Warren sat on a bench within Central Park, usually buzzing with tourist activity during the day it was a different story when the sun began to set. Known to be a prime hunting ground for thieves and other criminals who preyed on those unlucky enough to find themselves here at night he felt oddly comfortable as the sun disappeared behind the impressive skyline. A deep sigh as he relaxed reminded him of the half dozen or so rib injuries he had carefully bandaged up.
‘Got to be more careful.' He reminded himself adjusting his seating position to relieve and unnecessary stress on his upper torso. He wasn’t on the prowl tonight, no he had had enough action for the six to nine weeks it would take for his bones to mend and heal. No tonight he was actually just looking forward to being able to enjoy the quiet of an empty park. As for those predators lurking about well he hoped that they would get the message and leave him alone. Looking out into the open grounds of the park he watched the few lone stragglers making their way down the stone path ways to the various exits. Amongst this group of people he set eyes on a little mutant girl. How did he know she was a mutant, well the tail and wings were either a dead giveaway or one hell of an early Halloween Costume?
But what attracted Warren the most about this little girl was the fact she was alone, and vulnerable easy prey for the hoodlums and thugs that no doubt have already begun their patrols of the park. An emotion stirred inside his heart and it became clear that he couldn’t stand by and do nothing while this girl was at risk, he had to rob her. For if not him then who else, what kind of criminal would he be if he allowed her to fall victim to one of those vile thugs with intentions of who knows what instead of a charming considerate goon like himself. Pain shot through his chest again as he grew a bit too excited and again reminding him to be careful.
"Maybe I’ll just follow her to make sure she gets out alright." Pulling himself from his seated position and walking down one of the stone pathways that would hopefully intersect paths with the young mutant girl.

To leave for a flight so late at night had been a very bad idea. The sun was setting, visibility was decreasing, and Gina had landed, of all places, in Central Park. That hadn't been her best idea, regretably, but anything was better than flying blind. Gina hugged her sweater closer-- at least she'd been wise enough to have dressed warmly. She wore a pair of jeans, and a nondescript grey hoodie. Her messenger bag was slung over her shoulder, but it was light, and she tried to walk quickly. Contrary to her wanderlust, the citystreets were not somewhere that she wanted to be so late at night. She found them so disorienting, so dangerous-feeling.

Gina let her gaze dart around as well, hyper-alert. She just wanted to get back to the Mansion, do her homework. Her claws clicked the pavement, and Gina did her best to not look frightened, to look intimidating, which was difficult for a girl of her stature. At least she had the mutation going for her. Most guys in their right minds wouldn't cross her, if her taloned grasp was anything to take into consideration.

She was just being paranoid, Gina tried to tell herself, that New York City wasn't nearly as dangerous as the movies made it out to be. She'd be fine, she'd get home in one piece. She wasn't in any real danger. But... Gina let her dark-eyed gaze wander sideways. Who wouldn't be put-off by a nearly-desolate park in the early evening.

((I wasn't certain-- is Warren going to try and rob her, or will it be some NPC?))

" Aloha !" Warren shouted nearing the nervous looking girl. He was close enough to see now that her mutation was more then just wings and a tail, he could see now those menacing claws and talon-like feet, part of him wanting to reconsider his plan. Instead he flashed a smile and took a deep breathe grimacing slight from pain. "I know this will probably seem a bit cliche but, you realize it's not safe out here at this time of night right? Especially for a little one like you."

Light brown eyes turned from her to view the surrounding as the darkness fell upon them. "Seeing as how we both are kinda stuck here why not walk together, I mean at least we will have safety in numbers." Warren could see the various shadows lurking around them at least five in total. If she didn't notice he wasn't gonna alert her. "Come on lets get outta here." Extending his hand to hers with another warm smile.

As it was, Gina was already on-edge, so the shout of "Aloha!" made her cringe. Who was this, now? She turned, spying the tall, muscular black guy who was making his approach. Now, if a total stranger approached you in the park with gradually worsening lighting conditions, even someone as friendly as friendly as Gina would be a little suspicious of overly-friendly strangers.

"Aloha," she reciprocated, though with much less enthusiasm. Didn't "aloha" mean "goodbye" as well? She used that as an excuse to dismiss herself, but the guy kept talking. Manners compelled Gina to stop and listen.

>>"I know this will probably seem a bit cliche but, you realize it's not safe out here at this time of night right? Especially for a little one like you."

"I had no idea," Gina replied dryly. Did he think she was stupid? Of course it wasn't safe! Why the heck did he think that she was trying to book it out of the park in the first place? Gina went on by saying, "And, I'm fifteen."

That was three years shy of being an adult, which was not a "little one". Unless he was making a stab at her height? Whatever he meant, it was not working in his favor. Gina tried to walk away again, but again the man persisted.

>> "Seeing as how we both are kinda stuck here why not walk together, I mean at least we will have safety in numbers."

"I doubt that you have much to worry about," Gina commented flatly. Much like only a fool would cross her, given her mutation, you'd be really stupid to cross a guy with muscles like that. Her tone also insinuated that Gina wasn't too desperate for company, either. She just wanted to get out of the park. She glanced towards the muscle-head, biting her lip contemplatively. Maybe she was being too harsh, because of the nerves, and he truly just meant well? And, with a duo such as their's, nobody would dare go after them. The guy seemed to pick up on her momentary hesitance, and played off of it.

>> "Come on lets get outta here."

She eyed his extended hand, but didn't take it, despite his winsome smile. Gina was still wary of him, even if she had agreed to accompany him out of the park.

"No offense," Gina said simply, apologizing for her unwillingness to take his hand, however he interpreted it, "Let's go."

>>"No offense,"

“Feisty little girl.” Warren thought to himself as she finally agreed to come with him. She was right to be distrustful of his intentions, hell if she followed her instinct she would have been better off.

>>"Let's go."

“No problem.” His smile faded as he switched to a more concerned look.” The fastest way out of the park is this way.” Motioning the direction he came from with his head leading them away from the hidden dangers he spotted before. He turned in the direction that he indicated and started walking.

“So what are you doing out here this late anyway? I mean it’s clear you could take care of yourself but most people don’t venture out at night without a valid reason. So what’s your purpose?”

Idle useless conversation to distract her and get her to lower her guard further, he managed to keep her behind him as they walked allowing him to pull the hidden weapon from his pants. Not to mention people are more comfortable when a stranger is not standing behind them.
‘It’s all about a false sense of security.’

The surrounding area had begun to grow darker and more and more trees and brush started to surround them. It was becoming quite clear that they were deeper in the park than when they originally started. A small boat house could be seen in the distance and the silhouette of a lake if one paid enough attention, the lake branched off into a small stream, and over that stream was a bridge and on that bridge Warren stopped and turned holding his hand beneath his jacket as if he were holding his ribs.
“Forgive me I just need a break right quick…” grinning he leaned against the railing of the bridge…” I’m sorry I forgot to ask your name? I’m Warren.” He took a moment to let her respond before that grin turned into a cold stare and the familiar (at least to him) sound of a pistol loading into the chamber was heard, becoming visible from beneath his coat. Attempts like these work best when they see you’re not using your finger. Raising himself off the railing his tone a bit darker then when they first met.

“Nice to meet you ...”

>> "No problem. The fastest way out of the park is this way.”

Gina followed his gesture with her gaze. The guy turned and began walking without so much as checking to see if she was following. Gina glanced around, hesitant for only a moment. That was not the direction that she needed to go, but if that was the quickest out-- she'd take surface streets over parks any day. At least those were better-lit.

>> "So what are you doing out here this late anyway? I mean it’s clear you could take care of yourself but most people don’t venture out at night without a valid reason. So what’s your purpose?”

"Just wandering," Gina replied, shrugging her shoulder. She didn't expect someone who was ground-bound to comprehend that, "I forget about the time change."

This was indeed true. With the coming of autumn, hours of darkness were arising earlier and earlier. Gina was still on summer-time. She trailed behind him, keeping a steady eye on him as he walked. She noted that the foliage was growing thicker, but didn't attribute it to venturing deeper into the park. Her primary concern was, should she have to make a hasty escape, there needed typ be an open spot in the trees for take-off.

The guy stopped, holding his ribs and smiling apologetically.

>> “Forgive me I just need a break right quick…”

Red flag number one-- this guy was in better shape then she was, and he was already worn out. Gina stopped a fair distance back, eyes tilting skyward, before venturing to their surroundings. A boathouse on a lake, which flowed out beneath the bridge. They were most certainly not leaving the park. That was red flag number two.

>> ”I’m sorry I forgot to ask your name? I’m Warren.”

"Marie," Gina answered, reflexively throwing her middle name out rather than her first name. She was really spooked, now.

And, rightly so. For once she had thrown her name out there, her ears were met with an ominous reply. She was no gun-expert, but knew enough that the loud snap of the gun being loaded was not a good thing. Gina back-stepped, her stomach sinking with dread.

>> “Nice to meet you ...”

"You going to shoot a girl?" Gina demanded, too terrified to move. Her voice didn't falter, though, for which she was grateful, "I guess that this means chivalry truly is dead."

Whatever this guy wanted, Gina wasn't giving it to him without a fight. And, while most crumbled under the barrel of a gun, Gina channeled her fear into a do-or-die attitude.

Warren watched her put some distance between them.
>>>” You going to shoot a girl?"

‘Only if you make me…’ He thought to himself.

>>>”I guess that this means chivalry truly is dead.”

“I thought I was pretty damn polite.” He sighed slightly as he took the safety off; clearly she wasn’t planning on making this a simple stick up. Looking into her eyes he could sense a bit of fear but she remained well composed.

“Look, the exit is about fifty yards behind me and no I don’t want to shoot a little girl but I will if you make this harder than it needs to be. So be a good little girl and hand over your bag!” He raised his voice hoping the dramatic tone would spook her, that pistol training on her torso. The longer this took the more likely it wouldn’t go as planned.

“ At this range I’m not going to miss. So please make it easier on us both.”
She would attempt an attack and with those claws and his ribs a fight wasn’t something he needed right now. The tension was starting to get build and the criminal clock in Warren’s head was nearing its limit.

BANG!

The semi-automatic weapon cried into the air, a single round fired into the distance between him and the gargoyle girl. He needed to send a message for this to go smoother and he hoped that she had got it.

" Now please hand over your valuables. Before someone gets hurt."

"And then you pulled a gun on me," Gina commented, her lips forming a hard line. As if manners would make the blow of being shot any kinder. Her mouth quirked up in a grim smile, which felt odd, worn upon her lips, under the barrel of a gun.

>> “Look, the exit is about fifty yards behind me and no I don’t want to shoot a little girl but I will if you make this harder than it needs to be. So be a good little girl and hand over your bag!”

He wanted her bag? Gina looked at the messenger bag draped over her shoulder, arching her eyebrows as the smile left her face. This guy really needed to work on his profiling-- she was a fifteen-year-old, there wasn't anything worthwhile to steal within her bag. Her wallet was at home (for why would she carry such a thing when flying?)-- then there was her sketchbook and utensils, which were important to Gina, but of little monetary value-- and an out-dated cell phone that might get twenty dollars resale, on a good day. The bag was probably worth more than the contents within it, yet Gina still didn't want to surrender it.

She brought it around to the front of her body, as if she were contemplating unbuckling the strap and forking it over, but instead clasped it to her chest. It was her bag. Sure, bags were replacable, but this was her bag. If he wanted a bag so badly, then he could get his own bag.

>> “ At this range I’m not going to miss. So please make it easier on us both.”

"Look, Warren, there's nothing worth st-" Gina began to say flatly. She was cut off when Warren fired his weapon a good two yards above Gina's head. Gina winced and ducked as the bullet was fired.

BANG!

Gina shrieked. Tough-girl acts didn't deflect bullets. But, rather than wait around to get shot, Gina bolted. Like Hell if she was going to let some psycho puncture holes in her with a gun! Be there anything worth stealing or not!

Gina darted for the thick trees the moment the first bullet was fired, and kept low, her brown eyes raking around. First, she had to shake the guy off, then, she had to find open air to take off. Forget her insecurities about flying blind, she'd rather bumble her way home than take her chances with a gun-toting thief.

“Dammit!” He shouted as she fled towards the tree line, it wasn’t the fact she ran that upset him so but did she have to scream? Okay maybe the fired shot was little much, but she should have just given him the bag. Warren started after the girl but was distracted; turning to the left he could hear the sound of bicycles growing near. Eventually the beams from their flash lights became visible and radio calls grew louder.

“Bike cops...” he muttered to himself as the fuzzy sounds of their radios neared. Tucking his pistol back into his trousers Warren pondered his options; he knew that this stick up was taking too long. Pulling his shirt over the exposed handle he canting his head in the direction Marie fled he paused. ‘Chase the girl or not to chase the girl?’

Bike tires came to a squealing halt, as three officers dismounted their rides, hands resting over top of their side arms. Warren turned to face them slowly raising his hands above his head. He channeled that familiar energy into his legs, allowing the power to course through his muscles and tendons. Cutting his eyes to the left he began plotting his escape, the plan was simple run away fast.

“Don’t make a move or I’ll-“

That was all Warren stuck around to hear, dropping his hands from above his head before darting off into the tree line. He didn’t go at full speed wanting the police to be able to see him run into the tree line giving them false hope as they gave chase. Hurdling small bushes and fallen trees he made his way to the clearing on the opposite side. Glancing back he watched as they struggled to close the distance, falling victim to the restraints of human physiology and physical exertion. Nearing the edge of the woods Warren figured he would’ve caught up to Marie by now or maybe he already pasted her. Either way he knew that they would meet again. Once in the clearing he stopped taking a moment to enjoy the night sky.

‘Beautiful…’ he silently expressed to himself before, taking off at cheetah speed through the clearing eventually exiting the park and escaping into the streets of Manhattan.

Gina cleared the trees on the other side, staring towards the open sky, her breath hitching in her chest despite her relief. She'd made it, and she wasn't dead yet.

>> "Don't make a move, or I'll shoot!"

Gina's heart soared with delight. Policemen! She was saved! She began doubling-back into the trees. Something breezed past her, and Gina stumbled back, her brown eyes going wide. What the heck had that been?! She stepped back, her wings fluttering anxiously.

As if out of nowhere, Warren now appeared, and Gina kept to the shadows, her heart hammering. How had he gotten there so quickly. There was a wave of dread, but the police were giving chase. Warren paused, staring skyward, before sprinting off once again.

A mutant-- a fast mutant, too. I got lucky.

"NYPD!" came the shout. Once again, Warren was off, sprinting out of sight. Gina heaved a shaky breathe before signaling her location to the cops.

"I'm in here! I'm in here! That man tried to rob me! But, he's... he's gone now."

= END =