Episode Four
Shadow Man
Rally opened her eyes to see a white ceiling above her. She glanced around the brick-walled room and noticed that she had never seen this place before. "Where am I?" She asked herself. She looked around the bare room. "I didn't get drunk and sleep with some guy, did I? Oh, it's just like the movies! Crap!" She sat up in bed but felt a pain in her stomach. "Ouch!" She said aloud. She looked down at herself. She still had her dress on; that was a good sign. She saw that she was in one of those pull-out couch beds with some blankets and pillows. She heard a sound in the distance so she crawled out of bed with a blanket wrapped around her. She took a few steps down the brick hallway and found herself in the kitchen.
"You're finally awake." The man said. He stood next to the stove cooking something for breakfast. He was in normal clothes: blue jeans and a black sweater, except he wore a black face mask. The mask made him look just like a ninja or bank robber, take your pick.
"Who are you?" Rally asked, pulling the blanket closer around her.
The man stirred the eggs he was making with a fork. "My name is Akira Shinagawa."
"What am I doing here?"
"You passed out after those men attacked you. I brought you here after that." Akira wiped his hands on a towel. "You hungry?"
"Yeah, starving." Rally shook her head. "Wait a minute! Where exactly is here anyway?"
"This is my apartment."
Rally looked around. "Don't got much stuff."
Akira laughed. "I practically live in my car. All my stuff is in there."
Rally took a deep breath. "We did do anything, did we? Or like nothing happened when I wasn't in my right mind, I hope." Akira turned toward her. "What kind of weirdo do you take me for? That's just gross!" Akira turned back to the stove. "You passed out, I picked you up, brought you here, put you to bed, and you've been there ever since." "How long has that been?" "Let's see. That was Wednesday night, and it's Friday morning now." "Gosh." Rally rubbed her eyes. "I guess I was out cold for a long time." "Yeah," Akira said. "I also see that your arm is wounded too." Rally looked at her right arm and saw new bandages. "Thanks." "Not a problem. Now sit. Breakfast is done." Akira prepared a plate for Rally and handed it to her. "It's been a long time since I've had a home-cooked meal." She sat down with her plate of eggs and bacon and grabbed a fork. Akira sat down too and placed his plate on the table. Unlike Rally, he paused and closed his eyes for a moment. Rally, feeling a little guilty, put her fork down and waited for Akira to be done. Akira opened his eyes and looked up. Her lifted his mask just to reveal his mouth. He took his fork and starting eating his eggs first. "So what were you doing in a place like the Shack?" "Perhaps, I should as you that?" Akira smirked. "Research." "Research?" "There's trouble brewing in this town." Akira sighed. "Something big is about to happen, but I don't know what." "You're talking about Michael De Luca, aren't you?" "How did you know?" Akira asked, very surprised. "I've been working on that case myself. I was at Mario's Pizza the night of the explosion." "What is your name?" "Rally Vincent." "Ah, the greatest bounty bunter in all Illinois! You're a living legend. Convicts utter your name in fear." "Enough with the flattery. All you men are the same," Rally said seriously, sensing another flirtation attempt by a man. "What do you know?" Akira smirked again. "The reason I got an apartment in this building is because Michael De Luca lives...well, lived...on this floor." "He did?" Rally asked in surprise. "What do you know." "I discovered his connections to the Mafia and his little hideout. But apparently, you know all that too." "Why did they want Mario Vanzetti Jr. killed?" "Vanzetti owed a pretty hefty loan to the Mafia." "To some guy named Michelo Chariot, right?" "Right. And plus, Vanzetti was in the Mafia during his younger days. I heard that the Mafia wanted to get rid of him before he squealed to the police." "So their big plans were going to be blown if Vanzetti got to the police. That's why they killed him." "Correct." "Do you know anything about Michelo Chariot?" "Not much. All I know is that he's high up there in the rank of command." Rally sat and processed the new information for a few moments. "Say, Akira, what reason are you on the case for?" "Personal reasons," Akira answered shortly. "Oh," Rally uttered. She thought for a moment. "Say, the name, Akira Shinagawa, that sounds Asian or something." "It's Japanese. I'm from Japan." "Oh, May's boyfriend is Japanese." Rally thought for a moment. "MAY! BECKY! OH!" "What wrong?" "May and Becky don't know where I am!" "Who are May and Becky?" "My friends. Can I please use your phone?" "Yeah, sure." Akira reached back and grabbed the cordless phone off the counter. He handed it to Rally. Rally frantically dialed the number to her house. "They're probably stealing my stuff as we speak." Akira laughed. "Is that all you think of your friends?"
May picked up the phone on the first ring since she was sitting next to it ever since Rally was missing. "RALLY?" "May, it's me." "RALLY! IT'S REALLY YOU! BECKY! IT'S RALLY!" Becky ran over to May and kneeled next to her. "Is she okay?" "Rally! Are you okay! Where were you? Rally! I thought you were dead, Rally!" May started to cry. "May! I'm fine! Get a grip! Look, I'll be home soon, okay?" "Rally come home now! Please!" "I'll be home soon. Bye." Rally hung up. "Rally!" May hollered.
Rally stood up from the table and set the cordless phone down. "I better get going. It's probably a long walk back to my house. It was..." "Nonsense. I'll drive you." Akira stood up and pulled down his mask. "Besides, you shouldn't be walking with the injuries you've got. You might become faint and pass out again." "No, I'll be okay. I'm fine. Really." "Too bad, I'm driving." Akira grabbed Rally's wrist and pulled her along to the door. He grabbed his black trench coat off the hanger and headed out the door with Rally." "I can take care of myself, you know!" Rally hissed. "Just like you took care of yourself in the club the other night?" Akira asked, brutally honest. Rally opened her mouth to say something, but then she stopped. Deep down inside, she knew Akira had a point. They walked in silence down to the basement floor where the cars were kept. They headed down the lot until Akira approached a black 1969 Z28 Camaro with white stripes. Rally stopped for a moment, very impressed as she racked her eyes over the car. "Yours?" "Yep." "Impressive. "Thanks. Get in." Rally hated to sit shotgun rather than drive; however, for a car like this, she would be honored to sit in shotgun. She slid into the car and buckled up. "Did I mention this is a nice car?" Akira laughed. "Sounds like someone has a crush. I suppose if you weren't so woozy, I'd let you drive it." Rally broke away from her feelings of fascination of the car. "And I suppose you let all your little girlfriends drive it? You think it's cute or something?" Akira looked at her. "Uh, no. I don't have girlfriends. What have you got about against men anyway? This is the second time you've jumped me, and you've only been awake less than two hours." Akira drove away from the apartment building. "You're an honest one aren't you?" Rally hissed. "Always blurting something out instead of keeping it in..." "I figure that I might as well cut through the crap, and get to the point. Don't you think?" "Well, yes, I suppose so." Rally looked out the window. "You're still bothered, aren't you?" "Look. It's my own problem. Not yours." "Alright. I can respect that." Akira looked forward. "Where am I going?" "Make a right." Akira turned right as Rally directed. "Is your place far from here?" "No. It's not. Just make a left at the stop light." "Okay." Akira did as directed. "So what do you like to do for fun?" "Nothing." "Hmmm..." Akira thought. "I bet." "What is that supposed to mean?" Rally hissed. "I thought you agreed it was always good to be honest?" Rally sighed. "I like to shoot guns and drive cars." "Interesting." "Now you're not being honest!" "What?" Akira asked. "Most men would have jumped out of the car by now." "What is it with you and men? Are you in one of those feminist groups?" "No!" Rally said. "I'm just sick and tired of guys hitting on me all the time! Everywhere I go, it happens!" "I'm not hitting on you!" Akira exclaimed. "However, the way you keep talking about it, I think you want me to." "I DO NOT!" Rally exclaimed. "Okay! Okay! I was kidding! Chill!" Akira said. They came to the train stop and had to wait for the train again. "That's not my idea of a joke!" Rally hissed. "Sorry. I was only trying to seduce you." Rally smacked Akira in the arm. "Watch it!" "Ouch!" Akira grabbed his arm. "You ever thought about being on American Gladiators?" Rally looked furious for a moment but then her face lightened up. A small laugh escaped her mouth then she looked down at her feet. "You know, I'm only kidding around, right?" Rally looked up. "Yeah, I know." Akira slammed the accelerator and the Camaro jumped forward.
They cruised down the street making everything outside look like a blur. Rally pulled a lock of hair back behind her ear as the breeze from the open window twirled her hair around. "Now this is my kind of ride." "Yeah," Akira uttered. "Turn here." "Okay." "There's my house." Akira pulled into the driveway of the house. "Those idiots! Why did they leave the garage door open! They're just asking for a five-finger garage sale!" Rally exclaimed. "Just pull into the garage. It looks like it'll rain today." "You're very concerned about the car, aren't you?" "Well, it's classic." Akira did as directed and pulled into the garage. His eyes locked on the beautiful 1967 SHELBY GT 500, and they remained there even after Akira pulled forward. "Wow." "Yeah." "You've got nice taste." "So do you." Rally hopped out of the car and headed to the door that led into the house. "You coming?" "Uh, yeah." Akira got out of the car and followed behind Rally. The door Rally was headed to burst open and May leapt out. She jumped into Rally's arms and squeezed tightly. "Oh, Rally! I missed you so much!" "May! Get a grip! Get off me!" She set May down on the ground. "I'm fine and I'm here now, aren't I?" Becky stood in the doorway. "Where were you?" May looked back behind Rally. "RALLY! IT'S A ROBBER!" Rally gave May a dirty look. "Why would I let a robber drive me home? Think about it?" May walked up to Akira. "Who the heck are you?" "Akira Shinagawa." "What's with the get-up?" "Get-up?" "The mask! What are you hiding! You know, I saw Mortal Kombat! I bet you're one of those evil ninja!" "May! Stop it!" Rally hissed. Akira laughed. "I've also seen Gulliver's Travels. You gotta watch out for them midgets!" Rally laughed. "Hey!" May exclaimed. "For your information, I'm seventeen years old!" "If that's what you've got to tell yourself." "I am! Rally! Tell him!" Rally sighed. "She really is. Let's go inside now, okay."' Everyone proceeded into the house. "Uh, Rally..." Becky stuttered. "What?" "You had some messages when you were gone." "From whom?" "Uh...Harry..." Rally screamed and stomped off into the house. "Who's Harry," Akira asked curiously. "Rally's boyfriend!" May exclaimed. "HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Rally hollered from the other room. "Boyfriend?" Akira questioned. "Oh, he's some guy that won't leave Rally alone." Becky said. "Why? You interested in her?" May asked. "No." "Well, good, you're a jerk anyway!" May walked off. Becky stood there with Akira for a moment. "Yeah, you'll get used to it in few weeks or so." "Who says I'm sticking around?" "Please, you're already involved in the case. It's like those two just sucker me into helping them every time. I'm sure it'll be the same for you. But don't expect to get paid though. Oh, and I hope you really like pizza and Chinese food." "Hmmm..." Akira stood there and thought for a moment.
Rally went into her bedroom to find a change of clothes. She grabbed a some old, faded, blue jeans and a white "Gunsmith Cats" tee-shirt. She looked up into the mirror and saw May's reflection in the doorway. "May?" She turned around. May silently took a step forward and latched onto Rally with a hug. She buried her face into Rally's shoulder and held onto Rally." "Uh...May?" Rally stuttered, taken by surprise by the action. She felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to do with her arms as May was wrapped around her waist. "Rally, you scared me. Please don't do that to me again. You're all I got, Rally. Please, don't scare me like that. I thought you were dead. Then the last thing I would have said to you is that I never wanted to talk to you again!" "May." Rally bit her lip. May started to cry. She cried harder and harder into Rally's clothing. Rally patted May's back. "I'm okay now. You don't have to worry." "Rally..."
Shadow Man
Rally opened her eyes to see a white ceiling above her. She glanced around the brick-walled room and noticed that she had never seen this place before. "Where am I?" She asked herself. She looked around the bare room. "I didn't get drunk and sleep with some guy, did I? Oh, it's just like the movies! Crap!" She sat up in bed but felt a pain in her stomach. "Ouch!" She said aloud. She looked down at herself. She still had her dress on; that was a good sign. She saw that she was in one of those pull-out couch beds with some blankets and pillows. She heard a sound in the distance so she crawled out of bed with a blanket wrapped around her. She took a few steps down the brick hallway and found herself in the kitchen.
"You're finally awake." The man said. He stood next to the stove cooking something for breakfast. He was in normal clothes: blue jeans and a black sweater, except he wore a black face mask. The mask made him look just like a ninja or bank robber, take your pick.
"Who are you?" Rally asked, pulling the blanket closer around her.
The man stirred the eggs he was making with a fork. "My name is Akira Shinagawa."
"What am I doing here?"
"You passed out after those men attacked you. I brought you here after that." Akira wiped his hands on a towel. "You hungry?"
"Yeah, starving." Rally shook her head. "Wait a minute! Where exactly is here anyway?"
"This is my apartment."
Rally looked around. "Don't got much stuff."
Akira laughed. "I practically live in my car. All my stuff is in there."
Rally took a deep breath. "We did do anything, did we? Or like nothing happened when I wasn't in my right mind, I hope." Akira turned toward her. "What kind of weirdo do you take me for? That's just gross!" Akira turned back to the stove. "You passed out, I picked you up, brought you here, put you to bed, and you've been there ever since." "How long has that been?" "Let's see. That was Wednesday night, and it's Friday morning now." "Gosh." Rally rubbed her eyes. "I guess I was out cold for a long time." "Yeah," Akira said. "I also see that your arm is wounded too." Rally looked at her right arm and saw new bandages. "Thanks." "Not a problem. Now sit. Breakfast is done." Akira prepared a plate for Rally and handed it to her. "It's been a long time since I've had a home-cooked meal." She sat down with her plate of eggs and bacon and grabbed a fork. Akira sat down too and placed his plate on the table. Unlike Rally, he paused and closed his eyes for a moment. Rally, feeling a little guilty, put her fork down and waited for Akira to be done. Akira opened his eyes and looked up. Her lifted his mask just to reveal his mouth. He took his fork and starting eating his eggs first. "So what were you doing in a place like the Shack?" "Perhaps, I should as you that?" Akira smirked. "Research." "Research?" "There's trouble brewing in this town." Akira sighed. "Something big is about to happen, but I don't know what." "You're talking about Michael De Luca, aren't you?" "How did you know?" Akira asked, very surprised. "I've been working on that case myself. I was at Mario's Pizza the night of the explosion." "What is your name?" "Rally Vincent." "Ah, the greatest bounty bunter in all Illinois! You're a living legend. Convicts utter your name in fear." "Enough with the flattery. All you men are the same," Rally said seriously, sensing another flirtation attempt by a man. "What do you know?" Akira smirked again. "The reason I got an apartment in this building is because Michael De Luca lives...well, lived...on this floor." "He did?" Rally asked in surprise. "What do you know." "I discovered his connections to the Mafia and his little hideout. But apparently, you know all that too." "Why did they want Mario Vanzetti Jr. killed?" "Vanzetti owed a pretty hefty loan to the Mafia." "To some guy named Michelo Chariot, right?" "Right. And plus, Vanzetti was in the Mafia during his younger days. I heard that the Mafia wanted to get rid of him before he squealed to the police." "So their big plans were going to be blown if Vanzetti got to the police. That's why they killed him." "Correct." "Do you know anything about Michelo Chariot?" "Not much. All I know is that he's high up there in the rank of command." Rally sat and processed the new information for a few moments. "Say, Akira, what reason are you on the case for?" "Personal reasons," Akira answered shortly. "Oh," Rally uttered. She thought for a moment. "Say, the name, Akira Shinagawa, that sounds Asian or something." "It's Japanese. I'm from Japan." "Oh, May's boyfriend is Japanese." Rally thought for a moment. "MAY! BECKY! OH!" "What wrong?" "May and Becky don't know where I am!" "Who are May and Becky?" "My friends. Can I please use your phone?" "Yeah, sure." Akira reached back and grabbed the cordless phone off the counter. He handed it to Rally. Rally frantically dialed the number to her house. "They're probably stealing my stuff as we speak." Akira laughed. "Is that all you think of your friends?"
May picked up the phone on the first ring since she was sitting next to it ever since Rally was missing. "RALLY?" "May, it's me." "RALLY! IT'S REALLY YOU! BECKY! IT'S RALLY!" Becky ran over to May and kneeled next to her. "Is she okay?" "Rally! Are you okay! Where were you? Rally! I thought you were dead, Rally!" May started to cry. "May! I'm fine! Get a grip! Look, I'll be home soon, okay?" "Rally come home now! Please!" "I'll be home soon. Bye." Rally hung up. "Rally!" May hollered.
Rally stood up from the table and set the cordless phone down. "I better get going. It's probably a long walk back to my house. It was..." "Nonsense. I'll drive you." Akira stood up and pulled down his mask. "Besides, you shouldn't be walking with the injuries you've got. You might become faint and pass out again." "No, I'll be okay. I'm fine. Really." "Too bad, I'm driving." Akira grabbed Rally's wrist and pulled her along to the door. He grabbed his black trench coat off the hanger and headed out the door with Rally." "I can take care of myself, you know!" Rally hissed. "Just like you took care of yourself in the club the other night?" Akira asked, brutally honest. Rally opened her mouth to say something, but then she stopped. Deep down inside, she knew Akira had a point. They walked in silence down to the basement floor where the cars were kept. They headed down the lot until Akira approached a black 1969 Z28 Camaro with white stripes. Rally stopped for a moment, very impressed as she racked her eyes over the car. "Yours?" "Yep." "Impressive. "Thanks. Get in." Rally hated to sit shotgun rather than drive; however, for a car like this, she would be honored to sit in shotgun. She slid into the car and buckled up. "Did I mention this is a nice car?" Akira laughed. "Sounds like someone has a crush. I suppose if you weren't so woozy, I'd let you drive it." Rally broke away from her feelings of fascination of the car. "And I suppose you let all your little girlfriends drive it? You think it's cute or something?" Akira looked at her. "Uh, no. I don't have girlfriends. What have you got about against men anyway? This is the second time you've jumped me, and you've only been awake less than two hours." Akira drove away from the apartment building. "You're an honest one aren't you?" Rally hissed. "Always blurting something out instead of keeping it in..." "I figure that I might as well cut through the crap, and get to the point. Don't you think?" "Well, yes, I suppose so." Rally looked out the window. "You're still bothered, aren't you?" "Look. It's my own problem. Not yours." "Alright. I can respect that." Akira looked forward. "Where am I going?" "Make a right." Akira turned right as Rally directed. "Is your place far from here?" "No. It's not. Just make a left at the stop light." "Okay." Akira did as directed. "So what do you like to do for fun?" "Nothing." "Hmmm..." Akira thought. "I bet." "What is that supposed to mean?" Rally hissed. "I thought you agreed it was always good to be honest?" Rally sighed. "I like to shoot guns and drive cars." "Interesting." "Now you're not being honest!" "What?" Akira asked. "Most men would have jumped out of the car by now." "What is it with you and men? Are you in one of those feminist groups?" "No!" Rally said. "I'm just sick and tired of guys hitting on me all the time! Everywhere I go, it happens!" "I'm not hitting on you!" Akira exclaimed. "However, the way you keep talking about it, I think you want me to." "I DO NOT!" Rally exclaimed. "Okay! Okay! I was kidding! Chill!" Akira said. They came to the train stop and had to wait for the train again. "That's not my idea of a joke!" Rally hissed. "Sorry. I was only trying to seduce you." Rally smacked Akira in the arm. "Watch it!" "Ouch!" Akira grabbed his arm. "You ever thought about being on American Gladiators?" Rally looked furious for a moment but then her face lightened up. A small laugh escaped her mouth then she looked down at her feet. "You know, I'm only kidding around, right?" Rally looked up. "Yeah, I know." Akira slammed the accelerator and the Camaro jumped forward.
They cruised down the street making everything outside look like a blur. Rally pulled a lock of hair back behind her ear as the breeze from the open window twirled her hair around. "Now this is my kind of ride." "Yeah," Akira uttered. "Turn here." "Okay." "There's my house." Akira pulled into the driveway of the house. "Those idiots! Why did they leave the garage door open! They're just asking for a five-finger garage sale!" Rally exclaimed. "Just pull into the garage. It looks like it'll rain today." "You're very concerned about the car, aren't you?" "Well, it's classic." Akira did as directed and pulled into the garage. His eyes locked on the beautiful 1967 SHELBY GT 500, and they remained there even after Akira pulled forward. "Wow." "Yeah." "You've got nice taste." "So do you." Rally hopped out of the car and headed to the door that led into the house. "You coming?" "Uh, yeah." Akira got out of the car and followed behind Rally. The door Rally was headed to burst open and May leapt out. She jumped into Rally's arms and squeezed tightly. "Oh, Rally! I missed you so much!" "May! Get a grip! Get off me!" She set May down on the ground. "I'm fine and I'm here now, aren't I?" Becky stood in the doorway. "Where were you?" May looked back behind Rally. "RALLY! IT'S A ROBBER!" Rally gave May a dirty look. "Why would I let a robber drive me home? Think about it?" May walked up to Akira. "Who the heck are you?" "Akira Shinagawa." "What's with the get-up?" "Get-up?" "The mask! What are you hiding! You know, I saw Mortal Kombat! I bet you're one of those evil ninja!" "May! Stop it!" Rally hissed. Akira laughed. "I've also seen Gulliver's Travels. You gotta watch out for them midgets!" Rally laughed. "Hey!" May exclaimed. "For your information, I'm seventeen years old!" "If that's what you've got to tell yourself." "I am! Rally! Tell him!" Rally sighed. "She really is. Let's go inside now, okay."' Everyone proceeded into the house. "Uh, Rally..." Becky stuttered. "What?" "You had some messages when you were gone." "From whom?" "Uh...Harry..." Rally screamed and stomped off into the house. "Who's Harry," Akira asked curiously. "Rally's boyfriend!" May exclaimed. "HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Rally hollered from the other room. "Boyfriend?" Akira questioned. "Oh, he's some guy that won't leave Rally alone." Becky said. "Why? You interested in her?" May asked. "No." "Well, good, you're a jerk anyway!" May walked off. Becky stood there with Akira for a moment. "Yeah, you'll get used to it in few weeks or so." "Who says I'm sticking around?" "Please, you're already involved in the case. It's like those two just sucker me into helping them every time. I'm sure it'll be the same for you. But don't expect to get paid though. Oh, and I hope you really like pizza and Chinese food." "Hmmm..." Akira stood there and thought for a moment.
Rally went into her bedroom to find a change of clothes. She grabbed a some old, faded, blue jeans and a white "Gunsmith Cats" tee-shirt. She looked up into the mirror and saw May's reflection in the doorway. "May?" She turned around. May silently took a step forward and latched onto Rally with a hug. She buried her face into Rally's shoulder and held onto Rally." "Uh...May?" Rally stuttered, taken by surprise by the action. She felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to do with her arms as May was wrapped around her waist. "Rally, you scared me. Please don't do that to me again. You're all I got, Rally. Please, don't scare me like that. I thought you were dead. Then the last thing I would have said to you is that I never wanted to talk to you again!" "May." Rally bit her lip. May started to cry. She cried harder and harder into Rally's clothing. Rally patted May's back. "I'm okay now. You don't have to worry." "Rally..."