The phantom
Chapter 05: Not so tough.
The room was in complete silence as Vlad stare out the large window overviewing his new strip club from his office, a few of his men tidy up the place for the grand opening. The girls would be arriving shortly along with some other guests.
Vlad didn't bother in hiding his soviet origins despite the huge problems it would bring along with, the office was painted in red with the soviet flag proudly place in the corner well kept being a glass cabinet.
Danny stood firm like a soldier in his new black suit with white stripes as Vlad stood in front looking at him with vicious eyes, it was clear for Danny he committed a mistake somewhere but couldn't tell where or what.
As ordered Polly and Joe were killed along with all the witnesses, sure enough, Danny drew out a lot of attention but that too was part of Vlad's plan as he needed his rivals to know what would happen if they cross him or his business.
"What did I do wrong comrade? I did as instruct and killed the mobsters and all the witnesses."- Danny suddenly said not wanting to beat around the bushes.
"You killed a cop!"- Vlad screamed at the top of his lungs as he raised his hand.
The boy didn't even flinch upon seeing Vlad's hand up in the air, had Danny been any other boy or "worker" Vlad would slap him across the face for killing a police officer on duty. Yet common sense and though Vlad would never say so, fear stops him.
"Comrade Vlad, we already killed plenty of police. What's the big deal?"- Danny asked with a frown on his face but not changing his stance.
It sounded like just like hypocrisy in Vlad's mind as he and Danny already murdered several officers during their getaway from Grand Amity hotel several weeks ago, even a district attorney for that matter which caused city lockdown.
There was an unspoken rule among major criminals that forbid the killing of police officers, many mobsters rather bribe a cop than blowing their brains out but Danny's lack of empathy and callous disregard for human lives was an issue.
"He didn't even care for the girl."- whispered Vlad as he walks over to the window.
Vlad let out a long sigh as he instructs for Danny to follow him over to the minibar on the corner. As the man pours himself a glass of wine came to understand Danny wasn't an experienced soldier like himself or harden criminal such as Skulker.
"Listen babe. Killing cops is really bad for business." – Vlad said trying to take a fatherly approached and handed Danny glass with wine.
The boy looks at the drink before taking a quick sniff followed by a couple of sips, it was then that he noticed Vlad was sitting on the couch close by the minibar. The white-haired man leans his head and looks up to the ceiling.
Only a second later, he felt Danny's weight on his lap which made Vlad turn over to the boy with a surprised expression, the man unconsciously patted his lap a couple of times to which Danny took as an instruction for him sit there.
Despite being a cold-hearted killer, the boy was oddly affectioning towards Vlad, often cuddling in bed with him whenever possible which was one of the many reasons the older man didn't stay over at the apartment, that and Danny's exhibitionism.
"I wonder if his time locked up in that cell made him starve for affection…"- Vlad thought.
Soon his hand press upon Danny's shoulder which brought a smile on the boy, Vlad knew there was no point in screaming at Danny nor to threaten him as the kid could easily kill him and everyone in the club without even breaking a sweat.
The boy needed guidance hence why Vlad forged several documents to have the boy attend Casper high. He had to learn to blend in and developed a common sense as he didn't view killing others as something evil.
It was then that Vlad recalled Danny didn't mind walking around naked in front of him, Skulker and perhaps even Tucker, but he wasn't sure about that last one. He even slept naked not caring if Vlad was also in bed, with these facts in mind he lowers his hand until touching Danny's butt.
Much to Vlad's surprised, Danny didn't cringe or give him a strange look upon being grope by the older man. On the contrary, the kid relaxed his over Vlad's shoulder while drinking his wine, almost as if it were normal.
"Sorry, comrade, I fucked up."- Danny whispered as he wrapped his arms around Vlad's neck.
"We can fix it."- Vlad said somewhat worried about having the boy holding him so close.
Vlad looks into Danny's eyes as he delves deeper in their celestial blue, little by little he leans down towards the boy. But as their lips are about to touch there was a sudden knock on the door which force the boy to stand up.
Skulker walked in not waiting for a reply dragging along Tucker who had a worried expression on his face. After a few seconds, men in cheap ghetto clothes which scream "gang" walked in lead by a bulking man with long dreadlocks.
(XXXXX)
More than one man felt uncomfortable upon laying eyes over the soviet flag which stood proudly in the corner, though their attention was quickly drawn over to the liquor cabinet on the opposite side and to the two kids near the corner beside the desk.
"I'm glad you all came to see me"- Vlad said standing straight and with both hands behind his back. Skulker stood by the corner next to the door ready to attack in case anyone was foolish enough to try and lay a hand on his boss.
Unlike the trio hard criminals, Tucker was a single step away from soiling his pants. The boy couldn't avoid shaking upon seeing the large and muscular black man with long dreadlocks that reach his shoulders menacingly approach Vlad.
"The fuck you called us for!?"- the big scary black man with dreadlocks demanded of Vlad.
"I'm the new owner of East Town and I got some employee vacancies to fill."- Vlad casually said staring down to who he assumed was the gang leader.
All the gang members started to laugh loudly and some even commented on how that was impossible. Danny grinned his teeth as he wanted to shoot each and every single one of them for showing such discourtesy towards Vlad.
The white-haired man didn't expect any lesser from such primitive people, they were foolish and undisciplined. Yet Vlad knew he could turn them into loyal dogs after some proper "training" and perhaps they might learn to roll over on command.
"Listen here, commie bitch! Luciano owns East Town and I own Devil's Diner."- The large black man said getting very close to Vlad's face.
The large man didn't even own his house and yet he spoke about ruling over Devils' Diner, about how dangerous he is. The gang leader even dares say all drug trade passed by him before hitting the streets.
It was nothing more than a clear and rather primitive attempt to intimidate Vlad into submission, to show how big his muscles are and how loud he can yell but it wasn't working with Vlad. The man didn't even flinch nor break his gaze even once.
Vlad knew these lowlifes owned nothing beyond what they carried on their person. Perhaps they could fool the simple-minded hoodlums at their neighborhood with their fake jewelry and macho attituded but for someone such as Vlad, it was far from getting results.
"We killed Luciano and I own East Town."- Vlad added casually.
His sudden declaration gave the desired outcome as all became quiet upon hearing about Luciano's death. The shootout had been on the news several times, and the mafioso was called by his name several times though it seems these gangbangers never took the time of the day to watch the news.
With a worried expression, Tucker turned over to Danny who was watching very attentively though his hands were still away from his gun. Tucker had seen this kind of behavior several times over at Devils Diner and often spell out problems.
Yet Vlad's calm demeanor was starting to get to the big and mean gang banger's nerve, he wasn't used to dealing with such a stoic man. Under the circumstance the gang leader would consider normal, two things should be happening as of now.
Either Vlad would be shaking on the spot which was more common for the gang leader to see and hadn't yet happen with the white-haired man. The second scenario would be for Vlad to yelling back trying to show some muscle.
And yet it seems like the gangster's large physique and loud mouth weren't enough to intimidate the smaller and more slender man. Skulker did warn his boss about these thugs' behavior and they're unwillingness to follow orders.
"I've been led to believe you all already agree to work for me"- Vlad added in a calm and stoic voice.
The gang and their leader laugh out loud as they considered Vlad to be a puny nobody though that only applied in their gangland standards, the words "wuss" and "bitch" were heard from random gangsters who encouraged their leader to teach the commie a lesson.
The gang leader wanted to assert his dominance as he now wanted to keep the strip club for himself and ultimately turn it into his new hideout. The large black man pulled out a pathetic excuse of a .38 revolver held together with duct tape that brought about a chuckle not only from Vlad but also from Danny and Skulker who remain in their positions.
"Well, you believe wrong. Commie bit…"- the man was interrupted by a bullet going under his chin and out of the top of his head.
The rest of the gang members went quiet upon seeing their leader laying down on the floor, his blood staining the fancy wooden floor. The sudden cocking of Skulker's M16 assault rifle followed by the entry of three men armed with shotguns drew most of the gang members' attention, though a fair amount gaze over to Danny's favorite Colt .44 magnum.
Despite their criminal origins, none of the gangsters had ever laid eyes over a dead man nor seen a gun bigger than of a puny Saturday night special, proof of this was that two of their members passed out cold on the floor while the rest Slowly they lifted their hand in submission.
"I won't lie to any of you. I am a communist and so I believe in the distribution of wealth though I've been slightly corrupted by your capitalist ideals."- Vlad said walking over the dead gang leader.
Danny took that brief momentum to pulled Tucker behind him as to avoid his best friend getting shot if things didn't work out. There was also the possibility of Skulker's high power rifle to accidentally hit the boy.
"I offer you three options, one: you can pull a gun on me and end up like this monkey. Two: you can walk away and go back to eating from the trash cans or three, you can take the job and make more money than you can spend in your whole lives."- Vlad monologue.
All the gang members looked at each other and to Skulker who held a rifle next to three well-armed men, even the brat on the corner was better armed than anyone of them. Though just like Tucker, they too wanted to rise in the criminal world.
"Sure, how the dental?"- one of the gangsters asked in a playful tone.
Siding with Vlad meant money, guns, and of course, women but above all else respect. They were a low-level gang that might be feared in their neighborhood street but it was the kind of fear one holds towards a mangy dog.
"It's excellent. Remember one thing comrades, it's not my business- it's OUR business but if I catch you with your hands in my pockets or taking more than your share, you'll begging to end up like this monkey."- Vlad said kicking their former leader.
Each of them ascended their head as none could find their voices, and though these men are gangsters they were in fact surrounded by real gangsters now. All of them armed with big guns and the will to use them for more than show.
"Tonight's the grand opening, go have fun."- Vlad said releasing much of the accumulated tension as the gang left escorted by one of the guards as the other two dragged the unconscious gangbangers out.
(XXXXX)
Vlad let out a long sigh as he moves over to the window where the party had already started, it paid off to have bought a one-way and soundproofed mirror rather than normal glass windows. It would have ruined the grand opening if the gunshot came out.
"Are you sure we can trust these animals"- Skulker said as he puts his rifle behind the cabinet.
"Of course we can't, I only need a piece of meat to push my product until we can get our hands on some proper help."- Vlad said as he pours himself a drink.
"I'm sure they'll be loyal dogs. Just train them like any other animal, with punishment, and biscuits. Do it as you did with those guys from Andrei's group."- Danny said as he holstered his massive cannon.
Vlad couldn't get rid of all the former members of Andrei's group as he needed muscle to lift his empire, thankfully, with their soviet backgrounds and with no other options, they pledged alliance to him much to Danny's dislike as he would have preferred to execute them on the spot.
Tucker couldn't understand a single word being spoken among the three criminals as they spoke in a foreign language, he now came to understand was Russian. His eyes turned over to the gang leader who died without ever uttering his name.
"Sorry you had to see that."- Vlad said making the boy jump in fear. "If you're gonna work with us, you need to see the world we live in."- Vlad added.
"Yes, comrade Vlad. What do you need me to do?"- Tucker said pulling out his best manners.
"You're gonna be my new sborschiki, it means collector. So, you go out and collect my Dan… taxes."- Vlad said lifting Tucker's chin.
Neither Skulker nor Danny liked the idea of having Tucker running up and down the city collecting money from Vlad's whorehouses or to deliver bribes and payments to their associates. If word ever got out that he was gathering money his life would be in great danger.
Sure enough, Danny step in asking for Tucker to be given a different task such as cleaning the club's toilets. Yet Tucker looks at his best friend with a glare but Danny dismissed the glare and insisted it was too dangerous for him.
"No, I'm sure he can do it. Just don't go around telling people about it… and don't take from my pockets."- Vlad said staring down at Tucker's terrified eyes. "I think you know why." added the man as he pointed over the dead gangster.
Skulker couldn't even begin to understand why they would appoint a mere kid for such a task but Vlad walks over to the door with a huge grin on his face. Even Danny didn't want to get his friend so deeply involved.
"Come on guys, it's the grand opening go have some fun, in the meantime don't go killing any more respectable police officers."- Vlad said as cheerful as he could while opening the door and winks over to Danny as he exits the office.
Though Danny had to drag his best friend out the door as nearly kisses Vlad's shoes in gratitude for such an opportunity and assures the man he wouldn't fail him. Danny knew for a fact what would happen if Tucker did fail.
Only Skulker remained inside the office looking at Vlad with a stern and judgmental look, it was clear he didn't approve of Vlad's decision for making Tucker part of the corporation and to give him such a role. The kid could run his mouth to his friends and have the police raiding the club.
"You worry too much, besides I'm not gonna let that vine swinger collect from all our businesses."- Vlad said after closing the door.
"Then why even hire him?"- Skulker demanded.
"To keep my little badger in line"- Vlad concluded.
(XXXXX)
As morning came about and snow covered the street, there was the newly appointed inspector Dorothea overviewing her case files on her desk as a handful of her peers look at her with disdain, her presence wasn't welcome and often considered nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Though her first case was a huge "success" as the case linked several open murder cases to Andrei Ivanov as the killer. There was hardly enough proof beyond the handgun and some bullets but the police commissioner thought that was enough.
"I can't believe that prick closed my case"- Dorothea grumbled.
It was a golden opportunity to improve the public image of the police department by simply putting all the blame on Andrei and his thugs along with members of the Arcuri crime family who lost their leader in the attack.
There was newfound courage within the police department now that one of the biggest crime families was without not only a leader but several high-ranking members of their group, city Mayor Cortez, of course, took full advantage of this.
In his words, Amity Park's finest along with the newly assigned female inspectors had pushed crime so much and so hard they started to fight over the scraps on the floor. It was impossible for anyone at City hall to admit they had nothing to do with it.
"Morning inspector Dora. Still looking at the trainyard case, you know it's close."- Inspector Aragon said as he put a coffee mug on her desk.
"Don't you think it's strange. It just doesn't add up, I still think there was a third party involved."- Dorothea replied as she took the coffee her brother brought over.
The veteran inspector sat down while putting his feet over the desk much to his younger sister's annoyance, the man didn't make inspector for his good looks but for his brains. He too agreed with Dorothea as there were bullet shells that didn't match with any weapon found at the crime scene.
But the commissioner was fed up with the Mayor's insistence on finding Stefano's killer, handing all available resources to the investigation but the ongoing crime wave made it quite hard, worst yet was the inclusion of women in the police department that cause many issues among the ranks.
"I think there might be a vigilante."- Dorothea added to the conversation.
"Are you for real? You've been reading too many dime novels. I admit there's some funky stuff going on but it was just a deal gone wrong and we got lucky."- Aragon replied.
The blonde woman didn't keep her mouth shut as she explains about the murders of Polly and Joey Arcuri both slain with a couple of hours difference and both high-ranking members of the Arcuri crime family. Though the death of one police officer shocked the police department more so than a few dead wise guys and their thugs.
Aragon had to remind his sister about those cases being in a different district and they weren't invited to play. Moments later a cop swung by informing Aragon about their chief wanting to see them in the conference room.
Only Dorothea seems to be in a high mood as all her peers in the conference room look bored and with an expression that told they wanted to be elsewhere probably drunk. The door suddenly slammed wide open as their captain made his grand entrance.
"Ok. Gentlemen, listen up we're in deep shit. Two more patrolmen were attacked last night by a couple of hoods and we're in high alert."- the police captain said ignoring the fact there were at least four female inspectors.
The gangs were growing rapidly by the day and none more violent than the "Tear face" whose members identified by inking tears to their faces and wearing mime like clothing, police dying while fighting these gangs wasn't uncommon, but having a cop executed was inexcusable.
Officer Phillips, a veteran with nearly eight years of service was shot in the back of his head by an unknown assassin who also murdered Joey Arcuri and his men, the mysterious was also suspect in the murders of Polly Arcuri, his bodyguards and his twelve-year-old daughter.
"As you probably heard Dimmesdale was attacked by the circus gang and they might likely come here, so the mayor's office commissioned a new fancy task force." The police captain added as he assigned new duties to his officers.
(XXXXX)
A few days later a group from the other side of the law rally at an Italian restaurant to debate about the red problem they had in their hands. Their power over East Town wavers due to the death of their leader and a few of their prominent members.
"Who the fuck does that commie bitch think he is!? Coming to our town and whacking Don Luciano."- said underboss Mike Arcuri.
The overweight man dressed in a white button shirt was the eldest son of Don Luciano and also the second in line to take over the for the family head now that their Don was dead. It took them more than a few days to undercover who killed Don Luciano, but the deaths of two made-men were yet another huge blow the family wasn't ready for.
Their don had been slain in an ambushed done by a traitor among the Russian immigrant gang, they all knew for a fact Andrei was seceding from his group and handing over his petty enterprise. Apparently, not all of them agree with that which ended up with Don Luciano's death but not satisfied, they started a war.
With just a few days difference, a Russian assassin murdered in cold blood Joey Arcuri who served as an enforcer for the family and Polly Arcuri along with several men. Though the weight of their deaths was heavy, it was Polly's daughter that was more painful.
"These fucking animals don't have any sense of moral or decency! You don't just kill cops and you don't kill children! That's a huge fucking no in our book!"- said the family consigliere in clear anger.
Never once had they met with people so willing to kill innocent children and civilians, even as the cutthroats they are, none of them had the blood cold enough to shoot a girl in the head just to reach her father.
The death Luciano and all his men wouldn't go unanswered as Mike already called in for reinforcements, a few Wise-Guys straight from the old country. The men's arrival was due in a few more days and with them came a new arsenal.
"We know where this prick is?"- Asked one of the mobsters.
"It's some rundown strip club at the docks, the guy's being hiring a bunch of niggers and spicks."- Mike replied.
It was a huge taboo among the Italian mafia to hire blacks and Hispanics, only Italians were permitted to be part of the family but pure blood Sicilians were allowed to became Made-men, as the rest could barely become an associate, yet Vlad didn't follow such codes of criminal conducts.
"No wonder that communist pig killed Polly. He was in charge of the docks."- said a man sitting at the table corner.
The mobsters agree on burning down the club in front of Vlad and then processed to beat the man until he gave up his killer. Mike wanted to personally hang whoever murdered Don Luciano and his two close friends.
"Listen, my guys are coming in the day after tomorrow, we'll tear that nigger lover a new asshole."- Said Mike as he pulled out a long hunting knife. "I'm gonna personally sk…"- the man went quiet.
Mike gave a loud groan as he held his wrist, the man could feel someone's hand over his own but there wasn't anyone there. His heart trembles in fear as he tried to free himself from the invisible assailant though his heart nearly came to a stop once his head was pulled back by his short hair.
The blade slowly made its way inside his neck before the horrified eyes of his peers, in a single move the blade slice across his throat spraying blood over the table. Not a single mobsters could believe what they just saw.
It was the consigliere who pointed out to what he could only describe as footprints over the tablecloth which made a few men cross themselves as others pulled out their guns though had nothing to aim at.
"Comrade Vlad sends his regards."- said a voice coming from the air.
One of the made men's head blow up which made most of the mobsters to dive for cover, a second blast took the life a second gangster. Bullets flew in all directions but one by one, men were dying at the hands of this specter.
Soon the gunfire died down as one mobster and the consigliere hid behind the bar's counter trying to see the assassin but all around was the bodies of his slain allies. Mike remained in his seat though with a slash that nearly decapitated him and a few men laying over the floor.
"You see him?"- whispered the thug.
"I'm right here."- Replied the invisible man before disintegrating his head with a gun blast.
The consigliere stares in horror as empty bullet cases fell on the ground, he knew the assassin was in front of him and yet couldn't see anyone. The man nearly passed out as a young boy whose face was covered under a black hoodie materialized in front of him.
"Dobryy vecher"- said the hooded figure as he put a large hand cannon to the consigliere's forehead.
(Good evening)
The man refused to close his eyes and stared in silence at a white mask the assassin was wearing, two large red dots stood out where the cheeks should be and red lipstick adore the mouth, but more frightening than the mask and the huge revolver was his glowing green eyes.
"Comrade Vladimir now owns East Town, docks and trainyard. Make sure to spread word."- said the masked assassin in a thick Russian accent before turning into dust and vanishing away.
It took mere seconds for the consigliere to pass out cold over the floor as he had never seen anything like it before.
(XXXXX)
Just around the corner from the restaurant, Danny pulled off his mask and tuck it away into his school backpack which he left hidden behind a dumpster. With a quick glance, the boy made sure no mafioso was coming his way.
Though Danny loved his .44 magnum revolver, it was too heavy and cumbersome to carry under his jacket, therefore, it found a spot in his backpack next to the mask Vlad insisted on him wearing during this job.
It came as a surprise when Vlad paged him during the evening to swing by the club. The boy hated to be assigned work with so little anticipation as it didn't let him planned anything out, especially considering his blunder with the cop.
On his way towards the subway the boy couldn't help but recall seeing a young colored prostitute in Vlad's office earlier that day going under the name of Valerie, the girl once "worked" for Andrei, she wasn't much of a looker with her slight overweight and poor makeup skills, but she was preferred by a certain type of client as she was about the same age as Danny.
Valerie came with valuable information about there being a reunion between the higher ops of the Arcuri family at a restaurant once owned by Luciano, though upon Danny questioning how she knew about it learned that she constantly slept with the family's consigliere.
The man had a taste for very young girls and didn't mind the color but of course, it meant he couldn't openly solicit her as it wasn't accepted among his peers. Andrei was one of the few who used children as street workers.
The consigliere was the reason Andrei try to hand over Vlad as he would be granted access to such young "meat" once their corporations merge, as consigliere he would have full control over Andrei's assets including the kids.
However unconventional the information was, it presented a prime opportunity to get rid of the remaining members of the Arcuri Family and assured Vlad's full control over East Town and docks along with the trainyard.
"I can't believe we're taking intel from some whore."- Danny muttered as he pours himself a cup of coffee from a store near the subway entrance.
On the way to the counter, Danny took a chocolate bar from the shelves along with some donuts and put it in front of the cashier who had seen far better days judging by the heavy bags under his eyes and his unfriendly demeanor.
While chewing on his donuts, Danny stops at a telephone just past the stairs to the subway. The boy needed to inform his boss about the success of his mission, there was no point in heading back to the club and back home.
"Is it done?" Vlad asked upon hearing Danny's voice.
"Yep, the kids are in bed and the wife got the message"- replied the boy not so sure why he needed to speak in such a silly code.
It was for the best for Danny to learn to speak in code just in case the police ever caught wind of their activities. Though in all honesty, he knew Tucker was the weakest link in their chain, the boy could easily start running his mouth and draw unwanted attention.
"It's a school night so go home and I'll page you if something comes up."- Vlad said before hanging up.
The idea of a warm shower before going to bed grew within Danny as he made his way down the empty subway corridor. Graffiti decorated the walls and even the ceiling, there were some porn movie posters which oddly enough didn't have any paint over.
The platform and the train were as expected void of people as not many were willing to use the subway after ten pm. It did relax Danny to have the whole car for himself as he stretches his legs, though he broke the silence with a few giggles.
Danny couldn't believe his best friend Tucker had the audacity to jerk off right next him as they saw a couple of strippers dancing in front of them during the grand opening of Vlad's club, the man didn't want anyone to see either of the boys and so made sure they were in a private cabin at all times.
Of course, the strippers left clearly disgusted by Tucker and his busy hands while Danny laughed his wits out at the expense of his friend. The dark skin boy couldn't help it as he was slightly encouraged by the beer the topless waitresses brought over.
"Man, that was one hell of a night." Danny thought out loud as he grabs the chocolate bar and licks his lips.
As the boy unwrapped his chocolate, he couldn't help but giggle at the memory of Tucker arriving at school with a palm print over his right cheek. It was obvious his mother wouldn't approve of her son staying out all night and coming back smelling like booze and cigars.
"I think I earn this one"- whispered Danny as he took a bite of his bar.
"Wanna be my friend?"- Danny heard a voice slur in front of him.
The boy slowly lifts his eyes annoyed someone could get so close to him without noticing. His annoyance grows even more as he lays eyes upon a very tall fat man wearing pink strip pajamas with short blonde hair.
On a closer inspector, Danny noticed the man held a strange smirk under his cross-eyes, but more disturbing was the white bib which made Danny even more irritated as it held food stains. The man had mentally retarded written all over him.
"No."- Danny said in a cold voice.
(XXXXX)
The man didn't move an inch as he continued to stare at the boy with his cross-eyes and goofy expression while repeating the same question again to which he got the same cold answered. Danny didn't want anything to do with this man.
It would be lying if Danny didn't consider killing this poor excuse of a man but he was already in hot water with Vlad for killing a police officer, the last thing he wanted, was for his boss to read on the paper about a mentally ill man getting shot in the subway.
"Hi, I'm Klemper… I'm five."- the large fat man said in a slurred voice while showing his five fingers.
"No! Now will you be kind enough to fuck off"- Danny demanded of the so-called Klemper.
"Why? Why won't be my friend!?- Klemper screamed at the top of his lungs.
It was then that Danny felt his large fat fingers take hold of his jacket and slam him on the other side of the car. The boy let out a painful moan as the large man crushed him unto the plastics seats and then sending him flying across the car.
A steel pole "broke" his landing and as he recovered from the initial shock, Klemper took hold of Danny's ankle and swung up to the ceiling before slamming him on the floor. The large man stood over Danny calling him a bad boy.
Klemper rose his feet over the boy's head but Danny dodges the stamped by a mere inch. The boy stared at Klemper for one second before he kicks the man in the crotch, upon seeing the fat man lower his head, Danny added a second kick to his jaw.
"Shooting you is just too good, you retarded piece of shit"- Danny exclaimed as he lands a punch to the man's fat face.
Klemper's face was squishy and yet unusually hard but the punch was powerful enough to make him fall to the ground. The boy was furious which made him kicked the fat man in the head as he got up putting him back down.
Danny took great pride in his physical strength more than his excellent marksmanship, and yet his third kick was stopped dead in its tracks. The pressure Klemper applied was so much it made the boy scream.
And once more he was being swung around like a rag doll around the car, slamming on the seats and the steel poles as the mentally challenged man yelled out. Seeing an opportunity at hand Danny took hold of a railing to stop Klemper from slamming him anymore.
Using his massive strength, Danny forced the fat man closer before slamming his foot over his ugly face. As Klemper daze behind Danny rolled on his spot and using the railing to impulse himself and strike a mighty punch to his attacker.
"Like that, ya fat funky fuck"- Danny said as he pulls out his Colt super .38 from his jacket.
The large fat man rushes over to Danny who smiles at him as he lands a slug on Klemper's shoulder, but the man didn't lose any speed and rams the boy all the way to the end of the car while holding his wrist.
The train suddenly came to a stop and the doors open as two police officers rushed inside with their weapons drawn out. Danny strongly considered killing Klemper and the two officers but decided against it as that would displease Vlad.
"Help me, officers!"- Danny yelled out as he turns his hands intangible.
Klemper stood dumbfounded as the boy falls to the ground and crawls towards the cops while hiding his head under his hoodie. The two officers demand Klemper to kneel down at once but the man's small brain couldn't process such orders.
Danny desperately wanted to murder Klemper for bashing him around but the officers stood in his way now that he was behind them, the boy didn't have any problems with killing cops but Vlad did have one and the last thing Danny wanted to get on his bad side again.
The boy aims his pistol looking for the right moment to fire between the officers from his position underneath the seats, Danny didn't care in the less for their wellbeing but being battered so badly was more humiliating than painful.
Much to Danny's surprised, Klemper ram one of the officers to the side of the train without the other so much as shooting. Danny groans in annoyance as he lost sight of the madman while hearing the second officer order the fat man to let go of his partner.
"Put your hands in the air!"- screamed the policeman as he saw his partner's limp body fall on the ground.
It was becoming more and more annoying for Danny to see the policeman shaking on his spot. It was the perfect time for the officer to open fire but the man couldn't bring himself to shoot even if his partner was lying on the floor.
The only shot the officer managed to get out missed by more than a meter as Klemper slammed him to the floor, Danny calmly aims his pistol as the large man punches the officer on the ground repeatedly while calling him a "mean old man" in a somewhat childish voice.
"Das vidanya"- Danny said as lands two shots on his back.
The boy smiles wickedly as he saw the fat man crawling out the train while crying but before he could give chase and finished him off, three more officers rushed down the stairs. Danny simply stares in anger at the police.
"Tom! Help out the kid we'll get the perp!"- ordered one of the officers.
But Danny wasn't going to stay around and give a statement, therefore, he used his magic to go intangible and escape though he truly wanted to finished of the mentally retarded man, at least the cops would take him in or out.
(XXXXX)
The boy did his best to walk as straight as he could, though his sides were aching badly as it was the first time he had ever been so beaten up in his life. Climbing up the stairs to his apartment on the fourth floor was especially excruciating.
"Hells wrong with ya?"- Danny heard his fat next-door neighbor asked more annoyed than concerned.
"Nothing Cyka"- the boy replied as he slammed the door of his own apartment.
(Bitch)
Upon entering his home, the boy did as he had done several times before, his backpack tossed to the side as he followed by peeling off his clothes though rather than crushing on the couch to watch a healthy amount of television.
He instead headed over to the telephone on the kitchen wall to call Vlad. The man didn't like anything Danny was telling him though was grateful his little badger didn't murder any more cops, especially after killing off his criminal rivals.
The police weren't stupid in the least, both Vlad and Danny knew that to true despite their criminal peers thinking the police were lazy and foolish, had the boy taken the lives of more cops would have made a trail that sooner or later leads back to them.
Though the white-haired man was more concerned with someone who could go tow to toe with Danny as it wasn't normal to find someone just as strong as the kid. As far as Vlad came to understand Danny was strong enough to bend an iron bar with his bare hands.
"Want me to sent Nicolai to check on you?"- Vlad asked trying to stay stoic and unemotional.
Danny had heard that name before and knew it was a doctor of sorts and by what he could make out was friends with Skulker, the man did serve under Ivanov though made himself scarce once Andrei took over for his brother.
"Nah, man. I'll just sleep it off."- replied the boy.
It didn't take too for Danny to fall asleep on his bed, not even the aching could keep sleep away from him. The sound of the television woke him up from a slumber that felt Danny and could swear lasted only a few minutes.
Yet the sun was out and though it was still quite cold judging by the frost on the window Danny sat up letting the bedsheets slide down, it was then that he noticed being under the bedcovers. The boy more or less was sure, he fell asleep over the covers and to have closed the door.
"You're finally awaked." Vlad said as he stood at the door.
The boy couldn't help but feel ashamed for not noticing Vlad walking into the apartment earlier that night or even to tuck him in. The beating he took was much harder than initially expected as Danny slept up until midday.
Despite Vlad being a hardcore criminal, in the end, had soft spot for the boy and once Danny hung up, Vlad personally came over to see how his little badger was doing. The man had grown used to seeing Danny naked in bed but not with large bruises on his back.
"Since you're ok, I'll be heading back to the office… left a lot of things unattended."- Vlad said trying to act like a crime boss though resemble more of concern father.
The man couldn't help but gaze upon Danny as he got dressed, still having problems understanding how fast his injuries healed. Just a few hours ago there were several large bruise marks on his back and ankle, the man was sure there were at least a few broken ribs.
But as morning came, his skin was free of said bruises and upon touching his sides Vlad was surprised to feel his ribs in place. It was as Danny said, all that was needed was for him to sleep it off.
"I'll have Skulker look into this guy… we'll get him, believe me, I'll put his head on a spike."- Vlad added making Danny lifts his head in shock.
"What do you mean?! I shot him three times. I iced that motherfucker."- Danny retorted with a stern voice.
It was beyond maddening to know Klemper was still alive, not only had he survived being shot twice in the back and once in the shoulder but went so far as to murder three officers and gravely wounded a fourth before escaping, the boy came to realize the poor souls were probably the same officers who tried to aid him.
Danny was crudely reminded that he wasn't the only dangerous person out at the streets; gangbangers, rapists, and thieves were a dime a dozen at East Town and more so at Devil's Diner though there is a particular name he seldom heard for maniacs such as Klemper. Mass Murderer.
"Hard to believe you got a run-in with the subway giant… This Klemper guy seems to be quite famous."- Vlad added as he handed Danny a newspaper.
The newspaper had a few pictures of the subway train and the station, though more interesting than gothic architecture employed was the lifeless bodies of the three officers, two of which laid within the train but the third one was found a few meters into the tunnel though his head is yet to be found.
Despite Danny's considerable number of kills under his belt, there was barely if any recognition by the police since most of his victims were other criminals which he murdered in very different ways, ranging from knives to guns.
It was only after the death of officer Phillips at the hand of Danny during his killing of Joey Arcuri that authorities began to pay more attention to Vlad's growing group, though gang violence often kept the very underpaid police force from properly attending Danny's growing cases.
Klemper, on the other hand, was quite disguisable, always wearing a pink strip pajama and a dirty bib though unlike most criminals in the city who had a liking for guns and knives among other easy to procure weapons, Klemper preferred to beat his victims to death.
Only a handful of people had ever survived an encounter with the subway giant according to newspapers though, in less than desirable conditions as the luckiest ones ended up with broken bones, and the most unfortunate ones were left in a vegetative state often without body parts.
Klemper was brutal in his methods and left nothing more than a bloody lump of meat which forced the police to redirect all available resources to stop him. For the subway giant it didn't matter who his victims were, let it be men, women, or even children of any race or color.
"Why don't you take the day off…"- Vlad said not sure if it was alright for Danny to leave.
"I'm gonna find that retarded fuck and ice him myself."- Danny said in anger as he stomps over to the closet.
Danny was powerful but still predictable like any other angry teenager. Vlad, of course, didn't like the idea of letting Danny go loose on a personal vendetta as there was too much at risk, though it was clear from the very start that the boy was no more than a victim of opportunity.
"For once we're gonna let the authorities handle this."- Vlad exclaimed sternly.
"I'm not gonna let the Man get this. That fuck-eyes is mine."- Danny retorted yet the older man didn't allow any more discussion in the matter.
Vlad stared at Danny as he told him there was no point in chasing after him, there was just too much at risk for the moment. There was too much attention drawn to the case by both the media and of course, the police.
Needless to say, Danny was furious and wanted to find Klemper and murder him but Vlad put his arms around his shoulders pulling the boy closer to him, only that was enough to make the teenager quiet down.
"You know that I love you. So, I need to listen to me, once the cops have this Klemper in bars we'll kill him"- Vlad whispered to Danny's ear.
"You…lo…"- Vlad put his finger on Danny's lips before he got a chance to finished his sentence. The boy stares in awe as he saw Vlad pick up his black overcoat from the counter and exit the apartment.
Vlad's fine suit draws the attention of several men and women who all wore gangland attires, some men dare to walked shirtless as to show off their tattoos despite the bone-chilling cold. Yet not a single soul dares to approach the white-haired man.
"You sure it's alright to leave him alone."- Skulker questioned upon seeing his boss.
The large man had fair reason to be concerned with Danny, he didn't have the full story on the kid's background but knew for a fact Danny's very dangerous. He alone murdered over a dozen men the previous night.
Such an attack demanded at least three well-armed men and the element of surprise, and yet Danny did on his own. Though being attacked by a mass murderer was something unexpected, it did surprise the man to see so much damage in the news.
"It's alright, I just told him what he needed to hear."- Vlad said as he got inside the car.
"The kid did real good for us. I'll send him some female company later, kid earned it."- Skulker thought considering the night Danny had.
(XXXXX)
Feeling much more relaxed, Danny ordered for a pizza as he didn't feel like cooking anything or going out for that matter, there was no pain anymore or broken bones and sure enough could move as if nothing had happened at all.
Upon taking his seat, Danny understood Vlad was right about going after Klemper. There were more than three hundred stations and almost five hundred miles of railways, it was just too much for him to search on his own.
"I did shoot him three times, no way he's gonna make it."- whispered Danny as he stared at his Colt Super .38
Though unlike his normal routine, this time Danny didn't tune in for his regular dose of cartoons, instead the boy watched the afternoon news broadcast as he ate his meal. It was boring, to say the least.
"In sight of the growing gang violence, the mayor's office has commissioned a new task force to deal with this unprecedented wave of violence."- Mayor Montez from the safety of City Hall.
Danny sat upright to better look at the new Taskforce the city had called upon. Black uniforms with steel plates around their chests and shoulders, armed with riot shields, shotguns, and assault rifles, it was clear this new force wasn't there to arrest.
"I now present you with Amity Tactical Anti-Gang Division"- the mayor said with great pride.
(XXXX)
"These Americans made such fuzz over little thing."- a young redhead no older than sixteen said as she turns off the television.
Her celestial blue eyes gaze upon a terrified mother and daughter as the woman begged for their lives, but their pleas fall to deaf ears as she adjusts her long red hair ignoring the bloodstains over her white overcoat.
"Let's go over it one last time."- The redhead said as she lifts the chin of the little girl.
"Please, I'm telling the truth. It was a ghost who killed my daddy and sister."- the girl said having already cried herself dry.
The redhead looks at them and smiles turning her back to them as she walks over the corpse of a dead man and heads straight to the kitchen were a couple of men dressed in white suits were waiting for her while drinking coffee.
"It's confirmed, Comrade Commander Alpha, project Phantom is in the city."- the girl said as she too pours herself a mug with steamy hot coffee.
"Good work, Comrade Zhasmin. Get rid of the witnesses."- Replied the man as he picks up his rifle.
"Yes, Comrade Commander… and call me Jazz."- the redhead said as she turns around and machine guns the two girls.
To be continued.