Chapter 14: First Date
Evening blanketed the city of Seattle in an all embracing darkness and its residing street lights sprung into action illuminating their designated areas with a dull white glow. Numerous skyscrapers lit up like switchboards as the people inside turned on lamps in preparation for a nights work. The coloured neon signs became more intense in the absence of natural light and people flocked like flies to the bright and vibrant clubs and bars. In the suburbs, houses glowed warmly as families settled down to dinner. Car headlights cut through the night as road users busied around like bees in a hive.
The whole city was a plethora of light except for one little patch that remained unseen from the sky. The terminally ill and last surviving street lamp on Logan's street finally gave in and passed away. The street was now almost completely shrouded in a bluish darkness. A little light from Logan's window scythed across the road, the shadows of the moving figures inside plastered against the ground in a cinema like display.
Logan was fiddling with a black tie trying to perfect his black suit and white shirt look. Across from him, Alec stood at the foot of the stairs dressed in a similar black suit but with a red shirt and no tie. He looked bemused as Logan kept hopelessly plugging away.
"I hope your mum taught you to tie your shoes at least," Alec said with a grin.
Logan stopped and stared at the wall before shooting Alec a look that told him to shut up but at the same time pleaded for his help. Still grinning, Alec took great satisfaction in doing up the crisp black tie with ease.
"For your information, I can in fact tie ties it's just I'm feeling a little…nervous," Logan said defensively.
"Don't worry about it; you don't have to pretend for me. Besides, doing up ties was an essential part of Manticore training." Alec paused and looked whimsically to the ceiling. "God the number of times I must have injured myself with those sharp edges in search of tie perfection." He stopped again to look at Logan's puzzled expression and gave him another grin. "Now don't be nervous; I'm sure Max won't think any less of you. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No I'm fine," Logan replied feeling a little stupid. Alec slapped him on the arm in an attempt at re-assurance and Logan laughed dryly before checking his watch.
"Speaking of Max, where is she? She's been what, an hour now." Logan inquired looking up the stairs and seeing no signs of Max.
"Really, an hour?" Alec looked stunned, "I didn't know it took that long to put on army fatigues and tie your hair in a knot."
Logan shot him another look, "what does that mean?"
"Well don't get me wrong here, I mean Max is a lovely girl and all but she's...you know…a bit of rough; not really one for dressing up. I reckon she actually is treating this like a Manticore surveillance mission."
Logan was about to set Alec straight when he finally caught site of Max at the top of the stairs. Feeling his breath escape him, Logan was captivated by the sight. Max looked perfect dressed in a strapless black dress that clung neatly to her figure before opening up around her feet. Her hair was tied up in an organised mess of separate strands that extended from the main mass of hair that sat in a ball above her neck. With her fringe pulled back, Max had chosen to compliment her perfect features with a touch of makeup that did just enough to highlight her dark eyes and make her full lips even more prominent.
Giving Logan a coy smile, Max walked slowly to the bottom of the stairs and gave them a twirl.
Alec coughed, "maybe she can be a Barbie doll after all."
"Wow!" Logan said breathlessly, his eyes locked on Max.
"Yeah great, you know we really should be going," Alec cut in tapping his watch, annoyed that his partners in crime were now caught up in each other.
Shaking his head, Logan regained his composure. "Yes of course. Ok, Alec you go and collect Jess. Max and I will head over to Chapters and wait for you there."
"Hope we don't run into any trouble," Max said looking down at herself, "it's not like I'm dressed for it."
Logan smiled at her softly; time almost standing still just for this moment. "You look beautiful," he said running a hand down her cheek.
"Thank you. You don't look half bad yourself," Max replied with a smile, taking Logan's hands in her own.
Alec stood a non-participant in the sensual performance taking place in front of him. He stood watching them with his hands on his hips, one knee slightly bent in a position a bit too feminine for a guy like Alec. Somehow he managed to pull it off; Max and Logan noticing his desire to get on with things. They laughed at him passively as Max tucked her arm under Logan's and followed him out the front door.
"Oh you laugh now, but I know a little thing about ties…" Alec muttered as he too stepped out the door, flicking the lights switch as he went.
Thankfully, Dave's temperamental little car had decided to start meaning that Alec could go pick up Jess while Max and Logan headed for Chapters, the restaurant chosen for tonight's operation. It was a subtle little place located in a rather secluded part of the city. For Max, the journey there was like a trip through her memories. Everywhere she looked her stomach lurched in recognition of particular sights and places.
As the mighty stature of the Space Needle loomed up and towered above them, Max felt her heart tighten and refuse to beat. The Space Needle was a representation of her life from before, a place she used to go to find solitude and sanctuary from everything else; all her problems and worries. Max remembered the countless times she had scaled the Needle's height and sat like a god watching the world from afar. Up there she was untouchable, no longer just another slave to the daily routine of life, but a separate entity left alone to contemplate her existence.
Max made a mental note that, should tonight's proceedings go as planned, she and Logan would go up on the Space Needle together and build a monument to the memory of all their lost friends. Max could not think of a more appropriate place to honour those that meant so much to her, the people that had made her whole.
After a ten minute drive, Logan pulled the car up outside a small but personable building. Constructed with clean grey bricks, the restaurant had a red glass strip that it wore like a hat. The name Chapters was written across the strip in stylish gold letters that intertwined with each other.
Stepping through the swinging door, Max and Logan found themselves in a small compact room. The walls were painted a deep scarlet and the floor was wooden with a heavy coat of varnish. The place was empty apart from a short man who stood quietly behind a sort of pulpit in the far corner. There appeared to be no other doors in the room, no actual sign of a restaurant.
"Can I help you," the small man asked in a confident but hurried voice.
"Yes, I believe I have reservations," Logan answered while secretly trying to find a door or some proof that this place was in fact a restaurant.
"Ah yes, a table for two," he looked over at Max who distracted by the enclosed space she was currently standing in. Grinning, the doorman continued, "Allow me to show you to your table."
"Ok," Logan said, half expecting the guy to pull a table out from behind his back and set it up in the middle of the minute and annoying room.
The doorman shifted over to the north wall and lifted up a flap that cleverly concealed a door handle. He pulled on it, opening the hidden door that revealed a narrow set of stairs. The sound of idle chatter and the smell of wine and freshly cooked meat surged up to them assaulting their senses in a calming massage.
It seemed the stairs had been designed for the small doorman as Logan and Max struggled to find their footing on the small surface of each step.
"I though you'd been here before," Max hissed almost tipping over.
"No…no but I hear it's very good." Logan assured her.
At the bottom of the stairs was another door which opened up to reveal the belly of the restaurant. A bar sat to their immediate left. The counter was wooden and had red felt running along its top surface. The shelves behind it were made from a clear glass that reflected the rest of the room, and were littered in numerous bottles of spirits. A barman stood vigorously cleaning glasses while a young couple sat on the leather stools surrounding the counter, engaging in mild flirtations, neither one seeming that interested in the other.
The eating area was roughly the size of a very small church hall. The walls were painted the same absurd colour of scarlet as the reception area, but had a road of dark chocolate wood running through their middle. A glass chandelier hung proudly from the ceiling providing just enough visible light to maintain the romantic atmosphere. There were overgrown potted plants in each corner of the room and the floor was covered in a black carpet that was adorned with a gold tribal pattern that turned and twisted in every direction it could.
The doorman, lead them through the gathering of circular tables that covered the floor. Although they were of varying sizes, each table was basically decorated the same; covered with an oversized white tablecloth with tall red stalk like candles positioned in the centre with salt and pepper shakers on either side. Each table also came with an accompaniment of wooden chairs with red padding. There were only a few other diners in the room, mostly couples huddled over their tables in deep conversation.
"Here you are sir," the doorman gestured toward a table situated in the far right corner of the room next to one of the potted plants whose leaves intruded upon one of the chairs. They had received this undesirable spot at Logan's request, the logic being that they should try and remain out of sight while Alec talked with Jess.
Logan pulled out Max's chair as another round of neck tingling and haunting harp music began to echo through the air. Logan pushed away the intrusive plant and took his seat opposite Max. He checked his watch: five to eight, Alec and Jess would arrive soon.
"Not bad," Max said, looking around in an approving manner.
A tall young man quietly came up to their table. He was clearly a waiter with a recently ironed white shirt, loose red waist coat, neat black trousers and stupidly over polished black shoes. He didn't look that eager to please, his hair slicked back from his rather morose face.
"Good evening, my names Chris Greenough and I'll be your waiter this evening. Here are the menus." He dumped two leather wallets on the table and then waited patiently for further instruction.
"Greenough as in the town," Max asked, her mind not really wanting to be reminded of the place. Chris looked irritated by the question, but still tried to maintain proper etiquette.
"Yes madam, my grandfather founded the town shortly after the pulse. It was supposed to be a safe haven but quickly descended into the rancid shit pile it is today," Chris smiled politely to mask his slip of the tongue. "What can I get you?"
Max looked over at Logan who seemed just as confused as she was. She stole a laugh before proceeding to read the biscuit coloured pages of the menu.
They both ordered a chicken dish with an expensive sounding name that Logan had struggled to pronounce, and a bottle of red wine.
"Excellent choice," Chris said with a hint of sarcasm. He then turned and meandered off to the kitchen, occasionally stopping to look scornfully at the other people in the restaurant.
"What a pleasant guy," Logan said watching Chris disappear into the kitchen.
"He did seem rather bitter about something," Max said as Chris returned with a bottle of wine and two bowl shaped glasses. Arriving back at the table, he placed them in the middle. "Your meal should be ready shortly," he added before looking at them both once more, his upper lip raised in a sneer. He then smiled and left.
"I don't like him," Max said sincerely, scowling at the back of their departed waiter. Logan chuckled as he poured them both a glass of wine, the liquid slurping into the glass at a steady rate.
"There's Alec!" Max practically shouted causing Logan to jump and almost spill the wine. Putting the bottle down, he followed Max's gaze across the room to the foot of the stairs where Alec stood with an attractive young woman.
"That must be Jess," Logan said, sounding a little too impressed for Max's liking. She shot him a look telling him to behave and then turned her attention back to their target.
Max had to admit it; Jess did look stunning in her knee length black skirt and sleeveless white top that gave nothing away, the collar clinging tightly to her thin neck. Her tinted hair was swept back in a jagged ponytail that showed off her pale face. Max sighed realising that Jess seemed like a normal girl and not the evil hag she had envisaged who, in a dastardly plot, had drugged Alec and took advantage of him.
"No sign of Gray?" Logan inquired, oblivious to what the man actually looked like.
"Not that I can see." Max turned back to face Logan, "I guess this is it, may as well enjoy the rest of the evening."
Logan gave her a smile before raising his glass. Max tapped it tightly with hers and then took a sip, her eyes still lingering on Logan.
Alec stood at the foot of the stairs still recovering from the illusion cast by that annoying reception area. He had given the little doorman a good talking to about how such a design could be bad for business. Now the little fellow seemed eager to please, the arrogance form before vanishing at the sound of a harsh voice.
"This way sir," the man sounded nervous as he directed them to the table in the opposite corner to Max and Logan's, a few meters to the right of the bar.
Alec did the gentlemanly thing and pulled out Jess's chair for her to sit on before moving round to his own seat. He was a little annoyed to find that he had to battle with an over zealous plant just in order to sit down. Holding up the broken stem, he turned to the doorman who was desperately trying to leave:
"What is this about? I have to say I'm not that impressed, don't you have people to trim these?"
The doorman appeared to be sweating; "yes sir, we were planning to do that…yes very good." He gave them a nod before escaping upstairs to the comfort of his little room.
"That was a little over the top don't you think?" Jess grinned at Alec.
"I was just trying to help," Alec protested.
"Good evening, my name is Chris Greenough and I'll be your waiter tonight."
Alec turned to see a rather stuffy looking man looking down at them while placing two menus on the table.
"Greenough as in the town," he asked curiously.
Chris sighed, "yes sir, very good sir, what can I get you sir?" He removed a little notepad from the pocket in his waistcoat and prepared to take their order, clearly not willing to elaborate further on his connections to the now deceased little town.
After taking their order, Chris shuffled off muttering to himself about how he was in the wrong vocation. Alec cleared his throat and then noticed Jess staring at him, her cheeks raised so that they reduced her eyes to wrinkled slits.
"What is it?" he asked, guessing he had dirt on his face or something.
"You've been to Greenough?" she sounded suspicious.
"Yeah…I have family up there. They're real naturalists, they love all that fresh air and…mud and stuff."
Alec could tell by the way Jess's face fell that Gray had informed her of his actions in Greenough. What he had done to the entire population that, to Jess, included his fictional relatives. If this was the case then Gray could also have told her about Alec, but thankfully she didn't seem to know that Gray had meant the man who was now sitting in front of her. Alec breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Gray hadn't bothered to get his name before he kicked his ass.
"Well you look great," Alec said wondering how to get onto the subject of Gray and his designation.
"Thank you, but you've aid that already." Jess sat up as she spoke to allow Chris, who had snuck up on them, to place a bottle of white wine and two glasses in the middle of their table.
"Your meal will be with you shortly," he said before hurrying away to bother someone else with his poor service manner.
Alec ignored their unpleasant waiter and waited until he departed before resuming his conversation with Jess. "Really? Sorry, its just you really do look good." Alec said, sounding a little anxious.
"You know, perhaps you should try and relax." Jess put her hand on top of Alec's and smiled.
"Oh I am…" Alec didn't really know what to say next as he looked over to where Max and Logan were sitting. "So, how has your day been?"
"They seem to be chatting away nicely," Max said casting a brief glance toward where Alec and Jess were sitting.
"I'm sure this will work. After all, what woman could resist the charms of a genetically engineered playboy such as Alec?"
"One with a brain," retorted Max, feeling a pang of guilt as she remembered that she wouldn't be sitting where she was had not it not been for Alec.
"So," Logan decided to change the topic, "when the evil man is slain, where shall we go?"
Max looked dreamily up to the ceiling, more than happy to make travel plans. "Well after we visit Joshua, of course, I would love to go to Scotland. It's supposed to be very tranquil and romantic with hills and lakes and…
"Monsters in the lakes," Logan cut in.
"Come on Logan, I'm serious. I think it will be good for us."
"Sorry," he put his hand on hers, "it sounds perfect."
"Then that's what we we'll do," Max smiled, leaned over and kissed Logan softly.
Having trawled through all the standard things he would say to girls, the little bits of fluff he would pick up for on night only, Alec decided it was time to try the direct approach. Jess had seemed rather receptive towards him since he had picked her up and maybe she would doubt his motives for asking strange questions about her chum Gray.
"So tell me about your friend Gray. From what you said this morning I get the impression he's quiet a scary guy." Alec said, his voice a little higher than usual.
"I don't know, Gray's kind of a sensitive subject for me." Jess shifted in her seat, upset that Gray had still managed to interrupt her evening.
"I don't understand," Alec replied trying to push the issue.
Jess looked at Alec, maybe he could understand her if she explained it to him. Maybe it would ease her now bothersome conscience if she shared her bloody experiences with someone else besides Gray. But how would Alec react, Jess thought, if he knew that she had killed people without just cause? That in some cases she even enjoyed it, revelled in the morbid glory of taking life. But wasn't that party of her life over now? Only the other day she had decided to put all that behind her, try and become a normal part of society free from Gray and his influence. Jess's mind began to race, the screams of those she had killed beginning to resurface and resonate in her head. Their twisted faces contorted with pain ran like a slide show through her eyes. They called for revenge, they called for justice, they had always been there but only now did Jess begin to listen. Before she could control herself, Jess began talking.
"Ok…like I said I met Gray back in Manticore. We were part of this new trial training regime. Only a handful of candidates were selected, mainly the disobedient and hopeless specimens that had come off the assembly line. We were all chosen for various reasons; I was picked because I had a problem with authority, acted out and refused to do what I was instructed to do. Gray was there because the people at Manticore, the scientists, didn't know what to do with him. There was something strange, unique about Gray and his abilities. They were exceptional, higher than those of the others. That made him perfect fodder for this new scheme, seeing how it was intended to reshape the lawless rebels into proper soldiers. In other words it was stricter, more draining and demanding."
Jess stopped to drink a large mouthful of wine.
" So what did this new training involve?"
"It was designed to push us to the limits of our capabilities and beyond. It was relentless; constant exercises in manoeuvres, combat, stealth, and fitness, everything that was included in standard training only magnified to a ridiculous extent. Every night after training had ended, we could hardly move, our bodies shattered. Then it was lights off for two hours before it all began again. They monitored us closely with a team of scientists who would test of our sanity with mind probes and tests to see how we were coping, how we were adjusting."
"Sounds bad," Alec sympathised.
"Well it was…to an extent. Sometimes I'm thankful for it as that training turned us into elite soldiers, a special branch of Manticore for extra sensitive matters. It also gave us the capability to escape."
"How did you manage that?"
"One day, Gray, a guy called Trick and I were out on an exercise together. Gray had always talked about escaping Manticore, getting to the outside world to forge a new destiny, and he chose that instant to make his move. He overpowered our instructors and asked us to come with him and together, the three of us made a break for freedom."
Jess pulled up her skirt to reveal a thick scar on the inside of her thigh that Alec had not noticed the night they spent together. "I got shot," she said softly. "I couldn't run. I told the others to leave me and Trick kept running, he was young and scared and I couldn't blame him. Gray refused to leave me. He returned to my side even though the rest of our unit was tailing us. I remember him telling me that he couldn't leave me because he needed me to keep him sane. He said that everything would be ok and that he would always take care of me. That's when three X-5's emerged on our position. I thought we were done for and I closed my eyes. There was a scuffle and when I worked up the courage to look, I saw Gray standing over the corpses of the X-5's. He knelt down and scooped me up and carried me to freedom. I passed out on the way and when I woke Gray said we were finally free and that I never had to be afraid again. He kept his word and has looked after me ever since."
Alec sat back in his chair, a little surprised at the enormity of Jess's tale. He hadn't expected her to go into so much detail. The Gray she described did not seem like the monster Alec thought he was. Jess's Gray seemed loyal and compassionate, but maybe that was because Jess was jut like him: a cold-blooded killer. Alec couldn't believe that, she seemed to warm…too normal. Brushing his thoughts aside, Alec focused on his objective. He felt he was close now, just a couple more questions and he was there.
"He sounds like quiet a guy. Is he an X-5 like you and me?"
Jess shook her head, "no he was an X series but he was just labelled X."
"So he didn't have a designation," this was it Alec thought.
"Yeah he did…"
Jess was interrupted by the appearance of Gray at the side of their table. He crouched down and slipped one arm underneath the white, over-sized tablecloth. There were already blood splatters on the front of his trench coat, maybe he had a problem with the doorman and his little room too.
"Gray!" Jess said in surprise.
Alec froze as Gray turned his head and focused his two black, pool like eyes on his form, his face unflinching in an icy stare.
"Jess, do you realise you're fraternising with one of 452's lackeys?" Gray asked not taking his eyes off Alec.
"What!" Jess looked over at Alec, her mouth hanging open, her eyes beginning to water as she realised the betrayal.
"Hey, I'm nobodies lackey you oversized…piss bucket," Alec cried shoving a finger into the well-built chest of Gray.
As soon as the words had left his mouth and the finger action had been executed, Alec wished he could take it all back. Gray smiled at him with evil intent.
Alec was about to make a move when he heard a faint, muffled sound from under the table. It sounded like someone expelling air in a failed attempt to whistle. The noise came again in quick succession and then again. On the third instance, Alec felt a jabbing pain rip through his gut, then felt and heard the wood of his chair splinter. Then the truth of what had just happened dawned on his confused mind. He didn't want to think about it in foolish hope that if he didn't accept it, then it never actually happened.
Alec pressed a hand against his stomach and felt the warmth of his blood against his skin. The pain increased as his body realised the extent of what had just occurred. Jess looked at Alec in abject horror as he pulled up his bloodstained hand.
"Oh my god Gray, what have you done?" she whispered before rushing to Alec's side as he toppled over onto the floor, his blood spilling out across the pristine carpet losing its vibrant colour against the black and gold backdrop.
"Ah shit," Alec gargled, coppery blood frothing in his mouth. "I think I need help!"
Neither Max nor Logan had noticed Gray's entrance. They had been too involved in each other under the false assumption that everything was going according to plan. They didn't hear Gray's silent pistol go off three times and they didn't hear the crunch of the bullets against his flesh. What they did hear was Alec fall to the ground and the following screams and murmurings from the other people in the restaurant.
Max whirled round in her seat, her body coming to an instant stop as she locked her eyes on Gray's bulky form. He had seen her and was returning her stare.
Logan leapt to his feet and made a dash toward the fallen Alec, now being cradled by Jess. Her face was pressed close to Alec's ear as if she were telling him a secret.
"That's far enough Mr Cale," Gray boomed directing his pistol toward Logan and gesturing for him to stop his mad rush. "No one else needs to die here…not even your beloved Max." He motioned toward her with his head. Logan tuned to see Max still sitting in a stony stance of hopelessness. He turned back towards Gray. The man was just as intimidating has he had been made out to be. His face beamed with the confidence his abilities provided him.
Gray reached down and pulled Jess up by the arm. Everyone in the room was now silent, they're attention fixated on either the gun wielding Gray or the bleeding Alec.
"Come Jess, I think its time we departed." Gray turned his attention towards Max, " soon…very soon my girl."
With that he backed his way up the stairs, dragging a tearful Jess who still reached out towards Alec as she stumbled up the stupidly small stairs.
As soon as Gray was gone, Logan dashed to Alec's side. His face was frighteningly pale and his eyes were glazed, unable to focus. He clutched at his stomach as the blood continued to pour from the three reservoir like wounds. A lake of blood was beginning to grow underneath and around Alec's body; one of the bullets had left a gaping exit wound in his back.
"Oh Jesus Alec!" Logan said taking one of his trembling hands.
Max finally moved from her seat and stumbled over to where Alec lay. Her muscles were unsure of themselves and were thankful when she knelt down beside Logan. Tears welled up and began to fall from her eyes as she looked upon her friend. His body convulsed as the pain increased and his trembling became worse. He looked so weak, so unlike Alec. Not laughing or making some joke that no one else seemed to laugh at. He was in pain, his eyes searching for his saviour, a saviour that would never arrive. His lips vibrated rapidly with the need to cry out.
Alec's eyes locked on Max and he tried to speak. The words would not come and a slither of blood trickled form his mouth and dribbled down his cheek.
"What is it Alec?" Max's voice was uncontrollable.
Gritting his teeth, Alec reached up and grabbed the white tablecloth. He proceeded to write on it with his bloodied finger. Just as he finished, his body gave out. His arms fell hopelessly to the floor and his eyes fell back into his head, the convulsions and trembling ceased. The room fell quiet except for the mournful tones of the harp music that still played its own personal eulogy to the fallen Alec.
Max fell into Logan's arms and began to sob. Logan held back his own tears as he stared at the three bloody numbers Alec had scrawled on the white cloth…452.
I find the following pieces of music go well with this chapter: "Run" by Snow Patrol, "Hyper Chondriac Music" by Muse, "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica and "Teething" by Deftones. Of course that is just me and I only wrote this cos I was bored. I don't know, should I finish this fiction or is it not worth it? Brutal honesty would be much appreciated…like Mr Tyler Durden! Later all J