41
There’s A Risk

“Wait— wait.”

Kevin caught up with Irene just outside the house, the hand touched her shoulder before the person it’s attached to lost control of his breathing and dropped down to catch a few to return pace.

Irene turned around.

“Slow down, just slow down.” She looked at him. “What is it?”

“You heard the news? They took Luna.”

“How— how—“ Irene’s head went over her forehead and her eyes squinted shut as she turned away. “No one came a-looking. Wow.”

“She was taken at the Airport.” Irene quickly darted back at him.

Alex had one arm wrapped over Angel when the latter slowly animated, turned, and fluttered her own eyes open. She thought it was cute to plant a kiss on her sleeping boyfriend before she tried to move his arm out of the way to get up.

They haven’t done this for so long.

She took the robe off the chair next to the bed just below the window before she trekked to the tea maker. Out came their favorite formula and the Screencube was turned on but had the audio rerouted to her Headset as to not prematurely bring Alex out of slumber. 

After last night he deserved the extra sleep.

As the concoction flushed her found mug full, she took his and placed it under the maker. 

Alex stirred, came to, and reached to his left. The padding of his hand onto empty mattress disturbed him.

“Angel—“ He fired up his voice as he dragged himself to sit up. 

“It’s in Kevin’s room.” She made a detour to go kiss him on the way back onto the bed. “You’ve done great. Just great.”

Alex nodded. Then two knocks rang. He tossed on a T-shirt and went to answer.

“What is it?” The door slid open.

“Luna was taken at 4 yesterday. From the Airport.” A deflated Irene broke the news. 

“Taken?” His face scrunched up.

“She’s at the Center right now, so it could be great if you would come along and— Details on your film.“

“No.” A voice behind Alex sounded. He turned to check. “He’s not going.”

“Angel— it’s going to be a short visit, I mean—“

“It’s not going to—“

“Do you mind if I—“ Irene nodded in response, and the door was slid shut.

Alex scrolled the report on his Film.

Luna Syracuse was taken in at 4:24pm yesterday as a potential key witness of the crash about a month before. She was taken into custody by state law enforcement as her wreckage inspection was interrupted by an unknown assailant who opened fire and killed two airport guards, including one senior official.

This has resulted in the temporary closure of the airport, and the diversion of all immediate flights to and from said destination, in the interests of public safety.

We believe the questioning of Miss Syracuse could bring closure to this case of cold-blooded murder. The committee has rejected any immediate motion to charge the subject with any crime whatsoever.

She will receive a full questioning of her activities involving the plane, the recovered recorder, her entrance to Los Angeles International Airport, and her birth records. Her temporary detention will last no more than seventy-two hours should no charge be leveled against her.

She is currently open to visitors and confidants who may wish to see her during the investigation.

Visitors for Miss Syracuse are advised to attend to our Visitor Guidelines.

“What did it say?”

“That Airport incident.” He glanced at the projected image on the far side of their room. “Yeah, this.”

The camera was pointed on the airstrip with tents standing at the spots where the personnel was shot, around the mound of wreckage that both of them had seen on the way to picking the passengers up.

Angel gasped and swiped on the cube to change the channel.

“We’re not going there. We have no reason to.”

“I won’t let you go, Alex. Please, sugar. No. You can’t go. No, no, no.” She tugged at her boyfriend’s hands. “Just no. I’m not risking any chance with this police investigation business lest they decide to take you in again. You can’t go.”

“I’m obligated to. I can’t say no.” He took her in for a hug, and talked into her ear. “I mean, I’ve done this before. With Irene. I’ve been there before. Kevin was tangled into some other issue, and we managed to deduce some sort of way to let him get some sort of release. Luna— well, she’s there because they just wanted some answers.”

“And then what? They’re going to cuff her, and if you try to intervene, I will never—“

Alex held her as she broke down, one hand reaching for the tissue box perched above the backboard. His right shoulder, where she rested her head, started to go damp.

“Here.” He puffed as he dabbed on her tear ducts and caressed her face. “I’m so sorry, syrup. I really am. I mean, you are totally right to be worried about this. There is a risk. I’ll admit it.”

“Please—“ Her muffled voice breathed through the fabric.

“We’ve been through worse. Hmm?” Alex brushed her hair. “If I don’t come back within 24 hours, talk to Kayla, or find Carl. I just want to help a friend, and we will get her out. I promise this visit is going to be over soon. What do you want for dinner? Iced shrimps again? Do you want to—“

Angel’s face re-emerged red and her hair messy.

“I’m sorry. Just give me one shot. And now I need your support. I can’t live without you, syrup. But I have to go. This is my responsibility.” He held her by the shoulders. “I’ll be back very, very soon. Let’s go get dinner out tonight, together, okay?”

Angel nodded.

“Alright.” He sprung up from the bed and grabbed his jacket, then pulled open the door and disappeared behind it.

Angel stared at the bed.