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. I only own my OC's.
Note: The following is a rough outline of what was to happen in this chapter. I apologise for not being able to write the full chapter as intended, however, life has proven hectic and along with my plans to start writing original stories, I don't have the time needed to finish all my stories. I didn't want to leave them abandoned, so I decided to give a rough outline of the story's events so that you could see how it would have progressed and ended. I hope that you understand. Maybe one day I might come back and fully finish them as intended, but as that's up in the air, I thought that I'd end things this way rather than leave unfinished. Thank you for your time.
Chapter Four (Rough Outline)
The days were slow and agonising for Kirsty.
In one hand, she continued to cling to the Lament Configuration. Her thumb would brush over the black markings, finding strange comfort in the sensation. She held a small phone in her other hand. There was only one contact number that belonged to Tiffany. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for the inevitable call she would receive. She knew it was only a matter of time before Tiffany would be called to entertain The Special Client.
As she waits, Kirsty begins to wonder if she has any right to get involved. She would do anything to help her only friend, but if they were wrong, Kirsty would be condemning someone to an eternity of pain. The Cenobites would not care. They wished for flesh, innocent or not.
On a calm night, five days after meeting with Keith, Kirsty finally receives a call from Tiffany. The blonde explains that she has been arranged to meet with a client who wishes to remain anonymous and demands that she sign a non-disclosure agreement before the meeting. Fearing this could be the individual causing the mysterious disappearances, Tiffany gives Kirsty the address, and she prepares to follow her. But, before Kirsty can depart, she feels a call from Pinhead. After opening the box and summoning the Dark Prince alone, Pinhead appears and warns Kirsty about the rouge Cenobite he has been tasked with finding. He tells her that Leviathan has asked for her assistance with finding who has made a new puzzle box for the rogue. Kirsty promises that she will help him, but she needs to be with Tiffany first.
Apprehensive at first, Pinhead agrees to let her go and will protect her should anything happen. However, he tells her that once this ordeal with Tiffany is sorted, she will need to dedicate herself to Leviathan and their mission or suffer dire consequences.
''Leviathan will not be pleased with you putting the needs of others before his order,'' Pinhead said.
Kirsty locks eyes with her lover. ''I'll take any punishment he has in mind. But, I will not leave Tiffany, not this time.''
Kirsty follows Tiffany's taxi until she finally arrives at the destination. Hiding in the shadows on the other side of the street, Kirsty watches tensely as Tiffany ascends a flight of stairs up a shabby motel. She clutches the Lament Configuration in her hand, refusing to let Tiffany out of her sights for even a second.
Keeping her distance, she trails her friend. Tiffany's pace has slowed to a crawl as she is overwhelmed with panic. Her mind taunts her with proclamations of suffering the same fate as the other women who have been called. At the same time, Kirsty ponders to herself about the situation. Why would Tiffany have needed to sign an agreement beforehand? If Tiffany was to be killed, there would be evidence incriminating Keith and whoever this client is.
At last, Tiffany arrives at the door. She knocks and waits for an answer. Down the corridor, Kirsty peers around the corner and watches as the door is slowly opened.
Both women are taken aback when Mayor Frederick Chapman III is the one to answer the door.
He quickly ushers Tiffany inside before she is spotted by any onlookers. Before she disappears out of Kirsty's sight and into the room, Tiffany reaches into her pocket and quietly calls Kirsty. Kirsty answers it and listens to the conversation, ready to burst into action at the first sign of trouble. However, as time passes, it becomes apparent that the Mayor has no harmful intentions towards Tiffany and merely wants her to serve him with a night of pleasure in a way that his older wife can't. Tiffany keeps her phone hidden as she spends an hour with him. Kirsty is forced to listen to every action.
When Mayor Chapman is finished, he pays Tiffany and reminds her of the contract agreement she made with Keith earlier. If she tells anyone of his affair, especially before his campaign for re-election, he will find a way to bury her.
Kirsty rushes out of the motel before she is spotted and waits outside for Tiffany. When they meet, they both conclude that Mayor Chapman is not The Special Client. Tiffany wonders if Keith suspects something between them, and that's why he won't send her. Kirsty vows to keep helping her, despite what Pinhead told her earlier of Leviathan's limited patience. Though she is determined, she knows that she will not be allowed to stall forever.
At the centre of the Labyrinth, Pinhead goes to Leviathan once more, inquiring about the rouge Cenobite. Once again, Leviathan is vague with his description of the rogue, as if the mere mention of it was insulting to his rule.
Pinhead is persistent to know everything he can, whilst maintaining his respect for Leviathan. Leviathan does reveal that the rogue was imprisoned decades ago because he grew too blood-thirsty to be controlled and killed his own Gash.
Pinhead gazes up at his master. ''Does this rogue's power rival my own?''
''That I do not know!'' Leviathan states. ''His desire for flesh and pain, on the other hand, is beyond even yours, my son. Do not underestimate him. When he is found, I want him brought to me, bound in chains, bloody and broken.''
''It shall be done. And our Guardian has promised me she will aid our cause.''
Leviathan is silent for a moment. ''I sense doubt in your words.''
''I assure, Leviathan, Kirsty Cotton is absolutely dedicated to us.''
''To us? Or you?'' Leviathan probes. His towering shadow looms over the kneeling Cenobite. ''If she keeps us from the rouge, I will ensure that she suffers the same fate as him. And you will be made to watch.''
Keeping his head bowed, Pinhead presses his knuckle to the ground harder until he is bleeding. Yet, his face remains calm and poised. ''I understand.''
To Be Continued…