FrAcTuReD (Part One) (Completed continued in Part Two)

Chapter. 25

Claud glanced to her, he saw that her expression hadn't changed but her eyes held a completely different story, those hazel green eyes were filled with a maelstrom of rage as she remained to look at him with that disinterested expression. She sighed and shook her head. "You really don't know anything, do you? It's clear that you're trying to goad me on, to get some type of reaction. But I will say this, you touch him," she indicated to Claud. "Or her, and then you're going to have a problem. Granted I think if I were to retaliate it'd be warranted I'd just like to avoid anything unnecessary right now."

"Young lady, are you trying to threaten a journalist?" he prodded.

"No far from it, I'm just telling you like it is. You have a job but if that little job of yours starts to hurt people, people that we both respect then that's when I take issue. You're smart, you know very well the abilities that the founding families can do."

We? Claud thought. Could she mean Will? No, something in the way she said it... just who is she talking about?

But the man didn't seem bothered by it. "Is that so, well I suppose with enough money you can do anything," he said as he touched the headphones that rested on Charla's shoulders. "Something like these headphones, right?"

Slowly Charla pushed his hand away from them. "Don't touch them, or me for that matter. Take that as a warning, because it is something that I won't tolerate."

Duke eyed the girl, taking in her thin stature and the clothes that was being worn. "Oh? And what exactly do you think you can do to me?"

With an arch brow, she glanced to Claud. "He really has no idea, does he?"

"No," Claud said bluntly. "Idiots tend not understand the legitimacy of a threat even when it is presented right in front of him."

"Sounds about right, with his short temper he never thinks things through." Tom said causing Will to laugh slightly, however Duke didn't seem to find it funny.

With clenched teeth Duke grabbed the scruff of Charla's shirt and glared at her. "You think just because you're rich your untouchable? You and your damn family will fall one day from a scandal, and when your family does who do you think will be there laughing?"

"Oh? You honestly think that matters to me? We both never gave a damn about what family we were born in. Just as long as we had a caring family, well in the Dad department at least. Can't say anything about the Mom." Charla said, sounding completely uninterested as her eyes narrowed on him.

Claud merely looked to Charla saying nothing in response. There it is again, then could she have meant her deceased brother? It's the only possibility since that's the only sibling she has. But if that's so, why is her demeanor so different?

Duke gave a twisted grin that made Will's skin crawl, he always hated it when Duke did that, even when they were younger. "It should, considering your just some sorry little girl with a messed-up brain. No wonder your mother kept handing you off to her secretary."

In that moment, there was a sudden change in Charla, though her stance did not change the air around her did, Claud could feel it emanating off her like an on-coming hurricane. "You... really should listen when a person gives you a warning." She grabbed his wrist with one hand, forcing him to let go while the other grabbed his shirt in turn, Claud then noticed how she then quickly hooked her on his right ankle bringing Duke off balance before taking the hand that grabbed his wrist and punched him hard in the face the man fell to the floor.

He seethed and looked at her in anger. "You---!"

"I told you before," she said calmly but all emotion was practically gone from her voice. "That you do not touch me, say whatever hell you'd like, I don't give a damn about rumors or the latest trend. But people like you really do piss me off, you enjoy praying on those who never asked for it. I've seen it quite a bit while in my other school. Not giving a damn of who you hurt, so why should you care if I throw a punch? Be grateful that I was holding back because next time you touch me." Her expression became cold and empty as her hazel-green eyes were filled with untold rage as her voice held a sharp deadly note. "You'll have more then a sore cheek to worry about."

Will flinched at the detached tone that Charla, this was a side he never thought to see, and if he was honest he hoped to never should deal with it on the other end. Though he could only hazard the reason behind it was from dealing with people like this in the city so much.

"He's all yours Detective," Charla said suddenly as she stepped back, breaking the silence as she went back to being her monotone self.

Without saying a word Claud went and hoisted Duke up off the floor with ease before putting handcuffs on him. "We're heading to the station, there's several allegations against you. not to mention the assault you've just done."

"Me!?" Duke snapped and pointed to Charla. "That little brat punched me! She's the one assaulted me!"

"And was in her right to do so. She told you to not touch her and you refused to listen to her word, so as a response she acted." He said simply before looking to Charla. "You're Uncle will want to talk to you about this but..."

"You doubt I will remember," Charla finished. "Yeah, yeah, but even with all that I hope things go well for your case, Detective Winchester."

"Do you need a lift home?" he offered.

"Nah," was Charla's response. "It's not that far from here, I'll be fine. Besides you have your hands full now, rather not get in the way of an active investigation. And I'd prefer to walk if it's all the same with you."

He looked at her with slight narrow eyes but knew well enough that he couldn't question her now. Giving a simple nod in response Claud then took a complaining Duke outside to the car that he had parked across the street.

"Uh hey," turning Charla looked to Will. "You sure your okay? Those things he said to you, about your brother..."

"They're just words, hearing it doesn't bother me. Though if it was her, she'd probably try to beat him to a pulp."

"You mean Alex?" Will offered then gave a faint smile. "Yeah, she probably would, she's always been like that. Protective of her friends, but if Duke keeps bothering you, you should probably call the police."

"I live with one so it seems a bit counter productive." Was all that was offered. "Anyway, I need to head back, thanks again for the information and saw for causing such a scene in your family's bar."

"Uh... yeah. Later Charla," Will said as he watched her leave the building and into the stormy night.

His uncle on the other hand gave a concerned look to Will. "Are you okay Will?"

Quickly Will snapped out of his trance and nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay thanks Uncle Tom. I actually need to grab something from the backroom so I'll be back in a minute." He then quickly rushed to the back and closed the door before letting out a breath of relief as he recalled seeing Charla's enraged expression when his cousin made light of her twin's death, no, no it was to whoever looked after her that seemed to have set her off. In fact, she looked about read to kill him for that remark, but why would that be?

As of now though Will could only hope things wouldn't get worse from here.