Chapter Ten:

Lightning In The Dark…

With a particularly loud clash of thunder making the entire Jenner Mansion shudder on its solid foundation, Heaven quickly exited her bathroom and ran to her large bedroom window and harshly threw back the curtains. Only to be greeted with a storm from Hell or so it seemed, the wind was like slicing blades as it whipped through the town mercilessly. Lightning flashed throughout the night sky every couple of minutes and the thunder seemed to grow louder with every second.

"What in the hell is happening out there?" Heaven asked herself quietly with wide eyes, she was completely bewildered by the harshness of the raging storm. Mother Nature was obviously extremely angry about something and Heaven was almost afraid to find out what it was. The weather was never this horrific, even when evil was wandering around, so what could have caused such a storm to arise?

Deciding that she needed to speak to Denver about the dramatic change in the weather, Heaven quickly strode over to her dresser and dropped her damp towel carelessly to the hardwood floor, before pulling open the top drawer and grabbing some black panties and a pair of white ankle length socks. After her underwear and socks were on she pulled open the second drawer and grabbed a black camisole and a pair of black Capri pants and pulled them on swiftly, while slipping on a pair of her black and white tinny shoes. Not caring that her long blonde hair was still wet, Heaven quickly strode from her room and began searching for Denver.

Meanwhile, several blocks away from Bloody River Lane, Denver Jenner was briskly walking through the violent rainy night, seemingly oblivious to the raging storm around him. The black leather trench coat tail snapped like a whip every couple of seconds as the violent winds swept across the town, but despite the loud snapping of leather against leather, the harsh weather seemed to mute everything. Only the deafening echo of storm was heard.

Why anyone would want to be out walking in a deadly storm late at night, with no one around was a mystery in itself. Strangely enough, Denver did not feel the slicing edge of wind as it whipped against his face and hands, nor did he feel the fiery sting of the heavy rain as it fell from the angry heavens. Denver felt nothing anymore; he had become numb to everything as soon as he had stepped out of his house and into the black gloom of night. It was finally his time, as bittersweet as its arrival was.

"Hmm, isn't this interesting; an old man out walking in a raging storm, all alone and weaponless. My, my you must be quite brave, or has old age finally caught up with you, Denver?" A silky-smooth dark voice asked from Denver's right, instantly causing the elder man to turn and face the owner of the voice. Only to see a shadow of someone leaning lazily against the alley wall, with their arms crossed.

"Well, I would say: "Oh, what a surprise to see you here, it's good to see you, again!" but I'm not and it's not." Denver told the new arrival in a cold and sarcastic tone, the elder man's usually jovial jade eyes now as cold and sharp as daggers, as he conversed with the new stranger, who wasn't quite a stranger at all. The two men had a long past history together.

"Oh, that hurts. Really, I think you've left a scar here." The shrouded stranger spoke in a mock hurt tone, placing his right hand delicately over his heart at Denver's harsh words, but the smirk that was plastered on the strangers face was one of mocking and evil intentions. Clearly this new arrival was not a bearer of good intentions.

"Heh, as if mere words could even phase you, Tynan." Denver coldly addressed the stranger.

"Oh, that's so hurtful Denver, I think I might cry." The stranger spoke sarcastically, before shoving himself off the wall and walking towards the elder man. With a swift strike of lightning, the shrouded mans' appearance was revealed.

The new stranger, Tynan held a tanned, handsome face of someone who wasn't any older than twenty-one years old. Tynan was tall, close to six foot even, with a relatively slender body, shaggy light brunette hair that fell seductively over his handsome face and wild dark azure eyes. The young man was clothed in black silk pants, with a dark blue long-sleeve button-up silk shirt, that had the top four buttons undone, showing off his beautifully muscled honeyed chest. The young man could almost be mistakenly called an angel, but he was far from being anything near angelic; the evil that flowed throughout the young mans being was immeasurable.

Denver just grunted at the young mans sardonic comment and looked the young man's appearance over a couple times before he snarled angrily, "You haven't changed a bit, Tynan. Evil truly does hide behind a celestial façade."

Tynan just grinned darkly and laughed, it was a dark cynical laugh, which sent unpleasant shivers down Denver's spine and caused his skin to writhe at the evil tenor of the young man's voice. "That's so very true, Denver. Evil always hides behind something beautiful, because it's much easier to get the things you want when you're more celestial. Isn't it wonderful? I mean look at you, you're an old washed-up man now, while I am still young, in my prime and stronger than you can possibly imagine."

"You are too boastful, Tynan. Where are your manners? Did you not know that you are supposed to be respectful towards your elders?" A different, but equally silky-smooth voice spoke up, startling both Tynan and Denver.

"You're one to talk, Kearn. Isn't sneaking up on people considered "bad manners"?" Tynan teased with an angry undertone in his voice, as another celestial looking man slowly walked towards the two men that were standing in the middle of the street, uncaring that the storm had increased in its fury.

As the new stranger neared Denver and Tynan, both of the men couldn't help but notice the mannerism in which he approached. Kearn was apparently a very confident man, as his approach was steady, never once wavering in the harsh winds. His sleek muscled body was the perfection of poise and hidden power. The new stranger was taller than Tynan, but only just. Kearn was the exact opposite of his acquaintance in appearance, speech and overall mannerism.

"It has been a long time since we last met, has it not Denver?" Kearn asked in his proper speech, as he stepped beside the obviously irate Tynan. Kearn just ignored the youngest member of the group and kept his shocking light grey gaze upon the older man.

Kearn's rich, spiky black hair was starting to droop slightly in the heavy downpour, but the front spikes just barely grazed the top his perfectly shaped eyebrows. Kearn was just a handsome and celestial as Tynan, but Kearn was pale and stoic. Kearn's clothing was much different than one would expect from someone who spoke so politely; Kearn wore a white tee shirt under a genuine black leather jacket, a black belt with silver skulls adorned his waist; his pants were also a deep black in color and they hugged his slender waist to perfection, but flared out just below his knees, allowing his black biker boots to slip on more easily. There were also several belts and chains hooked and wrapped around his pants, giving the dark haired man a "gothic" appearance.

"Yes, it has. But I'm curious as to where the third member of your party is. I'm sure he isn't dead, so when is he going to make his regal appearance, as our party is lacking a key member." Denver asked the new man in an almost bored sounding tone.

"Oh, I am afraid that he may not be able to join our little reunion. He is very busy at the moment and his time is very precious. I will be sure to give your regard to him though." Kearn answered smoothly, still holding his body with complete poise, despite the weather's hostility. It seemed like the storm grew in its intensity with every minute that passed, yet the three men did not appear fazed in the least.

"Well then, how long do you plan to draw out our encounter? My time is precious as well and I don't feel like standing here in the rain all night idly chatting with old friends." Denver ground out with mixed emotions. He had known that tonight he would meet his end and he was ready for it, but having two of his old friends appear and stall the inevitable was infuriating, especially when they were doing it on purpose.

"Heh, are you that desperate to die so quickly, old friend?" Tynan asked with a sly crooked grin, his azure eyes dancing with malevolent intent and pure wickedness. This was merely a game they were playing with the aged Denver and Tynan absolutely loved to play sick, twisted games with people.

"Very well then, my old friend, your request shall be met. I had hoped that you would have come to us with a will to fight, but alas you have chosen to depart this world without fighting back. I am disappointed. I must admit, I wanted us to fight like our last encounter, but I will take what is given to me. Goodbye Denver." Kearn spoke soothingly, as though he were talking to a child, before both he and Tynan lifted their right hands into the air and instantaneously a sword appeared in each mens' outstretched hand.

The weather tripled in its ferocity and became more like a hurricane on land, as the two men summoned their dark weapons. Death and bloodshed could be heard whispered upon the harsh winds of the gale. Evil and darkness could be heard as the rain pounded the earth.