Haven?

Lina POV;

[Noon - LAPD Station]

I didn't blame him. 

The more I thought about Mr Collin's fright and words, choosing hell instead of their wrath, I realized it made more sense. 

Sure, I knew little about this Miss Eve. 

Well except for the fact that she was equally shameless like He Who Will Still Not Be Named. Still, it was easy to tell she's horrible. 

She was the daughter of President Wolfgang who I've heard so much about. Yet she did something so disgusting in his office.

It wasn't even about the disrespect; there was something in her eyes. 

Something so dark. Daring too. 

"Yeah. I'd choose hell too" I let that out in a quiet groan as i stretched on the chair. 

Once I sat properly again, my attention drifted, going from one figure clad in a police uniform to another. 

My internship would be done in a station and I i loved it like crazy. 

Not because I'd easily have more access to find the devil's belonging. But here had an air of accomplishment. 

Though only I breathed in alongside the smell of brewing coffee and fresh paper. 

For as long as I could remember i wanted to become.. anything - anyone that helped people. 

Life seemed to be heavily in support when Pa got murdered. Who did something so sickening?

I had no idea but soon - very sorry I'd not only find the bloody bastard, but serve them justice. And lots of punches. 

"Hey Intern Kid, done with those papers yet?!" A yell brought me back to reality and I i sprang right up. 

"Y-yes Chief!" I half yelled a response while bending over, bunching tons of paperwork together. 

Now I i moved, muttering 'sorry's and 'excuse me's at different policemen and women while cradling a mini mountain of paper. 

The station was as busy as a bee. More walked around than sat, and the constant blaring of phones was enough to deafened someone. Again, I loved it like crazy!

This wasn't the typical safe heaven but ever since i stepped into here, I haven't been reminded of-

"Riven Rythrone!"

The name rang loudly across the wind space like the cry of a mocking bird. My body stupidly tensed then it collided with another. 

"Ah!" Instantly, a short paper rain fell and once it cleared, I was blessed with the sight of two emeralds. 

"I'm so sorry!" The blessing was cut short as he crouched to his knees, and when he began picking the spilled papers, I gasped inaudibly. 

"No. I should be the one apologizing" My knees kissed the floor as lightly as his gaze did to my face. 

Quickly, we cleared the mess then returned to our feet - and also staring at each other. 

"These are for the Chief, yeah?" He chuckled and I could swear a breath of mint fanned against my face. 

I nodded as a reply, watching his lips stretch into a smile. The pair was succulent alright but bore an aged scar - it was attractive. 

He was attractive!

"These paperworks are useless; Chief always gives them to the new intern and so I guess.." He paused then took a step forward. 

He towered over me and his emeralds for eyes shone.

"I'm your guide" He finalized and I nodded, more slowly this time. 

"Are you mute, Ryba?" He asked, his tone low and somehow soothing. 

"You're Slavic?" I answered his question with a question. We held eyes and soon, his did a cute squint.

"And you can talk!" His laughter was easily drowned in the sea of noises. But not in my ears. 

Sure the sound was brief but it was delightful and even when he backed away, it rang in my ears. 

"C'mon!" With a spin, he started walking off. 

My limbs itched to follow this man until the ends of times but then-

"Wait!" My eyes widened, the realization settling in. "Did you just call me a fish?" I knew my voice fought against the tides of noises. 

Still he didn't turn back but raised an arm, then snapped his fingers. 

"Hey!" This time, I went after him.

*

[30 Mins Later - A Café ]

"I never knew rybas loved velvet cakes" I wonder if he knew how sweet his voice sounded - maybe more than this piece of pastry. 

Okay, that'd be an exaggeration but honestly not a lie. 

Here in the cafe, we both occupied a booth. For a guide, a police one at that he was lax. And too handsome. 

"Because I'm not a fish, Mr Guide" Before I took another forkful of cake, I responded with a cocked a brow. 

The badge at the side of his chest glinted like his smile when he leaned back, manspreading. 

"Really? I thought you were one."

"I'll take that as a compliment" I replied with a shrug and watched his smile widened. 

He leaned forward to take a piece of frie from his plate then his lips parted. 

"I'm sorry for freezing in the middle of the office. I heard a name and got instant PTSD" But mine parted faster and I spoke. 

My gaze drifted to the clear glass window and I hated how much his eyes looked like the blue sky. 

It sucked balls that something so beautiful belonged to the devil. 

"Don't apologize; that's a valid reaction to the word Riven" I turned, locking eyes with ones that were dimmed, dulled by hate. 

The officer who sat opposite me seemed different. His posture more tensed and jawline sharper. 

"The fucking bastard clearly rules the Black Reaper and maybe affiliated with the Reapers and yet he roams around freely. It's bullshit" I felt pity for the poor fry as he munched on it way too hard. 

"Nobody knows anything about the Reapers? Even now?" I questioned, grip tightening around the fork as he nodded. 

The Reapers were part of the Big 3. The title - Big 3 - was bestowed to three crime syndicates groups that remains unknown for the past decades. 

No one knows anything about them and–

"But who knows?" His voice turned more cheery, and I glanced at him. 

"With the great Miss Lina West, the leading student of Criminology across the entire country, we might catch them" He said with a wink, and I ended up chuckling. 

"You think so?" I dropped my fork, leaning in until our heads were close but tilted. Noses an inch was brushing. And eyes held. 

"You really think so, Mr..." Intentionally trailed off, and he smirked. 

"Mr Nikolai, ryba"

★★

[Night – In A Car]

"For interns, the day at the station ends by 9 pm. For officers and those in training? Never!"

A young officer in training told me this joke, and I ended up giggling. 

The day went smoothly with Nikolai, and the thought of going to the station tomorrow left a feeling in my chest. A warm, fuzzy feeling. 

Cheesy I know. But there might actually become my save haven. A place I could go to find not only Riven's watch. Or Pa' murderers. But–

It wasn't the honk of a car that interrupted my thoughts. Fuck, I wished it was. 

I wished it would've been the trumpet announcing judgement day but no. 

It was a sight.

"Gotta be kidding me" I murmured while swerving my car. Easily, I parked close to the mouth of an alleyway. 

The light of the streetlight and random flashes of cars shone on..him. 

Even while he rested there, back on the wall, hair curtaining his face, and head curved to a side, he still fucking smirked. 

Oh my fuck God!

"Is this heaven?" The distant honks didn't do shit - I heard his annoying sleek voice. 

Grunting, he crawled up the wall, and my attention fell on his arm. It dangled from his shoulder, dripping with blood and I scoffed. 

"I've just seen an angel" Riven did a little head lift, smirking fully. 

"Even hell would reject you, why would heaven do otherwise?" I muttered, itching closer. 

The stench of blood was too strong, and his bleeding abdomen and arm were to thank. 

Of course I'd find a literal gang leader bleeding on the street one day. And of fucking course I'd move closer to help him. 

Fuck.