AUTHOR: I'm really sorry on how long it took me to write this. Lets just
say I got....distracted. I do hope everybody will enjoy this, and if you
feel like expressing yourself, you can either mail me or go to
and review it there.
Special thanks to Doppleganger for beta-reading it.
Disclaimer: The Gargoyles are not my probarty and all, but to the ones that created them, blablabla.
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Several months later...28'th august, 1998....
The Seahawk was said to have a reputation, and not in a good way. It was a bar, inside a small town at the docks. The place had mixed people. Some were just hard-working fishermen enjoyng a drink, while others did work out in the sea, though that work was not fishing.
At least, that was written in Sarge's notes.
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The large room was packed with people, smoke, drunken songs and the stench of alcahol. Yet another busy night at the Seahawk. It was a small town, and everybody knew everyone, and so, they all noticed the stranger who had just entered.
His clothes, a brown jacket and matching pants, looked like they were couple of numbers too large for him. His long hair was brown and tied in a ponytail, and had a beard that looked severel months old and was poorly cut. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses, but on the left side of the face, five long lines of scars came from the left eye, three were above the eye and the other two went down from the eye.
Since strangers were a rare sight in the town, everyone shamelessly watched him, as he slowly looked around the room, as if looking for someone specific. When he looked in the direction in one of the corners of the bar, he started walking there, limbing on his right leg. When everyone saw where he was heading to, everyone imidiatly looked away, and conversation quickly started again.
In the corner sat a man smoking and drinking a beer and was surrounded by three large men, obviosly his bodyguards. When the young limbing man was about to reach the sitting man, one of the others stepped in the way, folded his hands around his large chest to look more intiminating, and spoke in an english accent.
"Bugger off, gimpy. This section is reserved." Even though the english one was a giant compared to the other, he did not appear to have been intinimated.
"I came here to talk about sea-turtles. I heard that there's a fella here who also has a great interest in sea-turtles, and I want to exchange knowledge with him."
The english man turned to the sitting man, who gaved a slight nod. He moved away, and the limbing man sat in front of the sitting man.
His face was slightly hidden in the shadow, but he was dressed like any other villager, and the only thing that seems to make him stick out of the crowd, was his red-hair that was slowly turning grey. He looked like he was in his late 50's.
"I heard you have an interest in sea-turtles." The red-haired man said nothing at first, took a long drag out of his cigar, and blew the smoke into the other man's face.
"Is that a fact. An' just where did ye hear that, if ye don' mind me askin'?" Red-man sounded english, though his accent sounded like a mixed english/scottish.
"From another guy, who was a bit of a Q-ball, if you ask me."
"Ah." The english guy seemed to remember.
"I myself have gotten a hold of couple of sea-turtles, and I wish to take them and they're toys with me to New York. However, I fear that something might happen to them during the trip, and I wanted to ask you if you knew a 'safe way'. I would be very greatfull."
"An' just how greatfull, if ye don' min' me askin'?"
Without saying anything, the newcomer slowly reached into his pocket, and placed a small black box on the table.
When he opened it, the englishman's eyebrows went straight up.
"Now that's one hell 'efa sea-turtle." The new-comer closed the box and placed it back into his pocket.
"A very good looking sea-turtle, I know. You could brag about it and show it to your fellow sea-turtle fans, and maybe they might even be willing to buy it from you. I don't care. What I do care, is that MY sea-turtles will not come to harm during the travel. They are large and heavy, but also extremely fragile. If something would harm them, well....I'd become really sad. When it comes to my two sea-turtles, I am very sentimental about them." A hidden threat in the voice. The bodyguards edged slightly closer to the newcomer, looking very dangerous and angry at how he had spoken to they're boss, but the newcomer didn't even seem to be aware of them.
The air around the two men became even thicker more, as the english man seemed to be thinking very carefully.
Finally, after severel minutes of silence, he spoke.
"Come back here tomorrow mornin', where we can talk more 'bout sea-turtles. An' who knows, maybe we'll take a quick spin 'round me boat. I hope that is....alright with you?" Sarcasm was in his voice, a dangerous sign in such a man, but the newcomer kept his cool.
"Then I guess I'll come back here tomorrow morning." The newcome started to stand up, but the guard behind him placed his hands on his shoulder and roughly pushed him back to his seat.
The english man finished his beer before speaking.
"I don' know ye anymore then ye know me. So allow a fella to tell ye a bit abou' me. I'm a man who doesn't like it when some stranger shows up out of the blue, with sea-turtles on his mind. I'm a man who doesn't like it when a stranger knows about me through someone else who isin't with him. I'm a man who doesn't like talking to someone who's too afraid to even show his own eyes."
The sounds surrounding the table no longer reached they're ears. The older english man didn't move at all, his eyes fixed on the stranger. His bodyguards were around the table, one of them was slowly moving his hand into his jacket.
The stranger himself looked like he wasin't even breathing, until he finally showed a sign of life.
"If that is what it takes." The stranger lowered his head a bit, then removed his sunglasses and looked back up to the english man, who recoiled backward, his face showing both surprise and disgust. Even the guards took a slight step backwards.
"Bloody 'ell! What happened to yer eye?!" The stranger had no left eye, he wasin't even wearing an eye-patch to cover the dark-hole that was there.
"Mounting climbing. Stumbled on a nest where the inhabitands weren't very thrilled to see me."
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After Sean Williamson's father had died after a heart-attack, he had taken over his father's smuggling bussiness in Scotland. Sean had seen, done and smuggled many things across the sea, from precios artifacts that some pompus rich guy wanted but couldn't have it transported legally, to living people that would either spend the rest of they're lives in prostitution or as carriers. Or worse: As spare parts.
Sean was the type that followed certain rules. No matter who or what needed to be smuggled, if the price was right and he could do it, he would and did so without asking any questions. Far too many smugglers had beem removed for being to curious or greedy, and Sean had no desire to follow that same path.
And years of dealing with all sorts of characters had taught Sean a thing or two on how to tell whether a guy was lying or hiding something. He had seen many who lacked mercy or compassion, or where the word 'humane' was unknown to them.
And yet, even now, there were still people that managed to surprise him.
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"An' ah.....yer Q-ball friend. Where he be?" Sean tried to keep his eyes fixed on the newcomer's right eye, but his own eyes always moved to his left, to the dark-hole that looked like an endless pit.
"He was with me when we stumbled on that nest, and was slightly more wounded then I. It was he who informed me of you, someone who could help us with those sea-turtles that were, very strangely, in the nest we found." Only the stranger's mouth moved, and his eye did not waver, nor was there any reaction in his pupil. He also made no attempt to put his sunglasses back on.
For a moment, Sean Williamson wondered wich eye held a darker pit. The actual hole, or the right eye.
"So...anything else you wish to know?"
"..no, uh...that'll be all. Remember, be 'ere tomorrow mornin' an' just knock."
The newcomer nodded and was about to stand up when he looked like he had remembered something. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper and placed it on the table.
"Before I forget, I wrote my sea-turtles' measurement so I could be a show- off." Sean looked at the paper, raising an eyebrow.
"When ye said yer sea-turtles were big an' heavy, ye really did mean it, didn't ya?"
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You are probably wondering by now why I'm not dead, why they didn't finish what they had started at?
To tell you the truth, I am slightly dissapointed they weren't given the chance to kill me. I mean.....to have allowed them enough time to not only beat me into a bloody pulp and scar my face, but to rip my eye out and smash my right leg so badly I'll be limping for the rest of my life....to have allowed them enough time to do all that and not let them kill me.....I.....
Who the hell am I kidding, I deserved all what they did, and more.
The Brown Eyes demand revenge for what I did all those years ago. Whenver I close my eye or fall asleep, the eyes are always there, waiting for they're vengeance.
I....I guess I'd better tell you what happened all those months ago, though it feels like it had just happened. To tell you what happened, after I had passed out....
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"What are ye all doing?! Cease immediatly!" The group surrounding Walton's body all turned to the source of the angry voice.
The owner's voice was an elder gargoyle, green-skinned and wrinkled like an elephant. His silver-white beard reached down to his chest and his head was almost bald, he was hunched over, his wings looking frail and weak, as if the slightest touch would make them crumble into dust.
His frail looking right hand rested on the cavern wall, though not as to lean on, but to guide him, for his eyes, now milky-white, were no longer granting him the gift of sight.
Standing next to him was a tall ruby red-skinned gargess, her raven-black hair reaching down her back. Two goat-like horns stuck out of her temple, giving her a bit of a demonic look. She was dressed in a loose white-tunic that reached down to her legs, almost touching the ground, stating that her skills were....mystical.
She wore a tight belt around her belly, wich held several small pouches and couple of bottles.
Her oranged-colored eyes were slightly wide, as if she was trying to control herself after witnessing some of the slaughter the humans had brought, but seemed to be also aware that it was not over just yet.
"So, old one. I see that you survived." Said the largest gargoyle of the group, folding his massive arms across his chest, holding his head high so he could look down at the elder gargoyle, slightly showing his fangs, thus revealing his disgust at the elder. His eyes connected to the red-gargess for a second, but were back on the elder.
"Ay, that I did. Apologes for...dissapointing ye." The elder, even after losing his sight years ago, seemed to be very capable of seeng the disgust, the anger on the large gargoyle.
Then, his wringled nose twitched a bit, and his milky-white eyes slightly widened.
"I smell much blood here, young ones. Tell me, how many humans did ye tear apart like the one that was leading them?" Despite the stern and barely controlled anger in the elder's voice, the large gargoyle chuckled nastily, and soon the rest chuckled with him aside from the elder and the red gargess.
"Heh, heh, heh. On the contrary, old elder. This one is the last of these disgusting humans that attacked us. We are simply....expressing our anger at him." Though he started at sounding amused, his voice ended at a dangerous growl, and his eyes slightly flickered in the dark.
"There has been enough killing here already! I command ye all to stop!" The elder's voice may have held an air of command or authority at a time, but to the group, it only angered them.
"THEY ATTACKED AND SLAUGHTERED US!! KILLED OUR BRETHREN AS THEY SLEPT AND SMASHED ALL OF OUR EGGS AND KILLED ALL OF OUR HATCHLINGS!! THERE IS NO-ONE LEFT BUT US AND WE DEMAND BLOOD FOR BLOOD!!!" The large gargoyle's eyes shined in the light and his booming voice nearly shook the cave. Even those who were with him torturing Walton cringed and took a step back away from the angered giant, while the elder did not step back nor cringe.
"Interesting choise of words, impulsive one. Blood, for blood. An' just how does that make ye and us any better then the humans that came here?"
The large gargoyle did not speak right away, as he looked at the elder with...disbelief.
"I cannot belive this. Even after all this, you still DARE to defend the humans?! The very same race that drove us here centuries ago, that forced us to fear THEM and HIDE?! The race that came here tonight and ATTACKED US?! AND EVEN AFTER ALL THAT, YOU DARE TO PREVENT OUR RIGHTFULL REVENGE?!" His eyes glowed again and exposed his fangs, and he looked like he was about to strike the elder, but then the tall red-gargess stepped between them and looked directly into the eyes of the furious gargoyle.
"Not all of our children were killed. One of them was saved by the very human that you were just torturing." When compared to the furious gargoyle, the gargess looked rather frail, despite her tallness. But her eyes, the very air around her somehow made her look stronger. Possibly stronger then any of the gargoyles in the caves, and the angry one saw it, and looked slightly more calmed as her words sank in.
"What? He....saved one of our...hatchlings?"
He looked down at Walton's body, the only thing telling he was still alive was the slight rise in his chest. The tall gargoyle looked back to the gargess.
"Whom did he save?"
The gargess said nothing, simply looked behind her, and looked at the small gargoyle that was peeking from one of the passage-ways, still looking very much afraid.
When the tall gargoyle saw the hatchling, he simply snorted in disgust.
"Of all the hatchlings he saved, he just had to save THAT one." The hatchling's eyes became full with hurt and pain, and he quickly dissappeared into the shadows.
The red gargess' face became furious, but the large gargoyle said nothing more, he simply turned around and started walking away.
"Where do ye think yer going!" Yelled the elder gargoyle. The large gargoyle stopped but did not turn around as he spoke.
"There is nothing here anymore. All what remains of our clan are us, the rest are dead. For years I have warned you elders of the humans, but as always, you chose to remain ignorant and today we have payed a heavy price. I am leaving, and those who feel as I do, should do the same." He did not wait to hear the responds, he did not stop as the elder yelled at him.
The remaining gargoyles looked from the leaving gargoyle to the elder and then at each other, and without looking back, they all followed the gargoyle, leaving the elder and the red gargess behind, none of them looking back.
The elder looked like he was about to break in tears, while the gargess was too shocked to say anything. The only ones still in the cave were they, and the human.
"Child...." The elder's voice nearly broke when he whispered.
"Yes elder?" The gargess was already standing next to him, sensing his anguish and sorrow inside of him, and his battle of inner-control.
"...check the human. See if he...still lives..."
The gargess half-bowed, then hurried towards the human, but when she saw his state, a tiny gasp escaped her lips, as she kneeled next to the battered human.
"How is he, child?" Though he had lost his sight, his hearing had remained strong.
"They....they have done much damage to him, elder." The gargess half- whispered, as she used her claws to gently cut the battered Quarrymen armor so she could remove it without hurting the human.
With the armore removed, his bare chest was exposed, revealing several traces of scars across it, and as she gently traced her fingers across it, a small whimper of pain came from the human's lips, but still remained unconcious.
"Some of his ribs are broken, elder. I'll have to heal them first before moving him, or I might kill him."
Gently placing her hands on the human's chest, the gargess closed her eyes in concentration, and the elder could hear her whispering as energys came from her hands, and went into the human's chest.
When she was done, all the cuts were closed but had not faded away, leaving nothing but scars on his chest.
"What more did they do to him, child?" The elder gently asked as he leaned against the cave's wall, feeling more drained then he ever had felt before.
"They....they did many things to him, elder. His leg is badly broken, but I think I have enough energy to save it. And.....they..."
"What is it, child?" Asked the elder at hearing the slight tremor in her voice.
"They....scarred his face, elder, and...."
"And?"
"They....they took one of his eyes."
"No..."
Gargoyles guard and protect, as it is in they're nature, they're purpose. Gargoyles only kill when there is no other choice and when a great unjustice has been done against them. When that is the case, revenge is what mostly drove them.
But to....to kill so savagely, and then join together in restraining and torturing someone who wouldn't have stood a chance against them is....is unthinkable.
And yet, that is what had happened tonight, and not only had they become nothing more then animals, they had taken they're anger, they're hate against someone who had never committed a crime against gargoyles.
"Tell me, child, tis' one ye told me of? The one who did not want to hurt the child?"
"Yes, elder, I saw it happen with my own eyes. He wore they'er armor and he carried they're weapons, but when he saw the child, he did not strike, nor did he want to. He even told him not to move nor give a sound, until one of us would come. He has done nothing wrong against us!"
Gargoyles do not judge people in groups, but as individuals. If only humans would do the same, much suffering could have been avoided.
"Then it is my decision, as the....last elder of..our clan, that this human has done nothing wrong against us, and we must help him. Ye know what to do, child, ye know what to do." The elder turned around and walked away, his hand tracing the cave walls, looking utterly defeated.
The gargess felt the same way, but she was needed.
She cut into the human's pants around his right knee and then she saw how badly broken his leg was.
His skin had been badly ripped by a broken bone that now stuck out, his kneecab totaly smashed and it was bleeding badly.
She placed her hands on the broken leg gently as she could muster, and started speaking in low voice.
The broken bone slowly sunk pack into the leg, but this time, it took a great deal of energy, and the gargess' concentrated face showed how much strain she was going through, as tricklets of sweat slowly started forming on her face. She continued the slow healing process until she had reached the end of her limits.
When she reached her limits, she stopped and breathed heavily and wiped the sweat from her face. The leg, however, had not been healed completly, but it was enough to risk moving the human.
When she picked him up, she didn't look like she had any problems carrying him , and carefully carried the human in her arms deeper into the cave.
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I was up in the hills when I decided to take a breather. Walking in clothes that were couple of numbers too big was a bit draining. I must have lost over 20 pounds during the past months, and what little muscles I once had, had now melted away.
Looking back, I saw the lights coming from the small town. The way the lights were and that the location of the town was right next to the sea, wich reflected the stars and the full moon in the nightsky, made the view.....remarkable.
I then made the mistake of putting my weight into my right leg.
An eletric surge of pain exploded inside my kneecab and surged into my whole leg, and I nearly howled in pain. I quickly shifted to my left leg, but did so too fast and fell in the grass.
I laid there, gritting my teeth and clenching my fists as the pain slowly faded away. Despite trying her best, my leg didn't heal right, and putting even the slightest weight into it created pain.
You can't even begin to imagine what I need to go through for just walking to the toilet.
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"Why are you doing this?"
All in all, it was a reasonable question. Walton had been a part of a group that attacked and nearly killed an entire clan of gargoyles, which before that happened, Walton hadn't belived they even existed.
Something he had learned the hard way.
And now, not only was he still alive, but he was beeng treated like a....patient. His wounds were beeng treated, he was offered food and bed, even some kind of a special potion that temperorily made him unable to feel, otherwise he would have been screaming in pain.
And, to top it all, the old gargoyle and the 'gargess' had even apologized to him for what the other gargoyles had done to him, even treated him with respect and had shown no anger or hatred towards him. As for the 'hatchling' he had 'spared', so far Walton had only seen him in shadows, taking a peek at him but quickly dissappearing when seen.
And now, two months after the attack, he had been practising in bending and twisting his right wrist, wich was rather stiff after being unused for some time, when he finally asked the question that had been on his mind ever since he woke up in the lair. His right leg was still strapped, and half his face was covered in bandages.
He had been placed in a bed that in a library/laboratory room, the only ones in it was him and the red skinned gargess that went by the name of Ruby. It fit.
She claimed to have been the clan's shaman, and had spent the majority of her life studying the arts of magic. And to top it all, she also claimed to be some sort of an empath, an ability that made her able to sense emotions in and around people. So self-control and inner-stability was a large factor in her life, if she wanted an easy one. Even her voice sounded like it came from stability itself, and was usually gentle.
Ruby placed the book she had been reading into one of the book-shelves, before turning to Walton, her head slightly tilted to the right, keeping some distance from him.
"What do you mean, Walton?" There, always so damn respectful. Why can't she just hate me?
"You know what I mean. I'm in an organization dedicated in exterminating your kind. I was a part of a group that attacked and murdered nearly everyone, and yet you treat me like....like nothing of that ever happened. Why?"
She didn't answer right away, though she looked like she was thinking.
"We gargoyles think a bit differently then humans. When it comes into judging someone, we judge the same as a person, and what his or her crime was. Yes, you were among those who nearly wiped my clan out, but you yourself did nothing against us. In fact, you spared one of our own, even tried to help him. I was there when it happened, and I sensed you did not want to hurt him, or anyone else."
She then smiled at Walton.
"And for that, I thank you."
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Fast forward to that hill...
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As I was standing up again, I heard the now familiar sounds of gliding, and heard her land close by.
"Are you alright, Walton?" Damn you, Ruby, why do you have to sound so damn worried for me?
"Just forgot for a moment that my leg is busted, but I'll survive." I managed to stand up again, and Ruby kept a respectful distance away from me, though I had a feeling she wanted to help me.
"Why did you not drink the medicine I gave you? It will ease the pain in your leg and make walking far more easier for you." I choosed to ignore the question.
"Was I followed?" I looked back to the town I was coming from.
"Why do you put yourself in so much-"
"Was. I. Followed?" I finally looked at her. Anyone else seeing her, standing in the dark, would either run away screaming or faint, but I now had gotten used to seeng her.
"No. No, Walton, you were not followed." Her usually formal voice of stability sounded strained and on edge. That made two of us. I guess I have a...'piss off' attitute towards people, and I'm not about to change it anytime soon.
"Good. See you back at the house." I started walking, and did not stop when Ruby asked.
"I can carry you, Walton. It would be easier for you."
"I'm used to beeng on my own."
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"Walton, please! You must drink, it will ease your pain!" Ruby was kneeling next to a heavily bandaged Walton inside the cave-room, his face twisted in pain and agony, as Ruby tried to make him drink the potion she had made for him, but he refused drinking.
"..wait...the summer...house, where we came from...." Even speaking strained him already more then he already was, and Ruby was having difficulty surpressing the wave of pain and anguish she was sensing from Walton. On top of it all, he was forcing himself into the pain, which only made it worse, in her opinion.
"Yes Walton, what about it?" The sooner he would say what he wanted to say, the sooner Ruby could make him drink.
"More of us delayed..must....might be...mmmm....notes on where this cave is!" Walton was now on the verge of tears, so much pain was he in. But Ruby now understood.
"I understand, Walton. I shall go there and see if there are any things that will lead them to us, but first you must drink this!" Ruby moved the bottle to his trempling lips, and he offered no resistence this time.
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The potion she made me drink had me knocked out for two days straight, and when I woke up, Ruby had not only went to that summer house, but she had also taken everything from it and brought it back to the cave.
And I mean everything. Books, papers, bags, clothes, a computer and the map Sarge had used. And inside Sarge's bag was a diary telling me how they had smuggled those guns into Scotland, who had done it and where and how the smuggler could be contacted.
I feel responsible for what had happened. I could have done something, prevented so many deaths.....
About a month ago, another death was added.
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"There are many ways we gargoyles bury our dead. One of them is to burn the body and spread the ashes into the wind, so the spirit can travel wherever it desires. But if what you told me is true, then there is just too much of a risk the other Quarrymen will see the fire, and find us. So this will have to do."
Me, Ruby and the little guy were what was once called the 'eggchamber'. Standing there only increased my guilt over what had happened. Everywhere there were broken shells and pieces of what were once gargoyles in stonesleep. In a room that once represented beginning of life, now held nothing but death.
At the center of the room, the elder gargoyle was wrapped in white sheets, the body surrounded by candles.I didn't know what to say, didn't know if I was even allowed to, but I felt the rare feeling of speaking.
"...I'm sure he would understand." Barely a whisper, but I knew Ruby had heard me, but neither of us said anything more, we just stood there, staring at the sheets. The little guy stood next to Ruby, but I think I heard him cry.
As for myself, well....Elder sometimes spent his time talking to me, about his race, it's history, they're rules and customs and why they had retreated to the mountains among other things. We weren't exactly friends, but....I kinda liked the old geezer. Even though I'm not the most social guy in the world, I do sometimes feel the urge to talk to someone, sometimes anyone.
After what seemed like hours standing there, I decided to ask Ruby.
"The others that left. They're not coming back, are they?" I finally looked up to Ruby, who was nearly head taller then me, but she kept her eyes on the elder's body.
"No, they will not come back, not if I know they're....new leader." Somehow I knew she meant the one who took my eye.
It was at that moment when something clicked inside of me, an idea came up that was so crazy and dangerous, I would have laughed if I had remembered how. But regardless, I knew I had to do it. I owed it to them. To her.
"Ruby, the...the reason why the Quarrymen was formed, was because people belived they had seen gargoyles in New York, a large city in America." Ruby broke her eye-contact to the body, and looked down to me, a trail of tears coming from her eyes.. She had been silendly crying and I hadn't even noticed.
"So there's a chance there could be gargoyles in New York., but I'm not sure myself. I guess I'll find out when I start looking." That earned a blink and a surprised look on Ruby's face.
"You mean....you are going to this...city to look for more of us? Why?"
"So I can tell them what has happened here, and to tell them that the two of you survived. I mean, surely they would accept you, right?"
Ruby blinked her teary eyes a few times, then started rubbing her hand in her face to dry her wet face.
"Well, yes, I belive they would. But...this city, this...New York as you call it, is it not where the Quarrymen are the strongest? And what would happen should they find out about what you did, that you did not do what they wanted you to do, and that you are trying to help us?" Doesn't take a genuis to figure that one out.
"Oh, no doubt they'd call me traitor to the human race and all that junk, then they'd either just kill me or take they're time killing me extremely slowly and painfully, thus sending a message to would-be gargoyle sympathisers." Ruby's expression could be best descriped as a shock, either from how I had spoken so normally about the dangers, or that my 'Q-ball friends' would do to me.
"You would....willingly help us, to risk your own life even after what we have done you?" Even the little guy peeked at me with a surprised look.
"Hey, you and little guy here aren't at fault at what...happened to me. And truthfully....ah..." Damn, this is harder to say then I thought.
"Yes, Walton?"Taking a deep breath and looking into those eyes gaved me the right words to say.
"Truthfully, when I joined the Quarrymen, I didn't belive that gargoyles existed, that it was nothing but a myth. Well, when I saw you truly existed, I confess that for some time I was in slight doubt whether if you were all....demonic, as the Quarrymen claimed you were. But after spenting time here, listening to you and....Elder...I've realised that you are not what the Quarrymen claim you to be. Gargoyles...guard and protect. And it is because of that I've decided to help you, because it is the right thing to do."
But the REAL truth was that by helping them, I hoped that it would make the Brown Eyes dissappear, somehow redeeming myself....so I could...live. A part of me knows this hope is false, but....I have to at least try. For my....the only one who belived I was improsined innocent. She belived in me, all the way to her death....
"I....I see. I....thank you, Walton." Ruby meant what she said.
"But Walton, how will you move us into this New York city?"
"Us? What do you mean by 'us'?"
It started going downhill after that in my opinion, and I think you've figured it out by now how THAT argument ended.
.
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After marching up the hill a bit more, I finally could see the old house we were staying at, for the moment anyway.
It stood on top of the largest hill in the valley, giving a good view of the surrounding area. The house was made out of bricks, and I'm not exactly sure what had happened to it, but it looked like it had once been caught on fire, or something, so it was nothing but bricks now that looked like they would fall apart any day now.
You can imagine how easy it is for me to sleep in it, knowing that.
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Entering through what must have once been the front door, I was greeted by the faint smell of cooked-meat. Ruby was already there, reading one of the four books she had taken with her. She had also taken some other stuff from her 'lab', but I hadn't asked what they were. She had expressed her frustration over not beeng able to take everything with us, but understood the reason why she couldn't.
She didn't look up from her book when I entered. Not that I actually care whether if she would or not.
As for the little guy, once he had seen it was me, he returned back into eating his cooked-meat, not moving away from the dark corner he was sitting in.
I decided to tell them how my talk with the sea-turtle fan had went.
"I talked to the smuggler, and I believe things should start moving tomorrow morning."
"I see." She still didn't look up from her book.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the small black box and opened it. The large diamond sparkled, even in the dark. It was one of the clan's treasures that they had collected through the ages, and Ruby had decided to take some with us, in case we would need money. Which we do.
"Are you sure it's a good idea giving away something this valuable?"
"Are you sure we will be alright when we will be moved to America?" Ouch.
"Good point." I decided not to tell Ruby I was carrying a pistol, wich was one of the weapons that was used when we attacked the gargoyles. I'm no gun- expert, but I think the pistol's type is a Glock. Whatever that means.
I had taken it plus another pistol that I had hidden in my bag when no-one had been looking, right before Ruby had taken the rest and thrown them away in a deep lake. I can understand her extreme dislike to guns, especially the ones that had killed her brothers and sisters, but I need something to protect myself in case something ugly might happen. Besides, we ARE going to New York, and my crapy apartment just happens to be in what must be THE most crappiest apartment-building whose location is in the most filthiest and dangerous area in New York city.
As for what was done with the bodies, either gargolyes or the humans, I have no idea, nor do I really wanna know.
Anyway, I was planning on going to see, since the sun would be going up in less then six hours, when I felt something tab into my left leg.
It was the little guy, and even though he barely reached my chest area, he had managed rather well in sneaking up to me.
"Yes?"
Looking rather shy,his raven black hair all jumbled, his hand raised up to me while holding something in it. It seemed to be something made out of black material, and had small though long string attached into it.
"For me?" The little guy nodded, and I picked the object up. It was a small black-leather eye-patch. It was neatly cut around the edges, though I had no idea where he had gotten it from.
Saying nothing, I removed my sunglasses and placed the eyepatch over my left eye. It fit perfectly, though the string was slightly tight, but I would have to get used to that. Maybe after getting myself a haircut would make it fit better....
Going down on my left knee, I looked at the little guy and smiled genuinely, something that I haven't done in ages.
"Thank you." Before I knew it, the little guy suddenly bounced and hugged me tightly. Acting more out of surprise, I somewhat returned the hug clumsily, utterly unsure on what to do.
Ruby smirked, but offered no help.
.
.
"I hope that your men know what they're doing?"
The sun was slowly rising as the two statues were loaded into the large truck, right outside the ruined house on the hill.
"This ain't the first statues I've moved." Answered the smuggler, as his men strapped the statues securily.
"Now, I belive you an' me need to discuss on how yer gonna make all this worth me while." Walton, not wearing his sunglasses but his new eyepatch, looked at the old smuggler.
"You'll get my special sea-turtle once we reach New York." But the old geezer only shaked his head, a nasty grin slowly appearing on his wrinkled face.
"Ah, then I belive me an' ye got a problem. See, I managed to contact an' ol' friend of mine who owns a tanker that just happens to be headin' to the Big Apple, but I got no intentions on goin' to THAT place. So tell me, boy, what will we do?"
Walton's mind was in overdrive, trying to think of something before the situation would turn ugly.
"Very well....then how about this: You'll tag along as we head to that tanker, and once my sea-turtles are tugged in nicely in that ship, you and I can have a little exchange. How does that sound?" The old geezer nodded slowly.
"Like a deal to me." He offered Walton a hand who accepted it, sealing they're deal.
What could go wrong?
.
.
To be continued....
Special thanks to Doppleganger for beta-reading it.
Disclaimer: The Gargoyles are not my probarty and all, but to the ones that created them, blablabla.
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Several months later...28'th august, 1998....
The Seahawk was said to have a reputation, and not in a good way. It was a bar, inside a small town at the docks. The place had mixed people. Some were just hard-working fishermen enjoyng a drink, while others did work out in the sea, though that work was not fishing.
At least, that was written in Sarge's notes.
.
The large room was packed with people, smoke, drunken songs and the stench of alcahol. Yet another busy night at the Seahawk. It was a small town, and everybody knew everyone, and so, they all noticed the stranger who had just entered.
His clothes, a brown jacket and matching pants, looked like they were couple of numbers too large for him. His long hair was brown and tied in a ponytail, and had a beard that looked severel months old and was poorly cut. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses, but on the left side of the face, five long lines of scars came from the left eye, three were above the eye and the other two went down from the eye.
Since strangers were a rare sight in the town, everyone shamelessly watched him, as he slowly looked around the room, as if looking for someone specific. When he looked in the direction in one of the corners of the bar, he started walking there, limbing on his right leg. When everyone saw where he was heading to, everyone imidiatly looked away, and conversation quickly started again.
In the corner sat a man smoking and drinking a beer and was surrounded by three large men, obviosly his bodyguards. When the young limbing man was about to reach the sitting man, one of the others stepped in the way, folded his hands around his large chest to look more intiminating, and spoke in an english accent.
"Bugger off, gimpy. This section is reserved." Even though the english one was a giant compared to the other, he did not appear to have been intinimated.
"I came here to talk about sea-turtles. I heard that there's a fella here who also has a great interest in sea-turtles, and I want to exchange knowledge with him."
The english man turned to the sitting man, who gaved a slight nod. He moved away, and the limbing man sat in front of the sitting man.
His face was slightly hidden in the shadow, but he was dressed like any other villager, and the only thing that seems to make him stick out of the crowd, was his red-hair that was slowly turning grey. He looked like he was in his late 50's.
"I heard you have an interest in sea-turtles." The red-haired man said nothing at first, took a long drag out of his cigar, and blew the smoke into the other man's face.
"Is that a fact. An' just where did ye hear that, if ye don' mind me askin'?" Red-man sounded english, though his accent sounded like a mixed english/scottish.
"From another guy, who was a bit of a Q-ball, if you ask me."
"Ah." The english guy seemed to remember.
"I myself have gotten a hold of couple of sea-turtles, and I wish to take them and they're toys with me to New York. However, I fear that something might happen to them during the trip, and I wanted to ask you if you knew a 'safe way'. I would be very greatfull."
"An' just how greatfull, if ye don' min' me askin'?"
Without saying anything, the newcomer slowly reached into his pocket, and placed a small black box on the table.
When he opened it, the englishman's eyebrows went straight up.
"Now that's one hell 'efa sea-turtle." The new-comer closed the box and placed it back into his pocket.
"A very good looking sea-turtle, I know. You could brag about it and show it to your fellow sea-turtle fans, and maybe they might even be willing to buy it from you. I don't care. What I do care, is that MY sea-turtles will not come to harm during the travel. They are large and heavy, but also extremely fragile. If something would harm them, well....I'd become really sad. When it comes to my two sea-turtles, I am very sentimental about them." A hidden threat in the voice. The bodyguards edged slightly closer to the newcomer, looking very dangerous and angry at how he had spoken to they're boss, but the newcomer didn't even seem to be aware of them.
The air around the two men became even thicker more, as the english man seemed to be thinking very carefully.
Finally, after severel minutes of silence, he spoke.
"Come back here tomorrow mornin', where we can talk more 'bout sea-turtles. An' who knows, maybe we'll take a quick spin 'round me boat. I hope that is....alright with you?" Sarcasm was in his voice, a dangerous sign in such a man, but the newcomer kept his cool.
"Then I guess I'll come back here tomorrow morning." The newcome started to stand up, but the guard behind him placed his hands on his shoulder and roughly pushed him back to his seat.
The english man finished his beer before speaking.
"I don' know ye anymore then ye know me. So allow a fella to tell ye a bit abou' me. I'm a man who doesn't like it when some stranger shows up out of the blue, with sea-turtles on his mind. I'm a man who doesn't like it when a stranger knows about me through someone else who isin't with him. I'm a man who doesn't like talking to someone who's too afraid to even show his own eyes."
The sounds surrounding the table no longer reached they're ears. The older english man didn't move at all, his eyes fixed on the stranger. His bodyguards were around the table, one of them was slowly moving his hand into his jacket.
The stranger himself looked like he wasin't even breathing, until he finally showed a sign of life.
"If that is what it takes." The stranger lowered his head a bit, then removed his sunglasses and looked back up to the english man, who recoiled backward, his face showing both surprise and disgust. Even the guards took a slight step backwards.
"Bloody 'ell! What happened to yer eye?!" The stranger had no left eye, he wasin't even wearing an eye-patch to cover the dark-hole that was there.
"Mounting climbing. Stumbled on a nest where the inhabitands weren't very thrilled to see me."
.
After Sean Williamson's father had died after a heart-attack, he had taken over his father's smuggling bussiness in Scotland. Sean had seen, done and smuggled many things across the sea, from precios artifacts that some pompus rich guy wanted but couldn't have it transported legally, to living people that would either spend the rest of they're lives in prostitution or as carriers. Or worse: As spare parts.
Sean was the type that followed certain rules. No matter who or what needed to be smuggled, if the price was right and he could do it, he would and did so without asking any questions. Far too many smugglers had beem removed for being to curious or greedy, and Sean had no desire to follow that same path.
And years of dealing with all sorts of characters had taught Sean a thing or two on how to tell whether a guy was lying or hiding something. He had seen many who lacked mercy or compassion, or where the word 'humane' was unknown to them.
And yet, even now, there were still people that managed to surprise him.
.
"An' ah.....yer Q-ball friend. Where he be?" Sean tried to keep his eyes fixed on the newcomer's right eye, but his own eyes always moved to his left, to the dark-hole that looked like an endless pit.
"He was with me when we stumbled on that nest, and was slightly more wounded then I. It was he who informed me of you, someone who could help us with those sea-turtles that were, very strangely, in the nest we found." Only the stranger's mouth moved, and his eye did not waver, nor was there any reaction in his pupil. He also made no attempt to put his sunglasses back on.
For a moment, Sean Williamson wondered wich eye held a darker pit. The actual hole, or the right eye.
"So...anything else you wish to know?"
"..no, uh...that'll be all. Remember, be 'ere tomorrow mornin' an' just knock."
The newcomer nodded and was about to stand up when he looked like he had remembered something. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper and placed it on the table.
"Before I forget, I wrote my sea-turtles' measurement so I could be a show- off." Sean looked at the paper, raising an eyebrow.
"When ye said yer sea-turtles were big an' heavy, ye really did mean it, didn't ya?"
.
You are probably wondering by now why I'm not dead, why they didn't finish what they had started at?
To tell you the truth, I am slightly dissapointed they weren't given the chance to kill me. I mean.....to have allowed them enough time to not only beat me into a bloody pulp and scar my face, but to rip my eye out and smash my right leg so badly I'll be limping for the rest of my life....to have allowed them enough time to do all that and not let them kill me.....I.....
Who the hell am I kidding, I deserved all what they did, and more.
The Brown Eyes demand revenge for what I did all those years ago. Whenver I close my eye or fall asleep, the eyes are always there, waiting for they're vengeance.
I....I guess I'd better tell you what happened all those months ago, though it feels like it had just happened. To tell you what happened, after I had passed out....
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"What are ye all doing?! Cease immediatly!" The group surrounding Walton's body all turned to the source of the angry voice.
The owner's voice was an elder gargoyle, green-skinned and wrinkled like an elephant. His silver-white beard reached down to his chest and his head was almost bald, he was hunched over, his wings looking frail and weak, as if the slightest touch would make them crumble into dust.
His frail looking right hand rested on the cavern wall, though not as to lean on, but to guide him, for his eyes, now milky-white, were no longer granting him the gift of sight.
Standing next to him was a tall ruby red-skinned gargess, her raven-black hair reaching down her back. Two goat-like horns stuck out of her temple, giving her a bit of a demonic look. She was dressed in a loose white-tunic that reached down to her legs, almost touching the ground, stating that her skills were....mystical.
She wore a tight belt around her belly, wich held several small pouches and couple of bottles.
Her oranged-colored eyes were slightly wide, as if she was trying to control herself after witnessing some of the slaughter the humans had brought, but seemed to be also aware that it was not over just yet.
"So, old one. I see that you survived." Said the largest gargoyle of the group, folding his massive arms across his chest, holding his head high so he could look down at the elder gargoyle, slightly showing his fangs, thus revealing his disgust at the elder. His eyes connected to the red-gargess for a second, but were back on the elder.
"Ay, that I did. Apologes for...dissapointing ye." The elder, even after losing his sight years ago, seemed to be very capable of seeng the disgust, the anger on the large gargoyle.
Then, his wringled nose twitched a bit, and his milky-white eyes slightly widened.
"I smell much blood here, young ones. Tell me, how many humans did ye tear apart like the one that was leading them?" Despite the stern and barely controlled anger in the elder's voice, the large gargoyle chuckled nastily, and soon the rest chuckled with him aside from the elder and the red gargess.
"Heh, heh, heh. On the contrary, old elder. This one is the last of these disgusting humans that attacked us. We are simply....expressing our anger at him." Though he started at sounding amused, his voice ended at a dangerous growl, and his eyes slightly flickered in the dark.
"There has been enough killing here already! I command ye all to stop!" The elder's voice may have held an air of command or authority at a time, but to the group, it only angered them.
"THEY ATTACKED AND SLAUGHTERED US!! KILLED OUR BRETHREN AS THEY SLEPT AND SMASHED ALL OF OUR EGGS AND KILLED ALL OF OUR HATCHLINGS!! THERE IS NO-ONE LEFT BUT US AND WE DEMAND BLOOD FOR BLOOD!!!" The large gargoyle's eyes shined in the light and his booming voice nearly shook the cave. Even those who were with him torturing Walton cringed and took a step back away from the angered giant, while the elder did not step back nor cringe.
"Interesting choise of words, impulsive one. Blood, for blood. An' just how does that make ye and us any better then the humans that came here?"
The large gargoyle did not speak right away, as he looked at the elder with...disbelief.
"I cannot belive this. Even after all this, you still DARE to defend the humans?! The very same race that drove us here centuries ago, that forced us to fear THEM and HIDE?! The race that came here tonight and ATTACKED US?! AND EVEN AFTER ALL THAT, YOU DARE TO PREVENT OUR RIGHTFULL REVENGE?!" His eyes glowed again and exposed his fangs, and he looked like he was about to strike the elder, but then the tall red-gargess stepped between them and looked directly into the eyes of the furious gargoyle.
"Not all of our children were killed. One of them was saved by the very human that you were just torturing." When compared to the furious gargoyle, the gargess looked rather frail, despite her tallness. But her eyes, the very air around her somehow made her look stronger. Possibly stronger then any of the gargoyles in the caves, and the angry one saw it, and looked slightly more calmed as her words sank in.
"What? He....saved one of our...hatchlings?"
He looked down at Walton's body, the only thing telling he was still alive was the slight rise in his chest. The tall gargoyle looked back to the gargess.
"Whom did he save?"
The gargess said nothing, simply looked behind her, and looked at the small gargoyle that was peeking from one of the passage-ways, still looking very much afraid.
When the tall gargoyle saw the hatchling, he simply snorted in disgust.
"Of all the hatchlings he saved, he just had to save THAT one." The hatchling's eyes became full with hurt and pain, and he quickly dissappeared into the shadows.
The red gargess' face became furious, but the large gargoyle said nothing more, he simply turned around and started walking away.
"Where do ye think yer going!" Yelled the elder gargoyle. The large gargoyle stopped but did not turn around as he spoke.
"There is nothing here anymore. All what remains of our clan are us, the rest are dead. For years I have warned you elders of the humans, but as always, you chose to remain ignorant and today we have payed a heavy price. I am leaving, and those who feel as I do, should do the same." He did not wait to hear the responds, he did not stop as the elder yelled at him.
The remaining gargoyles looked from the leaving gargoyle to the elder and then at each other, and without looking back, they all followed the gargoyle, leaving the elder and the red gargess behind, none of them looking back.
The elder looked like he was about to break in tears, while the gargess was too shocked to say anything. The only ones still in the cave were they, and the human.
"Child...." The elder's voice nearly broke when he whispered.
"Yes elder?" The gargess was already standing next to him, sensing his anguish and sorrow inside of him, and his battle of inner-control.
"...check the human. See if he...still lives..."
The gargess half-bowed, then hurried towards the human, but when she saw his state, a tiny gasp escaped her lips, as she kneeled next to the battered human.
"How is he, child?" Though he had lost his sight, his hearing had remained strong.
"They....they have done much damage to him, elder." The gargess half- whispered, as she used her claws to gently cut the battered Quarrymen armor so she could remove it without hurting the human.
With the armore removed, his bare chest was exposed, revealing several traces of scars across it, and as she gently traced her fingers across it, a small whimper of pain came from the human's lips, but still remained unconcious.
"Some of his ribs are broken, elder. I'll have to heal them first before moving him, or I might kill him."
Gently placing her hands on the human's chest, the gargess closed her eyes in concentration, and the elder could hear her whispering as energys came from her hands, and went into the human's chest.
When she was done, all the cuts were closed but had not faded away, leaving nothing but scars on his chest.
"What more did they do to him, child?" The elder gently asked as he leaned against the cave's wall, feeling more drained then he ever had felt before.
"They....they did many things to him, elder. His leg is badly broken, but I think I have enough energy to save it. And.....they..."
"What is it, child?" Asked the elder at hearing the slight tremor in her voice.
"They....scarred his face, elder, and...."
"And?"
"They....they took one of his eyes."
"No..."
Gargoyles guard and protect, as it is in they're nature, they're purpose. Gargoyles only kill when there is no other choice and when a great unjustice has been done against them. When that is the case, revenge is what mostly drove them.
But to....to kill so savagely, and then join together in restraining and torturing someone who wouldn't have stood a chance against them is....is unthinkable.
And yet, that is what had happened tonight, and not only had they become nothing more then animals, they had taken they're anger, they're hate against someone who had never committed a crime against gargoyles.
"Tell me, child, tis' one ye told me of? The one who did not want to hurt the child?"
"Yes, elder, I saw it happen with my own eyes. He wore they'er armor and he carried they're weapons, but when he saw the child, he did not strike, nor did he want to. He even told him not to move nor give a sound, until one of us would come. He has done nothing wrong against us!"
Gargoyles do not judge people in groups, but as individuals. If only humans would do the same, much suffering could have been avoided.
"Then it is my decision, as the....last elder of..our clan, that this human has done nothing wrong against us, and we must help him. Ye know what to do, child, ye know what to do." The elder turned around and walked away, his hand tracing the cave walls, looking utterly defeated.
The gargess felt the same way, but she was needed.
She cut into the human's pants around his right knee and then she saw how badly broken his leg was.
His skin had been badly ripped by a broken bone that now stuck out, his kneecab totaly smashed and it was bleeding badly.
She placed her hands on the broken leg gently as she could muster, and started speaking in low voice.
The broken bone slowly sunk pack into the leg, but this time, it took a great deal of energy, and the gargess' concentrated face showed how much strain she was going through, as tricklets of sweat slowly started forming on her face. She continued the slow healing process until she had reached the end of her limits.
When she reached her limits, she stopped and breathed heavily and wiped the sweat from her face. The leg, however, had not been healed completly, but it was enough to risk moving the human.
When she picked him up, she didn't look like she had any problems carrying him , and carefully carried the human in her arms deeper into the cave.
.
.
I was up in the hills when I decided to take a breather. Walking in clothes that were couple of numbers too big was a bit draining. I must have lost over 20 pounds during the past months, and what little muscles I once had, had now melted away.
Looking back, I saw the lights coming from the small town. The way the lights were and that the location of the town was right next to the sea, wich reflected the stars and the full moon in the nightsky, made the view.....remarkable.
I then made the mistake of putting my weight into my right leg.
An eletric surge of pain exploded inside my kneecab and surged into my whole leg, and I nearly howled in pain. I quickly shifted to my left leg, but did so too fast and fell in the grass.
I laid there, gritting my teeth and clenching my fists as the pain slowly faded away. Despite trying her best, my leg didn't heal right, and putting even the slightest weight into it created pain.
You can't even begin to imagine what I need to go through for just walking to the toilet.
.
.
"Why are you doing this?"
All in all, it was a reasonable question. Walton had been a part of a group that attacked and nearly killed an entire clan of gargoyles, which before that happened, Walton hadn't belived they even existed.
Something he had learned the hard way.
And now, not only was he still alive, but he was beeng treated like a....patient. His wounds were beeng treated, he was offered food and bed, even some kind of a special potion that temperorily made him unable to feel, otherwise he would have been screaming in pain.
And, to top it all, the old gargoyle and the 'gargess' had even apologized to him for what the other gargoyles had done to him, even treated him with respect and had shown no anger or hatred towards him. As for the 'hatchling' he had 'spared', so far Walton had only seen him in shadows, taking a peek at him but quickly dissappearing when seen.
And now, two months after the attack, he had been practising in bending and twisting his right wrist, wich was rather stiff after being unused for some time, when he finally asked the question that had been on his mind ever since he woke up in the lair. His right leg was still strapped, and half his face was covered in bandages.
He had been placed in a bed that in a library/laboratory room, the only ones in it was him and the red skinned gargess that went by the name of Ruby. It fit.
She claimed to have been the clan's shaman, and had spent the majority of her life studying the arts of magic. And to top it all, she also claimed to be some sort of an empath, an ability that made her able to sense emotions in and around people. So self-control and inner-stability was a large factor in her life, if she wanted an easy one. Even her voice sounded like it came from stability itself, and was usually gentle.
Ruby placed the book she had been reading into one of the book-shelves, before turning to Walton, her head slightly tilted to the right, keeping some distance from him.
"What do you mean, Walton?" There, always so damn respectful. Why can't she just hate me?
"You know what I mean. I'm in an organization dedicated in exterminating your kind. I was a part of a group that attacked and murdered nearly everyone, and yet you treat me like....like nothing of that ever happened. Why?"
She didn't answer right away, though she looked like she was thinking.
"We gargoyles think a bit differently then humans. When it comes into judging someone, we judge the same as a person, and what his or her crime was. Yes, you were among those who nearly wiped my clan out, but you yourself did nothing against us. In fact, you spared one of our own, even tried to help him. I was there when it happened, and I sensed you did not want to hurt him, or anyone else."
She then smiled at Walton.
"And for that, I thank you."
.
Fast forward to that hill...
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As I was standing up again, I heard the now familiar sounds of gliding, and heard her land close by.
"Are you alright, Walton?" Damn you, Ruby, why do you have to sound so damn worried for me?
"Just forgot for a moment that my leg is busted, but I'll survive." I managed to stand up again, and Ruby kept a respectful distance away from me, though I had a feeling she wanted to help me.
"Why did you not drink the medicine I gave you? It will ease the pain in your leg and make walking far more easier for you." I choosed to ignore the question.
"Was I followed?" I looked back to the town I was coming from.
"Why do you put yourself in so much-"
"Was. I. Followed?" I finally looked at her. Anyone else seeing her, standing in the dark, would either run away screaming or faint, but I now had gotten used to seeng her.
"No. No, Walton, you were not followed." Her usually formal voice of stability sounded strained and on edge. That made two of us. I guess I have a...'piss off' attitute towards people, and I'm not about to change it anytime soon.
"Good. See you back at the house." I started walking, and did not stop when Ruby asked.
"I can carry you, Walton. It would be easier for you."
"I'm used to beeng on my own."
.
.
"Walton, please! You must drink, it will ease your pain!" Ruby was kneeling next to a heavily bandaged Walton inside the cave-room, his face twisted in pain and agony, as Ruby tried to make him drink the potion she had made for him, but he refused drinking.
"..wait...the summer...house, where we came from...." Even speaking strained him already more then he already was, and Ruby was having difficulty surpressing the wave of pain and anguish she was sensing from Walton. On top of it all, he was forcing himself into the pain, which only made it worse, in her opinion.
"Yes Walton, what about it?" The sooner he would say what he wanted to say, the sooner Ruby could make him drink.
"More of us delayed..must....might be...mmmm....notes on where this cave is!" Walton was now on the verge of tears, so much pain was he in. But Ruby now understood.
"I understand, Walton. I shall go there and see if there are any things that will lead them to us, but first you must drink this!" Ruby moved the bottle to his trempling lips, and he offered no resistence this time.
.
.
The potion she made me drink had me knocked out for two days straight, and when I woke up, Ruby had not only went to that summer house, but she had also taken everything from it and brought it back to the cave.
And I mean everything. Books, papers, bags, clothes, a computer and the map Sarge had used. And inside Sarge's bag was a diary telling me how they had smuggled those guns into Scotland, who had done it and where and how the smuggler could be contacted.
I feel responsible for what had happened. I could have done something, prevented so many deaths.....
About a month ago, another death was added.
.
.
"There are many ways we gargoyles bury our dead. One of them is to burn the body and spread the ashes into the wind, so the spirit can travel wherever it desires. But if what you told me is true, then there is just too much of a risk the other Quarrymen will see the fire, and find us. So this will have to do."
Me, Ruby and the little guy were what was once called the 'eggchamber'. Standing there only increased my guilt over what had happened. Everywhere there were broken shells and pieces of what were once gargoyles in stonesleep. In a room that once represented beginning of life, now held nothing but death.
At the center of the room, the elder gargoyle was wrapped in white sheets, the body surrounded by candles.I didn't know what to say, didn't know if I was even allowed to, but I felt the rare feeling of speaking.
"...I'm sure he would understand." Barely a whisper, but I knew Ruby had heard me, but neither of us said anything more, we just stood there, staring at the sheets. The little guy stood next to Ruby, but I think I heard him cry.
As for myself, well....Elder sometimes spent his time talking to me, about his race, it's history, they're rules and customs and why they had retreated to the mountains among other things. We weren't exactly friends, but....I kinda liked the old geezer. Even though I'm not the most social guy in the world, I do sometimes feel the urge to talk to someone, sometimes anyone.
After what seemed like hours standing there, I decided to ask Ruby.
"The others that left. They're not coming back, are they?" I finally looked up to Ruby, who was nearly head taller then me, but she kept her eyes on the elder's body.
"No, they will not come back, not if I know they're....new leader." Somehow I knew she meant the one who took my eye.
It was at that moment when something clicked inside of me, an idea came up that was so crazy and dangerous, I would have laughed if I had remembered how. But regardless, I knew I had to do it. I owed it to them. To her.
"Ruby, the...the reason why the Quarrymen was formed, was because people belived they had seen gargoyles in New York, a large city in America." Ruby broke her eye-contact to the body, and looked down to me, a trail of tears coming from her eyes.. She had been silendly crying and I hadn't even noticed.
"So there's a chance there could be gargoyles in New York., but I'm not sure myself. I guess I'll find out when I start looking." That earned a blink and a surprised look on Ruby's face.
"You mean....you are going to this...city to look for more of us? Why?"
"So I can tell them what has happened here, and to tell them that the two of you survived. I mean, surely they would accept you, right?"
Ruby blinked her teary eyes a few times, then started rubbing her hand in her face to dry her wet face.
"Well, yes, I belive they would. But...this city, this...New York as you call it, is it not where the Quarrymen are the strongest? And what would happen should they find out about what you did, that you did not do what they wanted you to do, and that you are trying to help us?" Doesn't take a genuis to figure that one out.
"Oh, no doubt they'd call me traitor to the human race and all that junk, then they'd either just kill me or take they're time killing me extremely slowly and painfully, thus sending a message to would-be gargoyle sympathisers." Ruby's expression could be best descriped as a shock, either from how I had spoken so normally about the dangers, or that my 'Q-ball friends' would do to me.
"You would....willingly help us, to risk your own life even after what we have done you?" Even the little guy peeked at me with a surprised look.
"Hey, you and little guy here aren't at fault at what...happened to me. And truthfully....ah..." Damn, this is harder to say then I thought.
"Yes, Walton?"Taking a deep breath and looking into those eyes gaved me the right words to say.
"Truthfully, when I joined the Quarrymen, I didn't belive that gargoyles existed, that it was nothing but a myth. Well, when I saw you truly existed, I confess that for some time I was in slight doubt whether if you were all....demonic, as the Quarrymen claimed you were. But after spenting time here, listening to you and....Elder...I've realised that you are not what the Quarrymen claim you to be. Gargoyles...guard and protect. And it is because of that I've decided to help you, because it is the right thing to do."
But the REAL truth was that by helping them, I hoped that it would make the Brown Eyes dissappear, somehow redeeming myself....so I could...live. A part of me knows this hope is false, but....I have to at least try. For my....the only one who belived I was improsined innocent. She belived in me, all the way to her death....
"I....I see. I....thank you, Walton." Ruby meant what she said.
"But Walton, how will you move us into this New York city?"
"Us? What do you mean by 'us'?"
It started going downhill after that in my opinion, and I think you've figured it out by now how THAT argument ended.
.
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After marching up the hill a bit more, I finally could see the old house we were staying at, for the moment anyway.
It stood on top of the largest hill in the valley, giving a good view of the surrounding area. The house was made out of bricks, and I'm not exactly sure what had happened to it, but it looked like it had once been caught on fire, or something, so it was nothing but bricks now that looked like they would fall apart any day now.
You can imagine how easy it is for me to sleep in it, knowing that.
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Entering through what must have once been the front door, I was greeted by the faint smell of cooked-meat. Ruby was already there, reading one of the four books she had taken with her. She had also taken some other stuff from her 'lab', but I hadn't asked what they were. She had expressed her frustration over not beeng able to take everything with us, but understood the reason why she couldn't.
She didn't look up from her book when I entered. Not that I actually care whether if she would or not.
As for the little guy, once he had seen it was me, he returned back into eating his cooked-meat, not moving away from the dark corner he was sitting in.
I decided to tell them how my talk with the sea-turtle fan had went.
"I talked to the smuggler, and I believe things should start moving tomorrow morning."
"I see." She still didn't look up from her book.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the small black box and opened it. The large diamond sparkled, even in the dark. It was one of the clan's treasures that they had collected through the ages, and Ruby had decided to take some with us, in case we would need money. Which we do.
"Are you sure it's a good idea giving away something this valuable?"
"Are you sure we will be alright when we will be moved to America?" Ouch.
"Good point." I decided not to tell Ruby I was carrying a pistol, wich was one of the weapons that was used when we attacked the gargoyles. I'm no gun- expert, but I think the pistol's type is a Glock. Whatever that means.
I had taken it plus another pistol that I had hidden in my bag when no-one had been looking, right before Ruby had taken the rest and thrown them away in a deep lake. I can understand her extreme dislike to guns, especially the ones that had killed her brothers and sisters, but I need something to protect myself in case something ugly might happen. Besides, we ARE going to New York, and my crapy apartment just happens to be in what must be THE most crappiest apartment-building whose location is in the most filthiest and dangerous area in New York city.
As for what was done with the bodies, either gargolyes or the humans, I have no idea, nor do I really wanna know.
Anyway, I was planning on going to see, since the sun would be going up in less then six hours, when I felt something tab into my left leg.
It was the little guy, and even though he barely reached my chest area, he had managed rather well in sneaking up to me.
"Yes?"
Looking rather shy,his raven black hair all jumbled, his hand raised up to me while holding something in it. It seemed to be something made out of black material, and had small though long string attached into it.
"For me?" The little guy nodded, and I picked the object up. It was a small black-leather eye-patch. It was neatly cut around the edges, though I had no idea where he had gotten it from.
Saying nothing, I removed my sunglasses and placed the eyepatch over my left eye. It fit perfectly, though the string was slightly tight, but I would have to get used to that. Maybe after getting myself a haircut would make it fit better....
Going down on my left knee, I looked at the little guy and smiled genuinely, something that I haven't done in ages.
"Thank you." Before I knew it, the little guy suddenly bounced and hugged me tightly. Acting more out of surprise, I somewhat returned the hug clumsily, utterly unsure on what to do.
Ruby smirked, but offered no help.
.
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"I hope that your men know what they're doing?"
The sun was slowly rising as the two statues were loaded into the large truck, right outside the ruined house on the hill.
"This ain't the first statues I've moved." Answered the smuggler, as his men strapped the statues securily.
"Now, I belive you an' me need to discuss on how yer gonna make all this worth me while." Walton, not wearing his sunglasses but his new eyepatch, looked at the old smuggler.
"You'll get my special sea-turtle once we reach New York." But the old geezer only shaked his head, a nasty grin slowly appearing on his wrinkled face.
"Ah, then I belive me an' ye got a problem. See, I managed to contact an' ol' friend of mine who owns a tanker that just happens to be headin' to the Big Apple, but I got no intentions on goin' to THAT place. So tell me, boy, what will we do?"
Walton's mind was in overdrive, trying to think of something before the situation would turn ugly.
"Very well....then how about this: You'll tag along as we head to that tanker, and once my sea-turtles are tugged in nicely in that ship, you and I can have a little exchange. How does that sound?" The old geezer nodded slowly.
"Like a deal to me." He offered Walton a hand who accepted it, sealing they're deal.
What could go wrong?
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To be continued....