Once again, this world proved Seraphina to be disappointing. When Molly explained about the rally, Seraphina had assumed she'd finally see some real action—maybe a few battles or at least a spark of tension in the air. Instead, when they arrived at the small neighborhood park, she found a subdued gathering: families with children, orderly barricades, and a significant police presence.
"This is awfully calm for an uprising," she noted to Molly.
"Well, yeah," Molly replied. "They have to be organized. We can't give the other side any excuse to shut us down."
Seraphina nodded, though she secretly hoped for some excitement.
After delivering their handmade posters to a volunteer, they scanned the crowd until Molly pointed. "There's Adrian—and that's Jon talking to him."
Near the makeshift stage, Jonathan and Adrian were deep in conversation with an officer in uniform.
"Why are they talking to a cop?" Seraphina asked.
Molly shrugged. "I don't know. Let's go see what's going on."
They wove through the crowd and overheard the officer saying, "One of you will get on that stage and calmly tell everyone to disperse."
Adrian's curly hair bobbed as he shook his head. "Come on, man, we have permits."
Jonathan stepped forward, hands tucked casually in his pockets. "I'm sure your paycheck comes from the city—maybe even the Stanley family—so forgive us if we're confused."
The cop frowned, but before he could reply, loud chanting erupted behind them.
Jonathan and Adrian exchanged a grin. Nathan said, "Nice!"
They turned and saw Molly and Seraphina approaching. "Glad you made it," Adrian said with a nod. "This is going to be a good day."
But while Adrian was still grinning, Jonathan's smile faded into a frown, and then it became clear why: it was the chanting. The loud voices weren't chanting in support of their cause. They were yelling, "Build a better Brooklyn!" over and over again.
Turning to look over the crowd of opponents, Seraphina could now see they were farther back, across the street. They held signs like the ones she and Jonathan had made, all with messages about development, growth in the community, and creating jobs.
At the front of the pack was a young woman, holding up her cell phone, posing with the group behind her.
"She's filming this," Molly said.
Jonathan added, "And those protestors behind her"
Adrian cursed. "That's Tiana Stanley."
Seraphina looked at Molly. "Who is she?"
Molly sighed. "The youngest in the Stanley family—an influencer. She's twisted the narrative so the neighbors look ungrateful who don't want to accept her family's money."
Seraphina turns to Molly once again, she asked, "Why would anyone care about what this young girl has to say?"
"She's an influencer and has been riling up her followers to harass people in the neighborhood."
Seraphina frowned. "One girl is outshouting you all?" She admired Tiana's charisma, but clearly the others would not appreciate that.
Jonathan leaned in. "She's got charisma—and thirty-five Stanley family attorneys. Her platform spreads lies."
Before Seraphina could probe further, a woman hustled them to the stage. Jonathan climbed the steps and accepted a bullhorn. "My name is Jonathan Norstorm," he began, voice amplified. "My family's been here for generations. These outsiders want to 'build a better Brooklyn'—whatever that means. This is already a great part of Brooklyn. My family is Brooklyn."
When his eyes drifted toward Seraphina she caught a glimmer of emotion in his gaze—and she scoffed inwardly. Emotional appeals wouldn't win this fight. They needed real leadership. She stepped up beside him and took the bullhorn.
"My name is Seraphi-Sera," she announced, voice steady. "This neighborhood is our home—not theirs! These Stanley freaks would take it from you. Is that the world you want, where anyone can come and claim what's yours? She didn't dare turn her head and look at Jonathan, but Molly was more in front of her and their eyes met. She gave Seraphina a nod of approval, and continued. "We will take that power back from these people. Let them spend their money elsewhere because we can't be bought!" Now the crowd rumbled louder, shouts of agreement coming from a few different directions. Even some of the counter protestors in the back were nodding.
Then someone yelled, "It's all their fault! Eat the rich!" and threw a bottle toward the crowd right behind Tiana. It struck a nearby officer, and all hell broke loose. Shouts and shoves broke out; the police moved in to contain the violence.
Seraphina stood for a moment and watched the chaos unfold, a certain longing for back home taking hold. Good times. But it was short-lived when the police swarmed them, and suddenly, I could no longer see Molly. Seraphina wasn't sure if she'd jump in front of a sword for her at this point, but she need her for her plan.
Seraphina scanned the area for a few seconds when someone grabbed her hand. Snapping her head to them, She found Jonathan, wide-eyed and trying to pull her away.
"Come on, Sera. We have to go!"
She snatched her hand away. "I don't need saving!"
"Wha—?" he started to say, his brows lifting in surprise.
But his words were halted by two officers appearing at their sides. One of them, a tall man with a bald head, took Jonathan by the arm. "You're under arrest."