Actors for the new major characters:
Jim – Michael Rosenbaum
Abigail Clariss - Aubrey Anderson-Emmons
Cornelius Stirk – Tim Curry/Mads Mikkelsen(monster appearance and voice)
Flashback Orlin Dwyer - Jacob Tremblay
Flashback Kate Dwyer – Olivia Edward
Robbie – Jensen Ackles
Two Special Characters – *******************
CW – FLASHPOINT – RIVAL
[Previously on The Rival(voiced by Todd Lasance)
"Ouch, my body. It hurts!", the kid shouted after he reached the ground level.
"Abigail!", Clariss happily shouted. "Dad!", Abigail did the same. "C'mon on, sweetie. Let's get in the car.", he said. "Yeah, dad.", she added.
"Give us your money, right now!"
A voice echoed throughout a dark alley, even though it was day.
"I told ya, Jim. That girl's really the gold. She could make a fortune." The other man sitting next to him removed his black eye glasses, "Indeed, she could."
"To hell with all of you.", he added, "You're not leaving this place alive. Not on my watch." Edward under the table and waited for the opportunity to put them down with his bullets.
"Edward, Edward Clariss? Is that really you?" Edward looked at him, "Do we know each other?" "It's me, Orlin. You know the one you used to bully in middle school."
"Where's Abigail, my daughter?"
"Who?"
"Don't fake it on me. Where is she!? I swear to God if you don't tell me, I'm gonna put you down like the dogs that you are."
"Okay, man. Just calm down.", the thug unnoticeably took a smoke grenade out of his hidden belt and threw it in them,
"Guys, now! Shoot them!"
Fallen bullets upon fallen bullets! Loud sounds after loud sounds! Powerful pulses of heart followed by powerful pulses of heart!
"Any idea how can we get rid off these guys?", Edward asked him.
"I know where we can lose them. We have to go at Ramon Industries. I know a safe place where to hide."
Cisco went to the particle accelerator's control panel, "And here we go."
The particle accelerator began to charge up power. "Clariss,", Orlin took out from his pockets his card key and inserted it into one of the low level glassed prison-like cells. Afterwards, Orlin tampered with the power of that compartment and shut it down. "What did you do, Orlin?", Edward asked bewildered. "I deactivated this particle accelerator cell. They are, in truth, assisting the particle accelerator to contain some of the extra-dimensional energy." "That doesn't sound good at all."
Orlin accessed another next to Edward's. "C'mon, Orlin. Get inside! Now!"
A huge wave of dark matter sprang to life. It leaks everywhere, saturating everything with its strange orange mark. "Orlin! NO!"
A small dagger-like piece from Edward's cell hit Orlin's hand.
In a flash – the entire place was a mess. Everything was out of place. Some parts of the particle accelerator kept making weird noises.
After the flash ends Edward's eyes open – "Orlin!" Edward runs at his fallen friend and sees that the piece which ricocheted off his cell partially attached itself on Orlin's right hand. Edward took Orlin in his arms and tried to remove it, but he could not. It is as if the dagger was part of Orlin now.
"C'mon, Orlin. Wake up."
Back at the hospital, Orlin wanted to get up. When suddenly he collapsed on the floor. Orlin put his left hand on the medical box in his right to stand up and it bent. Orlin said nothing – he was shocked to see what has happened to the box.
The nurse was at Orlin's door, politely asking him if he needs something. "Sir, do you need anything?", she raised the tone of her voice.
(Cicada's theme plays)
Orlin looks at the bent box, "No…"]
EPISODE 2
STING THE STIRK
Edward was sitting in his bed. Sleeping. He was. Just. Too. Exhausted. He was a resolved man. But even he had limits like all people do. He had to regain his strengths for tomorrow.
And he is sleeping. He is. Dreaming.
You would expect he has a sweet dream. But you are wrong. He has nightmares since he has lost his daughter.
And he dreams now. He dreams about running on the streets. And his daughter was in front of him – held by Jim, the man who had ordered the kidnapping of Abigail.
"ABIGAIL!", Edward screamed in agony, desperate to save her. And he ran. And he ran! AND HE RAN!
But it was in vain. Because the more he stomped the ground with his raging feet; it felt like an eternity of hell. He was so close to put his hands on her. So close… But it felt like time froze in place around him. And yet he tried. And he tried! But when he shot at it, Jim and his child go backwards. It's like in one of those moments when you try to reach someone and they are mysteriously drawn away from you by superior forces. Edward saw her pale face. She was scared in his vision. And Jim was laughing at him. "Let her go, bastard!" And he laughed! And she was scared…
The emotional turmoil caused by his dream pumped blood faster in his veins. His heart beats followed the advice of his heart – and they sprang to life more powerful than ever!
"Ha!", Edward gasped. It was evident from his reactions that he woke up. And he was worried and anxious about it. He had tried many times over to contact Joe, the detective officer, but he was too busy with his personal affairs. C.C.P.D. have numerous cases since the particle accelerator has exploded. Ironically, Edward's was like a footnote in history. His case was passed in the last line of the row. Edward's claims of a man teleporting himself before his eyes sounded ludicrous. He appeared everywhere in Central City. Well. Not him. His daughter. However, the press, greedy bastards they are, as he always knew, has exaggerated the events that took place at his house. He hadn't killed them because he started the hostile attack, they were trespassing his domain. And he knew he had to fight back or be stomped on the floor. How could he do otherwise? Could he?
The disappearance of Abigail surely made sensation all over in Central City – it's just that the police department had so many cases to solve. And Edward was forced to understand he is somewhere at the tail of the line. To make matters worse, his case was given to Joe West. What Edward did not know about the police detective – is that he enjoyed drinking. Perhaps too much. Though he had no idea how that drunk man was keeping himself alive on the line with that job. But Joe, of course, knew. He had special connections with the police captain Julio Mendez's sister. They were some sort of close friends. Both had a bad past. And their meeting brought the two close enough to be considered 'lovers'. Of course it was no physical lust between the two. They were platonically fallen in love with each other. No matter how many times Julio warned Joe that he will lose his job, his sister insisted to keep him because he was making her feel alright. She needed someone in her life to understand her – and he knew he has to take care of his sister in some way or another.
A phone rang. It was Joe's. Joe immediately woke up from his sleep. He spent all his night at the hospital. His son, Wally West, has been struck by lightning the night when Cisco's particle accelerator exploded. "Um, hello, who is this?", Joe asked. "It is me, detective West. Edward Clariss.", he was scratching the back of his head, quite harsh. "Ah, you.", Joe yawned. "Excuse me, detective. What was that?", he felt being disrespected by the man tasked to saving his daughter. "Sorry, mister Clariss. I haven't been sleeping in a while.", Joe yawned again. And Edward rolled over his eyes. "Assuming you have been working at my daughter's case.", he said on a firm tone. He was no more joking – no longer keeping a funny attitude. "Oh, yeah. Your daughter's case. I forgot about it.", Joe slapped his forehead. "What do you mean by 'forgot about it'?", he raised the tone. And it was a bad sign for Joe. "Look, I", Joe tried to offer him a good explanation, but, "How dare you spend your nights sleeping, when you are assigned to find my daughter!? It's your duty as cop, man. Or you forgot about that!?" Edward said it. He was angry. Very. Angry. And when he feels like this, his thoughts are coherently and directly expressed – like a hurricane. "Don't raise your tone at me, mister. Alright? My son has been in coma since that particle accelerator exploded. Do you think I don't have much bigger worries on my head?". Joe slightly snapped it up. "I'm sorry, but I", Edward was hesitant in his words. "But what?", Joe shot him with a question as cold as ice. He was direct. Too direct perhaps. "I'm sorry. Ok? It's just that I'm losin' my minds. She is gone. And I cannot do anything about it. I keep sweating – whenever I sleep or I'm awake. And I don't know how to fix it. I went to my shrink, but she cannot help me. So, please, sir – do your job."
Joe sighs: "Do you have any idea how many cases I have on my head, man? Lots. All of you coming everyday at me – begging for help. Do I have no life? I do. I deserve some free time with my family too." Edward clenched his right fist: "You piss me off, man! Go to hell! You are a cop for god's sake. That's your job! Your job is to protect others and then yourself. When I took my oath as doctor I swore to put everyone's safety above mine. That's what guys like us – do. We put the others' needs above us. You know something, maybe you should quit. It's clear as dirt to me – that you are a loser. Go do your thing with your family, detective. I will do things myself." Edward shut him in his face and ended the call. "Idiot.", Joe sighed. "Asscop.", Edward laughed. A bit – just. Not really an expression you'd recognize on his face.
Edward gets up and walks straight at his closet – he takes his black t-shirt, blue jeans jacket, army jeans, and black shoes. He opens the door of his room and gets out. He heads downstairs, he takes it to the right at the house door and exits. He makes sure his door is closed by placing a lock on it – he was now ready in case someone would try to break in and steal something valuable: DVDs, books, medical works – so on and so forth.
And he was lucky – because although his car was no more – given he sold it to persuade a few people to help him – he got to know Orlin's cousin: Robbie.
Robbie was sitting in his chair – he was at hospital too. He came to visit Orlin the second he had heard something bad happened to him.
Robbie's phone rings.
DING DING DING
"Robbie here. Who's this?", Robbie said it authoritative. "Hey, it's me Edward Clariss. Probably you don't know me, but I know your big cousin, Orlin Dwyer.", he was feeling wrong because Robbie might have known what happened to Orlin when he was nothing more but a kid. "So, you are that 'guy', huh? The bully whose daughter is missing.", Robbie sipped from his Fanta soda. "'Ex-bully' – I am officially retired. I saw how stupid I was – so I decided to make it right. I gotta admit: had it not been for your cousin, I'd have ended up on the streets – or worse. What happened to him that day: really made me put things into perspective. I still feel guilty – of course."
Robbie chuckled and Edward's reaction: "What's so funny about it?" – cliché. "Orlin thanks you, bro. He said to me that you trippin' him downstairs made him realize how valuable life truly is. Before meeting you – he used to be this cocky smartass daddy's kid. But when you took it on him with your bully attitude – you broke down that big ego of his when he was a schoolboy. Jesus", he scratched his right nostril, "I'm being melodramatic right here. Let's just say that incident made him understand what's like to value other people. Before that he was just a blind arrogant shmuck. I am tellin' ya."
Edward cut it straight to the subject: "Can you give me your car? – my baby was destroyed.", Edward looked around himself. "Sure – just make sure you don't scratch it. You'll find the keys under the 'Welcome' carpet." "Thanks, man.", Edward relaxed his muscles. "No problem. A man gotta do what he gotta do." Edward ended the call: "Yeah…", he said it both – rhetorically and indifferent. Frankly, he had no time for jokes.
One man's struggles – is it? Yes. But there is another – who almost shares the same past as Edward's.
Who could it be?
Orlin Dwyer.
Think of the fly hovering from corner to corner – recording every motion-related action of human beings – and you will find out that the little insect is in a cold room. It's quiet. Maybe too quiet. White walls. A bed. No source of entertainment. Given the simple structured surroundings – you'd most likely come to the conclusion that he is in a basic room. And you are right. And there is a man. A little worried - you might say. Black jeans. Dark short hair. Green eyes. Sure, they could be the symbol of greed if you think about it; but they are not. They are, in fact, the expression of nature. Untamed even. You could find yourself in his eyes if you ever loved animals and plants – and he does. But the question is who is he? And if pay attention to the place where the man is – you finally begin to realize who he is. He might be a nobody now, but just think about it. Think about it for a second, Edward called a man to help him in his quest to find his daughter.
So now you figured it out. Yes: he is Orlin's brother. Robbie.
And Robbie was looking at his cousin. He was worried. He was so angry with what has happened these days. One day earlier a man with a company decides to make experiments on people and no one wanted to stop these atrocities? Not even the mayor of Central City!? What is this? Why would any of this be allowed in such a beautiful and quiet city?
This used to be the land of fortune and of possibilities; now it is a place filled with freaks and dead.
When Cisco's particle accelerator exploded – the dark matter radius blast affected everything and everyone. Robbie has heard about certain men who could do extraordinary things: wall-climbing, weather manipulation, body-stretching, teleportation, mind-control, and so many other unimaginable abilities that he could not keep in his mind because he couldn't give a dollar about it.
Robbie can't take his eyes off Orlin.
He is the only family he has left.
Even now he has flashbacks about him watching TV.
"And Big Show is gonna destroy the ring", Robbie increased the volume with his white remote control, "C'mon!", Robbie shouts with the beer in his left hand while he sits on his couch like the stereotypical male. "Looks like Henry doesn't give up. Oh, look, Big Show is overwhelmed", Robbie kept his eyes on the TV – he paid no attention to what was happening outside.
Suddenly – his phone alarm! "AWESOME!" – it was Miz's wrestling theme. Robbie loved that wrestler because he was the perfect man to be followed: charismatic, self-confident, smart, sneaky. It was theater: and Robbie knew it. But those were the traits that interested him, not necessarily the smug attitude or the overconfidence of that character played by the man. He knew. He knew that wrestling, in our days, is a combination of theater and staged battles. But he loved them. For him – wrestling was like a story with superheroes. There were the good guys, the bad guys - and there were the misfits. No time to watch this show – someone called him. Robbie quickly puts the right hand on his phone and answers the call. "Robbie Dwyer here.", Robbie was drinking his beer. "Mister Dwyer – we regret to inform you, but your cousin, Orlin Dwyer, is in hospital. He is in coma.", the voice was suspect and too formal for a random person. Then Robbie finally realized: his cousin was hurt.
Robbie threw the beer and went downstairs to get dressed.
Robbie was living in Starling City – and he was lucky. On the other hand his cousin: not so lucky.
Call it coincidence or fate – but it gave Robbie a reason to come by and visit Orlin.
The flashback goes forward and Robbie is in his car already.
The white image is skipping faster this time. Even faster. Like a video tape.
And now he is in Central City. He doesn't know anything about this place.
He is, technically, a stranger. Though - it's safe to say that the place looks like a wreckage.
His cousin used to say how beautiful this city is, "But he was wrong. The city is a mess. Orlin what did you get into?"
Robbie stops his car for a second and sees a mysterious black-hooded guy walking on the streets. Quiet. Reserved. Like he planned something. "Hey, man.", Robbie smiled at him.
"Can you tell me where is the way to the hospital. I am from Starling City – so…"
The strange person clenched his right fist for a second and suddenly released the force he gathered in his strike. Robbie couldn't know why – but he saw the man approaching and wanted to take it off – exactly when: "Hey, what are you doing?"
The man leaned his right hand on Robbie's left shoulder and pointed at the direction he needed to take. But he said no word. "Thanks, man. What's your name, though?", he smiled at the strange-looking guy.
"If I said it to you, I'd have to kill you.", the man chuckled a bit, though the vibes of his words gave Robbie the feeling that he was not joking at all with this.
"Alright…", Robbie gave a faint smile on his face to hide the fact that he is scared right now. When the secretive man walked away Robbie could hear him saying his own name.
'Hey, it's me David Hersch.'
But Robbie never followed that man – so he couldn't hear the entire conversation – instead he was in his way to hospital. Following David's advice, throughout the many skyscrapers and random workshops, diners – that he noticed as his car was wheeling out in no-time.
And he finally found the hospital.
It was huge.
And it gave a vibe of hope – that you could still do something to help your peers.
Of course – those assigned to work there. On the other hand, the others would just bring people there for recovery or mending their wounds.
Another flashback followed.
And he was already inside.
Robbie asked that woman who was tasked with the job of indicating people where their sick close ones are.
"Orlin Dwyer is in the 13-D room.", the white woman added while cleaning her eye glasses with care.
"Thanks!", Robbie said. And then: vanished from her eyes in a flash.
Images are flashing again. And now he is in the room.
"Orlin. What happened, man?" Orlin was barely responding to his cousin's words, "Orlin, please!"
Orlin slowly opens his eyes – "Rob-bie…", he could hardly spell his name.
"It's okay, bro. I'm here.", Robbie took Orlin in his arms. And he could never let him go.
"Robbie – you are embarrassing me. Please… This is not some soap opera.", Orlin was talking – though: he was so calm in his wording. It's like he is a completely different person. Definitely the dark matter explosion affected his entire body construct as human being.
"Why are you here? I thought you gave no damn about me, Robbie?", Orlin looked straight into his eyes – and he felt a chill on his spine: though it was a innocent chill.
"I guess, it took me something like this to happen to remind me that you're my only family that's left.", Robbie sighed and Orlin followed the expression of his eyes.
"I'm so sorry for never visiting you. I promise I'll be here from now on. I already told my friend Bob to come and watch my house – because", Robbie showed his safe case, "I rented a house and we'll spend some family time together."
The flashback ended.
"Robbie?"
Robbie came to his senses – "Yeah, Orlin?" – finally.
"Please tell these damn doctors to let me go home. I have nothing. I passed out a few times. Other than that, I'm as healthy as a wolf.", Orlin said it looking at the right side of his window – which was four meters away from him.
"You know what they said – trust them. You need to sit down here, man. You're not fine. I mean – look at the thing on your hand. What the hell is that? How did you even get it in the first place?", Robbie was gesturing his feelings to his cousin to show how terrified if of what has happened today. "It's too complicated. But can you keep a secret?", Orlin called his cousin closer by gesturing his right hand – "What?", Robbie asked him.
"Everything that happens today – is because of that bastard rich guy Francisco Ramon.
"Enlighten me, man. I don't watch news at all. All I know is wrestling and girls in bikini."
"I work, well I should say, I used to work at Ramon Industries. But then I found out that the damn idiot wanted to launch the particle accelerator and leak dark matter in Central City – all because he wanted to prove us that what he can change the course of history for the betterment of mankind. And he was wrong. When he and his staff leaked dark matter: I was caught in its radius – and I went in comatose. We all were caught. That's why you see so many people hanging around throughout the hospital. Some got sick and died. While others", Orlin caught his breath. "'Others' what, Orlin?", Robbie raised his eyebrows in shock.
"They became super-humans. Individuals gifted with unimaginable abilities. And with those powers – I know most will choose a wrong path. It's all my fault. I have helped the bastard. I should have destroyed him when I had the chance.", Orlin clenched his right fist.
"Why not reporting him to police?", Robbie was drinking a drop of beer – "Please, these guys cannot catch criminals, let alone bring down greedy corporations."
"Corporations are greedy, though. That's what dad taught us. Remember?", Robbie said.
Orlin took a cup of tea to make the feeling of dry lips go away – "And he was right."
"By the way – I heard those rumors with metahumans. But I couldn't believe it myself. I mean, it's like we're livin' in a cartoon or something.", Robbie walked at the trash to throw away his empty drink can. "Well, Orlin. I need to go – but I promise I'll visit you the moment I get another chance. 'Til then I gotta go to work."
"Bye.", Robbie bro-waved his cousin by raising his right hand up and with his back at him. Orlin didn't say anything. He remained quiet. He was waiting for the chance to get out of this place. It felt like a prison to him. He knew he was fine! He knew nothing was wrong with him! He was feeling alright! Somehow he would escape – it was just a matter of time.
Somewhere else – a man was driving a car: and he was furious. His eyes filled with rage. His teeth crackled. His mouth kept shout. His breathing was intense. His blond hair touched by the cold waves of wind. His hands clenched on the steering wheel. His right foot heavy-pressing the gas pedal. Flashbacks with his child. And flashbacks again. And again!
"ABIGAIL!", Edward screamed in agony!
And he was here – The Central City Police Department.
The man stationed his car right at the front of the cops' headquarters. As if he did that on purpose; as if he tried to defy their authority. Weak authority!
Inside C.C.P.D. people were hurrying up like ants – caught in the eternal game of survival. Each of the men, and women, had their role to play in this huge world. A lady dropped her files, then she leaned down to pick them up; two guys clashed like two titans in a folktale: one spat coffee on the other man: "Hey, watch out. This is a new suit! Pay more attention next time, man." The other guy observed that his phone broke when they collided one with each other. "And you broke my phone. Pay the money now!" "Oh, c'mon. Can we forget about this?", he said to the guy with broken phone. "Sure…", the other guy said it sarcastically. He sighed: "Whatever."
Edward is not amused by what happened. Truth be told: he was bewildered of the fact that such minor incident could turn two people into 'enemies'.
He took one last breath and advanced on the unknown terrain. Edward had in mind to go yesterday, but he noticed that everyone took a day off given they celebrated the Labor Day.
Edward took all things step by step: more careful this time. He walked straight to an officer wearing the honorable uniform all of them wear – the symbol of their integrity and heroism.
"Excuse me, name's Edward Clariss. May I see Detective West?"
"Ah, you talkin' about Joe. Sorry, man. He took some time off the work. His child is in hospital and hasn't gotten up since that particle accelerator screwed us all up. He's really depressed. Poor man.", the officer said it with petty.
"I understand but he was assigned with my case. You know, I'm", Edward erratically gesticulated.
"'Edward Clariss'? Yeah, I know." The man leaned a step forward: "Normally it isn't me who should be saying this to you. But Joe is kinda loser. If you get me. He drinks a lot and he is about to lose his job. And for some reason, he didn't."
At the verbal expression of the man – Edward's right fist clenched – ready to do the unthinkable. But he calmed down. After all: the man who stands in his face has no blame on his shoulders. "Alright. Who's running this place?", Edward bit his tongue. "It's Captain Julio Mendez.", the other officer said. "Thanks.", Edward cut it off and moved in a flash.
In another room, inside C.C.P.D., Julio was listening to Lady Gaga's Poker Face:
I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas plays
Fold 'em, let 'em, hit me, raise it baby stay with me (I love it)
Love Game intuition play the cards with spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh-e-oh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh-e-oh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
And Edward suddenly busted in like a tank!
BANG!
The door almost broke off its hinges!
"So – this what are you doing here, captain!?", Edward pointed at his left side. "My daughter's been kidnapped and sexually abused, and you're spending your time listening to music!?"
Captain Mendez turned off his laptop. "Oh, mister Clariss. What a surprise? What are you doing here?", the captain gave him a friendly smile.
"What am I doing here!? It's a pain in the ass for me that you don't want to solve the case of my child. And you assigned a drunken guy to carry on the case. C'mon, I mean", Edward sighed again, "you are the heroes of this world, man. And you're lettin' people like me down?"
Julio Mendez showed his two palms: "Calm down, mister Clariss."
"No, I won't calm down! Someone's gotten my baby and you do crap about it!", Edward hit the portion of the wall in his left.
The C.C.P.D. Captain closed the doors and closed the windows – to make sure no one listens to their conversation. And Edward was confused of the captain's action.
"Come closer, mister Clariss.", Julio said quietly. Edward approached his advice and did so. "Take a seat."
"So, what is it?", Edward shook his head.
"We have managed to partially identify the criminal based on his physical appearance given that his face was reflected in your mirror. Don't ask me how, ok, I'm not into this new revolutionary scientific stuff of this generation."
Edward scratched his right nostril: "Go on.", then the back of his head.
"His real name is Heinrich Wulf Eiling. Son of Wade Eiling."
Edward shook his head again: "'Eiling'? You mean the Eiling. The boss of the U.S Army?" The captain sighed too: "Yes. Unfortunately."
The captain puts on the table a classified file with Wulf's name on it. "This is the top secret file of his son. Now, my men could barely make use of it. One of them was about to call you today, but you came here earlier." Edward crossed his arms, "Ok. I got it. Show it to me."
"Now – take a look at this picture. Is this the man responsible for the kidnapping of your daughter?"
Edward saw the photo. And he instantly recognized his filthy face! Edward crackled his teeth: "Yes. That's the guy!" The captain put the file away and gave a disappointing look on his face followed by a deep sigh. "What?", Edward added – "I was afraid of that. You see, 'the boss' is the one who supplies us with weapons. And yesterday something terrible happened. And we can barely catch these freaks that came out of nowhere since that bastard's machine exploded. I'm afraid that if we make the call – the Commander will surely stop supplying us with what we need – to protect this city. This man puts his family above all. My father, rest in peace, said something inconvenient about his wife, and he got fired."
Edward's heart beats faster. Faster! And he feels rage again! And he wants to express it! He wants to strike someone or something! Jim's face would do good!
So. Good…
"There's really nothing you can do about it?", Edward put his hands over his face to hide the fact that he was about to cry again.
"Sorry, mister Clariss. My hands are sealed. But", the captain said with some hesitation in his words, "we may track him down. And let you fix your problem. There's no other way. Sorry. I am so sorry. I want to catch that bastard too – for so long I wanted to know who is the man responsible for all this. And now that I do", he sighed, "I regret it.", the captain took a deep breath.
"I understand, sir.", Edward gets up and leaves the room. He walks the place like a wounded dog; almost without direction. And now he is in the main hall and sees the symbolic representation of Truth, Liberty, Justice – all three principles sculptured in gold – with the seven protectors.
Edward knelt. He closed his eyes. Tears welled from his eyes now, his lower lip quivering, his face grew red...
"A…bee" – he could barely say her name, "ga…ee…l."
His two hands open on the cold floor of the main hall. "I beg of you – universe. Please, help me save her. She's just a kid – doesn't deserve this. Take me instead. Do what you want with me. But let her come back. Come cut me in half. Take my heart out. And…"
Everyone was looking at him. The man – poor man. Broken man. Hopeless man.
Edward gets up: and he feels now he is at the center of the universe. He feels something should be done about it. And maybe the captain was right: he should do it himself. The question was – How?
How could a man like him even try to save her daughter; when he didn't even know where the man: responsible for that – was.
He gets up. With the little energy that he has left in his body – takes a deep breath – and leaves the department.
Edward knew he has no choice. He has to find them and save Abigail.
But to do so – he needs a weapon and – to his luck: he was friends with one man who runs an armory storage. Surely that friend will help him – after all they went to the same school. Edward takes the phone out of his jeans and dials. And the dialed responds. "Hey, man. It's me, Clariss. Probably you've already seen the news by now. And I need a favor from you. I'll tell everything on the way." Edward ended the call and gets inside Robbie's car and leaves.
Elsewhere – somewhere in a place populated with joyful men – covered in a jovial atmosphere – a ten year old boy dressed in yellow t-shirt and black jeans was walking with his mom. But where could they be? At a fair.
The red haired mom was taking a selfie with her child – and suddenly the boy wanted a cotton candy: "Mommy, I want that.", he pointed at the cotton candy. His mom got a call, "Yeah. It's me – what is it?"
"Mom, please.", the boy was trying to get her attention: but she was too busy.
And then a voice responded to his inner desire: "Hey, kiddo, you want a cotton candy? C'mere."
The boy gave up trying to draw his mother's attention and instead went at the man. But as a polite kid he was: "Mom, I'm goin' there to eat a cotton candy. Ok?" Her mother was keeping talking at phone: "Yeah. Yeah, Sally – and I was like: 'Really'"
There was an old man in a wheelchair: red t-shirt decorated with multi-colored balloons, black coat and jeans, and brown shoes. His face was friendly and seemed a nice guy.
He saw the kid's happy face – and he loved it. He loved it… So. Much.
"So, what's gonna be, kiddo?", the man asked him.
"Who are you?", the child asked.
"They call me Penny – the man with the cotton candies."
The kid followed the man – and they reached in a corner: eyes could not see behind what was happening.
"Where's the cotton candy, sir?", the child asked on a sweet tone. "You are the cotton candy.", the man added. "What?" Out of nowhere – the nice image of the man was gone: replaced by a hideous monster. It was black, with red eyes, sharp teeth and deer horns, skinny even. He appeared to be quite different from the man that he talked to. "So, what do you say, kiddo. How should we cook you?" The monster caught the kid and bit his right hand off. And he howled in pain. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" – his scream echoed throughout the fair – but no one could hear it: somehow the evil creature was blocking it. Then the monster bit his other arm off – and the child was still sobbing. Then the monster tasted a bit from his jugular. And blood spread all over the place.
Back at the hospital – Orlin was reading a book about human psychology – and he had this idea that he must help Edward somehow – via the laptop his cousin gave it to him.
He was trying to find more information on the various events that led to Edward's girl's missing. He was trying to find profiles on Facebook – something that would give him enough hints about the location where she was being held.
And then – a fresh news - on C.C.P.N. - popped out on his screen.
"My name is Iris West. And here we are in the middle of a tragedy of epic proportions. A thirty two years old woman lost her dear child today. The images are gruesome – but it appears the kid has been torn apart by some animal. Can you tell us more about what has happened here, miss?"
That woman was crying. She was weeping and howling in pain. "I came at the fair with my sweet baby. And then he disappeared. Then I found him lying dead and torn to pieces by an animal! Please, help me! Make justice! I hope who or whatever did that – is going to die!"
"Here Iris West, live from C.C.P.N."
Orlin's pupils dilated – and his breath grew deep. Somehow he has seen this before. And now he remembers:
Childhood.
Sweet childhood.
Flashbacks guide him back to the past. He finds himself as a kid in a forest – he has already forgotten its name – he wanted to suppress everything that has happened that day.
But now all comes back to present to haunt him.
"Sis, wait for me.", he was telling her as they both were running.
So beautiful. Such natural luxury.
The sun was at the horizon. Birds were tweeting, squirrels were running, butterflies were flying – and they were here to catch bugs.
And they found a big hole. And Kate swore she could hear the bugs: "Come to us, Kate. Take us to your home – so we can play."
Kate reached her hand and she was grabbed inside. And she screamed out loud.
"Kate!", Orlin screamed with power. His vocal cords tired out.
Orlin ran as fast as he could.
Another flash of mind.
And now he and his parents were standing next to her torn corpse. "Kate.", Orlin wept. His eyes grew red. His parents were crying too. Orlin's mother leaned on his father's arms.
Orlin snapped it out of the vivid dream and came back to reality.
He takes a deep breath – and turn his head to his right hand – attached with the shrapnel from the room in which Edward was.
He gets angry: and the piece of shrapnel glows orange.
When no one pays attention to him, he puts his left hand on the other hand and tries to remove it.
And to his surprise – he did it!
(Cicada's theme plays)
Orlin looks at it – and he takes a deep breath of air. But this time: it was different. It was an expression of his decision to catch the man responsible for his baneful past.
His eyes are focused. Orlin felt an unimaginable rage and anger. But he tried to contain them in his own being. But he still had images with the monster slaughtered – and that calms him down.
Orlin gets up. He keeps a suspicious attitude and gets out. Out of luck or, perhaps, fate – a doctor left his clothes on a hall-hanger. Orlin swaps them and plans to get away from this place. And he will.
Now he is undercover – no one shall recognize him. He was careful enough to take a white mask to hide his face.
Orlin exits the door and takes the long way. He furiously stomps the ground with his feet. He is walking so fast: like ready to commit a murder.
(Cicada's theme stops)
After twenty minutes – he is there at the fair. Luck was on his side that the hospital was so close.
Orlin was carefully inspecting the area. Normally the cops would arrest him if they saw his dagger – but he kept it safe, hidden in his clothes.
But he couldn't find anything. No clue to the imprinted place of the crime. Orlin was disappointed and sighed. Even if he meticulously analyzed the scene – there was no clue at all.
He knew it was the same thing; he knew that the kid was torn to pieces by the same beast that had shredded his sister.
Orlin left the scene of crime disappointed. And, out of nowhere, he bumped in that kid's mother. "Oh, sorry." He stopped her. "Hey, don't be. I know this will sound a little too painful to answer. But I wanna ask you more about your child, if you don't mind. I believe his death and my sister's is the same.", Orlin tried to find a way to make her confess.
"So, you are related to that girl who was torn to pieces back in the ninety's. So sorry to hear that.", the woman was still weeping.
"So, do you have any lead? What was the last thing your son did before he disappeared?", he seemed enthusiastic about it.
"I told you – I don't know. I just," – but she remembers now. "I think I remember something. I was talking to my friend at phone – when I heard a man saying: 'Hey, kiddo, you want a cotton candy? C'mere.' And then my baby was gone.", she kept crying – "It's all my fault."
"Hey, it's not your fault, ok? Bad things have been happening around here since that rich guy blasted us with his machine. Trust me, one day I will get justice for the ones we have lost and care about.", Orlin put her hands on her shoulders to comfort the poor woman – and he was gone – just like that.
The pain-filled man, but bold – was walking on the streets. And as he walked throughout Central City – he felt strange sensations: soon he began hearing his dagger. Orlin took it out and noticed something interesting: it glowed orange whenever someone was passing by. At first he thought they were merely his emotions that were to be hold responsible – but he was wrong.
And the opportunity arrived. He saw a freak shooting laser from his eyes. His name, though he never knew it, was Jake Simmons, also known as Deathbolt. He was never present when the particle accelerator exploded. No one knows how he got his powers and from where.
"Give me your money, now, baby girl or the next beam shall tear through your skull.", he said it with no apparent emotion.
Orlin ran at him – to save the poor woman. He hit Deathbolt in the head with his right fist. He didn't want to kill that man. He didn't want to get his hands dirty, he just wanted to save the woman. Orlin jumped on his back to suffocate him enough to make him pass out – "Lady, leave if you don't want to die. Now!"
The woman followed his advice and ran as fast as she could.
Deathbolt throws him off. Orlin hits the ground. Deathbolt is ready to blast him – but Orlin evades his dead blow. "You piss me, off, kid. But I will kill you. Let your parents take your lifeless body." Orlin picks up a rock and hits him in the face. Orlin slams him against the wall with all of his strength. Deathbolt sighs with physical pain on his face: "Sit down.", he hits Orlin in the head and he falls on the ground. "It's over, hero.", Deathbolt ready to blast him in oblivion – when suddenly his powers were mysteriously depleted by Orlin's dagger. "What is this?", Deathbolt couldn't believe it his eyes. His powers – now gone!
"What did you do to me?" Deathbold picked him up and was ready to stab him with his knife, "I guess we will do it the old fashioned way, amigo." Orlin found enough strength to fight back and instinctively summoned his dagger and got to lay a minor wound on him.
"This isn't over yet. I promise, I'll settle score with you. And you're gonna be dead." - Deathbolt pushed him away and he fled – terrified of what has happened to him. Too bad for Orlin – for he never saw what he was capable of with that dagger. If he only kept his eyes open – he would have noticed that it temporarily nullified Deathbolt's powers.
Orlin drew breath: "Well – that was fun."
Orlin's clothes were diry – as if he wrestled with someone for money. And he headed back to hospital – if he only did it – "'Hey, kiddo, you want a cotton candy? C'mere.'" – he heard these words: the same words the grievous mother told him.
Orlin saw a little girl walking next to a man in a wheel chair. Orlin took out his dagger and it glowed. In that moment Orlin knew it! He was the one who killed that woman's child! He was the one who killed his sister in his childhood!
He would…
Pay.
For.
What.
He.
Did.
The wheel-chaired man took her in a dark part of the forest – and Orlin followed.
"So, where is it, sir?", she asked the nice man.
And he was not nice!
And now she saw the hideous creature!
It got off the wheelchair and lashed at her. "Someone help – please!" The monster put its right hand over her face: "Pssst – it's feeding time – and it's very rude for someone to interrupt someone's meal. Now stop sobbing and let me taste you." Its words abhorred her. It tried to take her clothes off – but something sharp hit its back:
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!" – it screamed in agony.
Orlin came in full force and assaulted the beast. He put his hands on the dagger and stabbed it numerous times over. "This is for Kate, bastard!"
"FOR"
"KATE!"
Orlin embraced his rage. And he felt how he got more powerful. The monster gushed black blood. "Orlin – it is really you? How are you?" – his voice was cold as ice; and it pierced his heart.
"How do you know my name, freak?"
"I know my prey very well. But you always fascinated me. That is why I didn't kill you back there and then. That's why I only killed your sister, Kate. She", it noted his reactions, "tasted good." – a faint smile appeared on his face as he said those perverted words.
"Shut up!", Orlin stabbed it again. And again. And again!
It gushed even more blackness out of its mouth. And it seemed to die away.
After making sure it was dead – Orlin took the little girl in his arms and comforted her: "Hey, kid. It's alright. I'm here to save you."
But behind him – the monster reformed.
"Look out!", the girl cried out in terror.
"Naive, Orlin. Never let your guard down.", it pushed him away from the girl. "No!", Orlin was about to never forget himself for promising that sweet child false hopes.
"Life is not fair. Get used to it. And maybe you will be able to improve it." It was about to taste from her – when Orlin's dagger absorbed the freak's powers like it did Deathbolt.
"Impossible.", it felt how every power it had was going away.
"You are full of surprises, boy.", the beast said and swiftly moved away before the dagger nullified all its power.
Orlin took a deep breath and walked straight to the child: "Now, let's get the hell out of here."
It may have escaped – but now Orlin came to understand at least some of the extent of the power he possessed.
Orlin never went to hospital again – instead he took another route.
Robbie was enjoying a wrestling match – when suddenly someone rang the bell. Given what has happened since he had come here, Robbie first peeked – and he felt a relief, but somewhat a concern for his cousin's safety.
"My god, Orlin. Shouldn't you be in hospital?"
"Let the doctors at their jobs. I don't need them. But I've good good and bad news for you. I finally found out who killed my sister, Kate. It was a monster."
Elsewhere, another man has to fight his own demons: Edward Clariss – and he has the right tools to do so.
"Hey, man. How are you?", Edward said while being inside the armory storage of his friend. "I have come. Now give me a weapon for what I must do. And I tell you – it must do a big bang, man."
"Take your pick, doc'.", his friend said.
Clariss smiled. He knew he is going to save his daughter and they will pay for what they have done to his him and his family.
(Rival lightning ends the current part)
(Rival lightning start the next part)
David Hersch was in his house. He was alone – as always – working at his bombs and many other projects. He had conspired against the existing government for a long time: and he knew there was a matter of time until another law shall rise. His entire life was a dedication to bombs – one could say. Bombs were an art – the pure expression of human engineering to cleanse and purify.
He remembers that day – which was yesterday – when he meets the man who asks him for directions. He muses how it must have been if that man listened to his conversation. But Robbie never did. If he did, he would be hearing the following: "Tell mister Damien Darhk that I have acquired enough bombs to blast Central City. All I need is a device from Mercury Labs that has the power to increase the range of a bomb. With enough luck – I can get it in three days.", David was carefully talking at phone. In fact he was not even using any existing telephone company number. His phone was a gift from Damien Darhk's H.I.V.E. They worked on a unique frequency – not tracked by the police or any other forces occupied with the protection of human lives.
David knew what Damien's plan was. His plan was to blast the entire world into ruins – so it could be made anew. And Damien promised the young man a seat to the table of the New Order. He would be the one in charge with the protection of the reborn world. And why wouldn't he want that? He wasn't stupid to not take part to this.
"And one more thing – tell him that", David was quietly talking and constantly watching in the right and his left.
"Tell me what?" – it was Damien Darhk himself. Leader of H.I.V.E.
"Um, nothing, sir. It's an honor to meet you. I knew you were the mayor of Starling City. But I didn't know that your plans were to make the world better.", David was indeed a lackey – but Damien loved lackeys, though. "Mister Hersch", Damien sighed, "look what's the deal here. I like you – your bombing skills are quite impressive. But tell me how are you going to enter Mercury Labs and make use of that device which has the power to amplify the range of a bomb?"
David suddenly stopped, watched around: forward, right to left, and back – he slowly retreated in a dark alley.
"Suppose you do.", Damien was quite calm when speaking. He was a gentleman. But no one knows the monster that is inside him. He is a snake dressed in a lamb. No. He got in the lamb and killed him. And now he wears his beautiful skin. "But even if you get out. Your face will be all over the city. And I cannot risk such grave errors. If they catch you – they will figure it out. And I'll lose my strengths in these cities. Remember, Hersch. I am not the only big fish in the bowl. Well, not yet, anyway.", Damien said it with indifference and a bit of irony.
"Don't worry, mister Darhk.", David was talking at phone covered in shadows. He was in a dark corner of a donuts shop. "I have some clothing items that I can use to make a suit. It's kinda ninja-like. I shall use it to hide my identity when I infiltrate Mercury Labs."
Damien sighed. "Ninja-like?"
"Look – all that matters is that I'll get the job done. Alright, mister Darhk. You can count on me.", he felt palpitations of heart – he idolized Damien Darhk: this man. And what he stood for. And still doesn't realize he is just a tool for the lamb-snake. A tool Damien will soon get rid off after he will have outlived his usefulness.
(Damien Darhk's theme plays)
"Alright, mister Hersch. Do it. But in case you fail – I will personally send order for your assassination.", Damien – cold-blooded as usually. David felt a sudden chill on his back – he knew what a powerful man Damien was. It was only necessary a finger to snap – and that person was gone.
"I understood, sir.", David lowered the tone of his voice.
"Good. Get to work, mister Hersch. Make your country proud.", Damien – bastard man.
David ended the call – he got out – and looked around once more to make sure he is alone. And he is right and safe from any eye-witnesses who might have listened to his conversation with the corrupt mayor of Starling City. And he walked away. All a person could see – was his back. And so he disappeared in the gloom of night: disappeared without a trace.
(Damien Darhk's theme stops)
End Credits Roll Out
[The Two Special Characters are:
Jake Simmons/Deathbolt – Doug Jones
David Hersch – Chris Webb]
