Dark Inheritance

Warning: Mature themes discussed

"Welcome, everyone." Gail Smith said on the large video screen. "Welcome to your new home. Here you will learn more about your true selves and the destiny you were born to fulfill. We understand you may be confused, maybe a little scared. Rest assured, here you are safe and all your questions will be answered. Our staff will ensure your well-being. Once again, welcome."

The next week was full of activity as new people were brought into the facility. Many were young adults, mid to late teens. Some were younger, even prepubescent. There were a few adults among them, but even they were young, early twenties at the oldest. Anyone older was given a staff position if available.

Once inside, the new arrivals were given a detailed orientation regarding the facility, its handlers, and how their new charges were involved. They were then released to settle in to their new living arrangements. It was all handled like a well-oiled machine.

Judith couldn't believe what was happening. How had her family gotten all these people? Most were children; what had happened to their families? She didn't want to think about that. She heard footsteps approach.

"Impressive, isn't it?" It was her father, James. Sarah, her mom, had also approached. "We found so many inheritors. What do you think, honey?"

Judith stared at her parents. "What do I think?! Who are these people? Why are they here?"

"I told you we would be bringing in more people." Her mother answered. "These people have tested positive for the godgenes, the source of inheritor power." She smiled. "They'll be trained in the use of their power and learn their destiny. Just like you've been."

Judith sighed. She had been training, not just in her powers, but also some lessons in 'actual magic' at her mom's insistence. It was pretty cool, she had to admit. But what she hadn't done? She hadn't seen the outside in forever. No trips to the mall, no walks in the park, no contact with anything from her old life. It sucked. Especially since she knew this was what they had planned for JC. He'd go crazy in less than a week. Still, she was confident he'd be safe. She knew him: when he was determined, nothing could stop him. He was like an unstoppable fighting machine that gassed up on grilled cheese, pizza, and cheeseburgers. She smiled inwardly.

"Speaking of which, how are you doing sweetie?" her mom continued.

I want my old life back, especially my brother. "I'm…okay I guess. It just feels a little confining in here."

Sarah nodded. "I understand. We've been thinking about setting up field trips of sorts. We can make the occasional trip for certain groups when we feel they're ready."

Oh goodie Judith thought sarcastically.

…

JC headed quickly down the street towards the Belmont house. He was running late; he had to make up some school work because of his his "extracurricular activities." He had mixed feelings about his progress. On one hand, he'd stopped a few of his family's operations. On the other, he didn't feel any closer to freeing his sister than he did at the start. He hoped she was okay. He took a detour near the old park when he heard a voice cry out.

"Help! I'm hurt! Someone help!" JC headed towards the sound and saw someone curled up on the ground, apparently in pain. He hurried over. The person was a young man, not much older than himself, curled up with his back to him. "Are you okay?" he asked, kneeling down. Suddenly in a blur of motion the man was gone, and JC felt several burning sensations on his body. He fell to the ground and saw several slashes on his body. The man was standing over him, an angry sneer on his face. A bloody stiletto was in his hand.

"Hard to believe someone like you is causing my employer trouble." He said in clipped, accented English. Definitely a foreigner, Asian maybe, JC couldn't tell. He used his vision on the guy: another inheritor.

"Marcus sent you to kill me, huh?" JC said, trying to get to his feet. The assailant kicked him hard in the ribs, knocking him to his back. "Marcus want you alive, but he's not why I'm here." Another kick flipped JC over as he struggled with his pack. "You cause us problems, I'm here to teach you a lesson." The guy picked JC by his shirt and glared face to face at him. "Maybe I bloody you up a little more before I bring you in."

"Maybe." JC replied with a smirk. He looked down between the two. His attacker followed and saw the heavy, double-barreled revolver in his hand, pressed against his abdomen. BANG came the shot a split second later. The lightning enhanced round exploded against the youth, driving him backward. A second shot drove him onto his back. "But not today."

The would-be assassin clutched his chest, this time in real pain. His powers allowed him to take the shots, but he was still wounded. And the sounds of gunfire would draw attention shortly. Channeling his power, he shot to his feet and took off, leaving his target behind.

is powers allowed hi9m cmn

JC stashed the Purifier away. He wanted to pursue but this was not the time. He was hurt; the guy was powerful enough to cut him, but any internal damage was healing already. Mentally he kicked himself for falling for such an obvious trap. As he got ready to leave, he noticed something on the ground where the guy had landed. It was a card for a place called The Nether Fist. A red skull with spikes on it was on the back. JC kept it for evidence as he continued home.

…

Detective Johnson sat on the Belmont's couch as he took JC's statement. Alice and Diana were with them. JC had shown him the shirt he'd worn when he was attacked. When asked why he wasn't wounded, JC shrugged and said he was lucky. The detective didn't press the issue.

"Did you recognize the man at all?" he asked him.

"No." JC replied. "But he definitely knew me. He all but said he works for my family."

"They sent him to kill you?"

"No, he made it clear he wanted to 'bring me in'. He definitely wanted to hurt me though."

"Is there anything else you can tell me?"

JC took out the card he'd found. Johnson took it and tensed up. "Do you know what this place is?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Johnson explained. "The Nether Fist is one of those hardcore fetish clubs in the older, run-down part of the city. Cops usually don't patrol down there if they can help it. It's a nasty place. The people who run it don't fool around."

"Who are they?" Alice asked.

"A group called the Pervs. They're pure sleaze. There are rumors of people going in and coming out stripped of everything. If they come out at all."

JC looked at the card. Why was that guy there? It must be connected to what his family was doing. Detective Johnson noticed this.

"Look, JC, I know you want answers, but the Pervs, they're human jackals. They'd rip your head off in a heartbeat."

"You're right. That would be foolish. Almost not worth the risk."

"Exactly." The detective replied. He finished his notes. "If there's nothing else, I'll take this to the department. Good night everyone." As he left the house Alice caught up to him.

"Detective Johnson, I want to thank you for your help. We greatly appreciate everything you've done."

"It's my pleasure ma'am." He replied. He looked back at the house. "About that kid, JC." he asked. "Is he the one?"

"Yes." Alice said. "I didn't know at first, but now I'm sure."

Detective Johnson nodded. "It's hard to imagine his highness has been reborn as a teenager. Are the others reappearing as well?"

"Yes. There's still one more left."

"I'll keep my eyes open. Take care, Ms. Belmont." The detective left.

…

Detective Johnson hadn't exaggerated when he said how run-down the area was. Most of buildings had been abandoned long ago, there were few if any cars around, and the streetlights were few, and they flickered intermittently. The club itself was nestled at the corner of a side street. The entrance was at the far end away from the corner with a low wall going around the perimeter. JC hid at the corner of the building across the street, right were the street turned towards the entrance. He'd suited up and brought his pack with him. Peeking around the corner he saw three people at the entrance. A large man in a black hood mask dressed in what could be described as a series of leather straps around his chest and tight leather pants, acting as the guard for the door. The other two, a man and a woman, were talking with him. The other man was similarly dressed while the woman wore even less: leather straps that just barely covered her and left little to the imagination. After a moment the guard let them in, speaking into a handheld radio as they passed. A frontal assault was out of the question, he could sound an alarm. When the guard looked the other way for a moment, JC ran over and scaled the wall, dropping into a small courtyard. On the wall across from him was a large window several feet up leading into the club, severely cracked. It was simple enough to break the glass with his elbow and crawl in.

He landed in the men's restroom, next to a partition to the urinal. The place reeked and the floor was slightly sticky. What's with dive clubs and the lack of cleanliness he thought. Creeping over to the door, he cracked it and peaked out. A hallway went to the left. Barred windows on the right looked into the main area. JC crept out and stuck to the shadows along the left. The main area had tables, booths, and a stage with a door at the back. The woman he'd seen earlier was 'dancing' on it, if flailing ones arms while gyrating their hips counted as dancing. Heavy techno music blared from the speakers. At least they won't hear me over the music.

As he neared the end of the hallway and peered over into the main room, He saw the others in the room. Three people were there total: two guards and the bartender. Each was tall, at least six feet, and built like linebackers. The guards wore ripped, ratty t-shirts, pants, and full hood masks that covered their faces. The bartender was dressed more normally, flannel vest over a t-shirt, blue jeans, and a red cap. All three watched the dancer. As JC watched the bartender turned and stood on a floor panel behind the bar, opening a door behind the dancer. She turned, blew a kiss to her 'audience', and casually walked out. The door closed behind her as the music stopped. They must be closing down for the night. The two guards walked off to patrol the rest of the club. All that was left in the room were JC and the bartender, unaware of his presence.

JC knew he had to go deeper into the club. Most likely the door the dancer went through led there. He needed to hit the panel behind the bar. The bartender could help with that. Quickly crossing the hall, JC tapped on the wall next to the door. The bartender looked over and, seeing nothing, headed over to investigate. JC couldn't risk getting into a drawn-out fight, so as the guy approached, he pulled out his stun baton and zapped him. The guy spasmed and fell to his knees. A blow to head knocked him out. JC picked the guy up. Even with his strength, the guy was heavy. And his odor! Did these guys never bathe? Carefully, he carried him over to the door panel and lay him down on it. He hurried through the door before anyone came in and saw him. He found himself in a short hallway leading –

The black tendrils encircled him, latching onto his limbs and pulling him down. He tried to yell in defiance but they covered his mouth too. Behind him stood a figure –

JC came back to reality. It was that vision again. What could it mean? It didn't matter now, he had a job to do.

At the end of a hall was a small reception area, leading to an even larger room set up like a regular dance club. JC peeked in from behind the entrance. An open dance floor spanned the area, with stairs leading to a second floor. Tables and chairs lined the walkways around both levels. At the other end was another door with two guards, also dressed in leather straps. Above the door read "The Pit". The door opened and a woman dressed in a lab coat came out and talked both of them. After a moment she and one of them entered the door. The remaining guard started patrolling the area.

JC didn't like it, but "The Pit" looked likely to lead to something. He scanned the area with his vision and saw no one else in the club area, just the lone guard. Obviously they didn't plan on anyone else being here. He had to take out the guard first. From his pack, he got out the tranquilizer rifle he stole from the soldier several days ago. Inching into the room, he lined up a shot at the guard's neck. He hoped the practice he'd had with Jasper would pay off. When the guard paused on his patrol, JC pulled the trigger. Seconds later, the guard wobbled and sank to the floor. JC quickly moved over and checked; he was out cold. Now for the door. Stashing the rifle, he thought of a plan. He could bluff his way inside. As he was wearing a mask, he could probably pass as a new guard or even a patron. It was worth a shot. He went up to the door and lightly knocked. A slide panel opened up and the guard inside looked him over.

"Hey, it's my shift now. I need to see the doc."

The guard glared at him. "I don't know your face and only faces I know get in. Piss off." He closed the panel.

Only faces he knows huh. Time for plan B. He retrieved the unconscious guard and dragged him over to the door. Propping him up close to the panel, he held him up from behind, gripped the man at his neck. Ducking below the panel, he knocked again. The guard checked out his friend.

"Joey-boy! Come on in! Jeeze you look like shit." JC nodded the man's head. The panel closed and the lock opened. Laying the man down, JC carefully looked in. The other guard was heading away down a set of stairs. Wielding his baton, he zapped him from behind and grabbed his body as he fell. Closing the door, he braced the unconscious guard against it, hoping to keep anyone from following him.

"The Pit" was aptly named. It was darker and creepier than the rest of the club, if that was even possible. A dark stone hallway led off to the right passed a series of three doors. Dim overhead lights flickered intermittently. Creepy music came from an unseen broadcast system. As JC slowly went down the hall he heard a terrified scream from the closest room, followed by a buzzing sound. Moving quickly, he came to the first door but saw no handle. A button with a light was on the side. He pressed it and the door slid open inside was like a horror movie: One of the guards was standing over a helpless man in his underwear strapped to a table. A handheld electric saw was in the guard's hands as he approached his victim menacingly. Thinking quickly, JC looked around and saw a small tray table next to the door. He picked it up and threw it at the guard. The man staggered slightly and turned to see JC standing there.

"Pfftth! Come and get me, weirdo!" JC turned and ran as the guard growled and gave chase. He was fast for his size; he'd almost caught up to JC as he ran back towards the stairs. Turning quickly, the man was almost upon him, blazing saw in his hands. JC ducked the saw and flipped the guy over his shoulder. He hit the ground as the saw went flying. JC jumped the guard as he turned over and connected two augmented punches right on the guy's face. The man was dazed but not out. Jumping off, JC pulled out the baton and finished him off. The man went limp. He headed back into the room where the man was still struggling to get loose. The man watched in panic as JC took out his knife and cut his restraints. Jumping off the table he scrambled out of the room and up the stairs. JC hoped he would be alright.

JC checked out the rest of the room. Aside from the restraint table and tray table, the main décor was the mirror that dominated the upper half of the back wall. This puzzled JC. He checked out the other rooms. The second room also had a mirror – along with what looked like a (well-used and filthy) dentist's chair. JC shuddered. The final one had a table like the first. JC entered to check it out – and was surprised when the mirror shattered revealing another guard in an adjacent room.

"Looks like we got some fresh meat here!" he said as he started to climb over the wall towards JC. Wasting no time, JC ran up and sucker punched the guy in the face in mid-climb. The guard stumbled back and hit the floor before tasting JC's stun baton. The guards were big and scary, but not the brightest bulbs in the set. JC picked himself up and surveyed the room. It was as wide as the one across the mirror and connected to two similar rooms behind the other mirrors. Cameras on tripods faced into each room. Snuff videos JC thought with disgust. How could my family be involved in this? A horrifying thought crossed his mind: What if Judith was held here at some point? No, he thought. His family was screwed up but they wouldn't go that far. He hoped.

After moving the unconscious guards into the filming areas and shutting the doors, JC left the filming area and saw the hallway turned to the right in a U-turn to another hallway. The stone here looked lighter, probably carved out more recently than the previous one. A heavy security door sat at the outside curve between the two. It was locked with a keypad. The newer hall had similar doors on the left side. He cringed at the thought of more snuff film set ups. These rooms, however, were different. They were like small college rooms with single beds and end tables. They also dirty and dimly lit. Inspecting closer made JC shudder: There were manacle sets at the foot and head of each bed, well worn by the looks of them. People were help here like prisoners. Meaning it was a good guess as to why the room smelled bad. Prostitution, snuff films – what else was his family involved in? He wanted to throw up but knew it would only make the room worse. A loud click and sliding sound snapped him back to reality. Looking out from the room, he saw the scientist woman exit the secured door and head up the other hallway. The door remained open. This was his chance. Making sure the woman was out of sight, JC quickly darted inside and hit the door switch inside. A short hall led to another door to a new area.

JC looked around in shock. This area was completely different than the other areas. It was almost like a hospital area. Clean tiled floor, bright lighting, even the odor form outside was gone. Off to the side was a small cubicle with a set of shower heads. No doubt to decontaminate anyone coming in. Opposite the entrance was an elevator with a card reader next to it. Two more doors, to the left and right, led out of the room. The right one was labeled "Surgery". That didn't look good. A quick peak through the door showed a series of medical equipment and several surgical tables. No one was in there. The other door said "ICU", Intensive Care Unit. Also not very good. Several beds with medical monitors lined the walls, along with a few wheeled gurneys. In one of the beds was a person, unmoving. JC raced over and checked them out. She was a young woman, maybe early twenties. She looked foreign but JC couldn't be sure. Her monitor looked normal, though he was no expert. He looked at a small table next to her bed and saw a set of vials in a rack. They had the same labels as the drug used in the warehouse.

"Who are you?" said an angry voice. JC whirled and saw the scientist from earlier. She didn't look happy.

"Hi." JC said quickly. "I'm new here. I was supposed to check in."

The scientist looked him over. "I don't think so, mister." She tapped on the door to the room. Three guards from the club walked in, followed by a man in military fatigues. Another Merc JC thought. "Gentlemen," the woman continued, "show him what happens to interlopers."

"Oh, yeah," one of them said. "Let's jack this guy up!"

"Make him hurt bad!"

"Here, piggy piggy!"

JC clenched his fist. The three guards advanced while the merc kept his distance. It was time for action. Gathering power, he threw a charged up bolt at the first guard. As he convulsed and fell, JC grabbed a nearby metal tray and whipped it at the second. The man flinched, giving JC the opening to run up and deliver an enhanced heel kick to his diaphragm. JC used his momentum to land on the guy and punch him in the face, knocking him out. The third roughly grabbed him and shoved him up against the wall, griping his neck with both hands. JC knew he had to get free quickly. Grabbing the hands, he braced himself against the wall, brought up both his feet, and delivered a double kick to the man's chest. The man let go as he stumbled back. A follow-up right cross put him down completely. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the merc trying to pull something out. He grabbed a nearby gurney and shoved it towards him, catching him in the midsection. The merc doubled over as JC ran up, jumped on the gurney, and kicked him squarely in the face. The scientist, seeing this, made a run for the door. JC caught up to her, grabbed her, and shoved her against the wall.

"This interloper has some questions. Who is that?" He indicated the unconscious woman.

"One of my patients." She answered in a panic. "We got her from outside the country."

"Why? What's she here for?"

"I'm supposed to examine her and determine her overall condition. She's an inheritor like you."

I should have known. "Where did you get her?"

"I don't know. I think she came from Eastern Europe."

Human trafficking. "What's the surgery part for?"

"We repair damage and take samples. I haven't been told why yet."

So she's in the dark. Doesn't make her less guilty. JC pulled out a picture of Judith. "Have you seen this girl here. Answer me!"

"Not here, but I know of her. She one of the inheritors at the main facility."

"Where's that?"

The woman frantically shook her head. "I don't know. I've never been there."

JC smacked the wall next to her. "Tell me the truth! Where is she!"

"I don't know!" the woman said, tearing up. "I swear I don't know!"

A dead end. Time to switch gears. "That drug over there," he indicated the table. "Where did you get that?"

"The vector? It enhances inheritor abilities. It's made at one of our labs."

"Where?"

She shook her head. "No…I can't. That's classified—"

JC lifted her up off her feet, glaring at her. "You should be more scared of what I'll do to you than your boss."

"It's at – the abandoned club downtown, The Interzone. We run a lab from inside there. But you'll never make it."

That was all he needed. JC took out his baton and shocked her into unconsciousness. Searching her, he found a keycard. Time to leave.

…

Hasan Pagan stood uncomfortably in the office. His wounds had healed considerably but he was still sore. He'd underestimated that punk, JC. Marcus and William sat behind their desks. They didn't look happy with him.

"Explain to us again," William said. "Why did you attack JC?"

Hasan was indignant. "I told you – he's caused all kinds of problems with this project. He needs to be taught a lesson. I was attempting to bring him in."

"That wasn't your concern." Marcus replied. "And even if it was, we want him alive and in one piece."

"Besides, you failed miserably." continued William. "I don't know the last time someone beat you so handily. And now JC will be on his guard. He'll never fully trust us now."

"So consider this an order." Marcus picked up. "You are not to engage anyone without our say so. Is that clear?"

Hasan sighed in defeat. "Yes sir."

"Very well. That will be all." William dismissed the young assassin. After he left Marcus addressed his father. "We'll have to keep him on a short leash."

"You're right, son. We can't afford a backlash right now."

Someone knocked on the door. Dr. Alan Howards entered with some reports. "Sirs, I have some news you need to hear." He read his notes. "Our facility at the Nether Fist was compromised earlier tonight. It seems someone snuck in and disrupted operations, drawing attention from the local police. A raid was conducted less than an hour ago."

Marcus and William were stunned. "Who did this?" Marcus asked.

Alan looked at his report. "According to the arrested guards, quote 'an *expletive* punk in a *expletive* mask who fought like an *expletive* love child between a *expletive* ninja and *expletive* Matrix freak.' It's worth noting that many of them were using mild narcotics at the time."

Marcus rubbed his temples. This night kept getting worse. "What losses did we take?"

"It looks total, sir." Alan said. "With the police attention we have to burn our connections to that place." Can't say I'm disappointed to do so he thought.

William leaned back in his chair. "That saves us the trouble. I never trusted those sleazebags to begin with. Why were we doing business with them again?"

"Because their building and location was the best place to keep things off the radar." Marcus replied. "Still, you're right. They're effective but ruthless and belligerent. Traits better suited for attack dogs than business partners."

William nodded. After dismissing Alan he addressed his son. "About this attack. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Marcus nodded. "That we both know who's responsible for it? It's a scary thought."

~To be continued