Summer, the time of year beloved by many. Picnics, carnivals, county fairs , where people come to spend their evenings in revelry. Games of chances and skill, rides, and according to some the best selection of food they would see all year. No matter the reasons they are often the highlights of every person's year, truly fairs are the quintessence of summer.
But even at these wonderful distractions from the hum-drum of everyday life troubles can be found. Cross words and short tempers boil up under the dull orange lights of the grandstand. But like an evening rain a level head can cool the hottest of summer passions.
And so it begins...
The weather has finally found a happy medium. After record high temperatures followed by two weeks of near constant rain, now the skies were crystal clear and full of stars twinkling against the ebony night. The temperature was hovering around the high sixties, it was perfect fair weather.
The sounds of silly games and the deep rumble of a small roller coaster filled the air and mingled with the joyful screams of a child who had just won a stuffed blue dog. Being the first good night out in nearly a month the fair grounds were packed. Most with children, others were just couples out on a date night two such people were a large bearded man wearing a white tank-top, old jeans, and scuffed black boots and a well-shaped blond woman wearing short-shorts, a blue shirt tied up in the back, and calf booties. She was simply sipping from a cup of lemonade, but the big man was happily munching on a large burger with cheese and barbecue sauce while he cradled two plates with four slices of pizza and a large soft pretzel. The woman chuckled shaking her head. "It's a good thing we live on the road, or you'd be a whale from all the crap you eat JC."
Jason laughed giving the woman a playful wink finishing his burger before responding. "Well between that and your libido Ms. Mary it'd be impossible for me to get fat."
Mary blushed deeply then quickly punched him in the side.
"You and your big mouth! Come on let's sit down before you spill everything on the ground!" With her face still red she sped past her man and found an unoccupied picnic table in the food court planting herself down on the end.
Despite the pain of the punch a man never loses his food so with a chuckling wince Jason followed shortly after and sat opposite his red-faced lover.
"I have never dropped food and you know it. Such a thing would be sacrilege especially fair food, this stuff is a gift from God himself." He said matter-of-factually before tearing into one of the slices of pizza before sliding one of the plates Mary's way. "Now come on have your dinner before I eat them too." He smiled wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Placing the lemonade down between them Mary smiled and pulled the napkins from her pocket and threw a couple at the big man. "I'd have to stab you again, now use a napkin you savage, I swear Mary one would be ashamed to see her eldest son be such slob."
Chuckling Jason wiped his mouth.
"I'm sure he would, but that's why she left Mary two in charge of him."
With a roll of her eyes Mary focused on her own food. She liked eating healthy especially since she lacked Jason's impossible metabolism that made it seemingly impossible for him to be anything but a big musclebound stud who never gained fat just found more muscles to bulk up. But fair food was indeed a divine gift, and besides she was allowed a cheat day every now and then. The pair ate in content silence listening to the dozens of voices and sound all around them vying for attention.
*Near the food court*
Also out enjoying the night was a trio who looked as out of place as Jason and Mary. Detective Rachel Levy, her young son Jack, and her good friend
Zari. Rachel was wearing a short windbreaker coat, black t-shirt, jeans and white sneakers, Zari was wearing a short plaid skirt, white tank-top, and sandals. Her hair held back with a white cloth. Young Jack was dressed in a red shirt, blue jeans and a pair of hiking shoes a huge smile on his face carrying a big panda toy on his back as he bounced between game stalls looking for his next big score.
While keeping a wary eye on her over sugared child Rachel chatted with her friend. "I don't know Zari, how is this gonna help me relax? And get answers about this J.C. guy?" She quickly whistled as Jack skipped further than three feet from her making the kid stop and come back to their agreed distance.
Zari chuckled shaking her head. "Because sometimes the best way to find a hard to get answer is to stop looking for it. Besides you promised Jack you would take him to the Dutch County Fair for his birthday."
Rachel smiled watching her adopted son enjoying himself. She's been his mom for his entire life, she met his father while working a case and they clicked right away and fell in love. It was her first real good relationship which is kind of sad considering the boy's dad was an animal trapper convicted of poaching. "I guess, but I'm having trouble relaxing knowing my kid is gonna be wired for sound well passed his bedtime." She laughed lightly slipping her hands in the pockets of her coat.
Zari giggled elbowing her friend lightly.
"Maybe he'll crash soon and you won't have to worry about it."
The cop rubbed her side smirking.
"I can only hope, but what do you think about all this? I was gonna ask you at brunch, but work came up and I've been busy ever since." The woman frowned rubbing the bridge of her nose slowly.
The dark-skinned woman was silent for a few seconds before sighing.
"I don't know, I've been following the case myself as best as I can. I personally agree with what most people are saying. He's a hero, the type of person our world needs."
Rachel scoffed lightly looking up at the sky.
"Yeah that's what they say, but this isn't a comic book Zari. Vigilantes like him set up a bad precedent. As capable as he may be some day he's gonna screw up or worse someone who isn't as capable will follow in his footsteps and get killed or kill someone else." She said with tired groan her shoulders sagging some.
The other woman frowned patting the Jewish woman's back.
"Maybe, but maybe he won't? We don't know the future and stressing too much about it will only make you sick and crazy. You're a good cop Rach, but you can't protect everyone."
Rachel frowned deeper looking back at her son.
"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't try. If this J.C. was another cop or something I'd be all for backing him up. But he's not and he shouldn't be allowed to just take matters into his own hands. Whose gonna hold him accountable if he screws up?" She was growing more impassioned by the second, but Zari's calming hand rubbed her back massaging the passion away some.
"Relax Rachel, relax! You're a young woman whose gonna stress herself into an early grave. Now come on let's gets some food, maybe something greasy and covered in cheese will soak up some of the sugar in Jack's stomach." She grabbed the stressed out cop's hand then Jack's shoulder and began dragging them both towards the smell of fried food.
*A few minutes later*
"Gah I'm gonna have to run twenty miles to work all this off!" Mary pouted rubbing her taut stomach some. "Why did I let you talk me into two helpings of fried oreos?"
Jason laughed wiping his mouth and hands off.
"Cause you didn't want your man to look like a gluttonous monster by himself. Besides we'll do some exercise later tonight." He winked at her throwing the dirty napkin away.
The woman blushed again, but gave him a playful smile nodding slowly.
"We'll both need it if we keep eating like this." She cleaned her own face before taking the man's hand pulling him close and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Jason smiled down at her and patted his own stomach.
"Well I'm full now, so I think we'll be safe for the rest of the night." He was about to say something else when the sound of loud shouting stilled the words in his mouth.
"HEY FUCKFACE I TOLD YOU TO NEVER COME AROUND HERE!" A young man's voice roared above the din of festivities.
"THIS A FREE COUNTRY YOU ASSHOLE! YOU DON'T OWN THE FAIRGROUNDS JAMES!" Another young man responded the general din dying down some.
Jason's head snapped around and he saw a group of six young people two boys and a girl on each side. They were squaring off besides the dunk tank, the speakers were a black kid dressed in jeans an a baggy shirt and a white kid dressed in cargo shorts and a tank-top. The black kid shouted back his fists clenching tight.
"DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER CARL! AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO MY SISTER YOU'RE LUCKY I DON'T KILL YOU RIGHT HERE AND NOW!"
The white kid snorted pointing an accusing finger at the girl next to the black kid dressed in a skirt and breezy blouse. Her eyes looked to be on the border of tears.
"WHAT I DID TO HER!? HOW ABOUT WHAT SHE DID TO ME?! I'M STILL PAYING THE MEDICAL BILLS FROM HER TRYING TO KILL ME!"
James snarled and lunged at Carl punching him hard in the face the two other boys then joined in wanting to help their friend win. Soon it was a wild vicious fight. Jason did his best to get at them.
*On the other side of the fight.*
"Mom there's some boys fighting by the dunk tank!" Jack shouted grabbing Rachel's hand dragging her away from winning a new portable grill at the shooting gallery. Figures she had just begun to relax and now some stupid kids were being stupid.
She heard the sounds of fighting and pushed Jack behind her before trying to work her way through the crowd. Times like this makes her regret leaving her gun and badge at home. But she heard a loud shout and say a big shadow rush towards the fight.
Jason finally broke through the crowd of on-lookers and charged into the fray.
"Hey stop it all of you!" He shouted trying to grab one of the kids and pull them apart, but it was Carl he had grabbed and in the heat of the moment the fit young man jumped at Jason and head-butted him hard dazing them both. But adrenaline was coursing through the young man and he recovered quicker and pulled Jason down to the ground where he and the others were tearing up the ground.
Rachel reached the edge of the ring of people just as Jason went down. She knew the description anywhere that was her mystery vigilante. Now she really wished she had her gun and badge. But just as she was about to shout a loud roar-like sound was heard and Jason came back to his feet holding both James and Carl by the fronts of their shirts blood actually trickling down his right eye. "I SAID STOP IT NOW!" He hurled both kids away as a bright yellow light flashed all around him. He then proceeded to yank the other two apart his much greater strength and loud voice making the rest of the fairground go silent as he was panting heavily. "THERE IS NO NEED FOR THIS VIOLENCE! YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED!" He pointed to James his voice coming down some. "James what Carl did to your sister was bad, but so was what she did." He then pointed to Carl. "And you! She did not try to kill you, stupidity and alcohol made you fools try to imitate a kung-fu movie and she just got a lucky hit in and cut your side. Not something worth posting personal pictures of her all over your school!"
The kids were stunned at the man's knowledge. Phones snapped pictures all around them. As much as Jason wanted to remain invisible things couldn't stay like that forever. "This the last chance for all of you. Repent and make peace." He said lowly having regained all his composure. He didn't wait and see though because he saw Rachel finally reacting and with a slight nod to her vanished into the crowds before she could get him.
*Fifteen minutes later*
Someone had called the cops at the beginning of the fight. And being the first on the scene technically Rachel hung around until the others showed up. Samson was on duty, and simply smiled and shook his head upon seeing Rachel glaring at the six kids while Jack and Zari were sitting at a picnic table.
"Trouble loves finding you doesn't it Levy?" Samson chuckled looking between the woman and the kids.
She snorted letting some patrolman take over watching and getting statements from the brawlers.
"Bite me Naza, at least I got a break through. Our vigilante was here and stopped the fight. I even saw him do it." She rubbed her eyes walking to Jack and Zari.
Following the big man whistled.
"Wow talk about luck, you seemed to be the only one."
Quirking her eyebrow Rachel said in disbelief.
"Wait how? There was at least twenty people watching the fight and damn near everyone had a phone out and was taking video and snapping pictures."
Samson shrugged handing her some of the statements the police had gathered.
"Yes, every phone was collected and checked for evidence, but not a one had anything from the fight nor the aftermath. And everyone we asked said it all happened so fast it was a blur even the kids who were fighting. Just the beginning of the fight and a yellow light."
The Detective blinked a few times then sat down heavily on the bench placing her head in her hands. "Who is this guy?"
Her partner shrugged patting her shoulder.
"We'll find out Rachel, but you've done all you can here. You're tired, Jack and Zari are tired head home. I'll call you if anything comes up." Knowing he was right Rachel got up and took Jack's hand before walking slowly back to her car with Zari.
*Later that night*
It took some time, but Jack had finally settled down for the night and Rachel was seated on her couch with Zari. Rachel was sipping wine but Zari wasn't a drinker so she was just enjoying a virgin Pina Colada as Rachel called them.
"How can that happen Zari? Everyone saw him, but only me and you remember? Not even Jack fully remembers." The woman said running a hand through her messy hair taking a long sip of her wine.
Sitting back on the couch Zari kicked her feet out and shrugged studying her drink.
"I don't know Rachel, we saw enough flashes that this fight should be trending on all social media sites. But nothing, not even a Facebook comment. Only thing I can think of is him, his girl, or someone they know is some kind of magician or super hacker. Neither of which makes a lick of sense."
The women sunk into silence before Zari finished her drink and looked at the clock on the wall. "Wow it's past midnight, I got work in the morning. Be sure you get some sleep Rach." She placed her glass in the kitchen and slipped her shoes back on. With a frown Rachel placed her glass down and followed her friend out. "I don't know if I can, but some wine might help. Are you sure you can't stay? It's no fun drinking alone." She giggled lightly her face from the drink.
Zari smiled giving the other woman a big hug. "Yes, unlike you cops I don't get many days off from my job in the big scary government." She sneezed lightly chuckling. "Before you drink too much more wine maybe hit the showers. I think you got some angry teenager sweat on you dealing with those kids." She winked lightly before walking out.
Rachel rolled her eyes before closing and locking the door behind her friend. She didn't notice any smell, but she always slept better after a nice hot shower. Finishing her glass she put the bottle of wine away and moved to her bedroom stripping out of her clothes and grabbed a towel before heading into her own bathroom. She turned on a small radio that was hanging on her wall then turned the shower on stepping into the steam. Breathing in deep the woman simply stood under the water letting it cover her fit nude body.
Her mind began to wander as it always did when in the shower. First about the case then at the finer details between all of the incidents, her mind was at a complete loss as usual. So many pieces that didn't fit and others continuing to be found. Soon her mind wandered to the man himself. He was pretty much exactly what the witnesses described, but seeing him in person was a different thing altogether. She saw a pain and a sadness under the anger, then the yellow light.
The rippling muscles, swirling tattoos, his wild long hair...the definition of an alpha male. Leaning against the wall of her shower the thoughts twisted around and around her hands moving of their own accord to react. How long had it been since she was with a man like that? She couldn't even remember, what could he do if given the chance? She didn't know, but her imagination filled in the blanks, a soft moan left her lips before she came back to her own shaking the images away and going back to her shower finishing it quickly and getting out wrapping herself in a towel her face still a little red. Did she really just almost do that?
Shaking the rest of the thoughts from her mind she finished up her nightly rituals and dressed in a short gray night gown and climbed into bed laying down. She stared off into the night feeling the wine working it's magic, just before she shut her eyes she saw Jason strong face twisted with regret before he vanished into the crowds and Rachel's eyes drooped closed and she fell into a dreamless sleep.
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