TopCow owns Witchblade, Fathom, Darkness, and the other comic characters in
this story.
I own the original characters.
Chapter One
Richard has been gracious enough to let me stay at his house in the spare room
for the past two days. He's a little sweetheart. I wonder if his girlfriend
really knows how nice he is. Probably, hell, she's his girlfriend. Jealous, am
I? Of course not. Okay, a little. I picked up the phone and heard silence from
the other end. I was about to hang it up when a faint voice came on the line.
"Sara? Don't hang up, it's me."
"Claudia, where the hell are you?"
"I'm on the cell phone. I'm sorry about the low voice."
"Yeah, yeah."
"I'm also sorry I didn't call you sooner, but you have to start packing.
We are going back to Texas for a few days."
"Did I hear a 'we' in there?"
"Yes," from the tone of her voice, I could tell she rolled her eyes.
"Jonas called me. He found something he thinks we ought to look at. It
sounds important, Sara."
The urgency in her voice made me realize that it was truly important.
"Alright, I'll pack. For how many days exactly?"
"Um... For about a week. But don't bitch, it'll be worth it."
"Fine, bye Claud."
We hung up then I rushed into the spare room and dragged all my stuff out into
the living room. I didn't have much to begin with. I just dumped it all into
the suitcase then thought about my guns. I had a secret compartment for my
guns. Although, if we are going by plane, I doubt I'll get to keep them. Then
maybe, just maybe, I'll keep them. Doubt it.
I ran into the room and saw the only picture I had of Julie sitting in a frame
on a small table near the bed. I put it there because lately I haven't been
able to sleep. She's been my nightmare dream catcher.
The night my sister died, I promised myself not to intentionally get involved
with vampires anymore. Oh, and to also learn more about vampire and lycanthrope
etiquette's. Somehow I knew one of those would end up as a promise I'd break.
Wanna guess which one?
I grabbed the guns and picture and rushed into the living room. Before I could
finish putting the last of the guns in their respective spots at the back of
the suitcase, Claudia made the driver blow the car's horn. Damn girl. I quickly
placed the gun into the hole and ran for the door. I hope I hadn't forgotten
anything. If I did, I hope Claudia had a lot of time to pack, unlike me.
When I opened the door, I found Claudia standing next to the bright yellow cab
waiting for me. She was wearing blue jeans and a blue polo shirt. Somewhere on
her, I knew she had a gun. And Marilyn thought diamonds were a girl's best
friend.
I walked over to her happily. She immediately took my suitcase and threw it in
the pre-opened trunk. She then took my hand and forced me into the backseat of
the car.
She told the driver to take us to the airport. I honestly think he would have
driven us to the moon if Claudia had asked. Yes, she was that beautiful. He
kept looking back at her trying to catch every moment of her existence in his
cab. I was getting annoyed with it, but hell, I didn't think we'd have to pay
for the ride to the airport though.
It took about twenty minutes to get from Richard's place to the airport. I
think Claudia said we have about eight hours to get to Jonas before some action
would be taken. I told her I didn't really want to know the details, so she spared
me them.
We started running inside the building. I didn't get to look at the
surroundings since she booked the flight so damn soon. I'd probably have to
come back and see it if I wanted to. If I come back. Yes, Texas does mean
something to me, but so does St. Louis now. I can still feel my sister here.
She's always around me. Like a shadow that I can only sense. She's not here to
scare me, but to tell me she's alright. Her presence always makes me feel
better.
Claudia started dragging me into the hall. She threw the tickets at a man and
pushed me outside closer to the airplane.
It was the biggest plane I ever saw. I think there should be a law against
something like that. Is it natural to fly something in the sky bigger than the
clouds? Exactly how big are clouds? Claudia flicked her hand in front of me
trying to get my attention. It seems that we are already on the plane. I was on
the outside of a set of three chairs. Claudia was right next to me and an old
woman was sitting near the window. She can sure have the window. I was happy
with my seat.
"Sara, you've been spacing out too much lately, I'm getting worried."
I stared at her and wondered why she was even my friend. I'm a necromancer for
God's sake. She's a normal person. Scratch normal, she's a sensitive. She can
feel what I feel, although, she can't raise the dead. She just shoots the dead.
Fair game.
"I'm fine. Just been thinking too much."
"It's not good to think anymore Sara. Too much shit has happened."
Once the old lady heard a curse word, she immediately put her finger to her lip
and said, "bad children. I don't care how old they get, it's not polite to
curse."
Both Claudia and I stared at her then started laughing. We decided not to
curse. No need to make the lady unhappier than she already was. She's sitting
by two girls that have attitudes, no need for extra bullshit. Excuse me, extra
problems.
The trip to Houston, Texas took us about four to five hours. I can't remember.
I slept most of the way. Claudia told me I was snoring, but like I really
cared. She also told me that I kept her awake. For that, I said I was sorry,
but it wasn't like I had control of it. My nose does what it will.
When we got off the plane, Jonas was staring out a window of the biggest
airport station I'd ever seen. Is it my problem that everything seems so big
these days? Do not say yes.
He has black hair cut very short styled in every which direction. Standing
straight, sideways, just about every way. It actually looked cute on him. He
had glittering blue eyes that weren't completely dark but not exactly light.
They were... well they were just perfect for Jonas. When we were in high school
together, he was very, very short. Around senior year, he sprouted up like a
seed. He's like six feet now.
His face exploded into a smile when Claudia came close to him. What is this,
Claudia like day? His lips were thin, very thin, but they fit his face
perfectly. He had a square face with a dimple on his right cheek. The only
thing that sets him up to be a nerd is the glasses he wears. I think if it
weren't for the coke bottle glasses, he'd be a chick magnet, but he's not. So
why not have a small crush on Claudia. Might as well put a little light into
his life.
When Claudia stood completely in front of him, he quickly took his glasses off.
I had to smile. He wanted to look better. I didn't know people cared how they
looked. Oh forgot, that's just me.
He wiped off his glasses and put them back on before he reached his arm out to
shake both Claud and my hand. He seemed nervous. I guess he wasn't expecting to
see what he saw in us. Well, in Claudia. Damn, beauty queen.
His voice came out all shaky and unsteady. Like someone who was doing something
that he didn't want to do.
"Ms. Franchetti and Ms. Pezzini, it's been so long."
"It hasn't been that long Jonas, so cut the crap."
Claudia glared angrily at me then looked back at Jonas.
"Excuse her Jonas, she's tired. She doesn't mean to be so rude."
I almost wanted to laugh, but I was already testing the waters with Claud. Oh
well. I giggled.
Claud pushed me to the side and I nearly died of laughter. Jonas's face looked
as though I had hurt his feelings. Oh damn well. He'll get over it.
Claudia was the first to get our luggage. She packed quite a bit of stuff. I
can't believe we got through the metal detectors. I guess Jonas knows some
people in high places. I know he's a rich son of a bitch. A big pay off would
pass us right through. Not my money.
I picked up my itty bitty case with the hidden guns and headed the way Claudia
and four eyes, I mean Jonas, went. He stopped when he stepped right in front of
a truck that must have been a 4x4. It was a huge hunter green truck with big
bars on top and behind it. I wanted to ask Jonas if he ever shot a buck, but
thought better of it. He doesn't seem like the type that would kill, but then
neither does Claud and me. These days, you just never know who will put a
bullet into you and who will let you walk. I wouldn't let you walk, Claud
might, but not me. If you pissed me off enough, you'd end up needing a tombstone.
That is so damn bad. I talk about death like it's nothing. Like killing someone
is as easy to do as breathing. I might be turning into a monster. My last kill
involved a vampire that wasn't trying to kill me, but trying to give me eternal
life. I turned her down by blowing her to pieces. What a nice gift, eh?
The inside of Jonas's truck was extremely man like. I guess since he wasn't a
man's man when he was younger, he had to make up for it by material things. Oh
well. Not my problem.
Claudia didn't trust me enough to let me sit by Jonas. She pushed me out of the
way when I was trying to get in first. What now? After all these years, she
finally finds me offensive. Kinda too late.
Claudia made me sit by the window, which wasn't that bad. I love Texas. I love
watching the drunken people walk out of bars and drive home. I love seeing
women get tossed out of their homes by their hair. I just love it. I think I
have come accustomed to Richard's spare bed. Shit.
"Claudia, before we leave this junkyard of a state, we gotta go and get my
shit out of my place." "You are straight serious about moving to
Missouri?"
"Apparently, yes. Why would I comment on moving if I wasn't?"
"I just had to ask. So Jonas, you're planning on staying in Texas?"
He moved his hand from the steering wheel and adjusted his glasses. "If my
father's business is still as prosperous as it has been these few years, I'll
stay here as long as I have to."
I wanted to scream 'geek' at him, but decided not to. No one can tell me that
at twenty-five, I'm not mature.
Jonas didn't live that far away from the airport, which was good. But he did,
however, live far down a gravel road that seemed to never end. He lived far
behind a huge thicket that displayed so green against the beautiful, light,
puffy, blue sky. Right before his log cabin house was a large still lake. It
appeared to be so peaceful as if no fish, no animal lived in it. Maybe nothing
did. Maybe it was artificial. Maybe not.
Jonas stopped the engine and just sat in his seat. It was like he was thinking
of something to say. Dude, maybe start with, you can get out now. Not just sit
there.
"Jonas, are you going to get out?"
Claudia and I had already unbuckled our seat belts and stepped out of the
truck. It was about a foot down, but it wasn't that bad. Neither one of us was
wearing a skirt.
We even slammed the door shut and the fool didn't budge. He was in his own
trance. Make millions and become a weirdo. Who would have known?
"Yes, I was only thinking of something important. I am oh so sorry."
"Ah, save it, nerd boy," Claudia hit me in the side, "I mean
Jonas," I glared at her.
"Jonas, don't take Sara serious, she's just a bitch," she turned to
face me and stuck her tongue out.
I went close to her face and whispered, "stick that tongue at me one more
time and it'll be mine."
"Oh, honey," she grabbed my hand and kissed it, "flattery will
get you nowhere."
I jerked my hand back and laughed. Even a threat won't bug her.
I looked at the spooked Jonas and wanted to laugh more.
"Jonas, you gonna get out or what?"
"Yeah," he grabbed the door handle and opened the door. He slowly got
out, moving one leg at a time as if he were afraid of the ground. I wanted to
tell him to hurry up, but it was his house. I didn't want to be rude so soon.
"Why you bugging?"
He just stared out into the wide open spaces around his house.
"Jonas?"
He kept staring ahead of him and it was totally pissing me off.
"Jonas, if I have to say your name one more time, I am going to kick your
ass."
Claudia slapped my shoulder and touched Jonas.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. We need to get inside."
"About damn time."
"Sara!"
"Oh damn well."
She sighed and gave up the fight. She grabbed Jonas's hand and led him to the
front door of his massive log cabin home. Of course, I followed.