Chapter 4 – The Interrogation In The Church/Natalie's Song
Meanwhile, as the rain was still pouring and the square was now virtually empty, a mysterious figure in a black cloak was hobbling about silently. Yaarp's head then poked out as he observed the people walking past him and Natalie.
It was then that Brady noticed them as they were heading for the bell tower. He then rubbed his chin pensively as an idea occurred to him and a smile crossed his face.
Natalie then entered the church with Yaarp as she was observing the interior and noticed how beautiful the glow of the candles was. She smiled as she breathed in the aroma and was enchanted by the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the place. It was then that she got a creeping suspicion that someone was tailing her and she pulled out her switchblade as she pointed it right at Brady.
"Hey, easy, lady! I just shaved this morning," he stammered fearfully as Natalie backed him into a pillar, still holding the switchblade.
"Oh really? You missed a spot."
"Okay, okay. Just calm down and give me a chance to explain," Brady retorted as Natalie kept on advancing towards him. "For what?"
Brady then whipped out his tazer gun and then fired it right at Natalie. Natalie then screamed as she collapsed onto the floor seizing madly with hundreds of volts coursing through her body. Natalie then trembled and gasped heavily as she got on her feet and glared indignantly at the older man.
"You… sneaky… son of a-"
"Uh, uh, uh, remember this is a church," Brady admonished her with a remainder.
"Are you always this charming or am I just that lucky?" Natalie sneered as she lunged at Brady and they began to wrestle on the ground. Brady then pinned her on her back as the switchblade spun out of her hand. He then held her arms down as Natalie struggled to break free.
"Let go of me, you creep!"
"You're just about as brave and daring as a man," Brady commented.
"Funny, I was going to say the same thing about you!" Natalie shot back as she shoved him off her. She then retrieved her switchblade and aimed it at him as Brady still lay on the ground.
"That's hitting it below the belt, don't you think?"
"No, this is," Natalie growled as she then kicked him between his legs. Brady then yelled in pain as he curled up into a ball, groaning. "Touche."
He then attempted to get up but just as he did, Yaarp head butted him right in the stomach and he stumbled back, nearly falling backwards again. Brady then looked at Yaarp and chuckled nervously as the light blue alien growled at him, his tail raised up and his back crouched down.
"I didn't know you had an alien pet."
"He doesn't take too kindly to officers of the law," Natalie retorted briskly and Brady coughed.
"Yeah… I noticed…"
He then cleared his throat and added, "Pardon me. The name's Brady. It's Irish."
Natalie and Yaarp then exchanged quizzical looks as they turned back to face him.
"And you are…?" Brady continued, gesturing with his hand.
"Is this an interrogation?" Natalie demanded, her eyes still on Brady.
Brady finally sheathed his weapons and wiped his hands. "I believe it's called an introduction."
Natalie then sighed deeply as she sheathed her switchblade and her face softened.
"You're not going to arrest me?"
"Not as long as you're in here," Brady answered as his eyes gazed longingly at her.
Natalie raised her eyebrow curiously with pursued lips. "You're not really like the other cops."
"I guess not," Brady shrugged.
Natalie then gave a halfway smirk as her eyes sparkled. "If you're not going to arrest me then what do you actually want?"
"Well… I'd settle for a name," Brady replied as he put his hands on her shoulders.
Natalie's face then contorted into a smile as a light glowed on her face. "Natalie. Natalie Cardin."
"Beautiful," Brady declared.
Yaarp then snorted in disgust as he moved his head away from the scene and flicked out his tongue.
"Cardin is not a name I usually come across in these parts, but I think Natalie is a name that fits you very well."
"Well, it's not every day you hear a name like Brady, that's for sure," Natalie chuckled.
"Yeah," Brady laughed. "And Natalie's definitely much better than Brady anyway."
"Yeah," Natalie giggled as they looked at each other and got lost in each other's eyes. They soon leaned towards each other and were about to kiss.
But then suddenly the door ripped open and Randy barged right in. "Good work, Captain. Now arrest her."
Natalie then gasped as she pulled away and her face quickly turned to fury, feeling like she had just been betrayed. Brady then turned to look at her. "Claim sanctuary."
Natalie remained silent with a cold, stoic rage burning in her eyes.
"Say it!"
"You tricked me," she whispered in a deadly voice.
"I'm waiting, Captain," Randy demanded impatiently and then Brady turned around to face his superior.
"I'm sorry, sir, but she has claimed sanctuary. There is nothing I can do."
"Then drag her outside and-" Randy snarled threateningly and that was when Father Matt walked right into the confrontation with a stern expression.
"Randy, you will not touch her!" he roared and then he turned to Natalie compassionately.
"Do not worry, my daughter. Minister Milhouse has learned years ago to respect the sanctity of the church," he said while he turned to face Randy with a firm gaze.
Randy then trembled with rage as his entire being seethed with hatred and fury as he stormed right off with his officers.
Yaarp then charged right after Brady as he started to bash him repeatedly from behind with his head.
"All right, ow, ow, ow, ow! Take it easy!"
Natalie was about to walk out when Randy suddenly appeared and grabbed her from behind.
"Ugh!" she grunted as Randy maintained his hold on her arm and held her close to her.
"You may think you have outsmarted me, but I'm a patient man. And gypsies don't do well inside stone walls," Randy hissed seductively as he then leaned towards her hair and breathed in.
"What are you doing?" Natalie demanded angrily.
"I was just imaging a rope around that beautiful neck," Randy hissed softly as Natalie broke away from him and glared at him with repulsion.
"I knew what you were imaging!" she snarled as Randy chuckled with an evil smirk.
"Such a clever witch. So typical of your kind to twist the truth and cloud the mind with unholy thoughts."
Natalie then grimaced with disgust as Randy walked away from her. "You've chosen a magnificent prison, but it's a prison nevertheless. Set one foot outside and you're mine."
The doors then slammed shut as Natalie quickly rushed over to them. She then opened the doors slightly to peek through surreptitiously as she saw a couple of officers standing outside the rain.
"Randy's orders. Station officers at every door."
Natalie then groaned in frustration as she slammed the door shut and sank to her knees, practically sobbing. She then glanced up to see Yaarp as he climbed on her legs and tried to console her by rubbing his face against her body.
"Meega sokka."
"Don't worry, Yaarp. If Randy thinks he can keep us trapped here, he's wrong."
"Don't act so rashly, my child," Father Matt scolded her gently as he was busy lighting up candles and blew off on the incense. "You've created quite a stir at the festival today. It would be unwise to arouse his wrath any further."
Natalie then looked at the archdeacon in disbelief as she stood up. "You saw what he did out there. Letting the crowd mistreat that poor boy?" She then shook her head in frustration and disgust as she started pacing around. "I thought if just one person stood up to end all of this nonsense once and for all-"
She then shook her head and glared at Father Matt.
"What do they have against people who are different anyway?"
"You can't right all of the wrongs of this world by yourself," Father Matt informed her gently.
"No one is going to help me, that's for sure," Natalie retorted bitterly.
Father Matt chuckled. "Well, maybe there may be someone here who can."
Natalie then sighed sadly as she walked over to a statue of the Virgin Mary and gazed at it longingly. She then looked up at the ceiling window to see the sunlight pour down at her as the area was silent. She then turned back to face the Virgin Mary statue as she leaned against the wall.
I don't know if you can hear me
Or if you're even there
I don't know if you would listen
To a gypsy's prayer
Yes I know I'm just an outcast
I shouldn't even speak to you
Still I see your face and wonder
Were you once an outcast too?
Meanwhile, just as Natalie was singing, Drew was sitting on top of a pillar moping by himself. He then perked up suddenly at the sound of her voice and was amazed. Natalie then started to walk through the church pews as she was surrounded by a bunch of glowing candles as a parade of people followed her closely behind. Drew then snuck up from above and peered at her through the pillars.
God help the outcasts
Hungry from birth
Show them the mercy
They don't find on Earth
God help my people
We look to you still
God help the outcasts
Or nobody will
As Natalie continued walking, a line of people continued walking along the walls with candles in their hands as they uttered their prayers.
I ask for wealth
I ask for fame
I ask for glory to shine on my name
An old petite and thin woman looked up to the ceiling with clasped hands and a sorrowful look as she and many other people crowded together and outstretched their hands in despair.
I ask for love
I can possess
I ask for God and his angels to bless me
Natalie then leans against the pillar and continues to walk through the church as Drew continued to hide behind pillars and stalk her.
I ask for nothing I can get by
But I know so many
Less lucky than I
Natalie then went over to a huge mosaic window as a huge beam of light shined down on her. Yaarp then galloped over to her as he perched on her right shoulder and Natalie continued to gaze up at the ceiling window.
Please help my people
The poor and downtrodden
I thought we all were
The children of God
God help the outcasts
The children of God…
Drew continued to watch Natalie and Yaarp with a smile as he admired how beautiful her voice was. However, a male voice shouted at him as he snapped out of his reverie.
"Hey, you there! Haven't you caused enough trouble today!"
Drew then yelped as he nearly knocked over a statue and raced back to his quarters. Natalie then turned around to see Drew and began to follow him hurriedly to the top of the bell tower.
"Hey, wait up! I want to talk to you!" she yelled as she pursued him up the stairs and they raced over through the walkway. She soon got up on the ladder as she was about to catch up to him.
"I'm really sorry about what happened. I had no idea who you were. I never would have in a million years put you up on that-"
As she was saying this she soon reached the top of the ladder and approached the room. She was amazed to see a huge set of the town of Salem right before her as she slowed her steps.
"Stage," she whispered as she then saw Drew standing in front of the table, surprised to see her.
"Oh, you must be that girl Natalie."
"So you're that bell ringer from the festival," Natalie replied as she began to examine her surroundings. "What is this place?"
"It's where I live," Drew answered as Natalie then walked over to the table and was impressed by the many wooden figurines scattered all over the area. "Did you make all of these by yourself?"
"Most of them," Drew shrugged as Natalie picked up a coral and pearl necklace. "This is beautiful. Oh, if I could do that I certainly wouldn't have to dance in the street for coins."
"But you're a wonderful dancer, not to mention a wonderful singer," Drew replied admirably.
"Yeah well. It's not like I have an avenue for singing. And with the background I have there's no way I'll be employed. So it's dancing for me. It helps keep bread on the table and pay the bills," Natalie shrugged with a laugh.
She then saw that there was a huge cloth covering something and she reached for it. "What is this?"
"No, wait, please!" Drew yelled. "I still have to paint them. They're not even half-way done yet!"
Natalie then whipped off the cloth and was surprised to see three wooden figurines resembling an auburn-haired woman, a brown haired scruffy looking man in a doctor's coat, and a blonde haired little girl wearing a pink outfit.
"Oh my God! That's Detective Brady! And that's also Dr. Jonas. And look, here's Will and Sonny's daughter Arianna!"
She then noticed another wooden figurine resembling the electrical elemental experiment. "And I believe this is also Sparky."
Natalie then turned to Drew while leaning against the table. "You're a very surprising person, Drew. Not to mention lucky. You seriously have all of this room to yourself?"
"Well, it's not just me. There's also the sculptures, the gargoyles and even the bells," Drew replied with a silly half-grin and a chuckle. "Wanna go see them?"
"I'd love to! Wouldn't we, Yaarp?" Natalie laughed as she turned to Yaarp. Yaarp then eyed Natalie intently while he slurped up the Dr. Dan wooden figurine.
"Just follow me. I'll introduce you to them," Drew announced as he then led Natalie and Yaarp into a room where all of the bells were.
Natalie then viewed the bells with interest as she caressed one of them.
"I never knew there were so many bells all hanging in just one room."
"That's Sophia," Drew explained as he then skipped over to each bell as he introduced them. "And Jeanne Marie, Anne Marie and Louise Marie. Triplets, you know."
"And who is this bell?" Natalie inquired as she and Drew slipped under a humongous bell.
"That's Big Marie," Drew answered as Natalie spun around and yelled out in a loud voice as it echoed right back at her.
"H-helllo!"
"I think she really likes you," Drew laughed. "Would you like to see more?"
"Of course, Drew!" Natalie exclaimed. "Come along, Yaarp!"
Yaarp then let out a big belch and then let out an alien curse as he was startled by the echo coming back at him.
"Come on, now. I've saved the best for last," said Drew as he, Natalie and Yaarp went over to the balcony. Just as Yaarp was about to follow them, Anne materialized right in front of him and blew kisses in his direction before reverting back to stone, leaving him confused and astounded.
The gang soon climbed up to the roof as they sat down and gazed over at the setting sun. Natalie's breath caught in her throat as she couldn't help but be entranced by the vivid red, orange and yellow hues shimmering in the horizon with the golden rays shedding the last of its light on the world.
"Oh my God. I'll bet not even the mayor has an amazing view like this. I wish I can stay up here forever."
"You could, you know," Drew informed her as Natalie walked away from him, her back turned and her arms crossed. "I can't."
"Of course you can. You have sanctuary," he replied empathetically.
"But not freedom. Besides, gypsies don't do well inside stone walls," Natalie retorted bitterly and coldly, remembering Randy's ominous threat.
"But you're not like the other gypsies. They're… evil," Drew stammered as he looked at her.
Natalie then scoffed as she turned around to face him. "Who told you that?"
"My master, Randy," Drew answered glumly as Natalie's eyes popped up in disbelief.
"How could such a coldhearted and cruel man like him raise somebody like you?" she demanded.
"Cruel?" Drew retorted as he shook his head. "O-oh no! He's not like that. He actually saved my life. He took me in when no one else would. I'm a monster you know."
"He actually said that to you?" Natalie questioned him skeptically as Drew glared at him. "Do I look like a normal person to you?"
"Give me your hand," Natalie ordered as Drew hesitated briefly and she grabbed his hand. "Just let me see it."
The young woman then examined his palm carefully yet intently. "Hmmm… interesting. This says here that you have a lifeline. This other line means that you're shy."
She then continued to study his hand with narrowed eyes. "That's funny."
"What?" Drew quipped.
"I don't see any…"
"Any what?" Drew interjected anxiously.
"Monster lines," Natalie declared as she gazed directly into his face. "Not a single one."
She then held out her palm to show Drew. "Now look at me. Do you think that I'm evil?"
"Oh God, no!" Drew cried as he held her hand in his. "You're kind and good and uh-"
"And a gypsy," Natalie declared shortly, still staring at him. "And maybe Randy is wrong about the both of us."
Drew then sighed deeply as he looked out at the balcony and saw a bunch of officers galloping on horses with machine guns and Uzis. He then turned to Natalie and Yaarp with a determined face.
"You helped me and now I'm going to help you."
"But how do we get out of here? There's officers at every door!" Natalie importuned him.
"We don't need to use a door," Drew answered confidentially as the two looked down from the ledge.
Natalie then glanced up at him confusedly. "Wait… Are you suggesting we climb down from here?"
"Sure. You're going to carry him and I will carry you," Drew explained and Natalie exhaled sharply.
"Come on, Yaarp," she said as Yaarp climbed onto her shoulders and she wrapped a blindfold around him.
Drew then grabbed Natalie and hoisted her over his shoulder before he jumped down from the ledge. He then started to climb down a pillar as the blindfold slipped off Yaarp's face and the young alien looked down to see the ground below him. He whimpered fearfully as he hid his face in Natalie's shoulder. Natalie tried to comfort him by rubbing his back.
"It's okay, Yaarp. Mommy's got you. Mommy's got you," she whispered.
But just then her foot slipped and she screamed as she nearly slipped out of Drew's arms. She then clutched tightly to his neck as she hung on for dear life. "Now I'm afraid."
"It's okay. The trick is to not to look down," Drew said as he soon leaped over from pillar to pillar and soon ascended up the roof. He then made a running start as he rushed over to a ledge. Natalie and Yaarp gawked with horror as they prepared to brace themselves for the jump.
"Do you seriously think you're Superman or something?!" she yelled as Drew continued dashing towards another roof. He then crouched down and leaped into the air as he was soon flying in slow motion. Yaarp and Natalie then opened their mouths and their eyes bulged out while screaming out, "NOOOOOOOO!"
Finally Drew reached the other side and was just about to reach out and grab the edge of the rooftop when he landed hard on the sign-post. Drew then yelled out in pain as he landed on the roof and crouched down, seething and exhaling sharply. Yaarp and Natalie soon jumped down onto the roof and looked at him.
"Hey, Drew. Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine," Drew winced sharply, still crouched over. "Just give me two minutes."
"That was quite a daring move you pulled back there," Natalie complimented with a laugh.
"Thank you," Drew smiled just as a tile broke off and they soon began to slide down rapidly off the rooftop. The trio screamed at the top of their lungs as embers spewed off the metal surface and they were heading for the ground. Just as soon as they were ready to fly off the roof, Drew vaulted over to a pillar and hung there. The tile then flew off to the other side as a glass window shattered. A couple of officers then raised up their guns and dashed over to the sound.
"Check back there!" one cop yelled as Natalie, Yaarp and Drew soon slipped behind a statue. They soon hid out of sight as they waited for a couple of officers to pass by them unnoticed. Then once the officer left, they soon jumped down to the ground.
"I hope I didn't scare you," Drew said to Natalie.
"Not for a single minute," Natalie declared proudly.
Yaarp then whined as his eyes were spinning dizzily and his tail flickered weakly.
"I'll never forget you, Natalie," Drew announced tenderly as he grabbed her hands and gazed at her.
Natalie then laughed and said, "Come with me."
"Where?" Drew asked.
"To the Court of Miracles. Leave this place."
"Oh no, I am never going back out there," Drew shook his head, looking away in shame. "You saw what happened today. Besides, this is where I belong."
"Fine, then I'll come see you after sunset," Natalie declared, not deterred.
Drew then shook his head, stammering. "Oh n-no. That would never work. You see, I have a busy day ahead of me. First I have to help Father Matt with the evening mass and then clean the cloisters and then ring the vespers and not to mention my master and his officers…"
He soon stopped suddenly as Natalie kissed him tenderly on the cheek, causing him to stutter and blush deeply. "Whatever's good for you."
"Here, this will give you good luck in case you ever run into trouble," Natalie explained as she handed Drew a wooden amulet.
Drew then peered at it curiously as she added, "Just remember this: when you wear this woven band, you hold the city in your hand."
Drew then put it around his neck and hid it. Yaarp then glanced over his shoulder and beeped softly through his horn.
"Go, before they see you," Drew whispered as Natalie had Yaarp jump on her shoulders and she threw the cloak around her. She then spirited off into the night and Drew watched her leave while climbing back into the bell tower with a smile. He then saw a group of soft lights glow in the distance and he noticed that Natalie and Yaarp had disappeared into the night.
It was then that he reached the bell tower and was about to jump inside when a hand grabbed his. Drew then whirled around and gasped in shock as he saw a strange face looking back at him. It was Brady.
"Hi there. I'm looking for the gypsy girl. Have you seen her?" Brady asked him.
Drew then growled angrily as he chased him deep inside the bell tower. Brady then pulled out his gun and backed down the stairs uneasily.
"Hey, easy, easy there. I'm not going to hurt you."
"No cops! Sanctuary! Get out!" Drew roared as he started to wave a torch around threateningly.
"Hang on, I don't mean to cause any trouble here! I just want to-" Brady tried to explain but Drew wouldn't listen.
"GO!" Drew roared even louder as Brady aimed his gun at him and he quickly lifted him off the ground with his bare hands. Drew then panted heavily with rage as he pointed the barrel of the gun at his temple and Brady pointed the gun at his forehead.
Brady remained calm as he looked directly at the other dark-haired man.
"Now you tell her this for me. I didn't mean to trap her here but it was the only way I could save her life. Will you tell her that?"
Drew sneered in response as he viewed Brady with great hatred.
"Will you?"
"If you go, now," Drew shot back in a menacing voice.
Brady then put away his weapon. "I'll go. But, will you please put me down?"
Drew then glanced down at the ground and placed Brady back on his feet. He then turned his back on him and started to walk away.
"One more thing. Tell her she's lucky."
"Why?" Drew demanded.
"To have a friend like you," Brady answered as he disappeared down the steps.
Drew then scoffed as he stared out into the lingering darkness.
