Chapter Forty-Eight
Living Undetected
The following night, Diablo was scouting over the city of Chicago, looking for food, supplies and hopefully some newspapers that would talk about current issues, or even about Asiyah (now Lamia's) disappearance.
He had dropped off the two men Lamia had tortured at the police station, the same place he had dropped off Dale for the police to find, then fled the scene before anyone spotted him.
He soon found an all-night store where he could find what he needed.
During his scouting, he had targeted different places to obtain supplies, so as not to arouse too much suspicion.
He knew if he kept targeting the same place a few nights in a row, the Chicago Knights would link him to it and might one day lie in wait for him, so he had to be careful.
Diablo perched on the roof of the store and crept over the roof to look for the back entrance.
He soon saw it and there were two men outside having a cigarette break.
"Hmm, this complicates things." He said to himself as he knew he would have to wait till they were gone before he could make his move.
He got close to the edge then lay down, looking over the edge, as he did, the two men began to talk, and he couldn't help but listen in.
"So, mate, what are your thoughts on these attacks?" the first man asked as he puffed his cigarette.
"What Attacks?" the second one asked.
"You know, what they're saying on the news, about victims being traumatised by a large black bird!"
"Oh that?"
"Yeah! And the fact that this bird has been spotted around the city? Caused a couple of traffic incidents, one that ended up killing a woman!"
As Diablo heard that, he swallowed as he thought of that incident where Tyroth almost caught him, and he had caused that lorry to collide with Regan's mother's car.
Even though he gained a Disciple, and a young one, a young aggressive bloodthirsty one, it still tore at him that it was because of him she had no mother.
He did worry that one day Regan would regain her memory and she would ask questions about why she wasn't human anymore.
He hoped because she was still too young to understand, she might not ever remember, he could only hope.
"Do you think this bird is real? Or someone in a costume? Or something else?" one of the men asked.
"I got no idea mate!" the second one said as he sucked on his cigarette, "I don't believe in mutants, or demons."
"And there's no evidence to support what these people have seen." The first man added "No CCTV, no photo evidence, not nothing, so I don't know what to believe!"
As he heard that Diablo smirked in relief and continued to listen on the conversation.
"Also, as well as sightings and claims of a large black bird, there's the missing people, the Bouncer, the Homeless Veteran, the girl who supposedly murdered her mother, and then this Muslim girl?"
"Four people missing in a short space of time, and several attacks on certain people?"
"It's crazy…scary almost."
"I'll say!"
As Diablo continued to listen, he moved back on the roof to stay hidden out of sight.
"Hmm, looks like word is spreading about our activities." He thought "And no doubt it'll all go back to Mutopia."
As much as Diablo enjoyed the thrill of punishing sinners, and avoiding the Knights when they searched for him, showing he was clever enough to escape them, he knew his tricks couldn't deter them forever, and he knew he and the Disciples would have to find another place to hide.
So far, they had avoided detection from Tyroth and the Knights, but he knew one day they would catch up to him and his Disciples and he didn't want to put them in danger or go down with him with whatever punishment the Mutopians had in store for him should they catch him.
He was soon brought out of his thoughts when he heard a third voice.
"Hey guys! Breaks over! We need some help in the shop!"
Diablo looked over the side and he saw the two men drop their cigarettes and stamp them out before moving into the back.
He then jumped down the side and keeping to the shadows watched as the two men followed the third inside and disappear behind some shelves.
"Perfect!" the Raven smirked "I'm sure I can find what I'm looking for in here, then get back to the Hideout!"
Looking around and making sure no-one was watching and for any security cameras, the Raven slipped into the warehouse and looked around for what he needed.
Back at the Disciples Hideout, the other Disciples waited for Diablo to return.
Samson was standing with Chastity in one part of the room, showing her some fighting moves, whilst Rex was sitting on the floor was Regan as she held up a couple of dolls before him.
Diablo had acquired the dolls a couple of nights ago so Regan could be entertained, as well as some other toys like a teddy bear and a small tea set since Regan was still a child.
"And what do you call your dolls Little Bat?" the Doberman asked.
"This one is Lisa!" Regan said holding up a brown-haired doll in her right hand "And the other one is Sarah!" she held up the blonde-haired doll in her left hand.
"Very nice names you've chosen!" Rex smiled.
"Thank you, Rexy!" Regan smiled cutely.
Rexy winked and pinched Regan's cheek making her giggle.
"Rexy!" he smiled "I like that!"
He then looked across to Lamia who was sitting on a sleeping bag and hovering her palms together trying to study how to harness her electrical touch.
Despite practising on her cousins as part of torturing them for what they did to her, she was still unsure of how she could control it and was trying to practice more, to use it in future on her victims for torture as well as make sure he didn't hurt her team members.
"Lamia?" Rex called over making the mutant Eel look up.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Are you okay, my dear?" the Doberman asked.
Lamia smiled and nodded.
"I will be," she said, "I have to admit, I feel satisfaction that I was able to make my cousins pay for what they did to me, and if the police haven't got to my father first, I wish to make him suffer too."
"Hopefully you will get your chance!" Rex smirked "Otherwise, you can use your abilities to stop other potential honour killings happening?"
"That's what I'm hoping, yes." Lamia agreed, "As much as I am a peaceful person, at least, I was, as I followed the rules of the Koran to the letter, I pray to Allah I am a good person, and I never betrayed anyone, because I wished to follow my dreams."
"You never betrayed." Rex said fervently "You had dreams, and they were taken from you by those who wanted to stamp you down, they are sinners, not you, they did not follow the Koran, they do not follow the wisdom of Allah."
Lamia nodded bitterly then looked over to Samson and Chastity who was sparring.
Chastity was practising punches and throwing her all into Samson's open palms.
"Atta girl!" Samson praised "Keep this up, you'll be able to hold your own in a fight, whenever that comes!"
"Thank you, Samson." Chasity smiled.
"Your wings will also be useful in combat." Samson commented "Diablo does use his wings to his advantage for extra limbs to fight with, not just flying."
Chastity opened her wings and flapped them a little.
"True yes." She agreed "I hope to use them more, and hopefully Regan will realise the same ability."
"Oh, she will!" Samson nodded "She will, once she's old enough to fight, though she has shown she is deadly, with those fangs and bloodthirsty nature."
Chastity was about to answer when she saw a dark shadow appear, and Diablo made his presence known, along with some bags full of food and other supplies.
"Boss!" Samson said, "You're back!"
"We were starting to get worried!" Rex agreed.
"Do not worry about me, my friends." Diablo said, "I have more supplies, food and toiletries, as well as some useful items!"
The Disciples stood up and walked over as Diablo placed the bags down.
In one bag, there was food, and in the other were papers as well as clothes.
"Lamia." Diablo called over to the Eel "I have some items that should be useful for you."
Lamia walked over curiously, and Diablo held up some thick long tight rubber gloves as well as some clothing.
"I believe these will help you in withholding your abilities, until you need them?" the Raven suggested.
Lamia cautiously took the items, making sure as not to touch the Raven and studied them.
As well as the gloves, there were black leather trousers, a long-sleeved roll neck top, a long dark green coat with a hood and a black masked hijab.
The other Disciples looked over and Lamia smiled.
"Thank you." She said then walked over to a covered area of the room so she could change.
"Rubber and dried leather will resist her electrical abilities, so she will be able to touch us without causing injury." Diablo explained.
"Very wise boss." Rex said.
'Reminds me of Rogue in X-Men." Samson whispered.
Diablo nodded in agreement.
After five minutes, Lamia appeared from behind the covered area and showed everyone her new look.
She was wearing the leather trousers, the roll-neck top and the hooded coat, as well as the Hijab and gloves, in fact, she looked almost like a human unless one looked closer and saw her mutant eel features.
"Wow!" Chastity commented "You look amazing!"
"I think she looks pretty!" Regan squeaked with a smile.
"Thank you!" Lamia smiled "I feel better in these clothes, being covered and wearing my hijab and veil, Thank you Diablo."
Diablo nodded.
"You are welcome, my Disciple," he replied, "And I also have other things for you which I found."
Lamia raised an eyebrow ridge curiously, then saw Diablo take out of the bag, a mat, and some newspapers.
"It's not exactly a prayer mat." Diablo said, "But I felt, it would suffice, and I saw the newspapers talking about your disappearance as well as news of your family."
Lamia's eyes sparkled.
"Oh, thank you so much!" she said as she carefully took the mat and newspapers.
"You are welcome." Diablo replied, "As my Disciple, I want you to feel comfortable, and be able to continue your ways like you would do if you were still human, you have your faith, as does Chastity, her being Christian and you a Muslim."
"May Allah bless you." Lamia said bowing and putting her hands together.
Diablo smiled and bowed back.
"Also." The Raven announced, "I did find something else that interested me greatly, and I believe will interest the rest of you."
"What?" everyone asked.
Diablo smirked and pulled a piece of folded paper out of his pocket….
So Diablo has overheard his activities are being spoken about by the public, he's also found some items for Lamia to use which will help keep her abilities in check.
I was inspired by Rogue from the X-Men when I created Lamia, having a touch that could be harmful, well in Rogue's case she drains people of their talents, memories and life-force, and Lamia gives of electricity being an electric eel.
Also, what has Diablo found which interests him so much? Well thats for me to know and you to find out!
Check back soon! Stay safe guys!