Crimson Soudoyer

[Raven]

Anna shook her head. "No. I know where Margaret's house is, but it was gone."

[Gifted]

"Gone?" He set the pop in front of her with a straw sticking out. "What do you mean, her house was gone?"

[Raven]

"I think it burned," Anna said. "When I got home, it was all burned."

[Gifted]

His expression fell. "Oh," How could he explain to this girl what had happened to this Margaret woman? If some gang had gone through the trouble of burning her house down, it wasn't likely she lived. Just another tragedy, like the hundreds more that plagued this town as he'd grown older and older. She was so young and innocent... why did this town seem to delight so much in crushing people like her? "Who is Margaret?" He asked her. "Is she your babysitter?" He pulled out a very old, well-used smartphone. He'd likely have tocall the cops and report it. Like they would care, but it was all he could do now...

[Raven]

Anna shook her head. "She was my foster mom, they said. And I haven't seen Richard either, he's my foster dad."

[Gifted]

Foster parents. Foster parents. He just wanted to hug and comfort this girl and never let her go or make her be alone again. But he couldn't take care of her. He knew better than to drag a kid into his life. But he definitely needed to call the cops now. "I understand. Just excuse me for a moment, Anna. I'll be right back." He assured her. He slipped out from behind the bar to tap the people inside who were drinking on the shoulder. "Hey, you guys need to clear out of my bar." He told them quietly, trying not to be impolite but explain the situation without Anna hearing.
"Why?"
"It sounds like this kid's foster parents got their place burned down. Knowing the gangs around here, I doubt they weren't inside. I have to call the cops to come get her, and I know you don't want to be here when the cops show up in my bar." One left immediately; the others tried to protest, but Vincents word was law under his roof and he kicked them out without too much fuss. He came back around the bar and smiled at Anna. Sorry about that. Do you know Margaret's address, Anna?"

[Raven]

"Ummm. It was on Washington Street," Anna supplied. She'd only been there a couple weeks, though, and as long as she knew how to get home, it didn't really matter if she knew the address or not. Washington Street, however, was on the other side of town, and in the Suburbs.

[Gifted]

"You crossed the city on your own?" Brave kid. "Aright. Do you know Margaret's phone number?" Might as well try, not that he expected to get anything out of it.

[Raven]

Anna would have explained, but his next question distracted her. She shook her head. "I'm sorry. She wanted me to remember it but I... I don't remember yet. I'm sorry." She seemed uncomfortable admitting that like it was a terrible thing that would get her in trouble.

[Gifted]

"That's okay, it takes time to remember these things. Just give me a minute to make a quick phone call, alright? If anyone comes through the door before I'm back, you call for me."

[Raven]

"Okay," Anna agreed. "Who are you calling?"

[Gifted]

"The police. I can't take care of you here, but they'll be able to find Margaret or someone who can make sure you'll be alright."

[Raven]

Anna squirmed, but she nodded. "Richard is a police man," she supplied.

[Gifted]

"Is he? Good for him." Vincent hated the cops of this town, but at least this man being one of their own meant they would probably take good care of his foster kid, and might even actually go after the guy who killed them. The cops in this town could be as territorial as the gangs sometimes. "Alright, you holler for me if someone comes inside, okay?" He went upstairs to the three-room dwelling where he slsept and called the non-emergency number to the police station.

[Raven]

Anna nodded and sipped on her root beer some more.

"Crimson Police Department, how can I help you?" the secretary asked.