Chapter 13: Off-duty Superhero

Chyler's hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles tight and white as she sped through the City streets. If she had to wake up the damn tech who worked for Sycamore PD to track that phone, she would. She didn't care if it was off hours or not. The echo of Capri's broken voice was enough to make her break every rule just to get to her in time.

The call had left a cold pit in her stomach that was growing deeper with each passing second. She dialed the number again, her hand trembling. This was the third time in seven minutes. It rang over and over again, like a loop before clicking to voicemail. She didn't leave a message. She wasn't even sure her voice was steady enough for that, so she hang up and tossed the phone into the passenger seat.

"Come on, come on, come on..." she muttered impatiently.

The City around her blurred, her thoughts concentrated on what she was going to find. "No. I can't think like that. She has to be okay." She thought, her thumb tapping on the steering wheel constantly.

Then, her phone buzzed. She snapped it up instantly, almost running a red light and clicked on the message. It was from Capri's number. A single message, just a location pin. She tapped it and stared. It was a nightclub embedded deep into the City whose reputation was just a contrast to what Capri's life was like. Loud, chaotic, too public... Why would Capri go there?

Chyler however didn't hesitate. She glanced at the glovebox, reached over and pulled it open Nestled under a pair of gloves was her mother's old revolver. Thank God she hadn't returned it to the safe at the house. It wasn't regulation but with the kind of fear coiling in her chest, that didn't matter now.

Ten minutes later, she arrived at the club and parked near the gate, then hurried inside, the revolver tucked under her shirt. The cold outside bit her skin but she didn't care. Inside, the club was packed with bodies swaying to the pulsing music. Her eyes scanned the crowds but the strobe lights made it difficult to see. Everything there was everything she hated. Stuffy air with sweat and perfume and the buzz of voices over loud beats. She pushed through the crowds, her focus now on the blinking dot on her screen. It led her straight to the bar.

"Chyler Lee?"

She looked up sharply.

A bartender leaned forward on the counter, an easy smirk on his face. "The cracking hot officer Chyler Lee?"

She blinked. "What?"

He laughed and reached under the counter. "Chill. She referred to you as that. Here." He held up a phone she recognized immediately. Capri's. "She is really good with description. It was easy to recognize you."

"Where is she?" Chyler demanded, dismissing him.

He flashed his lips behind her, twitching in amusement. "Right over there. She hasn't shut up about you all night. Sent the location herself and told me to make sure you got it."

Chyler's eyes followed the direction he pointed. There she was. Completely fine but barely sitting upright, her blonde hair a loud mess as she animatedly talked to a group of strangers. There was no way Capri knew them.

"Jesus Christ," Chyler muttered under her breath but her shoulders eased slightly.

"She has been buying drinks for everyone," the bartender added. "But woe to those who tried flirting with her or touching. Girl is a cracker. Almost broke a bottle on a guy's head. She can handle herself. Her booze? Not so much. I cut her off a little earlier."

"Thanks... for keeping an eye on her."

"No problem, officer Lee."

Chyler chuckled, shook her head half-annoyed and then marched over to the table. Everyone was laughing loudly at something Capri had said. She placed a hand on her back, tapping her.

"Sorry guys. I have to cut your entertainment program," she said addressing them. "It's time for her to go home."

Capri's head whipped around and the moment she saw her, her face lit up brighter than the city lights. "Chyyyyyyy!" She stumbled up knocking someone's drink and threw her arms around her like she hadn't seen her in years. "You came!" she uttered, holding on tight.

"Of course I did," Chyler replied against her ear, holding her steady. "Let's go home."

"I missed you. Have a drink with me," Capri whispered, her face brushing against Chyler's cheek. "You didn't call me."

"I know. I'm sorry," Chyler responded, genuinely apologetic. She had no idea what she'd have done had Capri actually been in danger.

Capri pulled back just far enough to stare into her eyes. "You look so hot right now. Like... like an off-duty superhero."

Chyler snorted. "Yeah, I got that." She wrapped an arm around Capri's waist and guided her back to the bar. She ordered a bottle of water, uncapped it and held it to Capri's lips. "Drink up."

Capri made a face but obeyed, sipping with too much effort. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck. But like... a sexy truck. A Chyler truck."

"Okay," Chyler chuckled in amusement. "Let's get you home before the metaphors get worse."

Outside, the air was cooler. Capri shivered as Chyler opened the back seat and helped her in. Capri slumped down, head against the window and muttered something incoherent. Chyler buckled her in and brushed hair from her face. Capri gripped her arm before she could pull away.

"You okay?" she asked gently, leaning too close to her face. Capri was a giant mess right there but still, the same woman who got Chyler's heartbeat falling off the rails and soaring to endless skies at the same time.

"I was scared," Capri whispered. "Then I got mad. Then I drank... a lot."

Chyler paused. "What happened today?"

Capri was already half asleep. Her words slurred. "Don't take me to Caden. Don't leave me again. I want you... I want you to stay."

"I'm not going anywhere, Capri," she whispered back. But Capri was dead asleep.

She eased out of her grip slowly and gently closed the door. She slid into the driver's seat and finally released a breath she had been holding in the last half hour. Capri was safe. Messy, drunk, emotionally unpredictable... but safe. That was enough for the moment.

Chyler took her phone and texted Brye the news then started the car and drove them home. To her house.