Chapter 12
It was a beautiful morning. Birds were chirping. People were waiting impatiently in line as Baristas rushed around making drinks and warming up small sandwiches with pleasant smiles. A popular coffee shop near the BNB was filled almost beyond capacity as the line threatened to spill out of the front door. A man dressed in a royal blue business suit and cranberry tie chatted angrily on his cell phone as Evelyn rubbed her temples in a circular motion repeatedly trying to convince herself it was not a good idea to shove the guys phone down his throat. A thin guy that couldn't be older than his mid twenties smiled and handed Evelyn the largest cup available of her favorite coffee. Evelyn somehow managed a smile that barely passed as friendly before taking the cup and walking a few buildings over to work.
Half way into the lobby she began to doubt if she would make it up to her office. Security check was extra slow this morning and she sighed in frustration. After reaching her floor she dragged her feet moving at a sloth like pace until she reached her office door. She thanked God as she collapsed into her comfortable office chair. Taking a small sip of the hot coffee she placed it a safe distance away turning on her computer to check e-mails and judging from her screen she was going to be spending most of the day at her desk.
After successfully finishing a small amount of work she laid back in her chair with a groan. Tugging on the edges of her button up blouse she lifted up the soft fabric to see black and blue bruises near her ribs and small whelps on her abdomen. She could barely lift her arms and when she did she had to bite back the sting of pain. A soft knock on her door made her jump as she released her shirt.
"Come in" She called continuing to tap away on the keys on her keyboard.
Gordon waltzed in with a smirk closing the door behind him.
"Good morning darling" He greeted.
"Honestly Gordon do you ever go to work?" Evelyn huffed.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning" He chuckled letting her irritated statement roll off his back.
Taking a seat at one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk he observed his closest friend. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary although she was moving with more stiffness than usual.
"Is there something I can do?" Gordon asked not bothering to ask if something was wrong.
"You got Bourbon?" Evelyn sighed glancing in his direction as she continued to type.
"Fresh out I'm afraid" He smirked.
"Then I guess not" Evelyn said tight lipped.
Gordon did not say anything as he stood walking over to Evelyn who was ignoring him. He placed a kiss to her forehead and in that very moment the front door opened without warning. Nicolette stood on the other side with widened eyes as she watched Gordon remove his lips from her forehead.
"Careful. She is not in the best of moods" Gordon warned before brushing past the young woman.
Nicolette turned to see that Evelyn did not quite look like herself but she appeared guilty rather than upset as she watched Gordon leave.
"What is it?" Evelyn questioned Nicolette.
"I didn't mean to interrupt"
"Just tell me what you came here for" Evelyn sighed turning her full attention to Nicolette.
"Ummm you know what, it's nothing. I can handle it" Nicolette said taking a few steps backwards and closing the door.
"Idiot" Evelyn huffed under her breath.
Evelyn felt a wave of guilt overtake her as she thought about how rude she had been to Gordon. Seriously that man had the patience of a Saint. She knew she needed to apologize but she wasn't calm enough yet. She was just irritated. It wasn't really because of anything or anyone she was just in a bitchy mood. It was just a sign of what was soon to come and she really did not feel like dealing with that but what choice did she have. She placed her hands on her stomach as the cramps started. Crossing her arms on the table she rested her forehead on them as tears pricked her eyes. She did not have much time to focus on her mood swings because the sound of her office phone ringing distracted her. The head producer, Bryan Fields, the same man she had to thank for this new promotion spoke on the opposite end of the receiver informing Evelyn that an emergency meeting was being called in one of the conference rooms a level above. She assured him she would be up quickly. She grabbed her notebook, a couple of pens and her cell phone.
She was one of the first to arrive if that accounted for anything seeing that the others were only seconds behind her. She took a seat at a semi circular shaped table lined with black leather office chairs. A screen used for presentations and other things sat on the wall at the head of the table. Bryan took the floor once everyone was enclosed within the office.
"I am sure you all have heard but last night the terrorist cell only known as the letter V struck again. They attacked a small elementary school. Thankfully no one was killed. Many were injured and some are still in critical condition. Chancellor Sutler wants us to run this story every few hours to remind everyone that we are under attack and there can be no room for weakness" Bryan said. He did not seem to believe the words coming out of his mouth just simply repeated facts that were given to him.
I felt my jaw clench in anger. How dare that spineless coward, Sutler I mean. He actually blew up an elementary school so that he could pin this on V and make everyone think this "terrorist cell" were complete lunatics. As if England wasn't shaking in their boots on a daily with numerous disappearances, diseases and chaos. I gripped my pen tighter in my fingers as dark thoughts raced through my head. The harsh snap of the thick plastic in my hands drew everyone's attention.
"Ms. Dunas are you alright?" Bryan questioned.
"Yes. I'm fine. This is just very upsetting news"
"Get used to it. You can't let every sad story get to you" Bryan said with a disapproving look.
I placed the two pieces of my pen on the paper that was stained with ink and balled up the trash.
"Chancellor also wants full press coverage on the ground breaking of the new medical facility. Gossip about the terrorist cell will not be tolerated and be seen as an act of espionage that will be handled accordingly" Bryan said in a stern tone. I saw many faces in the room grow pale with fear.
"That is all for now. You may all return to work" Bryan said dismissing everyone.
Mostly everyone shuffled quickly and quietly out of the room. I threw away my inky paper wad and grabbed my things before leaving. After glancing at my phone I realized it was lunch time. I decided to skip it and focus on work so that I could go home early. By the time three o' clock rolled around I was turning off my computer and walking to the elevator to ride down to the bottom floor. Once I arrived home I rushed into the kitchen beginning to feel the consequence of skipping lunch. I looked around my home seeing the small touches and decorations I added feeling a sense of pride swell in my chest.
As I ate a cold cut sandwich my focus began to shift from my comfy home to V and that utter bull crap of a meeting earlier.
No, even though he was an ass about it Bryan was right. You can't let yourself be emotionally involved. I thought to myself but immediately images and video from the explosion played through my mind. Children's faces burned, bloody and disfigured made the food churn in my stomach knowing they would forever bare reminders of that horrible day. How could anyone not take it personal? When did it end? No no one we knew was harmed in the explosion but what about tomorrow? What about when a new disease or virus ran ram-pit killing innocents? Sitting quiet was not the answer that much I had no doubt about but I wasn't like my father and brother even though I so desperately wanted to be in my younger years. It was not my place, besides no one person could change an entire country on their own.
This last thought caused a chill to run down my spine. No, one person couldn't possibly change it. So what was V going to accomplish alone? He would only orchestrate his own suicide. I gripped the counter I sat at as the thought of V being gunned down or kidnapped and taken to some unknown facility and have only God knows what done to him made me spring to my feet as I clamped a hand over my mouth. I rushed to my trash can clutching the rim as I vomited up what little I ate of my meal. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I began to tremble. Oh God not again! I couldn't lose him, not V. Why was I always put in this situation? Why did I have to either sacrifice everything for love or have nothing at all? Why couldn't my life be normal? Why couldn't I date some quiet hard working man with dreams that kept us alive but never went past the sunset?
The very thought of such a life drained a fraction of the life out of me, still, I pretended to be happy about much worse things. I think I could pull it off. I tied up the trash bag and went to my bathroom to rinse my mouth out then brush my teeth and take a long steamy shower. The shower wasn't as long as I thought it would be seeing that my thoughts would not let me rest. I changed clothes, packed a small bag, and took the trash out before making my way to V's Shadow Gallery. It was nearly time for our training session.
I made sure I was careful of the camera's positioned along the streets and that I was not followed. The route became almost routine to me. I entered V's numerical pass key and heard the door click allowing me entrance. The house was dark but that wasn't unusual with him. I called out for him but there was no answer, again not unusual. V was incredibly private so I tried not to pry. I shrugged and decided to start warming up in the training room.
The sun was setting but it could not completely be classified as dark yet. The sky was a beautiful twist of peach and orange with very few clouds in the sky. V took in the sight not allowing himself to pass up an opportunity to view beauty. The sound of male voices caused him to retreat further into his hiding space as he surveyed the area. A few guards were talking among themselves happy that their shift was drawing to a close. One of the guards lit a cigarette but his partner scolded him for not taking his duties seriously. The guard with the cigarette laughed and told the other guard to pull a stick out of his ass before being shouted at to take his smoking somewhere else.
The guard raised his hands in surrender before walking off to have a quick smoke. V knew this was his opportunity. He snuck up on the guard grumbling under his breath while he was distracted by his slack co-worker. V covered his mouth and slammed his head into the stone building knocking him unconscious without a sound. V quickly took the ring of keys off of his hip and opened the door dragging the guard inside. When the other guard returned he would think his partner left for the day. No suspicion should be raised.
V left the unconscious guard in a closet as he continued on with his plan. From the outside you would assume this building was simply a library although all of the men dressed in bullet proof vests and guns would give you pause. The media told the public it was for their own protection, of course, as well as a precaution to make sure that New England's history was preserved. It did not take long for V to silently make his way to his destination undetected. Standing several feet away from the door that was his initial destination he pulled a small device from his chest pocket and pressed the button.
Meanwhile in the control center that monitored the security of the library several random cameras flickered. One of the guardsman smacked his palms on the screen and magically the screens fixed themselves.
"Should we check it out sir?" A young guard questioned.
The guardsman furrowed his brows. Everyone seemed to be on high alert from one of the attacks by the V terrorists. Although the camera's that flickered were in various parts of the library, it could be nothing. He would rather be safe than have Mr. Creedy paying him a visit.
"Take two man teams in the areas. Radio in anything that seems suspicious"
The guardsman turned his head as the door to the control room opened. The thin guard that left for a smoke brake entered checking in his weapons before he left from his shift.
"Where's your partner?" The head guardsman questioned.
The smaller guard shrugged.
"Must have took off early. He was in a bad mood" The guard lied not wanting to tell his superior he was smoking on the job.
"How did he leave without you knowing?" The guardsman questioned suspiciously.
"I um...went to the loo" The guard said but could see his superior did not buy the lie.
"Alright. I needed a smoke. Shits been hard lately" The guard said trying to defend himself poorly.
"You idiot!" The guardsman said shoving the smaller guard.
The guardsman clutched a radio attached to the vest strapped to his chest. Turning his head to the side he harshly commanded that all guards be on alert for an intruder and a missing guard.
"If anythings happens I'll let Creedy deal with you. I'm not going down for this" The guardsman said tight lipped as he poked the irresponsible guard in the chest.
"Well what are you standing around for idiot. Find him!"
The thin guard jumped from the shout and raced out of the room. The guardsman rolled his eyes and huffed in irritation. Ten guards prepared for their sweeps while other guards already on duty kept a vigilant eye out for the missing guard and intruders.
V glided like a dark ghost past items, artifacts, and numerous shelves of books that were black listed. Chancellor Sutler's greed and inflated ego would actually work in England's favor once he was finally dethroned. Chancellor Sutler wanted trophies of his conquest and power. He collected any and everything that he felt would inspire resistance to his New England world order or anything offensive towards him not caring who he had to kill to accomplish that task. He hid everything away when he could have destroyed it. V smiled knowing that everything good and bad would be saved. He continued on when he came to a smaller room. A dagger slid into his hand as he reached for the doorknob. He threw the door open making sure to stand aside in case there was someone holding a load weapon on the opposite side. When nothing happened and he could hear no movements of anyone inside he entered closing the door behind him. V also had to thank the Chancellor for organizing all of the items so precisely. It did not take long for V to find what he came for. Gently taking the item he placed it into one of his pockets tapping the area to make sure it was secure.
Swiftly turning to exit he ducked into a hiding place when he heard the thunderous sound of footsteps. He guessed that there were only two guards briskly walking through the larger room. V clutched his dagger tighter as he watched the guards inspecting the room.
"This is stupid. It was only a glitch in that crappy system" A guard huffed in irritation.
"Don't matta' it's our job. Come on" The second guard said continuing further into the room ahead of his partner.
The guard passed V not even taking a notice to him however the second guard was closing in on his position and V readied himself for an attack. He would have to strike first. Both men carried automatic weapons where he was solely armed with daggers. That was not to say the men were at a disadvantage he would just have strategize his attacks differently. The element of surprise was his friend.
V appeared in front of the guard suddenly. He was completely taken off guard and barely had time to call out when V's razor sharp daggers ripped through his throat silencing his attempted cries for help. V let the guard's body fall where he stood. The thump alerting the second guard.
"Horace?" The man called in concern.
When he did not receive a reply he readied his pistol with an ominous click. Slowly he made his way back the way he came checking every corner he passed until he came upon a motionless body laying on the floor drenched in blood.
"Bloody hell"
V appeared as if by magic behind the man. The guard felt his dark presence before he turned to face him. The guard's finger rested on the trigger but his fear kept it frozen in place, unfortunately for him. V threw a dagger piercing the guard's wrist instantly disarming him before another dagger flew towards his throat. Once the guard fell to his knees V yanked his daggers out of the man walking past him ignoring the soft thud of a body hitting the floor. They knew he was here. This wasn't good.
V was extremely cautious as he maneuvered through the maze of hallways and rooms. He felt his spirits lift knowing he was quickly approaching his exit. However before he could reach the sanctuary a group of six guards blocked his path forming a semi circle around him. The barrel of guns were trained on him when the head guard made his way to the front of the ambush.
"It's over. You can come quietly or we can kill you right here. Either way once Chancellor Sutler gets a hold of you you're dead. S'up to you" The head guard smiled mockingly.
"All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity*" V sighed unaffected by the words of Creedy's man. His daggers slid to his palms with a small flick of his wrist that was not noticed by any of the seven men around him.
"I'll take that as a no" The head guard chuckled nodding to his men who prepared to execute V.
Before any of the guards could pull the trigger one of V's daggers sliced through the air embedding itself in the back of the guard's skull. The man fell to the floor never evening know what hit him. Most of the other men were paralyzed in shock but a few managed to gather their wits and shots rang out. V already managed to use one of the guards as a shield as his co workers nearly emptied their barrels before noticing their mistake. Two guards lowered their guns in shock and V took advantage of the moment rapidly cutting through their throats with one precise swipe per guard.
Three guards remained. Two continued to shoot at the threatening figure, but did not seem to be successful in landing a fatal blow, while their colleague loaded his weapon with shaking fingers causing him to drop his ammo. Knives spun through the air stabbing two of the guards before they could instinctively dodge the attack. The last guard standing shouted as adrenaline raced through him trying his hardest to kill the man that brought him closer to death with every passing second. After two fires the gun clicked multiple times signalling to the guard that he was out of bullets. The guard clicked the gun desperately until he realized his predicament. Turning wide eyes laced with fear to the dark figure he gagged in surprise as V stood centimeters away from him. A surging pain raced from his abdomen. V retracted his dagger and spun away from the man who sputtered blood before sinking to the ground with lifeless eyes still stretched in terror.
V raced out of the library pressing one hand tightly to his chest although it was concealed by his long cape that flapped in the wind behind him. V managed to make it a few blocks away from the library when he stumbled and collided with a brick wall. He quietly grunted in pain as he forced his eyes to focus. He told himself to keep a firm hand to his worse wound so as not to leave a trail. Pushing himself off of the wall he drug his feet in the direction of a route he rarely traveled to his Shadow Gallery. He soon found himself at a door. Using the hidden key pad he barely found the strength to push the buttons and sighed in relief when the door clicked allowing him entrance. Making sure to shut the door behind him he continued further into the Shadow Gallery. He needed to get to his room. He allowed his hand to drop from his chest not minding the trail of blood now. He grabbed onto any wall, table or shelf that would offer him support as he struggled to reach his room. The hand he used to cover a wound was drenched in warm sticky blood. The copper smell would have stung his nose if he was not used to it. Grabbing hold of a nearby table his hand slipped as the two slick surfaces collided. V grunted in agony as he tumbled to the ground landing on his side. V tried to move but the journey back to the Shadow Gallery was long since he took a different route in case he left a trail of blood. Once his pursuers found their way to the mouth of a maze of tunnel entrances they would be hopelessly lost buying him time.
With a determined grunt he pushed himself to his knees but that seemed to take everything within him. No. He had to find the strength he had his vendetta to complete. All of this could not be for nothing. He never should have went to the library. He never should have deviated from his plans. Although the agony of failing to finish his vendetta burned stronger than the bullet holes in his chest another pain emerged making his breath catch in his throat. Evelyn. He would never see Evelyn again. There was so much he needed to say to her. So much he needed to explain. Not only had he failed England but even worse he failed Evey. V fell forward placing most of his weight on his hands when he thought he heard the sound of footsteps. Taking a deep breath he silenced his groans of pain as he struggled to get a firm grip on his knife. The sound became louder until a voice broke through the silence.
"V? Oh God V!"
Evelyn fell to her knees in front of V. The sound of V's knife clattering to the ground barely caught her attention as she pushed his cloak open to get a better look at his wounds. She sighed as she stared at his clothed chest. Because of his all black attire it was difficult to assess the damage.
"V stay with me ok. Where is your first aid kit?"
"B...bottom drawer. Bathroom, mine" V gasped trying to form the few words.
Evelyn did not need anymore information. She burst into his room ignoring everything but a door that would lead to his bathroom. Her eyes fell on three doors on different walls of the room. Running to the nearest one she threw the door open nearly crying in relief on her luck. Rummaging through different drawers she finally came to a drawer holding a box that nearly took up the entire space. Snatching the lid off to make sure it was what she needed she ran back to V's side with the box tight in her grasp. She looked wildly to see a puddle of blood but no V.
"V!" She cried out in concern.
"Here...Evey"
Evelyn turned towards the voice and followed it back into V's room. He was sitting on his bed with his back against his headboard. Evelyn dropped the box on V's night stand pulling off the lid and dropping it to her feet as she pulled out everything she would need.
"I will take it from here" V insisted with a grunt.
"Hush" Evelyn said as she focused on preparing to clean his wounds. She reached towards his clothing.
"Evey" V warned grabbing her wrists staining one in blood.
"Either you let me do this or I tie you up and do it anyway" Evelyn said turning her steely gaze to the eye slits of the Guy Fawkes mask.
V's grip tightened but Evelyn ignored the slight pain. Sighing in defeat she turned shining eyes filled with unshed tears to him.
"Please my love" Evelyn pleaded.
V let his hands fall from her wrists as he sagged against his headboard. Evelyn reached for the belt wrapped around his zipped outer covering. Being mindful of his weapons she managed to get the first layer of clothing off of him. Underneath the zipped vest he wore a black long sleeve button up shirt.
"Is it just your chest?" Evelyn questioned wondering if she needed to strip him of the elegant piece of cotton.
"Yes" He huffed in exhaustion.
"Hold on V" Evelyn urged as her fingers worked to unbutton the shirt.
She winced as she finally got a good look at the damage seeing three holes in his chest and one being fairly close to his heart.
"I need you to sit up so I can see if they are through and through"
"They went through" V assured her.
"All of them?"
"Yes"
Evelyn grabbed the antiseptic and medical pads used for cleaning wounds.
"This will hurt. Do you want some alcohol"
"No. It is alright Evey"
Evelyn bit her lower lip in pain knowing she was going to hurt the man she loved. There was no time to be foolish. Pouring the liquid into the hole she felt V go rigid. Quickly using the pad she dabbed the area cleaning up any blood or excess liquid that may have dripped.
It seemed like hours later and V was barely holding onto consciousness yet he still managed to keep himself upright while Evelyn stitched his exit wounds. Taping some cloth over the stitched areas she began wrapping his chest before helping him lay back against the headboard. Evelyn left his side shuffling into the bathroom opening the medicine cabinet taking a bottle of pain killers.
"I'll be right back" She threw over her shoulder before disappearing out of the room.
After finding a glass in the kitchen and filling it with cold water she wandered back into the bedroom to see V had stripped out of his shirt although he was not bare chest. He instead replaced his blood soaked shirt with a clean one. The shirt was buttoned up and Evelyn felt her lips pull down in a frown. She handed him the cup and a few pills but he did not take them as he continued to sit motionless.
"For the love of..." Evelyn cried throwing her arms up in frustration before leaving the bedroom and leaning against the closed door.
After some time passed she knocked on the door. V allowed her entrance and although she was frustrated she tried to hide it. He was in pain and inured.
"You should really get some rest" Evelyn said gently.
"Thank you Evelyn"
"I told you to call me Evey" She smiled.
"Thank you. Evey"
Evelyn rested against the door with her arms crossed over her chest staring at the man she loved. With a mischievous smile she walked towards the bed. Sitting on the opposite side of V as she slipped her shoes off then tucked her feet under the lavishly comfortable sheets and comforter. V's mask tilted down in her direction.
"Evey what are you doing?"
"Lay down" She replied.
"Evey..."
"You can't tell me you think your virtue is danger to little old me?" Evelyn teased.
"You have raised a sword to me on more than one occasion" V said trying to tease her back but his voice sounded strained.
"I just want to be near by in case you need me. Lay down V. Please"
Slowly V eased down under the covers laying on his back stiffly with his hands placed over his stomach. Evelyn chuckled sliding closer before resting her head on his shoulder but making sure he was not in any pain. Gently she rested a hand over his gloved one. She told herself she shouldn't fall asleep. She would need to check his bandage in a few hours but the events from the day caught up to her at the same time the warm feeling of Evelyn molded against him and the lulling numbness of the pain medicine forced V into a deep sleep.
*William Shakespeare, Hamlet
