//------------------------------// // July 23. A Brand New Day // Story: Seven Days in Sunny June: Innocence Lost // by FlashFrame //------------------------------// July 23rd, Monday.         The jingling tone of Lemony Gem’s cell rang out, sliding it from her purse she glanced at the screen as she walked into the Golden Compass bank she worked at, the number was one that she’d had programmed in since she’d finalized the paperwork for taking in her Sister, and she froze, mid step, pressing the ANSWER command on the phone. “Lemony, go ahead.” “We have a problem.” The voice was gruff, old and hard and the kind of voice that someone who smoked far too much held. Lemony’s heart sank and she leaned against the wall for support as the words came to her ears. “He’s escaped, been missin’ as of this morning’s roll call, soon as I heard, you were the first person I contacted.” Lemony’s mind rushed at the implications, as she licked her lips, finding her voice… she finally spoke, though it cracked as she did, the first tears trailing her mascara down her cheeks. “Thank you for the warning Iron Bars… God above, what should I do?” “Go home Lemony, tell Buck, tell Sweet Pea, because God knows, if he’s as agitated as Hard Case was telling me he’d been getting, he may be trying to find her… and Lord above that’s the last thing your sister needs right now, any of you need. Be careful Lemony, I’ll keep working this side to get him back, but…” Iron’s voice was cut off by Lemony’s, as she nodded and agreed, saying goodbye she hung up the phone and instantly hit the speed dial for Buck as she lost her footing and finally slid completely down the wall that had been holding her up, the tears rolling freely as she began to sob, all the worst case scenario’s she’d played through her head seemed to be coming true, not even the voice of Buck could draw her entirely out of her sobbing as she said one simple sentence. “Buck, he’s escaped, that bastard, and he’s coming for us…” An absolute demon of a man had escaped his fate, and was likely coming for her sister.         Dust kicked up behind bare feet as they pounded at the high desert scrub, ignoring the scorching pain as he moved forward, finding a rock outcropping he buried himself into it. Tripwire panted as he finally took a long, slow breath, in through the nose, then out through his mouth, teeth grit against the grit he found caking his mouth. He’d gotten out with another inmate, Hard Time, name like that not shocking the other male had ended up in Prison, but what he hadn’t expected, was for Tripwire to slit his throat after they had gotten out. He’d found the other inmate insufferable and had only used him for his resources to get out. Checking the crude shank he’d crafted out of melting the back end of a plastic spoon and sharpening it against the concrete, he looked out towards the city he could see in the distance. It wasn’t far, few miles out really, from there, he could find passage towards LA, then…  “Then you can pay that little skank back for taking your freedom.” A cruel smile found the chapped, cracked lips of their owner, steely eyes set on his way out, of course first, he’d have to liberate some new dress of course, his prison jumpsuit, already noticeable due to its neon-orange coloring, was made worse due to its current stain with the blood of Hard Time, had already become dusty and a little ratty really, he’d been running for what felt like hours, putting as much distance between him and Dodge Junction as he could in the day he’d been out, heading the relative direction to the city, and now, now it was in his grasp. “Just gotta keep going, get to town, get some water, and new clothes, then, then lay low for a bit, let shit die down.” His eyes narrowed.  “Then, when they’re not expecting me, I’ll find her, yeah, then I’ll make her pay for the year of my life I’ll never get back!” He focused himself, then pushed out of the outcropping, bare feet landing on hot scrubland yet again, he simply grimaced and continued forward, after all, freedom awaited.         Steel blue eyes took in the sight before him, the slightly pudgy cop crossed his arms as he looked carefully over the scene. CSI was already on site, cataloging the situation, getting whatever they could, but this was one hell of a breakout. “Got word from the other team lead by United Front, found a body, I.D’s as ‘Hard Time’.  Guy was in for multiple sentences, found him out ‘bout a mile west, multiple stab wounds and a slit throat, tracks lead southwest, not much else to go on.” Steel Cuffs’ looked to his partner, the taller, thinner Iron Bars’s, the man's rust red mustache and hair had greyed on the sides and peppered over the years, but he was still one hell of a fine cop in Steel’s mind. “No sign of Tripwire huh.” Iron Bars shook his head. “Nothin.” Steel ran a hand through his slightly shaggy hair, and sighed as Iron rested a hand on his shoulder. “Already got ahold of Pea’s family, let em know what’s comin’… can’t really do much else, been workin’ on gettin’ in contact with SFPD to get them some protection but…” Steel Cuffs simply nodded, and looked up to the taller cop.  “Best we can do right now, in the mean time, let’s find this guy before he can become a bigger problem.  He’s already got one body behind him, and if he was willing to kill one, he’ll probably kill more. For Iron’s part, he stroked that rust red handlebar mustache, “Yer right about that Steel… but Ah just feel for that girl, been handed way too many raw deals. Deserves a break.” his jaw set and he looked to his partner. “Let’s get this bastard.” Steel smirked for a moment, glad to see that fire in Iron’s eyes, however he turned towards the front of the prison. “I just hope we can catch him before things get any worse.”         The sound of the clock echoed around the rather large office, a large, mahogany desk sat, with one rather, timid looking Sweet Pea in one seat, wearing her best long light blue skirt and white blouse, and her brother Buck Withers, sitting next to her wearing his own suit. Across from them, sat a rather gruff looking man, wearing a sharp suit and a pair of glasses as he looked over the paperwork in his hand. The name placard on his desk reading SLIDE RULE, Ed. D., HEADMASTER “Hmm, well, you’ve made quite the impressive strides in the past year given your history, Ms. Pea.” Sitting down the paperwork Slide Rule looked over the rim of his glasses at her, taking in her measure. Under the withering stare, she straightened, and raised her head a bit, her eyes finding his own as she looked back. “Thank you Sir, I’ve, been doing my best to make up for a long time.” Buck glanced sideways to Sweet Pea and then back to the principal, who held a smile on his lips. “It’s not often we get a prospective student such as yourself, Sweet Pea.  While you have improved your standing, you’re still not quite where we’d like to see you. Cornerstone Academy prides itself on the academic achievements of its students you see.” The principal took a moment, but before the other two could speak, he raised a hand. “However, looking into your file, it’s clear that you have been handed a rather...unique...deal, so to speak. And given your improvement in such a short time, frankly, it’s astounding.” Picking the files back up he flipped a page, looking over the file in detail.  “You were without schooling for six years, yet in just over half a year, you’ve made strides that have bridged three of those years, putting you on par with our freshmen. A rather impressive achievement, I might add.  While you don’t have outstanding marks, you are above the average in scores for your work.” He looked a bit further down the paperwork, each and every time he flipped a page, it made Pea squirm a bit in her seat. It wasn’t often she was put on the spot like this, and she felt like shrinking into the rather lovely blouse she was wearing. “Prior to your ‘disappearance’ from the school system, you had, middling grades, though right at the end of your tenure, your grade tanked, due to family issues it seems.  The records from the Junction County School District, however, wasn’t terribly clear on that.” Spectacled eyes fell on Buck, as if taking in the measure of the man across from him. Buck simply straightened and nodded in agreement with the assessment so far. “You are her egal guardian and loco parentis, is that correct, Mr. Withers?” “That is correct sir, my wife and I felt a sibling relationship would be more stable for her given our proximity in age, as well as her physical age.” Slide Rule clucked his tongue as he considered them, it was rare when a situation from the state came to his school, and frankly, while Cornerstone Preparatory was mostly attended by what many considered to be  students from affluent families, they did on occasion, take in cases such as this, both for state education assistance funds and for the good publicity. Though to be fair, the girl in front of him had made great strides forward. She seemingly had a strong work ethic and home life at this point. For Sweet Pea’s part, she was starting to wonder if the discussion she’d had with Buck the day before, regarding the possibility of attending Cornerstone Academy was the right one. Sure she knew Sugarcoat and Lemon Tart in passing, but she’d decided on the school after taking a quick look up of the website, and of course, on the fact the two girls she knew attended here, which would at least, give her a step up in the social circles here. At least, that was the hope, but with Slide Rule’s demeanor, it was putting her quite on edge. Shifting for comfort, she rested her hands on her lap, hoping to present as a proper lady, at the very least. “Pfft, proper, you wouldn’t know proper unless it was how to properly suck a cock, or properly eat a pussy. Ohh, how about properly taking it up the ass!  Hey, maybe if you fuck him, he’ll give you a break - he doesn’t look like he’s had a good lay in ages...and giving good lays are what you do best, right?” Pea squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the voice in her head, when she felt Buck’s hand on her shoulder. “Pea, you okay?” Hearing her brother’s voice laced with concern, she gave a beatific smile and nodded. “Yeah, just, fighting off a headache.” Slide Rule coughed lightly, to draw their attention. “Yes, well, as I was saying Ms. Pea, your forward movement has been impressive enough, I think that, with our staff, you could make even greater strides. As such, we’ll pass the paperwork to your guardian, and hope to see you in classes as early as tomorrow.  Due to the sudden placement, I won’t expect you to have your uniforms until next week, but until then, our alternate dress code is business attire.” The rather, rotund principal extended a hand across the desk, which Sweet Pea took and gave an eager shake. “I promise not to let you down in that assessment sir.”         The electronic chime that rang through Cornerstone Academy was one of a rather cheery sound, not one that most would associate with the rather upscale school. Of course, that tune did bring a smile to a normally dour girl’s face. Sugarcoat gathered her books, and slid them into the rather small backpack she wore. History had gone well enough, and she’d aced the return exam for Math she’d had today, and her chemistry lab had been mostly research for the coming project. Finished gathering up her things, she headed for the cafeteria, walking down the brightly painted halls, she nodded to the occasional student. Glacial Breeze and her twin brother Frosty Breeze, whom she’d worked with on an English research project and the fact that the two had pulled their weight had impressed her, waved as she passed and she returned the gesture. The feeling of vibration against her hip, as well as the small chirping tone of her cell phone alerted her to the fact she’d just received a text, and the rocking, K-pop tune that came behind her caused her to turn to face a rather crestfallen Lemon Tart, who had been just about to pounce her long time friend. “Aww man, I would have to get a text right then!” She pouted and removed her cell from her skirt’s pocket as Sugarcoat did the same. Their eyes falling on the exact same message, but before either could actually check their phones, a rather tall, thin framed blond broke between them, nearly knocking Lemon Tart’s phone from her hands. “Jeez, think you two dykes could get out of people’s way, after all, it is lunch.” Sugarcoat’s eyes fell on the blonde, her jaw setting as Lemon Tart recovered her phone before it hit the ground. “There’s plenty of room around us you know, no point getting pushy.” The white haired girl’s words fell on deaf ears as the blonde just flipped the pair the bird as she walked past, hips swaying like she owned the place. “Pft, whatever, you guys were taking up way over half the hallway.” Lemon Tart stomped a foot in indignation, angered by this newcomer's words, but Sugarcoat’s arm moved to stop Tart from moving closer, as Coat shook her head to the slightly younger teen before looking to the blond. “You know, considering your history, Lightning Dust, I had assumed you might actually try to straighten up.  Glad to know my cynical side was right in figuring you’d be just as bad here as in Canterlot.” Lightning Dust froze for just a moment, before whirling and rushing Sugarcoat, slamming her hard into the paned window lining the hall, causing her to cry out as she pressed in close, her eyes staring daggers into Sugarcoat’s as the dark skinned girl just looked back at the athlete, while the slam had hurt, she’d taken harder in training. Lemon Tart, for her part, was shocked at the sudden display of violence… and given the sudden, empty hallway, she knew help wasn’t coming any time soon. “Coat!” She moved to try to help, but Lightning Dust had turned just enough to position herself to block any attempts to help. “This ain’t your fight, sweet stuff.”   Lightning Dust turned her eyes back on Sugarcoat, before leaning in close, still pressing her tight against the window.  “You think having a little info about me will give you an edge up, thank again, so, if you see me coming you’d better stay the hell out of my way. ‘Coat’.“ Sugarcoat just glared right back at her, she wouldn’t raise a hand, not now. She was trained, holding a black belt in aikido, she wasn’t about to put herself in a position that could be misconstrued as assault. “Are you done? I’d quite like to answer my text, and get lunch, speaking of which, you’re missing out wasting time with me here.” Lemon’s eyebrow raised, the tone that Coat had taken here, was one that she’d only heard a few times, there was a slight lit to her normally dry voice. One that only creeped into Coat’s speech when she was pissed, and ready to throw down, which Lemon could count the times that she’d heard it on one hand. “Coat… it’s not…” Lemon was cut off by Coat’s hand raising, signaling for her to go quiet, which she did. Lightning Dust’s eyes moved between the two, and she gave coat a final shove, which, once released, the taller, darker girl simply straightened her blouse and skirt. “This isn’t the end of this, I hear you two spreading shit, we’ll have bigger problems.” With that, Lightning spun on her heel, and stalked off down the hall, disappearing right down the corridor. Leaving a shocked Lemon Tart and a rather, annoyed Sugarcoat behind. “You ok Sugar?” Lemon moved to her friends side, hugging her softly as Sugarcoat nodded. “Yeah I’m fine Lem, come on let’s go get lunch.” The trip to the cafeteria was met with a mixed reception, having dealt with Lightning’s attack, there was the matter of the text. Sweet Pea:“Hey guys, big news, I just spoke with Principal Slide Rule, looks like I start at Cornerstone tomorrow, I’ll be essentially freshman level in my studies, but on an enhanced course to speed me through some studies. Totally looking forward to seeing you both!” Sugarcoat sighed and shook her head. “Her timing couldn’t have been worse.” For Lemon Tart, she couldn’t help but do a little dance. She’d liked Sweet Pea since they’d met, and having her around could be pretty awesome. “We’ve totally got to throw a party this weekend for her! What kind of music do you think she likes? She seems like a Rocker type!” The thud of Sugarcoat’s head hitting the table as she let it drop, could almost be heard over the chatter of the students as lunch was served.         Sweet Pea was walking out of Cornerstone Prep with Buck, and she couldn’t help but smile bright. Things were looking up, and she was getting back into the swing of a normal life. “You know, I never thought I’d be totally psyched to go back to school, but I seriously am!” The teen did a little spin, and then shifted to hug Buck tight. A hug which the older male returned warmly with a laugh. “Well, most kids your age are dreading it, and I’m sure you’ll get around to that eventually, but yeah, this is pretty great, I’m glad he let you in… just, kinda wish he hadn’t given us the third degree… felt like I was on trial or something in there.” He tugged at his collar which caused Sweet Pea to giggle. “It was fine, I think he just has to act tough, you know being a principal and all that, gotta keep everyone in line.” Buck shook his head as he looked to his sister, he couldn’t help but find himself swelling with pride as she let go of him and bounded towards the car. She was turning into a young girl again it felt like. Each day felt like she lost a little more of that world weary woman he’d initially taken in, and it almost felt like a bit of her innocence was returning with each day. The text tone on his phone beeped and he took the phone from his pocket, looking over the message as his face fell, and he looked back up to Sweet Pea, his eyes filled with worry at the message contained. L.G: “Buck, oh god, he’s escaped, Tripwire escaped Dodge Junction Correctional Facility… they say he might be coming after her, after us. I’m home, waiting for you both.” Sweet Pea laughed, bounding towards the car as she came to a stop at the car. Without a clue of what the world was about to throw her way yet again. “So, what do you say we should do for lunch bro?”