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Chapter 6: The party

The new year was one of Stephen's favourite holidays, he liked it because it was an excuse to get drunk when he was young but he liked the idea of a fresh slate. The hotel he was running was throwing a rather large party. He was stood in the middle of the party, the whole room was filled with people dancing in their expensive outfits. He walked through the dance floor, drinking a glass of bourbon as he did. He was wearing a black tuxedo but he hated it, it didn't feel right to him, it just felt wrong.

He walked towards the bar where Rachel was standing. She was wearing a purple dress and had her black hair hanging down, she was scanning the room, looking for anyone that she didn't like. Stephen leaned onto the bar and ordered another drink, he was stressed.

"She's not here yet." Rachel said.

"Fucking hell...I just want to start a new year as a family, she's like a teenager….She's like me as a teenager." Ralph said, he was frustrated and a little bit drunk.

"Why are you so obsessed with us being a family father?" Rachel asked. She turned her head to him but he kept his eyes on his drink.

"You'll get to a stage in your life when you need a family, when you need support." Ralph said as he turned around, looking for his daughter.

"You abandoned all of yours...Why now?" Rachel asked. Ralph looked at her, he was getting annoyed by all of the questions.

"No particular reason." Ralph said as he downed his glass of bourbon and ordered another one.

X

Dave was stood in his room, he was wearing the tuxedo and was in the process of shaving. His hair had been cut, he lost about half of it and he had to admit it felt lighter. He combed it over and took a deep breath. The door knocked and Magician walked in, wearing a black suit like him. The only difference between the two were their cufflinks. Dave was wearing Captain America's shield ones whilst Paul was wearing the Punishers skull.

"Why am I going to this party? Aren't I your prisoner?" Dave asked as he looked at his adversary.

"It's the new year...Everybody deserves a night off, anyway...You'll like this." Paul said as he walked out of the room. Dave reluctantly followed, knowing he would more than likely be forced out if he didn't.

Dave followed Paul into the lift where the two waited for it to go to the floor that they needed to go to. Paul pulled a pistol out of his pocket, it was a small revolver but enough to kill Dave if he tried to do anything. He noticed that on both of his fists he had metal on his knuckles, all with a line of steel that reached down into his sleeve. Dave pondered what they were but assumed it was for hitting him.

The lift door eventually opened and the two walked to a small door at the end of the corridor, it looked like any other door but when Paul opened, Dave discovered a set of stairs. The two walked down them, Dave still having no idea what was going on and then he was pushed through a final door. On the other side was a group of men in expensive suits holding their whiskey, they were surrounding something which Dave was pushed to.

Dave saw a couple of men bare knuckle fighting, the crowd were cheering and roaring for the two to fight it out. Within seconds one of the men fell to the ground, covered in blood. The winner lifted his arms up and roared, celebrating his victory.

"Who's next?" The fighter asked. His white shirt was covered in blood. The brute of a man was at least six foot tall and was three times the size of Dave, at least muscle wise. He had a beard that stretched down his neck and the eyes of a killer. Paul pushed Dave forward and the fighter looked at him, smiling.

"I guess me." Dave said as he handed his jacket to Paul and rolled up his sleeves.

The fighter ran towards Dave, throwing a punch but he quickly ducked out of the way. Dave punched the fighter in the kidney as he ran past him. The punch made the fighter fall to his knees, trying to pull himself up from that rather strong jab, Dave walked in front of him. Dave then proceeded to punch the fighter below the throat until he fell unconscious.

"Think you can fight a real man?" Paul asked as he walked out of the crowd. He threw his jacket to the ground along with Dave's and rolled up his sleeves.

Dave took a deep breath and looked at Paul, ready to fight. Paul looked at him smiling, he clenched his fists and sprinted towards Dave, he stopped right in front of Dave as he was about to duck and kicked his knee cap, he then punched him in the face and knocked the hero to the ground. Paul picked Dave up off the ground and proceeded to punch him over and over until he had enough. Paul dropped the body but much to his disbelief, Dave managed to get up. He was covered in blood, it stopped him from being able to see. Two men took Dave and dragged him away, Paul smiled and followed.

"Take him to lab, let's get him fixed before midnight." Paul said as they dragged him away.

X

Carrie was stood in her room. She was wearing the red dress that Stephen had sent to her room. She didn't really like it but it did suit her the only downside was that it brought back memories. When she turned to the mirror she could see herself on that night, covered in blood and hearing that laughter. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

She turned to the door and left the room. She didn't really want to go to the party but she had to know what Stephen was up to, he didn't want a family, he wasn't that kind of man...At least that's all she knew.

Carrie walked into the party, she walked through the dance floor, pushing some people out the way and approaching the bar where Stephen was stood with Rachel. Kathleen was sat, sipping on her gin and tonic.

"Drink?" Carrie asked as she approached the group.

"Whiskey...You're favourite?" Rachel said as she snapped her fingers, the barman handed her a glass of whiskey which she made hover in the air and drift over to Carrie.

"Essentially….Let's wait for your brother at a table." Stephen commented. He seemed angry for some reason or at least worried.

"It's been a week, how is he getting here?" Kathleen asked as they the group walked over to a small reserved table.

"All he needs to do is take the stairs." Stephen said. Carrie looked at his hand when he took a sip of his drink, she noticed how it shaked.

"I'm sorry about Mindy Kathleen, it must have been hard on you." Carrie said to her aunt, she kept her eyes on Stephen though.

"Thank you Carrie, it...It still is difficult but Ralph is here so...He was always a good helper." Kathleen said. It felt weird for Stephen to hear his real name but comforting.

"Imagine that." Carrie said as she looked Stephen in the eyes.

"I helped you through your problems a few years ago." Stephen commented but Carrie didn't care.

"But Mindy's death, it must have been a shock...I mean, the killer could be anyone." Carrie said as she turned the conversation back to her cousin.

"Anyone indeed." Stephen commented. Carrie and Stephen stared at each other for a moment, each forcing their blame on each other.

The whole table went quiet for a second, the tension was starting to get to them but Rachel was the one to break it.

"Paul...You made it." Rachel said as she got up. She walked up to Paul and the two kissed. Carrie stared at Paul for a second, her heart pounding against her chest. He sat at the table with the group smiling and looking at Carrie, he had the grin of the devil.

It took a few more seconds but Dave eventually arrived and sat next to Paul, he looked at Carrie and the two just stared at each other for a moment, both completely shocked to see each other there. Carrie was confused, she had no idea what was going on and why Dave was there but there they were.

"Dave...It's good to see you again." Carrie said. Her voice was softer, lighter, it was probably because she was just happy to see a friend.

"Good to see you to." Dave said. He kept blinking, as if he was trying to get out of a bad dream. He shook his head a few times and his fingers were twitching.

"You ok Dave? Sorry, he had to have a little operation before we came." Paul said smiling as he looked at Dave. Carrie looked at him, she was terrified but he looked even worse.

"I see you made it, took you long enough." Stephen said as he stood up. The whole table turned their heads to the two men who were walking towards the table.

"Sorry, I was having a conversation with this gentleman here." Charlie said as he introduced the man next to him.

"Danny." Carrie whispered under her breath as she looked at her old boyfriend.

The two men looked a little different from the last time they were seen. They were pale and their hands kept shaking, Carrie noticed a few cuts around their neck and ears, as if a needle had gone in. They weren't right, they were broken in some way but Carrie could not put her finger on it, she was to shocked to see Danny there but he just stood there, not showing any emotion what-so-ever.

X

A few miles away Sue and Alex were driving down the road. Sue had managed to work out where Carrie was using the tracker. It was difficult to drive, there was so much snow that it was difficult for them to be safe on the road. Sue was working on the computer, trying to work out where they were whilst Alex kept his eyes on the road.

He started to slow down when he noticed a light, he stopped right in front of it and got out of the car. He slowly walked towards it, hiding the gun behind his back but as he got closer he realised it was a cabin for the rangers. He put the gun into his trousers and walked towards the door but before he opened it he looked at the car to see that the doors were open and that Sue was gone.

He took out his gun, panicking now but as he stepped away from the door, it opened. He turned to see who it was and walking out of it was Nemesis, kicking Alex to the ground.

"Let's make this the last round." Nemesis said as he walked towards Alex.

Well I hope you enjoyed so please review. What did you think? What has happened to Dave, Charlie and Danny? What is Stephen actually up to? What do you want to see happen next? Until next time, have fun.