CHAPTER 2: JULIA
It had been six months since I joined up with the Red Dragons and partnered up with Vicious. Over the past few months, we've been doing a lot of work regarding this guy named Harold Mills. Now, from what I've gathered, he's been talking with Toshiro Ozu about uniting to knock off a few of our guys, mainly Mifune. Other than that, business is the same.
Spike lays down on the couch in the lounge, asleep. Vicious is off practicing wielding a samurai sword around. Suddenly, Spike slowly opens his eyes as he sees a beautiful butterfly flying in the air. He closes his eyes for a split second and opens them again as the butterfly is not there. He gets up from the couch and walks on over to another room where the kitchen is. He browses the refrigerator as he finds a box of low mien noodles. He takes the box, goes through one of the kitchen drawers and finds a pair of chopsticks. He then goes back to the lounge area where the couch is, sits down, turns on the TV, and starts eating his noodles. An old silent movie plays on the TV, until; it's suddenly changed to some off the wall game show.
"Huh?" says a puzzled Spike. He looks up as he notices a young kid name Lin stands next to the couch with the TV remote flipping through channels.
"Hey now, I was watching that show." Says Spike.
"And?" says Lin.
"And, you just changed my show. By the way, who are you?"
"That's Lin.," says Vicious.
"Who?" replies Spike.
"Lin." Says Vicious as walks towards where Spike and Lin are.
Now, this kid, Lin, he was something.
"Since when do we start letting kids in here anyway?" says Spike.
"Since his parents died. They entrusted that they become part of the syndicate on account of their father's blessing before both of his parents died."
Apparently, Lin's parents had somehow been involved with the Van for a couple of years. His father, a painter by the name of Ken, had been a part time guard for the Van. Him and his family were killed in a freak car accident a few months back.
"Sorry about that kid" says Spike.
"I'm cool. You should meet Shin."
"Who's Shin?"
Now Shin, he was the kind of young fellow that needed a lot of practice. But Shin had been an orphan from the time he was ten years old due to his parents abandoning his at the airport. I have no idea how he ended up working for us, but, it seemed to suite him well.
"Shin's also a new associate working for us now, or should I say, you" says Vicious.
Spike is stunned that he has two kids that have to work for him.
"WHAT?"
"Yeah. Orders from the bosses."
"What do you mean orders?"
"All three agreed for you to take both Lin and Shin under your wing so they can get the hang of things."
"Well what am I spouse to do with them?"
"Teach them stuff, like, the business. You know."
Spike isn't too happy with the news. Lin sits on the couch beside Spike as he still flips through the channels.
"Well, where's this, Shin at?"
"Shin. He's off right now doing some work with another employee of ours."
"Who, another kid for me to baby-sit? If it is, then you can forget about it."
Suddenly, a young woman with long brunette hair walks through the doors carrying some files. This is Julia. Another person follows; it's a young kid, and his name is Shin. As Julia walks, Spike begins to eye her. As does Julia as she walks by him. She walks up to Vicious and kisses him on the cheek.
"So, who's the lady?" asks Spike, smoothly.
"This tall glass of beautiful is Julia." Says Vicious. Spike stands up.
"We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Spike..."
"Spiegel," says Julia, interrupting Spike, "I've heard about you from Vicious. He says you're one hell of a fighter."
"Well, I may be good, but I'm not that great. Bruce Lee, he was a great fighter."
Julia giggles a bit as she smiles at Spike. Shin is over on the couch with Lin as they both watch some rerun of an old show.
"Oh, ah, Shin, say hi to Spike." Says Julia. Shin waves at Spike.
"So, I'm to show these two the rope aye?"
"Yup. Oh, and Shin, don't forget to let me know if Mifune is going to wanting to talk with Sergio or not."
"I know, I know, I'll be sure to ask him." Says Shin.
"Well you two, I got to go. Maybe us three can have dinner or something later on?"
"Sure," says Spike, "when and where?"
"How 'bout, Bon's Billiards at ten?"
"Sure."
"All right, and Vicious, don't forget that the bosses upstairs want to have a talk with you."
"When?" says Vicious.
"I think they wanted to speak with you now?"
Vicious lets out a sigh.
"All right then. Spike, be sure to show these guys around."
"I know." Says Spike as he tries eating the rest of his noodles. Both Julia and Vicious leave the room as Spike sits there on the couch eating his noodles with Lin and Shin.
"So, aren't you going to teach us anything?" asks Lin.
"In time."
"What's that suppose to mean?" says Shin. Spike gets a little frustrated as he then puts down his noodles and gets up from the couch.
"Ok, the both of you, up." Both kids get up.
"Let us go out so we can some fresh air and some room, shall we?"
About ten minutes later, all three of us were at the local park where we stood under a bunch of from the bright sun. It was there, I taught them the kind of wisdom of fighting that one would need to know about how to fight.
Spike, Shin, and Lin are standing in the shade under a couple of old trees with nicely cut green grass all over and fresh air to help clear the lungs.
"So, what are you spouse to teach us?" says Shin.
"Well, you two were already taught about the business side of the business you two are in, am I right?" asks Spike. Both Shin and Lin nod their heads yes.
"Well the both of you need to learn how to defend yourselves. You see, when either one of you are up against someone or a group of people, you need to have, flow."
"Flow?" asks Lin.
"Flow," says Spike, "the flow you have is the most important, not power. In order to have flow, you have to flow like water." Both kids seem to be puzzled.
"Now, I want one of you to come at me." Shin and Lin look at each other. "Come on, attack me." Shin then runs after Spike, but he smoothly dodges him as Shin trips and falls on the ground. "What the?" says Shin. Spike begins to smirk at Shin. "You see, I told you, you have to learn to flow." Shin then gets back up and walks back over to where Lin stands. "Now remember, when you flow, you flow like water. Now water can flow along slowly, or it can beat down aggressively. Think about it. Lin, you try it." Lin becomes real nervous as he expects what'll happen to him but quickly sucks it up and then goes at Spike. Once again, Spike dodges Lin, but Lin then side kicks Spike in gut. Spike delivers back a karate chop to Lin's neck as he then lifts Lin up by his left leg and flips him on the ground. Shin stands in shock. "Good job. I can see you're starting to understand." "Oh yeah, I understand that you're liable to kill me!" says Lin as his head falls the ground. Spike then points to Shin. "Ok Shin, once more from the top." Shin stands there in fear. "Hmm, I'm going love this." Mumbles Spike as he develops a smile on his face.
While I began to teach my so called "students", Vicious was off back at the Red Dragon headquarters with Julia in the meeting room where the three heads discussing what our plans of something big.
In a gigantic-like meeting room, the three heads sit at the head of the table in their chairs while Vicious and Julia sit at the other end. Some thugs stand by the door and act as security. "So, what's new?" asks Vicious to the three heads. "Well, to begin with, remember that former partner of yours that used to work with us before he went off to become a bounty hunter?" says Wang. "Itchi?" "Correct." "What going with him?" "Well," says Pang, "he's decided to join our enemy Ozu." "Interesting, what else?" "And he may have had contact with Mills about an assassination attempt on Mifune. If this were to happen Vicious, this could start an all out war with Ozu, and it sure wouldn't be pretty." Says Ping. "But what re we worried about. We have enough men." "But not nearly enough fire power as Ozu and his men have." Says Wang. "I can see where this is a problem." "Well, we want you and Spike to go see Mills and find out what he knows about Itchi." Vicious and Julia then exit the room. They walk down the long hallway to the elevator. The doors open, they both walk in, and they press the button for the ground floor. Julia seems to stare off into the distance. "What's wrong?" says Vicious. "It's nothing, really." Says Julia. "You can tell. What's on your mind?" "There's something I don't like about this." "Julia, there's nothing to worry about. Not in a thing in the world can take me away from you." "There is something." Murmurs Julia. In the lounge, Spike sits on the couch asleep with is feet propped up on the coffee table. Vicious and Julia then walk in the room. Vicious walks over to Spike. "We got work to do." Says Vicious. Spike opens up his right eye as it stares at Vicious. "Who and where?" "I'll explain on the way." Spike yawns, gets up off the couch, with both hands in his coat pockets, walks out with Vicious. On the way, Spike eyes Julia. She notices him and smiles. Spike smiles back as he walks out of the room. On the road in Vicious' car, Vicious begins to inform Spike of what's going on. "So, what happened with Itchi anyway?" "Who knows," says Vicious, "he was always a crazy ass person." "I would expect so from the stories you told me." Vicious and Spike then arrive at a seedy looking apartment complex where a bum outside sits drinking a bottle of booze from a brown paper bag. Vicious and Spike walk into the building, and take the elevator to the third floor where they then walk to room 237. They knock on the door. The door opens up to reveal a girlish-looking guy (a prostitute). "Yes?" says the Prostitute. "Where's Mills?" says Spike. "I'm glad you came, please come in." Spike and Vicious walk into the apartment as the prostitute closes the door from behind. "So, what's wrong with Mills?" says Spike. "I don't know. He's been depressed all day. First, he said he wanted to make love, and then he said that he felt tired. I don't know, maybe you can try to talk to him." "Where is he?" asks Vicious. "The bedroom." All three then walk into the bedroom where Mills (a young man around the age of 25, big brown bushy hair, black suite and tie, and penny loafer shoes.) lays on his back looking very out of it.
Now, this guy, Mills, he was a real character. Harold Mills grew up on the planet of Jupiter to the parents of two beatnik musicians. Nothing much is known about his childhood, other than the fact that he usually kept to himself. And also the fact that he had preferred those "downtown drag queen types".
"Mills." Mills' eyes move toward where Spike stands. "Yeah? Who wants to know?" "We're from the Van." "Really?" "Yeah, really." "So what." "You're very important to us. You want to clue me and my friend over there why you're important to the Van?" Mills turns over on his side. "Please, I don't want anything to do with them or you for that matter." "What if your life depended on it?" "Life? What life? I have no life." Spike then reaches over to where Mills is, pulls him over, and slaps him hard across the face. "Listen very closely, snap...out...of it. Now, please tell me, what is it that Ozu wants you for?" "He and some guy with piercings wanted me off some guy named Mifune, but he didn't say much else, I swear."
"Get up. We have to go then."
As Spike, Vicious and Mills leave the apartment, the prostitute walks to Mills and kisses him on the cheek.
"Call me," says the Prostitute.
"Uh, yeah, I'll try," says Mills.
As the three men walk out of the building and to the car, out from an alleyway, walks Itchi with a couple thugs to accompany him. They walk slowly behind where Spike, Vicious, and Mills are. Itchi and his men then come to a halt.
"Vicious."
All three men turn around as they see Itchi behind them, only standing a few feet away as Itchi begins to smoke a cigarette.
"So, how's it going?" asks Itchi.
"Good. You?" says Vicious.
"Oh you know me, so many people to kill, so little time. By the way, how's that girl of yours, Julia?"
"Fine. She's just fine," says Vicious.
"Good. You know, I never mentioned it before to you, or anyone else for that matter Vicious."
"What's that?" angrily asks Vicious.
"How I'd love to, tear her pretty flesh apart."
Itchi then whips out his gun and shoots Mills right in the head with blood splattering all over his face as he falls to the ground. Spike and Vicious then start shooting at Itchi and his men. Both Spike and Vicious manage to duck behind the car as Itchi and his men start shooting at them. Vicious runs out and manages to shoot Itch a couple times in the arm and the legs, but is also shot by Itchi at the same time in the shoulder. Spike takes out both thugs by shooting them in the head and chest. All that covers the little area is wounded and dead bodies with blood strewn everywhere.
Spike manages to get Vicious in the car and drive off as a now paralyzed Itchi gets up slowly to start shooting at the car driving away, only managing to shoot out the back window in the process. As they drive down the road, Vicious sits in the passenger seat with blood all over him.
"I damn, I'm gonna die," says Vicious in great agony.
"Listen to me, you're not going to die. Ok? Now, here's the news, I'm going to take you back to headquarters where we're going to get you fixed up and we're gonna get that bastard Itchi.
"I gonna die!" screams Vicious in agony.
"I want you to say you're not going to die," says Spike.
Vicious screams out in pain and smashes his window with the butt of his gun.
"Say the words! Say 'em!"
"NOOO!" screams Vicious.
"SAY THE FUCKING WORDS! SAY IT! SAY THE MOTHERFUCKING WORDS RIGHT NOW! SAY 'EM!"
"I'm...not gonna...die," says Vicious.
"Correct my friend."
Back at the headquarters, Vicious lies in a bed all bandaged up, sleeping as the doctor comes out of the room to address Spike and Julia.
"How is he?" asks Spike.
"He's doing well. But he'll have to rest for awhile till he can get back on his feet," says the doctor.
"Thank you doctor," says Julia.
Spike walks in the room to look over at Vicious. He then walks out of the room as Julia runs towards him.
"Wait, where are you going?" asks Julia.
"Taking care of business."
Both stand there looking at each other. Spike gives a little smile to Julia as he walks off down the hall.
That night, I made sure to send a message to Ozu. I was going to even the score by going after Itchi.
Later that night, Spike arrives at an abandoned factory. He gets out of the car, as he stands there eyeing the place.
I managed to find out where Itchi had been hiding out. Most in part by one of the wounded thugs of Itchi's I found at the hospital by chance.
Spike then begins to walk into the factory, armed to the brim with weapons, but concealing them in an overcoat. In the factory, it is dark, but with some light coming from the moon in the sky shining it's light into the broken windows.
"Spike."
Suddenly, Itchi's voice echoes throughout the factory as Spike looks around to see where it came from.
"I expected Vicious to come, but I guess I'll have to deal with you."
Suddenly, a knife flies from the dark recesses of the factory and into Spike's arm as Spike whips out two guns and starts shooting around. Spike pulls the knife out of his arm as Itchi walks in front of Spike with a samurai sword.
"Now, let us settle this, man...to man."
Itchi then begins to charge at Spike. Spike then starts shooting at Itchi as Itchi wields his sword around to bounce off the bullets. He finally gets to Spike as Spike uses both guns to block the sword away from him. Spike then kicks Itchi in the gut sending him to the ground as Itchi's sword falls out of his hand and to the ground. Spike draws his guns at Itchi, but Itchi pulls out two small knifes from his boots and shoots them at Spike as they fly into the barrels of both guns. Spike throws them down as Itchi manages to quickly grab his sword and swing it at Spike as he moves out of the way.
Itchi swings his sword again as he slashes Spike across the chest. Spike then punches Itchi in the face. Itchi then super kicks Spike, sending him down to the ground. Suddenly, about ten thugs appear and circle around the abandoned factory aim their guns at Spike.
"Ah, it seems that you've just been outnumbered Spike. So, any last words before you die?"
"Sure...boom."
Spike then grabs something out of his coat. A detonator. He pushes the button. He takes off his coat as a bunch of bombs are attached to the coat. Itchi, distracted looking at what Spike has done, Spike then grabs a concealed gun from his back and shoots Itchi right in the head, and runs real fast out of building as all the thugs start shooting at Spike. He dives out the front door just when the whole building then bursts into a giant explosion; Spike lays there on the ground, as he starts to cough up some blood.
Spike manages to drag himself back to the car. As he sits in the driver's seat, with both hands on the steering wheel, he just looks down. Thinking to himself. He then starts to pound his fists into steering wheel, and then begins to cry a bit, cursing obscenities under his breath. He takes a deep breath, and exhales. He does this twice before he starts the engine and then leaves.
Spike arrives back at headquarters. He then walks into the room where Vicious is asleep, recovering from earlier. Spike walks into the room where he pulls up a chair and sits near Vicious.
"Well, I got him," Spike says as he looks upon Vicious, still in a deep sleep.
"I was just thinking to myself, was it really worth it to just killing a man the way I did? But, I guess it was for the better."
Spike gets up and starts walking out the door, but he turns around and looks at Vicious at the doorway. Spike suddenly feels a presence. He looks behind himself and sees Julia standing behind him.
"You all right?" says Julia.
"I'll be fine," says Spike.
They both look at each other.
"You hungry?" asks Spike.
"Yeah," says Julia as she nod her head yes.
So Julia and I decide to go eat at this little restaurant that Mao had suggested to me awhile back.
Spike and Julia sit in a little darkened booth of a restaurant as they both have some fried rice and noodles.
"So, tell me, how did you and Vicious, meet?" asks Spike.
"Well, I believe it was about a year or so ago. This was when he was just starting out with the Van, and I just got hired to work as a secretary."
Both continue to eat.
"Can I ask you something?" says Julia.
"Sure," says Spike.
"Do you believe in fate?"
"How so?"
"Well, don't you believe that something was meant to happen for a reason?"
Spike stares at his food for a moment as he thinks about the question.
"In a way, yes, but, aren't we all here for one reason or another? It's fate that has put us all in this place. It's, fate that has brought us all together. I don't know. It's something like that."
"Well, did you ever picture yourself in this business?"
"Why you ask?"
"Curious."
"Aren't we all."
"To be honest with you, I don't picture a guy like yourself in this kind of business. At least not the business of killing people."
"Wouldn't matter anyway. They were all going to get it sooner of later."
"It's a little harsh don't you think?"
"Then again Julia, it's a harsh world. Shit like that can't be helped. We're all doomed one way or another. Each and every one of us is destined for something. I guess that's something that's left to ourselves and God to decide that."
"Do you believe that?"
"I don't just believe it, I know it for a fact."
"You know it for a fact?"
"Yes."
It becomes silent for a moment.
"So, where did you grow up?"
"For awhile, as long as I can remember, I think it was Venus. At least that's what I remember. My father was a waltz instructor."
"And your mother?"
"Well, my mother was a nurse. What about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"I have no parents."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?"
"I don't know. I never knew them."
After dinner, Spike drives Julia to where her apartment is. They both get out of the car and walk into the apartment complex and up to where her apartment is. As they get to the door of the apartment, both of them stop and once again, look each other in the eyes.
"Well, good night," says Spike.
"Good night," says Julia.
Julia smiles, and walks into her apartment. Spike stands there looking down as he smiles, and then walks down the hallway.
There was something about Julia that I just couldn't shake. There's something about her that just...I guess I just felt at peace. I didn't think about it then, but I knew real deep down that something was going to go down. I just didn't know when.
NEXT CHAPTER: JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN
It had been six months since I joined up with the Red Dragons and partnered up with Vicious. Over the past few months, we've been doing a lot of work regarding this guy named Harold Mills. Now, from what I've gathered, he's been talking with Toshiro Ozu about uniting to knock off a few of our guys, mainly Mifune. Other than that, business is the same.
Spike lays down on the couch in the lounge, asleep. Vicious is off practicing wielding a samurai sword around. Suddenly, Spike slowly opens his eyes as he sees a beautiful butterfly flying in the air. He closes his eyes for a split second and opens them again as the butterfly is not there. He gets up from the couch and walks on over to another room where the kitchen is. He browses the refrigerator as he finds a box of low mien noodles. He takes the box, goes through one of the kitchen drawers and finds a pair of chopsticks. He then goes back to the lounge area where the couch is, sits down, turns on the TV, and starts eating his noodles. An old silent movie plays on the TV, until; it's suddenly changed to some off the wall game show.
"Huh?" says a puzzled Spike. He looks up as he notices a young kid name Lin stands next to the couch with the TV remote flipping through channels.
"Hey now, I was watching that show." Says Spike.
"And?" says Lin.
"And, you just changed my show. By the way, who are you?"
"That's Lin.," says Vicious.
"Who?" replies Spike.
"Lin." Says Vicious as walks towards where Spike and Lin are.
Now, this kid, Lin, he was something.
"Since when do we start letting kids in here anyway?" says Spike.
"Since his parents died. They entrusted that they become part of the syndicate on account of their father's blessing before both of his parents died."
Apparently, Lin's parents had somehow been involved with the Van for a couple of years. His father, a painter by the name of Ken, had been a part time guard for the Van. Him and his family were killed in a freak car accident a few months back.
"Sorry about that kid" says Spike.
"I'm cool. You should meet Shin."
"Who's Shin?"
Now Shin, he was the kind of young fellow that needed a lot of practice. But Shin had been an orphan from the time he was ten years old due to his parents abandoning his at the airport. I have no idea how he ended up working for us, but, it seemed to suite him well.
"Shin's also a new associate working for us now, or should I say, you" says Vicious.
Spike is stunned that he has two kids that have to work for him.
"WHAT?"
"Yeah. Orders from the bosses."
"What do you mean orders?"
"All three agreed for you to take both Lin and Shin under your wing so they can get the hang of things."
"Well what am I spouse to do with them?"
"Teach them stuff, like, the business. You know."
Spike isn't too happy with the news. Lin sits on the couch beside Spike as he still flips through the channels.
"Well, where's this, Shin at?"
"Shin. He's off right now doing some work with another employee of ours."
"Who, another kid for me to baby-sit? If it is, then you can forget about it."
Suddenly, a young woman with long brunette hair walks through the doors carrying some files. This is Julia. Another person follows; it's a young kid, and his name is Shin. As Julia walks, Spike begins to eye her. As does Julia as she walks by him. She walks up to Vicious and kisses him on the cheek.
"So, who's the lady?" asks Spike, smoothly.
"This tall glass of beautiful is Julia." Says Vicious. Spike stands up.
"We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Spike..."
"Spiegel," says Julia, interrupting Spike, "I've heard about you from Vicious. He says you're one hell of a fighter."
"Well, I may be good, but I'm not that great. Bruce Lee, he was a great fighter."
Julia giggles a bit as she smiles at Spike. Shin is over on the couch with Lin as they both watch some rerun of an old show.
"Oh, ah, Shin, say hi to Spike." Says Julia. Shin waves at Spike.
"So, I'm to show these two the rope aye?"
"Yup. Oh, and Shin, don't forget to let me know if Mifune is going to wanting to talk with Sergio or not."
"I know, I know, I'll be sure to ask him." Says Shin.
"Well you two, I got to go. Maybe us three can have dinner or something later on?"
"Sure," says Spike, "when and where?"
"How 'bout, Bon's Billiards at ten?"
"Sure."
"All right, and Vicious, don't forget that the bosses upstairs want to have a talk with you."
"When?" says Vicious.
"I think they wanted to speak with you now?"
Vicious lets out a sigh.
"All right then. Spike, be sure to show these guys around."
"I know." Says Spike as he tries eating the rest of his noodles. Both Julia and Vicious leave the room as Spike sits there on the couch eating his noodles with Lin and Shin.
"So, aren't you going to teach us anything?" asks Lin.
"In time."
"What's that suppose to mean?" says Shin. Spike gets a little frustrated as he then puts down his noodles and gets up from the couch.
"Ok, the both of you, up." Both kids get up.
"Let us go out so we can some fresh air and some room, shall we?"
About ten minutes later, all three of us were at the local park where we stood under a bunch of from the bright sun. It was there, I taught them the kind of wisdom of fighting that one would need to know about how to fight.
Spike, Shin, and Lin are standing in the shade under a couple of old trees with nicely cut green grass all over and fresh air to help clear the lungs.
"So, what are you spouse to teach us?" says Shin.
"Well, you two were already taught about the business side of the business you two are in, am I right?" asks Spike. Both Shin and Lin nod their heads yes.
"Well the both of you need to learn how to defend yourselves. You see, when either one of you are up against someone or a group of people, you need to have, flow."
"Flow?" asks Lin.
"Flow," says Spike, "the flow you have is the most important, not power. In order to have flow, you have to flow like water." Both kids seem to be puzzled.
"Now, I want one of you to come at me." Shin and Lin look at each other. "Come on, attack me." Shin then runs after Spike, but he smoothly dodges him as Shin trips and falls on the ground. "What the?" says Shin. Spike begins to smirk at Shin. "You see, I told you, you have to learn to flow." Shin then gets back up and walks back over to where Lin stands. "Now remember, when you flow, you flow like water. Now water can flow along slowly, or it can beat down aggressively. Think about it. Lin, you try it." Lin becomes real nervous as he expects what'll happen to him but quickly sucks it up and then goes at Spike. Once again, Spike dodges Lin, but Lin then side kicks Spike in gut. Spike delivers back a karate chop to Lin's neck as he then lifts Lin up by his left leg and flips him on the ground. Shin stands in shock. "Good job. I can see you're starting to understand." "Oh yeah, I understand that you're liable to kill me!" says Lin as his head falls the ground. Spike then points to Shin. "Ok Shin, once more from the top." Shin stands there in fear. "Hmm, I'm going love this." Mumbles Spike as he develops a smile on his face.
While I began to teach my so called "students", Vicious was off back at the Red Dragon headquarters with Julia in the meeting room where the three heads discussing what our plans of something big.
In a gigantic-like meeting room, the three heads sit at the head of the table in their chairs while Vicious and Julia sit at the other end. Some thugs stand by the door and act as security. "So, what's new?" asks Vicious to the three heads. "Well, to begin with, remember that former partner of yours that used to work with us before he went off to become a bounty hunter?" says Wang. "Itchi?" "Correct." "What going with him?" "Well," says Pang, "he's decided to join our enemy Ozu." "Interesting, what else?" "And he may have had contact with Mills about an assassination attempt on Mifune. If this were to happen Vicious, this could start an all out war with Ozu, and it sure wouldn't be pretty." Says Ping. "But what re we worried about. We have enough men." "But not nearly enough fire power as Ozu and his men have." Says Wang. "I can see where this is a problem." "Well, we want you and Spike to go see Mills and find out what he knows about Itchi." Vicious and Julia then exit the room. They walk down the long hallway to the elevator. The doors open, they both walk in, and they press the button for the ground floor. Julia seems to stare off into the distance. "What's wrong?" says Vicious. "It's nothing, really." Says Julia. "You can tell. What's on your mind?" "There's something I don't like about this." "Julia, there's nothing to worry about. Not in a thing in the world can take me away from you." "There is something." Murmurs Julia. In the lounge, Spike sits on the couch asleep with is feet propped up on the coffee table. Vicious and Julia then walk in the room. Vicious walks over to Spike. "We got work to do." Says Vicious. Spike opens up his right eye as it stares at Vicious. "Who and where?" "I'll explain on the way." Spike yawns, gets up off the couch, with both hands in his coat pockets, walks out with Vicious. On the way, Spike eyes Julia. She notices him and smiles. Spike smiles back as he walks out of the room. On the road in Vicious' car, Vicious begins to inform Spike of what's going on. "So, what happened with Itchi anyway?" "Who knows," says Vicious, "he was always a crazy ass person." "I would expect so from the stories you told me." Vicious and Spike then arrive at a seedy looking apartment complex where a bum outside sits drinking a bottle of booze from a brown paper bag. Vicious and Spike walk into the building, and take the elevator to the third floor where they then walk to room 237. They knock on the door. The door opens up to reveal a girlish-looking guy (a prostitute). "Yes?" says the Prostitute. "Where's Mills?" says Spike. "I'm glad you came, please come in." Spike and Vicious walk into the apartment as the prostitute closes the door from behind. "So, what's wrong with Mills?" says Spike. "I don't know. He's been depressed all day. First, he said he wanted to make love, and then he said that he felt tired. I don't know, maybe you can try to talk to him." "Where is he?" asks Vicious. "The bedroom." All three then walk into the bedroom where Mills (a young man around the age of 25, big brown bushy hair, black suite and tie, and penny loafer shoes.) lays on his back looking very out of it.
Now, this guy, Mills, he was a real character. Harold Mills grew up on the planet of Jupiter to the parents of two beatnik musicians. Nothing much is known about his childhood, other than the fact that he usually kept to himself. And also the fact that he had preferred those "downtown drag queen types".
"Mills." Mills' eyes move toward where Spike stands. "Yeah? Who wants to know?" "We're from the Van." "Really?" "Yeah, really." "So what." "You're very important to us. You want to clue me and my friend over there why you're important to the Van?" Mills turns over on his side. "Please, I don't want anything to do with them or you for that matter." "What if your life depended on it?" "Life? What life? I have no life." Spike then reaches over to where Mills is, pulls him over, and slaps him hard across the face. "Listen very closely, snap...out...of it. Now, please tell me, what is it that Ozu wants you for?" "He and some guy with piercings wanted me off some guy named Mifune, but he didn't say much else, I swear."
"Get up. We have to go then."
As Spike, Vicious and Mills leave the apartment, the prostitute walks to Mills and kisses him on the cheek.
"Call me," says the Prostitute.
"Uh, yeah, I'll try," says Mills.
As the three men walk out of the building and to the car, out from an alleyway, walks Itchi with a couple thugs to accompany him. They walk slowly behind where Spike, Vicious, and Mills are. Itchi and his men then come to a halt.
"Vicious."
All three men turn around as they see Itchi behind them, only standing a few feet away as Itchi begins to smoke a cigarette.
"So, how's it going?" asks Itchi.
"Good. You?" says Vicious.
"Oh you know me, so many people to kill, so little time. By the way, how's that girl of yours, Julia?"
"Fine. She's just fine," says Vicious.
"Good. You know, I never mentioned it before to you, or anyone else for that matter Vicious."
"What's that?" angrily asks Vicious.
"How I'd love to, tear her pretty flesh apart."
Itchi then whips out his gun and shoots Mills right in the head with blood splattering all over his face as he falls to the ground. Spike and Vicious then start shooting at Itchi and his men. Both Spike and Vicious manage to duck behind the car as Itchi and his men start shooting at them. Vicious runs out and manages to shoot Itch a couple times in the arm and the legs, but is also shot by Itchi at the same time in the shoulder. Spike takes out both thugs by shooting them in the head and chest. All that covers the little area is wounded and dead bodies with blood strewn everywhere.
Spike manages to get Vicious in the car and drive off as a now paralyzed Itchi gets up slowly to start shooting at the car driving away, only managing to shoot out the back window in the process. As they drive down the road, Vicious sits in the passenger seat with blood all over him.
"I damn, I'm gonna die," says Vicious in great agony.
"Listen to me, you're not going to die. Ok? Now, here's the news, I'm going to take you back to headquarters where we're going to get you fixed up and we're gonna get that bastard Itchi.
"I gonna die!" screams Vicious in agony.
"I want you to say you're not going to die," says Spike.
Vicious screams out in pain and smashes his window with the butt of his gun.
"Say the words! Say 'em!"
"NOOO!" screams Vicious.
"SAY THE FUCKING WORDS! SAY IT! SAY THE MOTHERFUCKING WORDS RIGHT NOW! SAY 'EM!"
"I'm...not gonna...die," says Vicious.
"Correct my friend."
Back at the headquarters, Vicious lies in a bed all bandaged up, sleeping as the doctor comes out of the room to address Spike and Julia.
"How is he?" asks Spike.
"He's doing well. But he'll have to rest for awhile till he can get back on his feet," says the doctor.
"Thank you doctor," says Julia.
Spike walks in the room to look over at Vicious. He then walks out of the room as Julia runs towards him.
"Wait, where are you going?" asks Julia.
"Taking care of business."
Both stand there looking at each other. Spike gives a little smile to Julia as he walks off down the hall.
That night, I made sure to send a message to Ozu. I was going to even the score by going after Itchi.
Later that night, Spike arrives at an abandoned factory. He gets out of the car, as he stands there eyeing the place.
I managed to find out where Itchi had been hiding out. Most in part by one of the wounded thugs of Itchi's I found at the hospital by chance.
Spike then begins to walk into the factory, armed to the brim with weapons, but concealing them in an overcoat. In the factory, it is dark, but with some light coming from the moon in the sky shining it's light into the broken windows.
"Spike."
Suddenly, Itchi's voice echoes throughout the factory as Spike looks around to see where it came from.
"I expected Vicious to come, but I guess I'll have to deal with you."
Suddenly, a knife flies from the dark recesses of the factory and into Spike's arm as Spike whips out two guns and starts shooting around. Spike pulls the knife out of his arm as Itchi walks in front of Spike with a samurai sword.
"Now, let us settle this, man...to man."
Itchi then begins to charge at Spike. Spike then starts shooting at Itchi as Itchi wields his sword around to bounce off the bullets. He finally gets to Spike as Spike uses both guns to block the sword away from him. Spike then kicks Itchi in the gut sending him to the ground as Itchi's sword falls out of his hand and to the ground. Spike draws his guns at Itchi, but Itchi pulls out two small knifes from his boots and shoots them at Spike as they fly into the barrels of both guns. Spike throws them down as Itchi manages to quickly grab his sword and swing it at Spike as he moves out of the way.
Itchi swings his sword again as he slashes Spike across the chest. Spike then punches Itchi in the face. Itchi then super kicks Spike, sending him down to the ground. Suddenly, about ten thugs appear and circle around the abandoned factory aim their guns at Spike.
"Ah, it seems that you've just been outnumbered Spike. So, any last words before you die?"
"Sure...boom."
Spike then grabs something out of his coat. A detonator. He pushes the button. He takes off his coat as a bunch of bombs are attached to the coat. Itchi, distracted looking at what Spike has done, Spike then grabs a concealed gun from his back and shoots Itchi right in the head, and runs real fast out of building as all the thugs start shooting at Spike. He dives out the front door just when the whole building then bursts into a giant explosion; Spike lays there on the ground, as he starts to cough up some blood.
Spike manages to drag himself back to the car. As he sits in the driver's seat, with both hands on the steering wheel, he just looks down. Thinking to himself. He then starts to pound his fists into steering wheel, and then begins to cry a bit, cursing obscenities under his breath. He takes a deep breath, and exhales. He does this twice before he starts the engine and then leaves.
Spike arrives back at headquarters. He then walks into the room where Vicious is asleep, recovering from earlier. Spike walks into the room where he pulls up a chair and sits near Vicious.
"Well, I got him," Spike says as he looks upon Vicious, still in a deep sleep.
"I was just thinking to myself, was it really worth it to just killing a man the way I did? But, I guess it was for the better."
Spike gets up and starts walking out the door, but he turns around and looks at Vicious at the doorway. Spike suddenly feels a presence. He looks behind himself and sees Julia standing behind him.
"You all right?" says Julia.
"I'll be fine," says Spike.
They both look at each other.
"You hungry?" asks Spike.
"Yeah," says Julia as she nod her head yes.
So Julia and I decide to go eat at this little restaurant that Mao had suggested to me awhile back.
Spike and Julia sit in a little darkened booth of a restaurant as they both have some fried rice and noodles.
"So, tell me, how did you and Vicious, meet?" asks Spike.
"Well, I believe it was about a year or so ago. This was when he was just starting out with the Van, and I just got hired to work as a secretary."
Both continue to eat.
"Can I ask you something?" says Julia.
"Sure," says Spike.
"Do you believe in fate?"
"How so?"
"Well, don't you believe that something was meant to happen for a reason?"
Spike stares at his food for a moment as he thinks about the question.
"In a way, yes, but, aren't we all here for one reason or another? It's fate that has put us all in this place. It's, fate that has brought us all together. I don't know. It's something like that."
"Well, did you ever picture yourself in this business?"
"Why you ask?"
"Curious."
"Aren't we all."
"To be honest with you, I don't picture a guy like yourself in this kind of business. At least not the business of killing people."
"Wouldn't matter anyway. They were all going to get it sooner of later."
"It's a little harsh don't you think?"
"Then again Julia, it's a harsh world. Shit like that can't be helped. We're all doomed one way or another. Each and every one of us is destined for something. I guess that's something that's left to ourselves and God to decide that."
"Do you believe that?"
"I don't just believe it, I know it for a fact."
"You know it for a fact?"
"Yes."
It becomes silent for a moment.
"So, where did you grow up?"
"For awhile, as long as I can remember, I think it was Venus. At least that's what I remember. My father was a waltz instructor."
"And your mother?"
"Well, my mother was a nurse. What about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"I have no parents."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?"
"I don't know. I never knew them."
After dinner, Spike drives Julia to where her apartment is. They both get out of the car and walk into the apartment complex and up to where her apartment is. As they get to the door of the apartment, both of them stop and once again, look each other in the eyes.
"Well, good night," says Spike.
"Good night," says Julia.
Julia smiles, and walks into her apartment. Spike stands there looking down as he smiles, and then walks down the hallway.
There was something about Julia that I just couldn't shake. There's something about her that just...I guess I just felt at peace. I didn't think about it then, but I knew real deep down that something was going to go down. I just didn't know when.
NEXT CHAPTER: JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN