2113 North Wallace Street.
In the broken-down house with the doors and windows locked.
Veronica and Vivian were watching TV. The news was reporting on Karmala adopting children and using them to run a sweatshop.
This story was massive. In just ten minutes, it completely overshadowed Karmala's shooting, spreading across the entire city of Chicago.
As a result, the South Side Police District Chief personally led a large force to the scene, and media outlets of all sizes from other parts of Chicago were speeding there in cars and helicopters...
At the same time.
The head of Chicago's DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services), and even the Mayor of Chicago, were rushing toward Karmala's house.
Naturally.
The street where Karmala lived and the surrounding streets were lit up like a Christmas tree, and countless white people had poured out of their houses and into the streets, shouting and moving toward Karmala's house...
Most of the Black people on the street were hunkered down in their homes, trembling, too scared to make a sound.
Only a small number of hot-headed, less-than-sober Black people dared to yell back at the shouting white crowds... These Black folks had a reason, too, since there were Black children among the kids Karmala had adopted...
For a time.
The entire street was a chaotic spectacle, filled with non-stop noise.
Watching this unfold on TV, Veronica had been frozen for a long time, her emotions complex, unable to speak.
Just then.
"V!" Kevin's urgent voice sounded outside the door.
Hearing him, Veronica immediately snapped out of it, quickly got up, and opened the door.
When she saw Kevin, Veronica couldn't hold it together anymore and threw herself into his arms. "Kev..."
Kevin sighed in relief. "Are you okay?"
Veronica shook her head. "I'm fine, just spooked."
She looked up at Kevin, thinking about the news on TV. "You haven't seen the news, have you? Hurry up and come in and watch. This might turn into a huge disaster."
Kevin hadn't seen the news yet and was confused. "????"
Soon.
After greeting Vivian and sitting down on the couch to watch the TV for a minute, Kevin wasn't confused anymore. "Damn, how is this stuff still happening in this day and age?"
Kevin's parents had died years ago, and he'd lived in foster care and had a tough childhood. He instantly felt for those poor kids. "That Karmala, she got what she deserved!!!"
As soon as he said that, Kevin realized his words might sound bad to Veronica, so he quickly explained, "V, don't get the wrong idea. Me saying that has nothing to do with her being Black."
Veronica wasn't a racist and managed a weak smile. "I think she got what she deserved, too! I'm just worried that if this keeps escalating, there might be even more killings."
"We've got a lot of Black people and a lot of racists living in this neighborhood."
Kevin knew that perfectly well. He thought for a moment. "Let's see how the government handles it. Don't go out again tonight. Tomorrow, we'll go out and come back together. Don't walk alone."
Then, Kevin looked at Vivian. "Vivian, same goes for you. Commute with us. You're a young woman, and it's not safe right now."
Vivian didn't seem bothered at all.
But, well, she had been going to and from work with Veronica anyway for the past few days, so it wasn't a big deal.
"Sounds good, thanks. I'll see you tomorrow morning, I'm heading back now," Vivian said with a smile, getting up.
"Why don't you just stay here? There's a killer out there," Veronica quickly suggested.
"No need. I'm not a big fan of staying at other people's houses. Don't worry, I'll be fine, I know a little martial arts," Vivian replied with a calm smile.
Veronica thought it over and didn't push it. "Okay, then. Kevin, walk Vivian home."
"Will do," Kevin agreed readily.
Ten minutes later.
After dropping Vivian off at her place, Kevin returned and sat next to Veronica, comforting her for a while.
With Kevin there, Veronica felt much calmer.
"I was thinking about going to the hospital to see Fiona, but now..." Veronica wasn't sure what to do, debating whether or not she should go.
Kevin didn't have much affection for the Gallagher family, so he decisively shook his head. "Don't go. If you go, go tomorrow morning. Have you seen how crazy it is outside?"
Veronica hesitated for a bit, then nodded. "Okay."
Then, Veronica thought of Dexter and was alarmed. "Kev, did you call Dexter? He seems to like running around outside. We need to warn him."
Kevin hadn't thought of that and felt a little embarrassed. "I'll call him right now."
Dexter had just walked out of the train station, cigarette dangling from his lips. He was strolling toward his hotel, watching the police cars and various vans with news media logos speeding past him.
His phone vibrated.
Dexter took out his phone, saw it was Kevin calling, and immediately answered. "Hello."
Kevin heard the police sirens on his end and panicked. "Dexter, are you still wandering around out there? Get back to the hotel right now, something huge has happened."
Dexter heard him and just assumed Kevin was talking about Karmala and Roberta getting killed. He played along. "No wonder it's so crazy out here. What happened?"
Kevin explained the situation in one breath.
After listening.
Dexter was genuinely surprised.
Holy smokes!
Karmala, one person, caused such a massive issue?
But then, Dexter quickly understood.
In America, or rather, in most normal countries... child abuse is a major red line.
The things Karmala did, being exposed like this, it wasn't surprising that it was such a big sensation.
As for the resulting racism...
Well, that wasn't exactly shocking either.
Karmala was Black, and among those kids, quite a few were white.
"That's wild," Dexter commented. "Alright, thanks. I'm almost at the hotel. Good time to wash up and go to sleep. You guys be careful, too, and don't go out."
"Okay."
After chatting for a little longer, they hung up.
Dexter sped up a bit, returned to his hotel room, and turned on the TV.
The hospital.
In the emergency room waiting area.
Fiona and the four kids were also drawn to the news on TV.
After less than a minute of watching.
Fiona, Lip, Ian, and Debbie all freaked out.
"Liam is still at home!" Fiona cried out.
Steve nodded, making a thoughtful suggestion. "I'll go get him. It'll be safer in the hospital."
"Thank you, I'm sorry to put you through this again," Fiona said with a grimace, thanking him.
Steve smiled, kissed Fiona on the cheek, and got up to leave.
He walked to the parking lot.
Sigh...
Steve sighed, feeling completely worn out.
The Gallaghers have too much drama...
After all the chaos of the last few days, Steve honestly felt like he was running on fumes.