I always have such difficulty with titles. Any ideas? This should sum up and cap what I'm choosing to call something of a first series of Silhouette. I've put it off for some time now (not a fan of that decision) so I'll simply present it all up front. Are you in it for the long haul? Em-Aych and Silvia are searching tirelessly after the whereabouts of 'The Reverend Mathew.' With the helping hand of Sean, they just might get the opportunity to exact some revenge and maybe gain some peace. I'm working on more material to surround these events and placing this in a more bind-able fashion. Until then though Fall From Grace...(????)
Fall from Grace
A loud and horrible sound erupted, rattling, stirring every nook of the bookshop. It hissed and snarled, unsettling dust in its path. The dreadful display of audio was sourced by a musty old speaker, boastfully blaring with all its might. A couple promptly vacated the premises in order to avoid the music. Startled by the sudden outburst, Silvia rushed to the front expecting some sort of confrontation. She lowered her fists once she realized.
Steve stood next to the amp, shaking his head glumly. “This is not music. This is— what the hell is this?”
Rain was sitting, listening with intent. She smiled while watching Steve get upset over the album he’d supportingly purchased.
“You bought it, how should I know?”
“Honestly, is this not one of the worst things you’ve heard? And I paid for this shit!”
“Why’d you give him so much in the first place?” She laughed.
“I thought I was supporting the arts, the stupid bum. I hope he’s using the money to get pissed; so long as it keeps him from making this noise.” Unable to tolerate it any further he stopped the ‘music’ as Silvia approached the two.
“What the hell was that?”
“Scared you did I?!” He beamed.
“Sorry, sweet.” Rain was already in hysterics.
“Calm down, what’s got you all jumpy now?”
“It’s nothing, I’m tired, I’ve been busy lately…”
Rain shot her a glance
“Silvia, do they still make good music anymore?”
“You have to go looking for it now.”
“Any interest in this trash?” He tossed her the copy, ‘Sex and Other Drugs’; subtle.
“She doesn’t want it; no one wants it. You aren’t forcing this one anyone else Steven. You’ll have to live with this mistake. Silvia, come, let’s get some tea. That might help with the stress.”
She took her hand and led her away to the kitchen, leaving Steve to toil. Setting the kettle on the cooker, she examined a number of canisters on the counter. She’d select one and give it a waft before returning it. After choosing a few she approved of, she began mixing and taking measures; displaying her craft.
“What’s going on Silve?”
Silvia kept her head one the table and gave a nervous chuckle when she asked. “You really don’t want to know about this one.”
The small kitchen they managed to fit in the building was very nice. Clean, state of art, and well stocked; Steve wasn’t one to half-ass anything. Rain always had some sort of project in the works there. Consequently, there were several paint tubes present for whichever reason.
“And yet I still ask. What’d you get yourself into?”
“More of the same,” she sighed. “He’s got us out trying to find someone who must have deciphered the formula for invisibility. Not to mention there might be a possible hit on me now. It’s, it’s all just starting to get…annoying, annoying and old.”
“You know we’ll take you in; especially if you need to hide.”
“I know, and you don’t know how much that means to me. I don’t want to put you in such a position though.”
The water came to a boil. Pouring two cups, she set one next to Silvia before taking a seat; just a bit too hot to drink.
“Oh, fuck off with that.”
Silvia looked up to see her smiling over her.
“You can pretend like you know us, you know? We’re here for you.”
“I know. Thanks.”
“If you need anything—”
“Yeah.”
She knew Rain meant it, but there was an element of danger she couldn’t involve them with. It wouldn’t be fair, it wasn’t their battle.
Enjoying the moment in silence, it was interrupted by a shout from Steve.
“Silhouette?! Is that even a name?”
Naturally, Silvia snapped to attention. How’d they know to find her here?
“Sweetheart? You know if there’s a ‘Silhouette’ around here?”
He felt no need to wait. Pushing past, the stranger broke down the hallway looking for her.
“Hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Get back here!”
“Silhouette?”
She recognized the voice and relaxed her tension. “In here, you dickhead. Did you have to cause a scene?”
Sean peeked his head in, half smiling as Steve caught up.
“Silvia, do you know this prick?”
“He’s cool, just a prick sometimes,” she smirked. “Sean, Steve. Now what’s so urgent?”
“Silvia?”
It came to her attention that she’d never given him her name. “Sorry about that…”
“Er…right. Listen, spoke to Hatter, he said to come here and he’d meet me. It’s Mathew,” he finally declared. “Not quite sure what he’s on about still, but I found him!”
“No way! How’d you—“
Sean carelessly cleared a space on the table. Nearly sideswiping Rain’s tea, she remained fairly puzzled by the course of events. He withdrew a laptop from his shoulder bag. Lifting the screen, the device immediately came to life.
“Put out the word and got a response from a mate. Said some shit was happening by the docks. I was right! And I’m talkin’ major shit, none of this muckin’ around. Sorry ma’am,” he covered, understanding he was amongst mixed company.
“What kind of ‘shit’ are we talking about?” Rain egged.
The implicit processes he was doing on the high powered machine could hardly be comprehended. His fingers worked frantically as lines of code flew across the screen. Routine to him though; muscle memory, second nature. It failed to distract him.
“I took a look myself, wasn’t really sure. I think this is the prick you’re lookin’ for…”
An image appeared on screen. A black and white photograph presented Mathew yelling and pointing in a direction as to lead a number of individuals carrying boxes.
“Oh my.”
“That’s the one,” Silvia identified, the bitter memory replaying in her mind.
“What are you guys looking at?” Steve finally inquired.
This question was ignored due to the interruption of someone entering the shop. Steve vanished from the kitchen to mand the front. He returned in a moment escorting Em-Aych whose face greeted the group with a smile.
“Rain! Have you started the paint experiment?”
“Just in the prepping stage,” she smiled.
“What’s this all about Sean?”
He turned his computer to show him the image.
“Bastard. ‘The fuck has that tosser gone hiding? I’ve been looking everywhere”
“The power of the internet man. Try joining the modern world some time.”
“You take these yourself?”
“What? You want to complain about the focus?”
“Just the simple wonder of whether you were followed. Couldn’t spring for colour?”
“You think I was followed?”
“Were you?”
“Yeah; I was thinkin’ it’d be fantastic if I led these dickheads on an all access tour.”
“Wouldn’t be the first.”
“You’re one to talk, you solemn bastard. You’re not trusting me at all, yeah?”
“Knock it off you two. You’re acting like a couple of beauty pageant twats. More important things are going on than deciding who’s prettier.”
The tension rose quickly and unexpectedly. Sean and Em-Aych had locked eyes and completely disregarded the rest of the room. How long had they known each other? ‘Too long,’ Sean had told her. The history of just how long consumed and suffocated the room. Despite their efforts to cool down, Silvia still felt like beating the shit out of the both of them.
Followed by an uncomfortable silence, Steve and Rain, whose presence had been entirely forgotten, wearily attempted to catch up. Steve finally spoke.
“Silvia, what the fuck are you guys up to?”
The room gave him an awkward glance as the sudden realization that he knew absolutely nothing surfaced. Each looked around nervously to the other as if to improvise some unified, plausible story. Silvia gave up in the act, figuring she owed him the truth. What use was it to protect him like this?
“We’re looking to dethrone a religious cult leader who obviously has his hands in a high amount of sinister activity,” she blurted.
Steve surveyed the room after hearing this. Judging by the expressions in the kitchen, he slowly came to the conclusion that he’d been the only one out of the loop.
“You knew too darling?”
“In a vague sort of way…”
He held an insulted way about him; not quite to the extent of betrayal.
“Weren’t really looking to get everyone involved is all. Don’t know that much on the prick anyway. It’s nothing personal Steve,” Em-Aych added.
Rain hurried to embrace her lover, attempting to provide a justified explanation. His acceptance was cold, though his respect for her beckoned him to listen.
“They just didn’t want to worry us Steven. I didn’t know until recently and you know how you get protective and…they feared how you might take the news… They wanted to keep us out of danger, plausible deniability—“
“Oh stuff keeping us out of danger. I’m here thinking we’re taking care of our Silvia, this quiet, timid, young female and I go to find that not only is that not true, but she’s in fact spending her evenings doing what? Distributing swift vigilantism?! Worse, I’m the only one this is news to.”
The kitchen was still, as nervous glances exchanged within the group. Lost for words, they struggled to speak. It was the most emotion they’d seen from Steve and it arrived as unsettling.
“I just wanted to keep you safe. If anything were to—“
“What was one of the first things I said to you?”
“That you expected mutual respect; that it wasn’t wise to—“ Staring into his bleak eyes, she understood and felt awful about what’d she done. The reality she’d created. “I’m…I’m sorr.”
Now Silvia carried the essence of defeat, meanwhile Em-Aych and Sean, refusing to make eye contact, were merely caught in the frenzy. Unexpectedly, Steve’s temper broke with the transition of a weary chuckle. Confusion struck Silvia.
“What can I do to help you guys?”
“Steve,” Em-Aych started but was immediately hushed.
“You kids got your fancy kicks and tricks, sure. But I imagine there’s at least a financial side that might do with assistance? It’s not like I’m going to be able to stop you anyway.”
Rain smiled under his arm as she kissed him on the cheek.
“Uh…Steve? Listen, it’s nice an all you helpin’ us like that but—“
“No, you listen. I may be an old fool in your eyes but I’m seeing things now. I know you guys had something to do with Mr. Boris and don’t think I didn’t question what all this ‘training’ was about. I owe you at least for that; there’s another thing though. This city was once beautiful, and now it’s dead inside. No one seems to care or do anything about it anymore. Politicians don’t care; the police have given up; someone has to clean this shithole. You might be crazy enough to do the job.”
Steve was taken by surprise as Silvia wrapped her arms around him. How could she thank him enough?
“What’s the plan now?” He turned to Sean whose attention was, once again, fixed on the screen.
A floor plan pulled up, Sean began to theorize. “If we corner them, two on the south and one blocking the small north—“
“Fat chance at that mate,” Em-Aych frowned.
“Seein’ as I’ve been to the fuckin’ site—“
“Doesn’t matter—“
“You aren’t going to agree with me for nothing!”
Silvia was growing irritated once more.
“My apologies for not explaining myself and specifically stating exactly why you’re a tit.” He pointed at the schematics. “This is a large area, yeah? Floor space here looks like you got a fair amount to make for operation.”
“What of it?”
“Any booger could guess you’ve got a small army armed to the teeth and a lorry or two on standby.”
“So—“
“So unless you’ve got a plan for stopping that, you’re a fucking smear on the pavement.”
Sean paused, accepting his mistake and pondering by what means he might continue. Collecting his retort, “Well, what’s your suggestion?”
Studying the image, with a single finger, he motioned to a small opening high above the floor. “There.”
They all gathered around, squinting forward while Sean sneered at the idea. The crevasse was tiny and looked to be nothing more than an air vent; perhaps a security walkway. It’d likely be a feat to achieve its access.
“Bullshit.”
“Come down from there, pick off as many as we can and conquer the room; eyes on the Vic,” he smirked at Silvia
“I’m coming with you,” Sean insisted.
“Fuck off.”
“I’m the only one who can turn off the alarms. Not to mention the cameras.” The imaged changed to relieve the data with multiple screenshots of security cams. “You need me Hatter.”
He groaned at the thought.
Silvia urged, “Em-Aych, please, Sean’s just wanting to help and he’s right.”
“What you got his back for?”
“We’re wasting valuable time!”
Em-Aych threw up his hands in exclamation and began to pace around. Steve and Rain still watched from the doorway, no longer amused by the dramatic on goings of their preparation.
Taking a seat atop the counter, he kneaded his temples before looking. “Alright, fine. We’re going to need a few things first though. Have to be quick about it. Steve, I’d hate to take you up on a favour so soon buttt…”
“What are you needing?”
Placing a hand on his shoulder he smiled.
There’s no need to call extra attention for anything, doing so will get you caught. Nothing wrong; nothing different; no reason for suspicion; no need to play safe, just play smart and play with the rules provided. In plain sight is the only veil you need.
Two men stood outside guarding by a cast of artificial light. A cigarette shared between the two of them. The breeze off the harbour playfully tugged at the folds of their coats. Behind them sat a rough looking building placed securely on the bank. Shadows surrounded the perimeter, combatted by waning yellow light, contrasting the murky depths of the waterfront. A questionable dock served for a walkway, appearing in need of repair a decade ago. The boards swore with the tide and swelled from endless moisture.
“All I’m sayin’ es I could go for a bit ove respect around here es all. Fink of it. I’ve been ‘ere a year, and es dat worth at all?” Adjusting his trousers, he began to piss over the ledge. “If those cunts can’t sees all I do for ‘em, den they can just fuck awf. Plenty ove work in this trade.”
“They hear you saying that John, you’re sure to find yourself out of more than just work.” The second man puffed desperately at the fag.
“‘ow can you say that; you’ve gon mental. Just da other day, been talkin’ shit, same as I.”
“Keep it down.”
“They don’t listen to nuffin’ I say. Take this place. Dis place ain’t nowhere for proper crime. ‘Saves a buck,’ they says, but do we see any of it?”
“Shove off, you’re drunk man.”
Zipping up and turning around John surfaced a flask from his waistcoat; a begrudged smile, “Nah mate, but I intend to be.” Taking a swig he offered to his partner.
In the exchange Silvia dropped from above, startling the shit out of the duo, causing the flask to fly. Kicking back his partner, John took a swing that was ducked. Starting with a knee, he doubled over, providing Silvia the time to bring down her elbow, smashing his skull. John went ragdoll.
Em-Aych landed behind her and took care of the other one. Snatching his arm as he stumbled backwards, he pulled in the thug to meet his fist. Upon impact, Em-Aych twirled and delivered the foe into the sea. A smile spread as the surface tension broke.
They exchanged expressions before scrambling back up the wall. Sean would be waiting, setting up their entrance. They dashed; keeping their steps light across the roof until they spied the faint glow of his laptop crouched by a vent.
“Silhouette, you are a sight in that kit.”
“How much longer till we breech?” Em-Aych intruded.
“Glad you were concerned about me making it,” Sean snorted.
“Piss off, you drove. How long?”
“Not much longer; already got the cameras. You get to the lookouts?”
“Aye.”
“Nice………and the alarms arrrreeee down.”
“How many guys do you suppose are down there?” She wondered.
“We can handle it,” Em-Aych smiled at her.
“No more than fifteen; sixteen with Mathew.”
“And those two big twats.”
She felt reassured as they tunneled into the crawlspace. It wasn’t long and sure enough, led them to a security walkway above the operation. Below, men busied themselves with boxes as a few paced around the progress. He marvelled at his enterprise as his two ‘gatekeepers’ loomed like loyal dogs.
“A promise from god, a bit of funding, and of course my own personal persuasion; it’s all you need in this place and you’re invincible. And would you just look at them? All believing they’re actually worthy.” He chuckled. “We’ve truly been blessed.”
A man entered from the office, whispering something in Mathew’s ear.
“And speaking of being blessed, I must meet with a goddess. Boys, watch over and may the lord guide your hands.” With that he rushed out of the room. The office door closed and locked behind him.
Creeping from above, they kept their movements silent. Memorizing the patterns of the workers they plotted as to how they might approach. Each box, after inspection, was sealed and stacked on the opposite end. An abandoned forklift lay in the corner and two sizeable trucks waiting to be loaded beyond. The path currently set required them to pass underneath; a perfect moment to strike.
Em-Aych lowered behind some crates, unbeknownst to a nearby ruffian. Snatching him from around a corner, he placed him in a chokehold and waited for his limbs to drop.
Sean followed his lead by climbing so as to reside above the forklift. Silvia loomed over the group, watching with intrigue. It was only a matter of time before they’d notice their man missing.
Sure enough, two men, one armed the other equipped with a bat were ordered to go looking. Disappearing into the stacks, their fate came at just as much of a surprise and twice as swift.
Withdrawing a knife, Em-Aych lunged out of the darkness forcing an elbow into his gut before raising a knife through his chin. Screaming and flailing in his grasp, the helpless foe took fire, spraying bullets every which direction. The sound was deafening as it reverberated throughout the facility. Everyone’s attention now gathered.
Releasing his victim, the royally fucked staggered backwards, blood draining into his mouth, letting the gun fly. A loose round struck a crate, ricocheting and landing deep in the throat of his partner. Dropping the bat and applying what pressure he could to the wound, he slumped to his feet; suffocating. The scene caused a massive shock and the rest of the mob sprang to retaliate. Three more armed officials drew near the crates.
Sean took this time to lower to the forklift. It was the first time Silvia got a glimpse of him in the light; ready for combat. A sleeveless jacket, similar to the one he’d given her led to a series of tattoos and long black shorts. The forklift sprang to life.
They barely had time to react. Entering the rows of crates, Sean pushed the lift at full speed in order to effectively ram the stack. As expected, it resulted in a domino effect. Turning to escape, two managed to avoid being crushed. The impact of the cages silenced the unfortunate’s cries. The others dove to escape the same fate.
Leaping from his seat, Sean propelled forward landing on one of the guard’s legs. A twist upon impact caused him to leer. Left in the wake of pain after another step, his friends soon joined him, easily tackled and disarmed by Sean’s momentum. Em-Aych climbed from the chaotic mess of crates behind them; both now facing an opposition from an army of misfits.
Silvia made her entrance at this time, like an apparition; approaching from behind. Outnumbered but strategically positioned, they’d see who has the upper hand.
Unaware of her presence, Silvia kicked out the leg of an armed guard, drawing the attention of the group. Kneeing him in the side, she grabbed his arm, guiding him in a swivel so they reside back to back. A burst of fire reigned from a nearby enemy. Silvia’s captive, once a living human shield became much less so. Withdrawing a knife from the recently deceased’s pocket, she pivoted. As the last bullet ripped through their ally and the corpse began to droop, a look of horror reached the gunman’s face, recognizing his mistake. It was this gawk which remained on his face when Silvia released the knife; it was the face he held when the object penetrated his skull and it was this expression that he had when he plummeted to the floor. Silvia dove under a table to avoid being hit by more gunfire.
Relived from being the focal point of the room, the two guys took evasive manoeuvres while they advanced. Sean armed himself with an abandoned Beretta which had scattered across the concrete; leading a smeared trail of blood. Over turning tables prevented the piercing of stray bullets, the facility lit up. The two exchanged expressions from across the room, ‘fuck.’
Giving him the go ahead, Sean lay down suppressing fire. Em-Aych circumvented his cover and began running across the tables. Ascending into the air, his return to ground was led by a fist. Crushing the cranium of a crook, he continued, kicking him in the side, thrice. Baton drawn, another rushed from behind. It provided only a slight distraction. Em-Aych kicked a chair into his path causing him to trip. He returned to the stunned foe in his grasp bringing an elbow against his neck and pressing on.
Silvia scooted across the floor on all fours. Darting around the bend, she remained out of sight, closing in on her prey. From beneath a table, she lashed out. Springing to her hands and continuing the rotation, her heel smashed the jawline of the villain. Trading jabs as she returned, the foe posed competition. With the butt of the rifle, he attempted to check her. Latching on to the weapon, she rose into the air once more, kicking behind her and bashing an oncoming enemy. Landing, Silvia swiveled on her heels to gain the upper hand on her now grappled adversary. Contorting him backwards, she sent a knee into his spine before releasing him atop a fallen thug.
She didn’t have time to think about her next manoeuvre. Sean managed to utter a slight cry to grab her attention. Turning around, she saw the knife on route towards her. Awkwardly twisting out of the way, it still managed to knick her side. Applying pressure and swearing, she made eye contact with her attacker. An appearance of pleasure struck his face, discovering he’d drawn blood.
Out of shots, Sean rose and chucked his pistol at Silvia’s assassin while following his trajectory. The Beretta struck the man in the side, providing him to survey its point of origin. This glance was met with the outstretched arm of Sean as he pelted him across the face. Drawing a second knife, the scoundrel countered, forcing Sean to jump backwards. The assailant continued forward, still slashing away at the retreating individual. On an upswing, the dagger flew out from his hand, opposed by a kick. Sean threw two punches that landed deep within his gut. Then, while performing a roundhouse kick, snatched the knife from the air. As he twirled around he embedded it in its owner, giving it a twist as it stabbed. The oaf screamed as he dropped to the cement.
Sneaking from behind, Em-Aych stole the belt of a distracted guard. Kicking out his calve, he wound the leather strap like a noose, holding him prisoner with a single arm and defending another contender with the other. He deflected a left, a right, then a left; somehow he managed to squeeze a foot in there knocking back the bastard. Returning with another attack, Em-Aych tightened his grip, tethering the accessory around his arm and allowing it to swing his captured foe forward. As they bashed heads, the length of leather ran taut forcing the hostage back. A violent jerk and a noticeable pop ended his before he kissed the ground. Em-Aych let go and rushed the second individual, still stunned by the last blow.
Despite his blurred vision he understood the nearing danger. Throwing a punch, Em-Aych countered it, driving his arm behind his back and breaking it like a twig. Flipping the helpless rival, his spine clattered against the pavement. With a struggle to move, he resided on the ground, moaning and accepting defeat next to the recently departed.
The last few beggars we scrambling now. Crawling behind a table an abandoned firearm was found. The crook rose with the element of surprise, his hand outstretched, and planted a pistol on the back of Silvia neck.
“Call off your dogs you wretched cunt.”
Fire seared through her eyes, an image obstructed from his view. Leading with an inverted elbow, she spun around while lowering her head to dodge his bullet, now dormant and embedded in the floor. After an uppercut, she strived for his preferred arm, battling for control of the gun. It went off twice in the struggle, the second lodging in his foot. Releasing the weapon, he staggered in retreat. Silvia followed, loosening his jaw with two quick kicks. He slumped to his knees, then caught himself on all fours. In a movement of execution, she flipped forward, landing her heel on the back of his head. His lips met the cool pavement where blood had already begun to collect. Upon impact his eyes drifted shut.
Sean lifted himself from the ground; a line of blood ran down his brow. Subtle jetty arm brought the return to his feet with some difficulty; you should see the other guy. Em-Aych pulled a throwing knife from his sheath, with a flick of the wrist it disappeared in his direction. Sean drew a gun from his waist and pointed it back. The knife sailed just above his shoulder as he fired. Plunging into the oesophagus of an approaching foe, the man gagged as he collapsed behind Sean. Likewise, a rising enemy went limp as the bullet made soup of his brains.
The two exchanged a slight nod.
“You’re fuckin’ insane!”
“You love it,” he smirked.
Silvia began sifting through the boxes, trying to catch her breath. They came in two varieties; a thin, light powder and various assortments of canisters. She sat piecing the information together. Sean hurried to her side, inspecting the cut which persisted with a steady bleed. She paid little attention.
Em-Aych searched for someone with half a mind capable of actually answering some lingering questions. Pinned by a corpse, he found just an individual. He started by stepping on his hand.
“Mathew; where’s he hiding?”
He shrieked before responding, “The Reverend isn’t to be disturbed!”
“What the fuck does that mean?!”
The other two were just as confused.
“Right; the boxes, this isn’t coke. What’d you go packing here?”
“Actually, this one is Hatter.” Silvia shot him a look as he massaged his gums with this index finger.
“Fine! Maybe some of it is. But this!” He flung a beige dust in his face. It brought upon coughing and a spasm.
“Only The Lord, only The Lord!” He cried.
Em-Aych backed away, “this one’s fucking mental.”
“Do not leave me Lord, I live only to serve you!”
Silvia fidgeted as Sean fixed her with a bandage. “Looks like some sort of psycho reactive drug. And you have a fan now Em-Aych!”
“Oy, you two going to start snogging or you just gonna stand over there?”
‘Fuck off,’ they retorted, unfortunately in unison.
Freeing himself, the religious nut dropped at Em-Aych’s feet; mercy and devotion in his eyes.
“He’s something creepy, yeah? Suppose what’s going on in that little mind—“
A door swung open from the office as a frantic Mathew dashed out; his two cronies legging after. They disappeared out of the nearest access on the far side of the room. The three wasted no time to sprint after them.
“Take me with you lord! Why must you forsake me?! I am your humble servant!”
Outside, Mathew had cleared the docks by the time they chased out the door. Jumping into an SUV they started to speed off.
“Keys, keys, keys!”
“No. Don’t think I don’t remember the last time I let you drive.”
“That was years ago.”
“You still owe me for the—“
“Where’s the car Sean?!” Silvia interjected, halting their altercation.
Barely a block away, Sean jammed into traffic in pursuit. Mathew’s vehicle was in eye sight as it raced down Whester Avenue. The light at 18th changed ahead but the driver showed no sign of slowing. Nearly ramming a sedan, they cleared the gap. The sedan however swerved into a van causing a multi-car disturbance.
“Go around! Go around!”
“Ain’t fuckin’ anywhere else!”
Sean was forced to slam on the breaks. Watching from the windshield, Mathew flew down the road, drifting to a left and disappearing out of sight.
He tried backing from the standstill, but it proved to be useless; Em-Aych was having none of it. Leaping out the window, he couldn’t wait any longer.
“Where you think you’re goin’ Hatter?”
Swimming through traffic he sprinted across the street. “The Church, they’re heading to the Church!”
“They ain’t gonna be that fuckin’ stupid!
Silvia opened the door.
“Sil!”
“I gotta go after him,” she smiled and followed him down an alley.
Sean was left looking solemn and searching for a way out.
Making their way down through the darkness they gained access to a ladder leading to the roof. Silvia was climbing faster than she’d ever climbed before. For the first time, Em-Aych was having to keep up with her.
From above the duo managed to keep tabs and pursue the SUV as it careened through the streets. Bobbing in and out of traffic, it’d resort to two wheels in order to crisscross through the chaos.
Silvia dove over a break in building, landing with a roll and seamlessly pressing on to the next. Gaining speed, she slid to her knees, bending backwards to clear some piping. She’d never truly appreciated the knee padding until now. Em-Aych kicked off a vent to simultaneously transverse the obstacle. Like shadows, they traveled into the urban horizon. Climbing, leaping, vaulting, and sprinting to their destination, determined. They were against the clock.
The Church was in sight, but the vehicle was nowhere to be found. Stalling on lowered landing to catch their breath, they looked around for any sign of the crooks.
Clouds had begun rolling in invading the night sky. Promises of a storm threatened those residing below. Maybe they lost them. Em-Aych stared blankly through binoculars, fruitlessly searching for some sign of disturbance.
Mathew rolled in just a moment later. The tires squealed against the pavement as the SUV struggled to stay oriented. A final turn into the car park of the Church caused it to become victim to the laws of physics. Skidding and swerving to regain control, the mighty vehicle tipped, falling into a barrel roll. Nearly landing right side up, it lost balance and hindered upside-down.
Three figures crawled from the wreckage. Mathew and his goons; confirmed by the binoculars. Dropping from the building, the two made haste to chase after them. A corpse sat in the driver’s seat, held fastened, so much for safety belt; head trauma led to profuse bleeding making a mess of the upholstery. They climbed the steps and went in after them.
Inside, the ‘gatekeepers’ oafishly stood in the banquet hall outside the sanctuary. Mathew was skipping stairs to get to his office. He turned as Silvia and Em-Aych entered.
“They warned me about you! Boys, take these sinners, they aim to destroy heaven; they wish to kill The Lord!”
Cracking their knuckles, the thugs confronted the vigilantes, stopping them in their tracks.
“Sil, go after Mathew, don’t let that dickhead escape. I got these clowns.”
She shot him a worried look to which he reassured.
“I got this.”
“If you say so.”
Em-Aych bolted forward swiping at one of their legs then held out his hands while pivoting backwards. Silvia took the initiative to plant her foot as she was launched into a step jump. Landing her left on his shoulder, she kicked at his neck with her right. The giant stumbled, disoriented from the blow. Silvia returned to the ground and made for the stairs as he tripped over Em-Aych.
“We’re calling that an assist,” he yelled after her; laughing. “Alright you twats; let’s we what you got.”
The stairs now behind her, Silvia tore down the halls remembering the layout like a bad dream. Turning right, she recalled the corpse of the girl which once lay crumpled against the wall. The bloodstains were a thing of the past. Fresh white paint and clean floors; the hall had forgotten, but it all replayed in her mind.
Reaching his decorative door, she approached with caution. A creek from the hinge responded in multiple gunshots from within.
“Harlot, whore, demon! I can smell your stench you cunt! I know it’s you! Be gone with your wicked ways! May he smite you for your evil!”
“Give it a fucking rest, would you?” She felt nothing for the snivelling rat cowering in hiding. “If your god hasn’t left you, what do you have to worry? What is there to fear? So give it a rest.”
“How dare you question my faith, you shall pay dearly!”
“You aren’t fooling anyone! What the hell have you been doing to the people here? What’s wrong with them?”
Laughter echoed from inside his lair. Maniacal laughter, horrifying laughter, it sent chills down Silvia’s spine.
“My dear Silhouette,” he chuckled, “haven’t you figured it out? Or are you truly that blind? I am god!”
“How’d you know my name?”
There was no response, merely silence as she crouched in the corridor. The stillness was unnerving. Without options she quietly tried to the doorknob. As she did the door flew open, splintering as it hit the wall wedging her in-between the collision. Dizzy and disorderly, she watched as Mathew passed, breaking in the opposite direction.
She needed a second before rising to her feet and going after him. Taking the corner, she was able to catch the closing of the last door on the left. She rode up the wall as to not lose her momentum. The place was built like a labyrinth. Flinging it back, a set of stairs lay before her. Mathew had already begun his ascent and remained several paces ahead.
Silvia dropped for cover as the reverend turned around firing a couple of shots. Both whizzed over her head as she hugged the stairs. It was only then that she realized he was making up the bell tower. What awaited her at the top was still a mystery.
“Poor, poor Silhouette,” he cackled. “All alone in her quest. Abandoned by the world. They all left you, you left them all die, you killed them,” he called back to her. He was losing his breath. “And what do you think you’re going to do now? Kill me? Don’t you understand you can’t—“
“I can try, you twisted fuck.”
“I AM GOD!”
A finite series of stairs comes to a natural end; Mathew was running out of ground. Reaching the landing, the church bell hung in the background as a series of ropes draped down. Understanding the corner he’d placed himself in, he awaited Silvia inevitable appearance.
With the final few steps she was struck by her mistake. Through the excitement; through the suspense, she overstepped her boundaries. The thought merely escaped her and she’d pay dearly. Taking a few paces on the landing, there was a flash. Her hands met her side, pain seared through her abdomen. The familiar warm embrace of blood christened and stained her fingers. She looked up to see Mathew delighted from the inflicting pain.
He crept near; weapon still raised, targeting her head. His hands were trembled in excitement. Silvia slumped to her knees in submission to the sharp discomfort of the wound. She could feel him looming above.
“Surely I thought you smarter than that, fair Silhouette. But you acted exactly as I’d expect from a feeble slut.” The revolver was outstretched in a taunting feat. “You know what happens now, right?” He bore a toothy grin. “Your friends are being taken care of; my boys will have disposed of him soon. All your friends will die, all because of you. And speaking of you,” he laughed, “I’m not done with you. No, not for a long-shot; you’re going to pay for every inconvenience you’ve cause me, and then some. Debts need to be repaid you vile human, and the lord expects interest. I’m going to enjoy making your every waking moment hell. Almost every. I’ve got a friend I’m going to introduce you to.” He reintroduced the gun, allowing the barrel to graze her shoulder.
Silvia responded with a faint chuckle as she finished listening to him. “You’re exactly what I’d expect from a hubris riddled, psychopathic, religious freak. Have you forgotten how to count Mathew?”
Emotionally maddened, he pulled the trigger to surface that paranoid repetitive clicking noise. He stewed with this information.
“No matter; we can do this the old fashion way.”
He stood over her, lifting his arm to strike her. Silvia kept her head down, waiting. It wasn’t until he started to swing that she made her move. Dodging his gun, it passed overhead with a full range of motion. As he overreached, she caught from under his arm. Simultaneously pulling him closer and rising, the full force of the blow smacked him beneath his cheek. Staggering backwards to recoil, an enraged Silvia refused to cease her offense. Twisting with a roundhouse kick, she advanced to deliver a series of punches Mathew helplessly accepted.
He tried kicking her back but his strength was nothing against her. A firm grasp on his foot, his ankle contorted and snapped under her guidance. When it was returned, the reverend collapsed, howling in agony. Silvia kicked the revolver, still clutched in his hand, then restrained herself.
“Who’s helping you? What kind of scum put you up to this?” She panted.
He started to laugh again, which consequently caused her to ask harder.
“The drugs, the brainwashing, why the front of religion—“
He laughed with each kick she forced into him. Mathew crawled to the railing, clinging on, and using it as a support to ease himself up. Blood and sweat covered his face and drenched his hair. He stared at her. Checking his watch, he smiled before going back to her.
“Your time is up and you’re too late. My work is done. His work is done. Do what you will, but it’s already too late, fate, the work of The Lord has been dolled. I will be a martyr, celebrated and praised in his eye. You failed Silhouette! You failed and I won!”
A combination of fear, contempt, confusion, and hate mixed within her, enacting actions of violence. Checking him in the face with her forearm, the lunatic tumbled over the side of the landing. She caught him in time, as if unwilling to end it. It was a look in his eye; a reflection of pure insanity that influenced her decision. Mathew wasn’t a criminal or any sort of mastermind, he was a fool, a pawn, a patsy, and the idea that someone more sinister was still out there frightened her more than anything else. Regardless of any of his claims, he needed to die.
Silvia’s grip slackened and Mathews hand broke free. Falling down the shaft, his descent was less than graceful. His head slammed on one of the banisters as his body twitched and spun in the air. He uttered not a sound. Closing his eyes and allowing what fate had in store. After all, he was god.
Several flights down, god crumpled and splattered to a mess against solid concrete. Silvia slumped to the ground in a sigh of temporary relief. Perhaps it was the blood loss but, with the crashing of his corpse, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her chest.
In her own time, she struggled down the stairs and made it about halfway when she lost her balance. Tripping from the steps, expecting to crash, she was overwhelmed with thanks when she was embraced by a friendly figure. Sean caught her in his arms and carried her the rest of the way.
Trudging down the halls, past Mathew’s office and through another corridor, she found herself back in the banquet room. Down two more flights, they reunited with Em-Aych who looked worse off since the last time. He was leaning against a post with a ragged way about him. Lighting a cigarette, he closed his eyes. A sharp movement and he wacked his shoulder back in place; exhaling with pain and frustration. He took in a deep drag.
Sean placed her next to him. They exchanged exhausted smiles.
“You kill that bastard?”
“The late Vic won’t be bothering us, but it won’t be the last of our troubles.”
“Aye. The lengths we go to, to make the streets a bit safer.” He tried to laugh but it morphed into a groan.
` “Lemme see what you’ve got here,” Sean interrupted.
Em-Aych sat up in shock. “Sil! You got shot?”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Yeah, but we’re going to need to get that bullet out of you. Is there some place—“ Sean’s finger fumbled while handling her wound causing her to shriek.
“Steve’s! Head to the bookshop.”
“Hatter, help me get her up. Car’s out front.”
“Don’t see you catering over my every whim,” as he struggled to get up.
Slowly rising, they cradled her out of the Church and down the steps. The scent of rain tugged at their nostrils.
“I really don’t think this is all that necessary. I can walk—“
“Think of it as making it easier on us.”
“Don’t want it rolling around all up in you.”
Laying her in the back, they jumped in the car and drove off to safety.
“What happened with the two giant guys?”
Em-Aych smiled through his fatigue. “Gave me a bit of a run back there; you left and the second one naturally got up. Got a bit banged up—“
“Walked in and had to save his ass more like it.”
“Fuck off. You saw that inverted Scissor kick? I had control of the situation.”
“And that prick that picked you up and tossed you across the room.”
“You two getting along finally?”
The two made the same scowl back at her before ignoring the comment. They shuffled, working in unison to make the trip as painless as possible in a gentle act. Getting her into the back of Sean’s car and somewhat settled, the worked as quickly as possible.
“You alright back there luv?”
“Might have to wash the seat after, but I’m hanging in there.”
Sean was flooring it through the streets, driving anywhere that wasn’t already occupied. Silvia gazed at the shapes that swirled by, convinced they’d crash at any moment.
“Just a bit longer; we’re going as fast as I can.”
“Em-Aych?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“Matthew…”
“C’mon, hang in there Sil. Fuck, can’t you drive this thing any faster?!”
“I’m doing what I can!” Sean shouted.
“He knew.”
“Knew what?”
“He said they’d won.”
“Won, won what?” Em-Aych eyes widened.
“The guy’s a lunatic. Who knows what he was thinkin’.”
Flying down the road, they nearly passed the place. Screeching to a halt, Silvia was thrown from her seat which brought an ongoing series of apologies from Sean.
Shuffling and easing Silvia from the car, they nearly dropped her when they reached the door. Forced entry was more than evident. Hanging from a single hinge, ajar, and dented was the door front. The display window had shattered without a sign of light present within. Inside it felt cold and empty. Shelves and stacks were upturned every which way; loose papers consumed the floor. Death, the air was thick of it.
Passing Silvia to Sean, he ventured deeper into the shop. Jumping over a shelf and ducking a loose board, Em-Aych began rifling through the place; frantically, in an act of optimism, searching for a sign of life.
“Hatter, First Aid!”
Snapping his attention, he sped upstairs, returning shortly with a promising box. On his descent he paused, noticing the corpse behind the counter. Forking it over, he ran to inspect the figure, and a second one beyond. Blood soaked the floor as one of the individuals was missing a head. A smeared trail directed straight to the bookcase.
Sean set Silvia down and rummaged through the kit. Finding a syringe, he scavenged in hopes to find anything to alleviate the pain. Nothing; meaning: grab a set of tweezers, some gauze, and a bottle of alcohol.
“This is going to hurt.”
Silvia tensed and began to breathe heavily. “Just be quick about it.”
Slashing open and ripping off her vest, he began to work.
Her face turned red as she gripped the table snug. Clenched teeth, as tight as her eyes; she wanted to scream but kept her mouth closed. Exhaling in anguish, the alcohol did anything but help the excruciating explosion of agony. Her expression was held in the moment, breath held, frozen in time.
“Last of it girl; I got it. Here try this.”
A lit joint was made available. It was all he had to calm her as he attempted to comfort her. The last thing they needed was her going into shock.
“I owe you a new top,” he smirked.
She managed to feign an exasperated simper.
Em-Aych was opening the shelves, fearful of what the culprit of the trail was.
“Back up!” It shouted from inside the lab. “Stay back or you’ll join your friends!”
“Rain!” Silvia called, sporting a fresh bandage and rising with grace. Her adrenaline continued to hold out.
Sean eased her over to the passageway. He paused abruptly; fazed by the two corpses he’d have to step over. She continued with guidance, resting at the entrance. Em-Aych carried her down, expecting Sean to follow. It took his name to break his trance, but he eventually pried himself away.
All three squeezed in to find Rain in a panic while cradling a sawed-off shotgun, splattered in crimson horror. She turned to reveal the source of her tears; just beyond continued the trail of blood leading to Steve. He rested, slumped and lifelessly, skin pale, eyes empty, looking completely different now the spark of life having left him. Everything that had once been the man they loved now had faded and the chilling memory of a corpse was all that remained.
“Silvia I—“
“Rain, I’m— I’m so sorry.” Her eyes began to water.
“They had guns, they wanted—”
Em-Aych went to comfort her.
“Silvia, christ, you’re injured…”
She did her best to turn but she had nothing to hid the bandages, “I’m fine Rain. Are you hurt?”
Her eyes began to sprinkle again. “No. Steven, he fended off— I hid while they— They were looking for you,” she turned to Em-Aych. “Said that a man named Sid— oh god…“
Em-Aych looked down at Rain. His eyes widened. “Rain, the bodies in the store—“
“Steven stabbed one of them, gave me time to grab this.”
He wiggled the shotgun from her grasp.
“They— They killed him before— I didn’t know what to do. I—“ She couldn’t fight the tears any longer as she broke out weeping.
“You did great, sweetheart. These bastards didn’t give you a chance. What’s worse is it had nothing to do with you. Rain—”
“I just can’t believe—“
Silvia was kneeling over him in solitude, silently sobbing. She felt the blame completely fell on her for Steve’s death and, once more, a person she’d learn to trust and love had been taken from her. Sean placed a hand on her shoulder but she hardly took notice. Even when he leaned in and whisper in her ear, ‘it’s not your fault,’ she violently shook away. It was a step back into the chaos she’d tried so hard to run from.
“What does he want? Who’s Sid?”
He glared back at him. Hatred and shame slapped Em-Aych’s face as he pieced together the situation. ‘They’d be safe’, ‘they’d be ready’; thoughts of selfishness and now a dear friend lay dead to their carelessness. This was far from over.
“Silvia mustered a voice through her grief, “He’s a dead man walking.”
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