CH:4 Predator Among Prey

-meanwhile-

April O'Neil, her cameraman, Vern Fenwick, and their newest little team member for tech support, Roxanne Hart, were driving in a news van to the latest science convention.

Being a major news reporter for Channel 6 has been a dream for April for as long as she could remember. Right now, they were on their way to cover a story that might actually make a difference! A chance that April has been looking for since she was little. Well, not exactly, but it is a step in the right direction! Much better than jumping on a trampoline anyways.

A middle aged man that used to work with her father named Berry Drax, is a renowned scientist and inventor. Known for his cunning edge tech that has been said to revolutionize just about anything. The scoop's that he was unveiling something new tonight at his Drax Expo.

Though they were going to a pretty ritzy event, only Roxy, as her roommate April calls her, was not happy to be going. The closer they got to the event, the more afraid Roxy was appearing to be. She couldn't keep her hands still as she was constantly running her fingers through her long straight hair with a worried and perplexed look on her delicate pale face.

April laid a calm hand on her roomie's petite shoulder, making Roxy flinch slightly. But, once she realized it was April, she relaxed a fraction as the red head said, "Roxy, girl, are you okay? You seem a bit on edge."

"Hey I would be nervous too..." chimed in Vern with a smerk as he drove the van, "I may not be the brightest, but I am handsome! If we were reporting on anything else I wouldn't sweat it... but DANG those smart broads scare me." He finishes with a small chuckle as he scratches the back of his head.

Roxy let out a small giggle at Vern's confession and April lets a soft smile grace her lips, "See, you're gonna be fine Roxy. Even Vern is scared of tonights event. So, we have each others backs, and can confide in each other if necessary."

Even if she was reassured, she still felt nervous. Though she could not describe why. Roxy pushed back a strand of her pale blonde hair behind her ear still silently worried, 'This feeling... It feels so much like, HIM, yet it couldn't be... He hates the human world! So, why would he come here just for a runaway like me? I mean, he has six other wives! Why does he need a seventh?!' Roxy gives her head a small shake, but can't get the thought or the feeling out of her mind.

Lost in her thoughts, they arrived at the event before she knew it and already parked, "Well ladies, I hope you double checked your make up cause there is no going back now."

April gave a smirk, "At least we didn't take a whole two hours to do our make up like a certain

Falcon in this van."

"W-what make up... this is all nautral...." Vern tries to defend himself with a sheepish grin.

"By loreal?" Roxy quipped unknowingly, as she was unsure if that was a real make up brand or not. Yet, when April bursted into laughter she had second thoughts about ever speaking again.

April assured her by giving a small pat on the back. While wiping a tear from her eye, April added, "You're so quiet, I always forget how funny you can be."

A few moments later they enter the science convention and flash their press badges to get in. Once they entered it was like crossing into the future. With starry eyes they couldn't stop looking at everything around them. There was model cars that hovered and gadets that were said to make life better at every corner. Beautiful women walked around the convention dressed in futuristic shiny silver styled outfits, and were carrying trays of mini food that smelled delicious.

The other two wandered around the convention as Roxy is setting up, eventually getting separated. April went to do some reporting. While, Vern was distracted with the beautiful cocktail waitresses and stuffing his mouth with mini tarts.

Roxy was calm at first but as she neared the front stage for the main display, she began to get nervous again as she was setting up their equipment. That was when she felt it, HIS energy signature and it was strong and felt like it was everywhere. She looked left and right as she tried to find HIM.... Lord Barron Draxum. He must be there since she was never wrong, at least when it comes to this. She could recognize his energy anywhere since he was the one who bought her from her family as a child.

Just then Roxy sensed the Lord's enery signature spike. But, before she could even react, she felt his breath on the back of her neck.

"My, oh my, what do we have here? A fox in sheep's clothing?"

It was Him... He had some how snuck up behind Roxy.

Her eyes widened as she froze in fear, not daring to make a move. Though with what little courage she had she spoke, "I believe the term is a wolf in sheep's clothing, though that description is more suiting for someone like you... Lord Draxum." She quietly spat his actual name like it was soaked in vinegar and turned to look at him with a face to match.

He just smirked, "Ahh, I see living amongst this filth hasn't tainted you in the slightest. I miss your fiery passion Roxanna, but we will soon beat you into submission soon enough after the wedding ceremony."

Roxy scoffs, "If you think for even a moment that I will actually be your bride, think again you

delusional pervert."

Barron Draxum, though disguised as human, gave his signature sneer that smoothed out into a condescending smirk, "Ive seen how this story goes down, and you will not like how it ends... But make one thing certain, you will be the seventh bride and you will submit to me... little fox. After all I have branded you with my mark." He then walked away and any strength and courage Roxy had was finally drained out as she slumps against the radio equipment, glancing down at the tattoos on her wrists before she pulls her sleeves over them once more.

After the convention was over, the little news crew were on their way back to the channel 6 studio in their van.

April huffed out a frustrated sigh, as she slouched in her seat, "Man, Mr. Drax is hard to get a solid interview from. Everytime I tracked him down, I could barely ask him more then one question before he disappeared again."

Roxy tenses involuntarily at the mention of Draxum's name and it takes a considerable amount of energy for her to calm down.

Vern sighs in annoyance at the heavy traffic, "Well at least we got some good shots of the main reveal. That crane drone will make construction on new towers go up a lot quicker."

"Yeaahhh... But I don't think Mr. Drax cares about how his inventions are used. That could easily be turned into quite the weapon carrier considering how compact it is and with how crazy of a maximum load weight has... What do you think, Roxy? ...Roxy?"

Just when Roxy snaps out of replaying her previous interaction they stop the van at a red light. People started flooding the streets in a fleeing attempt from the subway tunnels underground. In a flash, April unbuckles herself as she rushes out of the van and towards the certain danger that many people were trying to get away from.

In concern for the first and most likely only friend shes had in over three hundred years, Roxy ran after April as Vern hollers after them about calling for backup as he fumbled his phone out.

As much as that last statement confused Roxy, she hurried after her only mortal friend that was clearly running head first into danger.