Ch. 4 Unexpected Surprises
"Oh one time!" Snickering lightly as the two mobsters headed out Johnathan took one final look back at the spot where Harper had her breakdown before going home for the night.
As the toons leave for the evening they were unaware of two nosy humans that had infiltrated the boundary of Toon Town.
"We got her. Simeon will be pleased and I'm sure Payne will be THRILLED to have his dear sister back." They snickered lightly before disappearing into the night.
A little while later...
"We found her...she's in Toon Town."
"Good, did anyone see you?"
"No sir." Jason answered, Simeon grinned.
"Oh Cayne my boy...!" He snickered.
"It seems we have found your dear sister. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you, hehehehe."
"!" His eyes widened for a moment before narrowing into a glare.
"Leave her alone!" Cayne yelled from the floor as he fought against his restraints, the sharp material piercing through his skin.
"Oh don't worry Cayne, we won't hurt her…too bad...JASON! Put Cayne back in his room. It's time to do a few more experiments, let's see if we can't bring out that demon for your sister's return." With a sinister smile on his face, Simeon left the room while his two coworkers went after the angered toon.
"It would be a lot easier if you didn't move as much Cayne." Ignoring the human, Cayne fought him the whole way out until they got to the experimentation room.
"KEITH! Help Jason strap Cayne to the table! The chains don't seem to be doing any good since he keeps breaking them." Simeon huffed as he watched his two co-workers pick up Cayne and strap him down to the table.
"Get it as tight as you possibly can, I can't have him moving around or I won't get the right spot." Flicking the tip of a syringe the human smirked.
"What are you going to do?" Ignoring Cayne, Simeon just smiled as he gently rolled the large needle back and forth in his hand.
"W-What is that?" Jason stammered as he starred at the large needle.
"Something new…This should help pull more of that demon out of him, if not then we'll have to use other methods." He paused a moment, the evil smirk on his face growing wider.
"I hope you don't miss that wing of yours Cayne, because after this you might not have the other one! Hold him still!" With wide eyes, the toon watched as the needle was plunged deep into his chest disposing of the contents that would soon course through his body. As Cayne's pain filled cries echoed throughout the studio, Simeon just laughed watching as the toon's world slowly went dark.
"Knock knock...Mornin' govena'. Sleep well?"
"Cross? Ugh, what are you doing here?" The tired girl yawned trying to cover her face with her wing as her eyes adjusted to the sudden light.
"Or better yet how did you get in here?" Chuckling at the sleepy angel's behavior Cross knelt down before her and gently lifted her head up.
"Oh the door was unlocked so we just let ourselves in."
"We?" She asked before glancing behind him to see Abel standing there.
"Mornin' sunshine." Abel greeted, waving a quick 'hi' as he lit up his morning cigar, rolling her eyes she sighed trying to sit up only to slip on the blanket and fall face first onto the floor. Abel nearly choked on his cigar as Cross rolled on the floor laughing.
"Warn me next time will you?" She sighed blushing as she pushed herself up from the floor while Cross tried to contain his laughter.
"Here let me help you." He smiled gently grabbing her shoulder and wing as he tried to help her up only to have her pin him to the couch with her guns pointed at his face as anger filled her eyes.
"Whoa, whoa calm down Harp I was just trying to help you." Cross said holding his hands up in defense.
"Don't you EVER touch my wings! Got it?!" Staring at her with wide eyes he just nodded as she released him before folding her wings tightly against her back.
"Didn't know you were that sensitive about 'em."
"When I was at the studio they poured acetone on my wings, now whenever someone touches them I get surges of pain through my back." She sighed fixing her hair as she strolled away to the kitchen.
"You fly though right? Wouldn't the wind cause the same sensation?"
"It flows over the wings without actually touching them, so no it doesn't." She huffed slightly irritated.
"Why are you two here?" She sighed.
"Well you're obviously not a morning person, anyway Johnathan wanted us to check on you and make sure you were okay to work today." Cross huffed sarcastically as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes I'm fine…What exactly do you mean by 'work'? We going on a heist or something?" Harper asked nonchalantly as she got down three glasses from the cabinet and made everyone tea.
"U-Um…N-No….Why would you think it was something like that?" Abel stammered nervously as he shifted his weight from side to side.
"Because from the moment I met you're little group every one of you gave off an air of criminal activity especially by how you dress. With the exception of Johnathan the whole mob thing was kinda obvious." She paused taking a small sip from her glass as she offered the two men a cup of tea.
"So you know about Johnathan too huh? I guess the sweet little angel act was just a cover huh?" Cross chuckled lightly, she shrugged slightly now back to her usual calm demeanor as she finished off her tea.
"It wasn't an act Cross this just means I've gotten comfortable around you. And I may be naïve but I'm not stupid. Johnathan was a little harder to figure out just because he doesn't act like a mobster but he's probably a boss or something."
"Looks like she figured it all out. So you know Bendy is a Mob boss too then huh?" Cross asked as Abel spit out his tea before glaring at him, Harper giggled.
"That blow hard is a Mob boss? Well I guess I can see it, he definitely acts mobster but he's not as collected as Johnathan is…I thought all Mob bosses had to keep their status on the down low, you know act like a civilian and such…" She pauses for a moment turning away from them as her front door opened revealing Bendy and Johnathan as they casually strolled in.
"I'm sorry but if Bendy is a boss then he needs to keep his attitude in check, be calmer and more collected like Johnathan is and…" She turned around stopping mid-sentence as she stared into the shocked faces of Bendy and Johnathan.
"Um…Hey…" She smiled nervously as Bendy huffed with a scowl on his face.
"Good morning Harper, Abel, Cross." Johnathan said eyeing the little group with suspicion.
"So who told her I was a Mob boss?" Bendy asked crossing his arms over his chest pouting slightly, Abel and Harper just pointed to Cross who let out a shocked sigh.
"Well she already knew we were in the mob so –"
"Oh really? And how did you make that assumption?" Johnathan questioned with a slight amber tint in his grey eyes, she smiled.
"I figured it out. I mean you guys don't exactly act like civilians…Well you do but at least you're a gentleman about it…"
"So are we gonna do it or what?" Bendy asked leaning casually against the couch as the flame haired toon pinched the bridge of his nose in slight irritation.
"We will go on as planned now that she knows, Harper will be joining us. Abel, Bendy she will be going with you two while Cross comes with me." He paused watching as the group nodded.
"Harper dear may I speak to you for a moment?" She nodded curiously before walking over to the front door where he stood quietly.
"Yes?"
"How did you figure it out? Other than Cross just telling you." Johnathan asked with a dangerous gleam in his eye but she shrugged it off.
"I could tell by looking at you. The way you're dressed, your demeanor, the way you handle yourself and different situations. I mean you don't exactly look like a regular civilian." After a few seconds he smirked.
"Well aren't you a smart cookie? Heh." He was about to say something else when Bendy's obnoxiously loud chatter pierced through the air getting louder with each word.
"So Angel Face you're getting awfully close to Harper relatively quickly. How's that been goin'?" Bendy said with a sly smile making the angel huff and look away.
"I don't know what yer talkin' about. We have just been talkin' and…I've just been helpin' her that's all."
"Uh huh sure, you like her with how often you hang out with her and talk with her. It's that voice of yours I bet cha'." Cross said chuckling lightly.
" ….." Abel blushed glancing down at the floor before looking up realizing that Johnathan and Harper had been listening the whole time.
"So…uh…How about that next heist? Huh?" He said quickly trying to change the subject drawing confused glances from Cross and Bendy.
"What?" Abel tried to conceal his nervousness when he noticed smoke drifting up from where Johnathan was standing.
"Ahem." Johnathan said loudly drawing their attention as Harper just giggled lightly beside him.
"Abel, Bendy keep an eye on Harper. We don't need anything happening on her first job." The flaming toon paused glancing at Harper's back as she put the boys' glasses in the sink before turning to go.
"Cross you're coming with me, we'll meet at the Toon Palace after everything is done with." With a collective nod their little group dispersed as Abel, Bendy and Harper walked out of the apartment down to where Bendy's car was waiting.
"Do you think harper will be alright with those two?" Cross asked with a slight hint of worry in his voice.
"I'm sure she'll be fine."
Meanwhile with Abel, Bendy and Harper…
"Alright! Here. We. Go!" Abel exclaimed as both him and Harper lifted Bendy off the ground.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!" Bendy screamed as the duo just laughed at his expense.
"I can't believe you're a Mob boss Bendy! What's wrong afraid of heights?" Harper laughed as Abel snickered beside her.
"Yea Bendy, I thought you weren't afraid of nothin'."
"I-I'm not afraid of heights, t-the t-take off was rough!" Bendy exclaimed as he tried his best to keep his eyes closed.
"If you're not afraid then open yer eyes." Abel mocked as their destination came into view.
"Ah were here..."
"FINALLY!" Bendy exclaimed once his feet hit the ground, holding a hand over his heart he glared at the angels while he waited for his pulse to slow down.
"Wait, what are we doing here? It's just an empty lot with a couple cars." Harper asked not realizing exactly where they were [*wink*].
"Oh we need to get some blueprints out of one of these cars." Abel said casually as his large wings folded lightly against his back.
"Okay…Why are we getting blueprints? And for where?" Harper inquired as she walked over to one of the cars.
"We'll tell ya later Angel Cake, but right now we need ta get them out of one of these cars." Bendy said walking passed her to the gleaming corvette that sat not too far away.
Shining beneath the mid-morning sun two cars sat in the relatively empty lot; to their right a black 1990 CERV III Chevy Corvette sat with a red racing stripe streaming down the driver's side stretching from the front bumper all the way to the tail. Gleaming silver freshly shined hub-caps emblazoned with the Chevy symbol shone from each tire, Bendy whistled.
"Damn these humans have taste! Check out this sweet ride." Bendy mused as he flattened his face against the car window.
"Hey look! There's some blue paper in the back seat! Maybe that's the blue prints!" He exclaimed peeling his face off the window.
"Okay well hurry, I think someone's coming!" Abel exclaimed keeping watch as two silhouettes appeared on the horizon. Somewhere in the distance a clock tower chimed alerting the trio that it was noon…lunchtime. Checking the car doors they found that the passenger side door was unlocked so slipping into the backseat, Bendy grabbed the blueprints just in time to get out and hide behind the other car as the door closed.
"Hey guys look! Are those more blueprints?" Harper whispered drawing Abel's attention, looking behind him at the approaching humans he glances back into the other car. A navy blue 1993 Ford Mustang sat peacefully beside the corvette, a little dirty from the normal day's wear and tear the toons made sure not to leave a mark.
"Yea they are, and hurry get them so we can get outta here!" He whispers as they cautiously opened the back door just enough for the little angel to slip in.
"Abel quick! We gotta get outta here!" Bendy whispered grabbing his arm and yanking him over to a nearby tree not realizing that his large wing had closed the car door locking Harper inside.
"Um, Abel...Where's Harper?" Bendy asked noticing the sweet little angel was not behind them.
"She was getting blueprints out of the...oh no..." Abel's face paled as the two looked between one another before turning toward the cars.
"THE MUSTANG!" They exclaimed before watching in horror as one of the two men stopped beside the car opening the driver side door as he talked to his coworker.
Inside the car Harper held a gasp as she flattened herself as close to the floor as possible trying her best not to be seen.
Bendy and Abel watched in fear as Jason opened the back driver-side door. Harper stayed as quiet as possible praying to God that she wouldn't be seen, after a few agonizing minutes she felt the soft cotton material of some sort of clothing land on her. It was Jason's jacket, he just tossed it in and closed the door while still talking to his coworker.
"So are you going anywhere special for lunch Simeon? I know this great Greek place by my house if you would like to join me, otherwise I'll just grab something from home." Jason offered as he locked eyes with the silver-haired young man, Simeon shrugged.
"Nah I'm just going to run home to grab a few things and then I'll be back. Can't have him waiting too long or he won't want to cooperate."
"Okay, see you in an hour then!"
"Abel...Look!" Bendy quivers as he reads the license plate of the car they were in only moments ago.
"What? The plate? It says…SIMEON!" Abel's eyes widened in shock and horror as he thought back to what happened a few days ago.
"Oh shit! What do we do? We need to get here out of the other car but how?" Thinking it over they glanced at one another for a moment when Bendy realized the navy blue Mustang was starting to pull away.
"Hey Angel Face, the Mustang is leaving WITH HARPER IN IT!"
"We need to get her out come on!" Abel said quickly grabbing Bendy as he took off into the air again trying to ignore his buddy's screams.
"Will you stop?! We're going to get caught if you don't stop screamin'!" He exclaimed trying to get Bendy to shut up.
"Look there it is! It just pulled off." Bendy said pointing to the car below. Abel nodded before he flew down landing next to a tree while they waited for the human to leave so they could get Harper out.
Just as Jason opened the back door and reached down for his jacket he heard something hit the side of his house, turning away briefly he didn't notice as his passenger side door opened. Thinking quickly Bendy reached in and pulled Harper out of the car before slamming the door shut and darting into the bushes before the human was none the wiser. Turning back around the man scratched his head in confusion shrugging it off as he grabbed his jacket, closing the door behind him Jason flung his jacket over his arm and walked inside. Sighing in relief the three toons glanced at one another for a moment before Harper smirked pulling the blueprints out of her wings. Bendy and Abel just laughed hugging the angel before quickly letting go as Abel remembered how sensitive her wings were.
"How did you stay hidden Harper? That must have been painful to be stuck in there." Abel asked as they took off again carrying Bendy between them, she sighed once they were in the air she shook her head.
"It was extremely painful, I was cramped against the seats before something was thrown on me I wanted to cry it hurt so badly but at least I got the rest of the blueprints." She giggled lightly making them smile as they flew over the border of Toon Town, after a few minutes they landed outside of the Toon Palace where Bendy staggered for a moment before leaning against the wall.
"Are you alright Bendy?" Cross asked chuckling as he poked his head out of the door.
"Oh he's fine just some jet lag." Harper smiled making him blush a little.
"Hey Cross, have you been waiting long?" Abel greeted as Bendy composed himself.
"Hey Abel, so Harper how was your first mission?" Harper's smile disappeared as Bendy and Abel shared a worried look.
"It was…interesting…" She admitted when the door opened and Johnathan walked out.
"Hey Johnathan! Um...What's up? I hope we didn't keep you waiting." The little angel asked plastering on a smile but he saw right through it.
"What happened Harper?" He asked cocking a brow, he frowned.
"Can we go inside first? I don't want to discuss this out here." Johnathan nodded opening the door, Cross lead her inside as Abel and Bendy brought up the rear speaking with the flaming toon before walking in.
"Good evening miss Harper, how nice to see you again." Elymas smiled as he cleaned another glass.
"Hi Elymas!" Harper smiled genuinely as she hopped up on a bar stool acting like a child as she ordered a hot chocolate. Cross sat down beside her chuckling as he tried to keep her from falling off.
"WHAT?!" Johnathan yelled from across the bar, seething with his eyes alight as he tried to contain his temper. Elymas sighed as he watched the man having a meltdown, pulling out a phone he dialed a number before disappearing around the corner.
"Where did you go Elymas?" Harper asked curiously as he remerged from the around the corner.
"Huh? Oh I just went and called Belle. I need her to come down here and calm her husband before he burns down the bar…Again." Elymas answered rolling his eyes at the memory of the last time Johnathan came in so angry. Across the bar they could still hear Johnathan yelling at Abel and Bendy as his anger continued to surge, he was about ready to set them both on fire when…
"JOHNATHAN!" Belle yelled tapping her foot at her angered husband.
"Sweetheart, if you're going to set them both on fire at least take them outside first. We don't want you burning up Elymas' bar again now do we?" Calming down a little at the sight of his wife he wrapped her in a tight embrace taking a few deep breaths as he held her close glaring at the two toons over her shoulder.
"Um...Johnathan...C-Can I talk to you?" Harper asked walking up to them as the flaming toon let his wife out of his tight embrace.
"What is it Harper?" He asked a bit more calm now that his wife was there.
"Me getting locked in the car...It was an accident, they didn't know it would happen." She said glancing at the two boys, he sighed grabbing her attention once again.
"Thank you for clearing that up Harper...Abel, Bendy I'm sorry for scaring you both...My temper can get out of hands sometimes..." He smiled as what was left of his fury was fizzled out under his wife's soft gaze.
*End Ch. 4*