The characters belong to Top cow and TNT as do all their toys, accessories and appliances, including the Witchblade.
Tenebrous
chapter 17
*****************************************
Stars sparkled in the night sky over the gas station-cum-party store, their brilliance unobstructed by the usual glow of city lights. Gabriel could still make out the incandescent haze of New York in the distance and concluded that they hadn't actually traveled very far. Judging by the fact that a bar was still open, he figured it must be before 2am even though it felt like it should be much later.
As the assassin untied Gabriel's legs, he kept a close eye on the party store and any signs of movement in the vicinity. He could hear the raucous banter from a nearby pub over the hum of the freeway and the attendant muttering to himself, but not much else. His mind kept drifting to Lady Sara. Ian was beginning to get an unpleasant feeling about her assignment, but with no plausible reason why. He'd sensed no ill intentions or deceit from Jake.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants of his surroundings appeared benign. The party store attendant was refilling a candy display, having lost interest in the assassin and his charge after Gabriel's tantrum ended, and the few cars that approached had pulled up to the pub.
While removing the last knot on Gabriel's bindings, he felt the young man stiffen. Thinking he was about to bolt again, Ian grasped Gabriel's leg firmly but the boy did not move nor speak. He was gazing with rapt attention at something behind the assassin.
Gripping the rearview mirror he'd been using to keep his balance, Gabriel discreetly rotated it. Realizing the young man's purpose, the assassin followed Gabriel's movements while making a show of stowing the cord.
As what the boy was staring at came into view in the motorcycle's mirror, Nottingham tried to think of the best way of escaping. It turned out that the cars pulling up to the rowdy pub had not been customers after all.
The men aiming guns at them from inside their vehicles seemed to be waiting for something. Noticing the man in a back seat who was focusing a listening device through an open window, the assassin was grateful that Gabriel had not spoken his warning. Whether it was out of fear or the young man's technical savvy, Ian was not sure.
The assassin noted that a bank of gas pumps separated Gabriel and himself from the Sufult. Since the sect most likely wanted the boy alive, Ian surmised that they were waiting for them to leave the gas station. Accidentally blowing up their intended captive would probably not please their superiors.
Judging by their number and position, the chances of the assassin escaping without incident were not good. Ian was dismayed, once again, that he had neglected to bring a grenade launcher.
His earlier choice of exit was now negated by the Sufult's position and he would be forced to take back roads. The assassin would be vulnerable for a few seconds as he made the gap between the pumps and the road. But he suspected Gabriel would serve as a shield once he had his back to them. He doubted they would want to shoot the boy.
His escape route decided, he turned his attention to the task at hand.
Not daring to stand up and give them a good target, he reached over and subtly pulled Gabriel's face close to his, while covertly drawing a gun. "Get ready for a ride," the assassin whispered. With that, the assassin spun. Aiming past the pump, he took out three of the armed men he'd spotted in the mirror while throwing a leg over the bike and starting it.
One of the Sufult squeezed off a wild round and the bullet ricocheted alarmingly off various surfaces of the gas station, sending sparks flying around them. Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Nottingham made a break for the road.
The assassin hurtled through the spray of gunfire with Gabriel latching on to him fiercely while trying to gain his balance. For once, the boy's reflexes had served to the assassin's advantage.
****************************************tbc
Thank you for the reviews, they do spur me on, you know.
Though I did go insane and revise this chapter to the point of having to go back to the original, the next part of the boys' little adventure seems pretty good to go, or close to it. It's the other character's parts that will be holding the next part up, unless people are just interested in the guys. Dunno, looks like I have a break from insanity today, so I may get to wrap things up before the madness of life ensues.
Hee! I love the solutions to the cat problem! Hysterical!
Unfortunately for me and the cat, I took the traditional route. The vet gave me antipsychotic drugs (for the cat, although maybe she'll share). I only managed to get one down her before she caught on and now she checks my hands before approaching. How she can spot such a tiny pill is beyond me, maybe she's psychic, dunno.
The pill made her foam at the mouth, which was pretty scary. Though she's a little quieter, I'm not sure how well I'll sleep, knowing the monster is hiding somewhere waiting to take her revenge.
Roguegal17- Sorry for all of my waffling on this chapter. Things have been so crazy busy that it's hard to maintain a straight thought. I decided to spare you (ANOTHER) revision and hope my lame spell check does it's best. I hope your computer is being kinder to you.
a~
Tenebrous
chapter 17
*****************************************
Stars sparkled in the night sky over the gas station-cum-party store, their brilliance unobstructed by the usual glow of city lights. Gabriel could still make out the incandescent haze of New York in the distance and concluded that they hadn't actually traveled very far. Judging by the fact that a bar was still open, he figured it must be before 2am even though it felt like it should be much later.
As the assassin untied Gabriel's legs, he kept a close eye on the party store and any signs of movement in the vicinity. He could hear the raucous banter from a nearby pub over the hum of the freeway and the attendant muttering to himself, but not much else. His mind kept drifting to Lady Sara. Ian was beginning to get an unpleasant feeling about her assignment, but with no plausible reason why. He'd sensed no ill intentions or deceit from Jake.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants of his surroundings appeared benign. The party store attendant was refilling a candy display, having lost interest in the assassin and his charge after Gabriel's tantrum ended, and the few cars that approached had pulled up to the pub.
While removing the last knot on Gabriel's bindings, he felt the young man stiffen. Thinking he was about to bolt again, Ian grasped Gabriel's leg firmly but the boy did not move nor speak. He was gazing with rapt attention at something behind the assassin.
Gripping the rearview mirror he'd been using to keep his balance, Gabriel discreetly rotated it. Realizing the young man's purpose, the assassin followed Gabriel's movements while making a show of stowing the cord.
As what the boy was staring at came into view in the motorcycle's mirror, Nottingham tried to think of the best way of escaping. It turned out that the cars pulling up to the rowdy pub had not been customers after all.
The men aiming guns at them from inside their vehicles seemed to be waiting for something. Noticing the man in a back seat who was focusing a listening device through an open window, the assassin was grateful that Gabriel had not spoken his warning. Whether it was out of fear or the young man's technical savvy, Ian was not sure.
The assassin noted that a bank of gas pumps separated Gabriel and himself from the Sufult. Since the sect most likely wanted the boy alive, Ian surmised that they were waiting for them to leave the gas station. Accidentally blowing up their intended captive would probably not please their superiors.
Judging by their number and position, the chances of the assassin escaping without incident were not good. Ian was dismayed, once again, that he had neglected to bring a grenade launcher.
His earlier choice of exit was now negated by the Sufult's position and he would be forced to take back roads. The assassin would be vulnerable for a few seconds as he made the gap between the pumps and the road. But he suspected Gabriel would serve as a shield once he had his back to them. He doubted they would want to shoot the boy.
His escape route decided, he turned his attention to the task at hand.
Not daring to stand up and give them a good target, he reached over and subtly pulled Gabriel's face close to his, while covertly drawing a gun. "Get ready for a ride," the assassin whispered. With that, the assassin spun. Aiming past the pump, he took out three of the armed men he'd spotted in the mirror while throwing a leg over the bike and starting it.
One of the Sufult squeezed off a wild round and the bullet ricocheted alarmingly off various surfaces of the gas station, sending sparks flying around them. Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Nottingham made a break for the road.
The assassin hurtled through the spray of gunfire with Gabriel latching on to him fiercely while trying to gain his balance. For once, the boy's reflexes had served to the assassin's advantage.
****************************************tbc
Thank you for the reviews, they do spur me on, you know.
Though I did go insane and revise this chapter to the point of having to go back to the original, the next part of the boys' little adventure seems pretty good to go, or close to it. It's the other character's parts that will be holding the next part up, unless people are just interested in the guys. Dunno, looks like I have a break from insanity today, so I may get to wrap things up before the madness of life ensues.
Hee! I love the solutions to the cat problem! Hysterical!
Unfortunately for me and the cat, I took the traditional route. The vet gave me antipsychotic drugs (for the cat, although maybe she'll share). I only managed to get one down her before she caught on and now she checks my hands before approaching. How she can spot such a tiny pill is beyond me, maybe she's psychic, dunno.
The pill made her foam at the mouth, which was pretty scary. Though she's a little quieter, I'm not sure how well I'll sleep, knowing the monster is hiding somewhere waiting to take her revenge.
Roguegal17- Sorry for all of my waffling on this chapter. Things have been so crazy busy that it's hard to maintain a straight thought. I decided to spare you (ANOTHER) revision and hope my lame spell check does it's best. I hope your computer is being kinder to you.
a~