The smell of stale incense wafted through her nostrils as she leaned hard against the back of the pew in front of her with her knees solidly planted on the cold stone of the church floors. Her head was bowed with her wild, black mane of hair falling into her face. Her fingers trembled ever so slightly despite the fact that she had her hands clasped in front of her face, and her eyes were shut so tight that one would believe she never intended to open them again. Her breathe was ragged as she braced herself to whisper the prayer which had laid upon lips ever since she had concocted her little plan and set it into motion. But, tonight, there was extra fervor to her words fore it was now the moment of truth.
"Please, dear God, forgive me for the sins I will commit tonight," she breathed, "Have mercy… my hate springs from love." She then silently lost herself in a mass of Hail Marys to the point where she did not notice the presence of the two approaching young men until they were calmly knelt on either side of her. She felt a gentle, steadying hand on the small of her back and finally opened her forest green eyes to stare ahead at the crucifix on the wall which caused a shiver to run down her spine. Feeling her reaction, the man with his hand on her back sighed.
"Alice, you don't have to do this. It's not too late to back out." Alice considered his words for a moment, took a deep breath to calm her raging emotions, and finally turned to face the friend whom had spoken.
"No, Ghost, I have to. This is the only way to save her." Ghost mutely nodded his head.
"If you insist… everything is in place. Just as you asked." In response, she gave him a slight smile.
"Thank you," she stated before turning to the other man, "and thank you." However, the other young man did not seem as resigned to the plan as Ghost. He grabbed Alice's hand as she made to stand and stared anxiously into her eyes.
"Alice, do not do this. It's too dangerous. And what if you get caught? I'd never forgive myself for helping you with this," he spoke with urgency in his voice. Instead of heeding his warning, she merely smiled ruefully and ruffled his blonde locks.
"What's life without a little danger?" she teased in effort to ease his anxiety over her safety. However, her response did not seem to satisfy him.
"I hope she realizes how good of a friend you are. I hope she appreciates everything you do and are about to do," he stated vehemently. Alice merely sighed in response, not knowing herself whether Olivia truly would appreciate what she was about to do. Nevertheless, it needed to be done.
"Regardless, this is what I'm going to do. I cannot sleep another night knowing what those vermin do to her." At her light reminder of the catalyst for her actions, he seemed to relent on his opposition to an extent. She took that as her opening to make her move to leave the cramped sanctuary.
"Come on, Pretty Boy, it's time to go." At her words, both men rose and followed her out to the dank streets of the Bronx. The cobblestone was slick from a rainstorm which had occurred that afternoon. Now, the air was thick with the humidity of the evaporating moisture. It was only slightly cut by the cold of the late October weather. The three could see light puffs of white with every exhalation of breath in the forlorn yellow light which emanated from the old street lamps which scattered the rundown street in this less-than-desirable borough of New York City. However, their destination would not look much different from their current surroundings: Brooklyn.
Ghost struck a match on the brick wall of the church and lit the cigarette hanging from his thin lips as they began their long sojourn. She held back a small giggle as Pretty Boy asked to bum a cig from his friend, to which Ghost gave his usual reply of, "Why don't you ever just buy your own?" before shoving him one of his prized cigarettes, as he always did. And, as always, Pretty Boy responded with his usual defensive comeback: "Because I don't smoke." Ghost and Alice both rolled their eyes and laughed. She wondered if Pretty Boy would ever admit to his vice, regardless of the fact that he never actually spent a single cent on it. Her heart swelled with affection for these two men. They were similar, yet altogether different. While both were blonde, Ghost's hair had a darker tint to it than Pretty Boy's yellow strands and he kept it cut shorter than Pretty Boy; while they both had blue eyes, Pretty Boy's danced with a passion for life while Ghost's were encased by dark circles of sleepless nights; and while both possessed lanky frames, Ghost towered over Pretty Boy at 6'3" compared to the latter's 5'9". Both were Bronx newsies. As such, they were supposedly "rough company" for a girl to keep, but they were loyal to a fault and Alice trusted them with her life. Walking through the city streets, she stayed between her boys with either arm looped through their arms.
Lost in silent thought, Alice walked in companionable silence with her friends for several miles. At last, she was pulled out of her reverie when she was halted on both sides next to a dark alley. The second shiver of the night right down her spine. They were in Brooklyn, and it was time. Ghost stayed to watch the street as Pretty Boy took Alice's hand and walked her into the alley to a foreboding-looking back door. He paused before knocking and turned to the girl he held as dear to him as a sister.
"It's still not too late. Tell me right now to walk you home, and I will," he practically begged. For the first time that night, Alice showed some apprehension about the task ahead to her friend.
"W-Will you still look at me the same after I do this?" she implored staring him in the eyes, fearing his response. Pretty Boy seemed to melt as he caught the meaning behind her words.
"No matter what you choose to do, you will always be our same, sweet Alice," he reassured her, sealing the promise with a tight embrace, "We love you." Alice wiped a small, relieved tear from her grateful face as she stepped away from him.
"Good. Then, yes, I must do this," she stated firmly. Pretty Boy nodded, having resigned himself to the fact that Alice was going to go through with this plan of hers, no matter what. He turned his attention back to the door and knocked. After a moment, a burly, greasy man opened the entrance and nodded towards the two of them as they entered.
The musty, old tavern reeked of booze and smoke. The wooden floorboards looked like they hadn't been swept in over a year, and the whole establishment glowed eerily with candlelight which did not reach every crevice and left the nooks and corners shrouded in shadows. This was not a place to which Alice would typically traverse, but it was perfect for her current intention.
They were ushered into a smaller room off to the side, used for private meetings. Inside, the owner was waiting for them. With his grey and balding head, gut, and crows feet around his eyes he appeared to be much older than he probably was. Life on the streets, Alice had noticed, seemed to prematurely age people. The owner leered at Alice causing a queasy feeling in her stomach, before turning to Pretty Boy.
"The payment we agreed upon?" he gruffly demanded. At his words, she reached into the pocket of her skirt and pulled several bills from it and handed them to the eager man. After quickly counting the sum, assuring they were not stiffing him, he grunted and smiled disgustingly at her.
"The room is yours for the night to do whatever you want with no interruption. Just clean up after yourselves, and no authorities need be called," he stated while gesturing grandly towards the room with a conspiratorial smile alighting his face. She merely nodded and smiled politely. Pretty Boy stepped forward with his hand outstretched towards the owner.
"You have your payment, we have your word. Pleasure doing business." The owner took Pretty Boy's hand, shook it with a nod, and left them to their own devices with a resolute snap of the door shutting. Alice let out a breath which she had not known she'd been holding, and smiled wanly at Pretty Boy.
"I believe it is time for a wardrobe change, my dear," she grandly stated with feigned airs. He smiled at her ability to still be playful in her current situation.
"The clothes you asked for are over on the far table. I'll turn my back like a good little gentleman," he teased. Alice turned to finally survey the room. There were two small wooden tables, each with two wooden seats. An ancient looking piano forte stood to the back of the room and a small opening to the front of the room: space enough for whatever private entertainment the patrons may choose. The room was lit with only four candles on the walls and tiny candle on the piano for a musician to be able to read his music causing the room to have an even eerier appearance than the main hall of the tavern. Alice smiled to herself. It was perfect.
She approached the large box on the far table which Pretty Boy had indicated, and opened the lid. She pulled out a very suggestive satin dress of emerald. She'd had Ghost pay to borrow it from one of the disgusting brothels he frequented when his bouts of insomnia would not let him sleep. She hated the habit, but she had to admit that she was currently benefiting from it. Swiftly as she could, she changed from her simple street dress into the constricting corset which lay at the bottom of the box and slipped the whore's dress over her head. She was too restricted by the corset to fasten it in the back though. Staying turned from Pretty Boy, she yelled over her shoulder to where he was standing and facing a wall.
"A little help, please?" she requested. Pretty Boy turned to face her, at first a little shocked at her relative state of undress, but quickly walked over as he realized her predicament.
"What would ya do without me?" he pretended to huff as if put out by her.
"Walk around undressed, I suppose," she deadpanned back, to which he laughed.
"Hmm… maybe I shouldn't help ya then." She laughed, and realizing he was finished, turned to face him feeling a little insecure out the new look. Pretty Boy let out a low whistle of appreciation while scanning her from head to toe, taking an extra second to fully appreciate the ample cleavage being pushed over the dress by the corset. Alice fidgeted under his gaze.
"Are you sure? It looks seductive enough?" Pretty Boy gave her a big grin.
"Sweetheart, if I didn't already know ya… I'd spend a month of what I earn selling papes to buy ya," he stated with a suggestive leer and playfully snaking his arm around her waist. She laughed and smacked at him.
"Alright, Romeo, get off. I believe you." As a finishing touch, she took a beautiful, shining mask out of the folds of the skirt she had just discarded and tied it to her face so that she might hide her identity until the appropriate time. She turned to her accomplice and held her hand out to him.
"The revolver and the dagger?" He smirked before first reaching into the pocket of his slacks and retrieving the dagger and then opening his vest to reveal the hilt of the gun tucked at his waist. Alice reached for the dagger, placed it in a sheath she'd brought with her, and lifted her skirts to attach it to her thigh. She noticed Pretty Boy staring at the exposed flesh and rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, you've slept with almost as many girls as Spot Conlon. The sight of a leg can't still be thrilling to you." He shot her a look of defensive amusement.
"You would think… but it still is," he grinned. Alice rolled her eyes again before muttering "ugh… men" under her breath, to which Pretty Boy laughed heartily. She then held out her hand for the revolver, and after receiving it, tucked it into the sash at her back so that it might be concealed by the bow. When she felt ready, she looked to Pretty Boy for approval. He simply nodded, realizing that play time was over, and reached in his pocket for the sheet music she'd given him while walking to the piano to take his place. It was certainly lucky that her friend had a hidden talent for music.
Their secret knock sounded at the door, and both occupants of the room knew that it must be Ghost. Pretty Boy crossed to the door, allowing his friend entrance to the room. Ghost entered in a flash, quickly appraised the setting for their current plot with his usual seriousness, and then his eyes finally landed on Alice and widened a bit. Alice blushed a little, at this. There was a time in the not so distant past when she'd had a crush on Ghost, and his obvious lust for what he beheld flustered her a little. That time was definitely in the past, however. She had since realized that they just weren't right for each other.
"You approve?" she asked. Ghost cocked his head to the side with a smirk.
"I'll be honest. When you first came up with this, I didn't really think ya could pull it off. But now…" he trailed off. "Yes, I approve." Alice smiled with thanks, but felt a slight sting of insult at his words. That was Ghost though: back-handed compliments were his gift in life.
"Anyhow, I came to tell you that I saw them. They'll be here in minutes." Alice nodded to her friend and lookout, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.
"Okay… show time." She then crossed the room and stood in the shadows so that her presence might be concealed while she waited to strike. Pretty Boy went back to the piano, and Ghost stood as sentry at the door. A silence fell over the room. This was the calm before the storm.
After what seemed like an hour but was probably no more than five minutes, a knock resounded through the room. Ghost flashed an encouraging smile towards the shadows where Alice stood before opening the door to pretend to be a bouncer for a very private party. Alice could not discern who was at the door first from her vantage point, but when prompted for the password by Ghost she heard the unmistakable arrogant tone of Sneer answering with the appropriate "subrosa." She then saw him enter with his usual cocky swagger and a passionate loathing washed over Alice. Next came Rascal, whom sat at the same table as Sneer, and finally Ash, who sat at a table to himself as there were no more seats available with his two friends. Both walked with gaits similar to Sneer's. She had to admit that, disregarding personality, each was attractive in his own way. Sneer's soft brown locks fell elegantly into ice blue eyes encased in chiseled facial features. He was skinny but toned with a medium stature. Rascal was taller than Sneer, with a much broader build. He too had blue eyes, but had a softer face with shortly cropped blonde hair. Ash was the tallest of them all. He was skinny, but not as skinny as Sneer; and he was muscular, though not in the broad sense that Rascal was. His dark blonde hair fell into his chocolate eyes which had lured more girls to his bed than he could possibly count. Ash was probably the most attractive of the three, though also the most unstable. However, Alice felt the bile rise in her throat as she almost choked on the suffocating air of superiority each of these monsters carried with them. Gone was any of the reticence from earlier that night. They were dead men walking.
The three warily looked about the room, particularly at the shadows, as they were not sure why the three of them had received the cryptic invitation to "a night they'd never forget." Their collective arrogance had overruled their caution, however, and curiosity won out. Pretty Boy instantly began to play a fun little tune to lighten the mood. And, as Ghost moved to bring them large glasses of whisky, they settled happily into conversation, waiting to see where the night would take them. Alice focused her attention on Sneer. While Ash was certainly certifiable and evil, as was Rascal, Sneer was the leader of their trio. At long last, Ghost gave one last secretive smile towards her direction before exiting the room to keep lookout. Noticing this, Pretty Boy stopped playing and announced from his position.
"Gentlemen! The benefactor of this little get together has arranged some very special entertainment for your particular pleasure! Prepare to be dazzled!" Alice exhaled slowly with a smile at Pretty Boy's subtle hint to them which they would never think to catch. The three guests of honor each looked curious and eager; their previous suspicions were completely drowned in alcohol and good cheer.
The sound of a slow and ethereal melody began to fill the room as Pretty Boy focused on the given sheet music. Alice braced herself then allowed her rich voice to carry away from her towards her victims like a siren from ancient Greek literature. Each head turned towards her shadows in anticipation.
You don't remember my name.
I don't really care.
Can we play the game your way?
Can I really lose control?
Alice stepped out of the shadows, slowly swaying as she walked to the center of the room. As she passed Ash's table, the table which had been nearest to her, she brushed her hand suggestively across his chest. At her small action, she observed his transfixed expression turn to the expression of a predator while he lightly licked his lips. Alice's stomach clenched slightly, but she calmed herself as she felt the weight of the gun at her back and the rough texture of the sheath on her thigh, remembering that today she was the predator. Just once in my life,
I think it'd be nice,
Just to lose control, just once,
With all the pretty flowers in the dust.
Alice approached the table where Sneer and Rascal sat with lust dancing in their eyes. She bit her lip coyly and eased backwards onto the table. She leaned back into their waiting arms, bending one of her legs up on the table so her skirt would fall away and show some of her bare flesh. She slowly arched her back and let her head fall back with a moan to give them a solid view of her cleavage and to complete the sexual image she meant to construct so as to lure them further into a false sense of security and distraction. Before their shock at her display could wear off and they felt free to roam her body with their hands, she pushed herself up and away from the table. She glanced over to see that Ash did not look neglected but was looking downright feverish after her display. Mary had a lamb.
His eyes black as coals.
If we play very quiet, my lamb,
Mary never has to know.
Alice stood in the center before the two tables, allowing her hands to harshly roam her body as she sang. Each of them was transfixed on the spectacle before them, with clouded eyes and bated breath. Yes, she had them where she wanted them. Yes, tonight she was the wolf leading these black-souled lambs to slaughter. Just once in my life,
I think it'd be nice,
Just to lose control, just once.
Alice allowed one of her hands to roam to her back where she had concealed the revolver. She grasped it firmly and allowed her hand to snake the gun seductively over body. She had worried that this would finally put the boys on alert, but she almost laughed and smacked her head at the notion when she saw their obvious arousal increase ten-fold. Of course, the only thing they loved as much as sex was violence. Combining the two had the ability to put them over the edge of ecstasy. She subtly clicked back the hammer. If I cut you down to a thing I can use,
I fear there will be nothing good left of you.
Now for the grand finale: Alice slowly raised the gun so that it was pointed at Sneer's head while simultaneously reaching her other hand around to the back of her head to untie her mask. As her disguise fell to the ground with a flourish, and her gun now pointed firmly at its target, recognition and shock registered over Sneer's face. As the music finally stopped, a cold smile of vengeance graced Alice's face. Rascal gasped uncharacteristically, while she vaguely heard Ash whisper her name. Indignant anger crossed Sneer's face, though his eyes held a hint of fear. She did not give him time speak however.
"I told you there would be consequences, and I always make good on my promises," Alice stated in a cold monotone, "Goodbye, you sick bastard." With that, she pulled the trigger and ended his life with a burst of red as his blood smattered the area around him, including Rascal, thus snapping him out of his trance. He made to move towards her to knock the gun from her hand, but she had planned on that long before this night. The hammer was already, once again, pulled back. And, for the second time that night, she pulled the trigger and ended a life. Rascal immediately collapsed dead on the floor. Alice's heart raced as she quickly clicked back the hammer a third time and turned to Ash's table, but felt her blood run cold as she realized he wasn't there. She began to turn when she felt strong arms embrace her from behind and her wrist which held the gun become grasped so hard that she was forced to drop the gun, making it impossible for her to attack. Fear and disgust paralyzed her she felt Ash's lips brush her neck.
"Baby, you don't have to worry about Olivia anymore. I'm all yours. I promise," he breathed heatedly into her skin. No sarcasm or malice entered his voice. His words were nothing but sincere. Ash truly meant it. He had just watched her murder his two best friends and he'd taken it as a love note to him personally. He truly was unhinged.
Pretty Boy gritted his teeth at the scene before him. He'd promised Alice that he would not interfere the very first day she'd approached him about her plan. She'd said neither he nor Ghost had a dog in this fight… the three were hers to kill. She had said the entire thing would be pointless if she only ended up sacrificing one friend for another friend. And he'd promised. But he could not just sit and watch Ash have his way with her. So, he jumped from behind the piano and rushed the pair, knocking them both to the ground. He managed to push Alice off to the side before jumping to his feet as Ash also got to his. Pretty Boy swung his fist and connected it with Ash's jaw. Ash reeled but came back laughing maniacally and circling Pretty Boy with perfect foot work.
"Oh God, baby, you're too good to me!" he exclaimed with glee, "This is the greatest night of foreplay ever!" Pretty Boy made to hit him again, but this time Ash blocked it while simultaneously landing a shot to his gut. Pretty Boy groaned in agony, doubled over.
"Ash! Stop it!" Alice screamed. Ash only looked her as if she were an impatient child.
"Love, it's ok. Just let me finish him, and then we can get out of here." He then jumped on top of Pretty Boy and began to wildly hit at him. Alice screamed at the sight. Remembering the dagger, she pulled up her skirt and unsheathed it. She made use of the fact that Ash was not paying any attention to her and dove on top of him while stabbing the knife into his back. He gave an agonizing yell and fell away from Pretty Boy. Alice wasted no time in lifting a chair over her head and smashing it over his head, knocking him out. She dashed to Pretty Boy's side. He was pretty banged up with his boyish face covered in blood. It appeared his nose was broken. Thankfully, he was still conscious, so she slowly pulled him to his feet… berating herself for allowing her friend to be put in harm's way. When he was on his feet, using her as a crutch, he tilted his head to the side to groggily regard her.
"Well, almost a perfect success. You're more lethal than I guessed," he croaked with a half-smile. Alice beamed at her dear friend's sense of humor and timing.
"Hmm… still not an assassin though. I guess I'll have to pick another potential profession," she retorted. Pretty Boy laughed but fell into a coughing fit as he choked on the blood in his mouth. Worry etched Alice's face.
"OK, let's get out of here. I wonder where Ghost is? You'd think he'd have come in when he heard all that commotion." She didn't have long to wait for her answer. The owner of the tavern burst into the room. After surveying the bodies, he eyed Alice with a hearty chuckle.
"My, oh, My. You are the dangerous little bitch, aren't you? Spot's not going to be happy with you," he admonished with amusement. His words made Alice freeze.
"Spot? Spot Conlon? Why would he know?" The owner feigned a look of guilt.
"Well, pet, when I realized you'd be killing some of Spot's boys in my establishment, I couldn't chance the little devil having it in for my tavern. So, I told him." Panic flooded Alice's body. Pretty Boy chose that moment to speak.
"We had a deal!" he exclaimed angrily. The owner gave him a winning smile.
"And I kept it. The authorities have not been called. Spot's on his way with some of his boys. And your buddy already ran off. I'm supposin' he's got a history with Brooklyn." Alice couldn't believe what she was hearing. Surly Ghost wouldn't have deserted them without warning. This made no sense. But, she had to focus on the present. The Brooklyn newsies were coming for her, and probably Pretty Boy too now. She couldn't let them get ahold of him though. This wasn't his fight. She made for the back alley to sounds of the owner's laughter. Once outside, she dragged Pretty Boy to a pile of crates with a rotten moldy covering on them.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Alice?" Pretty Boy interrogating, having a sneaking suspicion where she was going with this.
"You're going to hide here," she stated flatly, as if it were obvious. Pretty Boy seemed to become indignant.
"Like hell I am! YOU hide here. Let Brooklyn find me."
"No. I will not. It's me they really want, and should want, not you." Pretty Boy made to struggle away from her, so Alice did the only thing she could think to do. She reared her fist back and punched him with all of her might. As he had only been barely conscious before, Alice's punch made him fall straight out. He slumped in her arms as she struggled to get him down to the ground without hitting his head anymore that night. With great effort, she managed to slowly drag him behind the crates and place the blanket over him. Hopefully, he would not wake up until Brooklyn was done searching.
Once she was satisfied with her work, she stood erect and took a deep breath. She needed to run. She jogged to the end of the alley and stood with her back against the wall and leaned out to look at the front entrance of the tavern. Her stomach clenched when she realized that five Brooklyn newsies were standing outside watching the street closely. From the inside, she could hear angry yelling. Spot was obviously inside, and he'd seen her handy work. This was not good at all.
Alice attempted to steady her emotions and think. There was no real way out. If she came out of the alley, the newsies at the door would see her, catch her, and come check the alley. She glanced back at where Pretty Boy was hidden. She needed to keep them away from the alley if at all possible. With that thought, she did the only thing she could think to do: not appear from the alley. She ran back to alley door and knocked. When the same burly man came to answer, he appeared shocked to see her. Before he could say anything, Alice shoved her hand down her dress, pulled some emergency money out, shoved it at the doorman, and spoke.
"Look that's all I have. I just need you to forget that I was ever in the alley or that anyone was ever with me. Okay?" she implored hurriedly. The man seemed to consider her for a second before nodding and stepping to the side. Alice wasted no time bursting through the door, down the little dark hallways and into the main room of the tavern. She didn't stop there. She meant to distract them with a fight. So she began pushing through the patrons and causing a commotion. The tavern owner noticed and alerted Spot.
"Mr. Conlon! There the bitch goes! She must not have left! She's headed to the front entrance!" With that, Alice did exactly as he said and headed to the front entrance. She heard a commanding voice yelling orders behind her, but it was unnecessary. The newsies out front had already heard the owner and were waiting for her. The second she reached fresh air, multiple set of arms grabbed her. She struggled with all of her might, looking for a lucky break which she knew she would not find. Just as she saw piercing blue eyes enter her vision, regarding her coldly, she felt a fist from behind land into her skull, effectively knocking her out.
Spot Conlon stood before his newsies, staring at the girl knocked out in Sidewinder's arms. The confident leader was enraged, but also confused by what he had found. A lot of planning had gone into these murders. They reeked of personal vendetta. He was going to get answers, and going to get them soon. He spoke to his newsies, "Clean up that damn mess. Get Ash back to the lodging house, I think he's still alive. Sidewinder? Carry whoever the fuck this is back to the lodging house as well. But don't touch her. I want answers first. Understood?" They all nodded their heads and got to work. Meanwhile, Spot struck a match, lit a cigarette, and went for a walk to clear his head before he began the interrogation.
AN: First off, the lyrics belong to Evanescence. It's the song "Lose Control." Secondly, I realize that I left a lot of questions unanswered here. That was on purpose. It's part of the plot. That said, thanks to all who have read this! I hope you liked the beginning.