Here's the fourth edition to the Silhouette series. More from Silvia and her troubles in Rams Ridge. If you've fallen behind, no worries, I got a tab now that will lead you to the rest of them. It the thing conveniently titled "Silhouette" if you didn't catch on. Still more to come for those interested. My appreciation goes to those who've given it a read and especially those who took the time to sent me responses.
Teej
Rise from Shadows
Her knees feel like buckling from beneath her, struggling to find strength. Behind a few strands of black hair, she refuses to cry, but her eyes can’t help but water. It’s enough to prevent her from being able to read the tombstone before her but it doesn’t remove the reality of the situation. It all feels like a bad dream, the kind you wake up in a sweat from; the sort of dream you laugh about once everything corrects itself. Each time she tries opening her eyes though, nothing changes, and those cold, stone letters read the same. ‘Jenna Cooper, a loving daughter taken in her prime’.
Had it just been an overdose, maybe she would’ve had a chance, but there were far too many variables against her that night. It’s hard to know how the events played out. Jenna’s body was found in a puddle of vomit outside the ER at a quarter to five; where Sid presumably dropped her off. Her nose produced a fine trail of blood; bruises were discovered up her arms and neck with multiple shards of glass sticking from every which way. Due to spontaneous seizing, it was difficult to do anything for her at that point. Before Silvia had made it to the hospital, she had slipped into unconscious for the very last time.
This haunting memory replayed in Silvia’s mind. Had she gone out with Jenna that night she could’ve stopped it all from happening. This she was determined of. She would still be alive, Sid would be in jail, and Silvia’s life wouldn’t seem so topsy-turvy.
Wiping her tears on her sleeve, she left the vacant graveyard. As she passed through the gates, that mournful state refused to leave; the whole world seemed in cahoots in playing a role in her misery. The overcast sky; the unsettling fog; with Silvia in all black, one might expect a 1980’s music video to surface.
It was the depression that caused her to be distracted. Normally she would have noticed the two officers in obvious pursuit, but it arrived as a surprise when they grabbed her, dragging her into an alley. She violently squirmed in their arms as they confronted her.
“Silvia Spencer-Chen,” he paused for acknowledgement.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Listen, I told you everything I know about my friend so I’d appreciate it if you’d do me the favour and fuck off.”
Her attempt to flee was halted.
“What do you know about this man?”
The officer flashed her a photograph, and her eyes widened. Not to her surprise, it was a photo of Em-Aych, smiling that grin of his while flipping off whomever the photographer happened to be. Silvia said nothing.
“We know you’ve been in contact with him so save yourself the lie.”
She struggled a little less, “He wears a top hat and you can’t find him? I don’t know anything about him,” she replied. It wasn’t far from the truth, but it wasn’t what the officers wanted to hear.
One of them drew their club and struck Silvia across the face while the other restrained her.
“You little piece of shit. I warned you about lying. Whether you believe it or not, this man is dangerous, and protecting him like this is obstruction of justice.”
“And beating a girl in an alleyway is your idea of justice?” she spat.
This time they tried her gut. A clean strike left her gasping and panting.
“What can you tell us you whore? Otherwise we’re be forced to process you.”
“Tell me this,” she laughed. “Do you even have a name? I get the feeling it isn’t a pronoun.”
They threw her against the wall where she crumpled upon impact. It brought a coppery taste to her mouth as she watched her attackers loom over her in her slumped state.
“Don’t know why you’d protect a monster like him. He obviously doesn’t give a shit about you.”
“Should we just plug her? She’s not gonna talk.”
Out of desperation, Silvia wrapped her ankles around the leg of the clubbed officer. With a twist, he came crashing down hard against the pavement. The other officer quickly drew his pistol, aiming for Silvia’s head. Kicking the downed cop’s legs in the air, she rolled to the right. The armed cop fired, tearing meat from his partner’s leg. He belted with a scream while Silvia jumped to her feet. She wasted not a second to chuck the nightstick at the standing officer before sprinting in the other direction.
“You fucking prick! You shot me in the fucking leg!”
“Shut up, she’s getting away!”
“Yeah?! Well maybe I should plug you one!”
The shouting continued, though she refused to turn around. Leaping on top of a dumpster, she gained access to a fire escape. Climbing for her life, she knew she’d be safe once she got to the top. Gunshots were heard from below, but something told her they weren’t meant for her; Rams Ridge’s finest.
To the untrained eye, the rooftops of the urban landscape merely resemble a limited view of the same city. With the proper perspective though, shingles and chimneys become pathways and shortcuts; a concrete jungle waiting to be explored.
Hesitant at first, Silvia found the ledges and jumping between buildings easily navigable. Thanks to Rams Ridge’s architecture, she made her way across several blocks before returning to the street. The wind in her hair and the thrill of the run felt exhilarating. ‘You ever been chased on a rooftop?’ She finally understood what Em-Aych might’ve been talking about.
Back on the street, Silvia was reminded of the severity of her situation. In self-defense she attacked two police officers and protected an individual she barely knew. ‘Em-Aych’, it wasn’t even his real name and, like a gust of wind, entered her life, possibly placing her in danger. Was he dangerous? Silvia’s head was spinning in confusion as she wandered aimlessly. She couldn’t go to the police and there was a fat chance they’d ever catch up to Sid, let alone try to pursue him. Part of her still burned for revenge. She needed to clear her head; needed to sit down. She was beginning to know her way around the city and recalled a café a few blocks away.
Sitting alone facing the window, she watched as the patter of rain danced off the asphalt; so much for a productive day off. She thought about dropping by the bookstore anyway; perhaps lending a hand. Steve was rather adamant about taking time off due to recent events. All she really wanted though was someone to talk to. The coffee shop was useless in that aspect. Between their peak hours it was nothing more than a ghost town.
She snapped to attention as an individual took the seat before her. Having closed her eyes for longer than she realized, the scene had changed considerably. Business had picked up and consequently the chatter of customers and ambrosial scent of freshly ground coffee had as well. She didn’t know what to say to him, so Em-Aych broke the ice.
“Been looking for you princess. Bit of a shit day, an— you alright?”
“I don’t know. How’d you know to find me here?”
“Stopped by Steve’s, said you were off, so I thought you might wander in here. You look…” he paused, “well; I’ve painted myself into a corner here.” He got a slight smile from her.
“I’m conflicted,” she confessed. “A few cops approached me today asking about you.” Em-Aych said nothing. “They said you were dangerous and asked what I knew. Unfortunately, they ask a bit rough.”
Silvia mover her hand so he could better examine the bruise left on her face; a disgusted look reflected upon his own.
“Like to see what those pricks are looking like now.”
“After some friendly fire, I imagine at least one is walking with a limp.”
“That’s what I like to hear. You get their names? We can go after these twats.”
She paused to contemplate the idea. “I’m more concerned with why they were after me in the first place.”
Em-Aych, once again, lacked a response. A young blond barista approached the table carrying a glass. She smiled as she handed him the steaming beverage. “Nice to see you in here again.”
“Cheers luv. You seen Marcus around?”
“Hasn’t been in, but I’ll let you know.” Almost refusing eye contact with Silvia, she left the two.
Em-Aych sipped his drink with a content expression.
“Well?” Silvia was growing annoyed. “Two cops beat me in the street because I’m some sort of ‘associate’ to you and you’ve got fuck all to say?” She wasn’t far from storming out; that or taking a shot or two at him. Her curiosity let her linger.
“Coppers are crooked around here Silvia. You try to do the right thing, but you gotta remember: morality is subjective. I’m guessing it was Hoitz and McCarthy in the alleyway with you; for that I’m sorry. Both a couple of nutters still pissing about yesterday’s news.”
“What are you talking about?”
He took a deep breath. “Tit known as Brown, a mate of theirs, started roughing up some ladies down on Ripley. I heard the rumours but I didn’t know what it really meant ‘till I caught the bastard in the act.” He pulled a necklace from beneath his shirt. Not the kind you’d expect on a man, nor was he the type to wear jewelry in the first place; he had his way. “Jillian, Jill, she was fifteen. When I caught up to him he had her pressed against the wall, taking it, with a knife to her throat. He slits her before I could do anything and pulls his piece on me.”
Silvia felt uneasy. “And you…you killed him?”
“I took my time. I’m not proud of it, but seeing the look on her face, watching her eyes go cold, knowing I couldn’t do a fuckin’ thing….They might call me all sorts of things Silvia, but if you ask me, I didn’t do anything I wouldn’t do again.”
They sat in silence, both allowing some time to pass. By this time, Silvia’s tea had gone cold.
“I didn’t know…” She had a hard time making eye contact now.
“Not that you should’ve,” he laughed. “Was trying to make the point that I get why you went after Sid.”
“I was angry; I didn’t know what else to do. It was a bad idea. Problem is if I did nothing, he’d get away. Cops haven’t done shit around here.”
“Exactly, and they won’t; they got only one thing on their minds. You know, we’re told things are ‘good’ and ‘bad’; things are ‘right’ and ‘wrong’; I don’t know about you, but I’m not see a lot of that bullocks being objective. The institutions, the police, the government, the military, they get to make up the rules and they’ll supposedly protect us from this ‘wrong’. It’s all to cock.”
Silvia subtly looked around with slight worry that someone would overhear their conversation. The café was a buzz of people getting off work and grabbing a bite. She looked back, contented, and gave him a look.
“What, you have that one memorized or something?”
“It’s real; think about it. Sometimes the world needs a push; shake things up; make them remember.”
“You’re thinking we become vigilantes?”
“I was talking about the perpetuation of society and it’s need for anarchy, but I like that idea much better.”
“I was— you can’t be serious.”
“I’m usually not,” he grinned, “but haven’t we been doing that sort of thing already?”
Silvia had to think about her response. It was only a few days since they’d taken out at least a dozen guys singlehandedly. “We’ll get ourselves killed. I don’t know if you knew but people carry guns. I almost got shot today as is.”
“You said he shot his partner.”
“Only with assistance.”
“See, you’re brilliant! And not everyone has a piece. We can even get some pads and the like. We’ll be proper.”
She could see the fire in his eyes. Em-Aych held the expression of an exited five year-old.
“Where are we planning to find these ‘pads’?”
“I know a guy that robs from some people,” he retorted, thrilled she’d amuse him.
“You’ve been thinking about this,” she couldn’t help but smile. “We aren’t doing that superhero route, though. Girls agree to that sort of thing and before you know it, they’re jumping from rooftops with their tits out.”
He laughed at the suggestion, “Not trusting my fashion sense?” he gave a tip of his hat. “If you’re so self-conscious, you can go on with; saves me from asking your size.”
“Fuck off,” she laughed. “When do you think that’ll happen?”
“Let me borrow your mobile.”
“What, why?”
“I don’t have one and he wouldn’t pick up if he knew it was me.”
“You’re strange you know.” She handed it over.
“Just be a moment.” Without an explanation he leapt from the table and vanished out the door.
Silvia got up to follow, seeing he’d stopped just outside. He was mid conversation and had just lit a cigarette.
“—times do I have to apologize for that? You still owe me one. You got any of those padded suit things?” he made a face at Silvia. “No, not a diver suit. Bullet-proof-like. Yeah, light weight. What, you got batman?
“Spliff?” He offered to Silvia who refused
“No, I wasn’t suggesting dressing up— Mercenary gear? Well how was I supposed to— Don’t be a twat. You got it in female too? No, I— well she’s coming too and it’ll shut you up quick. Where?”
He pulled a pen from his pocket, scribbling something on his hand. “No, we’ll be there. Cheers.” With that he hung up and returned her phone. “We got twenty minutes to get across town.”
“What, now?”
“No, in twenty minutes.”
She punched him in the arm, “are you stoned?”
“Course not. Did you want to be?”
She shook her head, “smoke kills.”
“Yeah,” he took in a long drag before stamping out what was left, “so do guns. I’m working on getting rid of them. You coming?”
Silvia didn’t know how to take all of this. What was she getting herself in to? “I suppose. Are you being serious about all of this? I mean, how are we affording this in the first place? I really don’t—“
“Just try to keep up and I got it taken care of,” he beamed before bolting. Saved by sensible shoes, she chased after him.
After a few blocks, she was forced to question whether he was trying to lose her. Vaulting over a railing, Em-Aych turned to catch the ledge before lowering himself down to the train station entrance. Silvia did the same, though lacking the grace of the one in pursuit. He was off several paces ahead, springing up and over the turnstile; likewise she followed with a vault.
There was a commotion from behind, but she dared not stop. He reached the platform but showed no sign of slowing. Having leapt to the tracks, what choice did she have but to continue? No sense in paying for a train they weren’t planning on taking. It was difficult to see below and Silvia found most of her attention gathered on maintaining balance. The tracks made a treacherous path, one wrong step and you might find yourself on your ass or snapping your ankle.
“Oye! This way Sil.” Em-Aych waved from beneath a safety security light; a waning exit sign just beyond.
A series of halls awaited them, failing to faze him. She was amazed by his cursory knowledge of the area. It emptied into what must have been the basement of some office building. After forcing a door with a single blow, she was led to a garage, then back outside.
“Not much further,” he called back.
She had no idea where she was. Though fatigued, Silvia continued forward as he disappeared into an alley. A one foot wallplant gave him the leverage to circumvent a burdensome gate, impeding on their shortcut. Silvia tried the same but wound up a foot short; now having to climb the rest. She was breathing hard now, and as she landed she frantically searched for her companion.
Lite clacking from above reviled his position. Lowering the ladder to the fire escape for her, it was a wonder how he’d managed to get so high, and with such speed. Assisting herself on a low baring concrete slab, she jumped for to the accessible ladder. Dashing up to the roof, Em-Aych and a bearded gentleman awaited her arrival in calm conversation. They paused once she surfaced.
“You weren’t lyin.’ The hell are you up to, wanting to play dress up?” He had the presence of a broken man. He kept his hair short, though his stature grand, and held a piercing gaze. His clothes were worn and stained, primarily with oil. His watch looked expensive, which was the one thing that stood out. Dark tattoos covered his arms and a series of boxes lay neatly stacked behind him.
“Dress up? I told you we weren’t going for that cosplay malarkey. We’ve had a few close calls; it’d be nice to have some back-up.”
“Sounds like you just need a rubber,” he chuckled. “No, I get you, but her?”
“What about me?!”
“Not inspiring confidence.”
Em-Aych turned to Silvia, “Fifty quid says she can kick your sorry ass.”
“I’ll have that action. Let’s see what you got beautiful.”
Silvia looked for confirmation. Em-Aych smiled and gave her a nod. She took a deep breath and readied herself.
Starting with a double roundhouse kick, the bearded man easily blocked both before throwing a fist. Silvia leaned back, and tried to time another kick. He caught her foot this time, forcing her to the ground. Countering his move, she landed on her hands and, with a twisting motion, released herself from his grasp and delivered a hit with the other foot.
Silvia regained her balance just as her foe prepared his offensive maneuver. Ducking his kick, he tried again with a fist causing him to over extend himself. Taking advantage of the situation, she contorted his arm, swinging it behind while kicking out his right leg. Her rival slumped forward in a somewhat subdued state.
Before she had time to end it, he dropped to his stomach and, in a worm like motion, sprang from his hands to deliver a kick to the off-guard Silvia. Setting her back a few paces allowed him to return to his feet.
Silvia charged with a series of jabs which he struggled to fend off. She continued to step forward, gaining ground. Caught in the heat of things though, he managed a foot behind hers. Reeling her leg in, she writhed, attempting to keep her balance; enough of a distraction to neglect to counter the approaching swing. He stopped before caving in her nose.
They were both breathing heavily; still in the moment; his fist still in her face, their eyes still locked.
“Not bad,” he smiled through panted breaths.
“The same to you.”
“Weren’t expecting that, were you? Stupid git; got lucky anyways,” Em-Aych laughed.
“Still; fifty quid.”
“Charge it with the rest.”
He rolled his eyes. “Right. Well, lemme see what I can do for you two.” He turned and began displayed that which he’d brought. “Dunno what we’re lookin’ for so I brought an assortment. These are the popular models. Top of the line, but I got more it they don’t take ya.”
The style didn’t seem to vary too much. It all came in black or a dark grey, and an assortment of pockets and holsters. Silvia didn’t know what to make of it all. Various buckles and straps, she examined a torso piece, pretending to know what to look for.
“This is what I’m talking about! So glad you could schedule us in so quickly.”
“Caught me at the right time. Got this model in mind for you Hatter.” He tossed it over. “Separate plates so it’s lite weight and flexible. Leaves you a bit venerable in certain spots, but you gotta compromise.”
Em-Aych removed his jacket to try it on. A slight expression of approval was read on his face.
“It’s got plenty of pocket space, for blades and the like. Got trousers to match and I’ll throw in some impact gloves.”
He tested the maneuverability, first with a few stances and poses before adding a couple of cartwheels. Meanwhile, the gent turned his attention to Silvia.
“Bit tougher finding something for you. Don’t sell nearly as many of these. Female styles run a bit different. See what you think about this. Doesn’t cover the arms much, but I’ve got somethin’ in mind for that.”
“Of course. Females always have to show a little more skin.”
“It certainly doesn’t hurt.”
Silvia tried it on, questioning its integrity. “What’s this going to hold against?”
“Should stop most knives, light gun fire. Might be lite, but don’t let it fool you. Try these too.” He handed her a set of gloves which ran to her elbows; black. “Heat resistant, breathable, and will keep you from getting too banged up. Best thing I got to go with that is somethin’ like capris. Match it up with some boots and you’ll have full protection.”
Em-Aych ceased his monkeying around long enough to notice Silvia sporting the protective top over an undershirt. “Damn, looking fit,” he laughed, “thought you weren’t looking to make it a sexual look.”
“A girl needs to be protected,” she smirked while examining the pockets. “I think I’ll take it.”
“It’s a nice choice and you’re lookin’ fine in it too girl. Lemme see if I can’t get you to look at some of the footwear. You know, I never caught your name.”
“I don’t believe I got yours.”
“Name’s Sean. Sean Preston,” he held out his large hand.
“Silhouette,” she smiled.
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