Moving forward with the series as Silvia starts to gain some form of identity. Having left Em-Aych and his insanity on the roof, she starts to question whether or not it was the right decision. I've gotten a bit ahead of myself in writing and I'm a little shaky about the next chapter following this one; might be awhile until it's release (which is certainly not my intention. I just need some affirmation). More trouble heading her way and I'm rather excited to hear what you think. Check it out and catch up with the 'Silhouette' tab if you need.
Enjoy,
Teej
Call Me Silhouette
It starts out slow; a stretch here, a stretch there; testing the bounds of flexibility then moving to light jogging and crawling. That’s when it becomes a full on sprint across the rooftops. Vaulting over a vent, she barely lands in time to duck under a low baring pipe. Running up the side of a brick wall, she uses it as a backboard to maintain her speed as she flies around the bend. A few paces further and she’s launching her body forward over a 15 foot breach of building. There lacked the slightest bit of fear in her eyes. Lowering to the platform, she lands with a roll and continued onward.
Once growing tired being on her feet she refers to her hands. Challenging her balance atop a picnic table; alternating the shifting of her weight, remaining fully in control of her position. Pedestrians passing provide a fair amount of spectatours. She merely perceives it as practice.
Managing to hang a punching bag where her apartment would allow ensured her precision and strength in a fight. Each jab echoed against the emptiness of her apartment. Just when she thought she could call it a day, it awaits her, smiling, welcoming her home. Only when her knuckles are bruised, once her toes are battered, her moments stiffen, will she be able to clean herself off. It means stretching once more before she might retire, which brings a relief of tension.
The cool shower afterwards fells like the rush of a new life with each droplet. It’s a euphoric exuberance as her body temperature gradually returns to normal. Such a cleansing sensation, she finds it difficult to leave. A river runs down her back, she stares as it all runs down the drain; a motionless trance.
Afterward, she set the room to light jazz and tends to a cut running around her calve; having nicked it while scrambling up a wall. Not truly necessary, she’ll bandage it for the night. Lying back with her head against her pillow, she stares at the blank walls of her room. Tomorrow meant working with some weight; her body aches at the mere thought of it. Exhausted, it’s not long before Silvia drifts soundly off to sleep.
“Silvia…Silvia?”
She wanted to open her eyes, but doing so reminded her of the pain she held in her leg. The brightness of the room didn’t assist the matter either. Easing one open, then the other, a ‘click’ was heard during the transition. A smirk hides behind a phone as the freckled face giggles. Silvia snapped up, surprised to see Karen looking over her sleeping state.
“Napping on the job again? You’re worse than Steve. Good thing I caught you, right?”
Silvia wiped her eyes and stood up to stretch out her arms. She couldn’t help the yawn. “How long were you watching me?”
Karen shrugged, “Not long enough for it to be considered creepy I’d imagine.”
“A subjective description, isn’t it?”
“I’m pretty sure the rules to it are written somewhere.”
Karen was a student Silvia had gotten to know through working the bookshop. She was a just a couple years Silvia’s junior. Karen’s crazy way about her, though not the most eccentric of personalities she’d met, still had a quirky silliness that felt distinct. The jeans and T-shirt type with long, dark blond hair who wore glasses when she didn’t feel like the trouble. She flashed the photo she snagged while Silvia surfaced from her slumber.
“I think this is a keeper.” Silvia had one eye open, squinting with her mouth half open.
Swiping at the phone, Karen backed away laughing.
“What are you so sleepy for anyway? Rough night?”
“You could say that. I’ve been exercising a lot; I’m beat.”
“I was meaning to say, ‘you’re looking awesome.’ I wish I had the commitment. Who you trying to impress then, huh?”
“No one,” she simpered. “Just wanting to stay fit. Got to be ready.”
Silvia would be lying if she said she wasn’t still interested in Em-Aych’s offer. Of course, she hadn’t seen him since that night on the roof. It wasn’t the vigilante bit though. Between work and the few friends she’d gathered, free time continued to pile. The question in her mind was ‘why not train?’
“Ready?”
“I dunno. What brings you down here anyway?”
“Whatever does? I was bored, thought I’d stop by, see what was new with you. You’re still going out with us on the 15th right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“It’s going to be amazing, just you wait. It’ll be so much fun; you won’t know what to do with yourself.”
“Good. It’s been awhile since I’ve,” she paused, “not known what to do due to the amount of fun?”
Karen laughed. “I know Bradley will be there.” She shot Silvia a look. Brad had the desire but lacked the motivation. “Who knows?”
“Where is this place anyway?”
“It’s tucked away, a few blocks from my place. You can crash there if you like.”
“Thanks for the option. I—“
“Excuse me, ma’am?”
Silvia looked up to notice an elderly woman who must’ve been hiding in the corner. She was holding two titles and motioned to the clerk desk.
Silvia yawned again. “Duty calls.”
“I should probably get going anyway. Take it easy Sil. No need to stretch yourself so thin. Take it easy sometime,” Karen waved, then dashed out the door.
Silvia assisted the woman and sent her on her way. She nearly nodded off when Steve poked his head around.
“Alright, Silvia?”
“I’m fine. How are you doing?”
“You sure? You looked fairly fatigued.”
“So do you,” she smirked.
“Apples and oranges; part of getting old and there’s no reason to compare yourself to an old fart.”
“I’ve just been busy. Working out, trying to stay in shape. No need for concern.”
“That’s good to hear.” He took a seat next to her. “Listen, I’m not sure what you and that guy of yours did a few weeks back, but I haven’t heard from our friend ‘Mr. Boris’ in some time. I don’t suppose you know anything about that?”
“I haven’t heard anything.” Silvia spoke as nonchalantly as possible, pretending to review the sales book.
“How about that friend of yours? I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“I’ll ask Em-Aych next time I see him. We had a slight disagreement, but he’ll show up sooner or later. Did you ask Rain?”
“Just thought I’d ask you, she said he hadn’t been around. Oh well, I’ll be in the basement if you need me. Be careful Silvia.”
“You worry too much,” she smiled. “You’re just being paranoid.”
Steve gave a laugh at the sound of that just before disappearing. Leaving her alone in the small shop, it only took her five minutes to return to her slumber.
The unfortunate truth, which remained valid on an almost daily basis, was that she usually was well rested by the time she’d exited the bookshop. It was reassuring though, knowing that her training wasn’t perceived as optional. There was a promise that her muscles would twinge by the end of the day.
Turning right was a faster route home but taking Saffron Street made for a much quieter passage. It didn’t add to excess on her journey and she preferred the pleasant over the direct path. It gave her time to contemplate.
Em-Aych hadn’t been seen or heard from since she’d left him calling after her on the roof. Partner in crime or not, Silvia couldn’t help but have him on her mind. Somewhere inside her felt bad about how it all played out. That night, she had come home upset as ever, re-submerging her ‘costume’ into the depths of her closet and attempted to relax. She was overwhelmed with emotion. Trouble was the last thing she wanted to start causing. What on earth had she been thinking; being a vigilante? It could and would only result in her death, or worse; but it didn’t shake the lousy feeling that still ate away within her.
There wasn’t much of a method of being able to contact him anyway. His habit of being aloof left displacement as to where to start searching. He had a knack for finding her each time, never the other way. Where would you go to find someone like him? Her head swam in thought.
She was halfway home when she heard a disturbance from the alley a block ahead of her. It was impossible to tell what it might be. Live in the city long enough and you become deaf to the cries of its people. It could be anything, either way; children playing, the disagreement of an argument, the dispute of an accident. It was Silvia’s experience that perceived it as the potential of something sinister. Each step encompassed her in regret.
It was multiple voices echoing within the backstreet and the corner slowly reviled more to the story. She tried to keep her eyes ahead, but couldn’t help them from drifting. Just as she might have feared, a woman sat cowering as a group of three miscreants gathered around a corpse. The shouting continued as the repetition of jabs and kicks flew, crushing the presumed individual at the center of it all.
Silvia kept walking, regardless of the woman’s cries. Only until she had crossed the threshold did she stop, leaning against the building; shielding herself from their vision. What was she supposed to do? There was confidence she could take them, but it forced a risk; one she’d turned down once before. There was always a chance an officer would stop and assist in the matter. But that rang like a bad joke in her mind. Sure, on the off chance that an officer did stop, there was no telling if they were crooked, if they would, or could for that matter, help, and then there was an issue of timing. Preoccupied by first victim, there was no telling how long their attention span would prevail. The woman was next in line and there was no idea what they had in store.
Silvia stared at the bottom of her drawstring bag, her gloves staring right back at her. She intention was using them to practice later when she packed them that morning. They more-so served as a keepsake but could their presence seem more coincidental? The war raged in her mind; could she really sit idly by?
Her foot smashed one of the thug’s jaw, from a sprint, it forced him to stagger backwards. The wall served as a not so comforting embrace, ending in a violent collision. His allies’ attentions were now drawn.
“What the fuck is she?”
“Let’s break this bitch!”
A man in dark shades threw a punch which she kicked away. She caught his right hook. Countering, he brought up his left foot, tagging her, twice, in the side. Silvia swooped for this right leg, prior to his regained balance. In a spinning motion, he managed to replant his left without collapsing. With valiant effort he threw another kick.
Caught in the frenzy, Silvia blocked the kick then dodged out of the way to avoid a fist of another. She returned the favour with an elbow in his gut and proceeded to throw him over her shoulder. She brought her heel down, but he rolled out of the way, narrowly escaping.
The first enemy now had a trail of blood leading from his nose. Infuriated, he approached her flank, striking her upside the head. Silvia recoiled and sent two kicks, testing his ribcage. He tried to catch her off-guard with an upper cut, but Silvia maneuvered out of the way.
The man in shades attempted a roundhouse kick, barely grazing a few strands of Silvia’s hair as she ducked. The foe used his momentum to attack again but was surprised when she grabbed his leg. Pulling him forward, she involuntarily caused the splits. Vulnerable, she guided a roundhouse kick of her own, shattering his temple. The fool collapsed to the ground.
The face of the first foe looked increasingly worse as the blood continued down his face. Sneaking from behind, he managed to place her in a grapple. Silvia endeavoured an elbow, but it was no use. He had her held. The other crook drew a switchblade and smiled as he approached his victim.
Silvia frantically struggled to break free. Raising her legs provided enough leverage to throw herself forward. Flipping and taking her captor with her, she landed on top of her imprisoner who released the heroine on impact. The armed brute slashed with his blade anyway. Silvia finessed out of the way with a backwards roll causing him to stab his accomplice.
Embarrassed and shocked, he dropped his knife. Silvia wasted not a second to take advantage of the situation. Kicking him in the shin, his last attempt, a single punch, she countered, promptly dislocating his arm. Crying out in agony, she tossed him to the ground finishing him off.
Silvia was breathing heavily over the defeated, gradually returning to normal. She turned to the woman who was now cradling the head of the gang’s victim. Softly sobbing over the unconscious, she caught Silvia’s eye.
“T-thank you. I…I don’t know what I— we would’ve done…” Her tears muffled her message, but her eyes verified her gratitude.
Silvia was still attempting to gain control of her heart rate, wiping a line of blood from her mouth. “Not a problem. What’s your name?”
“M-Mellissa.”
“Melissa, do you have a mobile?”
She nodded
Glancing as her assumed boyfriend, she returned to her. “Best call an ambulance. He’s going to need medical attention.” Not knowing what else to do, Silvia turned to leave.
“Wait? What about you? I—“
“I’m fine.”
“Who— what’s your name?”
“Call me Silhouette,” she smirked as it left her lips. Not another word, she pressed on.
Mellissa began to dial, switching her attention to her boyfriend as Silvia exited the alley and made her way home. She’d be skipping training that night.
She traveled a few more blocks before contemplating her actions. Silvia couldn’t help but start to think Em-Aych might have had a point. The way that Melissa looked at her, the fact that she was saved from certain peril; the least she owed him was an apology. It wasn’t too far to the warehouse and, and as far as finding him would go it was the only chance she had.
The warehouse set her back a few paces. As usual, it looked empty, rotting, and abandoned. Hoisting herself up a ladder, she began her climb to the top floor. She transfered over to a fire escape that creaked and groaned the rest of the way. It was a wonder how its structure sustained an upright position.
Waltzing through the window, Silvia hoped to find a friendly face awaiting her. To her dissatisfaction, the room was as empty as ever. Untouched by time, that same lonesome chair sat vacant against the wall, masked in the shadows. She should’ve expected as such; he wasn’t the kind to stand around. The fatigued female approached the chair, discovering a place card resting on the seat:
“Have A Seat. I’ll Be Right With You.”
Still a few hours before sunset, she complied with the request beautifully inscribed upon the card. Having time to spare and a need to sit, she took the opportunity and allowed her eyes to gently close.
Nothing louder than a pencil dropping announced the arrival of Em-Aych at the window. Silvia awoke in an instant but feigned a slumber out of curiosity of his actions. He disappeared behind a wall and returned shortly with another chair, identical to the one Silvia occupied, in one hand and a coat hanger in the other. Setting them opposing her, he sat backwards, facing her.
“How’ve you been sweetheart?” He completely ignored her deception and allowed her to answer in her own time. Standing up again, he removed his hat and coat, hanging them neatly on the rack, then calmly repositioned himself in the seat.
Silvia finally sat up. “I haven’t heard from you in a while.”
“Miss me?” He grinned.
“I thought there might be a slight chance I would find you here. Of course, I wouldn’t know where else to look if you weren’t.”
“You weren’t waiting long, were you?”
“Was this for me?” She held up the card.
“For whoever happened to show. No need to think yourself special.”
Pausing to collect her anxieties, she finally inquired, “Where have you been?”
Em-Aych stood up and began pacing around. “I was under the impression you were no longer interested in associating with the likes me. Just trying to comply with your wishes.”
Silvia gave a nervous, unsure expression.
“Having a change of heart?”
She took a deep breath. “I think I owe you an apology.”
“And you came all the way down here to say that?” He laughed. “Sil, you look like hell. Here.” He handed her a handkerchief. “Got a bit of blood just there.”
“Thanks.” Cleaning herself off, she explained, “I was walking home from work, and there were three guys jumping a couple off Saffron.”
“Going around playing dress-up without me?”
“I didn’t know what to do. Before I knew it, I ran in fists raised.”
“How’d it feel, Sil?”
“No one else could’ve helped. They’d probably kill them both.” She began to ramble.
Em-Aych looked deeply into her eyes and asked again. “But how’d it feel Silvia?”
She shifted in her seat and contemplated her response. “It felt— I felt like I made a difference; like I wasn’t worthless. She looked at me like I was some sort of hero…I—“
“I would’ve settled for ‘good’, but this is far better,” he beamed.
“Am I crazy?”
“Considering I’ve been one to carry such a title; is it fair for me to weigh in on such an inquiry?” She punched him in the arm. “So you’ve been training then?”
Silvia gave him a coy look. “I might have.”
“You never really had the intention of forgetting about all this, did you?”
“It’s a good way to spend my time. What of it?” She acted defensive.
He held out his hand, assisting Silvia to her feet. “For whatever it might mean to you, Silvia, I don’t think you’re crazy. You seem to be one of the few sane individuals in this world of ours.”
She rubbed her shoulder, having grown sore since her previous hostile encounter. Loosening up a bit after taking a few steps felt better. “You really know just how to cheer a girl up,” rolling her eyes.
“I would’ve asked you to demonstrate some of what you’ve been working on except you walking like the Tin Man.” He paused and a childish look lit his eyes.
“There’s no way in hell I’m having anyone call me ‘Tin Man’.”
“Why not? You call me ‘Em-Aych’.”
“If I knew you by any other name. Sean called you ‘Hatter’.”
“Fair enough.”
Silvia looked disappointed. “So I still don’t get a name?”
“‘Hatter’, ‘Em-Aych’, it’s what I’m known as.” She responded rather ruffled. “Awe, don’t pout Tin Man. C’mon, let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Silhouette,” she said in a low voice.
Em-Aych laughed, “What?”
“Something like an alter ego.”
He broke is stance and made a face. “I take back what I said about you not being mental.”
Ignoring his remark, she rushed forward.
No comments:
Post a Comment