Crossing the Yellow Tape

All characters are copywrited to myself and my friend. (Rae belonging to me, Jake to her) Please do not steal them. Thank you

-Rae Corvus

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It was a night of relaxation and partying. A birthday was going on in the corner for a kid that had turned the ripe old \'responsible\' age of 21 and was now wasting away the night with a few drinks. Pulsing lights and shattered mirrors were used as optical illusions and the thick smell of smoke, sweat, and sex reeked in the cramped building, drawing in the adults like bee\'s to honey. The music pulsed from the speakers at the front of the club and some bodies attempted to participate in the drunken bump and grind those that didnt sat in the worn leather booths and rickety bar stools, chatting with friends or wallowing in self pity.

The clock, seen only by the manager and those conscious of time, ticked closer till midnight when this bar began to kick up speed abit and start really trying hard to pursuade people to drink just \'one more drink\'. A set of eyes was constantly watching the clock this night, counting off the seconds to each minute in its head and the minutes to each hour. Its purpose? No one was aware of it and it was questioned if the person itself was aware that they were staring at a clock that was on its last leg of life.

\'Tick tock...tick tock\' Mocking and hushed the voice of the woman was spoken to the beer in front of her, not a sip taken from it. Eyes that lay fixed on the clock slowly lowered to the amber vessel and the slender fingers wrapped around his body to lift it toward the soft pink lips that were opening to allow the vile drink access into her body. Common habits to the ebony haired woman it was an odd ritual that took place every night that her being entered the bar and ordered something. Every night...

It was a club known well in the world of drug dealers, dog fighters and prostitutes but with this knowledge that the \'dark\' side had obtained, the side of cops, agents and wardens was also aware; and for some of these patrons that was not a comforting thought. Among these was the woman amused by the clock and who\'s graceful movements alerted one to something other then just a normal patron.

Not many seem to notice the woman and her odd habits, yet it was the job of Agent Jake Forrester to study and watch the strange woman. One of the better, well blended agents an eyebrow had hardly been raised when his booted feet led him through the worn doors of the club and into the illusion. He sat on one of the old bar stools taking small sips at the drink in hand and had been for the past two hours. Already the drink in his system was making him slightly fuzzy and he knew that sooner or later he would have to make the arrest, sealing the fate of the odd woman.

Fingers slipped down to make sure his weapon was secured and ready for use while trailing over the handcuffs and other tools that would be needed for the arrest. It did not take much shuffling around until digits closed around a photo. It was slightly worn at the edges and traces of coffee that had spilled on it had washed out the color but no one could mistake the face of the woman that now stared at the clock. Slightly younger in the photo scribbled on the back was the name \'Rae Corvus\' dated the year 2000; only four years ago. Icy gaze compared to photo to the woman and a smirk crossed the young agents features; he was positive this was the woman he had been searching for since he had been thrown onto this case only two years ago.

She felt as if she was being watched and stormy grey orbs wandered around the room as she searched for the \'stalker\'. Finding no one her guard dropped slightly and in the slow, methodical pace she had been move to all night she placed her drink down on the table and pushed herself out of the booth cushion. Taking a few steps toward the center of the bar she watched the uneasy movements of the dancers in their drunken state and could not help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. It did not take long for her to make a half circle around the crowded dance floor, slowly moving in the direction that would lead her past Jake\'s table.

Jake had moved from his table and now hid himself in the shadows of the club. Eyes were fixed on the woman as she slowly continued her circle before she was standing almost directly in front of her. Fingers removed to gun from its holster and silently drew it before the cool metal was placed against the nape of her neck; conviently hidden in the shadows. \'Rae Corvus...you are under arrest for murder.\' His voice was cool, unfazed by the surroundings. He could not help the slight smirk as the woman jumped and was close to turning around quickly, but decided against it. \'Now if you just agree with what I say there will be no mess...understand?\'

The slight nod he managed to extract from the woman was enough for him. \'Move forward, toward the back door and keep to the shadows.\' A firm hand rested on her shoulder, making sure she did not make a run for it or try and alert any of the other patrons to the situation at hand. The moved slowly as not to attract attention to themselves and yet still moved at a pace that would get them both out of trouble if someone was to notice them, it was a dangerous thing letting them know you were making an arrest.

Why had she given in so easily? Perhaps it was the gun pressed against her neck that made her freeze or the fact that she could find a better opportunity to escape from the mans strong hands. Pondering these thoughts over in her mind she hardly noticed when her feet took the first steps into the submissive walk that lead them toward the back door. Eyes slowly lowered to the ground as they walked and she felt the gun move to her lower back where, if fired, it would not cause any life threatening problems besides bleeding to death.

His blue eyes were focused on the door but continued to dart around to make sure no one was watching them. Neither spoke as they pushed open the worn door and stepped out into the back alley.

Why is it always the alley?