Ray took a long drink off his beer. There was nothing like a Guinness to
calm the nerves. He was sitting in his favorite pub, just a couple of
blocks up the road from the house. Why was everyone on his case today? He
just came home to celebrate his niece's birthday, and all hell broke loose.
He closed his eyes and let the noise of the bar drown out his thoughts.
He was in his element. It felt good. Suddenly, a man came in to the bar
and sat down beside him. Ray didn't even bother to look up. He knew who
it was.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"Simple, brother," Arnaud smiled. "Because I need to know where my wife is…And you are the man to supply me with that information."
"I told you last time, I wouldn't help you anymore. That was supposed to be the last of it."
"That was then, and this is now."
"I'm not telling you anything."
Arnaud placed a large wad of cash on the bar. Ray looked at it and closed his eyes again.
"I told you…no," Ray said firmly.
"Come now, I only want what's best for you and your family," Arnaud said sympathetically.
"What the hell are you implying?"
"Nothing. Nothing…It's just…Accidents do happen. And so often in the home."
"You bastard."
Arnaud shook his finger at Ray. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language is uncalled for…amongst family."
Ray stared down into the beer and sighed. He reached out and grabbed the money on the bar.
"I knew you'd understand." Arnaud smiled.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Violette jumped out of bed, anxious to get her party started. It was going to be great. Maman had brought new friends and made sure that Papan wouldn't come. He was a bad man…Still, she would like to meet him someday. Violette was sure that her Papan wouldn't hurt her. He was, after all, her Papan. Violette wandered over to her little vanity. She looked in the mirror and waved to her friend there. It was amazing. She had a friend just like Winnie the Pooh. She must be the luckiest girl in the world. She walked over to her door slowly opened it. Violette poked her head through to see if any surprises were being hidden. She saw Maman, Darien, Claire and Auntie Veri sitting there. Where were Uncle Bobby and Uncle Ray? Violette snuck out of her room and crawled toward the living room. Wouldn't everyone be surprised! She crept up quietly and was about to throw her hands over Maman's face, when she saw that everyone was dead serious.
"Whatsa matter?" she asked, startling everyone there.
"Violette!" Lillianne said surprised. She quickly composed herself and turned to her daughter. She reached out and picked the little girl up and set her on her lap. "How was your nap, little one?"
"It was good. Why does everyone look so sad?"
"Oh, it's nothing you should worry about, little one." Lillianne smiled weakly.
Darien leaned over to Violette. "That's right, sunshine," he said cheerfully. "After all, you're the birthday girl."
"That's right!" she said brightly. Violette leaped off Lillianne's lap, much to the dismay of Claire and Veri. She ran towards the backyard, where all the decorations were set up. "Oh, boy!" she shouted. "I can't wait 'til my friends come!"
Right on cue, the doorbell rang. Veri opened it to find a dozen smiling faces looking up at her. Each had a brightly wrapped package. They set their gifts in a pile by the door and, like a tremendous wave of energy, ran out to the backyard.
"Vi!!!" they all screamed. They surrounded her with a giant group hug and became immersed in the party atmosphere.
Darien and Claire stood, slack jawed, at the sudden rush of youth. They blinked a few times and followed the children out. This might be a major security risk. If Bobby had been there, some of those kids would have definitely been patted down for concealed weapons.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hobbes sat in Golda, just outside the pub. Something was very suspicious about that brother-in-law. There was a glint of guilt in his eye that Bobby had seen before in many a traitor. People came in and out of the pub regularly, when one particular man came out. There was something very suspicious about him. He looked vaguely familiar. Hobbes' eyes widened.
"Arnaud," he said under his breath. He jumped out of the van and ran towards the man. The man saw him and ran away, through the adjacent alley.
"Stop!" Hobbes shouted, but by the time he rounded the corner, the man was gone. All that was left was a trench coat and a rubber mask. "Aw, crap. I was right…Ray!"
Hobbes ran back towards the pub. He slowly entered and looked around. There was Ray, drinking his fifth Guinness. He seemed to be depressed. Bobby sidled his way up to the bar and sat down next to Ray. Ray looked up at him. He had tears in his eyes.
"What-?" Hobbes began.
"Goddammit!!" Ray interrupted, pounding his fist on the bar. "I'm so weak!!" He laid his head on the bar and began to beat it on the wood.
Bobby opened his mouth to respond, but Ray spoke first. "I told that bastard…How could I say no? Veri and Vi-"
Ray's eyes widened. "Violette!! I led him to Violette!"
This time, Hobbes spoke. "Ray, what did you do?"
Ray just looked at Hobbes and burst into tears, grabbing his jacket. Bobby sat uncomfortably while Ray let it all out. What had this guy done?
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Come one, partner," Hobbes said impatiently, "pick up the phone."
There was no answer. Darien's phone was sitting on Lillianne's dresser, set on vibrate.
"Dammit. Ray?" Bobby shouted into the back of Golda. Ray simply continued to sob. That was the problem with these working stiffs; the moment they got drunk, they turned into quivering mounds of flesh. Hobbes shook his head. He was going to ask the guy his home number, but scratch that. He stepped down in the accelerator and raced around the corner. He would have to warn everyone the old fashioned way.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"It's over here! Over here!" one of the children shouted. Violette desperately swung in the air and just missed the piñata that hung from the tree in the front yard. She swung again, this time hitting the piñata dead center. The paper-mâché unicorn split in two; candy flew out in a massive shower over all the children. The children cheered and began to scatter, gathering all the candy they could. Laughter filled the entire yard. Darien looked down at little Violette, having the most fun of all. He had to admit, the kid was adorable. Even the Keeper and Veri were having fun. They were laughing just as lively as the kids were. He glanced over at Lillianne who sat at the picnic table in the middle of the yard. She smiled slightly, but didn't seem too happy. After all, all she could do was listen to all the fun. She had a sad look in her eye, as though she were trying to see what was going on, but failing. Darien began to walk over to her.
Several dark vehicles pulled up all around the house. No one noticed since they were all in the back yard. Darien heard the gate to the fence creak open slowly. Suspicious, he stepped inside the house, for just a moment. He peered out a window at the gate, several men all dressed in black were making their way in…and they were armed.
"Hey, kids!" he shouted out the door. "How about opening some presents?"
All the children looked up and cheered. They began to run inside the house in a massive exodus. Veri and Claire confused followed. Claire noticed a worried look on Darien's face, looking in the opposite direction. She turned to match his view and saw the men entering.
"Bloody Hell!" she exclaimed.
Immediately, the men rushed forth into the backyard. Lillianne was on the far end, trying to make her way to the house. Darien quickly quicksilvered and ran towards her, knocking down several men to the ground. Suddenly, a shot rang out and a bullet grazed the side of Darien's head, knocking him to the ground and unquicksilvering. Several men aimed their guns straight at Darien. Several men went towards the house, guarding all the exits.
"Don't move a muscle." Arnaud said, stepping out from behind the group. He was wearing his rugged face. He wrapped his arm around Lillianne's neck and held the gun to her head.
"Oh, no." was all Lillianne could utter.
"Maman!" a little voice exclaimed from the back. "Let go of my Maman!"
Violette ran up to Arnaud. She had been up a tree when everyone ran inside. Violette ran up to Arnaud, grabbing his pant leg and kicking him.
"Let her go!!" she exclaimed again.
"What?" Arnaud said, raising an eyebrow. "Maman?" He looked at Lillianne.
"No!" she said quickly, "Little one, you seem to be confused. Go inside."
"Maman! Let go of Maman!" Violette said, crying now.
"She's your daughter?" Arnaud said gritting his teeth. He then smiled. "How very amusing. Take her too."
A large man came out of the group and picked up Violette. She screamed. He covered her mouth with his hand and began to carry her off.
"No!" Lillianne screamed. Tears streamed down her face. Every muscle tensed in her body. She clenched her fist.
Lillianne lifted her foot, kicking Arnaud in the groin. "Say something," she spat.
"You little…" Arnaud wheezed. Her kick had bee right on target.
"Merci," she said and took a swing at him. Her right fist landed square on his jaw, knocking some quicksilver off his face onto her fist. Lillianne's hand slowly began to disappear and she smiled. Arnaud took his gun and hit her across the head, right where her previous wound had been. Her forehead began to bleed profusely. Arnaud frowned. And felt his jaw. He walked over to Darien, still lying on the ground, carrying Lillianne in his arms.
"Well, Fawkes," he said, "It seems you had quite an influence on my wife. Well, now, let's play a little game of hide and seek. I'll hide her, and let's see if you can seek." Arnaud began to head towards the gate.
"Why you Swiss-Miss—" Darien shouted.
"Oh," Arnaud interrupted. "I almost forgot." He turned to one of his men. "Make sure he has trouble finding us." Arnaud and the man smiled. Immediately, the men surrounding Darien began to punch and kick him mercilessly. Arnaud got into his car and drove away. His men followed, just after Darien lost consciousness.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"Simple, brother," Arnaud smiled. "Because I need to know where my wife is…And you are the man to supply me with that information."
"I told you last time, I wouldn't help you anymore. That was supposed to be the last of it."
"That was then, and this is now."
"I'm not telling you anything."
Arnaud placed a large wad of cash on the bar. Ray looked at it and closed his eyes again.
"I told you…no," Ray said firmly.
"Come now, I only want what's best for you and your family," Arnaud said sympathetically.
"What the hell are you implying?"
"Nothing. Nothing…It's just…Accidents do happen. And so often in the home."
"You bastard."
Arnaud shook his finger at Ray. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language is uncalled for…amongst family."
Ray stared down into the beer and sighed. He reached out and grabbed the money on the bar.
"I knew you'd understand." Arnaud smiled.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Violette jumped out of bed, anxious to get her party started. It was going to be great. Maman had brought new friends and made sure that Papan wouldn't come. He was a bad man…Still, she would like to meet him someday. Violette was sure that her Papan wouldn't hurt her. He was, after all, her Papan. Violette wandered over to her little vanity. She looked in the mirror and waved to her friend there. It was amazing. She had a friend just like Winnie the Pooh. She must be the luckiest girl in the world. She walked over to her door slowly opened it. Violette poked her head through to see if any surprises were being hidden. She saw Maman, Darien, Claire and Auntie Veri sitting there. Where were Uncle Bobby and Uncle Ray? Violette snuck out of her room and crawled toward the living room. Wouldn't everyone be surprised! She crept up quietly and was about to throw her hands over Maman's face, when she saw that everyone was dead serious.
"Whatsa matter?" she asked, startling everyone there.
"Violette!" Lillianne said surprised. She quickly composed herself and turned to her daughter. She reached out and picked the little girl up and set her on her lap. "How was your nap, little one?"
"It was good. Why does everyone look so sad?"
"Oh, it's nothing you should worry about, little one." Lillianne smiled weakly.
Darien leaned over to Violette. "That's right, sunshine," he said cheerfully. "After all, you're the birthday girl."
"That's right!" she said brightly. Violette leaped off Lillianne's lap, much to the dismay of Claire and Veri. She ran towards the backyard, where all the decorations were set up. "Oh, boy!" she shouted. "I can't wait 'til my friends come!"
Right on cue, the doorbell rang. Veri opened it to find a dozen smiling faces looking up at her. Each had a brightly wrapped package. They set their gifts in a pile by the door and, like a tremendous wave of energy, ran out to the backyard.
"Vi!!!" they all screamed. They surrounded her with a giant group hug and became immersed in the party atmosphere.
Darien and Claire stood, slack jawed, at the sudden rush of youth. They blinked a few times and followed the children out. This might be a major security risk. If Bobby had been there, some of those kids would have definitely been patted down for concealed weapons.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hobbes sat in Golda, just outside the pub. Something was very suspicious about that brother-in-law. There was a glint of guilt in his eye that Bobby had seen before in many a traitor. People came in and out of the pub regularly, when one particular man came out. There was something very suspicious about him. He looked vaguely familiar. Hobbes' eyes widened.
"Arnaud," he said under his breath. He jumped out of the van and ran towards the man. The man saw him and ran away, through the adjacent alley.
"Stop!" Hobbes shouted, but by the time he rounded the corner, the man was gone. All that was left was a trench coat and a rubber mask. "Aw, crap. I was right…Ray!"
Hobbes ran back towards the pub. He slowly entered and looked around. There was Ray, drinking his fifth Guinness. He seemed to be depressed. Bobby sidled his way up to the bar and sat down next to Ray. Ray looked up at him. He had tears in his eyes.
"What-?" Hobbes began.
"Goddammit!!" Ray interrupted, pounding his fist on the bar. "I'm so weak!!" He laid his head on the bar and began to beat it on the wood.
Bobby opened his mouth to respond, but Ray spoke first. "I told that bastard…How could I say no? Veri and Vi-"
Ray's eyes widened. "Violette!! I led him to Violette!"
This time, Hobbes spoke. "Ray, what did you do?"
Ray just looked at Hobbes and burst into tears, grabbing his jacket. Bobby sat uncomfortably while Ray let it all out. What had this guy done?
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Come one, partner," Hobbes said impatiently, "pick up the phone."
There was no answer. Darien's phone was sitting on Lillianne's dresser, set on vibrate.
"Dammit. Ray?" Bobby shouted into the back of Golda. Ray simply continued to sob. That was the problem with these working stiffs; the moment they got drunk, they turned into quivering mounds of flesh. Hobbes shook his head. He was going to ask the guy his home number, but scratch that. He stepped down in the accelerator and raced around the corner. He would have to warn everyone the old fashioned way.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"It's over here! Over here!" one of the children shouted. Violette desperately swung in the air and just missed the piñata that hung from the tree in the front yard. She swung again, this time hitting the piñata dead center. The paper-mâché unicorn split in two; candy flew out in a massive shower over all the children. The children cheered and began to scatter, gathering all the candy they could. Laughter filled the entire yard. Darien looked down at little Violette, having the most fun of all. He had to admit, the kid was adorable. Even the Keeper and Veri were having fun. They were laughing just as lively as the kids were. He glanced over at Lillianne who sat at the picnic table in the middle of the yard. She smiled slightly, but didn't seem too happy. After all, all she could do was listen to all the fun. She had a sad look in her eye, as though she were trying to see what was going on, but failing. Darien began to walk over to her.
Several dark vehicles pulled up all around the house. No one noticed since they were all in the back yard. Darien heard the gate to the fence creak open slowly. Suspicious, he stepped inside the house, for just a moment. He peered out a window at the gate, several men all dressed in black were making their way in…and they were armed.
"Hey, kids!" he shouted out the door. "How about opening some presents?"
All the children looked up and cheered. They began to run inside the house in a massive exodus. Veri and Claire confused followed. Claire noticed a worried look on Darien's face, looking in the opposite direction. She turned to match his view and saw the men entering.
"Bloody Hell!" she exclaimed.
Immediately, the men rushed forth into the backyard. Lillianne was on the far end, trying to make her way to the house. Darien quickly quicksilvered and ran towards her, knocking down several men to the ground. Suddenly, a shot rang out and a bullet grazed the side of Darien's head, knocking him to the ground and unquicksilvering. Several men aimed their guns straight at Darien. Several men went towards the house, guarding all the exits.
"Don't move a muscle." Arnaud said, stepping out from behind the group. He was wearing his rugged face. He wrapped his arm around Lillianne's neck and held the gun to her head.
"Oh, no." was all Lillianne could utter.
"Maman!" a little voice exclaimed from the back. "Let go of my Maman!"
Violette ran up to Arnaud. She had been up a tree when everyone ran inside. Violette ran up to Arnaud, grabbing his pant leg and kicking him.
"Let her go!!" she exclaimed again.
"What?" Arnaud said, raising an eyebrow. "Maman?" He looked at Lillianne.
"No!" she said quickly, "Little one, you seem to be confused. Go inside."
"Maman! Let go of Maman!" Violette said, crying now.
"She's your daughter?" Arnaud said gritting his teeth. He then smiled. "How very amusing. Take her too."
A large man came out of the group and picked up Violette. She screamed. He covered her mouth with his hand and began to carry her off.
"No!" Lillianne screamed. Tears streamed down her face. Every muscle tensed in her body. She clenched her fist.
Lillianne lifted her foot, kicking Arnaud in the groin. "Say something," she spat.
"You little…" Arnaud wheezed. Her kick had bee right on target.
"Merci," she said and took a swing at him. Her right fist landed square on his jaw, knocking some quicksilver off his face onto her fist. Lillianne's hand slowly began to disappear and she smiled. Arnaud took his gun and hit her across the head, right where her previous wound had been. Her forehead began to bleed profusely. Arnaud frowned. And felt his jaw. He walked over to Darien, still lying on the ground, carrying Lillianne in his arms.
"Well, Fawkes," he said, "It seems you had quite an influence on my wife. Well, now, let's play a little game of hide and seek. I'll hide her, and let's see if you can seek." Arnaud began to head towards the gate.
"Why you Swiss-Miss—" Darien shouted.
"Oh," Arnaud interrupted. "I almost forgot." He turned to one of his men. "Make sure he has trouble finding us." Arnaud and the man smiled. Immediately, the men surrounding Darien began to punch and kick him mercilessly. Arnaud got into his car and drove away. His men followed, just after Darien lost consciousness.