06.22.2014: When Alex met Castle

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"The fuck do you think you are? This is my house. You can't evict my from my own goddamn house..." Alex's father is a tall man, six foot three and strong despite the obvious beer belly he's developed over the years. Right now he is bellowing, red in the cheeks. This fits into his image, given he's currently carrying an empty bottle of Guinness. The officer opposing him is somewhat smaller, though another is moving to assist as the man becomes agitated.


"Please calm down, sir..." The rest is largely obscured by the man bellowing. The scenery? A rundown neighborhood on the edge of Detroit, concrete steps and a scowling, balding man in a white tanktop standing off against a group of police officers. Alex is crouched beside the door right now, watching past the screen as things devolve.


The glass bottle is thrown at the nearest police officer, hitting him in the face and bouncing to the ground where it explodes in a shower of glass. Things are only getting worse from there. Seventeen-year-old Alex winces, curling in a bit, her back more tightly against the door frame. Still, she watches, twisting her head to look back across her shoulder.


He's close when the radio call comes out. He'd been watching a house where he'd found some occult paraphernalia - and not the good stuff. Not some hedge Witch's casting circle where she'd lay down and spread her legs to whoever could summon up guidance from the Moon Goddess. Oh no. No this was some real shit. Something best kept in check by someone in the know - that was Castle. In the know. Before the call for backup cleared the air he was already in motion. Rubber - pavement.


These nights the rumble of the 1965 Pontiac GTO is unlike anything else on the Detroit streets. Fuck fuel efficient! The sleek lines of the machine are prominent when the hidden blue and white strobes start flashing. They reflect off the glossy black paint and chrome rims making the metal beast seems alive when it comes sliding around the corner. The insane screech of the tires is reminiscent of a fairytale dragon's cry just before it breathes fire across the battlements of some castle.


It's an attraction, enough that not only Alex's dad, but several of the uniform officers look too. Apart from the pulsing lights, and the covert antennas the "Goat" doesn't really say "Cop Car" and no glimpse of a driver can be caught through the tinted windows. He isn't seen until after the trunk pops open and lifts. It's only then that Castle climbs out of the driver's side and slowly begins to round the car from the rear. He dips his hand into the trunk just briefly. Just long enough to pull it out, a Louisville Slugger Baseball bat, crafted from Ash wood and heavily inscribed with Latin scripture, and Catholic sigils. He carries it swinging low at his side as he heads towards the commotion.


There's a baseball bat out and Alex's dad has just thrown one of the officers bodily off of his porch and onto the pavement. He hadn't gotten violent until someone suggested he physically escorted off the property, but the second it came up... Alex, meanwhile, has lost track of time. She is still staring at the car. In fact, the slender girl is slowly extending herself out of the doorway, mouthing something to herself as she stares out toward the car. She can't help it, the object glowing in her mind like a beacon in the distance.


Alex's mind is already reaching out to it before she even realizes she is doing it. It isn't computerized, so she couldn't drive away with it if she wanted to but something is telling her that she should be looking.


Meanwhile, there's the man with the bat. A bat inscribed with sigils. He climbed out of that car. That connection is enough to bring a sense of reality and Alex turns her attention to Castle, squinting at the bat. There was something odd about that, beyond the obvious. Surely. The car would still be there for a few minutes.


Normally, that is exactly what Castle would be doing. Normally. Alex changes all that. Under all the layers he's actually a very compassionate man. He was nearly a priest after all - once upon a time, a long, long time ago. He catches a glimpse of the girl, meeting her eyes for a brief moment before the sudden chaos that is her father's arrest begins.


The other officers present aren't as concerned about the girls as the detective might be. They move in from every available direction, swarming Mr. Lewis in an attempt to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. It's the best possible plan, and yet the man doesn't go without a fight. A hell of a fight.


The brawl is assholes and elbows for several seconds before Castle feels compelled to intervene. The Louisville Slugger moves up and down suddenly, landing with an ear-shattering crack along the small-stoop porch. The 'crack' of the bat isn't unlike a homer at Wrigley Field. Just like the Goat, it draws attention.


"You," Castle booms at the struggling man! "Calm..the..fuck..down!" He hefts the bat, pointing it directly at Alex's father. The rounded end inscribed with some strange religious symbol. "You're kids watching dipshit. You really think she needs to see this?" Tall, and well dressed, the black man looks almost like a banker. However, rarely have bankers been known to seem so angry all at once.


Nathaniel Lewis pauses and starts to splutter, his head jerking up as he does at the noise. Several of the officers do the same. However, then two have the sense to grasp his arms while he is distracted and just like that the fight is over. With Nathan cuffed they lead him away and Alex takes a deep breath. She slowly straightens up, tilting her head as she does so, and lifts a hand. Notably she has a few duffel bags with her.


There is a car in front of the home and Alex i looks off toward it. Her hair has been cut into an eat bob and one might get the impression looking at her that she is older than she first appeared. Seventeen rather than fourteen or fifteen, which would have been a reasonable assumption with her curled up into a ball near the door.


Alexandria simply watches as her father is dragged away and then picks up the bags. "There's no one else here. I, um. I can get the stuff out of the house." She's speaking quietly and clearly, her gaze firmly focused onto Castle while she does so it’s as if the other officers don't exist. "I... Yeah." She pauses. "Nice car."


It doesn't seem like there is a good way to say anything else on the girl's mind, so Alex simply remains silent after this statement.


The patrol supervisor pipes up, and thrusts the eviction notice out. "No you had plenty of.." .. "Yes," Castle interrupts him, cutting him off and incurring a suddenly offended stare from the man. He glances from Alex, meeting that gaze mater-o-factly. "It isn't really an issue is it Vick? I can standby here with the young lady while you and your men free up. I'll sign service on the paper."


The patrol supervisor, he's named as Vick snorts. He gives Alex a glance then moves down the steps and shoves the paper into Castle chest. "Fine Castle. You clean this shit up," he says before heading back towards the patrol cars. "Com'on boys. Let's book this dickhead and call it a night."


As they head away, Castle hefts his bat over his shoulder. He's not the unused to a little animosity at work. All things considered, he is somewhat 'off' compared to the other cops. "Go ahead kid. Get everything you can get packed up." He offers Alex a smirk before heading towards his car to kill the lights and put away the bat. "Yeah, it is," he admits not looking back. "But we can talk cars once you're packed. Hell, give me a second and I'll help."


"I've already got most of it packed. Dad doesn't normally get- violent like that. I mean, he told me to stop packing but he didn't do anything with it." Alex looks as if she is uncertain what to think. She shakes her head slowly as the car holding her father departs. Then she just takes a slow, deep breath before exhaling.

"Thanks for dealing with them. Kind of hard packing all of this alone. Mom's not here right now, so it's going a little slow. There's not that much here, though. So..." She gives a faint shrug and heads inside to start bringing out bags to the car. "Alex." She states as she is walking past. "Do you always carry a catholic beating stick around or did you get it from an angry schoolteacher?" She pauses for a second then adds, "...Sorry."


Castle packs away his bat, shutting the trunk to the GTO before he heads back up to the house to start ferrying bag to Alex's car. "The booze probably aggregated an already bad situation. Don't blame yourself, Alex. You guys are getting a shitty deal." Castle loads the first arm load, and checks the car out while Alex is in the house. He's seen poverty before. He's from Detroit. He glances over the roof at the door, watching her figure fade deeper into the house. It's then he pulls his wallet out, emptying the cash he has - which isn't much (less than two hundred dollars) into her center console. He leaves a one sticking out so she'll notice.


He comes back for another load of bags, offering the young girl a sincere smile when she reemerges from inside. "A Nun used to kick my ass with it when I screwed up, I figure I'm just perpetuating the cycle," he tells the small brunette with a wink. "You got options, Alex? Some place warm, with a bed and three meals a day? Something hopefully that doesn't involve an inmate number. You know, winter is coming."


"Oh, yeah. They, you know, give people a place when they throw 'em out in town. S'not a house, but it'll be warm. And the stove is new." Alex gives a wry laugh at this. She's small and some of the bags are large, but the girl is determined, so she manages to start loading things into the hatchback. Castle's help is welcomed, but she insists on carrying things herself as well. Some of it is apparently just going to be left behind. "I snuck a few things over there while dad was out, so this isn't everything we own quite."


Alex seems to be warming up as the work goes back and forth, though she does keep a wary eye on Castle as she goes back and forth. The last thing that exits is a guitar case. This she is cradling to her chest as she walks, as if to shield it from any perceived threats. A deep breath is taken and then the girl nods once, firmly. She still hasn't started smiling, not that one could necessarily expect her to.


Finally the trunk is slammed shut and Alex takes a step back, raising her arms up over her head and then dropping them back to her sides. "So long to this shithole." Despite her words Alex doesn't sound especially pleased.


Castle casts his dark colored eyes over the pile of bags and boxes still left on the porch. He considers them, and the time. At length he allows his good nature to sway him. "You know," he says turning to glance at Alex. "The Goat over there has a hell of a backseat, and the trunk isn't as full as it could be. He motions towards the boxes and bags, "Seems a shame to just leave something behind. Besides, I'm probably going right past your place on my way home." Though, he doesn't even know the address. That's just the type of man he is.


"I'm sure you are," Alex agrees drily, but after looking over at the car she gives a slow nod. "There are a couple of things here that aren't worth taking," she states seriously. "But... There's stuff that is too, you know?" With that she is heading back inside with quiet steps. She looks back at Castle one more time then slowly shakes her head before disappearing through the door way.


Once Alex has reemerged she has an armful of stuff that's been stuffed into a garbage bag. It clatters a bit, but is safe enough. She looks over at the goat and then back to Castle. A pause. "...Thanks. Why are you doing all of this anyway?" Then she sighs very softly. "Never mind. Just- thanks."


Castle grabs a couple boxes himself, and just smiles. He turns for the car and begins walking and talking over his shoulder to Alex. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2." That's his explanation. All that bravado - the sheer aura of the tall, broad shouldered black man, and he answers in scripture.


The opens the door to the GTO and oh dear, it's unlike any other car in existence. The interior area of the backseat is spacious and unchanged since 1965. However, the driver's area is completely updated with state-of-the-art police equipment, and because its and older car there is still plenty of room.


Castle loads his boxes inside, then steps away so Alex can unburden herself of hers. "Lincoln Castle," he states from behind her. "The Sunday school lesson comes free with the moving service. Don't tell anyone, it might screw with my street creds."


"Don't worry, I don't think telling people will screw with anything. You can be a kind of scary dude. Religious and you have the aura of a street fighter, plus a gun and a bat? You're just fine." Alex takes a moment to admire the car before nimbly sliding back over to the beat up one positioned nearby. She is considering the vehicle for awhile. There's a soft laugh afterward and then she's shaking her head.


"Castle, huh? I'm not calling you Lincoln." She states that clearly and straightforwardly, with no malice or derision. "Anyhow. I'm sure you're heading my way, but in case you forgot where you're going you can just stick behind and you'll be cool. I'll signal with plenty of time, yeah?"


"Yeah, that's fine. I'll follow you kid. I'm in a good mood so I won't run your Driver's license or plates," Castle says with a smirk as he closes the rear passenger door to the Goat. He strolls around to his side, opening his door and climbing in. The interior light flips on, and the silhouette of the large man filling out the return service copy of the eviction can be seen. A few seconds later, the beat roars to life. Truly, the car is something iconic, especially in a city like Detroit. He gives the powerful engine a rev, making the entire car rock slightly from side to side before he drops it in gear.


"You can run my license. It's, um, fine." Alex doesn't bring up running the plates, however. She climbs into the car, shaking her head as she listens to the revving engine. It's a second or two before she pulls out ahead and into traffic to begin the moderate length drive to take her to the outskirts of the city and the new home that has been chosen for her. The traffic isn't actually that bad at this point, though the police are out in full force given the operations going on today. Door by door, home by home. A lot of people are refusing to go. Most are more reasonable than Mr. Lewis, however.


Alex pulls up in front of an apartment complex, looking up at it as she does. She gets out of the car and heads to the door for Apparent 117, located not too far from the front. It's carefully unlocked and she looks around inside. There's nothing actually wrong with her new home, although it's small. The place is in good repair and up to code, though with peeling paint and some cracks in the walls. It just isn't home.


Alex comes back and retrieves some of the items and sets about the task of arranging them inside the new place.


As promised it is not entirely devoid of life. She brought over clothes, for instance. And a microwave.


Castle parks close, and starts by unloading the Goat. He stacks stuff up in the small apartment's common area so Alex can distribute it as desired. Once his car is empty he moves on to the little hatchback. He covertly checks to see if she noticed the money, before giving the neighborhood a glance. This isn't quite as bad as where they just came from, but he still isn't going to let the bills show with the car unattended over night. As he loads his arms up, he calls out to her, "Hey you might want to make sure you get everything worth anything out of this car tonight Kid. At least until you see how the neighborhood is." He carries a few more boxes up the steps and inside, hoping that his warning might spur her to motion if she hasn't already found the cash.


The cash has been found and disappeared to wherever she's decided to stash it. Alex looks back at Castle and nods, reaching up to drag her fingers through her hair as she does. "Yeah, I've looked around. It's- you know. Not the worst. Not the best, though. Especially with some of the new arrivals, if you know what I mean." Alex takes a slow, deep breath and then exhales carefully. "Thanks again," she states after a moment. "Today was a fucking mess." IT's notable that no one is here. She had mentioned her mother earlier, but there is no evidence of her.

Believe it or not, Castle isn't a transplant. He's Detroit born and bred. He knows Alex's story - it's the same story so many kids her age have. She's got a tough life ahead of her, and he isn't someone that would involve a broken system like DSS unless there were no other options. Here he can see options. This kid is smart. She's a survivor. He glances at the apartment once more, and then slowly begins checking the window locks. When he finds one that isn't, he fixes it. "Yeah just keep your nose clean and we'll call it even," he says making his way back around to wherever she is. He offers her his card. Detective Lincoln Castle: Major Crimes Unit. Complete with his officer number, and his cell number scribbled in pen on the back. "If you need something while your pops in lockup." Sonofabitch is actually one of the good guys.


"Thanks." Alex takes the card, squints at it, then tucks it away into her pocket. "I'll keep that in mind." She watches as Castle fixes the lock and then shakes her head slowly. "Thanks, officer. I'll be in touch a bit. In case those assholes come around again or whatever. Dad can just stay where he is so far as I'm concerned. Lousy drunk." She just rolls her eyes. "Anyhow... Night." She'll stand by the door and watch while Castle is leaving.


Castle makes his way out, nodding his head at Alex and pondering if 'all good deeds' rarely go unpunished. Either way, he'll sleep better tonight - and hopefully won't end up seeing Alex again on an autopsy table carved up with occult symbols, or as a bloated naked corpse pulled from the river, raped and broken. Welcome to his world. "You won't see the cops again about the eviction. Be cool kid." He rounds his ride, pausing to look over the roof at Alex, "The numbers for while your pops is in - or after he's out." He gives her a nod and climbs into the black beauty. Seconds later it comes alive with the sound of 454 steel horses. And that ladies and gentlemen was home Alex met Detective Castle.

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