Chapter 2 - Questions
"Goliath! Wait!"
"No, Brooklyn. This is not up for discussion!"
"But you can't..."
"That's enough!" Goliath turned to face Brooklyn in the narrow hallway.
"You know this is the right thing to do. There's no telling what could happen if..."
"Nothing's going to happen!" Brooklyn's eyes began to glow white with frustration. Suddenly his thin wall of control began to crumble. Sighing, he turned away from Goliath.
"She's dying...she...we can trust her, I know we can." He could feel the tears coming again. It was time to get away.
"I've made my decision. Broadway and Hudson have locked her in Xanatos' library. She'll be fine in there until nightfall."
Brooklyn knew he had lost, and he had to get away as soon as possible. If Goliath saw him break down...
Slowly, carefully, Brooklyn turned to face Goliath. Goliath looked at him, seemingly for the first time.
"I trust your decision. If you'll excuse me?"
"Of....of course." Goliath stammered. Brooklyn looked so tired all of a sudden...
* * *
"You...can't..lock me up!"
Hudson frowned at the young creature. He could see that she needed medical attention; her stomach was charred black, and she had a huge cut on her thigh. Sighing, Hudson walked up to her cot.
"I'm sorry lassie, but Goliath be the boss around here."
"I won't...stay here!" She gasped.
"You're not gonna get very far with that hole in your stomach," Broadway said. Snarling, the black gargoyle whipped a clawed hand across Broadway's stomach.
"Ow! Why'd ya do that?"
Hudson frowned. He could see that she was angry, but she was also growing weak. He turned to Broadway.
"Could ya go an fetch some bandages, lad? She's bleeding." Broadway frowned. He could see that she was not bleeding. He was the one who was bleeding.
"Um..yeah, sure, " he replyed. Broadway trusted Hudson's judgement. He took the hint and left.
Hudson watched Broadway leave the room.
"Ya din't have to do that to him, lass. He was just tryin' ta help."
"I know..." she replyed quietly, "I get...too angry sometimes."
"He'll get over it, dinna worry," Hudson smiled "And don't fret about bein' in here all day. Xanatos promised to take care of ya."
"Thank you," she lowered her eyes, "my name is...Leah."
"That be a nice name, young lady." Hudson smiled at her.
"It..it used to be my name...I..I.." Her breathing became shallow. Hudson could see she was getting worse.
"There now, lassie, you've worn yourself out. Try an' take a nap. Mr. Xanatos will be in soon to take care a' them burns."
She was starting to relax. Smiling, Hudson turned and left the room.
* * *
"You can't be serious."
"I am..I..."
"Hold on, calm down." David Xanatos paced around his office. He glanced at the distraught gargoyle crouching on the floor.
"What do you mean, you can't sleep?"
"Look," Brooklyn said, "I'll be able to show you what I mean in a few minutes."
Xanatos looked out the wall window behind his desk. The sun was nearly up.
"Don't you think you should be with your clan? It's almost sunrise."
"Because, like I said before, I can't sleep. Got it? I don't turn to stone anymore."
"Look, Brooklyn, Goliath told me about the problems you've been having. Maybe you should calm down and think about this."
Brooklyn shrugged.
"Just watch, Xanatos."
Xanatos looked out the window once again. The sky began to glow, and a few seconds later, the first rays of the morning sun appeared over the horizon. Xanatos sighed and wondered how he was going to get Brooklyn's statue out of his office. He had a meeting today.
"Bright, isn't it, Xanatos?" Xanatos turned around with a start. Brooklyn was awake!
"I....I suppose I owe you an apology."
"Don't worry about it."
"How long have you been like this?"
"Too long...a few months, I think. I'm not sure. This is the first day I've spent in the castle since it happened. I can't stand to see them all sleeping." Xanatos noticed for the first time the dark circles under Brooklyn's eyes.
"Why haven't you told them?"
"I didn't want to talk about it. I just sorta hoped it would go away...but it's making me crazy..."
"So, why are you telling me now?"
Brooklyn sighed. Time to spill the beans.
"Because, the one who knows why I am like this is locked in YOUR library. I've been looking for her."
* * *
Xanatos and Brooklyn stood at the entrance to the library. The heavy wooden door would never hold back a healthy gargoyle, but Leah was far too weak to cause any problems. Xanatos unlocked the door and entered. Brooklyn remained in the doorway briefly, looking at Leah. Walking up to her cot, he saw that she was asleep. Xanatos gingerly touched her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" she shrieked. Xanatos took a step back.
"A bit fiesty, don't you think?" Xanatos looked at Brooklyn. Leah propped herself up on one elbow.
"What are you doing here?" She glared at Brooklyn.
"I...came to see how you were doing. I'm sorry Goliath locked you up in here."
"I don't like being locked up like a monster."
"It's only temporary. Goliath just doesn't know you, that's all."
"And how did he know I wouldn't turn to stone like the rest of you?"
"He didn't...but I..."
"You knew I wouldn't change."
Xanatos motioned to Brooklyn.
"I have a meeting, I have to go."
"We'll be fine, Xanatos. We just have some catching up to do."
"I'll be back in an hour." With that, Xanatos left the room. Brooklyn turned his attention back to Leah.
"So maybe I did know you wouldn't turn to stone, but I didn't tell Goliath. He's just cautious. After all, there are gargoyles in New York who used to be humans."
"There...are?" Leah stared at him. Brooklyn could see he was getting somewhere.
"Where are you from, Leah?"
"Nowhere."
Brooklyn sighed. He knew he was lucky to even know her name.
"Ok, can you tell me why you were fighting with Demona?"
Leah growled, her eyes glowing bright red.
"That bitch will never catch me. I'm too fast for her!"
"She almost got you last night." Brooklyn was afraid he might anger Leah, but he had to know more about her.
"You saved me. Thank you. And your friend Mr. Xanatos has helped me with my wounds. I should recover quickly."
"I hope so...those burns look pretty nasty."
"Demona wasn't trying to kill me. They look worse than they actually are."
"What was she trying to do?"
Leah growled again.
"Why should I tell you anything? I'm a monster, and that's all you need to know! I saved your life, you saved mine. We're even!" Brooklyn was shocked at the outburst. He tried to make eye contact, but she turned away.
"Look, I'm sorry I've upset you, but I have to know something..."
"Yes, it's my fault...it's always my fault!"
"What are you talking about?"
She was looking at him again. Brooklyn suddenly felt a wave of remorse surge through his body. Her eyes were so sad...
"You don't sleep anymore because of me. You don't even have to ask me why...you know why. You remember that blue lightning Demona shot at you?"
"Yeah.." How could he forget?
"When I grabbed you, she shot something at me too...she was trying to take my mind back...she wants me back..."
"You mean, her spell backfired?"
"The two spells were not meant to go together...they...bonded us, somehow..."
"And since you used to be human, you don't turn to stone at night..."
Leah blinked.
"Yes, I used to be human...and you got part of me when those magicks combined."
"Great...and I'll never sleep again..."
"You'll have to learn to sleep like a human...otherwise, you'll go crazy."
"Leah," Brooklyn was frustrated, but he understood now, "PLEASE tell me about yourself. You're eyes are so sad..."
"I've never told anyone about this, Brooklyn...it's...hard.."
"You'll feel better once you've told someone...I promise."
Leah's eyes began to glow again.
* * *
"Out of there, beast!"
"I'll get you for this one day, demon!" Leah snarled menacingly. Demona raised her lash and applied it to Leah's back. Leah howled in agony, resisting as Demona wrenched her from the small cage.
"Perhaps someday you will learn your lesson," Demona spat at her, "But no matter; I have a mission for you tonight."
Leah yanked on her chains, trying once again to break them. If only she could get close enough to Demona; she was so much stronger...so much faster. Leah watched as red trails of blood spiraled down her forearms and soaked into her fur. She almost wished she could rip her hands from her wrists; she had to break out of the chains.
"ENOUGH!" Demona bellowed, "Hold still!"
Leah knew she could do nothing to stop Demona. She would get the shot, just like she did every night; nothing would change. Smirking, Demona waved the syringe in front of Leah's face.
"Wouldn't you like to shove this into me, beast," Demona taunted, "You are mine, and you always will be!"
Demona plunged the long syringe into Leah's stomach. Shrieking her defiance, Leah fell to her knees. She fought the vile liquid, but her battle did not last long. Slowly, Leah stood up and faced Demona.
"What will you have me do tonight, master?" Leah droned. Demona held up a picture of a young man.
"Kill this human. He is a nuisance to my company."
* * *
"You were....an assassin?"
"The best....Demona worked so hard to make me perfect."
Brooklyn could see that Leah was crying, though she was doing her best to hide it. He had never hated Demona more than at that moment; he knew, deep down, however, that Leah hated her more.
"You're very young, aren't you, Leah?"
"I was 16 when she attacked me...I've been like this for 2 years now. She made me so well. I'm strong, fast, silent...the perfect killer."
"It wasn't your fault...Demona made you do it."
"But I was the one who did it...I killed children, Brooklyn!"
"But you escaped. You're free of her now, and you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened!"
Brooklyn lowered his eyes. He knew he sounded stupid. He knew there was no way he could understand what she was going through.
"Brooklyn, I know you're trying, and I appreciate it. It's been a long time since I had a friend. I...I don't really know how to act anymore."
At least I've finally broken through, Brooklyn thought.
"Don't worry," Brooklyn smiled at her, "My clan and I will keep you safe. You'll have plenty of time to figure it out."
"Thank you."
Brooklyn suddenly felt extremely tired; something more than his perpetual weariness. Settling himself down on the floor next to Leah's cot, Brooklyn felt himself drift off. He was finally sleeping...
Leah smiled down at him for a long moment, then sighing, she followed Brooklyn's example.
"Goliath! Wait!"
"No, Brooklyn. This is not up for discussion!"
"But you can't..."
"That's enough!" Goliath turned to face Brooklyn in the narrow hallway.
"You know this is the right thing to do. There's no telling what could happen if..."
"Nothing's going to happen!" Brooklyn's eyes began to glow white with frustration. Suddenly his thin wall of control began to crumble. Sighing, he turned away from Goliath.
"She's dying...she...we can trust her, I know we can." He could feel the tears coming again. It was time to get away.
"I've made my decision. Broadway and Hudson have locked her in Xanatos' library. She'll be fine in there until nightfall."
Brooklyn knew he had lost, and he had to get away as soon as possible. If Goliath saw him break down...
Slowly, carefully, Brooklyn turned to face Goliath. Goliath looked at him, seemingly for the first time.
"I trust your decision. If you'll excuse me?"
"Of....of course." Goliath stammered. Brooklyn looked so tired all of a sudden...
* * *
"You...can't..lock me up!"
Hudson frowned at the young creature. He could see that she needed medical attention; her stomach was charred black, and she had a huge cut on her thigh. Sighing, Hudson walked up to her cot.
"I'm sorry lassie, but Goliath be the boss around here."
"I won't...stay here!" She gasped.
"You're not gonna get very far with that hole in your stomach," Broadway said. Snarling, the black gargoyle whipped a clawed hand across Broadway's stomach.
"Ow! Why'd ya do that?"
Hudson frowned. He could see that she was angry, but she was also growing weak. He turned to Broadway.
"Could ya go an fetch some bandages, lad? She's bleeding." Broadway frowned. He could see that she was not bleeding. He was the one who was bleeding.
"Um..yeah, sure, " he replyed. Broadway trusted Hudson's judgement. He took the hint and left.
Hudson watched Broadway leave the room.
"Ya din't have to do that to him, lass. He was just tryin' ta help."
"I know..." she replyed quietly, "I get...too angry sometimes."
"He'll get over it, dinna worry," Hudson smiled "And don't fret about bein' in here all day. Xanatos promised to take care of ya."
"Thank you," she lowered her eyes, "my name is...Leah."
"That be a nice name, young lady." Hudson smiled at her.
"It..it used to be my name...I..I.." Her breathing became shallow. Hudson could see she was getting worse.
"There now, lassie, you've worn yourself out. Try an' take a nap. Mr. Xanatos will be in soon to take care a' them burns."
She was starting to relax. Smiling, Hudson turned and left the room.
* * *
"You can't be serious."
"I am..I..."
"Hold on, calm down." David Xanatos paced around his office. He glanced at the distraught gargoyle crouching on the floor.
"What do you mean, you can't sleep?"
"Look," Brooklyn said, "I'll be able to show you what I mean in a few minutes."
Xanatos looked out the wall window behind his desk. The sun was nearly up.
"Don't you think you should be with your clan? It's almost sunrise."
"Because, like I said before, I can't sleep. Got it? I don't turn to stone anymore."
"Look, Brooklyn, Goliath told me about the problems you've been having. Maybe you should calm down and think about this."
Brooklyn shrugged.
"Just watch, Xanatos."
Xanatos looked out the window once again. The sky began to glow, and a few seconds later, the first rays of the morning sun appeared over the horizon. Xanatos sighed and wondered how he was going to get Brooklyn's statue out of his office. He had a meeting today.
"Bright, isn't it, Xanatos?" Xanatos turned around with a start. Brooklyn was awake!
"I....I suppose I owe you an apology."
"Don't worry about it."
"How long have you been like this?"
"Too long...a few months, I think. I'm not sure. This is the first day I've spent in the castle since it happened. I can't stand to see them all sleeping." Xanatos noticed for the first time the dark circles under Brooklyn's eyes.
"Why haven't you told them?"
"I didn't want to talk about it. I just sorta hoped it would go away...but it's making me crazy..."
"So, why are you telling me now?"
Brooklyn sighed. Time to spill the beans.
"Because, the one who knows why I am like this is locked in YOUR library. I've been looking for her."
* * *
Xanatos and Brooklyn stood at the entrance to the library. The heavy wooden door would never hold back a healthy gargoyle, but Leah was far too weak to cause any problems. Xanatos unlocked the door and entered. Brooklyn remained in the doorway briefly, looking at Leah. Walking up to her cot, he saw that she was asleep. Xanatos gingerly touched her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" she shrieked. Xanatos took a step back.
"A bit fiesty, don't you think?" Xanatos looked at Brooklyn. Leah propped herself up on one elbow.
"What are you doing here?" She glared at Brooklyn.
"I...came to see how you were doing. I'm sorry Goliath locked you up in here."
"I don't like being locked up like a monster."
"It's only temporary. Goliath just doesn't know you, that's all."
"And how did he know I wouldn't turn to stone like the rest of you?"
"He didn't...but I..."
"You knew I wouldn't change."
Xanatos motioned to Brooklyn.
"I have a meeting, I have to go."
"We'll be fine, Xanatos. We just have some catching up to do."
"I'll be back in an hour." With that, Xanatos left the room. Brooklyn turned his attention back to Leah.
"So maybe I did know you wouldn't turn to stone, but I didn't tell Goliath. He's just cautious. After all, there are gargoyles in New York who used to be humans."
"There...are?" Leah stared at him. Brooklyn could see he was getting somewhere.
"Where are you from, Leah?"
"Nowhere."
Brooklyn sighed. He knew he was lucky to even know her name.
"Ok, can you tell me why you were fighting with Demona?"
Leah growled, her eyes glowing bright red.
"That bitch will never catch me. I'm too fast for her!"
"She almost got you last night." Brooklyn was afraid he might anger Leah, but he had to know more about her.
"You saved me. Thank you. And your friend Mr. Xanatos has helped me with my wounds. I should recover quickly."
"I hope so...those burns look pretty nasty."
"Demona wasn't trying to kill me. They look worse than they actually are."
"What was she trying to do?"
Leah growled again.
"Why should I tell you anything? I'm a monster, and that's all you need to know! I saved your life, you saved mine. We're even!" Brooklyn was shocked at the outburst. He tried to make eye contact, but she turned away.
"Look, I'm sorry I've upset you, but I have to know something..."
"Yes, it's my fault...it's always my fault!"
"What are you talking about?"
She was looking at him again. Brooklyn suddenly felt a wave of remorse surge through his body. Her eyes were so sad...
"You don't sleep anymore because of me. You don't even have to ask me why...you know why. You remember that blue lightning Demona shot at you?"
"Yeah.." How could he forget?
"When I grabbed you, she shot something at me too...she was trying to take my mind back...she wants me back..."
"You mean, her spell backfired?"
"The two spells were not meant to go together...they...bonded us, somehow..."
"And since you used to be human, you don't turn to stone at night..."
Leah blinked.
"Yes, I used to be human...and you got part of me when those magicks combined."
"Great...and I'll never sleep again..."
"You'll have to learn to sleep like a human...otherwise, you'll go crazy."
"Leah," Brooklyn was frustrated, but he understood now, "PLEASE tell me about yourself. You're eyes are so sad..."
"I've never told anyone about this, Brooklyn...it's...hard.."
"You'll feel better once you've told someone...I promise."
Leah's eyes began to glow again.
* * *
"Out of there, beast!"
"I'll get you for this one day, demon!" Leah snarled menacingly. Demona raised her lash and applied it to Leah's back. Leah howled in agony, resisting as Demona wrenched her from the small cage.
"Perhaps someday you will learn your lesson," Demona spat at her, "But no matter; I have a mission for you tonight."
Leah yanked on her chains, trying once again to break them. If only she could get close enough to Demona; she was so much stronger...so much faster. Leah watched as red trails of blood spiraled down her forearms and soaked into her fur. She almost wished she could rip her hands from her wrists; she had to break out of the chains.
"ENOUGH!" Demona bellowed, "Hold still!"
Leah knew she could do nothing to stop Demona. She would get the shot, just like she did every night; nothing would change. Smirking, Demona waved the syringe in front of Leah's face.
"Wouldn't you like to shove this into me, beast," Demona taunted, "You are mine, and you always will be!"
Demona plunged the long syringe into Leah's stomach. Shrieking her defiance, Leah fell to her knees. She fought the vile liquid, but her battle did not last long. Slowly, Leah stood up and faced Demona.
"What will you have me do tonight, master?" Leah droned. Demona held up a picture of a young man.
"Kill this human. He is a nuisance to my company."
* * *
"You were....an assassin?"
"The best....Demona worked so hard to make me perfect."
Brooklyn could see that Leah was crying, though she was doing her best to hide it. He had never hated Demona more than at that moment; he knew, deep down, however, that Leah hated her more.
"You're very young, aren't you, Leah?"
"I was 16 when she attacked me...I've been like this for 2 years now. She made me so well. I'm strong, fast, silent...the perfect killer."
"It wasn't your fault...Demona made you do it."
"But I was the one who did it...I killed children, Brooklyn!"
"But you escaped. You're free of her now, and you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened!"
Brooklyn lowered his eyes. He knew he sounded stupid. He knew there was no way he could understand what she was going through.
"Brooklyn, I know you're trying, and I appreciate it. It's been a long time since I had a friend. I...I don't really know how to act anymore."
At least I've finally broken through, Brooklyn thought.
"Don't worry," Brooklyn smiled at her, "My clan and I will keep you safe. You'll have plenty of time to figure it out."
"Thank you."
Brooklyn suddenly felt extremely tired; something more than his perpetual weariness. Settling himself down on the floor next to Leah's cot, Brooklyn felt himself drift off. He was finally sleeping...
Leah smiled down at him for a long moment, then sighing, she followed Brooklyn's example.
