Dance Vigilantes
Chapter 50: Dark Side
June 16th, 2016. Thursday, 4:30 PM
Safehouse F
Mindy's POV
I lean on the walkway along with Chloe and Dave. We were peering over the training of our newest Fusion members.
On the training mat, was Hailee and Mackenzie. Hailee was teaching Mackenzie how to properly wield her Katana. I'll admit, it was a bit long for her but she seems to be handling it quite well. The moment she got hold of that blade, she just chattered on and on about wielding the fuck out of that blade. She had struggled for a week with it but with Hailee's assistance and a little bit of mine (you think I was gonna be outshined?), she can hold more than well. She was amazing with and I was sure she would be one capable warrior when the time she will need it. Her attitude however, reminded me of Megan when we first met her. So that's a concern...
On the other side of the mat, was Brynn and my eldest, Stephanie who were soaked to the core and sparring intensely at one another. Brynn always wanted a chance to see if she could outsmart Steph in combat. Too bad for her, Steph doesn't take shit and refused to be outclassed. I smirk as I watch Brynn get pinned and got her right arm twisted behind her back by Steph. She is far away in defeating the young but seasoned predator that's for sure.
Currently in the shooting range was Abby, Joshua and Sarah Hunt. Although she'll most be with her cousin and Marty, I'm not taking any chances and made sure she's taught how to defend herself if in case she is in danger. For someone so religious, she's very keen on learning self defence and combat. I expected her to be more pacifistic like Brynn was previously. The trait must have come from Abby's side of the family.
And on one corner was the side ponytailed JoJo who was being trained by Mist. Despite her hyper, wild, and sometimes jumping to conclusions psychotic side, she's pretty fast learning how to fight. Speaking of fast, she moves very fast. When she fires a gun, she aims and fires swiftly. Same in throwing and slashing her short blades. I also took in how she always throws a boomerang she always brings with her when she rested from her training. That actually gave me an idea to be penned to Lucius Fox as part of her gear of her combat suit.
"So, you think their ready to go out with us soon?" Chloe asked me
"I think so. Just a few more sessions until their combat suits arrive and then we'll know if they'll keep up. Like always, we keep watch of them until they can be trusted in operating with minimal supervision" I explained
"You made sure their minds and emotions are trained too?" Dave asked me, putting an arm around me
"Yup! Made sure of it. Brynn was too pacifistic in the past and almost cost her hers and Kenzie's life. Sarah can be a worrywart, JoJo's hyperactiveness can make a stupid move when left unchecked, and Kenzie's admittedly…." I said, with the last part making me sigh
"Little Mindy 2.0!" Dave and Chloe laughed. I growled at them in annoyance.
"Yeah yeah, I get it. She's like me but only tamer and more girlier" I begrudgingly say
"Girlier? Absolutely! Tamer? I don't think so. If you can only hear her mouth and attitude in school" Chloe laughed.
Then we heard a high pitched scream and we all went on alert but quickly relaxed as we saw who it was. Suddenly in front of us, was a frightened JoJo. She was holding on to a gun but the small, chrome plated gun had a carbon rope gutting out from the barrel with the rope reaching towards to the vents. The rope was embedded via a hook that was sticking into the vents.
"Mindy! Dave! Chloe! Help!" JoJo cried
"What the fuck happened to you? How did you fly up here?!" I questioned, confused
"Well, while I was training with all the blades, and guns, and slashing, and dicing, basically learning how to fuck up a cunt's worthless life, I wanted to be a badass and to be a badass I tried to find things that would make me-" JoJo chattered but I quickly cut her off
"Be brief and get to the point! You had a gallon or two of sodas, didn't you?" I questioned. Sone laughter was exchange due to JoJo's predicament
"Maaaaybe" JoJo winked as a shake my head. Why did I just let her in this?
"She grabbed the gun from the table and tried to fire it in the air, western style. But she didn't know it was a grappling gun and there you go! Should have told her about it first though…" Mist laughed
"Postmated JoJo. I'd love some of that!" Brynn laughed
"Mind getting me outta here now? Please?" JoJo pleaded.
"Let go! We'll catch you!" Sarah Hunt said as she and Curtis, Tommy, Saoirse, and the rest of the younger members of Fusion gathered around under her.
"Okay...I'm gonna let go...here the bow goes!" JoJo nervously said
"Do a flip! Make sure it's a double flip too!" Kenzie teased followed by one loud "Fuck You". These kids are honestly fucking crazy in another plane in life….
Sarah Hunt's POV
Marty and cousin Abby gave me some freedom in settling in my skills. I've been typing on the keyboard non stop and learned on some of the hardware and software they used in their operations and I got to say, I was thoroughly impressed. They were in par with the military itself! This made me consider having a career in criminology or military support in the future. Maybe this is God's way of showing me my path.
I've been rummaging as well on some files and videos that I'm technically not allowed to see. Hey, you give me freedom, you peak my curiosity. Right now however, I was viewing certain video with Brynn, JoJo, and Kenzie. The video involved a frightened Kick Ass chained in a chair and besides him, someone clad in a black combat suit that was on fire.
Involved as well were lots of shooting, screaming, strobe lights, and a very tiny Hit Girl clad in her usual purple getup but in this video, she has a kilt skirt, a black cape, and her wig was barely reaching her shoulders. It reminded me of Stephanie's combat suit for some reason
Shows over motherfuckers…
Hit girl then pointed a gun at the camera and then the video went black again and stopped. We all just stared at the finished video and then at each other. Until JoJo broke the silence
"Holy shit, that was fucking awesome!"
"You know, I should berate you about that language, but you definitely nailed it there…" I agreed
"Even in a very young age, she's pretty badass. You wonder who taught her how to fight like that" Brynn mused
"True that! But man, Kick Ass looked like a dick in a fucking wetsuit!" Kenzie laughed
"Harsh much? They are younger here, ya know. Compared to his younger self, Kick Ass is a beast now!" I say and everyone nodded in agreement
"By the way Sarah. Are you even allowed to view these files? Some of them have shady titles to be honest. You might get in trouble" Brynn said worriedly.
"Says the girl who goes out at night on her own beating up fucktards and getting her chest almost blown up" Kenzie chuckled, eliciting a growl from Brynn
"Well, they told me I can have some freedom. They didn't say how far though so I just went a go at everything! Their tech's pretty great to be honest. But what made this interesting are these files. Fusion profiles...CIA records...MI5 reports...how did they even get these?" I said in wonder
"Whatever happened to goody two shoes Sarah?" Brynn chuckled
"We can be a little mischievous sometimes" I giggled
"Everyone has a dark side after all" Kenzie smirked.
"Hey, try to check that folder! It looks mysterious" JoJo commented, pointing at the screen. Her finger was on a folder titled "Urban Predator: Integration Process"
I opened the folder and viewed its contents. I cock my head as there were all video files with varying names as their titles and arranged in alphabetical order.
"What are these…?" I muttered as I scrolled through them
"I don't know but I have a bad feeling about them. Like they shouldn't even be opened…" Brynn said darkly
"Ditto here.." JoJo shivered
I then went lower and but stopped in the 'S' section of the folder
"That's weird. There's only 1 video under the name Stephanie" I said. I then clicked on it and it showed a film of a room that reminded me of a hospital room with a hospital bed and a desk with a computer at one side. On another side of the room were three people seated on a chair with hoods covering their heads. I note as well the that one of them looked around the age of my younger brothers. Then, two more people appeared. One looked like a pencil slim, middle aged woman and the other was a young girl with blonde hair and gun metal blue eyes
"Is that….Stephanie? What's she doing there?" Kenzie asked behind me
"Guys. I think we should close the video. I am feeling a lot of snuff film vibes about this! It maybe even cursed!" JoJo exaggerated.
"Get a fucking grip JoJo! I think this was when she was younger…" Brynn piped. We went on in watching the video as the middle aged woman faced a young Steph
In this program, you will save the lives of our citizens….
We kept on watching intently as the woman rambled throatily about patriotism and other things that admittedly, bored us just by listening to her. But we were horrified of the scenes where it showed Steph being dunked forcefully in a water tank by kids older than her. She wasn't even time to gasp for air when she was dunked again. Then it went back to the scene of the room where the woman still kept rambling on
An asset's greatest weakness are those who know them. People who know you, can others about you; Therefore, they must be eliminated
Then she hands Steph a gun and she grips it firmly with two hands. She then aims in front of the hooded people
Take this weapon and eliminate those closest to you. When you have done so, you will leave here not as you were, but as Stephanie Walker
Then one by one, she shot them in the head. The now, dead individuals fell on the floor with a thud. The middle aged woman then took off the hoods from them and we see the identities of the individuals. They looked like the three of them were a family. All of them had a red, hole in their foreheads. Fresh blood flowing through them. Then, the video came to a stop.
"Ah fuck! I knew it! I knew it was a snuff film!" JoJo exclaimed
"What the freaking fuck did we just watch?!" Kenzie shouted. I then realize what this video was as I remember Steph and SD's horrifying tale
"Guys...you remember when Steph and SD said they killed their parents?" I asked and everyone nodded with appalled faces
"I think we just saw how Steph killed her parents and little brother…" I gulped
"Oh my god...then these videos...they're-" Brynn started but was cut off by a loud shout from behind us
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE ALL DOING?!" We flinched as a shout suddenly boomed. We turned around and see an angry looking Steph standing by the door. Okay, not angry but down right furious! She then stormed towards us and stopped in front of the 4 of us, face still bearing a look of pure rage and anguish. She looked at us with a glare that I swear turned my feet into stone
"H-hey Steph. How long have you been there?" I try to stammer
"Enough to see the end of that bloody video...who and how did you access that?" Steph darkly said. Her eyes were showing a growing darkness in them and her voice had a frightening menace mixed in it
"I k-kind of surfed through the f-f-files and then we found these…" Steph then grabbed both my shoulders tightly and squeezed them hard. I winced in the pain as Steph looked at me demonically. By this time, I was already shaking in fear.
"How dare you access and watch that video! That video is nothing but one fucking curse of an abomination to the world! In fact, all of them are! Why did you snoop without asking permission?! You into snooping around?! Fucking answer me Sarah!" Steph shouted, shaking me wildly by the shoulders and digging her nails deeper on my arm. The other three were trying to call of Steph but it's like she was possessed and didn't hear them
"Steph...you're hurting me already! I'm sorry!" I said through tears. I pleaded with her but it doesn't seem to work
"Sorry? Oh, I'll make you sorry…." Steph growled. I close my eyes as I prepare for what might a Predator like Steph do to me in her worst. But I felt her grip loosen and next thing I saw was Steph having her head cocked to the left and Brynn having her fist connect to Steph's right cheek
Steph's POV
The last thing I remembered was entering the command center to check on the girls but found them watching the very film I did not wish to see or even remember my whole life. Afterwards, the rest was a blank and I found myself in front of Sarah, who was whimpering and teary eyed and an angry Brynn having her fist hit my cheek. I instinctively rubbed my punched cheek as Brynn glared at me
"What the fuck was that Steph?! You were going all 28 days later on us and then digging your nails on Sarah! Why the fuck would you do that?!" Kenzie shouted. It then came rushing to me and I got wide eyed as I realize what I have done
"I..I didn't really mean -" I stammered
"Didn't mean it?! You were grasping Sarah so much that one part of her shoulder you punctured started to bleed!" Brynn growled. That was when I noticed a bleeding wound from Sarah's right shoulder along with the visible nail marks I made. JoJo was tending to the bleeding of the still whimpering Sarah
"I'm sorry. I didn't know what came over me..it was the Pre-"
"You've hurt one of our own Steph. And it was Sarah of all people. How could you?!" Brynn rambled. I looked away from her smoldering sight on me and me and Sarah locked eyes with one another. It saddened me that her eyes had fear inside them
"Sarah...I'm really-" I try to say but then Sarah's whimper turned to an anguished cry and ran away from the command center. I call her out but she kept running. All three girls remained looked at me with contempt, anger, and fear. What have I done….
I then made a run for it and chase down Sarah
DM DM DM DM
"Joshua! Have you seen Sarah run out here?!" I asked quickly as I passed him
"Yeah. She run towards Safehouse E. She sounded like she was crying. Chloe even tried to stop her but she just kept running. Wait, you had something to do with that?" Joshua said, his tone turning serious at the last part
"I'll explain later! Thanks Joshua!" I say and ran off towards the door to Safehouse E
"Try not to fuck each other inside!" Joshua shouted and I just gave him a middle finger
DM DM DM DM
The last time I was here, it was cold, stale, and I was in the events diffusing REAL bombs while naked as the day I was born. All because of one elaborate training done by everyone in the form of Megan and Curtis 'Rebelling'. Every single one of us is a nutcase in one form or another but Mindy Lizewski making her daughter be in danger of being blown by a bomb? She's a fucking nutcase beyond this universe
Safehouse E was a bit larger than Safehouse F but no one really uses this part except for some extra access around the other hidden entrances and for storing the data core of all our tech. The lighting here has improved and heating was more apparent here. Too bad it's still a bit bloody dusty here though
"Sarah? Where are you?" I shouted but I was only met with echoes of my voice. I open doors to various rooms and even check some lockers if in case she was hiding there but no such luck
"Sarah please...I'm really sorry for what I did… please show yourself to me!" I reasoned.
I then heard a crashing noise followed by a muted yelp and some shuffling of feet
"Sarah?!" I shout as I ran towards where the noise was. I see some dusty footprints next to some boxes and unknown tools on the floor. I ran further as I neared the only room this corridor lead: The Data Core. I enter the data core and note the non stop running of the computers and servers all around as well as some of Marty's tools and equipment he uses. What was out of place was Sarah crying in the center.
"Sarah…" I say to her. She quickly whips her head towards me and immediately shuffles backwards. Her eyes were of immediate fear. She looked at me like I was a hungry wolf, trying to kill her
"S-stay away!" Sarah shouted. I carefully come to her and she begins to panic and looks around. Probably for a place to hide. She then sees signal blocking cage and made a run for it. I chase her but she got there quickly and locks herself inside. I try to shake the door of the cage and open it but it was locked pretty good from the inside. She was curled up in a ball and was covering her ears
"Sarah please let me explain! I didn't mean what I did!" I said to her desperately
"Stay away demon! Leave me alone!" Sarah wailed.
"Sarah I-"
"I said go away! Please don't kill me…."
I give up trying to open the cage and just sit there out of shame and guilt. I look away from her. Embarrassed at how I treated her. I know this is some sort of Predator impulse but still, she didn't deserve what I did. We just stayed still for what I assumed was nearing an hour. I stayed silent and Sarah was silently crying inside. I dare not force myself to get to her nor say a word to her
"We're friends...right?" I jolt and look inside the cage. Sarah looked at me with an anguished look
"What was that Sarah?" I said carefully. She hiccups and rubs away some tears from her eyes
"Friends. You are that to me right?"
"Of course Sarah. I'm your friend"
"Are you, Steph? Then why did you hurt me? Why did you lash out at me? Why did you make me bleed?"
I was at a loss for words and looked down on the floor.
"You looked possessed.You looked like you were about to kill me…"
"Sarah...when I say I'm sorry, I mean it. I didn't know why I went beserk like that. Well I kind of know but...it's hard to explain. When I saw you watch how I killed my parents...it was just too awful and terrible to see. The sadness and the anger I felt while watching that memory all over again...it wasn't for you. It was was for me. I didn't know what happened. It suddenly just reacted. My Predator side...it ate me up through my sadness and anger….and caused me to suddenly go berserk. It's something I can't control at times…." I continued. I took a look at Sarah, who was still fearfully looking at me. I sigh and continue to reason to her
"You called me a demon and you have all the right to do so because I am a demon. A demon that has an unquenchable thirst for violence and chaos. A demon known as Psyche. I have done a lot of horrible things in my young life. But the worst that I did and heartbreakingly regret is hurt those I love. Both physically and emotionally. I hate my guts seeing you like this. You're right...I'm no friend of yours. I don't deserve to be…" I say, tears beginning to spill in my eyes and I cry them out.
As I cried, I felt something warm and soft in my hands. I tearily look and see Sarah holding it through the bars. Her fear however, was replaced with worry and compassion now.
"Steph...after hearing your past life, I admit, I began questioning why I'm friends with you. I mean, I'm basically friends with someone that's comparable to a psychopath for gosh sakes! You're hot tempered at times, you make my ears bleed whenever you swear, and you do a lot of sinful things that I'm heavily against of. You're someone who I should avoid at all costs if you ask me" Sarah said to me
"I get it. I'm a horrible person…" I quipped and she squeezed my hand and firmly looked at me
"But then I thought about all the good that you've done ever since I met you. Standing up for the weak, picking out the scum of city, killing only when it's necessary and deserving, showing pure love to her family and friends, and being one heck of a person to everyone, regardless of your brash personality. I then remember a verse from my bible reading: 'Love one another for it covers over sin'. Your good outweigh your bad tremendously. When I'm with you...I see always the good in you. That's why I wanted to be you're friend. It's always the good I see in you, even when you're Psyche"
"I get now why you got angry at me. You have every right to. It's something you don't want to remember but because of Urban Predator, you react differently than normal. You react like a beast and it's something far beyond our control. It's totally not your fault either. In fact, I should be the one saying sorry for snooping around" Sarah finished. She let go of my hand and began to unlock the cage and step out. She then sat in front of me and wiped the rest of my tears away.
"I may not know how it feels to kill your parents in cold blood or how it is to be angry like a Predator. But I know and understand the grief you go through. I'll keep being your best friend Stephanie. Now and forever. For better or for worse. The one thing I ask is that you forgive me" Sarah smiled. I then smile back at her and hug her
"On one condition then. Forgive me as well, please?" I whisper to her and then she hugged me back and we just stayed and cried on each other shoulders. Not knowing how much time had passed but enjoying the forgiveness and bond we were sharing. It's always comforting to know that I have people in my life who accept me as I am.
DM DM DM DM
Me and Sarah went back with our hands held together. Before you say anything, no it doesn't mean we're lesbians nor did we do that sort of shit at the Data Core! Once we step back to Safehouse F, we were surprised to see mum, dad, Brynn, JoJo, Kenzie, and most of the senior members up front on the door. Dad had his usual smile on his face while mum had her trademark smirk. The girls however, leered at me but looked upon Sarah with worry and relief
"You guys uh...expecting us?" I asked
"Yup! So, how'd the fucking go?" Chloe grinned
"Nothing happened!" me and Sarah both said together, making most laugh
"Well, given how Josh saw you and Sarah going to Safehouse E - alone for that matter - and how these three told me what happened, describing it as 'Stephanie going mother of all apeshit', we'd figures to wait for you guys here to see if either you made up or massacred Sarah" Mum started
"Seeing that you two are now holding hands and smiling, is all forgiven?" Dad asked. I look at Sarah and we smile and smile at all of them
"Yeah. Everything worked out pretty well. I am sorry for what I did. I didn't want to go berserk but it was just something that came out of me when I saw they were watching my integration video. I just began seeing red…" I embarrassingly admit. Mum sighed as she looked at me sternly
"Well, I did explain to them that you can have breakdowns like these from time to time. I'm sure they understand by now how you really feel Steph" Mum said. Brynn, JoJo, and Kenzie came forward to me and their leers turned into apologetic looks
"We want to say sorry to you Steph. We stepped out of the line and messed with something very dark connected to your past.We admittedly forget at tiles that you aren't normal and will never be normal" Brynn said somberly
"Same here. Your rage was beyond fucking scary. But then again, it was our fault as well why you did what you did and how you can't really do anything about it" Kenzie added
"We're hugely sorry, if ever there were still enough sorrys to give. I already spent most of mine to Mindy when she began berating us about viewing the video. Do you know she has a lot of amazing vocabulary in swearing?" JoJo piped in, making me giggle. Mum just rolled her eyes and smirked
"I'm sorry too. I know I can't control it but still, I'm sorry. I hope we can just put it aside in the past" I smile and we all got in a group hug, sealing the apology
"I hope you all learned your lesson here. And next time, everyone should follow instructions and properly control the release of their raging emotions. We are more than a team. We are a family and as such, we need each others back and not tear apart each other." Mindy states and we all nod
"Rightfully said Mindy. Sarah, we will put you on Op soon but I think we should block some access for you for now. You broke our trust and you have to earn it back again. You shouldn't view the rest of them anymore as well" Marty advised
"Understood. I never want to view them again anyway. It was too much but I will do my best for you to trust me again" Sarah answers dutifully
"Once our trust is back, then we'll give you back full access. Although, Steph will receive her own punishment accordingly as well and we decided that that will involve you little one" Dad chuckled as he grinned at me and so did Sarah. I gulped as I had a bad feeling about their plan.
"What exactly is your punishment?" I asked nervously
DM DM DM DM
"You have got to be kidding me…" I moaned.
The punishment? Well I was fitted with a bullet proof vest and was lined up in the shooting range along with Brynn, Kenzie, and JoJo, who also wore bullet proof vests and were equally nervous as I am. The only questionable thing was that my vest was triple plated for some reason.
"Can anyone explain why the fuck we're lined up like were being executed?!" Kenzie demanded
"Well, this is punishment. We have to serve it right!" Mindy laughed.
I note how horrifying it must be for them and I just giggle a little, knowing full well how this will turn out. Then again, I am here again so…
Sarah Hunt was besides mum, who was also fitted with a vest. All smiles and loading a gun for mum, dad, Chloe, and Josh
"Punishment for what? We didn't even do anything!" Brynn reasoned
"Guilty by association. You knew what was told of Sarah and didn't stop her" Chloe grinned
"But why go to this extreme though?" JoJo asked but oddly enough, without fear in her tone
"Because...it's tradition" Dad said and in one swift move, they all fired their Heckler and Koch handguns at the three dancers and they all screamed and flew backwards, landing on the set mattress. They all groaned and rubbed their chests not to mention, swore loudly at us. Well, mostly Mackenzie…
"Oh god! That is the 2nd time I got hit on the chest!" Brynn growled
"Well at least you don't have boobs to cushion the bullet! My tit hurts!" Kenzie shouted, rubbing her chest and continued to swore violently
"That...was...awesome! Again! Do it again!" JoJo squealed and moved like a live bullet didn't just bruise her chest. I look forward and see how no one seems to be firing at me yet
"Just get it over with already you fucktards!" I shout, spreading my arms wide, accepting my fate.
"Sure thing! But your end of the punishment is that Sarah gets to shoot you!" Mum said and Sarah began to load a P90 and aimed at me
"P90 huh? I guess you really are merciful Sarah" I chuckled. But I stopped as an out of place smirk formed in her lips.
"Am I Steph?" Sarah said. She threw away the P90 and pulled something large from under the table. My eyes almost popped as I saw the object and piece together why my vest is heavier
"You conniving, piece of-"
Sarah Hunt's POV
If you're asking who's idea was this, it was Mindy's. If anyone's asking, yes, that's how crazy Hit Girl is. Evwn to her own daughter. The sawed-off shotgun was lightweight in my hands but Mindy and Dave instructed me to hold and prepare for recoil when it was fired. I was a bit worried that I might kill Steph but they assured me she'll be fine. I hope so! Then again, this is admittedly a sweet revenge for me.
"You conniving, piece of-"
I didn't let her finish as I fired off the shotgun and brace myself due to the recoil. It was strong but I've been taught how to control and handle it so I was prepared all the way. Steph flew way too far than the other three and she landed in a roll and stopped in a thud on the farther walls of the range. I got shocked just how far she went.
"Oh my...Steph!" I shout and ran towards her.
"We got shot too you know! Oh fuck fuck fuck..." Kenzie shouted at me and then wincing as she held her breasts with her hands.I come and look down on her and see her just laying on the floor, eyes staring on the ceiling.
"Oh my gosh I think I killed her!" I exclaim but then I was relieved to hear Steph groaned and blinked her eyes through the pain
"Bloody hell that fucking hurt...that's gotta leave a bruise for sure…" Steph groaned
"I didn't know you can fly like that when shot!" I breathed
"Now you know! Don't be sorry too. I deserve it…" Steph said, standing up and wincing in pain. I help her stand up and dust her off
"I guess we're even now" I giggle
"Yeah. I guess so" Steph smiled.
"Sure you're really even now?" Mindy said from behind me but when I turned around to face her, she immediately produced a gun in her hand fired it at me. I flew and landed next to Steph. A searing pain was coursing through my torso. I can hear Steph laughing weakly right next to me
"Okay. Now we're even"
