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C𝚝𝚛𝚕 + R

[b]Sorry, this page isn't available.[/b][/center][hr][center][img]http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjgwLmViOWVlNy5TR0ZwYkdWNUlGcG9ZVzVuLjAA/inkcalig.light.png[/img]
[sub][color=ff8fa0][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Watchtower
[color=ff8fa0][b]Interacting with:[/b][/color] Nathaniel Stroud [@Universorum] and Austin Daley [@Silent Observer]; Mentions of Julian Barclay [@SunsetWanderer][/sub][/center][hr][hr]There must have been a reason why celebrities didn't research themselves. And this was it. Hailey's thin lips pulled down into a frown as she stared at the missing webpage. Not only had the comments started getting more and more negative toward the end, but the original poster had taken down the photo all together. She wasn't sure if this was due to disagreeing with the later commentators and being unable to voice her opinion or being persuaded by [b]aaronwood[/b]'s words and making the decision in fear. Neither reason sat well with her, but the latter seemed to propose a lot more complications. Why would people be afraid of her and her comrades? Well, yes, there were multiple good reasons. Fine. Why [i]should[/i] they be afraid? The Coalition had been protecting the city of Detroit and its civilians for over three years. Just because some new information had been discovered –– for both parties she might add –– didn't mean all their work and purpose were cast aside. They had their morals. They had their humanity.

Worst of all, those who were promoting this hysteria were grouping her and her family with a monster. And so clearly drawing a line between them and everyone else. As if they weren't the slightest bit human. They were nothing like the masked man. No one was. Who would kill a good man and [i]force[/i] the whole city to watch for... what? Anarchy? A point yet to be made? Entertainment...?

With stiff hands, Hailey shifted her laptop off her knees to the side of her bed. Once again she found herself involuntarily remembering Mayor Wesley's murder. It had been a crappy week for everyone. Alike most drastic changes, the sense of impending doom came from the subtle shifts. There hadn't been any protests or riots, but there was an interrogation in the form of a press conference and social media comments and many phone calls informing Hailey that her appearances at various events had been cancelled. This left the young lady with a lot of time to just stay at the Watchtower with her pessimistic thoughts. It wasn't intentional, but she felt like a caged animal.

The appointments that had been dismissed that bothered her the most were the ones at schools and hospitals. Of course she was doing good for everyone, but there was something special when a little kid excitedly ran up to you with that beaming smile and embraced you. It always made her stomach feel fuzzy. Now she would have to drop off the toys she bought for them at reception instead of being able to experience their elation at the surprise firsthand. She could feel her annoyance begin to simmer into irritation.

It was completely ridiculous. Some freak should not have been capable of having this much control over her life. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a book on her desk begin to levitate. The irritation was now boiling over to downright anger. At this point, Hailey decided to leave her room before she destroyed something else in it again. Being cooped up was not doing her any favors. Striding her way to the elevator, she pushed the button with the number 25 on it harder than necessary.

After that fateful battle last week, her weapons had been demolished as collateral damage. Of course it was only a minor setback in the collective. There were more crucial things to repair like bones, public relations, morale. Still, she missed the feel of carbon fiber and wood against her fingers. Julian had remarked that it was an opportunity for her to focus on her telekinesis. That it was something that no one could take away from her. Yet, she still went to Austin to request that her weapons be repaired and maybe, even enhanced. It wasn't urgent since she didn't think they would be going out to patrol for a short while. But she knew he'd appreciate the distraction whenever it was convenient for him. He was one of the smartest people she'd ever met and knew he'd have little to no problem fixing her weapons. The other issue was a different story. And she knew he'd be beating himself up over not tracking down the masked criminal. Despite it being a week, Hailey knew that if anyone could find that monster and start making things right, it was Austin. Austin just needed to know it too.

As the numbers ascended into the 20s, the small girl subconsciously reflected back on that post she had last saw. She remembered that day clearly enough. She had gone out to catch a quick bite with Julian. It wasn't uncommon practice. The two were quite close. Julian was a fun energy to be around yet could teach her all sorts of things. He was always challenging her and making her think of new things. The meek waitress had requested a picture with the two around the time they were finishing their meal. Hailey remembered wondering how long it had taken the sweet server to pick up enough courage to ask them and finding the notion ridiculous. (Apparently, not ridiculous enough.) After a quick photo, a mother with her young son had approached them and requested the same. If they were so dangerous and people "always knew" like some claimed, why would people allow their children to go near them?

When Hailey was restless she would resort back to shooting with her trusty bow. Instead, she was temporarily getting by with practicing with Julian. She probably should have checked on its status sooner. Perhaps she didn't want to think about what needing it repaired meant. But it looked like the thoughts she had been pushing into the back of her mind for a week were coming to the forefront now. She was taken down so quickly. Embarrassingly so. Sure, everyone else didn't succeed in capturing or injuring the target, but she was one of the first to be incapacitated. Hailey could feel her cheeks color in shame.

She was momentarily relieved of her mortifying thoughts by the ding of the elevator, indicating she had arrived at her desired floor. Exhaling as she waited for the steel doors to open, she caught sight of sandy blonde hair and internally cursed. The press conference. She should have been watching but she totally blanked and forgot altogether. Hopefully, the Sentinel wouldn't question her on it or stay long and she'd have the opportunity to ask Austin for the details. She probably should have been making a more conscious effort concerning these things. As she stepped out and approached the two men, she realized that they were most likely discussing the one monster that had been haunting all their thoughts for the last week. The Sentinel had just returned from what she suspected to be a pressing interview and didn't look like he was doing too hot. Unconsciously, a comforting smile lightly tugged on her lips as she stopped in their vicinity.

[color=ff8fa0][b]"Hi Nathaniel, Austin. How are you two doing?"[/b][/color] she greeted softly.