It had been a few hours since Isaac, Sally, and Lily moved into their apartment. The apartment was on the 10th floor, a nice view over Station Square. The apartment had three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. Isaac wasn't sure what to make of it. It was a nice apartment, but the fact that it was so close to Station Square, where his hearing could pick up all the traffic that goes by throughout the day, made it worrisome that he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
Sally was walking throughout the apartment, changed into a pair of sweatpants and a sweater so as to relax a bit. Isaac walked over to the master bedroom, opening the door. The bedroom had a queen-sized bed, two dressers and a wardrobe, and a flat-screen television installed into the wall opposite of the bed. Sally walked past him, flopping herself onto the bed, sighing in contentment.
"Man, this is a comfortable bed! Isaac, you gotta try this!" Sally exclaimed, patting the open spot next to her. Smiling a bit, Isaac jumped up, flopping next to her, Sally bouncing in response. Isaac and Sally were laughing a bit, a nice change in the serious nature of their relocation.
"You know… we'll be staying for quite a while." Sally suggestively said, leaning closer to Isaac. While Isaac felt his heart pick up in pace, he was more than welcome to the idea. As he leaned in closer to Sally, he heard smaller footsteps begin charging towards the door, the door swinging open!
"Whoohoo!" Lily exclaimed, leaping up into the air and landing right in between them, bouncing off of the mattress. Lily was laughing, excited by the fact she was now somewhere she had never been before, being Central City! Isaac was laughing as well, sitting up.
"Alright, that's enough of that! How about I make ourselves something to eat?" Isaac suggested, swinging his legs over the bed. Sally and Lily were open to the idea, not having anything to eat all day!
"The cupboards should be fully stocked! See if there's anything good!" Sally said. Isaac walked into the kitchen, opening the cupboard closest to the sink. It was filled with boxed and canned goods, a lot of them being Kosher products. After going through them, Isaac picked out a box of matzo ball soup mix from the cupboard.
"Never had this before. Lily, would you like to help me?" Isaac asked across the apartment. Lily quickly ran out of the bedroom, excited!
"Sure, dad!" Lily exclaimed, Isaac feeling a small disturbance in the pit of his stomach.
"I appreciate you committing to your role but know that it's going to take a while to get used to it." Isaac responded.
Lily nodded, pulling out a chair and pushing it to the counter, stepping onto it.
"Alright, we just need to follow the instructions on the box. I'll take care of the soup, and you take care of the matzo." Isaac said, separating the matzo ball mix and the soup mix packets. Isaac grabbed a pot from the cupboard, filling it with ten cups of water. As he did this, Lily put the matzo ball mix into a bowl, putting in the vegetable oil and eggs into the mix, mixing it. After doing so, she quickly put it into the fridge, letting it sit while Isaac put the broth onto the electric stove.
"Get to rolling boil, and then drop Matzo balls into soup, letting simmer for twenty minutes." Isaac read the instructions, turning the knob on the stove. Lily was having fun with this soup, never actually having made it before.
"Alright, so the box says I need to roll the matzo into balls after fifteen minutes in the fridge, and then we drop them into the soup." Lily explained, referencing towards the instructions on the box.
"Should be enough time to let the soup boil." Isaac assessed. As they waited, there was a knock on their door. Isaac walked from the kitchen and into the living room, opening the door. It was a human on the other side, wearing a casual business attire.
"Hello, Mr. Horowitz! My name is Johnson. I am the owner of Shenandoah Residences. That means I am also your landlord. I just came to see how everyone was settling in!" He explained, smiling.
"We are very good! We were actually making dinner. Would you like to come in?" Isaac offered. Johnson nodded, walking inside the apartment. He looked around, admiring the furniture that was brought in earlier today. He could tell they were high-quality furniture.
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living?" He asked, curious.
"Well, I used to work for G.U.N., but four years ago, I was injured from an IED and medically discharged. I'm currently looking for work." Isaac explained. Johnson nodded, understanding his predicament.
"You know, there's always job openings listed in the classifieds. So, when you get the paper tomorrow, there should be a few jobs available!" Johnson advised. Isaac nodded, thinking that getting a job while hiding from the Order would be a good cover.
Johnson turned his attention to Lily, who was monitoring the cooking soup, rolling the matzo into balls, and dropping them into the pot. As soon as she was done, she put the lid onto the pot and lowered the heat to low, setting a timer for twenty minutes.
"You must have a lot of trust in your daughter to let her cook dinner! I wouldn't trust my son to do that! The moment he has to wait for something, he just starts going online on his phone! Usually, he doesn't pay any attention to what's cooking until he smells it burning!" Johnson admitted.
"That's what a timer is for, isn't it?" Isaac asked.
"Well, Mr. Horowitz, when my son is 'in the zone', a meteor could hit next to the building, and he wouldn't notice it, let alone a timer. That's the problem with kids these days. The moment they're put in front of a screen, the rest of the world doesn't exist to them, except for what's on the screen." Johnson explained.
"I wouldn't know, actually. My daughter doesn't have a phone." Isaac responded.
"Well, she's still young. It's best for them to get a phone when they start middle school. You know, because of after-school activities." Johnson said.
"Thankfully, that won't be for a few more years." Isaac said. Johnson walked over to the couch, sitting down. Sally walked out of the bedroom, noticing the landlord's presence. Johnson got up from the couch, still smiling.
"Ah, Mrs. Horowitz! My name is Johnson. I'm your landlord. I'm just here checking on you three, making sure you're settling in nicely!" Johnson explained. Sally nodded, the smell of cooking matzo soup reaching her from the kitchen.
"Thankfully, the movers didn't lose or break anything. Though, I still kinda miss where we used to live. Much quieter. But when I got transferred by my law firm here, I really couldn't miss out on the opportunity." Sally said, implementing her fabricated backstory.
"Really? If you don't mind me asking, where did you live?" Johnson asked. Sally wasn't prepared for a question like this! G.U.N. didn't give them a previous location! But before she could say anything, the sounds of something breaking could be heard from the kitchen, gaining both of their attentions. Isaac had dropped a glass bowl, his hands still in place of where he was holding, staring vacantly towards the large glass wall that gave them the view of Station Square.
"Mr. Horowitz?" Johnson asked, walking towards him. Isaac didn't answer, still staring vacantly. Johnson waved his hand in front of his face, still not getting a response. Johnson was concerned, not knowing what to do.
"Just give him a moment." Sally said, feeling as if Isaac was doing this intentionally. After a few moments, Isaac blinked a few times, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, did someone say my name?" Isaac asked, giving his attention to Johnson. Isaac soon looked down, noticing the broken bowl on the floor.
"Oy vey." Isaac muttered, walking to the corner of the kitchen, grabbing the broom and dustpan.
"Mr. Horowitz, are you alright?" Johnson asked. Isaac nodded, sweeping up the shards of glass.
"Nothing to be too concerned about. It's been happening for four years. About a few weeks after my injury. Doctor called it an 'Absence Seizure'. Basically, I just lose my awareness for about ten seconds." Isaac explained, taking the dustpan full of broken glass, and dumping it into the trashcan.
"Well, I believe I'll let myself out. But before I go, here." Johnson said, handing Isaac a business card. Isaac took it, seeing a phone number on it.
"Call me if something happens with your apartment. If any repairs or maintenance needs to be done, give me a call and I'll have someone up as soon as possible." Johnson explained, exiting the apartment, and closing the door behind him.
"Man, good thinking with the glass bowl! I thought I had us screwed!" Sally exclaimed, complimenting Isaac.
"No problem, but next time someone asks where we used to live, try Westopolis. I saw it on a map of Mobius back on my ship." Isaac said. Isaac walked over to the couch, sitting down, and turning on the television, a news station being the first thing to show up.
"The unprovoked attack on the Kingdom of Acorn, orchestrated by a newly-identified terrorist group, only known as the Order of Honorius, has, fortunately, been fought back against by G.U.N. and King Nigel Acorn's forces! Roughly two hundred of the attackers were killed in the onslaught, with only about twenty of King Nigel's forces to have been killed in the invasion! Those who have surrendered have been taken in for questioning. G.U.N. estimates that the number of personnel from 'The Order' involved in this attack came from Scotland, where a strong military campaign had wiped out their stronghold only a few days prior. Two more strongholds have been identified in Spain and France, where military have been gathering to wipe them out! More on this at 8." The news anchor said, before Isaac turned it off, feeling sick to his stomach.
"They didn't mention us being missing, did they?" Sally asked. Isaac shook his head, putting the remote on the coffee table.
"King Nigel wouldn't want them to know we weren't there. It allows us to be safer here while they're still searching for us. Right now, we're safer in Central City than anywhere else!" Isaac answered.
"But for how long?" Sally asked.
"I… I do not know. But I can only say that they have no idea that we are within the city limits of Central City. One of their strongholds have already been wiped out! Once the one in Spain is wiped out as well, we may be able to go back home." Isaac explained.
Sighing, Sally walked up to Isaac, embracing him. Isaac gladly returned the embrace, tightening his arms around her.
"We'll be fine, Sally. You, me, and Lily." Isaac said, comforting her.
"I'm holding you to that, Issachar." Sally said, using Isaac's alias.
"I'm counting on it, Samantha." Isaac returned.
Soon, dinner was ready, Lily turning off the stove and moving the pot off of the burner. After getting bowls and filling them up, including a few matzo balls in each bowl, they sat down, Isaac bowing his head. Sally and Lily did the same in observance.
"Har, bentshn dem moltsayt. May mir gefinen shlum vi mir lebn do. Zal mir bleybn farbogn fun aundzer feynt. Aun zal mir bald kenen tsurikkumen heym, besholen. Amn (Lord, bless this meal. May we find peace as we live here. May we be safe as we remain hidden. And may we be able to soon return home, safely. Amen.)" Isaac prayed, speaking in Yiddish.
"Wait, that isn't Tamil! What language is that?" Sally asked, recognizing the difference.
"It's Yiddish. It was recommended by G.U.N. for my new identity." Isaac answered.
"You… you just learned a new language… just like that?" Sally asked, amazed by Isaac picking up a new language so quickly!
"Well, I'm still learning. I've been reading a language book given to me. I've been reading it for a few weeks, actually. So far, I can carry short conversations. But after a while, I hope to be able to carry long conversations within a few months." Isaac explained.
Sally shook her head, unable to stop herself from smiling. She put her spoon into the bowl, using it to slice off a chunk of one of the matzo balls floating in the soup. She put it into her mouth, the chicken broth and matzo tantalizing her tastebuds!
"Wow! This is actually pretty good!" Sally commented, eating more of it. Isaac was in agreement, not ever having matzo ball soup before. Soon, dinner was concluded, the sun beginning to lower towards the horizon, a light orange hue casting over the city. As Isaac was washing the dishes, his head stiffened, hearing something a few doors away. Isaac walked to the door, slightly opening it. Isaac poked his head out, seeing a tall, muscular man pounding on the door. Isaac could see a partial tattoo from his tank top, his head shaved.
"Babe! Let me in!" He yelled, still pounding on the door. Isaac's hearing became more acute, hearing the sound of a woman whimpering behind the door, her heart beating fast! She was afraid of this man!
"Can't you hear me?! I said, open this door!" He repeated, pounding on the door harder. Feeling his morals take over, Isaac stepped out, closing the door behind himself, loud enough to get the attention of the man. He quickly looked to Isaac, seeing him standing there.
"What?" He sternly asked, not wanting to be disturbed. Isaac cleared his throat, asserting himself.
"I don't believe she wants to let you in." Isaac observed. The man sighed in frustration, clenching his fists.
"Why don't you stay out of this, before I decide to turn you into a punching bag?" He threatened. Isaac didn't take too well to this, straightening out his back.
"If she doesn't want anything to do with you, then you should honor it." Isaac advised. The man chuckled, cracking his knuckles.
"And I told you to stay out of it." He repeated, walking towards Isaac. Isaac adopted a defensive stance, stopping the man. The man laughed, thinking he couldn't be serious.
"Really? I'm two feet taller than you! You're a pipsqueak compared to me!" He laughed, turning away from Isaac. Isaac reacted by snapping his fingers, getting his attention. Upon turning around, Isaac flashed him the middle finger, a vein on the man's forehead beginning to pulse!
"Alright, fucker! You're fucking dead!" He said, marching towards him. Isaac adopted his defensive stance again, ready for a fight! The man threw a right hook, Isaac easily dodging it! Upon the creation of an opening, Isaac threw a controlled punch into the man's gut, sending him stumbling back a few feet!
Feeling the wind knocked out of him, he only got angrier, swinging his arms wildly! Isaac blocked and dodged the punches, assessing that he was relying on brute strength instead of discipline in an attempt to overpower him! Isaac grabbed his wrist, diving between his legs, flipping him onto his back! Isaac placed a foot into his shoulder, keeping his arm extended!
"Give up, you meshugenah!" Isaac exclaimed, using a bit of Yiddish in his speech. The man attempted to break free of the hold, but every time he tried to reach Isaac with his free arm, Isaac put more pressure into his shoulder while pulling on his arm!
"Alright! UNCLE! Uncle, dammit!" The man yelled, tapping out. Isaac let go, quickly getting up in case the man would try to attack him again. The man held his hands up, showing he was giving up.
"You win, alright! I'm leaving!" He said, walking past Isaac. Isaac breathed deeply, feeling a sense of victory.
"Be warned. If I see or hear you harassing the woman again, I will pick up where I left off." Isaac warned, crossing his arms. Grunting, the man hit the button on the elevator, going inside, the doors closing behind him. As soon as he left, the door to the apartment opened, revealing the woman. She poked her head out, her hair tied up in a ponytail.
"Is he gone?" She asked, still looking around. Isaac nodded, walking to her.
"I wouldn't worry about him anymore. If he knows any better, he won't try to harass you here anymore." Isaac said, the woman breathing a sigh of relief.
"Thank you! I broke up with him earlier today, but I caught him following me here! I was able to lock the door before he could get too close!" She explained.
"I'd say it was a good thing you did. I think you should call Johnson, tell him that your ex-boyfriend isn't welcome here anymore." Isaac advised. She nodded, her heart beginning to slow down.
"I didn't actually get your name." She said.
"It's Issachar. Issachar Horowitz." Isaac said.
"Mine is Sarah. Sarah Mooring." She said.
"It is very nice to meet you, Sarah. Listen, if you need me for anything, I'm next door to you. And if he comes back, don't hesitate to find me." Isaac said, turning back to his door.
"I will. Thank you!" Sarah responded, going back into her apartment. Isaac opened the door to his apartment, Sally standing behind it. She had her hands on her hips, already knowing what Isaac did.
"Did… you didn't see that did you?" Isaac asked.
"Not very much… meshugenah." Sally said, repeating what Isaac called the man. Isaac sighed, feeling like he was going to get scolded at by his own wife.
"If you're going to scold me, at least let me close the door." Isaac said, closing it.
"I'm not going to yell at you! What you did was very honorable! But I'm a bit disappointed you only called him a crazy person." Sally explained, laughing a bit.
"I thought you said you didn't know Yiddish." Isaac said.
"Well, I know what 'Meshugenah' means. I've heard it on T.V. before." Sally explained. Isaac laughed a bit, glad that Sally wasn't going to scold him for wrestling someone to the floor.
"I mean, I could've called him a 'shmendrik', but I don't think he would've figured that one out." Isaac responded.
"What's 'shmendrik'?" Sally asked.
"A jerk and/or a stupid person." Isaac answered.
Sally nodded at the answer, understanding it. Isaac walked back to the sink, finishing washing the dishes before drying and putting them away. As Isaac was putting things away, Sally pushed the 'play' button on the stereo G.U.N. put into the apartment, playing a slow song. It was 'Put Your Head On My Shoulder' by Paul Anka. Isaac shut the cupboard, seeing Sally holding out her hand towards him.
Smiling, Isaac walked to her, taking her hand. As the song played, they slowly danced, holding each other close. Isaac's hands were on her hips as Sally's hands were resting around his shoulders. They were staring into each other's eyes, the world almost disappearing around them. Sally slowly closed her eyes, resting her head onto Isaac's left shoulder. Isaac hugged her tighter in response, grateful for her being in his life. As they danced, Lily was discreetly recording them with Sally's phone, making sure to get a good angle.
"When all of this blows over, the others won't want to miss this!" Lily thought to herself, making sure they didn't see her recording them. Lily wasn't recording this to be mean or to have a joke, but instead, she was recording this to preserve the memory. She thought it a very touching moment, and she felt it should be remembered. After she was done recording it, she put the phone back down where she found it, going into her room.
"I love you, my dear Issachar." Sally whispered, a tear falling down her face.
"As do I love you, my beautiful Samantha." Isaac returned, his face meeting hers. Isaac leaned forward, kissing Sally gently. Sally gladly returned the kiss, her arms working their way around Isaac's neck. After a few moments, they broke the kiss, still staring into their eyes.
"If it is alright with you, I'd like to continue this with you… privately." Isaac said, his eyes gesturing towards the door of their bedroom. Sally blushed furiously, but she was more than welcome to the suggestion! Grabbing Isaac's wrist, Sally quickly ran into the bedroom with him, their door slamming shut!
A Few Hours Later:
Isaac slowly and silently rose from their bed, Sally out like a light. Isaac stretched out his arms and back, feeling them pop. They both fell asleep about an hour ago, but something was telling Isaac to be awake. Isaac got out of the bed, only wearing his boxers issued to him by G.U.N.
"Ugh… my stomach!" Isaac quietly grunted, feeling something in the pit of his stomach, almost as if something were clawing inside of him! Isaac stumbled into their adjoining bathroom, turning on the faucet! Isaac began drinking from the faucet heavily, trying to take in as much water as possible! The pain in his stomach receded, replaced with the feeling of lethargy.
"That's… better." Isaac gasped, catching his breath. He looked up from the faucet, seeing his reflection. But instead of it being his own reflection, it was that of his Demonic Form, staring right back at him!
"Great evil lurks throughout the city, Isaac. The Inferno cries out for their eternal damnation!" The Demon said, his breath almost tangible to Isaac!
"N-no! Not here! Not now!" Isaac quietly shouted, feeling the pain growing in his stomach! His skin began to darken again, his veins taking on the red glow! His scars began to illuminate, lighting the dark bathroom! His muscles enlarged, the fabric of the boxers stretching as well! In an act of desperation, Isaac opened the window to his bathroom, throwing himself out of it!
Isaac quickly shot up from his bed, breathing heavily! He was still in their bed, drenched in a cold sweat! It was morning, the sunlight streaming through the window. Isaac continued looking around, feeling his nightmare was all too real! Isaac quickly got up, seeing he was still wearing his boxers. Isaac went into their bathroom, seeing everything was as it was before. The sink was dry, the window was still closed and locked, if a bit fogged up, and there was no evidence of anyone being in there recently, except for the shower, which was used probably only ten minutes ago.
"So… it was just a dream?" Isaac asked himself, unsure of how to feel about it. Isaac walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Going into his dresser, Isaac picked out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, putting them on. After putting on a pair of socks, Isaac walked out of the bedroom, seeing Sally standing near the door, wearing her business attire.
"Where're you off to?" Isaac asked.
"I'm going to the law firm building G.U.N. set up for my cover. Basically, I'm going to be there for a few hours while they keep me updated on what's been happening back home. Now, Lily was picked up by the bus for school. She'll be back around three. And I… will be back by one." Sally explained, winking.
"Maybe not tonight, my love. I'm not feeling too well." Isaac said, giving her a kiss. Sally frowned a bit, but she understood, nonetheless.
"Alright, but I wouldn't mind catching up on training. I heard there's a place on the roof we can train without being disturbed." Sally said, opening the door. Isaac nodded, feeling it would be good to finally continue.
"Sounds great! We'll do that as soon as you get back!" Isaac agreed. Sally gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving the apartment. Isaac sighed, not knowing what he's going to do with them gone. Turning to the television, Isaac decided to see if anything interesting was on. Isaac sat down, turning it on.
"Last night, what citizens are calling 'The Night of Judgement', was a terrible string of gruesome murders in the alleyways of Central City! So far, all the victims of these murders were drug dealers and petty criminals, who were located in the alleyways as part of their 'trade'. The gruesome nature of these killings are identified as the victims having been killed by severe lacerations and stab wounds, consistent with a sharp, conical weapon! Pieces of these victims are still missing from the crime scenes. So far, no suspect has been identified or has claimed these killings! But all police are warning to stay indoors at night and to stay in open, public areas! We will cover this story as it develops! This is Stacey Prolla, signing off!" The Reporter announced, a crime scene taped off with yellow police tape behind her!
Isaac felt himself sick to his stomach, feeling as if everything was going to erupt! Isaac ran into the bathroom, vomiting into the toilet! His vomit contained blood and flesh, but he knew, deep down, it wasn't his! Breathing heavily, feeling his stomach was empty, Isaac flushed it, the blood going down the commode. Isaac stumbled to the mirror, splashing cold water on his face!
"Come on! Wake up! WAKE UP!" Isaac screamed, thrashing his head around! He looked into the mirror, seeing The Demon staring back at him! His claws were bloody, his teeth yellowed with sinew hanging from it! He was reflecting Isaac's movements and gestures, a true reflection of himself… at least, until it moved on his own.
"Fuel for the tank, Isaac. Their souls dwell within me. As did their flesh!" The Demon raved, laughing. Isaac was breathing heavily, feeling his mind come apart!
"I… am not you! I… am in control!" Isaac yelled, looking back it The Demon!
"I am your true nature, Isaac! I am your anger! YOUR WRATH! The Damned of this city shall know us!" The Demon yelled, ringing in Isaac's ears.
"There is… no… US!" Isaac yelled, punching the mirror, shattering it! Glass shards fell into the sink and onto the floor, The Demon disappearing from the mirror. Only Isaac's broken reflection was staring back, his skin pale as the snow. Isaac raided the medicine cabinet, grabbing his toothbrush and slathering it with toothpaste! Isaac began brushing his teeth wildly, almost feeling as if his teeth were being ground into nothing! After brushing his teeth five times, Isaac grabbed the mouthwash, using up half the bottle to rinse out his mouth multiple times!
After calming down a bit, Isaac cleaned up the broken glass, throwing the shards into the trashcan. He then walked to the phone, dialing Johnson's number. After a few rings, he picked up.
"Johnson? Yeah, It's Issachar Horowitz. Listen… can you send someone up to replace the mirror in our bathroom? Well, I smashed it. Yeah, I had… a bit of an episode. Someone will be up in an hour? Alright, thank you! I appreciate it!" Isaac said, hanging up the phone.