The Phantom
Chapter four: Cleaning up.
It was a cold morning down at the trainyard where dozens of policemen and investigators examine dozens of corpses scattered across the red tainted snow under the watchful eyes of the news reporters who stood just behind the police line taking photographs and filming the crime scene.
Despite there being constant gunfights across the city, it was very rare to see a War Dweller get killed by mere criminals. The news crews were having a field day with what they nicknamed "The mob shootout."
"Good morning sergeant. What do we got?"- asked a police inspector as he approaches a group of police officers standing near a wrecked car.
"Morning Aragon. Just a deal that went wrong."- replied the police sergeant without so much as turning his head.
Inspector Aragon came closer and bend down to see into the car interior which was covered in blood and brain matter. Within were two bodies, the first body was that of the driver who was left like swiss cheese and a headless man on the backseat.
"That's some fancy clothes, we can assume this was the mob boss."- said a female voice from behind.
It was then that the sergeant turned over to see a young blonde woman leaning down to better see inside the car while standing next to Aragon, unlike the police inspector who wore a grey suit and black overcoat, she sported a purple suit with a white jacket.
"Uh… miss? I'm sorry but civilians can't be here."- the police sergeant said taking hold of her arm while calling over to another police officer in order to have the woman escorted out having assumed she was a reporter.
The death glare Dorothea threw over to the man-made him instantly free her arm and even take a step back, at that moment he took notice of the shiny gold badge on her belt which she made sure to show by shoving her jacket lightly to the side exhibiting a small handgun.
"She's my new partner"- Aragon suddenly said stopping the second officer from coming closer.
Both men look at Aragon with an incredulous stare expecting him to say it was just a joke but he didn't as such statement made the sergeant return his sight over to the girl who presented herself as inspector Dorothea, that declaration alone made several officers look at each with mocking expressions.
There were strong rumors about adding women in more active roles due to the new state guidelines though there was just gossip until now. So far women had only served in archives and personal, some more as secretaries but never in the field.
It was all thanks to Mayor Montez's new approach to the feminist waves but mainly to replenish the decreasing police ranks with young female officers, though the ever-growing gang violence and monster attacks demanded more.
The constant monster attacks and gun violence didn't help with the recruitment especially since more and more men were being drafted to fight at Vietnam leaving large gaps in the police ranks, worst yet was the fact organized crime often paid better.
Not many policemen especially the senior officers took kindly to this new concept of female inspectors and "policewoman" as most thought women weren't capable of doing such a dangerous and demanding job, even the high command were sure their female force lacked the courage to fight an armed suspect.
The police sergeant just gave a light chuckle which didn't pass unnoticed by Dorothea nor did the whispers of "fashion police" spoken by some more officers behind her. The blonde woman was by now quite used to being looked down upon by her peers and even her partner.
Ever since a child Dorothea dreamt of becoming a police officer despite her mother's dislike and constantly telling her to find a good man to marry, yet Dora joined the force and clawed her way out of "Personal and Archives" straight to inspector though it was only due to the Mayor's pressure over the department and not solely for her merits.
"What kind of weapon can blow someone's head off like that? Shotgun perhaps?"- asked Dorothea covering her mouth and nose to the stench.
The passenger within had his entire head blown off having his skull and brain matter scattered all over the car's interior particularly on the side door. Aragon pointed out that a shotgun was possible but the pellets would be all over the interior.
There were more than thirty bodies scattered across the trainyard according to the sergeant, a few burned cars and hundreds of bullets to that account but more notably was the giant War Dweller resting against the pillar next to a train.
The monster was considered a bullet sponge and even soldiers fighting over at Vietnam had a very hard time dealing with such an abomination, thankfully the beasts never took sides and just openly attack anyone near.
"Check this out, Aragon. We got some nine mils, a shit load of .45 ACP…"- Dorothea said just by looking at the many bullet cases scattered around while making her way towards a dead man.
Dorothea took hold of a large double-barrel shotgun in twelve-gauge caliber which rested next to a gangster who lay over his frozen blood, but the woman quickly put down the weapon as something much more interesting caught her eye.
"Most of these .45s were shot from a Mac-10 or something similar. Here, what does that look like to you?"- asked the woman as she tossed a bullet case over to her partner.
The sergeant raised an eyebrow as he was slightly impressed by Dorathea who could tell by mere sight the difference between a .45 shot from a pistol to that of one shot by an automatic weapon, more so to tell the most possible weapon employed.
"Looks like a bullet case."- The sergeant sarcastically said as he looks at the bullet case Aragon had in his hand.
"Seriously? That's a 5.56 millimeter… army munition… for an assault rifle."- added Dorothea with much frustration in her voice.
Dorothea knew her peers didn't like the idea of having her around, but it was especially frustrating to constantly show she was capable of doing police work. It was even worst since Aragon: her older brother was appointed as her partner, in other words, her babysitter.
It didn't help that she was appointed inspector only because there weren't enough women willing to take up the job and several officers with much more experience were left out. Dorothea knew she had to prove not just to her peers her worth but to herself as well.
"We haven't found such a weapon, sir."- said the sergeant addressing only to Aragon.
There was no official report as of yet but Aragon heard about a military armory in Dimmesdale "missing" several rifle crates in the last few weeks, it was an open secret that some soldiers "disappeared" weapons but never in such quantities.
Though he didn't expect to find any army weapons being used in Amity Park, so far only small handguns were common among gang members and low-level thugs. Automatics and shotguns, on the other hand, were much more common among mobsters and high-level thieves.
Dorothea took notice once of the dead mobster from who she took the shotgun minutes earlier and understood he was missing part of the head but the hole was much bigger than what a .45 could do. Given his prone position, Dorothea turns around and sees the control tower.
"Has anybody check the control tower?"- asked Dorothea having observed it was covered in holes.
A few policemen and the sergeant just look at each, none had even considered in checking it. Aragon knew about the incompetence of his peers which was often the main reason many criminals got away but it was especially frustrating for Dorothea who was new to the job and wanted to impress the Mayor.
"Well, go fucking see! Ya dimwits!"- The woman ordered while shoving a couple of officers towards the tower, she was at her limits already.
The police sergeant wasn't used to having a woman barking orders around nor to have them know so much about munitions, the man was sure all the new female inspectors were just to make the police department look good and progressive in front of the cameras but not for actual work.
"Don't mind her, she's not a morning person."- Aragon said with some amusement in his voice as he saw his younger sister walking over to the monster.
Days later the police officially announce the death of mob boss Andrei Ivanov and responsible for the murder of district attorney Stefano Russi, though the police only almost instantly stopped the investigation once the .38 revolver which was in Andrei's hand was linked to the murder.
(XXXXX)
On Saturday evening the snow began to fall though not enough to stop people from doing their daily activities. Among those who travel around the city was a young black boy who descended from the bus though quickly adjusted his coat due to the cold.
Tucker quickly crosses the street trying his best not to fall on the icy street as his eyes layover Paradise complex where his best friend and partner in crime lived. Both boys had agreed to go out to a new comic shop in downtown.
The smell of foreign meals being cook caught his attention once he entered the complex but more so were the mean glares he got from men and even women standing on the balconies and windows. It didn't take a genius to know they were gangsters judging by their ghetto attires and tattoos.
On his way up to Danny's apartment, he noticed several graffiti on the wall from gangs he knew about and had problems with gangs from his neighborhood but gave them no mind. As Tucker approach the door, he could hear faint music coming from within the apartment.
It didn't sound like anything he ever heard before, it seems old or rather classic. The boy in all fairness only ever listens to hip-hop and rap. Tucker knocked loudly on the door a few times and leans over the concrete railing.
"Yo Danny-man get your pretty ass out here!"- Tucker yelled with amusement as he took out a cigar from his coat.
Tucker knew Danny lives on his own most of the time which is why he could hang out with him at almost any hour of the day given he wasn't "working." Several weeks prior, Tucker wouldn't have even begun to imagine his soft-spoken almost geek of a friend with a perfect bubble butt was a cold-hearted killer.
Yet before his very eyes, Danny blows the head of drug dealer disguise as a hippie. The boy did so without even blinking once or being bothered by the blood which splatters over his face, days later Tucker found out Danny has connections with local criminal groups.
The door opens only slightly making Tucker's smile vanished as he sees a pair of pants in front of him, his eyes slowly move higher up noticing a somewhat dirty white wifebeater and soon enough the man it belongs to who held a gaze that sent shivers down Tucker's spine.
"What?"- asked the tall and imposing man looking down at Tucker.
"Um... I… I mean… is um…"- Tucker couldn't muster the words out of utter fear since he'd never seen a more dangerous-looking man before.
The music suddenly stops and a slightly smaller man with long white hair gently shoves the bigger male to the side, Tucker never expected Danny to have any visitors at all and even wondered why they were there in the first place.
Tucker was well aware of Danny's odd taste in friendships, him being a prime example as not many if any white boys would hang out with a color boy especially one from Devil's Diner, there was a hint of jealousy burning deep inside as he wonders if these men were the kind of friends Danny took "showers" with.
"You must be Tucker Foley, yes? I heard so much about you from Daniel. Including that little adventure you two had."- Vlad said in a playful tone as he pulled the kid inside.
It was the second time Tucker had been inside the apartment but thanks to his living conditions knew the place was far too small to fit three residents as it only had one bedroom and a conjoint kitchen and living room with a single bathroom.
"I'm Vladimir Masters and this fine gentleman is Matvei but we all call him Skulker. So, what can I do for you boy?"- Vlad said trying to hide his Russian accent. "Oh, that's right, you came to fetch Danny's pretty ass."- Vlad winked making the boy blushed.
Tucker was used to dealing with loud and rude gang members from his neighborhood who often got on his face but this simple man dressed in pink slippers and a light green bathrobe was far more intimidating than any loudmouth tattoo-covered gangster even more than this "Skulker" who made his way to the fridge.
"I just came to see Danny. Actually, we're going to check out a new comic shop at the shopping mall."- Tucker replied as he saw the large man with a green mohawk lean on the kitchen counter.
Tucker knew what kind of people they were, these men were real gangsters and not pretend one like those from East Town. It was safe to assume that Vladimir and Skulker were far more dangerous than any hood from Devil's Diner.
"He's still sleeping in bedroom… I mean in the bedroom."- Vlad corrected himself.
It was already past two in the afternoon which made Tucker wonder why Danny would still be asleep but then he saw some blankets on the corner and the sleepwear the men had on, the kid assumed they all recently woke up perhaps due to "work," crime didn't respect schedules at all.
"I can come back later or…"- quickly replied Tucker not wanting to spend another minute alone with them.
"Hush boy. Wake him up."- added Vlad as he turns over to the television.
Tucker knew better than to contradict him and so he walks into the bedroom closing the door behind him and pressing his back against it. Never had he felt so much pressure by just talking to someone before, it was no different from trying to talk a hungry wolf from eating a bunny.
It was then that he noticed a lump on the bed which rose up and down letting him know Vlad was telling the truth, as he walks closer to the sleeping boy, he observed several posters of the famous rock star Ember McLain scattered across the wall and some comics on the desk.
Drawn towards the comic books, Tucker took hold of one and discovered it was a new copy of Crimson Chin forcing Tucker's hand to open the book yet after reading the first page, he saw a pink string resting on the end of the desk.
"The hell?"- whispered Tucker as he extended the thong in his hand. "I can believe this motherfucker's bringing bitches without me"- Tucker whispered as he brought the piece of fabric to his nose.
After the first sniff he heard the bedsheets fall on the ground freezing him on the spot and letting the erotic underwear fall back the desk though as he turns around, his jaw nearly fell on the ground upon seeing his best friend sleeping naked over his stomach, with a deep gulp Tucker walked closer taking the full view of Danny's bare legs and butt.
The dark skin boy had already seen Danny nude before as they shared a shower just before the home invasion but avoided looking at him as much as possible even did so at the school showers, though now he couldn't take his eyes off him.
"Wake up…"- Tucker whispered as he extended his hand towards his shoulder.
The boy stops mere inches from touching Danny and rather moved his quivering fingers lower extending his hand over his ass, Tucker's hand hover over Danny's buttocks desperately wanting to touch him.
"The hell's wrong with me!"- Tucker mentally screamed but found himself unable to pull his hand away.
"If you wanna touch, just do it already, I don't mind."- Danny said without opening his eyes.
Tucker froze up on the spot wondering if Danny was sleep talking or was serious, it was obvious the boy knew Tucker was in the room from the instant he opened the door, it was somewhat impressive that Danny could tell what his best friend was trying to do without 0pening his eyes.
Tucker smile long and wide as he lifts his hand and brings it down spanking Danny on his bubble butt making the boy jump from his bed, upon turning around he could see Tucker's smug expression though the moment Danny buried his face back on the pillow, Tucker brought his hand up to his nose.
"Come on man. It's already past two."- Tucker said in triumph as he actually made Danny blush which was rather difficult.
Danny didn't mind having Tucker stare at him while getting dress but Tucker did avert his eyes once Danny turns around after putting on his blue jeans. Once back in the living room, both kids saw Vlad over at the phone chatting rather happily in a language he never heard before.
Judging by how Danny frown meant it wasn't good news or at least they weren't good for him. Danny looks over to his best friend and whispers a soft "sorry" to him as he waited for Vlad to finished talking.
The white-haired man hangs up and walks over to Danny with a large smile that made Tucker feel rather uncomfortable, though it was even more uncomfortable for him to see Vlad brush his finger over Danny's face while talking in a strange language.
"Da."- Danny said as he twitched his lips.
The boy told Tucker to wait for a minute as he needed to pick up some stuff. It was obvious to Tucker that his best friend was going to do a "job" for Vlad, the boy didn't know how the actual mafia works, but Danny often told him things were done with short notice.
True to his word Danny came back in less than a minute with a different backpack than the one he was originally carrying which seem somewhat heavier. Though his jacket seems bulkier than it was before which confirms his suspicions.
Out of nowhere, Vlad places his hand over Tucker's shoulder making him turn over to the tall man who kindly requested him to be available for tomorrow evening as he wanted to formally offer him work. The boy without a doubt accepts as he saw as is an entrance into the world of organized crime.
"Yo, Danny-man what the fuck does Tovarishch mean?"- Tucker asked once outside the apartment and well into the streets.
"Means comrade."- Danny replied.
(XXXXX
The day carries out as planned gawking at the shopping mall stores and at random girls, though their casual walking around caught a lot of attention of teens and adults who found it strange to see a white boy walking around with a black boy.
The boys stop at the comic book shop they wanted to check out since coming to the mall. Tucker quickly made his way inside though he didn't notice the glares from the shopkeeper, yet these accusing eyes didn't go unnoticed by Danny.
Danny knew there was a time and a moment to act out but it was not the time. A mere cashier wasn't worth his time, anger, or bullets, instead rally all his attention on the boardgames with big breasted elves on the cover.
"Breaking news… Circus Gothica lead by the infamous Frederick Freakshow recently attacked the city of Dimmesdale leaving dozens of deaths and injure"- said the newscaster on the television over the counter.
The name Circus Gothica had always been linked to devastation and crime, they were a savage group of bloodthirsty "Terrorists" a word hardly heard in the media. Though there was no other word to describe those who inflict pain through terror.
Yet Frederick and his goons wreak havoc for the sake of murder, they weren't like Vlad or even like Andrei or any other crime syndicate who broke the law and murder for money, all Circus Gothica wanted was to destroy and kill as many people as they could for no apparent reason.
"Dimmesdale is just a few hours ride from here…"- whispered Danny to himself through a couple of girls turn over to him as they outspokenly agree.
"Yeah, they're some sick puppies."- Tucker as he shook his head and made his way to the baseball cards.
It would be very bad for Vlad's future business if the Circus came to town since those maniacs only seek destruction and not to make money. There was no point in making friends with such backstabbing bastards, worst yet to try and do business with them.
Tucker put over the counter a few new editions of Crash Nebula along with some baseball cards though the cashier who seems to be in his early thirties looks at the boy as Danny adds a few of his own comics to the tray.
"You sure you can pay for this?"- the cashier questioned Tucker eyeing him down.
It was then that Danny taps the counter with a whole wad of cash making the cashier open his mouth in amazement, Tucker follows Danny's example and took a much smaller amount from his coat. The boy had learned that flashing money got better results than flashing a gun.
Tucker's grin was long and wide as he saw the cashier just look down and charge them for the comics and cards, the boys didn't hold their laughter as they exited the shop not caring if the cashier heard them mock him.
"Listen man, I need to take care of some shit for Vlad. See you on Monday and don't forget to gather your crew"- Danny said while putting his arm around Tucker's shoulder.
"Yeah. No problem, we'll be there."- Replied the boy with some worry in his voice.
Tucker knew the kind of things Danny did for Vlad which clearly meant something highly illegal and dangerous. The boy was very curious but fear didn't let him move an inch, he loved hanging out with Danny but he also didn't want to put their friendship to the test if he started to follow him around.
Danny looks down at his wristwatch and noticed it was hardly six pm, it was one of the things he hated about this job, the short notice. Danny already had plans with Tucker but Vlad got a last-minute call from one of Andrei's former prostitutes.
"This seems to be the place."- Danny whispered as he lays eyes over a barbershop across the street.
It was a small place with a large window at the front and a few stools within, there was a single overweight man outside sitting on a plastic chair beside the door reading a magazine which Danny quickly took notice of.
According to Vlad, the place was a front for the Arcuri family money laundering, the boy hardly understood how laundering money actually works and didn't care to find out either, all he knew was that everyone within was in dire need of dying.
A warm smile often got him into various places without questions, this barbershop was no different as the fat guard just smiles back at Danny as he enters the shop. Within were three men, one sitting by the couch apparently waiting for his turn though it was clear he too was in the "business" as was the slang for criminal activities.
The barber who could seem to keep his mouth shut about the recent monster attacks and of course the death of their beloved Luciano Arcuri, then there was his main target: Joey Arcuri, the grandson of Luciano and one of his main enforcers.
"Be with you in a minute son." The barber said giving Danny a quick glance.
"Sure"- Danny replied as he turns his back on the men while pretending to look at the magazine.
Yet his eyes were over the mirror overviewing the barber and Joey who lay over the chair as he got his beard shaved. To his left was a short hallway leading to what seems to be a back-office and therefore needed to assumed there might be more men inside the barbershop.
Danny could hear Joey ranting about the birthday gift he got for his younger brother, the barber just grins his teeth once the mobster squirms around producing a small box with a gold watch meant to be his brother Polly's gift.
Both the barber and who Danny assumed was the bodyguard boy laugh for a moment. Danny needed to take them out before they even had the chance to pull out their guns, that was the patience of the hunter or so Vlad told him before.
Danny knew that walking in and waiting for a window of opportunity to kill Joey was unrequired. He could use his magic to disappear and shoot him without anyone seeing him do so, but this was much more fun, at least that what people say; if you like your job then you'll never work a day.
"Nice song boy. What's it called?"- Joey suddenly asked with a smile on his face.
Danny slowly lifted his eyes from the magazine he was pretending to read as he waited for the chance to attack and move them towards the mirror realizing he was so excited that he was singing in a very low volume but loud enough to be heard.
It was one of the many habits he took from Vlad during their trip from the Union to the states, the man loved to play guitar and sing whenever the chance presented himself. It even reached the point in which Danny learn a couple of songs.
"It's a love song from the Motherland. We called it… Katyusha." Danny replied as he opens his jacket.
"Motherland? Where the fu…"- a deafening sound interrupted Joey as Danny blew his brains out.
The barber turns his head over to Danny with a shock and terrified expression before getting shot in between his eyes. It was then that the second man sitting on the couch tried to pull out his own weapon in haste but the boy quickly landed a bullet on his throat.
The fat guard outside upon hearing the gunshots began struggling just to get out of his chair while trying to pull out his sawn-off shotgun from the sports bag beside his chair though his efforts came to an end as a single bullet came through the window and out his head.
Five seconds was all Danny needed to kill all four men without missing a single shot. His speed and precision with a handgun were unrivaled as he knew Joey didn't even see the gun that took his life.
Women screamed as they saw the fat man hanging to the side of the chair as the hole in his head let blood flow out like an open faucet. Danny turns his attention over to Joey who had a bullet hole under his nose but chose to shot him a second time just to be safe.
The gurgling sounds of the bodyguard Danny shot in the throat drew his attention though it was the rattling of a metallic object which made him lose interest in the dying man. The boy smiles gently as he saw the tip of the barrel just behind the wooden wall.
"Didn't know there was a hall there."- Danny whispered as he aims his pistol to the wall and calculates where the shooter is.
Though losing his old .38 revolver hurt him, the replacement weapon he took in more than compensated for the lost, it only took two shots to kill the last shooter without having him expose himself as the bullets of his Colt 38 Super easily went through the wood and the gunman.
Danny walks over to the man whose blood had already form puddle as he examines his pistol, the boy wasn't used to having ten rounds in his clip but was getting used to it very fast. The gun was also bigger than his old revolver but much smaller than his ever so favorite .44 magnum.
His impressive Colt .44 magnum despite being his favorite weapon turns out to be rather cumbersome to carry around and very heavy for his liking, it was also very easy to spot under his jacket and the ruckus it made draw out too much attention.
"Drop it!"- a voice said behind him.
Danny slowly turns around and spots one police officer aiming his gun at him, Danny constantly forgot about the local police since they offend didn't show themselves in mafia control territories, with a gentle smile Danny lifted his hands in surrender.
As the officer comes closer to Danny he leans slightly down and disappears before the cop's very eyes. The man turns his head and gun all over the place not able to believe the killer simply disappeared in front of him.
"Where did you go! Answer me!" the policeman ordered.
"Right here," Danny replied as he shot the man from behind splattering his brains over the floor.
(XXXXX)
The police patrol cars speed past the boy as he casually makes his way from the barbershop. The cop was an unexpected inconvenience, it was a shame since the cop wasn't on the list though neither were barber nor the guards.
Vlad had been very explicit with his "no witness" rule. The boy was only told about his target earlier that day so he had very little time to plan the hit, though it came as a welcome surprise that the mafia in all of their arrogance didn't change their daily routines.
"Shouldn't they be grieving their fallen leader or something."- Danny mumbled as he adjusted the golden watch over his wrist.
It bothered Danny greatly that the mobsters were having parties having lost their leader Luciano just a few days ago, under normal circumstances they should to the very least be plotting against the killers but it didn't seem like it.
Of course, all this could simply be a ruse to draw Vlad and Danny out into the open. To make them believe to have won and force their guard down, yet Vlad was no foul and knew now was the time to finished off the Arcuri.
Despite the short notice Danny had with these hits, Vlad was still very meticulous in his methods. The man was more than sure word of Joey Arcuri's passing wouldn't reach his brother for at least a few hours which gave Danny an ample window of opportunity.
"Bugs avenue with Elmer street…"- whispered Danny as he read his notebook.
In the street corner was a relatively small diner named Luigi's where his next and hopefully last target of the night waited for him; a mafia made man named Polly Arcuri, grandson to Luciano Arcuri and one of the bosses in East town.
As Vlad predicted, Polly Arcuri a balding slightly overweight man arrived at the diner without hearing about his brother's death, his happy demeanor was proof enough for Danny that the man was none wiser of what happened a few hours ago.
"Better get ready."- Danny said as he brushed off some snow from his shoulders.
The boy had been standing for nearly thirty minutes in the darkness of an alleyway waiting for his prey yet noticed Polly didn't come alone but in the company of his wife and two daughters who seem to be younger than himself.
Though he was far more concerned with the big bulking man escorting the family, for a brief moment what seem to a shotgun was seen under his coat. Danny knew he had to get rid of the bodyguard before moving on the Polly.
Unlike in the barbershop where everyone was expendable, most people in this diner were just having a casual dinner and though he didn't' mind killing them all, he was sure Vlad wouldn't appreciate having a dozen innocents dead on the newspapers.
Danny looks over to the diner window and noticed the mobster was sitting near the far corner of the diner with his two daughters sitting right in his line of sight. The boy wanted to simply shoot a couple of rounds in his back and be done with it but that was out of the question.
There was the option of using his magic to approach the target but it demanded a lot of concentration and with so many people around meant he could break the spell at the worst moment and be at a serious disadvantage.
"In and out."- Danny whispered as he cocks his gun.
Some waiters look at the boy with a funny look as he walks in through the kitchen door though no one tried to stop him as they were too busy serving meals. Danny saw Polly sitting in front of his birthday cake while his youngest child sat next to him.
Without uttering a single word Danny aimed his gun over to Polly's head failing to see the car which parked in a haste. The mobster's eyes open as he saw the gun aiming to him but didn't have the time to dodge.
It was then that his second daughter stood trying to blow off the candles but Danny's gun fired blowing off part of her head which Polly screamed as he shoves his young daughter away and tries to pull his piece out.
"Blyad!"- Danny screamed as he realized to have wasted his window of opportunity.
A bullet passes next to his head missing him by mere inches. There was no time to waste and so Danny pulled his trigger on the bodyguard's head making sure to kill the man, at the moment six more mobsters broke into the diner wielding their shotguns.
The men didn't care for the civilians as they blast at Danny with their sawn-off shotgun and pistols killing several innocents. Their eyes open wide in shock as they saw the little boy still on his feet, little did they know that Danny's magic let the pellets pass by without harm.
The boy had no more option but to pull his out mac-10 and unload on the six mobsters at the door, he managed to kill only two men before running out of bullets, one of the mobsters took cover under a table while the other three ran behind a planter.
"You fucking little shit!"- Polly screamed as he tried to tackle Danny.
Much to his surprise, Polly found himself unable to drop the boy who was much smaller than him. Before his very eyes, Danny turned into dust letting him fall to the ground but as he turns around to get on his feet, he ends up staring down a gun.
The two gunshots that followed were drawn under Polly's wife and daughter crying as they hug each other near the corner trying their best to block out the chaos around them. The four backup mobsters walked quietly towards where they saw their boss shove the assassin.
"That motherfucker whack Polly"- whispered one of the thugs.
The little girl turns her attention to her dead father and saw how his murderer materialized behind the mobsters who came to their rescue. It was like seeing a demon coming out of the shadows that could shy away from the actual monsters.
Her small body shook each time Danny fired his gun killing her father's friends. Seconds later the police came in but naturally, none of them believed her upon saying she saw the killer vanished into thin air.
(XXXXX)
"Breaking news! Yet another wave of violence shook our community during this weekend."- a newscaster said through the radio as Danny laid on his bed.
Gang violence wasn't new in Amity Park but the deaths of two mafia made-men hit the news like a pro boxer hitting his wife. Though a slain police officer was nothing more than a footnote to emphasized the importance of the shootings.
"Over more than a dozen innocent bystanders were murdered during a mafia hit early last night at a local diner." Added the newscaster.
Though killing the officer wasn't in the plan, it was necessary since he saw Danny's face but the girl was an accident. She didn't need to die but even so, Danny didn't lose any sleep at all due to their deaths once he returned home later that night.
Danny was quietly looking up to the ceiling as he heard the loud roaring of the cars outside his window despite living on the fourth floor. The boy knew Vlad wasn't going to be home since he claimed to have to settle other matters.
"Might as well get up"- Danny said once his stomach began to growl demanding food.
The doorbell suddenly rang the moment Danny exits the only room within the apartment, the idea that perhaps Arcuri men found him crossed his mind though if they did make him then why ring the bell?
It was much easier for them to break the door gun blazing as they would surely be very angry for having two of their heads killed. Their leader Luciano and now Joey and Polly Arcuri were death which meant the organization was very weak.
"It's me, open up!"- A voice Danny recognized as Skulker came from the other side of the door.
Danny let out a loud sigh of relief once he heard Skulker's voice and calmly made his way towards the door. Despite being sure it was Skulker on the other side of the door, he still looks out through the peephole.
"Morning Skulker… I sent a pager to Vlad last night telling the thing is done."- Danny said as he invited the man inside.
Skulker brushed off some snow off his long black coat as he casually smiles at the boy while telling him Vlad was very please upon seeing the results at the morning news though killing the girl might have been excessive which made Danny frown.
"By the way, wanna go to prison?"- Skulker suddenly asked.
"What?!"- Danny inquire locking eyes with the larger man.
His sudden laughter caught Danny off guard but soon explains about wanting to pick up his nephew from State Juvenile which made Danny calm down. The boy wasn't used to having Skulker make such jokes though in all fairness hardly knew the man.
All Danny knew about Skulker came from Vlad, though unlike his white-haired peer. Skulker was born in the states from soviet parents who immigrated back when the two countries walked hand in hand through quickly took into crime after his father walk out and his mother passed due illness leaving him and his sister behind.
"Sure, I don't' mind going with you."- Danny said in a much more relaxed voice.
"Great… but can you put on some pants… or at least some underwear"- Skulker said as he made his way to the couch.
The man was getting used to seeing Danny walk around naked in the house and though he wasn't interested in fucking kids, he had to admit Danny has a nice ass. It seems like modesty wasn't something Vlad thought him as the boy casually undressed when at home or a safe spot.
(XXXXX)
The hours passed by as light snow began to fall while the duo waited patiently outside of state juvenile correctional, Skulker kept his hand safely within his pockets trying to keep them warm while Danny casually sat on top of the hood.
Skulker turns his attention over to Danny and questions himself as to why the kid wouldn't dress better as he knew the boy had money. Most teens his age wanted the best clothes but Danny dressed a simple supermarket jean. Skulker knew for a fact all boys wanted "moon boots" but Danny settle with simple long work boots.
Soon a lot of boys started to come out just like they did at Casper high, many even dressed just like the students there which made Danny smile for a moment. Skulker suddenly pointed with his finger towards a blonde-haired teen slightly.
"Look at this bitch, thinking he's hard… like his banging."- Skulker whispered as he saw his nephew.
Danny looked over at a teenager as he approached them, the boy was perhaps a few years older than Danny with long blonde haired and a mean glare and green army looking long coat along with heavy boots.
"So how was it?"- Skulker teased more than questioned.
"What da fuck you meant by that eh?!"- said the blonde-haired boy.
Danny couldn't help but smirk at the poor tough guy attitude Skulker's nephew was trying to do. It was clear the kid had a rough time inside the slammer given his swollen cheek and light limping on his left leg.
It was later that day during a meal at the Nasty Burger that Danny learns of the boy's name; William Jones son of Skulker's younger sister whose name both Jones and Skulker alike refuse to speak off publicly.
Johnny 13 had been locked up for nearly a year for armed robbery and gang-related activity which didn't impress Danny in the least as he knew the boy wasn't a threat, though there was the possibility of him slipping up his tongue and talking a little too much.
If that were to happen then Danny already made up his mind to slay Johnny 13 even if it upset Skulker, even if it meant killing Skulker as well. Vlad's dreams of greatest were far more important than some petty little thief and his uncle.
"Come on guys, we gotta go pick up Tucker. The boss wants to talk to us all."- Skulker said as he made his way out of the restaurant.
The trio quickly caught the attention of several black men once they reach Devil's Diner, concretely at Tucker's home. Skulker green Lincoln was too much of a sight for such a dreadful place such as Devil's Diner. There was a clear dislike in Johnny 13 eyes upon seeing Tucker walk out of his house wearing his Sunday church suit.
Danny couldn't help but giggle upon seeing Tucker all nice and neat in his grey suit as he waves goodbye to his grandmother who seems to be superglue to the porch's bench. Skulker simple watch as the boys got into the car before waving goodbye to the old lady.
Their scenario soon changed to that of the docks just a few miles from the trainyard where Danny fought against the War Dweller a few days prior. The boys look in amazement at the unusual and yet very familiar sight before them.
"Seriously Vlad… a fucking Strip club?"- Danny said as he made his way inside.
To be continued.