A Game of Shadow and Blood
Disclaimer: I own nothing (unfortunately). All rights and characters in this fic belong to Clive Barker, and other respective owners and creators. I gain no profit from this; it's purely for fun.
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Chapter Three
Tiffany sighed heavily; still trying to grasp the story that Kirsty had told her. ''Wow,'' She whispered, staring at the mug of coffee that she fiddled with in her hands. ''When you said surprising…you really meant it.''
Kirsty nodded and shifted anxiously in her seat. The two friends had found a quaint little coffee shop just down the road from where they had met. It wasn't too busy, and fairly quiet compared to some of the more hectic coffee shops with bustling employees ordering their wake-up calls. Here at least Kirsty could relive her past to her old friend without worry of being over heard or interrupted.
To say it was a lot to take in for Tiffany would be an understatement. She knew that a lot of time had passed since their last meeting and that anything could have happened during that time, but she most certainly was not expecting to hear stories of a plotting, murderous man out for Kirsty's wealth, Kirsty turning the tables by going to the Cenobites, and leading to a hidden relationship shared between her and the leader of those Cenobites.
That part, in particular, caused Tiffany's eyes to go wide with shock. Not that she hadn't thought that there was more to the one Kirsty said was named Xipe Totec, after all, she saw how Kirsty had briefly helped him regain his humanity before facing Channard all those years ago. Still, to imagine Kirsty and him actually being together, it was quite difficult to grasp.
''You're not…'' Kirsty suddenly said in a hesitant tone, bringing Tiffany out of her thoughts. ''Mad at me, are you?''
Finally, Tiffany lifted her gaze from her beverage and stared at Kirsty, a sympathetic look forming on her face. ''I'm not mad.''
''I still feel like I abandoned you.''
She shrugged her shoulders. ''We moved on. It's that simple.''
Now Kirsty was the one who shifted her gaze off of Tiffany and stared out of the window and up into the cloudy, grey sky. ''I didn't move on. The Cenobites are still a part of my life. More than I ever thought they would be.''
''But you're still you,'' Tiffany responded. Kirsty looked at her curiously so the blonde woman continued. ''If you didn't have the box right now, it might be out there taking who-knows how many people. But you make sure it's only people who deserve it.''
Kirsty's face scrunched up uncomfortably. ''That's the problem. Sometimes I feel like I'm judge, jury and executioner. I know what you mean, it's…'' She paused and took a deep breath. ''People that deserve it! But that doesn't mean it doesn't take a toll.''
Tiffany nodded in understanding. The two then went silent again, unsure of what to say next. Kirsty continued to stare up at the clouds, waiting for the first drops of rain that would surely appear soon and drip onto the window frame. Her heart was heavy as now the memories of everyone that she helped the Cenobites claim played over and over again in her head.
Murderers, rapists, thieves…all with terrible pasts and showed no sign of repenting or stopping their wicked ways, Kirsty should have felt good about what she was doing. Whenever she was with Xipe, she did feel good. He made her feel good, about herself and what she was doing. But those moments when she was alone, the guilt felt like shackles around her ankles weighting her down until she couldn't walk.
At least she felt that Tiffany had taken the story much better than she expected. She still couldn't shake away the feeling though that there was still some blame and anger towards her for separating all those years ago. Now she felt especially guilty seeing how things have played out for Tiffany, especially when she could see that her friend wasn't happy with her current situation.
After what felt like an eternity, Tiffany spoke up quietly. ''I need your help.''
Kirsty turned sharply towards her friend. ''Anything.'' She said immediately.
She didn't say anything else for another moment or two. Her hands slide off the table and rubbed the side of her legs underneath, preparing herself for what she was about to ask of Kirsty. Tiffany let out a loud, overdrawn exhale. ''I've been working under our…employer, Keith, for almost a year now…''
'A year?' Kirsty mentally shrieked.
''And me and the other women think he might be up to something.''
''Like what?''
Tiffany carefully and subtly looked around the table, as if afraid someone might hear them and report back to her pimp like he was a mob boss. ''Apparently, he has someone call him up occasionally, called 'The Special Client', who would hire one of the women for the night. We don't know who he is, or what he even looks like…because everyone who's been to see him never comes back.''
Kirsty's breath stopped for a split-second. ''Does he kill them?''
''We don't know. Keith would never say what happens…''
''Has no one asked?''
The temperature around them seemed to drop as Tiffany answered. ''We can't. The last girl who questioned Keith about it was kicked out onto the street with no food or money to survive.'' She looked down to the floor and her eyes became misty. ''She died of pneumonia a few days later.''
A sense of dread, repulsion and anger overwhelmed Kirsty. ''Can't you go to the police about this?''
''That won't work. Half of the officers in this town won't want to get involved.''
''Why not?'' Kirsty inquired urgently. ''If people are disappearing they have to look into it!''
''Besides the fact they don't want to get involved because half the officers in this town are clients who are married or spoken for, the mayor might consider it bad for his image for the upcoming re-election.''
Kirsty bit her tongue, trying to suppress herself from saying some vulgar comment regarding the repugnant mayor. While she'd never met him in person, she could tell from the way he conducted himself with interviews, he was the type of fat cat politician who would walk on by to get away from the smell of a homeless person rather than offer a coin in generosity. ''But…'' She tried to think of something else.
Tiffany already beat her to it. ''We've already tried everything we can think of. The only hope for each of us is that we're not the ones called in by The Special Client. We're trapped.''
The feeling was starting to become mutual for Kirsty, as she was now starting to piece together what Tiffany was looking for from her. Her friend had limited options, and her chances may be dwindling to zero with each passing day. Even if it's not Tiffany, anyone else working under this Keith could potentially be in serious danger with zero chance of escape. Kirsty brought her hand up to her face, fingers rubbing her dry lips as she thought long and hard about what to say next.
Tiffany could see the uneasiness in Kirsty's face. It was only after seeing her friend in deep-though that she realised the predicament she had forced Kirsty into. But she was desperate and scared. ''I know you don't want to do it…''
''No, I…'' Kirsty interrupted, waving her hand to silence her friend. ''I want to help you. It's just…not that easy. If Keith is an innocent in all this somehow, the Cenobites can't have him, and this could have serious consequences for them, and us as well.''
The expression on Tiffany's face darkened, and she gritted her teeth. ''He isn't innocent. I know he isn't.''
''Still…'' She started without a point to her sentence. After taking a few more seconds of thinking things over, Kirsty knew that she had to be sure what she was getting involved with and tackle this in every possible angle. ''Take me to him.''
''What?'' Tiffany gasped in shock.
''We can pretend that…pretend that I'm…hiring you.'' She stressed, unsure if she was using the correct term. It wasn't like she had much experience with these things.
''It doesn't work like that.''
''We'll have to make it work,'' Kirsty said firmly, looking Tiffany directly into her watery eyes. ''You take me to him, and I'll pretend I'm a client. Not only will this be a chance for me to see him myself, but it can give you a little more time as well, at least until we can think of our next course of action.''
After a few stutters and incoherent mumbles, Tiffany responded frantically. ''Kirsty, I want you to help, but I don't want you to get directly involved with Keith. I don't want you to get hurt.''
Kirsty gave her a reassuring smile and held out her hands to hold on tightly to her friend's in comfort. ''I won't get hurt. I have an angel or two watching my back.''
''Why would Leviathan not reveal the identity of this rogue?'' Nikoletta asked Pinhead as the Gash walked through one of the many corridors of the Labyrinth.
Pinhead, in the lead, marching towards a large doorway didn't look back to his companions as he answered. ''He will have his reasons. For now, it doesn't matter. We have our mission, and it would be unwise to leave Leviathan waiting for long.''
Butterball hurried forward so that he may speak next. ''You said that Leviathan also requested the assistance of the Guardian. Why do you believe that is?''
For a moment, Pinhead was hesitant to answer, something that the Gash picked up on but thought better to mention. The Lead Cenobite pondered this as well, and he had his own theory. ''If this rouge has escaped, then it would be foolish for him to remain within our domain under Leviathan's watchful eye. He will have possibly escaped to Earth. Kirsty could help lead us to him.''
''But where do we begin our search?'' Nikoletta inquired.
By the time Pinhead could respond, they had already reached their destination. Pinhead reached forward and pushed open the large, steel-cold doors, separating and revealing a dark and foggy room. ''He is using our methods to find flesh. A Lament Configuration of his own. If we discover how and where it was constructed, then his cage will shrivel, leaving nowhere to hide.''
The sub-zero temperature and absolute darkness did nothing to bother any of the Cenobites. The four otherworldly individuals stepped forward into the dark room, with Pinhead pacing himself and looking out for what he was seeking…or more like whom he was seeking.
''Why are you here?'' A hissy, slimy voice echoed in the darkness.
''Reveal yourself, Architect,'' Pinhead demanded.
He stood in place, waiting for this new voice to show and be questioned. Nikoletta, Butterball and Chatterer all mimicked their leader's stance, waiting in place and searching for this supposed Architect. It didn't take long though, as coming into view were eight very long, tendrils that seemed to resemble arms moving all around them. Gazing along the bloody, torn arms and towards their source, Pinhead spotted a skinny looking creature sitting in a chair. His face was long and narrow, with eyes sewn shut and saliva dripping from his mouth and onto the ground.
In the centuries since Lemarchand's greatest creation, the puzzle box, many of Leviathan's followers were instructed by the all-powerful God to better understand the concepts of their existence and realm. The Architect was one of the longest serving, and most loyal. His seemingly never-ending arms slithered around the Labyrinth itself, piecing together different parts of the hellscape.
Using his arms to hoist his frail body upwards, the Architect lifted himself until he was face to face with Pinhead, who remained indifferent to the repulsive creature. As he spoke, his mouth elongated and more spit slobbered from his jaw. ''I will repeat one final time, why are you here?''
''We are in need of your assistance,'' Pinhead said calmly. ''A rouge Cenobite has escaped the Labyrinth, and constructed a puzzle box of their own creation.''
The Architect tilted his head in a jolt. ''Impossible. No Cenobite has the ability to create a Configuration of their own.''
''But according to Leviathan, this one has. And we have been instructed to find him.''
''As I said, it is impossible.'' The creature replied with growing irritation.
Pinhead arched a brow. ''Are you saying that Leviathan is misinformed?''
The only sound that came from the Architect afterwards was of the slobbering that continued to drip onto the ground. Using his arms to lift his body higher, away from Pinhead, he glided around, murmuring to himself. ''No, no, Leviathan is never wrong. Perhaps a Cenobite has found some way. But not alone. Not without a soul on the other side?''
''Other side?'' Pinhead called out. ''The world of the living, you mean?''
''The world of flesh and bone. Humans. Like our Guardian, this Cenobite would have needed one on the other side to construct a Configuration.''
Taking a step forward to get the creature's attention, Pinhead continued. ''Then help us find this accomplice.''
Like a bolt, the Architect lunged forward, stopping only when his spitting jaw was mere inches away from Pinhead's face. The Cenobite could feel the faint drips of saliva and smell the disgusting odour emanating from the creature's mouth. ''You demand so strongly at the one who made you what you are?'' But he stood his ground. There was no backing down; he didn't even flinch when the Architect moved towards him like lightning. One of his small, talon-like hands stroked at the tips of the Hell Priest's pins. ''You are still one of my finest creations.''
Pinhead narrowed his eyes. ''I am beginning to become impatient.''
The threat sent chills crawling along the Architect's hard, bumpy skin. He moved backwards slightly. ''I shall assist. I will be able to find the hands that carve a work similar to my own.''
''That is all that I ask of you. Because once you find this accomplice, it will surely lead us to the one who has escaped us…and then I shall take great pleasure dragging them back to Leviathan for punishment.'' Pinhead said with satisfaction.
Without even having stepped into the building, Kirsty could already smell the scent of weed, smoke and God-knows what else. Tiffany had already warned her that it might not be the most welcoming of places, not that she needed to be told that. However, on the outside, things didn't look too out of the ordinary. She had been brought to what looked like an ordinary flat, with a staircase leading downwards to a gated door.
Tiffany reached into her pocket and pulled out her own set of keys, using them to get inside and lock the door behind them. As she did that, Kirsty had a chance to briefly look inside. A dirty red-carpeted hallway with picture frames of abstract artwork only masked the dirty, seeded activities that went on around him.
Eventually, Tiffany led the way with Kirsty following closely behind her. Along the way, she had spotted a few other scantily-dressed women in what appeared to be makeup rooms, applying whatever was needed to make them look more dazzling. Many of them would shot curious glances Kirsty's way. She half-expected this like Tiffany said, clients actually coming here probably didn't happen often.
It didn't take long for them to reach the last room, guarded by a large mountain of a man, dressed in black suit and shades. He kept his arms folded as Tiffany approached after gesturing for Kirsty to stay back for a moment. ''I need to speak with Keith, it's for business reasons.'' She told him.
The guard glared at Tiffany for a moment and seemed to give Kirsty a suspicious look under his glasses. He brought his arms down to his side and walked around Tiffany, approaching Kirsty, who was feeling quite intimidated, to say the least. Her neck ached with having to look up at the giant. ''Hold our your arms.'' He instructed in a deep voice.
As her heart rocketed with increasing pace, Kirsty slowly did as she was told, holding out her arms to the side as far as she could stretch them. The guard bent down and began patting her firmly, feeling for anything that she might have been carrying. Staring with her arms, he kept going until he began patting her sides as well. From her rib cage to her waist to slowly down her legs, he was sure to check every part of her until she was clear.
Once he was done, he stood up tall and straight. ''What's in your right pocket?''
Kirsty had thought that she was in the clear, but unfortunately, it seemed that she had been caught out. She rubbed her hands tightly and tried to think of a way to convince the guard otherwise, but she knew that if she were going to get through this without any trouble, she would have to co-operate. Reluctantly, she reached into her pocket, pulled out the Lament Configuration and handed it to the guard.
It fitted nicely into his palm, and he seemed very curious about the golden and black box, eyeing it with great interest. Kirsty kept her grip on it for a little longer so that she had his attention. ''Just hold it. Don't do anything else with it.''
She finally let go, allowing the guard to take it and step back, granting Tiffany and Kirsty entry.
Tiffany waited for Kirsty before finally, the two ladies entered into Keith's room. It was simple enough, a small office with a worn-out red sofa on one side, and a freshly made bed with crimson sheets draped over it on the other side. Sitting at the far-end of the room behind a desk that was littered with stacks of cash, mysterious-looking powered substances and two landline phones, was Keith.
He was much younger than Kirsty had anticipated. Probably in his early-to-mid thirties, with curly black hair, tanned skin and a fine white suit with black tie, he appeared almost too ordinary. But once he looked up to see Tiffany's familiar face and greeted her with a seedy smile, Kirsty felt on edge and uneasy. ''There's my baby blonde.'' He addressed in a raspy voice.
Already, Kirsty wanted to walk up and smack his smug face but kept herself in check as Tiffany approached him slowly. He leaned back in his chair, opening up his arms like he was seeing an old family friend before getting up to lean over the table and cheek Tiffany on both cheeks. His hands remained firmly planted on the table, not trying it on or anything. Kirsty thought that perhaps he didn't want to end up damaging his goods, as he'd probably view it.
Tiffany took a few steps back, whilst Keith remained standing up as his gaze now turned towards Kirsty. ''This is an unusual, but not unpleasant, surprise. Who is the fine artwork that you have brought with you.''
Feeling like the weight of the world was now on her shoulders, Tiffany turned around to look at Kirsty, but couldn't quite bring herself to answer. Kirsty could see that Tiffany was unsure with how to go through with this, so she stepped forward and spoke on her friend's behalf. ''I'm here for business. I was hoping to pay for Tiffany's services.''
''Is that so?'' Keith questioned with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. ''I must say, that's not how these things are usually done. You must be new to all this.''
''You could say that.'' Kirsty forced a grin, playing the part.
A gruff, amused chuckle escaped Keith. ''I'm a business man, I'm not here to judge my clients otherwise I wouldn't get very far.''
''I guess you can't be judgemental of people in your position. You probably have to accept calls from anyone, no matter how special.''
Keith lifted himself up from his chair and walked around his desk, wagging a finger towards her. ''Not necessarily. I do also have to take the well being of my ladies into consideration. So I have to ask, why is the gorgeous Tiffany chosen to be your lucky lady tonight?'' He held out his arms towards the blonde woman as if he was showing her off like a prize to be one, whilst Tiffany looked towards the ground in embarrassment.
Thinking on her feet, Kirsty shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. ''I have a thing for blondes.''
A slow nod came from Keith before he slowly turned to look at Tiffany. ''You certainly know how to catch an eye.'' All of a sudden, the smirk on his face disappeared. ''Though I'm curious, this woman here wouldn't happen to be named Kirsty by any chance?''
The two ladies stared at each other and felt like they were caught in a furnace.
However, Keith broke into another hoarse laugh. ''Because our lovely Amy told me earlier how you got distracted from work today because you met an old friend.'' He took a small step closer to Tiffany once his laughter had been drawn out, as he whispered to her. ''You know that I don't like it when someone's lying.''
''B-but I didn't lie about anything,'' Tiffany replied weakly.
''No,'' Keith agreed. ''But you were going to. You were going to act like this woman here was just another client, and to me, that's just as bad.''
The loud sound of a hand slamming down on Keith's desk caused Tiffany to jump, and Keith turned his attention towards the source of the sound. Kirsty had practically thrown the money bills down, as she shot a glare towards Keith. ''This money isn't a lie. I'm paying for her for tonight. It wouldn't be a good business deal for you to turn it down.''
A moment of quietness followed, until the guard from outside opened the door, obviously drawn by the loud sound that Kirsty had caused. Keith held out his hand to stop the guard, who responded obediently. Keith walked around Tiffany, lingering longer than he needed to, before walking over to reach for the money Kirsty had left on the desk. He reached out further than intended like he was trying to feel Kirsty's skin, but the woman had already retracted her arm away.
Another amused grin came from the pimp as he took the money in his hand, flipping it in his fingers, counting it bill by bill until he knew the correct amount. He stared into Kirsty's eyes. She didn't look away, but this only seemed to charm him more. ''I look at you now, I think I know the type of person you are.''
''You don't know anything about me.'' Kirsty spat.
''I can take a guess,'' He looked her over, his eyes drifting up and down. ''Judging from your clothing, and this hefty paying for our baby Tiffany, you seem to have quite a bit of wealth. But you don't use it often. Only when need be. Maybe it's not yours. Maybe you're a foxy cougar who likes to get with wealthy boys and girls, with the occasional peasant. You have noble intentions, but I see something in your eyes. A little bit of darkness. I can always see that darkness in a person's eyes. And you are sinking in it.''
Feeling daunted by his words, Kirsty lost her concentration and looked away from Keith and towards the door. ''Can Tiffany and I go now? Or am I going to pay less because you wasted my time?''
Keith held up his arms in mock surrendering. ''She's all yours. Please enjoy.''
Wasting no time, Kirsty turned, grabbed Tiffany's hand and rushed back towards the door. Neither of them wanted to spend another second in this pit. Kirsty didn't even dare look back to see if Keith was still looking at her with a confident grin plastered on his face. All she cared about was getting Tiffany away from her as soon as possible.
Just as they walked past the door, Kirsty looked over to the guard to see him looking down at the puzzle box still in his hand, with one finger about to trail over the markings. Without warning, she snatched it from his hand and walked on. ''Trust me, you don't want to do that.''
To Be Continued…
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