The leather soles go shufflin' in
Stinking of smoke and ten cent gin
Now who will toast our noble host
Who has this mornin' given up the ghost?
The wooden coffin hand to hand
Kind words are offered, silent prayers
But she is satisfied the most
While stabbing madly at the roast
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain receive no reprieve
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain receive no reprieve
The creditor rides with his men
The death of debtors, he won't forgive
They repossess his silver eyes
Now in the potter's field, he lies
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain receive no reprieve
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain receive no reprieve
Waitin' for a dead man's shoes
Have you heard the latest news?
Lazarus is back from the dead
Lookin' as one would expect
Drippin' with the waters of Sheol
Babblin' about body and soul
And then he found his wife in their bed
Buck, naked and already wed
The tax collector beneath his sheets
The door swings open, floorboards creak
Now who will toast our noble host
Who has this mornin' given up the ghost?
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain receive no reprieve
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain receive no reprieve
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain will receive no reprieve
The rib of Adam, the eyes of Eve
The sons of Cain will receive, will receive
Clutch- "Eulogy For A Ghost"
Julian paced back and forth, trying to figure out what the fuck to do. He ran his hand quickly through his hair, 9mm gripped in the other. Once he, Mendoza and his crew had weeded out who'd participated in assaulting Dorian, no one was talking. A direct confrontation with Guillermo was becoming more and more likely every minute Julian wasted trying to get information out of them. He had the four Latin King youths lined up, on their knees in front of him. But Dorian said there were five. It was dark now. The lighting in the house was bad, but he didn't need good lighting to see how scared these kids were; he could smell the piss.
"One of you is missing." Julian stated factually, not wanting to waste time on their lies. "Is he with Guillermo?" The gangsters just stared forward. The problem he was having was simple but not necessarily one Julian wanted to remedy. They were more scared of Guillermo than they were of him.
"Julian," Mendoza rationalized, "it's been an hour and they haven't talked. We gotta change up our strategy."
Julian looked to him, knowing the answer. He hadn't seen Gabriel Mendoza for nearly 15 years and yet his friend still remembered Julian's distaste for torture. He was also smart enough not to mention it out loud.
"If you give me the word I'll take care of it." Mendoza offered, eyeing the four teens with a grin, his intimidation tactic on target no matter what Julian's answer ended up being. It also boxed Julian into doing this himself, or else he'd be seen as weak. Not a good way to start things. Dammit, the descent was quick.
Julian shook his head 'no' and stepped to the lineup. He eyeballed them, sizing up who looked weaker. He paced back and forth, staring them down, building the tension. The youths stared forward, hands on their heads. Trying to look tough through busted lips, bloody noses and tear streaked faces. He chose the little one. Julian squatted, getting eye level with the kid. He smiled.
"You can put your hands down." Julian offered as an olive branch. The kid removed his hands from his shaved hand, face wincing in pain. An hour was a long time to hold such a pose. "What's your name?"
The kid was silent, trying to hide his lip quivering.
"Can't even answer that?" He asked. "What did Guillermo do that scared you so bad?"
Silence.
Julian grabbed his shirt pulling himself and the kid to standing. "You better say something!" he yelled.
The kid stayed quiet only enraging Julian further. He dropped him to the floor and roughly drove his foot into his side, forcing a grunt of pain out of the young gangster's throat. Julian followed it up with a second kick before he knelt, forcing his head down with the barrel of his 9mm.
"This is your last chance!" Julian yelled. His face threatened unabashed rage while his soul screamed for the kid to give him something, to not make him do this. "What the fuck happened?!"
"He burned the fuck outta that kid!" The youth screamed. His friends protested, immediately yelling simultaneously.
"Don't, Gus!"
"Stop."
"Shut your mouth!"
Julian couldn't hold his grin. He'd picked the right one.
"Get the others out of here!" Julian ordered, not taking his eyes off the kid. Mendoza quickly complied. He and two other from his crew yanked the other youths to standing and pulled them to an adjacent room. Julian released Gus.
"You don't wanna try to run." He warned.
Gus furrowed his brow, already regretting his break in silence, however little it might have been.
"So I believe you." Julian said, moving forward, confidant that even if the gangster ran, he'd be able to catch him. "I know what Guillermo did too. But do you know why?"
Gus hesitated, but still answered Julian's questions.
"We thought he was a rat. So we roughed him up and we were gonna be done but then Guillermo showed up and the rest was him. I swear it!"
"But why?"
"I don't know! He said he was an imposter! And it just went from there. Look man, I just did what he-"
"I know." Julian comforted, speaking more softly. "But now, you're going to do what I say. You understand?" Julian asked even though the kid was in no position to refuse him.
"Yes." Gus stammered, seemingly both relieved and worried at the same time. "But what if Guillermo does the same thing to me?"
"Do you know my name?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Marquez." He stammered. "You're Julian Marquez."
"And who's your King?"
The kid looked around, finding no one other than a very serious looking gangster by his side.
"You are."
"Good." Julian assured. "So we understand one another?"
"Y-yes."
"Then it's time for you to call Guillermo." Julian said with a smile. "Let him know you found me."
The room was silent of any real conversation. Kenny and Dorian quipped casually back and forth which seemed to be doing a lot to help Dorian. Julian should be here and the guise of getting papers for Dorian wasn't fooling her. Cammy had been through her own trauma last night but still felt her heart hurt in looking at Dorian's injuries. She could only imagine how Julian felt. Who would do that to a child? Sadly, her dark train of thought lead to more answers than she would have liked given Julian's past. These types of things shouldn't happen to children, but they'd happened to her and there was no sign of them stopping with the next generation. It made her blood boil. It was why, despite the horror, she was restless, ready for tomorrow when real work to bring Vega and Shadowlaw down began. For now it was just talk.
"I agree an attack is likely tomorrow." Colonel Wolfman stated factually to Guile. "Juli is interviewing with the military panel now and Cammy is the last person they want to talk to before they decide on Wagner's sentence. I fully believe Shadowlaw knows this."
"And they know Cammy won't miss it." Guile agreed. "I'm frankly surprised Vega hasn't made some sort of twisted invitation."
"The nights not over..." Cammy added softly. She sat cross legged on the hospital bed, trying not to look at the clock. It had been a few hours since Cranky stormed off and she was feeling guilty. She hadn't meant to be such a bitch to Cranky, but she couldn't manage his emotions and her own at the same time. Even without him here she felt like she was hanging on the ledge of either screaming or crying at any given moment. Anger kept her rooted but even that was starting to wean with worry. Her instincts betrayed her and she glanced to the clock. Cranky'd been gone for over four hours now.
"He'll be back soon, Cammy." Kenny soothed from his spot reclined in the chair by the window, he and Dorian's attention now on them. His voice came out positive, but his own frequent glances to the clock gave way to the fact that he was worried too.
"Julian's still not back either." Dorian added from his respective hospital bed, throwing his hat in the worry circle. "You'd think I wasn't having surgery in twelve hours."
"Everyone needs to calm down." Guile offered from his spot under the TV. "They are both grown men and they know the danger that's out there."
"But Cranky wasn't really..." Kenny defended, letting his statement trail off. He didn't say it out of respect for Cammy but everyone knew it. Cranky wasn't in the best state of mind. Cammy and Kenny knew that Vega had threatened Cranky's life specifically.
"Cammy," Colonel Wolfman offered from his perch by the door "let's just focus on the plan."
Cammy nodded. She'd promised Guile that she'd rest for at least a day. Luckily her adoptive father was a military man and silently agreed that planning didn't count. Especially with the stakes.
"Okay" Guile continued. "So Cammy, Juli and myself are going in for the trial. That won't seem out of the ordinary. Wolfman, you'll be outside with Cranky."
"We'll keep watch," Wolfman continued "get a count of possible Shadowlaw presence and report to you on the inside."
"No one engages." Cammy emphasized. "The idea is for them to think we're not expecting it. I want them showing their cards first."
"But if the numbers get big we fall back." Guile reminded with caution, glancing at Cammy. She nodded in agreement, but was pretty sure Guile knew her lie. She wasn't going to back down regardless of the numbers.
"Are we gonna be able to convince Cranky of that?" Kenny added. He was out of his chair now, becoming restless. "I mean, shouldn't he be here going over this?"
"Yes, he should be here Kenny" Cammy snapped. "But he's not. We'll figure it out if need be." She stood, matching Kenny's pace. "I mean you can look out, right?"
"But if Julian's not back who will be here besides me?" Dorian asked, eyes wide in fear.
"Wait." Cammy said, hands signaling Dorian to calm down. "No. Of course we're not leaving you Dorian. We just have to figure this out."
She was agitated. She'd gone from mad at Cranky, to understanding his need for distance to mad at herself. Why had she gotten so angry with him? Cranky had done nothing but what she asked of him in all of this. Because you lost it all.
"Dammit!" Cammy cursed, shaking her head, frustration overflowing.
"Julian will be back." Kenny stated.
"So will Cranky." Dorian assured.
But no one was calming down.
"Enough!" Guile yelled, halting Cammy and Kenny's pacing and Dorian's rising panic. "We've got to do something or you are all going to drive me crazy!" He stood and eased Cammy back to her bed. "You and Dorian are going to actually rest." He grabbed Kenny's arm. "And you are going to help me find Cranky."
"Be careful!" was all Cammy was able to say as Guile exited swiftly with Kenny. She wasn't sure if Guile was telling the truth or if he agreed. Either way she was relieved that they were going to bring Cranky back. But it was short lived. Maybe Guile went out for Cranky because he'd realized what she'd just realized in trying to keep the plan together with just one person missing. They were outnumbered. She was putting her family in danger. And for what, revenge? Being pregnant and worrying about protecting the baby made her so afraid that once she was gone, she'd been fearless and acted irrationally. But Guile and even Colonel Wolfman agreed. Shadowlaw was going to attack again. She really hoped they could pull this off.
"Do you think my Dad is okay?" Dorian questioned suddenly, snapping Cammy from her thoughts.
"Your Dad is smart." Wolfman replied with confidance. "He trusts us with you and so we've got to trust him. It will be okay."
"But aren't you scared?" Dorian replied honestly, his tone of voice indicating an almost need to know.
"Being scared is a good thing, Dorian." Cammy offered stoically. "It means you have something to lose."
A bar wasn't meant to be seen in the daylight. Cranky kept his own establishment clean enough, but still, patronage didn't really peak until after dark so there wasn't much point. Drinking wasn't meant to be a daytime activity and those who counted themselves as ones who did, didn't care too much about their surroundings. They just wanted a drink. Cranky found himself among those this afternoon. The barkeep approached him, stone faced, bored, uninterested. He nodded his balding head that was attached to huge broad shoulders, signaling Cranky to slide his almost empty glass within reach. Cranky gulped the last bit and put the glass at the edge of the bar. It was a double whiskey, straight up. He didn't know what number he was on. Upon entering he'd handed the bartender a wad of cash and asked for his drink to be kept full. As Cranky was the only person in the bar, the barkeep obliged.
He was eagerly awaiting numbness but at the moment his emotions were raw. He felt so out of control, so lost. Forty eight hours ago he was in control, enacting his plan to keep Cammy safe with pinpoint accuracy. He was a fiancé, a father, a fighter. And now, besides being shit-faced, he didn't know what he was.
Cranky thought on Cammy. She had switched almost instantly back to her old self and she was on a rampage. But Cranky knew the old self part wasn't true. In typical Cammy fashion she soldiered on, pretending like she was over it and fighting the good fight. He couldn't stop her when she was like this. No one could. Further, he couldn't watch her when she was like this. It hurt too much. Sure he was used to dealing with the results of this behavior. Cammy was headstrong and determined, she was relentless and he loved her for it. But it was when those traits were pushed to the extreme that he had to tap out. If she wanted to be alone, she should have just said something. But he was happy to oblige.
Cranky signaled for another refill, that simple movement causing the room to spin slightly. It taken this time alone for him to realize he wasn't even mad. He knew Cammy was just angry and lashing out. But he was so incredibly sad. It was hard to feel this way without Cammy to comfort him. So whiskey it was. He downed the newly poured drink and was about to signal the barkeep for another when he saw two nicely manicured fingers signal for drinks.
"Two please." came the evil silky voice and Cranky thought he was hallucinating.
"Vega?"
His shock was all that kept him in his seat as Vega explained.
"Let me buy you a drink" he said in a teasing voice. "I want to talk."
Cranky stood, drunkenly sinking into his fighting stance. Vega didn't move. He remained leaned casually against the bar, somehow not counting Cranky a threat.
"Talk my ass." Cranky warned. "I'm going to kill you."
Vega held his hand up, signaling Cranky to halt.
"In your state of mind you've failed to note that this establishment has filled up." Vega said as he pointed around him. "With my men. You should have a seat Mr. Crankurt."
Cranky darted his eyes around the dimly lit bar, never leaving his ready stance. Vega had, in fact, brought five other men with him. Mean looking muscle, but not professional. Not Shadowlaw.
"This is personal?" Cranky questioned, trying to buy himself time to decide if he should engage Vega.
"Yes." Vega replied, seeming to notice that Cranky was thinking really hard about how to approach him.
Cranky never broke gaze with Vega as he sat back down, well aware from Cammy that Vega liked to play games. Further, he knew if Vega said he was just here to talk, it was true. It just didn't necessarily mean it wasn't an attack. The compliance felt wrong but as much as Cranky wanted Vega taken care of, his current level of inebriation combined with the muscle Vega had in tow, Cranky would be lucky to make it out of a confrontation alive. Damn him.
"Well talk." Cranky said without emotion as he sipped his drink.
"You almost had me there. I wanted to commend you."
"Commend me on what?"
"Such an intricate plan from a grunt…"
"What plan?" Cranky questioned, ignoring the insult.
"Running away, the hospital?" Vega explained, waving his hand nonchalantly in the air. "You figured it out. You realized M. Bison wants you and Camilla's offspring."
Cranky used every ounce of his strength not to slap Vega's face. Offspring. Like the baby didn't mean anything. Cranky stared at his drink, furious that Vega had uttered a word of his child. He held his jaw tight as Vega continued.
"Such a dramatic tale to end up right back where you started." Vega taunted.
"So what then?" Cranky asked, voice tight with emotion. "You've been watching closely...so you know, it's over."
"Or do you want us to think it's over?" Vega said, as if he had it all figured out. Cranky was standing before he'd even realized it, his barstool crashing to the floor. Vega's silky flowing excuse for a shirt was gripped tight in his fists. His vision was going red. He truly doubted his ability to keep it together in that moment. Cranky stared into Vega's eyes, finally understanding how he could be such a dangerous enemy.
"Touchy, touchy." Vega said without fear. Of course the five men were closing in and the barkeep was nowhere in sight, at least not to aid him. Vega signaled the men to stop.
"Mr. Crankurt, it is by no means over. It will never be over. Do you not understand?" he mocked.
"Be glad you brought back up with you." Cranky threatened back, letting go of his grip. "It's saved your life.; today. Now tomorrow," Cranky added, shaking his head "you won't be so lucky."
"We will see who Lady Luck chooses tomorrow, Crankurt." Vega said as he turned to leave with a wink. "And as much as she hates to admit it," he added with a smile, "Camilla always chooses me."
No sooner had the door closed behind Vega, than Cranky let out a guttural scream, throwing the nearest barstool across the room. The two whiskey glasses followed, smashing against the door in a shatter of glass. He turned over a table, kicking the remaining chairs down, feeling the wood crack beneath his heels. He wished it was Vega's face.
"Mother fucker!" He screamed as he set his eyes on another stool. The barkeep approached now from the back, prepared for Cranky's rage like this happened every day. He probably hadn't expected Cranky to catch him in the jaw with a right hook though. Cranky wanted to rage so an opponent was a welcome outlet. However, that cheap shot was his only shot, as it wasn't long before Cranky was subdued in his very drunk state. Either the room was spinning or he was way too drunk or some combination of both. He struggled but then suddenly he felt the cool air against his skin before he met hard pavement.
"Don't come back!" The barkeep threatened as Cranky rolled onto his back in the gutter. He'd been kicked out of other establishments for causing less trouble. He still had some cash in his pocket so it could be worse. At least he could buy some gin for the walk back to the hospital. Cranky closed his eyes, resting them for a moment before he made the trek. A voice woke him what felt like mere moments later.
"Wake up, Cranky," came Kenny's voice from behind him. "We're going to take you back to the hospital."
Cranky looked up and saw Kenny and Guile standing over him. It had to have been at least a few hours as it was dark and a headache rolled to the front of his consciousness. He'd passed out in the gutter. Great. It could get worse.
Julian knew it must have looked strange having the teenage gangster, Gus, bringing him in to Guillermo. The kid shook in fear, running his fingers over his shaven head, a mock part shaved into the style. It wasn't everyday someone of his status was forced to participate in a coup d'état. Julian had counted on the fact that given the chance, Guillermo would want to use him to lure Dorian in. Or kill him himself. Either way, Guillermo didn't realize that the posse of eight men, proudly doing Guillermo's bidding, were actucally a Trojan horse.
"So once we're in," Julian began, instructing Gus "I want you to just stand back. I don't know how it's going to go down." His nodded as Mendoza followed up Julian's order.
"And don't so much as look like you're gonna betray us or I'll blow your brains out." Mendoza shook his firearm in Gus's direction nonchalantly. Julian had forgotten how dangerous Mendoza could be and he had no doubt that he'd keep his word to Gus. He was a good asset to have right now especially since if this was going to work, Julian needed to somehow get Guillermo to confess to killing his father.
They approached the same bar that Julian had accidentally revealed himself to Guillermo in. That had been only days ago, but it felt like years. The establishments windows were blacked out, the light from neon signs peeking through the dark glass. Guillermo must have known that Julian was going to seek him out as he'd hidden in plain sight. But he wasn't aware that Julian was two steps ahead of him, and with his hands tied in front of him being led in at gunpoint, he wasn't likely to realize anytime soon.
Julian started resisting, really playing it up as they came through the front doors. Mendoza pushed Julian from behind and he stumbled through the doors.
"Get in there!" He spat hatefully, continuing to push him forward once Julian righted himself. He stood near the center of the establishment. It was empty save for Guillermo and four other men. Good, he had them outnumbered.
It took everything Julian had to not grab his gun and shoot the smug smile off that bastards face immediately. But he held his rage and tongue and let Guillermo speak.
"Julian Marquez." Guillermo said. It took everything Julian had to not grab his gun and shoot the smug smile off that bastards face immediately. But he held his rage and tongue and let Guillermo continue. "We've been waiting for you."
"Next time you want to talk with me," Julian said hatefully "you can just ask rather than brutalize my son."
"He got off easy for a traitor." Guillermo snapped back matter-of-factly, as if he wasn't lying through his teeth. "You won't be so lucky."
"My son isn't a traitor and neither am I." Julian defended uselessly before making a bold statement. "Even if my father lived to be a hundred, everything woulda been mine anyway. I have no motive. But you are the one who had something to gain by my father's death."
"That's fa- fetched." Guillermo stated, sounding rehearsed. "Me and Paco were together as number one and two for years. It's you who stayed away and disowned your father."
"Murder and father/son angst are two very different things." Julian quipped.
Guillermo stood walking towards Julian as he spoke, clearly believing he had the upper hand when he was really just moving further away from his men and closer to Julian's. Julian hid his smile, letting Guillermo get closer.
"And you are so weak." he said, taunting Julian. "You could never lead. Francisco said it all the time. You're a bleeding heart. I bet you ended up here because you didn't have it in you to off a kid." He stated gesturing to Gus, who pointed a gun at Julian along with the others. "Age has nothing to do with what needs to be done. You can't let those things get to you." Julian could see the tremor in Gus's hand even from his side view. Something wasn't right.
"Die fucker!" Gus yelled as he fired his weapon at Julian. The blanks were loud but neither Julian or Mendoza or his men flinched because they knew the gun was loaded with blanks. And Guillermo's men didn't flinch because Guillermo had sent Gus to talk. It wasn't too surprising to Julian. It was to be expected. But what Julian didn't expect was to turn just in time to see the teen's brains blown out. Blood exploded in the air above him and Julian hit the floor, pulling from his restraints. Dammit Mendoza, you weren't supposed to kill the kid. There was a beat before all the remaining men were up, guns pointed at each other. A classic stand-off with one key difference. Mendoza held his gun to Guillermo's head. They were in control now.
"Put your guns down." Julian ordered to Guillermo's men. Clearly outnumbered and with their stand in leaders life on the line they complied. It wasn't long before they had Guillermo's four men lined up, hands on their heads.
"This is who killed Francisco Marquez, my father." Julian declared as he gestured towards Guillermo. He pulled out a switchblade and swiped it across Guillermo's arm, right through his tattoo of a crown. Guillermo struggled but had seen Mendoza's quick instincts first hand so remained in control.
"This is who was so scared that even when I gave him everything, he burns my son's ink." Julian continued as he swiped with the blade again, this time through the tattoo of the number representing Guillermo's neighborhood, his lineage.
"I say you're who is weak Guillermo!" Julian yelled, incensed with rage, tearing Guillermo's shirt away and brutally slicing an 'X' through the script letters spelling out 'Latin Kings' adorned his chest. This cut was deep enough that Guillermo screamed out loud.
"I'll have you killed for this traitor bastard!" Guillermo bellowed as Julian cut him again, this time just because.
"You have no power!" Julian screamed back, "And then you have the balls to hurt my son?! Put a TOS out on us?!" All he felt was more anger. More rage. He shoved Guillermo down, kicking him as he demanded.
"Admit it to everyone here just like you did to me! You killed my father! You hurt my son!" Julian roared as he continued his assault. He landed three more kicks before Guillermo rolled to sitting and held his hands up.
"Okay, okay, okay!" He stuttered. Julian stopped only to have Guillermo to try and run. At least Mendoza had remembered not to shoot Guillermo. Julian caught Guillermo in the jaw with a hard jab before he grabbed his throat, pinning him to the wall.
"I'm going to kill you no matter what." Julian shared coldly "but if you admit your sins I'll make it a quick death."
Guillermo spit blood, not even having the energy for it to do more than dribble out of his mouth and onto Julian's already blood soaked hands. Julian tightened his grip, cutting off Guillermo's air supply when he heard Guillermo's voice somehow come from behind him.
"If I do Paco in, it's all mine, right? I'll lead the Latin Kings?" The bold and telling statement played in a loop and diverted everyone's gaze to the doorway where Vega stood, cell phone raised, playing the recording.
Julian released Guillermo, focusing his attention on the bigger threat. Without him having to utter the order, Mendoza had his gun trained on Guillermo once again, holding him in place.
"What can I say?" Vega confessed as Julian's gaze met his. He shrugged his shoulders. "I like working with you Mr. Marquez."
Julian stepped forward, pulling his gun from the waistband of his pants when Gabriel's tight whisper stopped him.
"He's Shadowlaw, man. We still work with them. Some of our brothers are with them right now. And he just ensured your place. What the fuck are you thinking?"
Julian had no way to explain and no time for the battle. Vega had in fact just ensured Julian's victory tonight as well as his ascension to the throne as head of the Latin Kings. He'd want something in return. Maybe not today, but eventually.
"What do you want Vega?" Julian questioned tightly. "This is an internal matter."
"Just showing respect. As you know, your father and M. Bison go way back. The master wants me to ensure his killer pays." Vega said, licking his lips. "I brought you proof, now make him pay."
Damn him! Vega just wanted to twist the knife of what he created. Vega knew all too well his statement wasn't true and worse off, he knew intimately of Julian's desire to avoid his fate of ruling the Latin Kings. Julian narrowed his gaze at Vega but remained silent as he grabbed Guillermo and shoved him to his knees on the floor in front of him. He put the barrel of the gun to the back of Guillermo's head, but focused his attention on Vega.
"Get out Vega!" Julian warned "I won't harm you but I don't take orders from Shadowlaw"
Vega nodded his head in acknowledgement, sadistic grin saying he had what he wanted already and left.
Julian's heart pounded in his chest so hard he swore he was going to crack a rib. He could see Guillermo shaking. Whether it was from fear, pain, blood loss or all three, Julian wasn't sure.
"Do you deny it Guillermo?" Julian questioned seriously fully planning on honoring his earlier promise. "Or is it true? Did you kill Francisco Marquez in order to take his place?"
"Yes."
Julian fired without hesitation at point blank range, remaining unmoving as Guillermo's lifeless body slumped to the floor. He lowered his father's 9mm, letting the reality of the moment sink in. It was done and all Julian wanted to do was deny what this moment had cost him. Revenge for his father, justice and protection for his son. It also meant this was his world now. Gabriel's hand fell on his shoulder.
"So what do you want me to do with the bodies, boss?"
"Gus gets a proper burial." Julian declared, narrowing his brow. "And his pay out goes to his family."
"And Guillermo?"
"Cut him into pieces." Julian said as he started walking away. "Use it to send a message to everyone. Julian Marquez is alive."
"Kenny he hasn't been in any of these places." Guile said factually as they approached another bar. "I was willing to entertain trying to find Craig on foot, but this is getting old. He's probably on his way back to the hospital."
"Not if I know Cranky." Kenny replied casually. "And I'm not going back without him."
Kenny was trying to stay positive but being that he was searching for Dorian on the streets not twenty four hours ago and now it was Cranky he was looking for, it was difficult. It felt like everything was falling apart. Cranky liked having a drink when he needed to think and he liked having ten when he was upset. Kenny was betting on the latter. He knew what to expect. However he hadn't expected to nearly trip over his body on the side of the street. Cranky's slumped form was tucked alongside a cinder block building and the concrete between the alley and the sidewalk. This Kenny had never seen. He'd heard the stories, the warnings. Cranky's days of getting blackout and pass out in the gutter drunk were supposed to be in the past, but here it was in real time. It was uncomfortable. Kenny didn't like it.
"Get up now Cranky," Kenny said loudly, breaking Cranky's sleep. "We're going to take you back to the hospital."
"Cammy doesn't want me there." Cranky muttered sluggishly, instantly recognizing Kenny's voice. He sat up, wiping sleep from his eyes.
"Everyone is emotional right now," Kenny rationalized, trying to convince him "we all need each other."
"I know." Cranky agreed, trying to stand, but finding it difficult. "I don't deserve it. She was right. Vega is going to come again. And all I can think of doing is protecting her. But I can't...I'll just screw it up."
Guile pushed past Kenny and reached his arm down to Cranky as he spoke.
"The worst feeling in the world is knowing that you did the best you could, and it still wasn't good enough."
Guile pulled Cranky to standing and squeezed his shoulders as he continued.
"I wish we could. God knows I've tried my best to protect all my kids. We can't protect her, but we can help her."
"It feels so wrong." Cranky stated. "I just wanted to be there."
"So be there!" Kenny interjected pulling Cranky to walk alongside him and Guile. "We're short a family member and that sucks. But we're all still here. Life doesn't stop."
"I don't know if I can let go." Cranky worried "I'm not ready."
"You never will be, son." Guile soothed. "You're not supposed to be. Bad stuff happens and there's nothing that can be done to prevent it. We just have to stick together."
"What do you think of the plan?" Cranky asked, trying to change the subject slightly.
"It's all we've got." Guile answered honestly. "That's why we need everyone."
Cranky nodded sobering some, wondering if Vega's visit was just a nightmare. Wondering if Cammy had thought along the same lines as Vega.
"So the plan," he questioned "it involves using Cammy as bait?"
Guile remained silent, which still gave Cranky his answer. So Cammy had truly managed to get one step ahead of Vega? Based on their confrontation tonight, Vega believed that the miscarriage was a ruse. It was a cruel plan that only someone as psychotic as Vega could imagine. And they were forced to play to survive.
The three generations of men continued to walk together, the cooler night air and seriousness of the situation serving Cranky well as far as sobering him went. It would be at least a mile to get to where a taxi could pick them up, but he was thankful. He looked to his little brother who was getting closer and closer to becoming his equal. A real adult. He thought back on the cubby runt pulling at his pants leg begging "Up!" and couldn't hold his smile. He was so proud of Kenny and his adulthood shouldn't start with loosing hope in your big brother.
"Sorry Kenny." Cranky said, referencing the state he'd been in. "I went to old habits. I know that scares you."
"It should never have happened." Kenny replied honestly. "It's no help if you're hurt too. But I guess I get it. I've never seen you like this, but I've also never seen you like you were at the hospital. I-I'm sorry all of this happened to you."
"I'm really glad you've been here." Cranky said squeezing Kenny's shoulder. "I know Cammy is too."
"You're my family." Kenny shrugged. "It's what we do."
Julian had thankfully made it past the nurse's station without being questioned. He was already having trouble readjusting. Trouble letting go of the cold hard person he had to become in order to... Julian shook his head, trying to focus. Now he only had to deal with whoever it was that was stationed at the hospital door keeping watch. He'd bundled a jacket around his arms but still felt awkward holding it to his chest. At least he looked less awkward than he would have without the jacket. Then everyone would see the blood. Thankfully, Julian noticed Colonel Wolfman posted at the door, cellphone pressed to his ear. He nodded at Julian in acknowledgment as he approached, signaling for him to remain quiet with a single finger pressed against his lips. Everyone must be asleep. Wolfman was observant, but didn't pay close attention. After all, Julian was a trusted member of this group. Would Wolfman still trust him so if he knew what he'd just done, who he was now?
Julian entered the hospital room quietly, ready to wash up and erase this day from his mind. He couldn't undo what he'd done tonight. The direction he was taking was now set and he could only move forward. But for now at least he could wash up. He slid into the restroom, trying not to disturb anyone. He flipped the switch, filling the small space with harsh fluorescent light. Dropping the soiled jacket into the trash can, Julian leaned over the sink, and turned on the water. He was about to set to work scrubbing his sins away when a soft voice came from behind him. He'd thought everyone was asleep.
"Julian, is that you?" Cammy asked quietly. Startled, he turned to find her in the open doorway behind him.
"Yeah, girl." He replied relaxing. "It's me." Then he saw her eyes fall to his hands.
"Oh God, you're hurt!" She exclaimed, rushing forward.
Julian pulled his hands away quickly, looking to the sink in shame as he set to work washing them.
"No, I'm not hurt." He stated softly before he continued his confession while he watched the water run red in the sink. "It's not my blood."
He then looked to Cammy boldly, wanting, needing her reactions to his admission.
First her eyes squinted in confusion. Then they widened as it came together for her. But it was the last emotion he saw playing its way across her features that reminded Julian why he would always love Cammy. Perfect understanding. His assumptions about her emotions were reinforced with her next question to him.
"Is anyone going to hurt Dorian again?" She asked seriously.
"No." He answered honestly.
"Good." She said. "That's real good, Julian."
There was a beat of silence between them where all they could hear was the sound of Julian furiously scrubbing before Julian broke it.
"It's big Cammy, girl." Julian continued not stopping his task to look at her. "I don't get to come back from this. I'm-I'm now the leader of them. It was the only way."
"You did what you had to in order to make sure your son was protected."
"Yeah, but it doesn't change things."
"It changes everything!"
"How? How can I carry this burden? I never wanted this!"
"Because Dorian is safe and will stay safe." Cammy repeated simply, cradling her stomach and looking to the floor. "And that's worth anything."
Julian cut off the water and turned to Cammy as she handed him a hand towel. She was right.
"Did you need something?" He asked, feeling bad for forgetting all she'd been through since they last spoke though he was thankful for the subject change.
"I actually did." Cammy said shyly. She didn't want to ask him what she was about to. Which meant no matter what it was, Julian's answer was probably going to be yes.
"What is it?"
"So before," Cammy began, "when I lost the other baby. You said there was a mass, some things you would do."
"Yes." Julian replied. "And I did them."
Cammy nodded as she continued.
"Wagner's hearing is tomorrow and I have to be on pointe. I have to be ready. But I-I don't know if I can." She confessed starting to cry. "so I thought that maybe if you just did the same thing I could be okay."
Julian walked past her, lowering his voice to a whisper as they entered the bigger area of the hospital room, where Dorian lay sleeping in his hospital bed.
"I'm not a priest. I was decommissioned. You know that." He couldn't believe she was asking this, especially at a time like this. Right after he'd cleaned blood from his own hands. "Cammy, we can just have it arranged? It has to be a priest."
"But you remember the words?" She asked desperately. "You remember what to say and do?"
"Yes." He replied honestly.
"Then please," came Cranky's voice suddenly from behind him. "Will you perform the mass?"
Julian hadn't realized Cranky had entered the room. He'd been too caught up to realize. His entrance had surprised Cammy too, but she went right to his side. Cranky grabbed her hand and mouthed the words 'I'm sorry'. As they came to a silent understanding, Guile and Kenny entered while Dorian sat up in his bed. Colonel Wolfman followed, leaning in the doorway. Then Julian had all their eyes on him. He could see their pain. Everyone. But worst of all, the grieving parents asking for some sort of closure in a very limited amount of time.
"Julian, please?" Cammy begged softly. "If you don't mind, it's all the same to me."
How could he refuse?
"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit..." Julian began with a deep breath.