Chapter 4: Chapter 4: A Family Reunited
Chapter 4: A Family Reunited
The truck rumbled through the city streets, the sound of the engine barely cutting through the chaos of Sam's thoughts. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he glanced in the rearview mirror at the two girls sitting in the back, still shaken from the horrifying experience.
They were silent, both wrapped in their own fear. The younger of the two, with dark brown hair, clutched the other girl's hand tightly. Sam couldn't help but notice the strain in their eyes—these were not the faces of kids who should've been on the run. They were victims, caught in the grip of something far too big for them to understand.
As the truck passed through Gotham's busy streets, the towering buildings seemed to loom down like silent sentinels. Sam's focus was razor-sharp now. This city had its own undercurrents—dark ones—and it was clear that these girls weren't just lost. They'd been taken for a reason, and he was going to make sure they were safe.
He pulled into the Gotham City Police Department parking lot. The large, grey building stood imposingly against the overcast sky, and Sam's instincts told him this was where he needed to be. He stopped the truck and killed the engine, stepping out of the cab in his Ryu form.
The girls seemed hesitant to move, their wide eyes tracking his every movement. Sam made sure to lower his posture slightly, hoping to seem less intimidating, despite the powerful aura of his transformation.
"It's okay," Sam said, his voice softer now, trying to reassure them. "We're at the police station. You're safe now."
He helped the girls down from the back of the truck, their bodies still trembling. As they walked toward the entrance of the building, Sam felt a pang of unease. The atmosphere in Gotham was always tense, but there was something different today—something he couldn't quite place.
They entered the GCPD and approached the front desk, where a uniformed officer was typing away at a computer. As soon as he saw the girls, his face lit up with recognition.
"Barbara? Alysia?" the officer asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Barbara, the older of the two girls, stepped forward, tears running down her cheeks. She nodded silently, unable to speak, her body shaking violently. Sam's heart ached for her, and he turned his attention toward the officer, who immediately picked up the phone.
"Get Commissioner Gordon down here!" he barked into the receiver. "We've found his daughter!"
Moments later, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Sam turned toward the sound and saw a tall, middle-aged man entering the room. His face was etched with worry, his hair peppered with streaks of grey. As soon as he saw Barbara, his entire demeanor shifted—panic and relief flooding his features at once.
"Barbara!" the man exclaimed, his voice trembling. Without a word, he rushed forward and pulled his daughter into a tight, almost desperate embrace. "Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!"
Barbara didn't respond at first, only buried her face into her father's chest and cried harder. Sam stepped back to give them space, his eyes flicking between the father and daughter.
James Gordon, the Commissioner of Gotham City Police, pulled back just slightly, but his hands still held tightly onto his daughter. "Barbara… where were you? Who did this to you?"
Barbara trembled, unable to answer, the words stuck in her throat. Her breath hitched with each sob, and Sam's heart clenched. She was clearly overwhelmed, lost in the trauma of the ordeal.
It wasn't until Alysia Yeoh, Barbara's friend, stepped forward that the silence broke. Alysia, though just as shaken, had the strength to speak. "It was... some man. He tried to sell us… but we were lucky."
James Gordon looked up then, his eyes shifting to Sam. Ryu's presence in the room was unmistakable. The large, muscular figure, dressed in a red gi, stood with quiet power. His gaze was steady and calm, and for a moment, James was unsure of how to approach him.
"You… you helped them?" James asked, his voice softer now, full of gratitude. He took a slow step forward, looking Sam up and down. "I don't know how to thank you."
Sam, still in Ryu form, nodded curtly. "The man who took them tried to take me, too. But I dealt with him." His tone was calm, no hint of pride, only the practicality of the situation. "I knocked him out."
James nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing with understanding. "I can tell. You look strong—very strong. I don't know how you did it, but I'm grateful." His voice softened again as he turned back to his daughter. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Barbara gave a quiet sob as she buried herself into her father again, her tears soaking into his shirt. The sight hit Sam harder than he expected. He didn't know what it was like to have a family like this. He'd been alone in his previous life, and seeing this kind of bond made something stir inside him.
James paused, then looked up again. "I know you've been through a lot. If you need a place to stay, I can offer you a room at my house. We'd be honored to have you."
Sam felt a pang of hesitation. He didn't want to take advantage of anyone's hospitality, especially when he still didn't fully understand what was happening around him. "I don't know..." he started, his thoughts conflicted.
Kit's voice echoed in his head, clear and unyielding. Go. You'll need allies here, and this might be a good place to start.
Sam exhaled slowly. He had been planning to decline, but Kit's words held weight. He nodded, turning back to James.
"Alright," Sam said, his voice steady but reluctant. "I'll take you up on that offer."
James smiled warmly. "Good. It's settled then. Let's get you home, and we'll talk more there."
As they walked out of the GCPD, Sam glanced at Barbara and Alysia. He could see that while the immediate danger was over, their journey was far from finished. Whatever had brought them here—whatever threat was still lurking—he wasn't about to leave them to face it alone.
For now, though, it seemed like he had found a temporary place to stay—somewhere safe to regroup. The question was, how long would it stay safe?