled drink, paid with a nod, and walked back out into the cool night air. The street smelled faintly of gasoline and rain from earlier, the neon signs of nearby restaurants flickering against the cracked sidewalks.
Kai turned into a raggedy little diner across the street. The sign above the door barely lit up, half the letters burned out. Inside, the walls were faded, and the booths looked like they'd survived more years than they should have.
He spotted another cop at a booth, nursing a coffee. The man looked up, surprised. Kai? What are you doing on this side of the city?"
Kai, sliding smoothly into the booth across from him. "Just grabbing a bite. What about you?"
"Got put on night watch," the cop answered, rubbing his tired eyes. "Just incase you know who decides to stir up trouble tonight."
Kai chuckled. "Reasonable. I'll see you later, then." He stood, tossing a wave, but his path curved toward the bar where a young woman leaned behind the counter, wiping down glasses.
She raised a brow when she saw him approach. "Back again?"
"Couldn't stay away," Kai said, leaning on the counter with an easy grin. "So... have you thought about the banquet?"
She smirked faintly. "I don't know. Are you going to buy me a dress?"
"Sure. Whatever you need."
Behind him, the cop snorted. "Kai, you got yourself a little girlfriend, huh?"
Kai laughed, shaking his head. "She's not my girlfriend."
"well, I hope to see her at the banquet tomorrow," the cop teased.
Kai glanced back at the girl, winked, then told the cop, "Don't worry, you will."
The bartender girl crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed. "So you're just making plans for me now?"
"Sure, if you wanna call it that." Kai said without hesitation. "I already know your answer."
Her glare sharpened, though her cheeks betrayed her with the faintest pink. "Your confidence really makes he mad, you know that?"
Kai just laughed, shouldering his bag of snacks as he headed for the door. "You'll thank me later." He waved over his shoulder before walking out the door.
She muttered under her breath, "Cocky idiot," but the smile tugging her lips betrayed her irritation once again.
Hours later, the sound of an engine whispered across empty streets. Night Rider's bike cut through the city, a sleek blur beneath the moonlight. He leaned into turns effortlessly, the roar of the engine echoing off the buildings as if the night itself was his arena. He finally slowed outside a quiet neighborhood, parking the bike hidden behind a line of overgrown bushes.
He approached a modest house and knocked lightly on the door. A moment later, it creaked open Raven stood there, dressed in a black cropped band T-shirt and some short shorts, her black hair blended into the dark behind her, and her eyes tired like she'd been ready for bed.
"Can I come in?" Night Rider asked, pulling off his gloves.
"No." She slammed the door.
He rang the bell three more times until the door flew open again. "What?"
"Just for a little bit," he said with a groan. "I'm hungry and you always have food."
Raven sighed, shoulders dropping. "Fine. I could use some company for a lil."
Night Rider stepped inside the house, heading straight toward the kitchen. Within seconds, he had a bowl of cereal in hand.
"Cereal? Seriously?" Raven asked, leaning against the doorway, arms folded and legs crossed. "It's midnight."
"It's basically morning," he replied between bites.
She rolled her eyes. "Anyways... I've though about the deal we had."
"Oh yeah?" he said, mouth half full.
"Yeah. I figured out the favor I'm going to ask you."
"Hit me."
"You and me... we run away from this city."
The spoon clinked against the bowl as silence hung heavy in the air. Finally, Night Rider set it down. "...We can't. There's too much for us to do down here."
Raven's voice softened. "But is it really on us to fix what everyone else ruined? Our parents, the previous generation they're the ones who left this city in ruins. Why do we have to clean it up?"
"Because we're better than that," he said firmly. "We can't just dump it on the next generation like they did. Someone has to stop the cycle."
She bit her lip, eyes shimmering faintly. "Then how about... stop riding? At least for a little while."
He smiled sadly. "I wish but, you know I can't do that."
"It's just, dangerous here. And I don't want you to get hurt. I've known you too long to..." She trailed off.
He leaned over the kitchen countertop, voice gentler now. "Don't worry. I got your back. And i know you got mine, right?"
"...Right." She nodded.
After a pause, she said, "Okay. Then hoe about this, stop calling me Raven. Use my real name. In public."
Her raised a brow. "In public?"
"Yes. In public."
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Alright then, Scar."
Her face instantly turned red. She grabbed a pillow off the couch and buried her face in it. "Why would you-?!"
Night Rider chuckled, setting his bowl down. "What? Don't like it? I don't have to use the nickname if you don't want me to."
"No!" she said quickly, muffled through the pillow. "Keep saying it. I was just... caught off guard."
"That's bad to do here, Scar."
"Shut up," she muttered, peeking out just enough for him to see her pout.
He grinned, picking his bowl back up. "Gladly. This cereal's too good to stop anyway."
Outside, the city glowed beneath the silver moon, its broken streets and crowded blocks alive with faint lights. The sky above was streaked with clouds, but the moon shone bright, defiant against the dark.
The night continued, rebels hiding in shadows, cops piecing together puzzles, and Night Rider standing at the heart of it all, carrying burdens too heavy for one man.