Free Companies Inc. Presents:
Brooklyn: One Rainy Day
By Keza: Queen of Procrastination
AN: Almost done almost done almost doooone! -gets ready to pop cork from champagne- oh… whoops - well, not done just yet.
This Chapter Sponsored By: Fuel's album "Something Like Human." Wow, listening to it continuously really did help me!
Chapter Nine. Ruin.
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Ruin ran blindly, skidding every few feet on the slick cobblestones, the heavy rain obstructing his vision to an annoying degree. Every so often he'd hear faint noises, muffled voices, though the origin of these sounds he could only guess. The current weather did strange things to all of your senses. He trudged out of another empty alley, realizing with dismay that in these conditions, he could only hope to find Spin and her captors if he stumbled into them by accident. Without thinking his hand reached to touch a knife hidden in his sleeve, but not even the silent reassurance of the cool steel could comfort him.
A shrill scream erupted from ahead, its sudden noise shaking the grim quiet. The spark of hope lit in Ruin's heart was quickly doused by the cold water of realization. There are not many things a scream can mean. Without hesitation he was off again, sprinting through the streets to whatever dangers lay beyond.
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More drops sprang unbidden to Spin's eyes, though she could've sworn her tears were over. She sat slumped against a wall in a small back lot, all thoughts of escape banished by the man blocking the entrance. He was trying to light a cigarette, a lost cause in the weather. Spin still wasn't sure why they had stopped, but out of the corner of her eye she could see the other man searching for something, stumbling among the boxes, crates, and broken glass with muttered curses. The first man gave up his fight with a match and turned his attention to Spin, studying her with unchecked hunger in his eyes. Spin curled up tighter and retreated inside herself, only paying attention to her surroundings with half an eye, half an ear. The other, hunting, stranger seemed to find what he was looking for.
"Got it," he said triumphantly. The other shifted by his post.
"Did it get wet? Did the ink run?" he asked worriedly.
"No, no, it's all fine." He showed it to the other for confirmation.
"Ok. Mail it then, and let's be off," he growled, hoisting Spin up roughly. "I'm cold and hungry."
Before he slipped the letter beneath his rough jacket, Spin managed to catch a glimpse of the slightly-smeared writing on the front - the address said:
James Ferns
1486 Mine W.
Concord, NH
Her jaw dropped and she stumbled in her surprise, earning a curse and harder pull on her wrist. Immediately a thousand questions swam around her head, but they all contained the same realization.
James Ferns… James Ferns… My brother?
They had only just mailed the letter when suddenly the grip on her wrist faltered. Spin snapped out of her trance and turned to see her captor, see if there was now a chance of getting away. What she saw instead was much worse, the man lay sprawled out on his back on the cobblestones, his neck heavily bruised, the rain washing away the last traces of blood and froth from his mouth. Unable to stop herself, Spin fell to her knees and screamed.
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Mercy growled and clamped a hand over Spin's mouth, then forced her head up so her frightened eyes could see him. The fear there softened a little with recognition, but she still couldn't seem to draw her eyes away from the grotesque sight in front of her. He pulled her up and turned her away, glaring in the direction that the other man had fled in. After catching a glimpse of Spin while en route to Eddie's, and the fight beyond. Knowing Ruin's sanity may never be the same if he lost his girl, Mercy had followed her closely, only striking when the time came, and they were distracted. Still, he had let one escape.
He spat on the street, then removed the short gun from where it had appeared in the man's hand and weighed it before slipping it inside his vest. It was never safe to carry such objects around, but still, the chance that it could come in handy was present. He turned back to Spin.
"What were they mailing?"
Spin was silent, still a bit shaky on her feet, her breath rattling out.
"I… I'm not sure," she admitted finally. "But… it was addressed to my brother!"
Mercy studied her intently.
"Brother?"
"Yes, he… I thought he went out west, you know, to find his fortune… but… it appears that now he's in New England."
"Left to find his fortune, eh?" Mercy asked, trying to keep the girl distracted as he walked away, continuing on his former journey. She trailed behind slowly.
"At the time my mother had just become sick," she explained, gaining confidence as the memories came back. "He wanted to help out with the costs, so he left to find a job - he still sends some money, but there was never any return address."
"Ah. Did you know those men?"
"No. Never even seen them until this day."
"So," Mercy concluded thoughtfully, "you're kidnapped by strange men, who then send a mysterious letter to your brother - who in turn has been sending you money." He paused. "I don't think it takes someone used to life in the business to figure that out, Spin."
She said nothing, obviously not fitting the pieces together. Mercy sighed.
"Ransom, woman! Ever think about that?"
Spin's eyes widened in horror.
"Ransom? But who would ever want me for ransom?"
Mercy shrugged.
"Don't ask me. Who know what your brother is involved in up there. Could be something dangerous - not all earn their money honestly," he said, voice turning bitter at his last words. Spin risked a side glance, then left him in his respective silence. Did Mercy really ever have regrets about his lifestyle? At this moment, it seemed so.
The moment was short lived, however, ending when Spin spotted Ruin, catching his breath against a brick wall. Ruin, alerted by the movement near him, glanced up, his face breaking into a wide grin.
"Spin!" then, a moment later, "Mercy!"
"Always second best," Mercy grumbled with a wink to Spin. She blinked, surprised by his sudden change of mood, then dismissed it and ran into Ruin's arms. He wrapped rain soaked limbs around her, pulling her close, kissing her hair.
"What happened?" he asked breathlessly.
"I still don't know," she said, trying to be strong but faltering, an exhausted quiver entering her voice. "I just… then… well, Mercy -" she stopped, realizing she had yet to thank the boy, but as she broke from Ruin's hold and turned, she saw that he was no longer there.
"There's a fight," Ruin explained dully from behind her. "Nothing's going to keep him from that."
"What about you?" she asked, spinning back around. There was no way she wanted him to be part of this 'fight,' but that wasn't her decision, so she spoke anyway. "Why aren't you there? Why aren't you going there now?!" she demanded.
"I can't leave you!" he said firmly. "Not again."
"When was the first time?"
Silence.
"Ruin, it sounds like they need you," she said quietly. Her words were based on guess work, but from the look on his face, they seemed to speak the truth. "I can get home. You have to help."
"No," he protested. "It's too far, there's no way in hell I'm letting you walk the streets alone. I wouldn't let you any night, and tonight it's even more dangerous," he said.
Spin didn't protest, she knew he was right - and walking home would be the last thing she'd want to do anyway. A second option was suddenly apparent.
"Heart's flat!" she said. "It's much closer, a block or two away. I can go there!" Ruin looked doubtful.
"How do you know she'll be there?" he asked, remembering her past history. After a beat, he added, "never mind, she'll be there." He doubted any sane person would be out in this weather. Now the wind was picking up too. Still he hesitated. "Are you sure you-"
"Yes," Spin interrupted, determination sparking in her eyes. "It's not far. Please… they need you," she nodded in the direction she and Mercy had been headed. Ruin opened his mouth to speak, but Spin just reached a hand up and closed it, pleading silently. He moved a wet curl of hair from her forehead in silent response, then turned and left quickly, not giving himself any chance to look back… if he looked back - he'd turn back.
Spin watched him go, waiting until his form was lost in the rain before turning around herself and moving off, trying to shake the feeling of dread that had taken root in her heart.
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End Notes: First of all, apologies for the confusion with Spin's brother… he's always been a character (well, ever since I made up profiles for all of the characters) but I completely forgot to mention him in previous chapters… leaving me annoyed because now it seems like he just popped up for convenience. Did I mention her last name before? Gah I hope so.
Well! One more chapter to go! Oh man!