Chapter 10

(The Mines, Continued)

Stabber fell dead at Vanessa's feet. She pulled the knife from his heart; and slit his throat for good measure.

"That's two down for Josh." She said.

She wiped Hansel's knife clean, and took Stabber's huge machete as well. Vanessa was tired; but she remained on guard. Lizard or Hades could be anywhere. They could even be prowling right behind her. Glancing back, Vanessa continued her search for Goggle. As she progressed down the tunnel; Lizard came out of the darkness and trailed her at a short distance unnoticed. When he was close enough, he reached out to grab her shoulder.

The light touch of Lizard's finger tips, caused Vanessa to turn around and swing the Machete downward. Lizard howled in pain; for the blade had cut through his wrist - severing his hand. Lizard clutched the stump and staggered back. Finally, the bastard was crying. Lizard sniveled, as he scrambled to try to slow the bleeding. Tears were falling from his eyes, whilst he braced himself against the nearest wall. Vanessa pinned him against the wall; and glared at him menacingly. Lizard looked at her, his drive to hurt her in any way was gone from his stare. For the first time in his pathetic existence, the hunter had become hunted; and this made Lizard feel very afraid.

"Please, don' kill me! I'm sorry!" He blubbered.

"You're sorry?" Vanessa asked softly.

Lizard sniffed and nodded. Vanessa's laughter made his blood go cold.


"Why is it that people always say that; when they're about to be punished?"

"Please! I beg ya! Don' kill me! I'll leave ya alone! I swear I will!"

"Sorry. No deal." Said Vanessa coldly.

Vanessa then shoved the machete all the way through Lizard's midsection. Lizard coughed up blood; but he was till alive. Vanessa then took the knife, and gave Lizard a perfect Italian bow-tie. with that, Lizard's head tilted to the side and downward as he perished.

"Don't mess with a D'Angelo."

Vanessa took her machete back. Lizard's body fell to the floor. Vanessa then raided his corpse for anything useful. All he had was his spike strip. Vanessa settled for it, seeing as she would still have Papa Hades to contend with.


(Meanwhile)

Goggle was thrown into a pile of rocks by Hades. He groaned as the world around him spun. Papa Hades smirked as he loomed over Goggle. He then kicked Goggle right in the cracked ribs. This caused Goggle to cry out in pain. Hades laughed.

"You're gonna die today boy." He said.

Hades then grabbed Goggle by the neck and began to slowly strangle him. Goggle could feel himself slipping. The vision started to go fuzzy. Goggle could only think about Vanessa. How they'd never be together. How they'd never consummate their union; or have children. Goggle finally went limp in Hades' grasp. Papa Hades chucked darkly, and carelessly dropped Goggle.

Not too far away from where the fight occurred; Vanessa had froze when she heard Goggle's cry of pain. She also heard Hades' threat. Vanessa hurried herself along to meet Hades and Goggle. What she saw when she finally caught up to them, broke her heart. Goggle lied very still on the ground; and Papa Hades stood triumphantly over him.

"Goggle!" Cried Vanessa.

Papa Hades then began to make his way towards her. He was about to grab her by the neck; when suddenly a knife was sent flying into his back. Hades roared in pain. Turning around, he saw Goggle had been the one that threw the knife. Slowly, Goggle rose to his feet.


"Get the fuck away from her." Goggle said.

Vanessa grinned. Goggle was alive.

"You son of a whore!" Hades shouted.

Hades then went after Goggle; but Goggle ducked out of the way.

"Goggle, stand aside!" Shouted Vanessa.

Vanessa had the spike strip she took off Lizard's body ready to use. Swinging it outward, the strip lashed at Hades' face, arms, and legs. The huge mutant growled and yelped in pain whenever the spike strip struck him. Goggle then saw Hades rip out the knife from his back and toss it aside. Thinking fast, Goggle picked up a near by pick ax. He then ran at Hades and buried the head deep into Hades' stomach. Hades fell down and was coughing up blood. His body shook from the trauma and shock. Goggle the flipped the ax, and buried the pick into Hades' heart. Papa Hades was finally dead. Goggle then tossed the pick ax aside. He turned to Vanessa and hugged her. She threw threw her arms around him; and they shared a tender kiss.

"I thought I had lost you." She said.

"Ya can't get rid of me that easy darlin'." Replied Goggle.


Vanessa smiled at Goggle. Goggle then threw his arm around her shoulders.

"Let's go home." He then said.

Vanessa nodded. When they caught up with Hansel, they offered him to join Jupiter's family.

"Ya think Papa Jupiter will take me?" Hansel asked.

"I don't see why not." Goggle replied.

The three then began to make their way back to the test village.


(Test Village)

It took a lot of persuading, but Papa Jupiter did eventually allow Hansel to join the clan. Ruby agreed to show Hansel around; and helped him get settled. Meanwhile, Goggle and Vanessa were clearing out Lizard's house. They figured Hansel could move into it; after they touched it up a bit. Vanessa gaged when she saw the preserved corpse of the woman. Goggle wrapped the corpse in a sheet, and carried it out. He threw the body into the huge fire pit he created outside the house to burn the stuff not worth saving. Goggle then went back into the house to continue helping with the clean up.

While Goggle and Vanessa were going through everything Lizard hoarded over the years; they exchanged various stories about their families. Goggle was shocked to hear about how Vanessa was the daughter of a boss of one of New York's crime families. However, that did explain why she took none of Lizard's bull crap when he was alive; and why she was able to kill him off with relative ease.

"The D'Angelo family business has been gaining fame over the decades. I'm it's sole heiress; but I do not wish to inherit anything related to it." Vanessa said.

"I understand. Y'know of my family from the history books. Clan Sawney Bean; and what they did back in 16th century Scotland. Me, and my kin that first settled in these hills are the surviving descendants. But neither I, nor Ruby or Hansel wish to eat people. We've been tryin' to get our family to change the Swaney Bean way. Not that we've had much luck with that." Goggle replied.


Vanessa nodded. Like many other outsiders, she thought the Sawney Bean clan had been wiped out. Yet, here they were. No longer hiding along the coast of Scotland in caves; but in the hills of New Mexico.

"Please. Tell me more about your family." She then said.

Goggle then looked at Vanessa and smiled.

"I'll do more than tell ya darlin'. I will show ya. C'mon, follow me." He said.

Goggle took Vanessa by the hand, and lead her through the village. They soon came upon an old church. The only reminder of what Yuma Flats was before the bombs fell.

"This is where I can show and tell ya everything about my family." Goggle then said.

Vanessa looked and saw a faded sign that read: Church of Our Lady In The Hills. She then saw a 'new' sign that read: Swaney Bean Memorial Chapel.


"Our story begins right here. This church was the first building erected at the start of the settlement. We Sawneys had come seekin' fortune. And we did find it. Family legend said that our leading patriarch had been at prayer in this very church when he heard a soft voice tell him to start digging 500 paces from the sanctuary. When he did, he found gold. Sure 'nough, the town blossomed and was named Yuma Flats." Goggle explained.

"It's also how the church got its real name." Goggle continued.

Vanessa nodded. Goggle then opened the door to the church.

"C'mon in. The rest of the story is inside."


(Sawney Bean Chapel)

The church inside was one huge shrine to Sawney Bean history. Pictures of family members lined the walls. By the altar, just under the crucifix, was the framed photo of Karen Sawney Bean. Vanessa looked at the photo. It was clear, that there was a time when the Sawney Bean family were fair looking people. Goggle then went behind the altar and brought out a huge family Bible. He then placed it on the pulpit and opened it to the family records section. Vanessa was stunned the Bible itself looked to be well over a 100 years old.

"This Bible first came with the surviving Sawney Bean descendants from Scotland. The year the Bean family first touched American soil was in the year 1677. Our family was being persecuted in our mother land; so the family packed what they could and made the voyage to the New World. The ship they were on, 'The Saint Andrew'; reached America on Easter Sunday of that year. This Bible has the records of every Sawney Bean from first to last; and from cradle to grave." Goggle said.

Vanessa took a look inside. The Sawney Beans had every baptism, marriage, birth, and death all written down. It was all there, from the 1500s to the 1600s; and into today. The names began as popular Scottish names, to the names of the hill people Vanessa resided with now. She then saw Goggle's record in the family Bible; which read: Goggle Sawney Bean, age 33. Born on March 15,1973.


Goggle then closed the family Bible. He put it back in its shelf behind the altar. He then took Vanessa's hand. and kissed her on the cheek.

"Shall we continue?" He then asked.

"Yes." She responded.

Goggle then brought her to the left side of the church. He then pointed to an old photo of Yuma Flats during the gold rush.

"As I said outside the church; we came lookin' for our fortune here. We first dug for gold. However, after the gold rush out here ended - when the last nugget was pulled from the ground; people started moving away. We couldn't blame them. Times were gettin' harder, without our source for trade. However, our family was never one to turn and run away from our problems. Instead, we ran for the hills in search of copper. Turns out, these hills were practically made of the stuff. This began the copper mining industry out here. Our town bloomed anew; an' the new mining business brought in many people. This photo was taken during the peek of the gold rush; and just next to it, is a photo of the town during the peek of the copper mining industry. "

Vanessa grinned, as she saw how happy everyone looked in the photo. Goggle then continued the story.


"Mother Karen Sawney Bean's story begins at the end of the second World War. The year was 1945. The Axis Powers had just surrendered. They had witnessed the success of Project Manhattan. The government wanted to continue experimenting with bombs like the ones they dropped in Japan. They wanted to see the damage it caused. They wanted to master a power no man should ever possess. They chose our town as the testing grounds. Of course, our families refused to move. In order to force us to move, a Lieutenant named Ryan shot and killed Karen's husband in cold blood. But my grandmother didn't budge. Instead, she did what every Sawney Bean does when facing persecution. She fought back. Many fought bravely against the invading soldiers. Many of our kin were killed. No one escaped Lieutenant Ryan's lust for blood. Not even Karen's ten year old boy. A single bullet through the heart managed to slay the child. When they rolled over our town, our family went into the mines. For over two years our families lived like rats under ground. For over two years bombs fell. When everything was cleared out, we salvaged of our old lives what we could. However, the children were being born different. Some had no limbs; and others had extra. Soon, all those who gave birth to a different child were banished from the town. That included Mother Karen and her eldest boy, Hades. And so back into the hills my kin went. We was segregated because no one knew about radiation, and what it does to people's bodies. Yet Grandma never gave up. Puttin' her faith in the Lord's providence; Karen established a way of life for us. I'm sure I don't need to explain that."

"You did what the Sawney Bean clan was notorious for back in Scotland." Vanessa then said.

Goggle nodded.

"It is unpleasant. I take no pride in it; but it's what we had to do. It's how we are able to live out here; when most folks would either head for greener pastures, or die." He replied.


"How'd you move back into the town?"

"Before the schism between Hades and Jupiter; they - and the entire Sawney Bean clan- raided this here village. They killed all the occupants. Mother Karen was dead from gettin' sick by the radiation; and I was a baby in swaddling clothes."

Vanessa nodded in understanding. Goggle looked at Vanessa.

"I'll finish the story by sayin' this. This here church was the only thing left of the original town. It's our reminder as Sawney Beans to never run from trouble; but to fight back. It reminds us that a man has but three things in his life: his pride, his faith in the Lord; and the right to protect his kin. In her words, Mother Karen once said that God chose us to live; and we must do his bidding."

"And what is it that he wants you to do?" Asked Vanessa.

"Cleanse the world of what turned everything to ashes; and made us what we've become."

"And that would be?"

"Corruption, Vanessa. Corruption and injustice."

With that said, Goggle turned and left the church. Vanessa was following close behind him. It was nearly supper, and they were expected at Cyst's house for dinner.


(One Week Later)

Vanessa had now truly felt sympathetic towards Goggle, and his family. Not only was Goggle trying to disassociate his clan from their notorious lifestyle; and a sympathizer with their victims. He was the product of the government's blatant maltreatment of their mining community. It was no wonder why they hated outsiders; and why Jupiter was - at first - very mistrusting of her. She would be like that too. It didn't take long for Hansel to settle in to his new home. Cyst helped repaint Lizard's former home to make it look more comely. It was no Jefferson, but it was Hansel's home.

Vanessa was going through a box of papers Lizard had hoarded in her room. She then came across a file dated 1952. When she opened the file, she was shocked to see her family name on the papers. It looked to be some sort of financial backing agreement. She began to panic when she heard Goggle coming towards her room. She then placed the file under her bed and closed the box.

"D'ya find anything worth saving in that box darlin'?" Asked Goggle.

"No." Vanessa lied.

"Okay well, give it here."


Vanessa gave Goggle the box; and he stole a kiss from her. Goggle then went back down the stairs with the box. He had to stand watch tonight; so he figured Lizard's remaining stuff would make a good fire. Vanessa waited a minute, to be sure Goggle was totally gone from the house; and took out from her closet - Carly's wedding dress. Vanessa stared at the beautiful gown her ill-fated friend was supposed to wear. Today would have been Carly and Josh's return from their honeymoon trip to Hawaii.

"I think you'd look stunning in that dress." Came a motherly voice.

Vanessa leapt to her feet. When she turned, she saw Big Mama was in the door way.

"Hello Big Mama." Vanessa greeted.

Big Mama smiled and entered her room.

"Goggle loves you very much. He is lookin' for a bride y'know." Big Mama then said.

Vanessa nodded.

"I know. I would love to be his bride one day. He's not ready though."


"Not ready? Hahaha! Oh child, my son is more than ready. He is waitin' on you. He only gonna ask for ya, if ya tell him how you really feel."

Vanessa could feel herself blushing. Goggle was waiting for her to be ready to be his wife. Big mama looked kindly at her.

"I'll leave ya to your thoughts girly." She said.

"If ya wanna speak to my son. He's on watch duty. I'm sure he'd like the company."

Big Mama then left Vanessa's room. Putting away the dress, Vanessa took a minute to touch up her appearance. She then went to visit Goggle on his hill. While walking through the village, Vanessa saw Papa Jupiter was on the porch of his house drinking some whiskey. He looked at Vanessa with a gleam in his eyes. He was clearly a happy man at the moment.

"Goin' to see my boy Vanessa?" He asked.


"Yessir. How is your wrist? I heard Hades broke it during the fight."

"It only hurts when I'm sober. Hehehehehe. Come closer. Lemme look at ya."

Vanessa did as Papa Jupiter requested. Jupiter glance at her.

"Hehehehe. Good for my son. He has my fine taste in women."

"Mama said he is in love with me."

"Yep. My boy is crazy about ya girly. I ain't never seen him so poisoned in my life."

Vanessa and Jupiter laughed. Jupiter then took a swig of his whiskey.

"Well, I ain't gonna keep ya from seein' him no longer. Be careful girly. Coyotes are out 'n' about this hour."

Vanessa nodded and continued on her way.


So ends chapter 10. Reviews are love!