The city was lit in all its glory below her, the blackness of the night driven away by the shimmering lights and the noises that all seemed so alive. It was pulsing, like the heart beat of some giant creature in a deep and peaceful slumber, but yet it felt so awake. Because a city so grand never slept, not really. From where she was she could see everything, the forgotten beauty of a place inhabited by millions that never would get the chance to see things the way she did, feel things the way she did.
Like a shadow she flew from rooftop to rooftop, the movements of her body so fluidic and natural she hardly had to think about what she was doing. The here and now was all she cared about, the only thing she was consened with was survival, the most basic of instincts. How easy it is to live without the weight of modern life crushing you. She perched herself on a low balcony on a set of abandoned flats, her large body balancing effortlessly on the thin metal rail. Across the street was a small butchers, she saw the meats hanging in the window. She knew dabbling in human affairs was dangerous, and there were so many other options open to her, but none were quite so fun. Maybe being cocky was her first mistake, after all she was a new creature to the world, learning how it worked all over again through new, simpler eyes.
She flicked her ears to the left, then to the right, scanning the streets for any activity. Finding it to be relatively clear, she leaped the length of the small road that separated her from her goal. She clambered over the front of the building and found the back door, sending the small rats that were scavigng running in terror from the over grown cat. She examined the door, testing its strength with a few soft pushes of her paw. She found it to be as flimsy, considering it was made to keep people out.
Three days she had been at this, prowling the city by night for food and returning to the small woods she loved so much to sleep when the sun rose. It was an easy routine, going relatively undetected by humans and eating her fill. Somewhere at the back of her mind she knew she couldn't do this forever, knew that sertine measures would be taken against her. And then there was that small nagging voice, still there and still fighting for control, the human part. It had almost given up, almost forgotten how to speak up for itself. It didn't want to be locked up inside its own body, but it didn't want to be locked up in a cage...she was lost, confused and totally alone in the world.
The door was broken down easily, instantly sending an alarm flashing and screeching into the night. That didn't matter; she'd be long gone before anyone showed up. Carefully she padded across the cold tiled floor, eyeing up the meat that hung from various hooks in the chilled back room. She was about to take one of the hanging pigs when something sharp hit the back of her neck. With a painful growl, she spun around to find a self satisfied Liz holding a tranquilizer rifle in her right arm. By her side stood Kraus and an agent she couldn't recognise. She lunged forwards, with the intent to attack Liz or anyone else who got in her way, but seemed to trip over her own paws and met with the floor seconds later. The world disappeared for a few moments, but she was awake again quickly. She gave a few futile attempts to get back up, only ending in her stumbling around and crashing back down again. When she finally gave up, her limbs no longer obeying anything she commanded them to do, Johann stepped closer. He reached out a metal hand slowly towards her head and in his strange accent, he spoke,
"Ver not here to harm you Taya," to her his words seemed patronising, just like the small pat he lay on her head, "Ver here to ask for your help," the lion managed to snap at the ghost's hand, missing only by inches.
Liz laughed when Ed squealed and jumped back, even though he was already a safe distance away. Then she remembered exactly why they needed Taya's help and straightened up.
"Taya, if your still in there, you might be interested to know that Abe's been captured by Soultar," her words seemed to be said without emotion, but she smiled when she got a reaction from the big cat. Her ears pricked and despite the paralyzing formula that was now coursing through her veins, she tilted her head to look at the pregnant woman. Liz noticed a change in her eye colour then... or maybe it was just a trick of the light, but they seemed darker, more peaceful. "You might also want to know Manning hasn't a clue we are here looking for you and if you're not willing to help, we'll take you to your woods and leave you alone forever," again the cat twitched her ears, this time scanning everyone in the room, looking for signs that told her they were lying. The human inside her was so close to the surface, she had ripped through the barriers the animal had put up the moment she heard of Abe's situation. She was now so close to taking control, it made the creature panic.
I'm not retreating from this life human, forget about the man, he is nothing, the beast screamed subconsciously at Taya, but the 'human' wasn't giving up, not when she was so close to freedom, she knew Liz wouldn't betray her, wouldn't take her back to the BPRD to be locked away. Abe needed her, and in all truth, she needed Abe. With on final push of will power, she began to feel her body change...back into her original form.
But something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Abe was awake again, but he truly wished he wasn't. He had been moved, that was the first thing he noticed, but it was very difficult not too really. He was now suspended about three ft from the ground, hanging from the chains that shackled his wrists. The harsh metal bit into his flesh and his shoulder ached terribly. It was ovbierse that he had been stuck like this for some time, though he couldn't even remember when he had passed out. He looked down to his now shredded skin, at the blood that oozed from stinging wounds and then a few meters away to where Soultar's tools of torture still lay on the old table. Still shining with his spilt blood.
He guessed that three days had passed, all of them spent in the cave they had immediately transported to after Hellboy had left the other. He hadn't had time to adjust to his surroundings, or even try to figure out where he was in the world. Soultar didn't spent much time with Abe, he seemed to be worrying about something, either his lost pet, or his 'evil plan.' True, things weren't exactly working out for the pale man, but that didn't mean he wasn't one hell of a threat to mankind. Blue got the impression that if he didn't get Hellboy, Golem was just going to let his chimeras run wild on the world... and they'd kill thousands before they could be stopped. Something had to be done, but Abe was in no position to even save himself.
Soultar walked back into the room, two monstrous looking beasts slobbering at his heals. The bigger of the two looked slightly like a gorilla that had risen from the dead and the smaller resembled a confused looking wolf crossed with a praying mantas. Both seemed to have an intelligent gleam to their eyes, and Blue figured he was trying to get them to do the jobs Chryses usually did. But by the frustrated expression slapped across Golems face, things weren't going to well. That only meant one thing for Abe.
Instinctively, the Fish-Man inched away from the approaching Soultar, only making a twisted grin form on his attackers face. Of course, Abe couldn't move at all really, only make himself swing slightly on the chains that hung him. The joints of his shoulders throbbed with pain, already straining from the weight of his own body and the slight movement made him wince.
"Now, now Abraham calm yourself, this should all be routine by now," with a flick of his hand, the two animals snuck away. Soultar sauntered over to his rusted metal table and scanned the things that lay there, "what shall we play today my friend?" He plucked up a scalpel and Abe eyed the man, his glare full of hatred. Golem studied the small, sharp object and chuckled to himself as it flashed in the dull light. "To be honest dear Blue, this has started to bore me," he replaced the knife, then coked his head towards Abe who had breathed a slight sight of relief, "But, I can't really stop can I? Not until they hand over Hellboy anyway..." without looking away, his hand found the cat's paw. It was a small device made of a cold metal, four sharpened spikes curving off a wooden handle. As of yet, Soultar hadn't used it on Blue, but the Fish-Man knew it would happen one day or another. That didn't help the fear in his stomach though, a fear that wanted to wrestle its way up his throat and make him scream. He swallowed.
How ironic this was, that it was a cat's paw clawing at his body, as well as his heart. In his time at the cave, his mind had wandered completely to what he and Taya could have been. It was silly, even to him that in a life and death situation, she was all his brain could think about.
Golem edged closer, grabbing the walkie-talkie off the table as he did so. This is what happened, about twice a day most of the time. Using his magic, Soultar would extend the devices signal, allowing him to communicate with the people back at the BPRD. He cleared his throught and smiled,
"Hello, I hope I'm not calling at a bad time," he cooed after he clicked the small black button. Immediately a chorus of replies ripped through the air, Abe heard Hellboy swearing, Manning shouting and Chryses complaining, acompinied with a few other startled voices. When the chaos had calmed, Red's voice was the one that won over the rest,
"Hello spunky, you quit trying to take over the world yet?" he grunted. Soultar frowned,
"Oh please, why would I want to take over the world? It's nothing to me. You know what I want Hellboy.."
"Yeah well, 'frade that's not happening buddy, I got to protect the world from creeps like you, I don't have time off to come play," silence overtook for a moment, until Soultar broke it with a sharp sigh that seemed to be both tired and frustrated.
"Do you know what a Cat's Paw is Hellboy?" he said calmly, eyes flicking with blood lust. Back at the BPRD, Red was quite confused about the seemingly random question. Still holding up the walkie-talkie in one hand and leaning on the table with the other, he raised his eyebrow, silently asking the agents staring at him if they knew what Golem was talking about. A few shoulder shrugs later, he turned his gaze to Chryses, who was chained to the wall. She had been quite useful so far, even though she spoke in riddles most of the time, they found her to be strangely cooperative.
She blinked slowly at the demon, apparently not willing to speak. Sensing no reply comeong from the other side, Soultar spoke up,
"It's a torture device, used in the medieval times. Torturers would scrape away at the victims skin until he reached the bone. You see Red, it is difficult to make a connection between us, because you make me resort to such barbaric ways. You think your dear friend Abe here appreciates all of this?" Hellboy bit his lip, it was going to happen again.
Soultar brought the Cat's Paw to Blue's chest, glancing up at the Fish-Man's face. Abe tried to hold his gaze, tried not to wince, but he soon found himself squeezing his eyes shut. Golem pushed the four deadly claws into Blue's flesh slowly and he clenched his teeth. He could feel the metal on his skin, the fresh cuts that opened over the old that had barely begun to heal, the blood that escaped them hot on his pale skin. Soultar dragged the Paw down, scraping viciously along Abe's torso. Blue tried not to scream, but through clenched teeth he hissed out a cry.
Red closed his eyes, some people in the room actually turned away, as if the sound would disappear. Hellboy felt sick, the fact he could stop it all if he just turned himself in brought on a feeling of helplessness. He couldn't let thousands of people die, but what about his best friend? The world was cruel and there was nothing he could do about it, he had learned that long ago... but this, this was torturing him as well.
It went on for a few minutes, Red screaming abuse down the walkie-talkie and Abe's screams meeting him in reply. It was over quickly, but not quickly enough.
"Well then, I do hope that helped you make your decision Red, I'll get back to you soon," a fuzzy click left the room quiet. All eyes were on Hellboy, who was now hunched over the table, breathing hevily. His rock hand was clenched into a fist, his other squeezing the communicator as if he wanted to break it in two. A few seconds passed, then in a blure he was up, face to face with Chryses, so close their noses almost touched.
"make that bastard stop!" he spat. The sphinx flattened her ears and smiled.
"How do you propose I do that?" She purred gently to the angered giant.
"I don't give a damn how you do it! Hell, I don't care if I have to torture you!" Manning was about to step in at that point, when Red raised his fist, stopping it only when it was inches away from the animals beautiful face.
"Your sole is to kind, only sharpened by threat to others. You are a noble creature, who's words are nothing but lies. In trust, you must understand, if you act, nothing shall be accomplished. I cannot help you, not by playing a petty game of tattletale. My ways are limited, but I know another shall heal your hearts, if you ignore your fears," Her eyes cut into slits, waiting for a reaction from Red, but she got none. He solemnly retreated, sitting on a chair and staring into the nothingness before him. This was something he couldn't do, a situation he was truly stuck in. No running in and being a hero, no giving himself up... no anything.
Chryses shook her head. If she was right, things would be over soon.
One Day Later.
Again the world was left behind by the human, but this time, it was only because she had a goal, someone who needed her. She flicked through the rain forest, her pelt flashes of gold between the lush green leaves. Her paws barely touched the earth as she split through the trees, ignoring the branches that snagged at her fur. She couldn't even remember where she was, but she knew where she had to be.
Water pelted down onto her head and down her shoulders. The water fall crashed down on her, biting at her skin. Cautiously, she stepped through the curtain of hissing white and into the cave, sniffing the air for danger. She smelt a few things, first the over powering stench of unnatural animals, then below that, below the scent of unease and danger, lay Abe's faint oder. She set forward immediately.
If she remembered correctly, Blue was left alone by the chimeras last time they had ventured into Soultar's lair because they thought he was one of them. She hoped that now, she to would be mistaken for their kind, though she knew that wouldn't work with Golem himself, it would get her far enough. Sticking to the shadows she padded down the think corridor of rock, flicking her ears left and right as she went. She could already hear the chimeras, their barks and caws, howls and screams filling the cave. They were close, the further she went, the louder they got.
Following her nose, she filed down another passage way, this one looking very used. Below her own paws lay the many tracks of different animals, telling her that she could be in danger if she let her guard down for even a moment. It was strangely calm, though she was supposed to be saving Abe, though she could get killed at any moment, her heart was not racing, the fear that had once owned her had been replaced by determination. Of course, it was him that had done that to her, made her feel invincible. She couldn't even put a reason behind it really and no matter how hard she thought, she never could quite remember when she stared feeling like she did towards Blue. It was like it had always been there, just waiting for something to wake it up and light the way. It had been a struggle even for herself, so she truly pitied Abe for what she must have put him through. Concerns about the animal inside her had even left her, because she had won and for the first time in her life, she was so sure of that fact. Nothing could hurt her anymore.
Jumping out of her thoughts, she saw the small group of chimeras squabbling just a few meters away. She quickly lowered herself down to all fours, trying to look more like an animal. This would be easier if she was still a 'full were-cat.' Yesterday, when she heard of Blue's situation, something very strange happened. It was like her body found an in-between, merging the animal and the human and making something that was completely in sync with both sides of her being. She looked more human than she had when she was roaming the city for meat. Now she practically had a woman's figure, covered in fur with the ears of a cat and the features to accompany them. At first Liz and Johann didn't know what to think, but they didn't have time to.
They had 'borrowed' a plane from the BPRD, ready for getting Taya to wherever she had to be. They had already tracked the signal from Blue's walkie-talkie, telling them his exact location so that part wasn't difficult. She understood that she was the one with the best chance to get in and out of the caves without being spotted, so she had a good chance of saving him. Her new body helped, it was less bulky and more stealthy, better for sneaking around. But she didn't know if she could turn back into a human yet.
Trying to act as natural as she could around blood thirsty animals, she plodded past. One of the creatures gave her a passing glance, warning her away from the food they were fighting over, but apart from that, they were to engrossed in what they were doing to care about her. When she was out of sight, she brought herself back onto two legs, quickening her pace. She felt like she needed to hurry now, for some strange reason.
Then she found the doors, and she smiled. Something told her that this was it, that she had found her lost friend. She was so close to saving him now, doubts suddenly sweaped through her mind, but she pushed them away, she had to. Pressing an ear to the door, she listened closely. Satisfied that nothing was waiting for her on the other side, she opened it with a gentle hand.
Then she saw him, and she wanted to cry.
Through the haze of pain, Blue felt something move above him. He sent out a silent prayer to anything that would listen, asking some divine power to take Soultar away from him. He couldn't stand it anymore, he didn't even care that he was being tortured, he just cared that he wasn't dead yet. Something cruel was keeping him alive, something that wanted him to suffer. But to what ends, what would make all of this worth it?... he had nothing to go back to, no one-
His eyes snapped open.
Something warm and furry brushed against his cheek, something that smelt so familiar. His vision was a blur for a moment, but he was sure, so very sure that she was there.
"T-Taya?" he called quietly into the room. He could be hallucinating, he knew that and in truth, that's what he really believed. As his mind began to dull again, only switching on because of that small hope, a hand wrapped itself around his mouth from behind.
"Shhhh, they'll hear us," hushed a broken voice. His eyes widened and suddenly he was snapped out of that deathly state he was in only moments before. The hand moved away slowly and he felt it reach up to his bound wrists. She played around with the chains for a moment, testing its strength. Then, with a jolt of pain, his bonds were broken and he was being supported by one of the woman's arms. He wasn't really sure if it was her... It felt like her, like the rush he got whenever she was close to him, but he could be confusing that feeling with pure relief. Besides, she had spoken, Taya couldn't do that when she was in her animal form... and the thing holding her was defiantly an animal.
"W-who-?" he began to stutter weakly, barely holding onto his consciousness.
"It's all right Big Blue, I got ya," she whispered soothingly. He knew it was her then and even though he was in horrific pain, he managed to laugh. He was confused and happy, but he didn't quite like the combination of the two.
Letting her pick him up, he knew answers would come later, so he let himself slip away from the pain that was wrenching through his body, into a peaceful nothing.
She was glad he was unconscious, because she was crying...and all he'd do if he knew would fuss over her, even though he was practically falling apart. Bits of flesh seemed to be handing off of him, cuts that went as deep as the bone made her cringe, it was clear that Golem had no real intention of keeping him alive. She was so suspired he was still breathing, she could barely look at the terse in his gills and the blood on his chest. A sob caught in her throat as she realised that if he had been anything but super-human, she would have lost him. Biting back the urge to collapse and cry, she made her way to the door.
Then, as if right on cue, Soultar stalked into the room. She froze on the spot and he didn't even notice her for a good few seconds, so lost in his own worries. When he did look up, he looked genuinely shocked. They just stayed like that for a long time, unsure of how to act. Taya thought that he should have attacked her by now, or came up with some random bad guy speech about how he was expecting her, even though he wasn't, but he seemed to be completely shell shocked. In fact, she could swear his mouth was slightly ajar. He raised his hand slightly, as if to reach out to her and she stepped back, even though she wasn't anywhere near him. This action seemed to break his trance and his face changed then... he looked upset.
"Taya," he said, and it was not a question, it was a statement. For a second she thought about just charging past him, but decided against it. Besides he could properly stop her with his magic anyway.
The cat girl twitched her ears at him,
"Yes?" she said, confused, but not confused enough to let her guard down. Golem smiled an oddly warm smile,
"I never thought I'd see you again..." Frowning, Taya didn't quite know what to say about that, so she didn't. He nodded towards the still unconscious Abe, "You are with them?" he asked. She heisted then nodded. Pain ripped through Golem's gray eyes, the he did something very strange.
Offering her another smile, he stepped aside, clearing her way out. Of course she didn't move an inch, instincts telling her he would stab her in the back the moment she was through the door, but she didn't sense anything from him... well nothing but hurt. He clenched his jaws,
"I didn't think you'd remember me, little Taya," it was then she noticed the gold pocket watch hanging from a chain that decorated his neck. He placed a hand on it lovingly. "I could never hurt you, you see. And that leaves me in a very awkward situation. I know you won't give him up without a fight, so quite simply, there's nothing I can do. Please,...leave," he bowed his head in some kind of submission. Though Taya knew that she should be using this time to get away, something needed to be said.
"Is that my father's?" she questioned, recognising it immediately. Soultar nodded. "So was it you... all those years ago?" he nodded again. That was all Taya wanted to know, all she needed to know. Now she was going to run, before the phyco changed his mind. A part of her wanted to stay and ask more questions about her father, how he knew him... but she couldn't. She promised herself then, that she'd find Golem again and she'd make him answered all of her questions, even if he was left like Abe by the end of it.
Soultar watched his past charge down the corridor away from him... and he wondered if it would ever catch up to him.
New Years Eve.
The first thing that crossed Abe's mind when he woke up was that it was very cold. Then, that he was very alive. He moved his limbs one by one, checking if they were real, still there. Ok, so he had lived through one of the most painful times of his life, slowly his brain adjusted to that. But what he couldn't quite get to grips with, was the person who had saved him. He was so happy. But he didn't know if he should be, which hurt.
He found it strange that he wasn't in water, in the rehabilitation tank... in fact, he was in a tent. It was dark and quiet, which told him it was night. Across from him to his left was another bunk. All of the equipment had the BPRD's symbol on it, so he knew he was back with his people. He hurt still, but his drowsiness indicated he had been pumped with pain killers, which helped.
Slowly he sat up, noticing the woman's clothing lying on the floor. With a slight smile, he swung his feet over the side of the bunk and tried to stand. For a second, he felt himself sway, but someone took hold of his arm. He opened his dark eyes to see Taya, a look of uncertainty clouding her face. He hadn't noticed her come in at all, but he was unbelievably happy to see her. With a slight cry of joy, he wrapped her in his arms, regretting it quickly with the hot pain that coursed through him, but refusing to let go. He began to stroke her hair, the fact she was fully human again only just occurring to him. He breathing in her sweet scent and cherished the heat of her body on his. He sighed,
"Don't you ever do that to me again," he managed through a cracking voice, running a hand up and down her back. He felt himself shaking, whether it was from pain or emotion, he didn't really know... or care. He felt her body shake with his, and felt her crying into his chest. Pulling her even closer, he tried to sooth her, but knew that she needed this as much as he did. Taya finally wrapped herself around him, her arms encasing his waist. She tried to be careful of his wounds, but that was impossible.
"Abe... I... I don't know were to start with the 'sorrys,' but I am...and I can't even start to explain why I did what i did but I-" he hushed her, taking her at arms length so he could look into her eyes. Hidden behind the falling tears, there was nothing but Taya, no animal.
"It's alright, I understand Taya... honestly I do..." She shook her head, quickly, sobbing as she did so,
"You can't Abe, you can't be so forgiving after what I've put you through. You must be angry.." She looked back up at him, snivelling slightly. Blue just watched her for a while. She wanted him to be angry with her, he read that off her. He wasn't sure why she did though, but he realised that he was... but only a little.
"Well, it hurt Taya. That's all I can really tell you. You ran away after everything you told me, after everything you led me to believe!" His voice raised slightly, and Taya was quite suppressed that she really did sense anger off him. He let go of her and watched her again, until he continued, "And I thought that maybe, just maybe, I was going to be happy with someone, that I was going to have someone to share myself with, someone who would give me everything and I would repay them with nothing but! Yet you went, you ran when you knew I wouldn't stop fighting for you!" She flinched at his words, but held his gaze. He was right in everything he said and she knew that, so she didn't try to defend herself. With a sly smile, she tilted her head at him,
"You done shouting at me?" she asked quite plainly. Suddenly Abe looked terribly ashamed of himself, blushing purple and looking down to his feet, which he found suddenly very interesting.
"Yes, I think I am," he said quietly.
"Good," she whispered, walking towards him once again. Abe realised she was close... so very close. "Do you think we can make up?" she asked cheekily, smiling at him sweetly, but Abe didn't say anything because he was lost in the nothingness before the kiss. There were no fireworks, no dramatic music, there was just the sound of the wind disturbing the tents walls, but that was going to have to do, because nothing could stop this from happening. He was the one that closed the gap between them, until he could feel her breath on his lips. There was the racing of her heart that he could almost feel beating inside of him, the feel of her skin under his palm as he urge her closer. Then there lips met and that's all he could think about, that small connection they had just made, that meant absolutely everything to him. They moved together, Taya's lips the softest, sweetest thing he had ever felt, her taste being something he would never let go of. After so long waiting for this and not even knowing it, they both refused to stop. Taya pushed him backwards gently, until the back of his legs met with the edge of his bed. For a second, doubts flashed through his mind, but as he made a connection with Taya's own thoughts, he realised that he didn't need to worry... and how amazing that felt, the excitement and love rushing through her towards him, everything directed to him, all her hopes for them, all her happiness. She didn't doubt this, not for a second.
Slowly he lowered himself down, her body following him closely. She refused to let his lips escape hers, no matter what. This was what she needed, what she'd waited for... someone to love her, really love her and for her to feel that pulsing through her veins.
So lost in her own passion she didn't notice Abe wince at first, but when she did, she forced herself to pull away. Yes, she was disappointed, but she suddenly remembered that Blue had almost died little more that a day a go. She smiled and sighed,
"Jeez, you pick good times to get tortured," she giggled. She could see that he wanted to apologize, so she laid a small, finishing kiss on his lips before he could say anything. "You should rest Blue, I'm not very good at playing nurse..." She pulled herself up, but found she was dragged down again,
"You'll stay with me?" he asked, slight desperation in his eyes, like he thought if she left the tent, she might never come back. Being careful of his sours now, she lay next to him.
"Yeah, I'll never leave you again Big Blue, cross my heart," and she had never meant anything more in her entire life.
A/N: :D Yeah! Mushynesss!(: I think there should be more of it in the world! Please don't kill me with the end bit, it's the first time I've really had to do something like that XP Anyone wanna see a picture of a Taya/Abe moment? If you do, here be the link, there's also a pic of Taya and one of our lovely bad guy in my gallery: .com/art/CatFish-144051070 Hehe, hope this makes up for my terrible upload times): Sorry guys): Big hugs to reviewers, and big that's to all who have read so far!(: