Bailey wasn’t sure how far the car had gone, but it was far enough to give him, along with the couple, time to run.Sirens rang in the distance, likely they set a blockade up hoping to keep Boomer confined to one area.If they could make it close enough, they would get out, so the three of them ran like their lives depended on it because it did.
Another explosion rattled behind them.Bailey chanced a peek over his shoulder.Fire and explosive shocks shot into the sky.A loud scream followed.More smoke rose, the earth shook, and all their paces picked up since it was clear Boomer was not happy with being hit.It was more obvious when she came speeding around the street corner, clothes torn and mouth bleeding, that someone was going to pay for hitting her with a damn car.
“Get back here!”She screamed.
Luckily, before she used her mutation again, a hero arrived.Down from the sky came Seraph.Her huge black wings carried her with immense speed as she swooped in to scoop Boomer from the ground.Boomer snapped her fingers, successfully hitting a nearby trash can with an explosive shot that sent the can over Bailey’s head.He ducked and peered back to watch Seraph carry Boomer into the sky.There was a tussle before the girl dropped to the ground.By then, there was a battle between them and no one wanted to stick around for that, especially since Seraph could be heard screaming about her ruined snapback.
It was during his curious look back that Bailey’s eyes peered past the battle scene to notice something peculiar, literally etched onto a building.Though the boy felt his arm being tugged at by someone to get away, it didn’t bring his gaze away from the very obvious R lit up by flames.
“We have to go!”The woman from earlier shouted, pulling Bailey so forcefully that he stumbled to his side.
He cursed as he caught himself, looked back once more to make sure he saw correctly, then allowed the woman to continue tugging him towards the police blockade at the end of the street.
They had reached safety, though Bailey wasn’t sure how long that safety would last.
Officers shuffled through the loud precinct.Every phone rang, police shouted about the ongoing fight between Boomer and Seraph, and those who witnessed the explosion sputtered over their stories.Bailey was one of those people.
One of the TVs played the news coverage of the ongoing battle.Though the area had been quarantined and the civilians evacuated, the damage was catastrophic and got worse from the continued battle.The crumbled city said enough; countless bodies would be discovered afterwards.
“Sorry about the wait.”A voice broke Bailey of his concentration on the news, a smidge thankful for a distraction.
The Mutant Detective taking his statement sat at his desk offering a kind smile that contradicted his intimidating statue.The officer held out his hand and introduced himself.“I’m Detective Christopher Walker, but please, call me Chris.”
“Chris, nice to meet you,” Bailey said as he took Chris’ hand for a firm handshake.“I’m Bailey Schaefer.”
“Nice to meet you, Bailey.Are you feeling alright?Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”Chris inquired, giving Bailey a swift once over.
Bailey shook his head.He pulled off his glasses to wipe some of the dust away, then frowned at the large crack in the glass.
“No, I’m fine, sore I guess,” he sighed.
“All right, but I would still suggest you checkup with a doctor to be safe,” Chris said.“Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
Bailey nodded, then went over what he remembered.He spoke of meeting Zane in the grocery store, how he ended up on the ground prior to the explosion, then stepping outside to see buildings on fire.Remembering the flames sent a shiver down Bailey’s spine.He squirmed and shoved his shaking hands into the pockets of his jeans.He spoke of Boomer appearing.The attack was a blur, resulting in his recounting of events potentially being out of order.His heart raced, recalling the attack.In his hometown, there was never an attack on such a level.There were a few dumbasses that tried to rob a convenience store, but nothing so drastic as what he had gone through.
“The driver!”Bailey suddenly shouted at the memory of a car slamming into Boomer.“Is the driver of that car ok?The one that hit Boomer.”
“Driver?”Chris asked.“Sorry, but we haven’t gotten into the area yet, and no one here claims to have hit Boomer with a car.”
Bailey frowned; his assumption earlier was likely correct, the driver was probably dead.He bit his lip while nodding, keeping his eyes downcast when he felt a twinge of guilt in his chest.
“There’s no need to force yourself to talk about this.Take your time.It was a crazy ordeal, so it’s understandable why you would need a moment to think it all over,” Chris spoke reassuringly with that same kind smile.He offered to give Bailey a moment by grabbing him a drink.He gave a thankful nod.
Chris got up to retrieve him some water.It was during that time that Bailey finally spotted a familiar face; Zane.He walked out of an interrogation room, only to get stopped by Chris at the water fountain.From where he sat, Bailey couldn’t hear what they were saying, though the atmosphere hinted to them knowing each other.Zane stood in a lax position, hands in his pockets.Chris jabbed him in the chest with his finger, smiling as if he was genuinely pleased to see Zane.
Zane rolled his eyes, then Chris ruffled his hair like a child.Bailey’s jaw dropped.How well did they know each other for Zane to allow that?Last time Bailey tried to so much as grab Zane’s wrist, he was swatted away in an instant.Chris poked Zane, ruffled his hair, then pulled him in for a hug as he patted his back roughly.
After the encounter, Zane waved while heading for the exit.Though Bailey understood why Zane wanted to leave so quickly, he had hoped to speak with him again.Now Bailey owed him even more after what happened.Prior to Zane’s escape, Bailey called to him, “Zane!”
Zane stopped.He pivoted on his heel to spot Bailey, then frowned, placed his headphones over his ears and marched out the door.Huffing, Bailey sunk into his seat.He wanted to thank Zane, even if he knew it would not happen.He also wanted to ask if he was ok.It was so hectic that he didn’t get the chance to, although Bailey assumed Zane was fine if he was leaving.
The lack of injury gave Bailey more reason to believe Zane had some kind of mutation.Not only did he send that thug flying with a single kick, he also blocked Bailey from that explosion.Bailey wasn’t sure if the heat was from the flames but Zane’s clothes were pretty torn up.He was likely hit with something, though he didn’t have a scratch or bruise on him.Healing minor wounds came naturally to mutants, but if Zane was a mutant, why didn’t he use his ability?Or was it something that couldn’t have helped the situation?
Chris returned with a cup of water that ceased Bailey’s thoughts.He chugged the drink, making Chris chuckle.He sat back down to ask, “Did you know Zane before this?”
“Yeah, he’s the custodian at my dorm.”
Chris nodded, and left his questions about Zane there, though Bailey swore he saw curiosity in Chris’ gaze.However, he went back to questioning Bailey about the attack.Bailey provided the details he could remember from something as simple as the sounds he heard prior to the explosion to what Boomer had said.
