Ghost
Esther slumbered soundly in her new, cozy room that Sombra had organized precisely to her liking. Watching her tiny chest rise and fall underneath the sheets, I couldn't help but feel as if I were making sure she was breathing and extreme worry gripped my shoulders, whispering that if I glanced away, she might not still be. I felt rather protective of her and her presence reassured that she wasn't discomforted by even a mouse's stare. I'd already forgiven her for the previous altercation and now i just wanted to make sure that nothing happened to my redeemed demon.
"Isn't she cute?" Sombra murmured sleepily.
"Nightmare fuel."
"Fuck off," The feisty woman elbowed me harshly in the ribs.
I listened to le souffle du petit monstre sing a tranquil, dormant melody before a small mechanical hum amplified her vocals. Knowing she didn't have any abnormal breathing, I concluded she wasn't snoring. Reaper must've returned; however, it didn't sound like the ship we had.
They're the only ones who know how to find this place. They wouldn't just give away that information unless they were- no. I can't see them being subdued. Even if they were, they'd never talk. Amélie couldn't succumb to anything with her immunity to emotion and pain. Reaper wouldn't ever say shit and tough luck taking Akande alive. But they wouldn't have just changed ships. There's no reason for that.
"Is that them?" Sombra shared my suspicion. Alertness filled her voice and I could see the emotions running deep inside her
"I don't know," I confessed my ignorance. "I'll go check."
Sombra stepped into the room and pulled her weapon out. "Don't let anyone get near her."
"Promise," I nodded as I secured the door quietly. I took a deep breath as I prepared to investigate whom I'd brutally butcher whomever dared to lay siege on my home. Turning swiftly on my heel and drawing my rapiers, I instantaneously came face to face with my nemesis:
Moira.
Admittedly, I was greatly startled by her sudden appearance, but I refused to show any signs other than a cautious tightening of my grip on the hilts of my swords. My fear quickly became magma-hot anger purely by the mere sight of her. This fucking bitch! Why is she- how long has she- is this my chance? I could kill her right now! Invade her body and humiliate her. No one would-
"Ghost," Worry crept out from the edge of her scabbed, bruised lips. Through the moonlight that streamed through the window, I could see an inky black bag under her human eye. The metal plating on her face hadn't dented from Sombra's fist, but it looked as if some blood had dried around the edges; the consequences of her foolish choice to stalk and attempt to romance me threatened to rust the plating.
As much as I adored the beautiful scarring and damage Sombra inflicted, the worry was undeniable jarring and shook me violently out of my macabre cruel and morbidly sadistic imagination.
"What?" I hissed annoyed.
"It's them. Reaper. Akande."
"Okay." Scared I'll tell on you? Fuck do I care what you did? I'll trade my silence to see Sombra beat your ass anyday.
"And they brought a few friends," her voice hastened from a fear as if someone had a gun to her back. She wanted to warn me in the most discreet way possible least she be killed from a poor choice of words. If anything on the contrary, I'd be offended by the killer from ruining a perfectly good set of clothes from the blood spray.
"So? The more, the better."
"They brought a woman named Angela," Moira looked beaten down. "We've never agreed on anything, that being Angela and I, so I think I need to warn you. She's unstable."
"You're unstable," I almost spit on her. You're an over-obsessed masochist who loves getting the shit kicked out of her.
"No, you don't get it. She's... she's obsessed with death."
"So? Is she crazy?" Can't be crazier than you. Fuck! The more I look at you, the more I want to smack your soul outta your body. I can just picture your face when I'm through with you. I began to fantasize about destroying her. The very image of gutting her with my blades brought about a spiritual erection that only her soft, wet, shredded, bloody organs could satisfy.
"Yes!" Moira sneezed blood into her hands. "She hates it."
"I thought you said she was obsessed-"
"She- She is!" Moira sneezed once more before wiping the disgusting, unsanitary fluids on her legs. "She's obsessed with stopping it."
"Isn't that good?" I nearly smirked. "Immortality is what we're all trying to achieve." My mind wandered away from the conversation and began to paint a depraved artistic fantasy of violence with vivid descriptions of lewd violence. If you'd just get on your pathetic knees, I would stick my hard rod of reinforced steel down your throat and let the sharpened tip exit through the endless abyss of lust and greed your belly provides. I want you to gaze hopeless into my unforgiving eyes as you helplessly choke on your own pride-infected blood. Perhaps I will carelessly caress your face as you try to grovel for a mercy that doesn't inhabit my uncompassionate heart devoid of remorse for my inhumane torture devoted to the worship of your agonizing misery! My God, I feel my temptation becoming too much! I need to divert my attention.
"I know, but you need to consider the outcome if her pursuit of her goal proves successful. No one person should have all that power."
"Power!" I ridiculed her, mocking her words. "You act like this woman is a goddess. It looks like someone is watching a little too much anime," I used her guilty pleasures as an insult as sharp as a sword to cut deep into her.
"I'm not fucking joking."
"And what am I supposed to do with your warning?" I stared into her deplorable eyes with disdain as she tried to hold back another sneeze. Her nose cried me a red river; producing a steady stream down her face. I resisted my desire to reach out and wipe the fluid from the top of her lip and savour the humiliating defeat.
"You need to keep an eye on her. She might try to do something out of line that you can't reverse. If she's doing what I think she's doing, we're fucked after she succeeds." Her eyes were bleak, hopelessly wishing I would do the unthinkable: trust her. Her voice verged on breaking, pleading for my harsh heart to change to her favour.
She's never been so wild about this before, I thought. Humility isn't in her nature. What if she's right? No, no. It's just another one of her worthless tactics to impress me. She means to only bring about a divide between my allies and I. Don't trust her. But… what if she's got a point? No. Get rid of your doubt.
"I think you need to get your shit together. You already have enough enemies as it is."
"Ghost-"
Don't hurt her, I advised myself. She's not worth the rage.
I placed a hand on her weak chest; right between her beaten breasts, just below her decimated collarbone and pushed her back softly. I hae given her a warning that any resistance would result in being put to death. She stumbled back and tried to catch herself, but she was destined to fall. She fell on her back and scooted back, using the wall to support herself up. I advanced past her swiftly, Moira called after me. "Ghost! Ghost! Don't ignore me!"
My distrust of her kept my stride strong.
Walking down to the ship's landing pad, I saw a young woman with the attire of an angel exit the aircraft with Reaper by her side. Akande had a middle-aged man in his grasp, refusing to let him go. I recognised him as one of the Shimada brothers from some TV show long ago that was informing of notorious crime syndicates and mafias. I believe his name is Hanzo. To my surprise, close behind him was Tracey and McCree. The last off the ship was Amélie and an Omnic ninja.
"Who is that?" the angel asked Reaper.
"Ghost," he answered quickly. "We weren't able to get his partner, but I'm sure you knew that."
Partner? Sombra's inside. Who the fuck are you talking about? I'll have to ask you about it later, I eyed her up. She wasn't eye candy, but she did possess a beauty that would suit her as a secretary or perhaps a nursing mère. She held grace, but nothing like Amélie. Something about her put me off. The fact that she was so… ordinary. At least compared to those who surrounded her.
"I know," the angel was rather curt. "As much as a disappointment that is, what's he good for?"
"Who the fuck are you?" I asked her before Reaper could boast my merit.
"Dr. Ziegler," she looked skeptical of me with a distaste for my vulgar language. "Angela Ziegler."
"So you're what all the fuss is all about?"
"What fuss?"
"Moira said you... two had issues," I decided to change the subject mid-sentence. I'll keep that obsession thing to myself for now.
"Moira is here?" Angela sniffed coldly. "How unfortunate. Where is Esther?"
"You know her?" I braced for an attack. Reaper readied himself adverse to me if I were to pounce on Angela. I knew that I would be killed, but not before I caused a bloodbath.
"I'm her mother."
Wait, what? She's Esther's mother? Oh shit! She's the Boss! Oh fuck, I realized I was out of line. My investigation was about to get me in trouble. I put myself at ease instantly. "My apologies. We've had some problems with getting her. She's upstairs sleeping."
"Good. Where's Olivia?"
"Who?"
"Sombra," Angela clarified.
"Waiting on you guys. We didn't realize you got a new ship so we suspected you might be intruders." Olivia, huh? What a beautiful name.
"Reaper got us the ship," Amélie spoke with boredom in her voice. "I'll be in the shower if anyone needs me."
"You can't feel anything though. Why would you- you're fucking filthy," I started to observe her body and saw the grime that painted layers on her.
"Take a hint much?" Amélie left us as we all started to enter the mansion.
"Akande, you've got an admirer," I teased.
"Who?"
"Esther wants to hold your glove."
Angela gave a small laugh. "Probably has a crush on you too."
"I pray she loves the symbol more," Akande shook his head.
"Oh, I see," Angela smirked. "Give you any trouble?" She questioned me politely as if I even held a candle to her.
"Um, no," I instantly had a traumatic flashback of dinner where she gave me an entire lecture about Sir Adrian Wiart de Carton: a British soldier who served in three wars and was shot over ten times. I probably would've never heard of him if Esther hadn't gotten so vivid in her lesson plan. If Sombra hadn't stuffed a bread roll in her mouth, I probably would've graduated with a degree in history.
"You sound like she gave you a hard time."
"I think she'd be a good politician."
"She lied to you?"
"No, no. She's an excellent speaker. Whoever taught her, taught her well. Carries herself very well and speaks maturely."
"Oh my, that can't be my Esther. McCree? Are you sure you gave him the right child?"
"Don't ask me. Tracey kept a better eye on her than I did."
"Oh Lord, Jesse," Tracey shook her head. "She ain't never left your side as soon as Angela gave 'er to ya."
"Alright, alright," Reaper looked at me seriously, but under the mask, he was probably smiling. "Ghost, can you show McCree and Tracey their room. Angela and I have business to attend to. And tell Sombra to come to meet us in the kitchen."
"Right this way," I gestured upstairs for the Western folk. As they marched upstairs, I made small talk. "Anything you two need?"
"Well, you guys did kidnap us without letting us get our clothes-" Tracey started to grin.
"We've got you covered," I spoke with a low monotone as I prayed Moira would just stay out of sight. "You're the second room at the end of the hall."
"Could we get a little visit to the little one 'fore bed?" Tracey asked me sweetly.
"It's on my way, so sure."
"Thank you."
The two followed me to Esther's room. I didn't find Moira or any trace of her. I opened the door and stepped inside before an invisible force struck the cross on my cheek and threw me to the ground.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" Sombra said as she rematerialized with her hands over her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I thought you were somebody else and I-"
"It's okay," I raised my hand, cutting her off from her wave of apologies. "Fuck! You hit hard! No wonder Moira looks like shit."
"You said a bad word," Esther spoke suddenly. "Hua!" She gasped excitedly and sprang from her bed. "Cowboy McCree and Aunt Tracey!"
"Great, you woke up her up," I smiled to Sombra who kicked me in the side while remaining shocked she hit me. I got up to watch Esther hug the two caretakers. I hugged Sombra to reassure her that I was fine. "Reaper wants you in the kitchen. A woman named Angela is with him."
"Okay."
"Do you think Esther should with you or not? They were mentioning something about business."
"I think we should. But Angela will want her in bed, so stay close so you can put her in it after a few hellos."
I nodded. Esther hugged Tracey somewhat tighter than McCree, but he didn't seem saved from the iron grip the girl possessed. He petted her on the head as Tracey smiled widely. "We've done got to get to bed now," Tracey pressed Esther's head to her belly. "You got a surprise downstairs."
"Surprise?"
Sombra covered her sister's eyes. "I'll lead you down."
"Okay," Esther seemed slightly discomforted by being blinded, yet she let herself be led downstairs. The small girl took small steps, afraid that she'd take a wrong step. despite being slightly hesitant, I found myself astonished for the young one's bravery that led her blindly by practical strangers.
"We're going downstairs now," Sombra whispered to her sister as Tracey and McCree left us for their room. "Take small steps."
Esther hesitantly moved her foot forward, trying to test the water. Dipping her toe down, she touched the next step fearful before finding relief in a stable ground. She took another step with more confidence, yet she held a distrust because of her lack of vision. She felt around with her toes an gripped Sombra's wrists tightly. When she reached the bottom of the steps and her next steps yielded no lowering grounds, Esther suppressed a sigh of relief.
With a trust built up, Sombra marched Esther swiftly to the kitchen where Angela and Reaper stood. The angel had let her hair down and taken off her halo. She held a fancy glass of maroon wine in hand and her face only held a slight blush. Reaper saw us and before he could say anything, he glanced down and saw Esther. He looked up at me and took a step back so Sombra could waddle the little girl forward.
Angela smashed her glass on the floor and crouched down. The glass shattered musically against the ground, bringing about mess of red-stained shards. Sombra removed her hands as Esther tried to register her mother's face.
"Mutti!" The little girl dashed to her mother who picked her up and spun around with her embraced close. The mother had a beaming smile as radiant as the Sun. The young girl grinned as I felt a small flutter in my heart. Unlike arousal or hatred, there was a warmth that spread through my chest and it felt good. Like pain inflicted from a punch, I could feel a quick strike of relief; the emotion was brief and not something I would be allowed to revel in.
"I miss you so much Spatz!" Angela rocked on her heels while Esther clung close to her.
"Ich vermiss Dich auch!"
Angela beckoned with her finger for Sombra to join in the hug and she did with a smile. The group had an aura that glowed faintly, but it was as if an angel had wrapped his wings around them. They were a perfect family except… It was probably nothing, but I couldn't help but feel as if someone was missing.
Reaper stood up more straight and pointed to me. He beckoned for me to follow him with a nod of the head. I nodded and took a step out of the room silently so I wouldn't interrupt the family reunion. I met up with Reaper in the living room.
"Where's Akande and the those other two?"
"Akande put Hanzo down in a secure room. He'll need some… convincing," Reaper hinted at torture. "As for the second Shimada brother, Genji, he's just helping with the escort."
"Why'd you snatch those two up?"
"Angela wanted them."
I'll have to ask about her later. She seems rather close to Reaper.
"Any problems?" Reaper reflected the attention back on me.
"A few, but we escaped unscathed."
"Good. I wanted Sombra for this, but I suppose you know Esther is her sister?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I know."
"Then you know that she'd be better off catching up with her step-mother and sister?"
"Of course."
"Then you need to take her place for a mission. Think you can handle it?"
"Absolutely."
"Alright. Then pack two days worth of clothes so we can get an escort mission going."
"When are we taking off?"
"In an hour."
"Just you and me?"
"Fuck no!" Reaper laughed. "Amélie sure as hell wants to come. I think she'd want to come with us to get some real sunlight. And make sure you pack something that's loose. We're heading to a concert."
"Concert?"
"We're picking up an architect we hired from Vishkar. Satya Vaswani is going to help us build barracks for our Talon agents. We're going to tidy up instead of constantly meeting up for a week or so before splitting up again."
"Who's performing?"
"Lúcio Correia dos Santos. Vishkar is offering that we get our barracks and base free if we kill him. He must've pissed them off. Until we get Satya, she has some guards that are rather… rowdy. One of them has my eyes, but we'll have to deal with him another time. He's got a little treasure that could help us."
"Who are they?"
"A pain in the ass the last time I saw them. Put one of my friends in the hospital. As much as I hate them, I need them later. Otherwise I'd kill them just like when the old Talon hurt Gérard," Reaper started reminisce on something. "Jamison Fawkes and Mako Rutledge. Be wary of them and stay on your guard. They're unstable to say the least and being around this bureaucratic payment puts them on edge as it is. Don't hurt them because we're going to need Fawkes later."
"Won't lay a finger on him."
"Good. Now get packing."
"And Reaper?"
"Yes?"
"Back at the aircraft, you said you couldn't get my partner. What did you mean?"
Reaper stared at me expressionless. I didn't back down from my lust for knowledge and I trusted he'd be honest with me. "When we acquired you, you were with someone else. She put up a fight and it cost you your memory. She died as far as I'm concerned."
I gazed into the midnight hole his mask had drilled into his head. I couldn't tell what was inside the abyss nor the emotions that lied dormant in the darkness. His eyes could be as deceiving as a snake or as dead as stone. I'm not satisfied with your answer, but I believe you.
"Thank you for trusting me with this assignment."
Reaper nodded to me. I spun swiftly on my heel, resisting the urge to put a spring in my step. Grateful, I walked to my room carefree as I felt as if I put my trust in the right places.