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“If you call this living.”

The lump in my throat threatens to come out as a whimper, so I swallow it back and nod. I have to distract my wandering thoughts, so I walk to a blackened window. Two detectives are across the street scouting the area, and I snort.

“What’s the matter?”

“The force sent two fucking cops, like that would’ve been enough.”

“Yea? Well,youwere enough,” Piper chuckles quietly and joins me. “Hey, I don’t recognize that one.”

I’m instantly distracted. I rarely see cops and have no idea who they are. But the one she cocks her chin toward is young, maybe thirty, give or take a couple of years. The other one looks to be twice his age and size in circumference.

“Must be a rookie,” she says, more to herself than to me.

I watch, amused by the older one’s awkward movements. Not only does he slosh around, but he looks too terrified, like they aren’t supposed to be here. It makes the younger officer’s movements stand out.

The rookie walks around with his gun in hand, truly searching, looking for clues and probing the area. Out of curiosity, I reach for my camera, still hanging around my neck, and flip it to picture mode. I zoom in and catch the cop’s swift moves up close.

His body, slightly angled with strong legs ready to sprint, seems trained and fully capable of taking someone in a fight. He holds his visibly strong arms out in front with a pistol in hand. His face, etched in sharp edges, with a piercing, deadly glow in his dark eyes, glowers. His lips pucker tightly in concentration, and his unshaven jawline matches that of his rough appearance. His black hair falls in short waves, covering his ears and grazing his jawline. He’s tall and his muscled shoulders stretch and tug at the now soaked material of his black blazer. I watch in awe as his veined hand grips the Glock, and notice black lines on his skin,tattoos.

“What’s that for?”

Piper’s voice brings me back and I turn to her. She’s pointing at my camera and my shoulders go up. “I’m a reporter, more or less.”

I face the window again and snap a picture of the rookie. Somewhere in my mind, hidden from the world, a warm glow spreads like liquid gel. I get this giddy feeling, desperate even. I don’t know why. I want to investigate it, but Piper’s hissing evaporates my thoughts.

“What the hell does that mean?”

I whip around and glare at her. My insides churn and black irises appear whenever I blink. “I’m the one that runs the Justice Hotline blog.”

“Soyou’reJustice?Oh my god, you’re going to get us fucking killed! I swear, if you post any of this, I’ll kill you myself!”

“I don’t get it–I can help you. This will put Vork away for sure, Piper.”

She startspacing back and forth, whispering harshly at me, and flailing her arms around herself. “No, what this is going to do is put me and my sister in a grave. And you, too,andyour brother.”

“Not another word about my brother, Piper. I’m fucking warning you.” I run my finger over the air separating us for emphasis.

But Piper merely points an accusing finger at my chest, my stare fixed on her dirt-caked fingernail. “There are bigger things at stake here that you don’t understand, kid. You’re wrong if you think Vork is at the top of the food chain, and if you let this little video of yours leak, you’re only going to send the realmafiosos…onall of us.” She expands her hands dramatically to signify that she means the entire city and not just us three.

“Well, what am I supposed to do? Stand back with my hands crossed behind my back?”

“All I know is I got rights, and I forbid you from showing this video. That and my sister is underage. You’ll need my signature if you don’t want to end up in jail.”

I roll my eyes. “Please.”

“I mean it, kid. I’m thankful you saved our lives, but I can’t allow you to let this out.” She grills closer. “We’ll be killed for sure, and then where will you be? In front of your computer screen, checking up on your Facebook?”

Facebook? What the hell? I don’t even own a computer. I have to pull a thousand strings in order to get online and upload my videos. I shake my head. “What if I obscure your faces?” It’s merely a suggestion; I never alter what I post.

“No. Everyone will know it was us.” Piper’s face looks glum, and she turns to look at her sister. “This is our turf.”

There’s gotta be room for negotiation. The point is to send a message. Peoplewill see the footage and know that somebody is willing to stand up to Vork. It will give the people hope. “Who’s your pimp—”

The words barely leave my lips when Piper nearly leaps on top of me. She pins me against the wall and holds her forearm to my neck. “There is no pimp. Get that through your thick head, kid.I’mmy own boss, okay?”

I know how to escape from her weak grip and frail arms, but I don’t want to hurt her. A deep breath enters my lungs and I allow it to clear my head. Piper and Macy are victims, and I won’t allow myself to lose my shit here. “I’m sorry if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention. I just really want to help.”

“If youreallywant to help,” her arms fall to her sides and she takes a step back, “don’thelp. The cops are gone now. You should go, too.”

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