Teeth and Talons [Closed]

COLTON:

“Sir? Mr. Howard demands your presence.”

Sometimes, Colton hated the path he had chosen for himself. Sure, he liked capturing criminals. He liked putting them in their place. He, however, did not like the countless hours he had to stay up for these jobs, or the large amounts of reports that needed to be written.

Colton sighed heavily, setting down the report he had just started writing. The co-leader of the task force, Kasey, had just left to get the sample report they’d submitted in just a day ago. It was, they hoped, a piece of cloth from an investigation site of a murder. Colton hoped it was either a Raven’s, or a Wolf’s.

He ran a hand through his hair, straightened his back and made his way to his boss’s office.

LUCAS:

Sophomore year in high school was the worst year for Lucas McArthur. It wasn’t because he was bullied. He wasn’t. He was the vice president of the student council. His then-girlfriend (now wife) was the president.

No, it was a tough year because of what went down with his younger twin sister. She'd changed. That year changed their lives. That was the last time Lucas had ever seen her smile or laugh. That was the last time he had seen his sister being his sister and not just an empty husk. To this day, she had never admitted her story. She never spoke of what happened to her, but they all had an idea. Well, their family, that is. Things are easy to piece together when you find your sister bruised and broken and just a shell of who she used to be. His little sister was abused. By who, Lucas never found out. She never spoke.

And so Lucas decided to go into law. He wanted to bring justice to those who were wronged, like his sister. He wanted to protect his wife. So he became a police officer. His dream was to get into the Task Force one day, a special team designed for those who hunted mafia lords and took down their empires. He wanted to do that, too.

“Lucas McArthur?” Lucas looked up in alarm. “Sir Howard would like a word with you.”

Lucas’s heart raced.

VIOLETA:

Violeta missed the days when she could dream about an artistic career. She missed the days when she could draw or paint and think—this could be worth something one day. She missed having the time to pour her heart and soul into every piece she made, she missed having hopes and dreams for the future. She missed art courses in college. She missed teaching kids and teens to draw at the art studio a couple blocks away from her mother's house.

But that future had been wiped away in the blink of an eye. Debt does not favour anyone, least of all her mother and disabled sister. A personal debt, too, and to an absolute asshole who knew her family all too well.

"Send Violeta to officer training," her uncle had ordered, "Just like her father. He would have wanted that for her. And with the money she gets from that, you can pay off your debt to me."

So now, she was stuck in this awful blue uniform, wielding a gun at those who dared to disrespect the law.

"Violeta Ahmeti?"

A voice broke through Violeta's concentration—another officer, trying to get her attention. "Howard wants to see you in his office." It was Delia, the friendly-enough woman from Violeta's department. "Better get to it."

As she made her way to her boss's office, Violeta felt her gut twist in fear. Had she done something wrong? Was she going to be punished? Fired?

COLTON:

Colton had taken a seat in Howard’s office, calm and composed, waiting for the rest of his team to arrive. His superior officer hadn’t said anything to him other than a greeting and Colton didn’t bother with the chitchat.

Five minutes later, the door opened and a young man stepped inside. He had brown hair, a soft face and glasses perched on his nose. He looked serious enough for Colton. The leader of the Task Force had never seen him before. Was he, perhaps, the new recruit to the team?

“Hello,” he greeted in a calm voice before deciding to sit, not bothering with questions. Good. That man had some sense. That was very good.

VIOLETA:

When Violeta entered Mr. Howard's office, the last two people she expected to see were the young new recruit from her department and the leader of the Mafia Task Force. Well, one of them, anyways. Colton Miller, famous throughout the NYPD for his continued victories.

Why were they here? Why was she here?

Biting down on her lower lip, she seated herself beside the other new recruit (Luke? Lukas? Luca?).

LUCAS:

Lucas swallowed thickly, hoping he wasn’t fired. But if he was, why would there be Colten Miller here? And that follow new recruit, Violeta… why would she be here?

Then the door opened again and in came Kasey, the co-leader of the MTF. Lucas grew more and more nervous. Finally, when Kasey had herself seated, Mr. Howard set his papers aside and looked at us.

“Allan is not here, but he already knows of this,” Howard began, “Do welcome your new teammates, Lucas McArthur and Violeta Ahmeti. They will be joining your team. Congratulations on your promotion, Mr. McArthur, Ms. Ahmeti.”

VIOLETA:

Violeta’s eyes widened, growing wide in disbelief. The Mafia Task Force? Two sides of emotions battled for dominance inside her. Elation and pride——and a sinking feeling of disappointment. Each promotion brought her a step further from her dream of being an artist, but on the other hand, such a promotion was amazing.

“Th-Thank you, sir,” Violeta managed to stammer, gathering the last of her cool and attempting a collected air. “I won’t let you down.”

LUCAS:

Lucas blinked. He couldn't believe his ears. He was getting promoted. Not in the position above his own, but to a specialized team of Mafia Task Force. He was going to catch the mafia. He was finally one step closer in trying to help people from those criminals.

"Thank you so much, sir," he bowed his head, keep a composed look on his features. His new team leaders didn't say anything. Howard merely nodded.

"Now, as for your mission…" he pulled out a stack of papers. "It seems Ravens and Wolves have been going out of control. There have been seven murders of officers so far. Four by the Wolves. Three by Ravens. We can assume they're working together. Bring them down."

VIOLETA:

Violeta’s head was spinning by the time her boss was done briefing them on the new mission. Mafia Task Force? Her? The insecure girl who was only here in order to pay off a debt?

Swallowing, she gave a curt nod.

COLTON:

Colton clenched his jaw, trying to hold in his tongue. No matter what, those criminals never failed to cause trouble. Seven deaths…

He looked to the side, locking eyes with his partner. They needed to arrest their leaders as soon as possible.

“A few hours ago,” Howard replied, holding out the files. Colton stood up to get them, sitting by Kasey and showing her the pictures of the dead officers, from first to latest. “Your case starts now. Do not me down.”

“We’ll not disappoint, sir,” Colton’s eyes flashed as looked at his superior officer. “We’ll bring you the criminals.”

COLTON:

Their officer folded his hands over his table, eyes sweeping across each member of the force, new or old.

“A week,” he responded. “Except two. It seems one of the officers was at the crime scene when it was happening. The culprit, a Wolf, killed him to keep him silent.”

“And there are no cameras to catch even a glimpse of the murderers?” Lucas spoke up quietly, words hesitant. Colton turned his haze towards him.

“No,” Howard responded, looking at Lucas with a piercing gaze. “It seems each murder occurs where there are no cameras.”

“Is it possible for the criminals to have contact with someone in the police force?” Colton finally questioned, looking down at the pictures on the table. “Hence why their location is always away from the camera’s vision, as well as in remote areas. And since McArthur brought it up, perhaps we’ll need to put up cameras on places we hadn’t tried before. What do you think, Kasey?”

COLTON:

Colton nodded at his partner. Out of all the people, he was pleased to know she was the one he could count on to watch his back. He couldn’t trust anyone else. Not even their second-in-command, Allan, despite his good intentions.

“You offer good suggestions,” Howard nodded, satisfied. “I will see what I can do with that. Anything else you’d like to add?”

“I have a suggestion, sir,” Colton’s eyes flickered to the new recruit. He seemed to mind the attention, but pretended he was okay with it. “What if we were to check the officers for involvement with the mafia? Like the King said… there might be some criminals offering information. Perhaps they’re also being threatened.”

Howard seemed to think over it, humming in understanding. “That might create unrest,” he said. “Any way you lot could think of to reduce suspicion and increase teamwork?”

"We'll think about it," Colton answered, already standing up, the reports in his hands. "Well then, Howard, I suppose we should take our leave. Think over it by ourselves. We'll present our findings as often as we can."

The higher officer nodded. "Very well," he picked up his steaming cup and took a sip. "You are dismissed."

Colton nodded, swept a glance at his new teammates before exiting the room.