Chapter 2: Finding
The smell of oil and engine fumes filled the dark gray room. The fluorescent bulbs above leaked weak white light on their still bodies. The quiet was agonizing. The midnight haired boy growled. His eyes darted around the room at the four familiar faces. He stopped on the angelic face of their leader. "Just what is taking him so LONG?"
No one bothered to answer him. Knowing it would only spawn more yelling. Seconds ticked by and still nothing.
"ALLEN!" shouted the wiry boy.
Allen's response was one used many times over. He shot him a warning look, barring his teeth ever so slightly. "Patience Van." His eyebrow twitched.
Van clenched his fists causing audible cracks, which echoed off the cement walls. The tall voluptuous blonde sighed as she ran her hands through her thick wavy hair. "For once I agree with Van. It's been hours Allen I need to get my beauty sleep. Besides, isn't it past Celena's bed time?" she teased.
Allen's eyes squeezed tightly, his glare piercing into her. "You can leave if you want to Milerna. No one wants to deal with you in the morning, especially if you haven't had your beauty sleep."
Milerna's lips turned to a pout; she crossed her arms and planted her feet. "In case you haven't noticed, it is morning!"
"Knock it off you two." Said the second in command of their group.
Together Allen and Milerna both shouted. "No one asked you Gades!"
A metallic racket clinked and crashed outside the thick walls of their base. All eyes turned to the short and chubby man who clumsily tumbled into the room. Allen moved swiftly to his side greeting him kindly while helping him up.
"Thank you for coming Moleman" Said Allen.
Moleman's face scrunched into a scowl. "This place is near impossible to find you know! I almost had to turned back."
Everyone aside from Allen was biting his or her tongue. It wasn't as if this was his first time here. Allen had a strong belief in the predictions provided by this strange little man. His predictions were rarely right and often lead them on wild goose chases. Relentlessly, despite the evidence, Allen continued to pay the quack for his strange service.
"I apologize for your troubles. However, we must have some measure of subtlety when it comes to the entrance of our hide out." Allen smiled carefully.
"Yes well an escort might have been nice. My eyesight isn't what it used to be." Moleman waddled into the center of the room and began emptying his bag. He first spread a tattered grey blanket on the dusty cement floor. Followed by various items including stones, feathers, paper, a coal pencil and a few rare looking gems.
"I will remember that for next time. I trust your minds eyes is as keen as ever?" He edged.
"Yes yes of course! Not that it will do you any good without payment."
"Ah yes." Allen pushed his hand into his tight jean pocket to retrieve a money clip. He handed it to Moleman.
Moleman shuffled the bills through his old, dirty fingers. While counting he noticed a severe problem. His wrinkles folded over his small filmy eyes and a low growl of disapproval welled in his throat. "This is not the amount we agreed upon! I will not use my great powers for such a small sum!" He shouted. Moleman blunderously began shoving his odd assortment of items back into his bag.
"Please don't misunderstand." Allen's melodic voice rang with remorse. "It's only that your last few predictions haven't exactly been...accurate. I thought withholding the other half of the payment it might encourage you."
Moleman continued to pack his belongings. He ignored Allen as an elephant would ignore a fly.
Allen sighed. "I suppose that if your prediction is correct I would feel inclined to throw a little extra money your way." He folded his arms over his chest.
Moleman smirked slyly. The prospect of a higher amount was very intriguing to him. "How about double then. If I am correct." He challenged.
Gades moved swiftly to Allen's side. "Boss there's no way we can afford double! This is all nonsense anyway! Just give us a few more weeks to find the Black Dragon base ourselves!"
Allen pretended to think about what Gades said despite his unchanged decision. "I'm sorry Gades, you know I would rather not pay for information that can be had for free but they've already advanced four blocks closer to our territory. Both QuickSnacks and Mervin's owners are getting anxious. We don't get paid to wait for them to take out one of our patrons!"
Allen turned briskly towards Moleman "I suggest we make it a bet then. How about double or nothing at all? I'm sure that wont be a problem for someone with powers as great as yours" A small grin spread across his pale pink lips. "Of course this includes the amount you just received." He added.
Moleman shrunk back. "Of course." He fiddled with a blazing red crystal, turning it over in his hand. "Hmm..." He Held the gem between his thumb and index fingers observing the white light as it danced off its facets. "How do I know you will pay me? What guarantee do I have that you wont get yourself killed?"
Allen, always the gentleman bowed ever so slightly. "You have my word of course. I will not be using the information we receive until after you are paid. I'm sure that eases your thoughts."
Moleman sighed in defeat. "Ah, the word of Allen Shezar, leader of the Abaharaki" He grunted. "We'll see how far that gets me." One by one, Moleman put the items back onto the blanket, placing them with care in their planned places all the while muttering to himself about not trusting people.
Once he was finished organizing his items Moleman lit a vanilla scented incense. He waved it around in the air as he chanted. His movements seemed unfathomably fake to the majority of onlookers. Van was overflowing with annoyance as he witnessed the sickening display. He rolled his eyes and ground his teeth. "Nonsense..." He muttered to himself.
Celena on the other hand was fascinated with the process. Her wide blue eyes were fixed on Moleman as he flailed his arms and chanted his foolish babble. She clasped her hands and held them close to her face.
Milerna nudged Gades. "She's looks like a kid who just saw Santa crawling up the chimney." Despite their efforts to hide their amusement Allen shot them a chagrin look.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Arms raised high above his head Moleman proclaimed, "I have seen the location!" Quickly he scribbled down the address.
"Excellent!" Said Allen, his voice saturated with certainty. His hands were tight fists at his hips.
"Wonderful!" Said Celena as she clapped her hands. The others shared the same expression of doubt. Although, only Van's expression of doubt was saturated with anger. The thought of depending on this fool was overbearing.
Moleman began laughing lightly as he handed the address to Allen. When Allen took the small scrap of paper Moleman's hand stayed in place. "The payment?" he inquired.
"As soon as we confirm the information I will have it sent to you." Allen smiled widely at the stout man.
The frustration was evident in his every move. "See that you do." With that, Moleman gathered his things and crept back out into the night.
Celena, still mystified beyond all reason ran to her brother's side. She looped her thin snow-white arm through his. She smiled up at him and said "Oh Allen! Thanks to that wonderful man we can finally bring some peace of mind to the people in the community. They'll all be able to sleep peacefully soon." She smiled brightly. She looked as though she might be sleeping peacefully soon as well.
Her goodness and innocence were absolutely essential to Allen's sanity. The hours upon days he spent brooding over her well being would easily overwhelm any workaholic. Though he considered it nothing short of his very purpose in life to keep her safe.
"Yes Celena," He crooned as he smiled warmly down at her. "I do believe we should get you home now. It is getting rather late." Allen believed with unwavering faith that the only person who could ever truly protect and love his dear sister was himself. He also believed firmly that at his side was the only place she could truly be safe.
It had been a very difficult dilemma. He wanted so badly to shield her from his world. The world of gangs, violence and wars but he knew for certain that the moment his enemies caught wind of his fragile, angelic sibling she would be sought after and destroyed.
There were times that his unwavering resolve could not be performed. Times when his darker duties were mandatory. He couldn't bear the thought of having her anywhere near that piece of his life. In the heat of battle there was no room failure. There was no room for kindness. So of course there was certainly no room for Celena.
Allen sighed to himself as he squeezed the small girl to his side. She had the fighting instincts of a flower. She was a flower he would fight to the death to prevent from being plucked. Celena yawned quietly; slowly she inclined her weight onto her brother. He quickly picked up on her fatigue and lifted her into his arms. She was asleep almost instantly.
Van, Milerna and Gades were strategizing for the impending attack. "We could come in from the roof" Suggested Gades.
Milerna rolled her eyes theatrically. "Oh please! As if they wouldn't be expecting that!"
Van was clearing getting tired of this repetitive argument. It wasn't as if they could really judge the best way in without knowing the area and building. They would have to investigate before they could strategize. "This is all meaningless until we can see this place for ourselves." His agitation was written in the indents of his forehead and the curved lines around his mouth.
Milerna smirked, her relentless femininity fuming. She lifted her finger and pointed at Van. "Do you even realize how bad that is for your skin? Those wrinkles will rival Moleman's in a few more years! How will you ever get a girlfriend if you look fifty at eighteen years old?" She laughed wind chimes through the room.
Just as Van was about to launch a cluster of insults directly at her waist size Allen interrupted. "I will be leaving to return Celena home. I will be back in a few minutes and then we will be going to the Black Dragon base."
Three sets of confused eyes met Allen's stern expression. Van was the first to speak as usual when it came to a conflict of interest. "I wont be returning tonight, I have my own things to deal with right now. You know that." His mind swirled with thoughts of his newly acquired family member.
"Your little bundle of joy will have to wait. Tonight is the only night I can be sure of." Said Allen, His voice low and sure.
"Why is that?" Asked Gades quizzically.
"Because by tomorrow someone may have paid off Moleman and if that happens we'll be walking blindly into our graves." He looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. "I can't afford for this not to go smoothly. It will be a clean cut. None of them left standing."
The groups of allies were still and somber as they thought of their ties to this world and the thin thread of their lives. The risk in this plan was catastrophic. Yet, to sit by as innocent people were stolen from and slaughtered, innocent people who had paid them for protection no less was out of the question.
Gades laughed loud and hearty. "It's a living!" His half crazed laughter bellowed and beat against the cement walls, unfortunately, doing nothing for the atmosphere.
Allen was thankful that Celena slept like a rock. "I'll be back shortly" He was gone in moments.
It was exactly three AM as they left for their destination. Dressed in grays and blacks, equip with various weapons. Allen and Van wielded swords, Milerna had her double edged spear and Gades with his skilled hands, was stocked with daggers from head to toe.
They had lurked as quietly as mice through the maze off alleyways. Until they found themselves surrounded by walls on all sides. The Path in front of them had ceased. It was only thanks to Gades that they were able to uncover the manhole.
The boxes had looked positively diseased. The corners were all but consumed with revolting green and brown scum. Only Gades with his complete lack of personal preservation would dare to sit on such vile things. The boxes were crushed under his weight instantly.
As Van helped Gades to his feet the ooze from the box had stuck to Gades's behind, causing the boxes to shift and revealed the manhole. After nearly forcing Milerna down the hole, they found that this was no ordinary entrance into the sewers. There was no rush of running water, no squeak of repugnant rats. The way was lit and they were instantly horrified of the cleanly strangeness of the underground tunnel.
Red carpet lined the floor and dim orange lights lined the wide tube.
They swiftly ran through the seemingly endless tunnel until they found the exit several minutes away. Allen eyed the small ladder leading to the covered manhole carefully. He knew that this could lead them anywhere. It could lead them to the front entrance, or possibly right into the center of the base.
"This is bad…" Allen struggled to say.
The rest were still and alert. They all knew how dangerous this was. The gamble of exiting this strange passage without knowing where they would end up was far too high. But how could they afford to let this small window of surprise slip by? This was their only chance.
"It's now or never, right boss?" said Gades as he turned a dagger over in his hands.
"Right" Confirmed Van.
Milerna stood silently knowing there was no turning back. Trusting her comrades and abilities.
Allen was the first to climb the short ladder. He held his breath and slowly lifted the heavy metal circle from its place. He listened carefully, hearing no evidence of movement. He lifted it a little higher, peeking through the crack. He saw no more than an alleyway, the same as any other, dirty and dark and slightly smelly.
He moved it completely out of his way and exited the bright tube. One by one Gades, Van and Milerna followed. To their right was a chain link fence with barbed wire around the top, garbage and debris were scattered about.
To their left however, was a strange misplaced sharp turn to the right. Around the tight corner was a jet-black door. Their hearts stopped. Van gripped the sword at his side and crouched, ready to spring. "This is it…" his fury danced through the word, his anticipation noticed by all.
They were only a fraction of a second away from storming the door when a flicker of light reflecting off Van's ready sword caught Allen's eye. "Stop!" He quietly shrieked. He quickly fell to his knees and removed the large metal cover from the vent. "This is perfect!" The space was just big enough to crawl through.
Milerna grimaced. "You expect us to crawl through that rat infested vent?!"
"Would you rather charge face first into an all out slaughtering?" Challenged Allen.
They had no time to argue and knowing this, it was simply a matter of shoving Milerna forcefully through the cramped space. In a single file they inched their way through the vents until unfamiliar voices became closer, distinct. They were all silent and still, listening and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
