Chapter 11
Maybe Blossom was just expecting something different, but the inside of the warehouse looked exactly that – the inside of a warehouse. Hundreds of large wooden boxes towered around the room up to the ceiling, barely lit by buzzing neon strip lights. At the opposite end of the room was an iron staircase leading up to a grate pathway. At the far end of the pathway was a simple door, with a light beaming through underneath. A few lumpkins lazed about the room, ignoring the heroes as they floated to the door upstairs. Blossom continued to lead the way, the others behind her switching jobs. Brick stepped up behind her as Boomer and Bubbles supporting Butch.
"You don'… hafta… carry me like this, guuuysss," Butch slurred. "I can fly all by mysssssself." Blossom glanced back at him, frowning. He grinned. "Bloss… Blozzom. Did you know… you got… goo… great… great hair. Shee-iiit. Pfffffft."
Butch giggled to himself. Brick shot him a nasty look, and nudged Blossom forward. They stopped at the door, and Blossom took a deep breath. She glanced at the others. She knocked.
"Come in!"
Blossom took another breath and pushed open the door.
This room looked more like what Blossom was expecting: a large, brightly-lit room decorated quite lavishly, with scarlet red walls and pitch black carpeting. In one corner lay a huge vanity, complete with dozens of make-ups and perfumes, next to a full-length mirror. In the other corner was a long, zebra-print chaise (much like the one in Princess's cell) with a matching armchair and footstool. Next to the armchair was a tiny side table with an old-fashioned rotary dial phone. In the corner across from the door was a tall fancy screen near a tiny closet, open and visibly crammed with clothing. It was almost disturbing how it seemed like they fell into an old Hollywood starlet's dressing room. What set this room apart, though, were the dozens of shelves lining each wall, all holding various showcases of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings… you name it! There had to be more diamonds and rubies and pearls here than even the best jewelry stores.
A blonde head peaked from the other side of the screen. Blossom and the others could only see the bleached bangs and overdone eyes. The blonde spoke.
"Helloooo?" she rang. Blossom frowned. There was something funny about that voice. It sounded… deep?
"We're here to see Gemma Pietra," Blossom said, ignoring her thoughts.
"Who are you?" the blonde asked.
"I'm Blossom Utonium," Blossom replied. "And these are my friends. I believe you are the Queen of Diamonds, and your 'sister' Colette has kidnapped my niece."
The blonde's head bobbed out of sight. There was some rustling, a glimpse of a stiletto heel from the side. Then, she spun out from behind the screen – and they all had to stop from crying out.
The Queen of Diamonds seemed to be channeling her inner Marilyn – she had the short curly blonde bob, the ruby red lips, the heavy eye makeup, a long flowing ball gown, and a feathery boa around her broad shoulders. Her breasts seemed comically enormous, perhaps because they were very obviously not real. She was thin – too thin – and it made her narrow hips stick out through the dress. It was the subtle lump on her neck that was the dead giveaway…
"Holy shit!" Butch exclaimed, his bloodshot eyes wide and mouth hanging. "It's a duuuude!"
"Excuse me?" the Queen of Diamonds growled, placing his hands on his hips. Boomer slapped his hand on Butch's mouth, doing his best to keep his brother silent. Brick bit his knuckles to stop from laughing. Bubbles gave Blossom a weary look. Blossom, though surprised by this insight, immediately composed herself and quickly tried to cover up for Butch.
"I'm so sorry, sir— ma'am! Butch, here, is, uh, a little drunk," Blossom chuckled nervously.
"Drunk?" Gemma scoffed. "What a sad sort for a troupe of supposed super heroes."
"So you know who we are?" Blossom asked.
"Of course!" Gemma laughed. She swaggered over to her chaise and lay down, the slit of her dress splitting across her large, shaven leg. Brick sniffled. Gemma didn't seem to notice. "Colette told me all about you. We had to do a lot of work after you screwed us all over. But I must ask: how'd you get past the lumpkins?"
"Drinking contest," Blossom replied, gesturing to Butch. Gemma grinned.
"Very clever," she giggled. "Maybe you're not so sad of a sort."
Blossom smirked. She looked at Brick, who still couldn't seem to speak up, his knuckles still clenched between his teeth. His eyes started watering as he held back his laughter. Blossom had to make this quick.
"Yes, I suppose," she continued. "So then do you know why we're here?"
"You want to know where your little girl went, I'm sure, right?" Gemma replied. Blossom nodded curtly. "Well, you know I can't tell you that, right?"
"We're willing to do whatever it takes," Blossom said as menacingly as she could.
"Is that a threat?" Gemma asked lightly, smirking.
"It might be," Blossom said. She folded her arms across her chest.
"Well, darling, I hope you know that no amount of physical assault will convince me to tell you anything," Gemma said matter-of-factly. He began picking at his long manicured nails. "Quite frankly, unless you're willing to offer me something shiny, I highly doubt there's any way to get me talking. But if you had that, you wouldn't be here in the first place, would you?"
"Gemma, we don't have time for this," Blossom said patiently. "Either you tell us where Bridie is or we will make you tell us."
"Honey, if you kill me, I won't be able to tell you anything," Gemma giggled.
"Who said anything about killing you?" Blossom said. "That would defeat the purpose, as you said."
"So," Brick started, finally choking back his amusement. He started cracking his knuckles. "You gonna cooperate or are we gonna have to do this the hard way?"
"Ohh!" Gemma burst into laughter. "Tough guy, huh? Oh, please, baby, rough me up!"
"You dress-wearing, son of a—" Blossom grabbed Brick's arm, holding him back. He struggled against her grip. "I am not afraid to hit you, MAN!"
"Please, keep ironing my wrinkles out with your steamy remarks," Gemma taunted. "You might even get rid of my crow's feet."
"I'll get 'im!" Butch shouted suddenly, tearing out from Boomer and Bubbles grasp. The others swiftly grabbed for him, but he simply leapt in the air and crashed into the wall, knocking several shelves of priceless jewelry to the floor. Gemma leapt from his chaise with a gasp.
"YOU!!—"
"Sorry! So sorry!" Blossom cried out instinctively, as Brick and Boomer pulled their brother up from the floor.
"NOOOO!!" Gemma roared. "Those were my necklaces, made from the finest cut, naturally found diamonds imported straight from the Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa! You clumsy oaf!"
"Wait a second," Blossom stared at Gemma, an idea forming fast in her brain. "Are all of these jewels precious?"
"Precious?" Gemma hissed. "Precious to me! Now get your grimy, tasteless asses away from my things!"
"Your things?" Blossom smirked. "What do you plan to do to us if we… do something to your things?"
"I'll – I'll kill you!" Gemma squealed, stomping his foot on the ground.
"Really?" Blossom said slowly. She looked at the others, a smile growing on each of their faces (except Butch, who was already smiling madly.). "Even when we're impervious to most normal human attacks? You won't be able to shoot us or stab us or anything."
"I'll… I'll… I'll call the lumpkins on you," Gemma threatened, his voice quivering.
"Oh, we'd destroy everything before those buffoons even got up here," Blossom said, grinning.
"I'll… I'll…"
"Tell us where Bridie is, and maybe we won't feel the need to be… destructive," Blossom offered.
"I can't!" Gemma spat.
"You can," Blossom said.
"No, I can't!"
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes."
"NO!"
"Alright…" Blossom shrugged her shoulders. "You asked for it."
With that, Blossom and the others simultaneously sent off a series of laser beams, each aimed at a different shelf. TSSSSTTT! PWHOOOO! SHHHH! Down came the jewels, shattering into thousands of pieces. Gemma collapsed on the ground, horrified, screaming at them.
"NO! NOO! PLEASE STOP! PLEEEEASE STOP!!"
"Tell us where Bridie is?" Blossom urged calmly.
"No! Colette will kill me!" Gemma whimpered.
"Alright, then another blast will have to do it—"
"NO!"
The heroes sent off another series of lasers, crashing more shelves to the ground. Sparkling diamonds glittered on the floor, remarkably like the tears glittering on Gemma's face. Blossom looked him over once more.
"One more will do it," she said casually.
"NOOOO!! PLEASE DON'T!"
"Where's Bridie, Gemma?" Blossom asked once again.
"I won't tell you!" Gemma wept.
"Are you sure?" Blossom feigned sympathy. "I really don't want to do this…"
"Please, oh, please stop!" Gemma begged.
"Tell us where she is…"
"No!"
"Tell us."
"NO!"
"Okay…" Blossom smiled at the others once more.
"WAIT!"
Blossom turned back to Gemma. She smiled. Gemma sniffled and wiped the snot from under his nose. He dragged himself off the floor and onto the footstool. He trembled, the tears still pouring from his eyes.
"Alright, I'll tell you," Gemma sobbed.
"Good," Blossom said sweetly. "Where's Bridie?"
"She's with Jack," Gemma admitted.
"Jack who?" Blossom asked.
"I don't know his real name, I just know he's the Jack of Spades, Colette's right-hand man."
"But I thought you, Hearts, and Clubs were Colette's right-hand men," Blossom didn't even bother hiding the pun.
"No, we're allowed to have bosses under us, an 'Ace' or a 'Jack', mostly to help us do our bidding. All I know is that the girl is with Jack and they're headed to the 'Wonderland' in Texas." Gemma looked up at them miserably.
"The strip club," Brick chuckled.
"With Hearts," Blossom added.
Gemma nodded.
"How do we know you're telling us the truth?" Blossom asked suspiciously. Gemma looked around fearfully, and noticed one of his necklaces hanging precariously on a hook on the wall. He gulped. He slid over, grabbed it, and promptly broke it in his hands. Blossom's eyebrows rose.
"I guess that'll work," she said. "Besides, if you lied, we'll be back."
"What if I'm not here?" Gemma questioned.
"I'm sure we'll find you somewhere," Blossom said simply. She really didn't think Gemma was in the position to lie anymore anyway.
"Well, we'll be leaving now then," Blossom said with a warm smile. "We've got places to go."
"Wait," Gemma said. "Wonderland's only open on the weekend."
"Hm," Blossom nodded. "Thanks for that."
Blossom gestured the others out the door. She grabbed the door to close it behind her, but she stopped, remembering something. She turned around.
"Oh, and, uh, sorry to do this but—" Blossom blasted one more laser beam at the rotary phone, disintegrating it into mere dust particles. Gemma shuddered.
"Can't have you warning Colette ahead of time, mkay? See ya!"
Blossom shut the door behind her and followed the others out of the warehouse. She couldn't believe how easy that had been, though she doubted the other Queens would be any better. They zoomed past the army of lumpkins, now dozing in pale moonlight. It was early morning, and the heroes had to wait a day for Hearts' club to be open. Blossom decided they would rest somewhere. She sped up to the front and headed to the closest hotel they could find. Even if the others didn't want, she definitely needed some time to reflect on today's events, not to mention Butch would need some serious rest for the hangover he was bound to have in the morning.
***
Jack sighed, blinking rapidly to keep himself awake. It was night, and some of the other vehicles on the highway were blasting their headlights so bright they burned Jack's tired eyes. He would've killed to pull over and sleep, but he was behind schedule. He should've been past Fort Worth by now, but he was barely out of Arkansas. It's kind of difficult to lug an unconscious little girl around without looking suspicious. Jack made a mental note to lessen the dose next time – the kid had been out for over twenty-four hours. If she wasn't comatose, she would be waking up anytime soon. Jack was not looking forward to this.
"Ohhh, baby, I love your way… wanna tell you I love you way…"
Jack snatched up his slick, thin cell phone from the dashboard. He flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"Hello, darling, how are you?"
"Morning, Colette," Jack said quietly. "You're up late, eh?"
"Well, I was very rudely awakened a few moments ago by my phone," Colette explained simply.
"Oh? Gemma?" Jack presumed.
"Naturally," Colette chuckled. "Turns out they're after us, afterall, and they're going after the girls first."
"According to plan," Jack said.
"According to plan, indeed," Colette agreed. "Gemma sent 'em off to Lila's. So nothing's changed, I just thought I'd let you know."
"Well, thank you," Jack said.
"No problem," Colette sighed. "So how's the girl?"
"Still out," Jack replied, glancing over at Bridie buckled in the front seat. She sniffled, her head lulling to the side.
"Still? Lower the dosage! We don't want her dead yet!" Colette exclaimed.
"I will, I will," Jack groaned. "Alright, well, I'm fighting sleep here, so I'll let you go."
"Where are you?" Colette asked.
"Uhh… approaching Fort Worth," Jack lied, just as a sign whizzed by: "Dallas – 100 miles. Fort Worth – 130."
"Liar," Colette spat.
"Fine, just outside Mt. Vernon," Jack admitted. He didn't know how she did it, but Colette always knew when he was lying. She knew when anyone was, for that matter.
"Behind, aren't you?" Colette guessed. "Don't worry about it. You're doing a beautiful job! Go ahead and catch some shut-eye."
"Thank you, ma'am," Jack said, sighing in relief.
"Of course," Colette cooed. "Vive la victoire!"
"Vive la victoire!" Jack said. He hung up.
He drove another mile or two and made his way to the first truck stop. He pulled over some distance away from the other vehicles. Jack unbuckled his belt, readjusted his seat and kicked it back. He yawned. He glanced at his watch: 4:38 AM. It really was late, wasn't it? Jack snorted and set an alarm for 8 AM. Even if he did have the Queen's blessing to rest, he would rather get back to work as soon as possible.
Jack stuck his watch on the dash and lay back in his seat. He looked at Bridie. Despite his best efforts, Jack was actually worried about her. Not her, per se, but more so that if she was seriously hurt from Z overdose, the situation itself was in great danger. This kid really was the heart of the operation, and her safety completely affected the outcome. Thankfully, it wouldn't have been his fault – it would've been Evie's. To be honest, it might be worth it if the kid was messed up; that would be the end of Ms. Strike, and Jack never cared for her one bit.
Suddenly, Bridie snored. Loud. Jack jumped, fully expecting her to awaken. He cursed under his breath, figuring that, of course, the girl would pick now as the perfect time to wake up. Then, just as suddenly, she rolled over in her seat and continued sleeping. Jack exhaled. False alarm. He sniffed and lay back down. He could feel the sleep quickly start to consume him, and he happily obeyed the siren calls of dream land. He smiled to himself, the soft yet heavy blanket of slumber wrapping around his entire being.
Then –
"AHHHHHH!!!" Bridie ripped off her seatbelt and slammed herself full-force into the roof of the car. Jack gasped back to consciousness, limbs flailing. Bridie fell back into her seat, still screaming at the top of her lungs. She looked around frantically, unsure of her whereabouts. She turned to Jack. She screamed harder – if it was possible! – her blood-curling cry reverberating around the car. Jack pressed his hands to his ears.
"CALM DOWN! CALM DOWN, KID, CHILL OUT! I SAID CHILL THE FUCK OUT!"
"MOMMYYY!! DADDYYYY!! HELP!! HEEEELP!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!"
"SHUT UP! SHUT THE HELL UP!!"
Twisting his neck painfully to keep guarding his fragile ears, Jack reached for the glove box. He tore it open and pulled out his handgun. He shoved it into Bridie's face.
"I SAID SHUT UP!!!"
It worked. Bridie's mouth slapped shut. She gulped, her big, teary sea-green eyes staring into the barrel of the gun. Jack smiled.
"Well," Jack huffed. He paused a moment to catch his breath. "Rise and shine, kid."
Bridie glanced up at him. Her lower lip quivered.
"So," Jack started slowly. "I'm going to put the gun down, and we're going to talk. Okay? Like grown ups. Okay?"
Bridie didn't reply. She glanced at him again.
"Okay?" Jack repeated. Bridie sniffled. She nodded.
"Good," Jack said. "Now, I'm going to slowly put down the gun…" He lowered the gun, pointing it away from Bridie. She didn't move, but her eyes followed the gun until it was on the dashboard next to his watch. She stared at it a second, and then she looked back at him.
"Okay, now—"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"GOD DAMMIT, I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!" In a split-second, Jack grabbed the gun and pointed it back at Bridie. This time, though, she didn't stop screaming.
"I WANT MY MOMMY!! MOMMYYYY! DADDYYYY!!!"
"GOD DAMN FUCKING KID!"
Jack fired the gun. The bullet shot straight through the leather and caved into the door frame. Bridie gasped and cowered in the front seat. Jack pointed the gun back at Bridie.
"You're lucky I got silencer, kid," Jack remarked. "And you're lucky that this car is coated with several layers of Z-based paint, which means your little superpowers won't get you out of here. Now, I said shut the fuck up. You're gonna do that, right?"
There was no hesitation this time. Bridie held back a great sob and quickly nodded her head. Jack chuckled. He put the gun aside. He paused, waiting for Bridie to act out again. She remained silent. Jack put the gun on the dashboard and sat back against the car door.
"Alright," Jack said. "Now that we're calm and not freaking the fuck out: hi."
Bridie whimpered. Jack smiled, trying to appear as nice as possible.
"Okay, you can talk, but no screaming or calling out for mommy," Jack said. Bridie wiped the tears off her face with her sleeve.
"So… your name… Bridie, right?"
"Where's my dad?" Bridie asked, her voice cracking.
"I don't know," Jack said with shrug.
"Where's my mom?"
"I don't know," Jack repeated, exasperated.
"Where am I?"
"Hey, a question I can answer!" Jack exclaimed. "Well, we're definitely not at home or anywhere near it."
"Who are you?" Bridie demanded.
"I'm Jack. I'm going to be babysitting you for a while," Jack grinned. Bridie's eyebrows lowered. Jack continued. "Do you know why you're here?"
"No," Bridie replied.
"Well, let me tell you," Jack clapped his hands together. "See, your auntie and uncle – Blossom and Brick, I think? – Well, they screwed over my… friend. We'll call her Queenie. They stopped Queenie from making a lot of money by putting that lady Princess in jail. Queenie wants her money back, and she wants your auntie and uncle to pay it since it's their fault for losing it. So, we're – uh – watching you so we can make sure your family pays us the money. You're helping us; like a good girl. Cool, huh?"
Bridie's eye twitched. She frowned.
"So, until your family has the money and pays up, you'll be with me, kid. We're gonna have a lot of fun. So, what do you think?" Jack grinned again.
"…I think you're a douche bag."
"A dou—" Jack burst into laughter. Bridie folded her arms across her chest and gave him a dark look. "A – ha ha ha! – douche bag – ha ha! – kid, I think I'm gonna like you… ha ha ha!"
Then, Bridie rammed her foot into Jack's shin. He cried out, his laughter stopping immediately. He took a deep, shuddering breath, clutching his leg. Bridie continued glaring at him, her eyebrows furrowed dangerously.
"I wanna see my mommy, now!" she squealed.
"You little—I don't know where your f-f-fucking mommy is!" Jack stammered.
"Then I want my daddy," Bridie said.
"I don't kn-kn-know where your fucking parents are!" Jack moaned, pulling up his pant leg to see the enormous bruise already formed on his leg. He glimpsed at it and moaned again.
"Take me to them, or I'll scream again," Bridie threatened.
"You little shit!" Jack snarled. He cringed, desperately trying to endure the pain. "I just said I don't know where they are! And if I did, god damn, I'd fucking take you to them!"
"Liar," Bridie grumbled. Jack growled and reached for his gun.
"Go ahead and shoot me!" Bridie said. "I have super powers, remember? Mommy and daddy told me I'm immune to bullets."
"I-I-Immune to bullets?" Jack stuttered. "You are a little shit! Liar."
"Do it." Bridie taunted. "I dare ya."
Jack aimed his gun at her once again. He clicked back the hammer. Bridie glanced at the barrel, unfazed. Jack's grip faltered: either she was telling the truth or she was one fearless son-of-a-bitch. He couldn't hurt her anyway, or he would have to pay. He begrudgingly clicked the hammer back up and tossed the gun aside.
"Told you," Bridie said. "I'm hungry."
"What?!"
"I said I'm hungry!" Bridie yelled. "Get me food!"
"You… high maintenance little…" Jack seethed.
"Get me some food or I'll scream again!" Bridie shouted. She took a deep, dramatic breath, preparing herself. Jack jumped up and placed a hand on her mouth.
"Nonononononono! Okay! We'll go get you some food," Jack said. He gingerly moved his throbbing leg to the side and kicked up the seat. He gave Bridie a very nasty look.
"What do you want?" Jack asked, starting the car.
"I want… McDonald's chicken nuggets."
"McDonald's?!" Jack cried. "I don't know where the closest fucking McDonald's is. There's a Burger King a few miles back…"
"I don't want Burger King, I want McDonald's," Bridie said.
"It's the same thing!" Jack said furiously.
"Is not!" Bridie argued.
"Is to!"
"Is not!"
"Is to!"
"No, it's NOT!"
"You shit!" Jack exclaimed, slamming his foot on the accelerator and roaring out of the truck stop. "Fine, we'll stop at the first fucking McDonald's we see, okay?"
"Okay," Bridie agreed. She sat forward and looked out the window, her tiny arms still locked across her chest. She bit her lip, holding back every urge to cry. Her eyes stung, and her tummy churned painfully, but she refused. If there was anything her parents taught her, it was to always stay tough in the scariest of situations. Never let the bad guy know you're scared. Besides, Bridie had no doubts that her parents would be looking for her right that very second. They had to be. That's just the way it was. They were super heroes, after all.
"You…" Jack zoomed down the expressway almost 20 miles over the speed limit. He was going to call Colette the first chance he got. He badly wanted to just drug the little brat again, but not right now. Any more Z would probably kill her, and no matter how he felt right now, he couldn't do anything to her.
The sun was just now rising, the golden light blazing into Jack's face. He pulled down his visor and glanced back at Bridie. He grimaced. He definitely wasn't getting any shut-eye now. Thanks to the sweet hell spawn next to him, though, at least his possibly broken leg would keep him up for a while.