Note: The story of Nitro City continues from the mission, Renewing the
Lease.
Disclaimer-Selected superstars are property of the WWE, NWA-TNA and XPW. Other superstars Sea Wolf, John 'Jagged Edge' Jones, Arkuss Blackburn, Griever, Garcia, Vera and Sparrow are property of author Dave Scott. Please e-mail me at bender_hkw@lycos.com for permission to use any of these characters. I mean it. And I thank Rockstar Games and the creators of Grand Theft Auto.
(Bar Brawl)
Sea Wolf arrived at the Hangman where Bradshaw and his boys were waiting. "Hey, Justin. I'm so glad you could make it. These are my employees here. Chris Harris, James Storm and the Griever." He greeted each of them and entered the bar.
He helped himself to a plate of chicken wings along with two mugs of Budweiser. After sitting on one corner of the bar while Bradshaw and his boys were flirting and boozing like hell, Bradshaw grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the center.
"Come on, pal. Try to have some fun."
"I'm okay."
"This is the time of the evening when people start showing up. If you wanna make a name for yourself here, you've gotta start a fight."
"I can't. I don't know anybody here and I don't have anything against anyone."
"Don't give me that crap! You don't have to hit anyone. You have to start a fight with the biggest guy. You can do it! Until you spot someone who looks it, drink up." He handed Sea Wolf a beer.
He walked back to the seat where he sat when he first arrived and barely touched his beer. From behind him, it sounded like a stampede. He turned around and saw a middle aged man wearing a T-shirt with a snake and lettering reading 'Stone Cold', jean shorts and a camouflage baseball cap. Justin could tell that the man was bald from under the cap and had a thick goatee. The man was swearing and demanding a few beers before reaching the counter. The bartender casually tossed a few cans to him and watched him and some of his lackeys gulp them down. "That guy must be the leader. I should just stay out of his way." He looked at a few of the lackeys. He froze for a minute when he recognized two of them. The guy with the mullet and the fat bearded guy were with the loudmouth, beer chugging redneck. "Shit! If they spot me, I'm a dead man! I guess I'd better stay out of the way."
He kept his head down and stared at the pool tables and the lone dartboard. He couldn't stay for another hour. Not with those guys present. If those two guys he carjacked spotted him, their leader would take him apart. "I don't care what Bradshaw says, I'm leaving." He got up from the barstool and headed for the door, but didn't really watch where he was going and bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry," Sea Wolf said to the guy. It was the head of the Regulators.
The redneck's beady eyes were glued to him, looking like a rattlesnake ready to strike its prey. "Jackass! You made me spill my beer!"
"I said.."
"What?"
"I didn't mean to.."
"What?"
"If you're gonna throw a fit for spilling a beer, then you have an attitude problem!"
"What?" The redneck gave him the finger.
"That's it. I'm gone!" He began to walk away and heard the man and a few others laughing at him. He turned around and speared the guy. He sprang on the redneck and constantly punched him.
Three guys peeled Sea Wolf off the guy and tried to pound him, but broke free and fought through them. As he ran to the exit, the fat bearded guy and the man with the mullet blocked his path.
"You're the one who stole our truck!" the man with the mullet yelled.
"What's that?" Sea Wolf yelled back, pointing at something behind them. He pushed them down as they looked the other way and was about to run but he saw the head Regulator getting back up.
The guy struck him a few times and tossed him into the nearest pool table. He managed to fight back long enough to get back up and keep from getting pinned. Sea Wolf snarled at the man and charged, but received a boot to his stomach and was grabbed in a headlock, but pushed the guy into a group before getting a stunner. He raised his fists and clocked the redneck in the face a few times. He gave the redneck a kick to the stomach, grabbed a nearby pool stick and struck him in the back.
"There you go, Sea Wolf! Keep it up!" Bradshaw yelled across the room. Him and his boys jumped into the crowd and joined in on the brawl.
Sea Wolf fought his way through a few bikers and rednecks, still trying to get to the exit. As he opened the doorway, he felt a large hand grab him and tossed him into the wall. It was Kevin Nash.
"Justin, get your ass out before the cops get here! I don't want to get killed either." He darted for the exit and took off in his Rancher and didn't stop until he got back to Jerry's apartment.
-----------------------------
When the morning came, he left some rent money for Jerry and looked in the paper. Since he knew he would be in this city for awhile, he might as well find a place to stay. Besides, he was getting tired of sleeping on a couch every night.
He called a few places and checked them out. The one that seemed to be suitable was in the Van Deaver area. It wasn't too expensive and wasn't too far from where Hank Brenner's car lot was. After a day of house hunting and buying a couch, a phone, television set and a bed, he crashed into his new room ready to have yet another good night sleep. His new phone rang. "Who is this?"
"It's me. Bradshaw. Hey! You did great last night, but you left early. You were the talk of the bar after you nailed Austin. It's been a long time since he's taken any kind of beating. Do you think you can drop by tomorrow?"
"Okay. And how did you know my number?"
"You called earlier and left a message. Remember?"
"That's right."
"See you tomorrow. Bye."
(Cattle Rustlers)
Bradshaw was running towards him as he got out of the Rancher. "I'm glad you're here!" This Texas rancher looked like he was pissed off. "Justin! You won't believe this! Some bastards made off with Chavez ."
"Chavez?"
"My prized bull! He's killed more cattle rustlers and horse thieves than any of my employees. One of my trucks is gone along with a wagon. Whoever did this must have tranqued him and dragged his hide into the truck."
"He's probably hamburger by now."
Bradshaw punched him in the face. "It happened twenty minutes ago. I spotted them. They looked like a couple of homeless guys. If you really want a name for yourself, you'll follow the tracks and get my Chavez back before he's slapped on some McDonald's menu!"
Sea Wolf jumped back into the Rancher and followed the path that Bradshaw pointed in. The tracks seemed to lead off road, but lucky for him, his Rancher could handle it but was kind of slow. After taking the rough path, he spotted a truck and wagon in near a cornfield. He reached into the glove box and snagged his binoculars and a pistol. He took a better look and spotted two homeless looking men.
He recognized the first guy. It was the same one who tried to rob him when he parked the stolen beer truck behind the Hangman. The other one looked like a human version of the Predator. The guy was wearing a kilt with no shirt, had numerous tattoos and blonde dreadlock like hair. The man wearing the kilt, had a machete in his hands and trying to hand it to the other guy. The wagon was still shut and connected to the truck and it was rumbling. It looked like the bull was possibly alive. He decided to drive closer.
"Jimmy, here's the machete. All you have to do is slit its throat. What are you afraid of? It only a barn animal," the man in the kilt said.
"That's because we used a tranquilizer and it didn't seem to last long."
"You've been talking about finding a way to get to that rancher."
"I thought the steal was to extort money. If we butcher that animal, he'll grind us up and eat us for dinner." He looked inside the wagon. "That thing is a killer!"
"Who cares?"
Sea Wolf sped up and skidded in front of both creatures with his pistol in hands. "Turn over the bull! If you walk away, both me and Bradshaw might forget that this ever happened."
The man in the kilt tossed his machete to Jimmy. "Kill that guy!"
Sea Wolf open fired and shot Jimmy in the knee. The man in the kilt tried to run for the truck, but he fired another shot and hit him in the back. He approached the guy while Jimmy dropped to the ground, screaming his head off. "I don't wanna have to hurt you more. You and your friend better get out of here and get to a doctor."
The man in the kilt looked at him. "You will regret this. The Raven Effect is now beginning. You will feel our wrath.."
"Shut up!" He kicked this so-called raven guy in the head and heard a long scream from behind. He turned around and fired. Jimmy was standing in front of him with the machete in hand as the bullet went deep into his cranium. Sea Wolf grabbed the kilted man and tossed him away from the truck and then got into the truck. He looked back and saw the bull moving around and listened to him snorting. "Calm down, buddy. I'm taking you home." He hit the gas and headed back to the ranch.
The roads were more awkward driving in the truck than the Rancher that he left behind. He had no choice but to drive slowly because of the bumpy and the wagon sounded like it wasn't attached securely. Just when things were a little bit rocky, he felt something slam into the truck. He looked out the window and saw a Scranton coming at him. It rammed the truck and the wagon as well, making it more difficult for him to drive on this unbearable surface.
Sea Wolf pulled out his gun and fired from the window in hopes of scaring off the driver, but the kilted man driving the Scranton kept coming at him. "Okay, Justin. Drive carefully and try to outlast that scum and get back to the ranch." He did the best he could but he couldn't avoid or outrun the other vehicle. "Maybe I should just stop the truck, get out and blow this guy's brains out. That's probably the only way." Something ahead caught his eye that moment. There were a few men up ahead and each carried a shotgun. "If I didn't know any better, those must be Bradshaw's posse." He loudly blew the horn of the truck and passed through the armed men and heard numerous gunshots after passing by. He stopped the truck and watched the Scranton flee as some shotgun shells hit it.
He smiled as he saw Bradshaw open the gates and signal him to drive through. He stopped the truck and helped Bradshaw open that back of the wagon. The huge black bull jumped out with no hesitation whatsoever and let out a loud moo as if it were a sigh of relief.
"You got my Chavez back," Bradshaw said petting the animal. Sea Wolf slowly walked past them, but Chavez noticed him about to leave and remained calm. "I think he likes you, Justin. He's never this way around strangers."
"Who knows?"
"Maybe he knew that you just saved his life." He led his recovered pet into its pen. "You've done a lot for me today. I apologize for getting on your case and hitting you earlier. How about you take the rest of the day off."
"Sure."
"By the way. Were you able to identify that guy driving."
"He had blonde dreadlocks and wore a kilt. The other guy is dead."
"That guy in the kilt calls himself Raven. He's the head of a gang known as the Flock. They reside in the Bowery of this city. They're just a pack of thieves and drug dealers. Unless you're with anyone, try to avoid him. He's a dangerous man!"
"I will."
(Rodeo Clown)
Justin arrived at Bradshaw's ranch at the crack of dawn and worked along the side with Chris Harris and James Storm. After five hours of manual labor, it was lunchtime. He wolfed down his country fried steak and mashed potatoes and headed back into the fields. Before he could jump back on the tractor, Bradshaw approached him.
"I'll bet you're wondering how I got all of this that you see here."
"Not really."
"Well, you're gonna hear it anyway. Ten years ago, some of my roommates and I got involved in the stock market. We put only a certain percentage down and once it went up, we bought and I guess it just pure luck. I managed to strike it rich."
"That's nice."
"Here's what I want you to do. One of my employees phoned me a few minutes ago. I asked him to pick up some of my earnings uptown, but after he picked them up he spotted some Creeper bastards outside the building. It's appeared that he was followed and they're looking to take those earnings. Since my employee is alone and those earnings are worth a lot, I'd like you to distract those freaks until he gets back here. He's that short guy you met yesterday."
"Jamie Noble?"
"That's right."
Justin decided to take his Rancher and went uptown. Once he located the building, he slipped by the gang of Creepers who waited in the shadows and found Jamie Noble.
"What are doing here?"
"Bradshaw sent me. I heard about your situation. I'm gonna go out there are create a diversion so you get back to the ranch with those earnings or whatever the hell you got there. How did you get here?"
"I took one of his trucks. It's that one out there." He pointed at a monster truck that looked like it had horns on the front bumper.
"That thing? I think I can drive that. Okay." He looked out the window. "Here's the plan. I'm gonna take off with that truck and while they're chasing me, go ahead and take my Rancher."
"Got it."
Justin walked out of the building with a duplicate briefcase and headed for the Longhorn. The minute he left the parking lot, he heard a buzzing sound all around. He looked on each side and spotted an individual dressed in all black on a motorcycle. They began to whack the Longhorn with chain and fire at him. He turned around and turned the vehicle straight into the city, figuring that they wouldn't follow or attack him in broad daylight in an area where people frequently walk the streets. He was wrong.
He swerved the vehicle, hoping to confuse them or drive them off the road, but they still wouldn't let up. There were about eight guys on motorcycles chasing him down. Three on each side and two in the back. He moved from side to side and managed to knock two of them on each side off the road. The other two caught up with him and continued to strike the Longhorn with their chains. "That's it! He picked up the Uzi that was sitting on the seat of the passenger side. He rolled down his window and fired at the Creeper on his side, watching the body fly from the motorcycle and splatter against a nearby building. The Creeper on the other side had driven ahead of him and tried to flag the two behind the vehicle to move up.
Sea Wolf slammed his foot on the brakes and could hear a loud smack from the back. He moved forward and shifted gear to reverse over the two guys. He hit the gas again and decided to go after the last gang member. The last one fled after seeing his comrades wiped out. Sea Wolf caught up with the guy, even though he had to dodge other vehicles and pedestrians, surprisingly not hitting anyone. He put down his Uzi and decided not to waste any ammo. Like an angry bull goring a fighter, he was going seventy and sent the last gang member flying. "It looks like Jamie has nothing to worry about. He should be at the ranch by now."
Just when he thought things were fine, he listened to the sirens wail. He looked around but didn't see any panic or anything suspicious. The cops were on to him. He had to drive back downtown and find a place to hide. There weren't any auto shops nearby and the vehicle he was driving could be identified without a problem. He decided to cut through the Bahamut section. He assumed that the cops would spot a few illegal activities and forget about him. There were shots fired as he passed through and heard gunshots from the police car, but luckily they didn't fire at him. He took a short cut through a few of the alleys and went for the bridge he took where he had entered the North days ago. He spotted a large gap and had driven between it, hiding under the entrance. His cell phone rang. "Justin, Jamie has arrived safely and has my stuff all in one piece. Did you handle it pretty well?"
"Yes, but I have to shake the cops first. They saw me run down one of those creatures that jumped me. I'll call you back." He remained inside with the engine running and his Uzi in hand. An hour and a half passed and there was no sign of the police. It looked like they gave up. He came out from his hiding place and made it back to the ranch without incident.
Bradshaw walked out of his home and headed to the vehicle. "Great to see you."
"Yeah. It wasn't too hard except for evading the police."
"Don't worry about it. As long as they didn't spot you." He dug through his wallet and handed him a handful of cash. "That's for risking your life. I also figured that we should celebrate. My boys and I are heading to the Hangman in a few hours to get shit faced. How about you?"
"I don't feel like getting shit faced, but if you guys are doing so, I'll drive you back."
"Great! You have nothing to worry about. Since you're no longer a stranger there. See you later."
(Sparrow's Last Tune)
Sea Wolf was busy playing a game of pool with the Griever while Bradshaw was sucking down pitchers and telling stupid jokes. Scott Hall was at one of the tables passed out as Booker T was across from him, scarfing down chicken wings and potato skins with his eyes glued to the television. Everything appeared to be relaxed. There was no panic in the bar. No fights. The guy Austin was nowhere in sight, so it looked like things would be fine. The bar's owner, Kevin Nash was the only one in a bad mood.
Sea Wolf decided to ignore it and let Kevin walk it off. He went to the bar and ordered a beer and overheard Bradshaw and some of his guys talking to Nash about something going around.
"Can you believe it?" Kevin Nash said. "That girl was nothing but a parasite!" His eyes rolled toward Sea Wolf, who he could tell was eavesdropping.
"Justin! Both Bradshaw and Scott have told me numerous stories about you, so I'm convinced that you're the right man for the job. There's some chick who used to hang out here everyone knew as Sparrow. She has the voice like a nightingale and moves around a hummingbird.
"Last Friday night, several individuals went into some psychotic state and later died. It turned out their drinks were drugged with some illegal substance. As far as I know, it wasn't LSD or rohyphnol. It's something else. I don't know what it is, but a few witnessed it and came forward. Sparrow did it. Since you're a good fixer, I want that bitch dead!"
"I'm sorry, but I don't hurt women or children."
"She killed some of my customers. I'm willing to put some good money down on this and if you're pussy out because of your own morals then get the fuck out and don't expect to work in this town again!"
"Wait! Wait a minute, Nash!" some blonde woman said. "I can understand if he has no motive, but some of us do." She put her hands on Sea Wolf's shoulder. "Garcia and I will go with him and we'll kill her." Sea Wolf looked at her and nodded his head. "Some of those people were my friends."
"That'll do." He stood up and looked at both girls in black leather. "You'll probably be outnumbered because Sparrow lives in the Bowery and she'll have some backup too." He looked back at Justin. "Vera and Garcia will take her out. You kill anything that is protecting her. And take care of the ladies, please. That songbird has sang her opera for the last time."
--------------------------------
Sea Wolf borrowed yet another vehicle from Hank Brenner's lot. The Hummer looked suitable for a task like this. Before hitting the Bowery, the girls asked him to stop by their loft for some firearms. He didn't speak too much to the bikers on the way.
Vera, the blonde woman looked like she was ready for action. He couldn't help but notice but she had a preppy like face but she had all the biker gear needed. Garcia looked more vicious from her appearance, but maybe it was just the numerous tattoos and piercings but the look in her eyes told him that she was nervous.
"We're in the area now. Do either of you know what Sparrow looks like?"
"She has shoulder length black hair. Kind of resembles Michelle Branch or Vanessa Carlton. What's the difference?" said Vera.
"One plays the guitar. The other plays the piano."
"I didn't ask you to compare singers. She looks like one of those chicks and she wears grunge clothing."
"That could be anyone."
"She also has an opera voice and likes to sing wherever she is."
He shut off the radio and drove deeper into the Bowery. The section of the city only consisted of seaports, the slums and a few market places. There appeared to be a seafood eatery around. He couldn't resist and stopped the car. He stuffed a lead pipe under his jacket and headed to the eatery while both women smuggled their pistols. He quickly ordered five pounds of shrimp to go.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Justin," Garcia whispered. "This is the deadliest part of the city. You shouldn't walk around ordering seafood."
"Relax. I'm armed and so are the two of you. I haven't had shrimp in months."
"Make it fast because there are a bunch of cretins that'll kill us without thinking twice if we're spotted."
When his order was ready and he paid up, he could hear a sweet sound flowing down the block of these slums. He stood still and listened for awhile.
'Could this moment last forever
And this dream our one endeavor
If the stars would just enchant
And time would then agree'
'Every moment of tomorrow
From this evening we would borrow
If this wish the stars would grant and gently oversee'
'And we would live inside this night
Within the dreams of candlelight
If you would bring this wish to life and spend this night with me'
Property of Trans-Siberian Orchestra 'Dreams of Candlelight'
Courtesy of Atlantic and Lava Records
He looked at the young woman sitting on a spray painted bench and sipping a Jolt cola to clear her throat. Her shoulder length black hair glistened in the night and she had the face of an innocent schoolgirl.
"What are you staring at?" said Vera. "It's her."
"It can't be. She doesn't look or sound like the type who would hurt somebody."
"Shit! Is that what they taught you back in Navy? You can sit here if you want, but Garcia and I are gonna take her out." Both women approached the songbird quietly as Sea Wolf nervously watched.
The songbird looked up as the two biker chicks spotted her during a deal. She leapt from her bench as sprinted across the marketplace before they could draw their weapons. A group of punks lunged at the girls as they started to give chase. Sea Wolf charged at the punks and clocked them with his lead pipe to clear the path for Vera and Garcia. After beating down the group he looked around but saw no sign of sparrow of the biker chicks. He only heard a few gunshots but wasn't sure where they came from or who fired. He couldn't stick around here, but he didn't want to leave without the girls. He went back to the Hummer and went around the block, hoping to find them in that direction.
"They couldn't have gone too far. I have to find them though. There might be more of those punks hiding away and waiting for some fresh prey." More gunshots were heard as he turned on the nearest street. Three young women ran from an alley and darted in front of his vehicle. He found them.
Vera and Garcia were still running and firing at Sparrow who didn't seem to get tired even though she was running like a member of a track team. "Stop running, you bitch!" Vera yelled. "The only tune you'll be singing is Highway to Hell!"
He went forward as they ran past him and took another route, hoping to catch Sparrow off guard. As he sped around the corner, he didn't pay too much attention and head a loud thump ahead and saw something land on the hood of the vehicle. He got out of the Hummer and saw Sparrow roll off the hood. Both bikers showed up and aimed.
"Get out of the way, Justin," Garcia said.
"Hold on, ladies." He helped up Sparrow and propped her against the Hummer. "What's the deal? You seem look a good girl. You have an amazing voice and had people who trusted and looked out for you and now you're dealing dope and poisoning people. What's your problem?"
"I'm not a good girl and I don't have to answer to any of you."
Vera and Garcia pushed Justin out of the way and began to beat and kick Sparrow. "Those were friends of our you killed a few nights ago," Garcia said.
"What are you going to do? Cry about it?" Sparrow said sarcastically. "Or are you going to tell on me?"
Vera slapped Sparrow across the face with her weapon. "Bitch! The police will be the last thing you'll need to worry about!" She placed Sparrow on her knees and advised her not to turn around. "Any last requests?"
Sparrow grinned and didn't look back. The unique words she quoted were:
'And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore'
Quote is by Edgar Allen Poe "The Raven" The Raven and Other Poems, 1845
Both Vera and Garcia pulled the hammer of their guns while Sparrow had quoted a poem that existed for over a century. Sea Wolf had looked the other way and listened to the poem and heard the girls fire at the same time.
"Done," said Vera. They moved the body out of the path of the Hummer and tossed it into the closest alley. "It's okay, Justin. You can look now."
He got back into the driver's seat and didn't talk at all for the rest of the trip. He dropped them off at the Hangman and then took off without listening to their goodnights.
(Gothic Gundam)
"Hey, Justin. We missed you last night," Kevin Nash told him. "What happened?"
"I wasn't in the mood to celebrate last night."
"Is it about Sparrow?"
"Yes, she was unarmed. Vera and Garcia shot her execution style."
"Let me guess. You heard he singing?"
"Yes, I did."
"Maybe a day of mourning or a tall pitcher of Bud Dry will get her off your mind. Besides, you forgot your payment for the job. Why don't you drop in this evening?"
"Okay."
--------------------------------
Sea Wolf arrived at the Hangman to pick up a payment from Kevin Nash and wondered what he wanted to talk to him about. The bar wasn't open yet and Kevin was the only person present. "I'm glad to see you. Here's your check by the way."
"Thank you."
"I'm wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"Does it involve killing more people?"
"Yes, but these individuals deserve it. If you could hear me out, I'll tell you everything. Some Creepers have been dealing on my property lately! I don't know if it's the same substance that Sparrow used to spike drinks with, but they're selling it more easily than Girl Scout cookies! I want those guys dead! Do whatever is necessary!"
Sea Wolf jumped into the Berkley and waited around for any Creepers to show. Their description was easy. They looked like a bunch of Marilyn Manson/Addams Family/Lenore rejects. He placed his Colt Python on his belt and kept his lead pipe and Uzi in the passenger seat. When two of them arrived, he quietly had driven close to them, got out of the car and hit the closest Creeper in the head with his lead pipe. The other one came at him with a switchblade, but Sea Wolf whacked him in the wrist and then hit him across the face. He jumped back into the Berkley and scouted around for any more dealers.
He spotted a few in Lorry, uptown, Van Deavor and St. Brand and repeated the same procedures against the dealers. He headed south, expecting them to be in groups. Instead of getting out of his vehicle, he stepped on the gas and ran them down. When he passed through the Bahamut section, he had to be cautious and grabbed his Uzi. He saw a group of Creepers hanging around in an empty parking lot. It was either their meeting place to pool their profit together or they were just looking to beat somebody up. He rolled down his window and fired at them. Six or seven of them dropped dead while the rest charged toward his vehicle.
He shifted to reverse until he was at a reasonable distance for the gang members and rammed them like human bowling pins. He jumped out and gathered the money that some of them dropped and headed back for his car.
A Hell Rider came from nowhere and started ramming his car. The Berkley that Sea Wolf was driving was fast but he couldn't outrun a vehicle such as that. "Great. Just great! I'm in one of the most dangerous parts of town being chased by some freak that had watched Dracula too many times. And worse, he caught me in the act of killing his fellow gang members! I should have known that this wasn't the best getaway car. What the fuck am I gonna do?"
He still had his Uzi in his hand. He kept his eyes on the road and stuck his right arm out of the window and fired at the speeding Hell Rider. He slipped his arm back into the vehicle each time the Creeper side-swiped him. Sea Wolf kept firing until the Hell Rider starting going up in smoke and the driver eventually gave up and retreated, abandoning his burning car.
Sea Wolf heard the explosion loud and clear and took a few shortcuts so the police couldn't spot him and made it back to the Hangman in one piece. Once he got there, the bar was starting to fill up.
Kevin seemed impressed. "So I've heard the news. It's like you have the strength of ten men. What's your secret?"
"I don't know. Just shoot first and run like hell."
"That's the spirit!" He pointed out at someone nearby. "Justin, there's somebody I'd like you to meet. He's been asking about you for awhile." They both turned to the man as he turned his chair around. "Hey, Steve. This is Justin aka Sea Wolf."
Sea Wolf's jaw dropped when he made eye contact with the same man he started a fight with almost a week ago. The leader of the Regulators. The redneck presented to shake his hand. "Stone Cold Steve Austin."
"Justin Timberwolfe."
"What?"
"Justin."
"What?"
He pulled his arm away from Austin. "What in the hell is your problem? You sound like a broken record!"
"What? You know, kid. I recognize you now. I know you! You're the son of a bitch you stole one of my Keggers. What?" He walked around Justin while talking to him. "What?" Justin stared at him dead in his beady rattlesnake eyes and then Austin started laughing. "I like you, kid!" He shook his hand. "Kevin, Bradshaw, Scott Hall and Booker T have been talking a lot about you. If you're interested in working for me, just drop by and talk to me. Until then, make yourself at home and have a drink."
Disclaimer-Selected superstars are property of the WWE, NWA-TNA and XPW. Other superstars Sea Wolf, John 'Jagged Edge' Jones, Arkuss Blackburn, Griever, Garcia, Vera and Sparrow are property of author Dave Scott. Please e-mail me at bender_hkw@lycos.com for permission to use any of these characters. I mean it. And I thank Rockstar Games and the creators of Grand Theft Auto.
(Bar Brawl)
Sea Wolf arrived at the Hangman where Bradshaw and his boys were waiting. "Hey, Justin. I'm so glad you could make it. These are my employees here. Chris Harris, James Storm and the Griever." He greeted each of them and entered the bar.
He helped himself to a plate of chicken wings along with two mugs of Budweiser. After sitting on one corner of the bar while Bradshaw and his boys were flirting and boozing like hell, Bradshaw grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the center.
"Come on, pal. Try to have some fun."
"I'm okay."
"This is the time of the evening when people start showing up. If you wanna make a name for yourself here, you've gotta start a fight."
"I can't. I don't know anybody here and I don't have anything against anyone."
"Don't give me that crap! You don't have to hit anyone. You have to start a fight with the biggest guy. You can do it! Until you spot someone who looks it, drink up." He handed Sea Wolf a beer.
He walked back to the seat where he sat when he first arrived and barely touched his beer. From behind him, it sounded like a stampede. He turned around and saw a middle aged man wearing a T-shirt with a snake and lettering reading 'Stone Cold', jean shorts and a camouflage baseball cap. Justin could tell that the man was bald from under the cap and had a thick goatee. The man was swearing and demanding a few beers before reaching the counter. The bartender casually tossed a few cans to him and watched him and some of his lackeys gulp them down. "That guy must be the leader. I should just stay out of his way." He looked at a few of the lackeys. He froze for a minute when he recognized two of them. The guy with the mullet and the fat bearded guy were with the loudmouth, beer chugging redneck. "Shit! If they spot me, I'm a dead man! I guess I'd better stay out of the way."
He kept his head down and stared at the pool tables and the lone dartboard. He couldn't stay for another hour. Not with those guys present. If those two guys he carjacked spotted him, their leader would take him apart. "I don't care what Bradshaw says, I'm leaving." He got up from the barstool and headed for the door, but didn't really watch where he was going and bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry," Sea Wolf said to the guy. It was the head of the Regulators.
The redneck's beady eyes were glued to him, looking like a rattlesnake ready to strike its prey. "Jackass! You made me spill my beer!"
"I said.."
"What?"
"I didn't mean to.."
"What?"
"If you're gonna throw a fit for spilling a beer, then you have an attitude problem!"
"What?" The redneck gave him the finger.
"That's it. I'm gone!" He began to walk away and heard the man and a few others laughing at him. He turned around and speared the guy. He sprang on the redneck and constantly punched him.
Three guys peeled Sea Wolf off the guy and tried to pound him, but broke free and fought through them. As he ran to the exit, the fat bearded guy and the man with the mullet blocked his path.
"You're the one who stole our truck!" the man with the mullet yelled.
"What's that?" Sea Wolf yelled back, pointing at something behind them. He pushed them down as they looked the other way and was about to run but he saw the head Regulator getting back up.
The guy struck him a few times and tossed him into the nearest pool table. He managed to fight back long enough to get back up and keep from getting pinned. Sea Wolf snarled at the man and charged, but received a boot to his stomach and was grabbed in a headlock, but pushed the guy into a group before getting a stunner. He raised his fists and clocked the redneck in the face a few times. He gave the redneck a kick to the stomach, grabbed a nearby pool stick and struck him in the back.
"There you go, Sea Wolf! Keep it up!" Bradshaw yelled across the room. Him and his boys jumped into the crowd and joined in on the brawl.
Sea Wolf fought his way through a few bikers and rednecks, still trying to get to the exit. As he opened the doorway, he felt a large hand grab him and tossed him into the wall. It was Kevin Nash.
"Justin, get your ass out before the cops get here! I don't want to get killed either." He darted for the exit and took off in his Rancher and didn't stop until he got back to Jerry's apartment.
-----------------------------
When the morning came, he left some rent money for Jerry and looked in the paper. Since he knew he would be in this city for awhile, he might as well find a place to stay. Besides, he was getting tired of sleeping on a couch every night.
He called a few places and checked them out. The one that seemed to be suitable was in the Van Deaver area. It wasn't too expensive and wasn't too far from where Hank Brenner's car lot was. After a day of house hunting and buying a couch, a phone, television set and a bed, he crashed into his new room ready to have yet another good night sleep. His new phone rang. "Who is this?"
"It's me. Bradshaw. Hey! You did great last night, but you left early. You were the talk of the bar after you nailed Austin. It's been a long time since he's taken any kind of beating. Do you think you can drop by tomorrow?"
"Okay. And how did you know my number?"
"You called earlier and left a message. Remember?"
"That's right."
"See you tomorrow. Bye."
(Cattle Rustlers)
Bradshaw was running towards him as he got out of the Rancher. "I'm glad you're here!" This Texas rancher looked like he was pissed off. "Justin! You won't believe this! Some bastards made off with Chavez ."
"Chavez?"
"My prized bull! He's killed more cattle rustlers and horse thieves than any of my employees. One of my trucks is gone along with a wagon. Whoever did this must have tranqued him and dragged his hide into the truck."
"He's probably hamburger by now."
Bradshaw punched him in the face. "It happened twenty minutes ago. I spotted them. They looked like a couple of homeless guys. If you really want a name for yourself, you'll follow the tracks and get my Chavez back before he's slapped on some McDonald's menu!"
Sea Wolf jumped back into the Rancher and followed the path that Bradshaw pointed in. The tracks seemed to lead off road, but lucky for him, his Rancher could handle it but was kind of slow. After taking the rough path, he spotted a truck and wagon in near a cornfield. He reached into the glove box and snagged his binoculars and a pistol. He took a better look and spotted two homeless looking men.
He recognized the first guy. It was the same one who tried to rob him when he parked the stolen beer truck behind the Hangman. The other one looked like a human version of the Predator. The guy was wearing a kilt with no shirt, had numerous tattoos and blonde dreadlock like hair. The man wearing the kilt, had a machete in his hands and trying to hand it to the other guy. The wagon was still shut and connected to the truck and it was rumbling. It looked like the bull was possibly alive. He decided to drive closer.
"Jimmy, here's the machete. All you have to do is slit its throat. What are you afraid of? It only a barn animal," the man in the kilt said.
"That's because we used a tranquilizer and it didn't seem to last long."
"You've been talking about finding a way to get to that rancher."
"I thought the steal was to extort money. If we butcher that animal, he'll grind us up and eat us for dinner." He looked inside the wagon. "That thing is a killer!"
"Who cares?"
Sea Wolf sped up and skidded in front of both creatures with his pistol in hands. "Turn over the bull! If you walk away, both me and Bradshaw might forget that this ever happened."
The man in the kilt tossed his machete to Jimmy. "Kill that guy!"
Sea Wolf open fired and shot Jimmy in the knee. The man in the kilt tried to run for the truck, but he fired another shot and hit him in the back. He approached the guy while Jimmy dropped to the ground, screaming his head off. "I don't wanna have to hurt you more. You and your friend better get out of here and get to a doctor."
The man in the kilt looked at him. "You will regret this. The Raven Effect is now beginning. You will feel our wrath.."
"Shut up!" He kicked this so-called raven guy in the head and heard a long scream from behind. He turned around and fired. Jimmy was standing in front of him with the machete in hand as the bullet went deep into his cranium. Sea Wolf grabbed the kilted man and tossed him away from the truck and then got into the truck. He looked back and saw the bull moving around and listened to him snorting. "Calm down, buddy. I'm taking you home." He hit the gas and headed back to the ranch.
The roads were more awkward driving in the truck than the Rancher that he left behind. He had no choice but to drive slowly because of the bumpy and the wagon sounded like it wasn't attached securely. Just when things were a little bit rocky, he felt something slam into the truck. He looked out the window and saw a Scranton coming at him. It rammed the truck and the wagon as well, making it more difficult for him to drive on this unbearable surface.
Sea Wolf pulled out his gun and fired from the window in hopes of scaring off the driver, but the kilted man driving the Scranton kept coming at him. "Okay, Justin. Drive carefully and try to outlast that scum and get back to the ranch." He did the best he could but he couldn't avoid or outrun the other vehicle. "Maybe I should just stop the truck, get out and blow this guy's brains out. That's probably the only way." Something ahead caught his eye that moment. There were a few men up ahead and each carried a shotgun. "If I didn't know any better, those must be Bradshaw's posse." He loudly blew the horn of the truck and passed through the armed men and heard numerous gunshots after passing by. He stopped the truck and watched the Scranton flee as some shotgun shells hit it.
He smiled as he saw Bradshaw open the gates and signal him to drive through. He stopped the truck and helped Bradshaw open that back of the wagon. The huge black bull jumped out with no hesitation whatsoever and let out a loud moo as if it were a sigh of relief.
"You got my Chavez back," Bradshaw said petting the animal. Sea Wolf slowly walked past them, but Chavez noticed him about to leave and remained calm. "I think he likes you, Justin. He's never this way around strangers."
"Who knows?"
"Maybe he knew that you just saved his life." He led his recovered pet into its pen. "You've done a lot for me today. I apologize for getting on your case and hitting you earlier. How about you take the rest of the day off."
"Sure."
"By the way. Were you able to identify that guy driving."
"He had blonde dreadlocks and wore a kilt. The other guy is dead."
"That guy in the kilt calls himself Raven. He's the head of a gang known as the Flock. They reside in the Bowery of this city. They're just a pack of thieves and drug dealers. Unless you're with anyone, try to avoid him. He's a dangerous man!"
"I will."
(Rodeo Clown)
Justin arrived at Bradshaw's ranch at the crack of dawn and worked along the side with Chris Harris and James Storm. After five hours of manual labor, it was lunchtime. He wolfed down his country fried steak and mashed potatoes and headed back into the fields. Before he could jump back on the tractor, Bradshaw approached him.
"I'll bet you're wondering how I got all of this that you see here."
"Not really."
"Well, you're gonna hear it anyway. Ten years ago, some of my roommates and I got involved in the stock market. We put only a certain percentage down and once it went up, we bought and I guess it just pure luck. I managed to strike it rich."
"That's nice."
"Here's what I want you to do. One of my employees phoned me a few minutes ago. I asked him to pick up some of my earnings uptown, but after he picked them up he spotted some Creeper bastards outside the building. It's appeared that he was followed and they're looking to take those earnings. Since my employee is alone and those earnings are worth a lot, I'd like you to distract those freaks until he gets back here. He's that short guy you met yesterday."
"Jamie Noble?"
"That's right."
Justin decided to take his Rancher and went uptown. Once he located the building, he slipped by the gang of Creepers who waited in the shadows and found Jamie Noble.
"What are doing here?"
"Bradshaw sent me. I heard about your situation. I'm gonna go out there are create a diversion so you get back to the ranch with those earnings or whatever the hell you got there. How did you get here?"
"I took one of his trucks. It's that one out there." He pointed at a monster truck that looked like it had horns on the front bumper.
"That thing? I think I can drive that. Okay." He looked out the window. "Here's the plan. I'm gonna take off with that truck and while they're chasing me, go ahead and take my Rancher."
"Got it."
Justin walked out of the building with a duplicate briefcase and headed for the Longhorn. The minute he left the parking lot, he heard a buzzing sound all around. He looked on each side and spotted an individual dressed in all black on a motorcycle. They began to whack the Longhorn with chain and fire at him. He turned around and turned the vehicle straight into the city, figuring that they wouldn't follow or attack him in broad daylight in an area where people frequently walk the streets. He was wrong.
He swerved the vehicle, hoping to confuse them or drive them off the road, but they still wouldn't let up. There were about eight guys on motorcycles chasing him down. Three on each side and two in the back. He moved from side to side and managed to knock two of them on each side off the road. The other two caught up with him and continued to strike the Longhorn with their chains. "That's it! He picked up the Uzi that was sitting on the seat of the passenger side. He rolled down his window and fired at the Creeper on his side, watching the body fly from the motorcycle and splatter against a nearby building. The Creeper on the other side had driven ahead of him and tried to flag the two behind the vehicle to move up.
Sea Wolf slammed his foot on the brakes and could hear a loud smack from the back. He moved forward and shifted gear to reverse over the two guys. He hit the gas again and decided to go after the last gang member. The last one fled after seeing his comrades wiped out. Sea Wolf caught up with the guy, even though he had to dodge other vehicles and pedestrians, surprisingly not hitting anyone. He put down his Uzi and decided not to waste any ammo. Like an angry bull goring a fighter, he was going seventy and sent the last gang member flying. "It looks like Jamie has nothing to worry about. He should be at the ranch by now."
Just when he thought things were fine, he listened to the sirens wail. He looked around but didn't see any panic or anything suspicious. The cops were on to him. He had to drive back downtown and find a place to hide. There weren't any auto shops nearby and the vehicle he was driving could be identified without a problem. He decided to cut through the Bahamut section. He assumed that the cops would spot a few illegal activities and forget about him. There were shots fired as he passed through and heard gunshots from the police car, but luckily they didn't fire at him. He took a short cut through a few of the alleys and went for the bridge he took where he had entered the North days ago. He spotted a large gap and had driven between it, hiding under the entrance. His cell phone rang. "Justin, Jamie has arrived safely and has my stuff all in one piece. Did you handle it pretty well?"
"Yes, but I have to shake the cops first. They saw me run down one of those creatures that jumped me. I'll call you back." He remained inside with the engine running and his Uzi in hand. An hour and a half passed and there was no sign of the police. It looked like they gave up. He came out from his hiding place and made it back to the ranch without incident.
Bradshaw walked out of his home and headed to the vehicle. "Great to see you."
"Yeah. It wasn't too hard except for evading the police."
"Don't worry about it. As long as they didn't spot you." He dug through his wallet and handed him a handful of cash. "That's for risking your life. I also figured that we should celebrate. My boys and I are heading to the Hangman in a few hours to get shit faced. How about you?"
"I don't feel like getting shit faced, but if you guys are doing so, I'll drive you back."
"Great! You have nothing to worry about. Since you're no longer a stranger there. See you later."
(Sparrow's Last Tune)
Sea Wolf was busy playing a game of pool with the Griever while Bradshaw was sucking down pitchers and telling stupid jokes. Scott Hall was at one of the tables passed out as Booker T was across from him, scarfing down chicken wings and potato skins with his eyes glued to the television. Everything appeared to be relaxed. There was no panic in the bar. No fights. The guy Austin was nowhere in sight, so it looked like things would be fine. The bar's owner, Kevin Nash was the only one in a bad mood.
Sea Wolf decided to ignore it and let Kevin walk it off. He went to the bar and ordered a beer and overheard Bradshaw and some of his guys talking to Nash about something going around.
"Can you believe it?" Kevin Nash said. "That girl was nothing but a parasite!" His eyes rolled toward Sea Wolf, who he could tell was eavesdropping.
"Justin! Both Bradshaw and Scott have told me numerous stories about you, so I'm convinced that you're the right man for the job. There's some chick who used to hang out here everyone knew as Sparrow. She has the voice like a nightingale and moves around a hummingbird.
"Last Friday night, several individuals went into some psychotic state and later died. It turned out their drinks were drugged with some illegal substance. As far as I know, it wasn't LSD or rohyphnol. It's something else. I don't know what it is, but a few witnessed it and came forward. Sparrow did it. Since you're a good fixer, I want that bitch dead!"
"I'm sorry, but I don't hurt women or children."
"She killed some of my customers. I'm willing to put some good money down on this and if you're pussy out because of your own morals then get the fuck out and don't expect to work in this town again!"
"Wait! Wait a minute, Nash!" some blonde woman said. "I can understand if he has no motive, but some of us do." She put her hands on Sea Wolf's shoulder. "Garcia and I will go with him and we'll kill her." Sea Wolf looked at her and nodded his head. "Some of those people were my friends."
"That'll do." He stood up and looked at both girls in black leather. "You'll probably be outnumbered because Sparrow lives in the Bowery and she'll have some backup too." He looked back at Justin. "Vera and Garcia will take her out. You kill anything that is protecting her. And take care of the ladies, please. That songbird has sang her opera for the last time."
--------------------------------
Sea Wolf borrowed yet another vehicle from Hank Brenner's lot. The Hummer looked suitable for a task like this. Before hitting the Bowery, the girls asked him to stop by their loft for some firearms. He didn't speak too much to the bikers on the way.
Vera, the blonde woman looked like she was ready for action. He couldn't help but notice but she had a preppy like face but she had all the biker gear needed. Garcia looked more vicious from her appearance, but maybe it was just the numerous tattoos and piercings but the look in her eyes told him that she was nervous.
"We're in the area now. Do either of you know what Sparrow looks like?"
"She has shoulder length black hair. Kind of resembles Michelle Branch or Vanessa Carlton. What's the difference?" said Vera.
"One plays the guitar. The other plays the piano."
"I didn't ask you to compare singers. She looks like one of those chicks and she wears grunge clothing."
"That could be anyone."
"She also has an opera voice and likes to sing wherever she is."
He shut off the radio and drove deeper into the Bowery. The section of the city only consisted of seaports, the slums and a few market places. There appeared to be a seafood eatery around. He couldn't resist and stopped the car. He stuffed a lead pipe under his jacket and headed to the eatery while both women smuggled their pistols. He quickly ordered five pounds of shrimp to go.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Justin," Garcia whispered. "This is the deadliest part of the city. You shouldn't walk around ordering seafood."
"Relax. I'm armed and so are the two of you. I haven't had shrimp in months."
"Make it fast because there are a bunch of cretins that'll kill us without thinking twice if we're spotted."
When his order was ready and he paid up, he could hear a sweet sound flowing down the block of these slums. He stood still and listened for awhile.
'Could this moment last forever
And this dream our one endeavor
If the stars would just enchant
And time would then agree'
'Every moment of tomorrow
From this evening we would borrow
If this wish the stars would grant and gently oversee'
'And we would live inside this night
Within the dreams of candlelight
If you would bring this wish to life and spend this night with me'
Property of Trans-Siberian Orchestra 'Dreams of Candlelight'
Courtesy of Atlantic and Lava Records
He looked at the young woman sitting on a spray painted bench and sipping a Jolt cola to clear her throat. Her shoulder length black hair glistened in the night and she had the face of an innocent schoolgirl.
"What are you staring at?" said Vera. "It's her."
"It can't be. She doesn't look or sound like the type who would hurt somebody."
"Shit! Is that what they taught you back in Navy? You can sit here if you want, but Garcia and I are gonna take her out." Both women approached the songbird quietly as Sea Wolf nervously watched.
The songbird looked up as the two biker chicks spotted her during a deal. She leapt from her bench as sprinted across the marketplace before they could draw their weapons. A group of punks lunged at the girls as they started to give chase. Sea Wolf charged at the punks and clocked them with his lead pipe to clear the path for Vera and Garcia. After beating down the group he looked around but saw no sign of sparrow of the biker chicks. He only heard a few gunshots but wasn't sure where they came from or who fired. He couldn't stick around here, but he didn't want to leave without the girls. He went back to the Hummer and went around the block, hoping to find them in that direction.
"They couldn't have gone too far. I have to find them though. There might be more of those punks hiding away and waiting for some fresh prey." More gunshots were heard as he turned on the nearest street. Three young women ran from an alley and darted in front of his vehicle. He found them.
Vera and Garcia were still running and firing at Sparrow who didn't seem to get tired even though she was running like a member of a track team. "Stop running, you bitch!" Vera yelled. "The only tune you'll be singing is Highway to Hell!"
He went forward as they ran past him and took another route, hoping to catch Sparrow off guard. As he sped around the corner, he didn't pay too much attention and head a loud thump ahead and saw something land on the hood of the vehicle. He got out of the Hummer and saw Sparrow roll off the hood. Both bikers showed up and aimed.
"Get out of the way, Justin," Garcia said.
"Hold on, ladies." He helped up Sparrow and propped her against the Hummer. "What's the deal? You seem look a good girl. You have an amazing voice and had people who trusted and looked out for you and now you're dealing dope and poisoning people. What's your problem?"
"I'm not a good girl and I don't have to answer to any of you."
Vera and Garcia pushed Justin out of the way and began to beat and kick Sparrow. "Those were friends of our you killed a few nights ago," Garcia said.
"What are you going to do? Cry about it?" Sparrow said sarcastically. "Or are you going to tell on me?"
Vera slapped Sparrow across the face with her weapon. "Bitch! The police will be the last thing you'll need to worry about!" She placed Sparrow on her knees and advised her not to turn around. "Any last requests?"
Sparrow grinned and didn't look back. The unique words she quoted were:
'And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore'
Quote is by Edgar Allen Poe "The Raven" The Raven and Other Poems, 1845
Both Vera and Garcia pulled the hammer of their guns while Sparrow had quoted a poem that existed for over a century. Sea Wolf had looked the other way and listened to the poem and heard the girls fire at the same time.
"Done," said Vera. They moved the body out of the path of the Hummer and tossed it into the closest alley. "It's okay, Justin. You can look now."
He got back into the driver's seat and didn't talk at all for the rest of the trip. He dropped them off at the Hangman and then took off without listening to their goodnights.
(Gothic Gundam)
"Hey, Justin. We missed you last night," Kevin Nash told him. "What happened?"
"I wasn't in the mood to celebrate last night."
"Is it about Sparrow?"
"Yes, she was unarmed. Vera and Garcia shot her execution style."
"Let me guess. You heard he singing?"
"Yes, I did."
"Maybe a day of mourning or a tall pitcher of Bud Dry will get her off your mind. Besides, you forgot your payment for the job. Why don't you drop in this evening?"
"Okay."
--------------------------------
Sea Wolf arrived at the Hangman to pick up a payment from Kevin Nash and wondered what he wanted to talk to him about. The bar wasn't open yet and Kevin was the only person present. "I'm glad to see you. Here's your check by the way."
"Thank you."
"I'm wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"Does it involve killing more people?"
"Yes, but these individuals deserve it. If you could hear me out, I'll tell you everything. Some Creepers have been dealing on my property lately! I don't know if it's the same substance that Sparrow used to spike drinks with, but they're selling it more easily than Girl Scout cookies! I want those guys dead! Do whatever is necessary!"
Sea Wolf jumped into the Berkley and waited around for any Creepers to show. Their description was easy. They looked like a bunch of Marilyn Manson/Addams Family/Lenore rejects. He placed his Colt Python on his belt and kept his lead pipe and Uzi in the passenger seat. When two of them arrived, he quietly had driven close to them, got out of the car and hit the closest Creeper in the head with his lead pipe. The other one came at him with a switchblade, but Sea Wolf whacked him in the wrist and then hit him across the face. He jumped back into the Berkley and scouted around for any more dealers.
He spotted a few in Lorry, uptown, Van Deavor and St. Brand and repeated the same procedures against the dealers. He headed south, expecting them to be in groups. Instead of getting out of his vehicle, he stepped on the gas and ran them down. When he passed through the Bahamut section, he had to be cautious and grabbed his Uzi. He saw a group of Creepers hanging around in an empty parking lot. It was either their meeting place to pool their profit together or they were just looking to beat somebody up. He rolled down his window and fired at them. Six or seven of them dropped dead while the rest charged toward his vehicle.
He shifted to reverse until he was at a reasonable distance for the gang members and rammed them like human bowling pins. He jumped out and gathered the money that some of them dropped and headed back for his car.
A Hell Rider came from nowhere and started ramming his car. The Berkley that Sea Wolf was driving was fast but he couldn't outrun a vehicle such as that. "Great. Just great! I'm in one of the most dangerous parts of town being chased by some freak that had watched Dracula too many times. And worse, he caught me in the act of killing his fellow gang members! I should have known that this wasn't the best getaway car. What the fuck am I gonna do?"
He still had his Uzi in his hand. He kept his eyes on the road and stuck his right arm out of the window and fired at the speeding Hell Rider. He slipped his arm back into the vehicle each time the Creeper side-swiped him. Sea Wolf kept firing until the Hell Rider starting going up in smoke and the driver eventually gave up and retreated, abandoning his burning car.
Sea Wolf heard the explosion loud and clear and took a few shortcuts so the police couldn't spot him and made it back to the Hangman in one piece. Once he got there, the bar was starting to fill up.
Kevin seemed impressed. "So I've heard the news. It's like you have the strength of ten men. What's your secret?"
"I don't know. Just shoot first and run like hell."
"That's the spirit!" He pointed out at someone nearby. "Justin, there's somebody I'd like you to meet. He's been asking about you for awhile." They both turned to the man as he turned his chair around. "Hey, Steve. This is Justin aka Sea Wolf."
Sea Wolf's jaw dropped when he made eye contact with the same man he started a fight with almost a week ago. The leader of the Regulators. The redneck presented to shake his hand. "Stone Cold Steve Austin."
"Justin Timberwolfe."
"What?"
"Justin."
"What?"
He pulled his arm away from Austin. "What in the hell is your problem? You sound like a broken record!"
"What? You know, kid. I recognize you now. I know you! You're the son of a bitch you stole one of my Keggers. What?" He walked around Justin while talking to him. "What?" Justin stared at him dead in his beady rattlesnake eyes and then Austin started laughing. "I like you, kid!" He shook his hand. "Kevin, Bradshaw, Scott Hall and Booker T have been talking a lot about you. If you're interested in working for me, just drop by and talk to me. Until then, make yourself at home and have a drink."