[Shocker]

A Chapter by Peregrinator7

Being the daughter of the most feared man on earth isn't easy...

The scene starts with a view of a city street. Cars pass by in a blur, pedestrians stroll by on the sidewalks. The scene zooms into our main character, MANDY, as she enters a building under a sign that reads "ALMOST DEAD COFFEE". She has long, curly hair, a backward hat, and is wearing a leather jacket and jeans. The left side of her face is covered with a bandage, and running across her face from under it is a fresh scar.

The bells above the door jingle happily as Mandy enters, above a sign posted on the door that says "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE". As she approaches, the barista at the counter straightens in surprised attention.

Mandy: Hey, Dirk!

Dirk (the barista): Oh! Mandy! I wasn't expecting you!

Mandy stands there, relaxed, but Dirk looks behind him several times nervously.

Mandy: I'll have a Medium Darknight special.

Dirk: *sweating slightly* Oh, we don't sell that anymore. Got a new manager.

Mandy: *disappointed* Hmm. Bummer. What should I have then...

The Boss [offscreen]: DIRK!

Dirk [thinking]: *looks behind him, horrified* Crap...

THE BOSS storms in, a furious expression on his face.

Boss: *to Dirk* The hell you think you're doin?

Dirk: *stammering* Sir, I can explain-

Boss: *yelling* You realize we don't sell our products to VILLAIN SPAWN?

Dirk turns back to Mandy, his face sympathetic.

Dirk: Sorry Mandy, I can't serve you.

Mandy: ...villain spawn? What idiot came up with that?

Boss: *growling* Explain the scar, then.

Mandy: *puts hand defensively over bandaged side of face* M-my scar? I got it in a fight...

Boss: Just a fight? Haw! You look just like em'!

Mandy: *shocked, to herself* w-what?...

Boss: GET OUTTA MY SHOP, YA VILLAIN SPAWN!

The shop is deathly silent. Mandy stands in shock.

Boss: Didja hear what I said? Get out!

Mandy turns to leave, face downcast. She pauses, her face darkening into something that isn't like her.

Mandy: Oh, so it's that way.

She suddenly leaps at the boss in blind anger, pinning him to the ground with her hands around his neck.

Mandy: *enraged* VILLAIN SPAWN? IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL ME?

Dirk wants to help, but is afraid.

Dirk: Mandy, stop!

Mandy: *tightens her grip on the boss's neck* DON'T EVER CALL ME THAT AGAIN, YOU HEAR?!

Suddenly, her face changes again and her grip loosens. She pulls away from the boss as fast as she would a hot stove, yelling in surprise. Dirk immediately rushes to his side.

Dirk: Boss! Are you okay?!

While Dirk assists the boss, Mandy makes her getaway. She runs into the street, the door to the shop slamming behind her.

Mandy: *to herself* No no no no no no no gotta get away-

Meanwhile, Dirk makes a phone call.

Receiver: This is S.W.O.R.D headquarters. How can we help you?

Dirk: Yeah, I've got reports of an assault by a deviant.

Receiver: Describe?

Dirk: Er, white female with black backwards hat, curly hair, leather jacket, and bandage covering left side of face.

Receiver: *static* repeat the last part?

Dirk: Bandage covering left side of face?

Receiver: Thank you. Address?

Dirk: She ran to the right out of Almost Dead Coffee.

Receiver: Thank you.

As Dirk speaks to the RECEIVER, pan several shots of Mandy running, skidding to a halt outside an alleyway, and hiding behind a garbage dumpster.

Mandy peeks out from her hiding spot behind the dumpster, but quickly pulls herself back.

Mandy: *thinking* They're looking for me, I know it.

A single tear slips down her cheek.

Mandy: *thinking* I can't run. And this is a horrible hiding spot.

Nondescript voices can be heard at the entrance to the alleyway.

Mandy: *thinking* I guess I have only one choice-

An OFFICIAL interrupts, pointing a taser at Mandy.

Mandy: *thinking* I have to fight.

Desperate, Mandy lashes out, kicking the official in the abdomen. He falls, dropping the taser. Acting fast, Mandy grabs the taser, only to be surrounded by three more officials. She quickly zaps one, sending him to the ground. Another runs by, attempting to electrocute her, but she dodges. He stands there, slightly dumbfounded, for too long, as Mandy advances on him with the taser. Behind him when he falls is another official, charging towards her. She is surprised for a moment, but quickly recovers and electrocutes him. He falls, and Mandy sees that there are no officials left. She drops the taser, slightly anguished.

Mandy: *thinking* I'm a monster.

She steps over the unconscious officials and out of the alleyway. What she does not see is a final official, hands shaking on a taser. He steps out behind Mandy.

Mandy: *thinking* But at least I'm-

The official fires the taser, and Mandy falls.

Mandy: -safe-

Screen drops to black.

[THE END]

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