Children 's logic dictates the way the world works . [ WP ]

“ That ’ s not an option I ’ m currently willing to exercise. ” 
 
 I pinch the bridge of my nose to stave off the headache building behind my eyes. If this goes on much longer, I ’ m gon na have to start to start cutting back on the vegetables. 
 
 “ She ’ s dangerous, Jimmy. You know that. You ’ ve seen it. Dealt with it first hand. She just doesn ’ t play by anyone ’ s rules. ” 
 
 Ali finished off her sucker and unwrapped a fresh one, offering it to me. I declined. I ’ d sworn off the things after my third cavity scare. That one saw me at the dentist for the third time in as many months. I don ’ t care what my dad says, I know that guy is evil. Who owns a drill like that? A murderer, that ’ s who. I still hear the damn thing in my nightmares. 
 
 While she savored the smooth flavor of blue-raspberry, I pondered her words. We both knew she was right. The situation was spiralling out of control. The details of our latest reports flooded my mind, even as I sing songed a few La-La ’ s to block them out. 
 
 Our perp is a wildcard and damn near untraceable. Hide and seek skills like none I ’ ve ever seen. In another life she might have made the perfect detective, but as it was, no one could trust her as far as they could throw her, and she always went limp. 
 
 Always. 
 
 It ’ s part of what made her so hard to bring in. Bringing backup was just plain unfair, and she was one of the fastest runners I ’ d ever had the displeasure of trying to chase down. She outran Andy Hadwell ’ s older brother, for Christ ’ s sake -- while he was wearing his new light-ups. He ’ d spiralled into a depression after that one. Beaten by a girl a full year his junior. He spent a lot of time at the guidance counselor over it. 
 
 We ’ d tried dogs, she brought treats. We ’ d offered candy, favors, hell even the department ’ s entire collection of action figures. Nothing. She had changed. Gone was the lovable, hyperactive runt we all used to know. She was too focused. 
 
 Fucking Vyvanse. I ’ ll get that shit off the street if it ’ s the last thing I do. 
 
 “ It ’ s the only option we have left. ” 
 
 Ali ’ s voice pulled me out of my musings. I stared down at my sandwich. Ham and cheese. Crustless. Cut into triangles. Not a drop of mayo on it. I pushed it away in disgust before grabbing the sucker right out of Ali ’ s mouth and popping into mine. 
 
 “ What the hell, Jimmy? Are you outta your mind? You ’ re gon na be laid up for a week! We ’ ve got ta get you to a hospit -- ” 
 
 “ Jeez, relax. ” I cut her off. “ I had my boosters last week. You think I don ’ t get my shots regularly, working with you? ” 
 
 “ Could have let someone know, asshole. I ’ m not losing another partner to Cooties. ” 
 
 She was clearly distressed, and I immediately felt horrible. I blew a light raspberry to diffuse the tension. 
 
 “ Yeah, yeah. I ’ m sorry. Don ’ t be such a baby about it. ” 
 
 The sullen pout on her blue-stained lips lingered, but she let it slide without further comment. 
 
 “ Anyway, ” she continued, “ it ’ s got ta be you. You ’ ve got a direct line on this one. You ’ ve got the credibility. We need you, Jimmy. ” 
 
 I looked down, still unsure. My own face stared back from the reflective faceplate of my phone. 
 
 “ What about the guys? ” My raspy voice sounds broken, even to me. “ What will they think of me? This is a slippery slope, Ali. Will they be able to trust me? Will I be able to trust myself? ” 
 
 She reached across to take my hand in hers, and I looked around startled. No one seemed to be watching so I relaxed a bit. 
 
 “ Listen Jimmy, I didn ’ t want to do this but…,'' her grip tightened, `` I dare you to do it. ” 
 
 “ Look, Ali, I just don ’ t think -- ” 
 
 “ I double-dog dare you. ” 
 
 “ C ’ mon, think about what ’ s going to happen. Think about what kind of precedent this sets. You can ’ t -- ” 
 
 “ Fucking hell, Jimmy! I triple dog dare you! ” 
 
 Blood, rushing through my ears and the tinkle of dozens of dropped utensils. Every eye in the diner was now locked onto our table. I withdrew my shaky hand from Ali ’ s, no longer concerned in the slightest about who saw. I had eyes only for the phone in front of me as my body acted of its own volition. 
 
 “ F-fine ” I managed to stutter out, “ if this is what you really want. I ’ ll do it, but you ’ re taking care of the paperwork, and don ’ t think the Sheriff isn ’ t going to hear about this ” 
 
 Ali daintily brushed a few stray crumbs off of her dress before carefully straightening her tiara. 
 
 “ It ’ s the burden of my station, Jimmy. It ’ s not all tea parties and being rescued by knights. ” 
 
 I ignore her, and pick up my phone from the table. Scrolling through my contacts, I try to think of a way out of this. Nothing. Pausing before I make the call, I look up one last time. 
 
 “ It ’ s days like these that I wish I ’ d stayed out in space, y ’ know. Fighting aliens is so much simpler than all of this. ” 
 
 Before she has a chance to respond I return to the task at hand, tapping the contact and waiting for the line to connect. A few rings in and I ’ m almost hoping no one picks up, but I ’ m not that lucky. 
 
 “ Jimmy, is that you? Shouldn ’ t you be at work, honey? What ’ s wrong? ” 
 
 God, I ’ m going to burn in hell for this. 
 
 “ Hey, mom. We ’ ve got to talk about Sarah, is dad around? ”
