Chapter Two
Positive now that no one is following Elisa broke into a run. Looking at facts she had it was possible that Goliath may have made it back to the clock tower; he could glide especially fast when pushed. Still she had to be sure, there was to be no rest until she knew for certain whether or not he was ok.
Dashing into the station and up the main stairs she slipped straight passed her surprised superiors and to the back, up the small set of stairs and up into the clock itself. The cogs and wheels ticked away ominously as she moved slowly through to the outside.
"Goliath?" She called, realising as she spoke that even if he was there there would be no answer.
"Sun, day time, he'd be stone… think straight Maza!"
Stepping lightly over the step and out behind the railings she looked round. "Lex, Broadway, Hudson, Bronx, Brooklyn… oh no."
Goliath wasn't there, not at either end, nor at his usual post at the head of the group. He hadn't made it back. That meant he could be anywhere.
Elisa groaned, moving back inside and flopping down in the tattered armchair she'd brought up for them, as well as the television, video games and piles of other books they had.
"Now what? I can't rest until I know where he is. I don't even know why they were fighting, I mean what happened this time?"
After sitting there for a minute or two, standing and pacing, leafing through the old tattered books on the floor she threw up her hands and ran back down the stairs. There were a few other places to try yet. Her apartment for example. It was closer to the scene than the clock tower, perhaps he had decided it may be safer to stop there rather than going all the way back to the clock tower.
Back down stairs, again dodging the chief she practically leapt down the main steps to hail a taxi. Having done so much running about all night without a pit stop Elisa was more than ready to admit she needed some sleep. But that wouldn't come easily without knowing what had happened to her friend.
Stuffing the payment for the ride through the driver window she slipped into the apartment block and took the lift up to her floor. As the lift rose she paced still further agitated, while the man beside her watched, an increasingly concerned look growing on his face. Eventually when the doors opened at his floor he shot from the enclosed space like a bullet from a gun, dropping his newspaper on the way such was his haste.
Elisa forcefully tried to regain her composure. After all it had happened before, all of the gargoyles had been caught away from home at one time for another and this was no different from those times.
Its just because its Goliath, she thought miserably, if anything happens to him I don't know what I'll do. I couldn't bare it if anything happened to him! What am I going to do?!
The lift rose and dutifully opened its doors on Elisa's floor. She stepped out and a cross the hall towards her door, reaching into her pocket to pull her keys from her pocket when a voice in a corner stole her attention.
"Detective Maza?"
"Yes." Replacing the key she looked to locate the voice, finding behind her a woman in a lush red suit with elegantly styled red hair. "Who's asking?"
"Oh, I'm Dominique Destine I just moved in a few floors down."
"Great I'm Elisa- well actually you seem to already know my name. How do you know my name?"
"I asked downstairs." The woman daintily adjusted her jacket. "I hope you don't mind but I must ask if there is anyone living with you."
"No there isn't." Growing impatient Elisa pulled her key from her pocket again. "Just me and if you don't mind there's just something I need to-"
"I didn't think so." Ms Destine interrupted gently. "I'm sorry Detective but I really don't think you should go in there."
"And why may I ask?"
"I saw someone go in there, earlier this morning. A man in dark clothes, he had really short white hair, in fact he just looked old, but he moved well for someone so old. He had lots of heavy black clothes on and I'm sure I saw a gun. I don't know how he got past security. I saw him go in with a bag and he didn't come out with it – he didn't come out. I was suspicious you see, so I watched."
Elisa, momentarily forgetting that she was sure she'd seen this woman before, paused mid-stride and turned back to her. "This apartment?"
"Yes."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. This apartment." Dominique looked worried. "I wanted to go to the police straight away, but by the time I'd convinced myself that it wasn't just your boyfriend or something you were already here."
Immediately Elisa went back into police mode. She pulled her gun from her shoulder holster and took it in both hands gesturing for Dominique to get back. "Thank you Ms Destine, you've been a great help. I don't know what you've saved me from but lets just say that I may owe you a lot for this."
She knew already who this mysterious man was. It just had to be Macbeth. Goliath had said but a few nights ago that he'd seen him around, probably after Demona again. But why he'd go for her she had no idea.
The detective took out her key for the third time, this time reaching the lock and turning it slowly.
Behind her, Dominique pressed her back into the wall, bending down and setting her shiny red handbag on the floor.
With a soft click the door unlocked and swung gently back on its hinges. Elisa pushed it with the tip of her shoe, letting light spill in from the hallway.
It was dark inside, someone had obviously closed the curtains. There was no sign of Cagny either, the faithful cat usually came to door to meet the bringer of food.
"Is there anyone in there, Detective?"
"Shh!"
Swinging round on her toes Elisa flicked on the light and brought up her gun all in one fluid movement. "Police!" She yelled, "freeze!"
Nothing.
She sighed, dragging her fingers through her hair. There was no one there.
What is this woman on? She thought almost angrily. There's no one here, not even any signs of forced entry, what was I thinking? Just believing her like that. Then again….
She moved through the apartment, checking behind the kitchen counter and moving on to the bathroom. Not a soul.
"Ms Destine?" She called going back to the front door. "There's no one here now, could you tell me again what this guy looked like?"
Dominique wasn't there, just the little red handbag resting against the wall.
What is going on here?!
Back in the apartment she looked round once or twice before pulling off her jacket and shoulder holster hanging them both on her coat stand. She even made it into her bedroom before suddenly feeling in the air that something was very wrong.
Even as she turned the figure in black sprang from the closet and grabbed her by the waist, hauling her across the room. "You're coming with me, Lassie."
"Hey, let go!" With vicious thrusts of her legs Elisa kicked back at the shins, gasping as she fell to the floor and rolling over. Crawling across the floor to reach her front room she looked round wildly for some form of help.
Ambush!
"Where are you going Detective?" Dominique Destine was standing in the archway, her hands on her hips, smiling. "Leaving so soon?"
"He's here, we need to get out!"
"Oh I know he's here." She said. "I'm the one that told him where to hide." With a deft and powerful flick of her heeled shoe she kicked at the detective, stunning her with the blow and rolling her over. "In here darling." She said, bending down to the prone figure of Elisa and balling her fist. "See you at sunset, Maza."
She rolled onto her back, parting her lips to enquire weakly; "Dominique?"
"Its Demona." Replied the woman, slamming her fist down into Elisa's face, knocking her out cold.
"Now, honey, did you have to be so rough on the girl? Goliath will be so upset."
"I know, Macbeth, but that's part of the idea." Dominique Destine, Demona, the gargoyle-come-human, brushed a few wisps of hair from her face; the pieces that had fallen from her bun. "Goliath has caused me enough pain, its time for him to feel some too."
Macbeth, bent down and gently eased Elisa over his shoulder. "Lets go then shall we, we have a lot of work to do before sun set."
"Yes, lets." Demona set a gentle kiss on his lips before leaving the apartment making her way with him to the roof of the building.
***
The pool of water shimmered once or twice before the image within it shifted to show that of the inside of the clock tower. The rustic armchair and scattered assortment of books. Almost as fluid of the movement of elaborate camera equipment the image shifted towards the outside of the tower, panning over the gargoyles one by one and halting at Goliath's spot. Empty.
Three pale hands passed carefully over the image causing it to fill slowly with a white light then disappear, fading down to a simple pool of water again.
A woman, with long blonde hair stepped back from the water and held her hands out. "The plan seems to be working well enough." She said softly, smiling at her companions.
"Yes." Another woman, an identical woman, but for her shiny black hair performed the same gesture. "I agree."
"Much better this time. The last spell we cast was weak, it did not hold them for long, but this way even if it does appear a little strong, will hold them long enough to perform the task we set." The same woman, only this time with snowy white hair imitated the motions of the other two holding out her arms and looking down into the water.
The blonde woman of the three began, her eyes flashing yellow as she spoke. "The wheels are set in motion."
"Indeed, the dice are cast."
"I hope to see how they shall land."
"And if the effects shall last."
As the last words of the short incantation were spoken the pool of water before the trio lit up again, this time with a bright blue light that shot out of the water and up towards the ceiling high above them.
Thick blue mist formed around them swirling about the room in choking clouds but none were put off. Each of them chanted, now in perfect harmony with each other.
"Now as night falls…"
"…our puppets to our call…"
"…shall bow and obey…"
"…in each and every way…"
"…to find what we seek…"
"…and though they are weak…"
"…we make them strong…"
"…to do right and wrong…"
"…until they come round…"
"…once they have found…"
"…those things that we desire!"
With those last words the three Weird Sisters raised their arms still higher and held hands, rising slowly off the floor and spinning around the pool of water still emitting blue light.
The clouds of blue smoke rolled back and up the walls culminating in the centre of the ceiling directly above their heads, shot through by the shaft of light.
Then just as quickly as it happened things began to die down. The mist slowly faded away, broken up by the blue light that slowly shrank back on itself towards the pool of water which then shifted to show another image.
Reflected from some invisible source in the rippling water were Demona and Macbeth gazing at each other in silent adoration, Elisa lying in a heap on the floor behind them, bound and gagged, still unconscious.
The first sister, her with shining blonde hair lowered her arms and thoughtfully gazed into the pool. "Although we brought them together long, long ago, I am sure this is not where we expected to end."
"No." Sleek raven-haired sister rested her hands on the edges of the pool. "I did not think we should end here, however they do prove continually useful. When they are not at each other's throats."
Smiling, the white haired woman joined her sisters, looking at the relayed image. "Yes. When they finally bring what we asked we can let them go. Return them to their original state of loathing for each other."
Outside the sun began the final stages of its descent from the sky, spilling rosy pink rays into the darkening sky. The three sisters glanced at each and nod in unspoken agreement.
"It is time."
Positive now that no one is following Elisa broke into a run. Looking at facts she had it was possible that Goliath may have made it back to the clock tower; he could glide especially fast when pushed. Still she had to be sure, there was to be no rest until she knew for certain whether or not he was ok.
Dashing into the station and up the main stairs she slipped straight passed her surprised superiors and to the back, up the small set of stairs and up into the clock itself. The cogs and wheels ticked away ominously as she moved slowly through to the outside.
"Goliath?" She called, realising as she spoke that even if he was there there would be no answer.
"Sun, day time, he'd be stone… think straight Maza!"
Stepping lightly over the step and out behind the railings she looked round. "Lex, Broadway, Hudson, Bronx, Brooklyn… oh no."
Goliath wasn't there, not at either end, nor at his usual post at the head of the group. He hadn't made it back. That meant he could be anywhere.
Elisa groaned, moving back inside and flopping down in the tattered armchair she'd brought up for them, as well as the television, video games and piles of other books they had.
"Now what? I can't rest until I know where he is. I don't even know why they were fighting, I mean what happened this time?"
After sitting there for a minute or two, standing and pacing, leafing through the old tattered books on the floor she threw up her hands and ran back down the stairs. There were a few other places to try yet. Her apartment for example. It was closer to the scene than the clock tower, perhaps he had decided it may be safer to stop there rather than going all the way back to the clock tower.
Back down stairs, again dodging the chief she practically leapt down the main steps to hail a taxi. Having done so much running about all night without a pit stop Elisa was more than ready to admit she needed some sleep. But that wouldn't come easily without knowing what had happened to her friend.
Stuffing the payment for the ride through the driver window she slipped into the apartment block and took the lift up to her floor. As the lift rose she paced still further agitated, while the man beside her watched, an increasingly concerned look growing on his face. Eventually when the doors opened at his floor he shot from the enclosed space like a bullet from a gun, dropping his newspaper on the way such was his haste.
Elisa forcefully tried to regain her composure. After all it had happened before, all of the gargoyles had been caught away from home at one time for another and this was no different from those times.
Its just because its Goliath, she thought miserably, if anything happens to him I don't know what I'll do. I couldn't bare it if anything happened to him! What am I going to do?!
The lift rose and dutifully opened its doors on Elisa's floor. She stepped out and a cross the hall towards her door, reaching into her pocket to pull her keys from her pocket when a voice in a corner stole her attention.
"Detective Maza?"
"Yes." Replacing the key she looked to locate the voice, finding behind her a woman in a lush red suit with elegantly styled red hair. "Who's asking?"
"Oh, I'm Dominique Destine I just moved in a few floors down."
"Great I'm Elisa- well actually you seem to already know my name. How do you know my name?"
"I asked downstairs." The woman daintily adjusted her jacket. "I hope you don't mind but I must ask if there is anyone living with you."
"No there isn't." Growing impatient Elisa pulled her key from her pocket again. "Just me and if you don't mind there's just something I need to-"
"I didn't think so." Ms Destine interrupted gently. "I'm sorry Detective but I really don't think you should go in there."
"And why may I ask?"
"I saw someone go in there, earlier this morning. A man in dark clothes, he had really short white hair, in fact he just looked old, but he moved well for someone so old. He had lots of heavy black clothes on and I'm sure I saw a gun. I don't know how he got past security. I saw him go in with a bag and he didn't come out with it – he didn't come out. I was suspicious you see, so I watched."
Elisa, momentarily forgetting that she was sure she'd seen this woman before, paused mid-stride and turned back to her. "This apartment?"
"Yes."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. This apartment." Dominique looked worried. "I wanted to go to the police straight away, but by the time I'd convinced myself that it wasn't just your boyfriend or something you were already here."
Immediately Elisa went back into police mode. She pulled her gun from her shoulder holster and took it in both hands gesturing for Dominique to get back. "Thank you Ms Destine, you've been a great help. I don't know what you've saved me from but lets just say that I may owe you a lot for this."
She knew already who this mysterious man was. It just had to be Macbeth. Goliath had said but a few nights ago that he'd seen him around, probably after Demona again. But why he'd go for her she had no idea.
The detective took out her key for the third time, this time reaching the lock and turning it slowly.
Behind her, Dominique pressed her back into the wall, bending down and setting her shiny red handbag on the floor.
With a soft click the door unlocked and swung gently back on its hinges. Elisa pushed it with the tip of her shoe, letting light spill in from the hallway.
It was dark inside, someone had obviously closed the curtains. There was no sign of Cagny either, the faithful cat usually came to door to meet the bringer of food.
"Is there anyone in there, Detective?"
"Shh!"
Swinging round on her toes Elisa flicked on the light and brought up her gun all in one fluid movement. "Police!" She yelled, "freeze!"
Nothing.
She sighed, dragging her fingers through her hair. There was no one there.
What is this woman on? She thought almost angrily. There's no one here, not even any signs of forced entry, what was I thinking? Just believing her like that. Then again….
She moved through the apartment, checking behind the kitchen counter and moving on to the bathroom. Not a soul.
"Ms Destine?" She called going back to the front door. "There's no one here now, could you tell me again what this guy looked like?"
Dominique wasn't there, just the little red handbag resting against the wall.
What is going on here?!
Back in the apartment she looked round once or twice before pulling off her jacket and shoulder holster hanging them both on her coat stand. She even made it into her bedroom before suddenly feeling in the air that something was very wrong.
Even as she turned the figure in black sprang from the closet and grabbed her by the waist, hauling her across the room. "You're coming with me, Lassie."
"Hey, let go!" With vicious thrusts of her legs Elisa kicked back at the shins, gasping as she fell to the floor and rolling over. Crawling across the floor to reach her front room she looked round wildly for some form of help.
Ambush!
"Where are you going Detective?" Dominique Destine was standing in the archway, her hands on her hips, smiling. "Leaving so soon?"
"He's here, we need to get out!"
"Oh I know he's here." She said. "I'm the one that told him where to hide." With a deft and powerful flick of her heeled shoe she kicked at the detective, stunning her with the blow and rolling her over. "In here darling." She said, bending down to the prone figure of Elisa and balling her fist. "See you at sunset, Maza."
She rolled onto her back, parting her lips to enquire weakly; "Dominique?"
"Its Demona." Replied the woman, slamming her fist down into Elisa's face, knocking her out cold.
"Now, honey, did you have to be so rough on the girl? Goliath will be so upset."
"I know, Macbeth, but that's part of the idea." Dominique Destine, Demona, the gargoyle-come-human, brushed a few wisps of hair from her face; the pieces that had fallen from her bun. "Goliath has caused me enough pain, its time for him to feel some too."
Macbeth, bent down and gently eased Elisa over his shoulder. "Lets go then shall we, we have a lot of work to do before sun set."
"Yes, lets." Demona set a gentle kiss on his lips before leaving the apartment making her way with him to the roof of the building.
***
The pool of water shimmered once or twice before the image within it shifted to show that of the inside of the clock tower. The rustic armchair and scattered assortment of books. Almost as fluid of the movement of elaborate camera equipment the image shifted towards the outside of the tower, panning over the gargoyles one by one and halting at Goliath's spot. Empty.
Three pale hands passed carefully over the image causing it to fill slowly with a white light then disappear, fading down to a simple pool of water again.
A woman, with long blonde hair stepped back from the water and held her hands out. "The plan seems to be working well enough." She said softly, smiling at her companions.
"Yes." Another woman, an identical woman, but for her shiny black hair performed the same gesture. "I agree."
"Much better this time. The last spell we cast was weak, it did not hold them for long, but this way even if it does appear a little strong, will hold them long enough to perform the task we set." The same woman, only this time with snowy white hair imitated the motions of the other two holding out her arms and looking down into the water.
The blonde woman of the three began, her eyes flashing yellow as she spoke. "The wheels are set in motion."
"Indeed, the dice are cast."
"I hope to see how they shall land."
"And if the effects shall last."
As the last words of the short incantation were spoken the pool of water before the trio lit up again, this time with a bright blue light that shot out of the water and up towards the ceiling high above them.
Thick blue mist formed around them swirling about the room in choking clouds but none were put off. Each of them chanted, now in perfect harmony with each other.
"Now as night falls…"
"…our puppets to our call…"
"…shall bow and obey…"
"…in each and every way…"
"…to find what we seek…"
"…and though they are weak…"
"…we make them strong…"
"…to do right and wrong…"
"…until they come round…"
"…once they have found…"
"…those things that we desire!"
With those last words the three Weird Sisters raised their arms still higher and held hands, rising slowly off the floor and spinning around the pool of water still emitting blue light.
The clouds of blue smoke rolled back and up the walls culminating in the centre of the ceiling directly above their heads, shot through by the shaft of light.
Then just as quickly as it happened things began to die down. The mist slowly faded away, broken up by the blue light that slowly shrank back on itself towards the pool of water which then shifted to show another image.
Reflected from some invisible source in the rippling water were Demona and Macbeth gazing at each other in silent adoration, Elisa lying in a heap on the floor behind them, bound and gagged, still unconscious.
The first sister, her with shining blonde hair lowered her arms and thoughtfully gazed into the pool. "Although we brought them together long, long ago, I am sure this is not where we expected to end."
"No." Sleek raven-haired sister rested her hands on the edges of the pool. "I did not think we should end here, however they do prove continually useful. When they are not at each other's throats."
Smiling, the white haired woman joined her sisters, looking at the relayed image. "Yes. When they finally bring what we asked we can let them go. Return them to their original state of loathing for each other."
Outside the sun began the final stages of its descent from the sky, spilling rosy pink rays into the darkening sky. The three sisters glanced at each and nod in unspoken agreement.
"It is time."