Chapter 13: Not Strong Enough
Ian walked quickly towards Sara's door. "I have to go."
Sara limped after him, "Where?.........Where are you going?"
Ian turned an looked at Sara, "To Irons. Constance is there." He turned away and ran out the door.
Sara reached the door and collapsed, her head was spinning and ribs were screaming at her in pain. She knew that she would not be able to keep up. She pulled herself up, leaning against the doorframe. She bit her lip. The pain was intense. Never the less she knew that she needed to follow Ian, he would need help where the Witchblade was concerned. It belonged to her still, and she knew that if she could get her hands on it then she might be able to save Constance. She grabbed her motorcycle helmet and jacket. Minutes later a motorcycle peeled out of the parking garage and down the street towards Vorchlag Industries.
The sun was high in the sky when Ian reached his "employer's" tall building. He walked slowly towards the busy entrance and decided that entering the secret way would be best. He walked around to the back of the building and opened a grate that was in the building's wall. His tall body disappeared into the dark hole.
Constance lay in the dark room. The torches were dimming, or was it her vision that was dimming. The Witchblade glowed on her wrist, it felt heavier than usual, almost as if it was holding her down and crushing her. She closed her eyes to wait for oblivion to overtake her.
Irons eyed his attacker. Big was not a man to be messed with he knew that now. Big had saved Irons once when he was visiting Japan. Someone wanted Irons dead (someone always wanted Irons dead...). They planned his assassination to happen during a Sumo wrestling match. Big had saved him by jumping in front of Irons and taking the bullet. Irons had never understood how Big had known, and why he had saved him, yet he was in the market for a new bodyguard and Big was loyal. Big was training in the art of Sumo Wrestling. His fellow wrestlers had named him Tsuyoi San, which roughly translated meant Mr. Powerful, but he always preferred Mr. Big. His real name was Francis Goop, another reason why he preferred Mr. Big. Irons never had to punish Big or use force to make him obey, as he did Ian. Big was more like a robot, a killing machine, than a man. Now, he seemed even more heartless and cruel. Irons liked men who were like Big, as long as they were on his side, which was not the case this time.
Big was watching Constance with a cool smile, sweat was dripping down her brow as fever overtook her and ravaged her body. "Looks like you plan is not going to work after all, Big." Irons voice cut through the silence of the room. "She's dying and Ian is not here yet." Big tensed and glared at Irons. Irons felt in control again when he saw Big's reaction to his comment. It was only a matter of time and Big would snap Irons knew that and was patiently waiting.
Big walked over to Constance and, removing a handkerchief from his breast pocket, dabbed her brow. "I can pull her out of the dream whenever I want to and she will live. It is all in her mind." He stood up at the sound of the door opening, "Hello, Nottingham. You're just in time."
Nottingham stood at the door, sword drawn. He moved quickly towards Big in a death strike. Big turned towards him and disappeared. Irons watched Nottingham fall to the floor, the dream had taken him. Big hovered over Ian's body, "You're in my world now."
Ian was surrounded by the torchlights in the room. It spun around him making him dizzy. He did not know where he was, was he dead? The room filled with mirrors, then flashed back and forth between the torchlight room and the menacing mirrors. The flashing caused Ian to go into spasms as he fell to the floor. He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the light. He had to gain control. As suddenly as the spasms started they stopped. He pushed himself off the floor. His body was covered in his armor; his sword was in his hand. Someone was playing with him. Evil laughter echoed around him. "Welcome, Ian Nottingham." The voice was Big's. Ian made ready for battle, "Do you like my little game?" Big appeared in front Ian. Ian just glared at the large man and moved towards him. Big folded his arms, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, you'll kill her." He moved to the side allowing Ian to see Constance. She was lying on the ground, very still.
"What do you want?" Ian kept the point of his sword trained on Big.
Big laughed, "To kill you." He moved back in front of Constance. He opened his arms wide, "Take your best shot." Ian ran towards him, his sword plunged into Big's chest. Big kept laughing a sinister laugh. Ian pulled his sword back; his eyes grew very wide as Big's wound sealed shut. "You see, you can't kill me. Not in MY world, in MY dream! You se..." Ian sword stopped Big's next words as it sliced through Big's neck, lopping off Big's head. Big's body fell on the ground as his head rolled across the room, blood draining from both.
Ian ran over to Constance. Kneeling next to her, he lifted her limp body and held her. Her eyes fluttered opened. "Ian...?" His surprise showed on his face, he pulled her closer. She let him hold her as tears streamed down her face. She closed her eyes, leaning on his shoulder. His arms wrapped completely around her as he started to lift her off the ground. She opened her eyes and gasped. "Ian...!" She felt his body stiffen, "Behind you!!"
Ian swung around placing Constance behind him. What he saw made his hair stand up on his neck. Big's body stood in front of him holding his head. The head spoke, "Like I said, you can't kill me." He lifted his head and placed it back in place. The head and body fused together. It was like something out of a horror flick. Constance screamed and grasped Ian tighter. Ian's sword was too far away to grab. Big laughed at them, "End game. Now, you both die." He vanished.
Irons watched Big's eyes open once more. He walked over to Ian and dragged his unconscious body over to Constance. He laid her on top of Ian. Big pulled the bullet from his pocket and loaded it into his gun. He pointed it at both of them, "Two in one shot." The gun went off, smoke billowing from its muzzle.
