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Something Wicked this Way Comes

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The night was dark, moon hidden in shadow. The silence was unnerving, most assumed safe in their beds. It had become her time. Evey Hammond walked down the open alley with a confidence she had not always known. The cape trailed behind her in an exaggerated motion. She hoped the skirt of the dress wouldn't catch. She thought back to the first time she had donned a masquerade. To confront the people who would listen.

Victory, she had told them, was almost in their grasp. The masked persona of V she had told them was no longer needed. Although her heart knew the words to be false. She told them he had come to remind them. Those famous words…remember…remember, the fifth of November. And now they were aware once more. However, that inspiration was waning quickly. Where once she had inspired them to be ever vigilant to themselves, to their friends, to their neighbors, they were falling.

A voice was heard then and she found herself following. The alleys were always convenient. There was never any more than voice auditing, acting as both a benefit and curse. The voice monitors were easily preventable. Yet it made prey for both those of noble and wicked cause.

"No…please, I'll go home. I promise."

The words brought back haunting images of a man long lost. She rounded a corner, finding two men and a young girl. She looked no more than 14, tears filling her frightened eyes. The familiar laughing male tones made Evey cringe with disgust.

"…Distaining fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution…."

Her hand instinctively caressed a steeled weapon hung against her side. She hadn't even noticed the words were uttered out loud as her mind continued to spin back to the fateful night in her own alley. The fears she had experienced in what seemed ages ago. The men turned towards her and she realized they had heard her. She cursed herself for not thinking things through as a grin passed over one's features.

"Looks like someone wanted to play dress-up."

He obviously hadn't seen the daggers. Quickly she pulled one free and threw it at the nearest man, catching him in the shoulder. Practice was one thing, but she had neither the skill or quickness V once held. It took only a moment to decide to try anther means. The silver sheen of a Freedom Arms 83 was directed at a very surprised attacker, as the other lay cursing on the ground. It was enough of a moment for the second gun to be pulled and aimed as well. She knew it wasn't the wisest choice for defense. There were more effective guns to be chosen. Yet these had at least some style and fit comfortably in the hand.

"I suggest that you leave now, because in a moment my generosity is going to run out."

They looked as though their pride had been marred, anger seeping from every pore. Cowardness won despite more personal feelings and they cleared the way as soon as possible. Curses spewed. The heroine's eyes rolled with annoyance.

The girl hadn't moved. Her blond hair was mussed and she shivered as she leaned against the wall. She watched the masked woman who had saved her life. Fiddling with a skirt far too short for public wear she spoke the first question in her mind.

"Who are you?"

Evey noted the caked make-up accompanied by a painfully uncertain expression. Her eyes were blemished with streaks of unprofessional running black. High heeled boots ran up to her thighs. There was little doubt of what the girl was doing out down these forbidden streets after curfew. However the girl didn't appear to be aware of the situation she had just placed herself in, at least before it was presented to her.

"Is this your first time?"

The girl looked down in embarrassment before nodding. "I didn't…I didn't know what else to do…"

"And your parents?" The tone was sharp, but it needed to be asked. She wasn't playing a game. Their society didn't give them the luxury of playing games of the innocent sort.

"They were taken, two weeks back. Accused of conspiracy with the terrorists." She looked up with determination, her voice raised a notch. "But I know they weren't. They never would do that…they worked for the government. For Thomas and his party. They tried to take me to an institution, they said, but I ran."

Evey watched her thoughtfully, curious at the possibilities. What was that V had said, there are no coincidences? Or was it he didn't believe in them?

"The government," she repeated quietly. "What is your name, girl?"

"Melissa, Melissa Edwards, M'am. And I'm 15 years old, almost a woman I'd like you to know."

"Of course," she replied absently, pulling a black satin purse from behind a gun sheath. Evey pulled out a folded black cloth and tossed it to the girl as she moved quicker.

"Put this around your head, cover the hair, and come with me."

She didn't give much of an option as she gripped the girl's arm and pulled her down the alleyway. There was no pause in her step as she drew a chained watch from her sleeve, checking the time. They made a quick turn. She was going to be late.

A click of a night-camera went unnoticed as a figure had witnessed the event from above. They were getting closer. And she was getting sloppy.

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The pair found their way through the city, taking care to avoid certain streets or any sounds of gun fire. They paused as a road widened into the open, displaying a number of respectable homes lined up and down the street. Evey pulled the girl along, slowing their pace to a casual walk. The mask remained on as there was no reason to remove it. It wasn't long before they walked up the steps to a small, bricked two-story. A single tree overlooked the darkened windows.

There was only a single knock on the door before it was opened. Answered by a man young in appearance. Perhaps in his early 20's. He wore a look of sleeplessness, his brown locks tussled without care. There hadn't been company expected this night.

"What the bloody hell…"

"I need for you to keep her for now, John."

"Get inside," he whispered looking around the questionably empty road.

Once it was closed safely after them he pulled out a small device, placing it on a side table and switching it on. He never touched the lights.

"Aren't you supposed to be at that party?"

"I was on my way," Evey replied softly. "I had to stop. There was an incident. This girl needs a place to stay and I'd like to talk to her later. She needs to be with someone I can trust, and someone I know has the means to keep her out of the privacy detections."

"You know I will." The words were spoken with more than a little meaning behind them. "What is the captain going to say if you don't get to that party on time? This chance might not come for a while."

The woman nodded with understanding and offered a comforting smile.

"Don't worry. I'll play my part well. I always do."

She turned to the door, but was caught by a hand on her arm.

"Wait, you never told me your name."

The girl spoke with determination. Evey knew it wouldn't hurt to tell her.

"Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom," she replied quietly. "Someday, we will get there. You can call me E.V."

She turned with a soft smile before walking back out into the darkness.
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"Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom" – Thomas Jefferson

"By they pricking of my thumb…Something wicked this way comes…" In Macbeth where three witches who appear and foretell fate, specifically the second witch comments in reference to Macbeth a moment before he answers a door.

A.N.- Thanks so much for the support! Got a lot more written, although it's not all necessarily in order, but I working on it. Noticed a couple of lil mistakes I've done. Try to fix them as I find them. Yay for writers without Beta's!

Steph- love the enthusiasm!

I have every intention of Evey and V meeting up…but wouldn't make for much of a story if I had it be too soon ;)

Hope you all enjoy!
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